Session 3, March 24th 2007

Dianysia moves to join Trist & Jeff. "You guys, have you noticed a single pattern since we've been here? Why'd we break down a door that obviously has no use?"

Tristanu clears his throat..."Because...I...uh...thought I heard something in there"

Jefferson Harco: “I have no clue of the pattern...i just keep trying to find something
Jefferson Harco: “I dont know what im looking for, but im looking

Dianysia: "Uh, the fact that we have rooms in an old ruin that are well oiled, and squeak free, didn't occur to you?"
Dianysia: "And, Jeff, you mind if I kinda clean you up?"

Jefferson Harco: yeah sure i clean up easy

Dianysia casts prestidigitation to help clean the poo off of Jeff

Dianysia: "Much better."

Jefferson Harco: thanks!

Dianysia: Hey, let's go back to the first room, and work strategically from there.

Jefferson Harco: sounds like a great idea

Tristanu nods at Dian

Tristanu: "please...lead the way"

Jefferson Harco follows Dia

Dianysia leads the way back to the first room.

Jefferson Harco follows.

DM: alright... so you're back in the nice open room, three statues of Anor, the stone basin, and the 3 curtains

Tristanu wishes to examine the items in this room very closely

Jefferson Harco is keeping a lookout.

DM: ummm... you find rubble

Jefferson Harco: upon learning that this rubble looks familiar i serch again...

Tristanu: search

DM: still not finding anything out of place

Jefferson Harco: k well im gonna look for prints...outside to see if i can trace them into the building

Tristanu: "So...I'm not finding anything...what happered to Yu? He seems the type to be able to find things that others can't"

Dianysia: Heck, I'll do that

Jefferson Harco: I'm searching outside for prints...
Jefferson Harco: Yeah where is Yu?
Jefferson Harco: ok ill search one statue, and you two search the others?
Jefferson Harco: no i think we should search the statues and the baisn
Jefferson Harco: ill take the basin

Yushaqi: "Still in here," Yushaqi says as he walks in from the main enterance.

Jefferson Harco: hey Yu help us figure out where we are going?

Dianysia: I am going to search another statue

Jefferson Harco: i search the basin

Dianysia: I will take the first one closest to the entrance

DM: a'ight... one of the 2 flanking the basin

Yushaqi: "If you are like water, and follow the easiest path, you will only be lost in the sea. Follow the path of most difficulty to find yourself, and your goal," Yushaqi says, then shakes his head as the party searchs the statues, and moves to the curtain to the left.

Dianysia: "Hey, can you help me search over here? We don't want to miss anything in this room"

Tristanu follows Yu

Yushaqi: Yushaqi looks over at Dianysia, "If you were going to keep something hidden, and a secret, would you keep the clue to finding it in the most public room of your storehouse?"

DM: the basin & statues reveal nothing new

Dianysia: "Actually, yes, I just might. No one would look there."

Jefferson Harco: ok so i think we can rule out this room....

DM: the curtain Yu & Trist are looking at is quite wide, about 20 ft, split down the center... it's in a fairly good state of repair, surprisingly since the temple shows signs of being abandoned for at least a few centuries

Yushaqi: "Your answers are deeper into the ruins, among the pathes you did not follow," he pauses as Dianysia speaks, "Perhaps, but others search because knowing their surroundings is how they live."

Dianysia: "If you're talking about yourself, that's great. You could tell us that, and we might believe you, but why risk the fact you may havve missed something."

Dianysia casts detect magic

Yushaqi: Drops his pack by the wall next to the curtain, and takes a sunrod out of his pack, but doesn't activate it. He does not pick up his pack. He then reaches over and pulls back the curtain.

Dianysia: I'm going to slowly turn around the room to search for magic

DM: Yu, pulling back the curtain you're faced with more room like the last, obvious disrepair, that curves off out of sight to your right
DM: no magic found anywhere in your turn, Dia (takes 40 seconds)

Tristanu uses detect evil for as long as he can concentrate

Yushaqi: "Dianysia I grew up in temples, we keep nothing secret or valuble in the public areas."

Jefferson Harco: You grew up in a temple?
Jefferson Harco: Which temple?

Dianysia heads to the next room, scanning from the doorway around (bigger distance, less time, hehe)

DM: but no magic detected in that room
DM: small nave, obviously what the priests of Anor used

Yushaqi: "Lets head down this path, Tristanu, go first, Jeff, cover our rear, and Dianysia, stay with me, ok?" and pausing to look at Jefferson, "I am a Priest of the god, of course I did."

Jefferson Harco: which god, may i ask? **follows in the rear

Yushaqi: "Abbey of the Roc, and the one and only god."

Tristanu heads into the room first as directed

DM: okay, so Dia's obviously not going the way that Yu wanted... Trist is already heading where Yu suggested...

Yushaqi: "Well I guess Dia is not going to follow us, Jeff, keep Dia safe, ok?"

Jefferson Harco: ill stay with dia so shes not left alone...

DM: okay, we've got the 2 groups

Yushaqi: Nods at Jeff, then says to Tristanu, "Lead the way, and hopefully we don't end up in a fight."

Jefferson Harco runs up to keep up with Dia

Tristanu: "well hopefully...if we are faced with evil...I may be able to see it ahead of time"

DM: Trist, Yu... once you turn the corner, you're faced with a large room, obviously what used to be the priests' quarters... remains of cots, wooden benches, tables, and even a small kitchen are still identifiable... the whole room is littered with rock debris from the landslide you saw evidence of outside. Several parts of the ceiling have also collapsed, letting sunlight in

Tristanu makes his way along the hallway...scanning for evil...until faced with anything out of place or a decision.

Yushaqi: "I wish I lived in your world Tristanu... see if you can find another door, I will look around this room, see if there is anything interesting," Yushaqi said, beginning to search the room.

Dianysia whispers to Jeff as he arrives, "Don't speak... I'm checking for magic traces."

Jefferson Harco remains silent

DM: Trist/Yu... the room you're faced with is somewhat "T" shaped... one branch leads the way you came, down the length of the curtain
DM: the main part stretches back away from the hallway, filled with the cots, about 40 feet overall
DM: the final part is opposite your entrance, and has a door at its far side

Tristanu: "Hold on...I detect the presence of evil in this room"

DM: dia/jeff... you're in the antechamber off the main temple... no magic detected... you can go through the door you've already been through or back into the sanctuary

Tristanu is obviously concentrating...trying to learn more about the evil he has detected.

Dianysia: Tommorrow I need to prepare more detect magics, at least if I don't find anything now...

Jefferson Harco: ok, well we shall worry about that later

Dianysia: I'm going to follow the original path we took

DM: you're in the small square room dominated by the fountain... presence of magic... and at that, we switch back to Trist/Yu... :-p

Dianysia stops, whispers, "I see something.

Tristanu: "It is a mild evil presence...still trying to determine exactly where it is coming from"

Yushaqi: "You do, interesting," Yushaqi says, looking at the Paladin for more information. "How do you define evil if I may ask?"

Yushaqi: Continues to search, looking briefly up at Tristanu every so often.

DM: okay... Yu, you spot something small in the shadows under the cot right next to you

Yushaqi: "Tristanu, we have a friend here," Yushaqi says, pointing to the cot with the thing under it, and backing up behind Tristanu

Tristanu thinks in his mind..."OH!!! there it is!!"

DM: the creature bursts out from under the cot, quite nasty looking, like a distorted human head with bat wings growing out behind the ears...
DM: it flaps up out of reach near the ceiling
DM: and now we've got regular rounds... yu, critter, trist

Yushaqi: Yushaqi reaches up the left sleeve of his robes, but does nothing else.

DM: it opens its mouth, revealing quite disgusting fangs, and shrieks... Dia & Jeff, you hear this unearthly howling coming from the way the others went...

Dianysia runs to find the others
Jefferson Harco runs faster

Tristanu: OK...since it is still out of reach...I ready a melee attack for it to come into range

Yushaqi: Yushaqi slowly and carefully moves his right arm under his sleeve, and then briefly closes his eyes, and a slight humming noise is momentarily heard.

DM: alright... the critter plunges down towards Trist

Tristanu: Tristanu attacks

DM: both attacks fail... critter attacks... and hits, biting Trist.

Yushaqi: Quickly steps up the creatures saide, pulling a curving blade from inside his sleeve, and slashing at one of the things wings, angling the blade in towards the 'head'

(498) DM: you bisect the thing... it drops in 2 pieces fluttering to the floor

Yushaqi: Yushaqi pulls a peice of cloth out from his left sleeve, quickly wiping down the blade before sleeding it back up his sleeve.

DM: Jeff, you round the corner to see Trist and Jeff standing over a gory pile on the floor
DM: Dia, you're quick behind him

Jefferson Harco: What happened?

Dianysia: "Can't take you two anywhere, can I?"

Yushaqi: "It attacked us, and Tristanu killed it," Yushaqi says

Tristanu tries not to look surprised...then not to smile

Dianysia: "Great job Tristanu. Any clue what it... uh... was?"

Dianysia studies it further. "Umm, that's not good."

DM: Yu, don't forget that your search was interrupted
DM: you didn't find anything out of the ordinary during the part you completed

Jefferson Harco: whats the deal with this creature Dia?

Dianysia: Well, this is a Vargouille. It reproduces by turning its victims into Vargouille.

Yushaqi: Walks away from the gore, and starts to look over the room again.

Dianysia: You guys, that fountain we saw in the other room... It's actually got healing magic properties to it.

Yushaqi: "That is not all that surprising Dianysia, this is after all a temple," Yushaqi says, still searching.

Jefferson Harco: I search the room for some clues

Yushaqi: "Umm, door in the floor, anyone feel like checking it out?" Yushaqi says, kneeling down by a secret door in the wall, and scanning it.

Dianysia: "Yeah, I know. But we're in this temple looking for some artifact. We don't know what kind of artifact, but given the temple affiliations, that might be a lead. It's not like we have any others."

Jefferson Harco: i listen to the door

DM: you hear nothing

Jefferson Harco: ok well i attempt to open the door

Yushaqi: Yushaqi grabs Jeff's wrists, and says "Stop,"

Jefferson Harco stops

Yushaqi: Then continues to search the door over.

DM: you find nothing out of order
DM: the door is fairly well hidden, but was obviously intended to be opened easily if you know where it is

Jefferson Harco: why am I stopping?

Yushaqi: Nods to himself, then steps away from the door, "Tristanu, come on up here?" then turning to Jeff, "Because one, if it is hidden, it may not be the most healthy thing to open"
Yushaqi: "And I feel we should have the guy in the tin suit enter first."

Tristanu: "Forget the tin suit...I am mildly more resistant to injury by the elements"

DM: the door swings open, revealing a narrow dark hallway, leading forward several yards before turning abruptly left

Jefferson Harco: ok who wants to take the lead?
Jefferson Harco: anyone?

Yushaqi: "Tristanu, then you Jeff, ok?"

Dianysia steps forward. You all have issues

Jefferson Harco: are you ok with this decision Tris?

Tristanu heads in before hearing approval or denial

Dianysia enters the hall second

Jefferson Harco: After You...Yu...

DM: okay... once you turn the corner, there's NO light... Trist, you can see where you are, but can't see past the corner

Yushaqi: "Very well," Yushaqi says, then follows, activating his sunrod.

Jefferson Harco follows with his Nimbus activated

Dianysia rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

Tristanu peeks around the corner

Yushaqi: "I will take the lead, probably safer anyways," Yushaqi says, stepping around the corner, scanning the walls and floors.

Dianysia: Maybe we should leave the fireflies in the back, so as not to draw attention to ourselves?

DM: okay... around the corner... it goes for five feet, and dead ends at another wall

Jefferson Harco: good idea..."Nimbus off"
Jefferson Harco loses the light

DM: find nothing, Yu

Tristanu leans to whisper to Yu..."The passageway comes to an end ahead...could there possibly be another hidden door?"

Yushaqi: "Dead end guys," Yushaqi says from down in the hall.

Jefferson Harco: why have we stopped?
Jefferson Harco: alright, back out the hole...

Jefferson Harco turns around and heads back thru the hidden door to the bedroom

Dianysia exits as well.

Yushaqi: Hides the sunrod under his robes, using the light spelling in from the bedroom to guide him out of the hall, moving past Tristanu

Dianysia: So, what did everyone find, anything?

Jefferson Harco: i haven't looked for anything

Yushaqi: "Not much in here, just winged heads and a dead end," Yushaqi says, sitting down on one of the cots.

Jefferson Harco: I go back and seach the end of the hallway

Yushaqi: "Enjoy playing in the dark?" Jeff, Yushaqi says as he sees Jeff enter the secret door again.

Tristanu heads to cover him
Tristanu: And Iwill make a search as well...maybe I will get lucky.

DM: you don't find anything out of order, Trist

Yushaqi: Gets up and walks into the hallway, revealing his sunrod, and asking, "What are you all up too?"

Dianysia: search by feel in the hallway

DM: you don't find anything in the first 5 feet, dia...

Tristanu: "I just wanted to make sure nothing befell Jeff in here...and since he seemed to be looking for something...I decided to help"

Jefferson Harco: Thants for your concern Tris

Yushaqi: "What are you guys trying to find, there is nothing here," Yushaqi says, "I will look again just to prove it," he adds, then begins to search the walls, running his eyes and fingers over them.

Jefferson Harco: Hey did you find anything Yu?

Dianysia turns to Yu. "What is your deal? Just because you don't find it, doesn't mean it's not there."

Tristanu: Not a problem...by Elu...the dust in here is covering me
Tristanu appears disgusted by the sight of dirt

Yushaqi: "Found some stone," Yushaqi says, but I don't really see any possiblity of anything to be here, although it is strange that that door leads into nothing. THis could of been an old storeroom though."

Tristanu: "There must be something here Yu...something tells me that we aremissing something"

Jefferson Harco opens a newly found door

Tristanu: "You should really let me handle the door opening"

Yushaqi: "Well good work, next time wait to open it though," Yushaqi says, then looks through the opened door, shining his light in."

DM: so... pushing open the door... it's of stone construction, similar to the last one, obviously designed to be easily opened once its location is known... inside, you find yourself in a sqaure room lined with broken shelves, obviously what was once a well-stocked library. More than a little of the roof has collapsed, which has ruined most of the books inside... piles of rubbish litter the floor...

Jefferson Harco: Heads up, Spider to the side....
Jefferson Harco: I move into the room, on the other side of the spider
Jefferson Harco: keeping watch on the situation, end turn.

Tristanu shows a small amount of anxiety

Dianysia looks positively green.

DM: room is roughly 20 by 20, with shelves on all the walls, and a very rough, rubbish-strewn floor but otherwise clear
DM: spider is about 15 feet from the door, to the right as you enter
DM: Jeff split off to the left on entering

Tristanu steels himself...looks somewhat shaky in the face of this opponent...but manages to move himself into melee with the beast and strikes for the head

DM: miss

Jefferson Harco: clear line to charge? then I charge

DM: btw... what Jeff didn't mention, that is obvious as soon as anyone looks in... this spider, is about the size of Dia
DM: okay... spider takes a solid blow, reels back for a second, then hisses and lashes out at Jeff as the one that hurt it, striking a solid blow

Yushaqi: Yushaqi throws the sunrod into the room, towards the spider, and then reaches up his sleeve.

Dianysia casts mage armor, then moves to get behind the paladin.

Tristanu: try to spank it again...this should be funny

DM: ummm... you drop your sword

Jefferson Harco: ok i use a stunning attack

DM: you succeed in the stun

Yushaqi: Steps in the room, his hand still up his sleeve, and once in the room (five foot step) he closes his eyes, and a humming sounds slightly for a brief moment.

Dianysia casts a magic missile

DM: two bolts slam home... splatting through its carapace, as the spider slumps down, obviously dead

Jefferson Harco: nice shot Dia.

Dianysia: Thanks... I HATE spiders!

Jefferson Harco: ok well i continue to search the room

Yushaqi: Pulls his hand out of his sleeve, and nods to Dianysia, before collecting his sunrod, and covering it.

Dianysia: Hey, anyone hurt? We can see if we can find out what is going on with that fountain.

Dianysia shudders again about the spider.

Jefferson Harco: well if there's nothing in this room, then we could continue the other way.

Yushaqi: "We should push on," Yushaqi says, beginning to search the library in detail.

Jefferson Harco: hmm...well

Dianysia shuffles around looking for a few 'good' books that may have srvived the ravages of time

DM: besides the shelves... something that couldn't be seen from the hidden door (which is hidden behind a mobile set of shelves, of all things), along that same wall to the extreme left of the wall (when facing the doors) is a normal wooden door

DM: dia, you find nothing

Jefferson Harco: hm well i go to inspect the door

Yushaqi: Yushaqi pauses by the door, and carefully searches it.

Dianysia whispers in awe, I wonder what all these books would have been about.

Yushaqi: "I don't know, but you can take a look at these," Yushaqi says, pointing towards a set of realtivly intact books.

Dianysia goes to the books. Gingerly opens them as if they were children, the look of awe still on her face.

Dianysia: I wonder if they need mend or if it would even work...

Jefferson Harco: ok well i try to open the door

Dianysia: Does anybody mind if I keep these for study?

Yushaqi: Just shrugs, and watchs Jeff open the door.

DM: opening the door, you find yourself looking into a hallway, with a door twenty feet ahead, another off to the left side of the hallway five feet closer... and then hallways continuing diagonally behind you and to the left of your position, following the wall of the librrary that is just to your left. What you can see of the walls are lined with painted portraits
DM: Jeff, you notice that your patron is in one of the portraits

Jefferson Harco: i continue to walk thru the hallway glancing and bowing towards my patron

DM: looking back, you see the hallways is symmetrical, with a door at the far end as well, more portraits lining the walls

Dianysia moves down the hall, looking at the portraits, studying them as she passes.

Yushaqi: Rolls his eyes at the sight of Jeff showing reverence to one of the patrons, then enters the hallway, following Jeff, but scanning and searching as he does.

Jefferson Harco: ok well wel have three choices...
Jefferson Harco: any ideas?

DM: Dia, you recognize several of the "good" patrons among the portraits, including one of Anor... it doesn't take much to infer that all of the portaits would be patrons

Dianysia: Either that, or we can choose one way and stick to it until we dead end. Say, the left-ish one

Yushaqi: "Well, how about you and Dianysia goto the door at the end of the hall, check it out, and I will take the one to the left. If you run into anything, just hollar, and I will come, and vice versa?" Yushaqi says.

Jefferson Harco: i think we should stay together

Dianysia: I agree that we should stick together.

Yushaqi: "I don't mean go that far, just take a little look see and such, see which one seems to be the better choice."

Jefferson Harco: well in that sense why dont each of us open the door of our choice...then yell what we see

Yushaqi: "Because a surface look is not enough, and if Dianysia gets in trouble do you think we can get to her fast enough," Yushaqi asks, "She should stick with someone."

Dianysia: That will still pose a problem if any traps go off or... spiders...

Yushaqi: "Well, Jeff as just be barging through, and hasn't set off any traps yet, we should be fine there, and that last spider wasn't that hard for you to kill, but that is why you stick with Jeff, or you can come with me?"

Jefferson Harco: lets just all stick together

Dianysia: Yu, you don't have to worry about me. I'm not the strongest in the bunch, but I can hold my own. I don't nee to be protected because I'm a girl. I still think we should stick together.

Yushaqi: "If that is why you guys wish, then fine, you can follow me through the left door," Yushaqi says, walking up to the left door, and beginning to inspect it.

Jefferson Harco follows Yu

Dianysia falls in line.

Yushaqi: "Thats interesting..." Yushaqi says, "Dianysia, can you tell me what you make of this, the handle is awefully cold."

Dianysia: I can look, but I can't tell anything for sure... I'm out of my detect magic for the day..

Dianysia moves to study the handle

Jefferson Harco: i could just bust in

DM: as far as you can tell... the handle is just abnormally cold, but there's no way of telling WHY it's cold
DM: when I say abnormally cold... think a can of soda/beer just pulled out of the fridge kind of cold

Yushaqi: Turns the handle, and opens the door slightly, then reaches into his left sleeve again, before leaning on the door to slowly open it, looking into the room as he does.

Jefferson Harco: hmm...

Dianysia: Might be magical... unless you know of an ancient ruin of having a secret ice cache

DM: beyond is a small room about ten feet deep, fifteen feet across, cluttered with old, moldy, rotten furniture and discarded clothing... the air inside is noticeably colder, the same temperature as that door handle, although there's no visible clue as to why... the air is incredibly stagnant, as though the door has not been opened in centuries... which is probably hasn't

Yushaqi: "Well, I've at least discovered an interesting scent," Yushaqi says, entering the room, his hand reappearing from his sleeve.

(498) DM: the air gets noticeably colder as you step inside

Jefferson Harco: i walk into the room too

Yushaqi: "It is really cold in here," Yushaqi says, searching for a source of the cold.

Dianysia casts dawnburst

Jefferson Harco: yeah where is that coming from...

Dianysia: Anything?'

DM: the dawnburst makes all 3 of you glow like torches

Jefferson Harco: thanks anyways Dia, but I can withstand low temperatures

Dianysia cast a sideways glance at Jeff. No, making sure that there was nothing hiding in here CAUSING the cold

DM: Yu as you come around one of the moldy chairs, you feel the cold intensify like a knife stab... the chair is covered in some brown mold that seems to be the source of the cold... Jeff, you run afoul of another patch of the mold... Dia, you're only starting your search when this happens, getting near a 3rd patch of the stuff

Yushaqi: Takes the end of his sunrod and pushes it into the mold, saying, "What the hell is this crap?"

Dianysia looks fairly stricken and moves back towards the middle of the room.

DM: the mold doesn't seem to react in any way to the sunrod

Jefferson Harco: well i search the room for anything else..

DM: you find nothing more than several patches of the mold

Jefferson Harco: i have to step out of the room.

Dianysia: This isn't supposed to be happening.. it's not natural... It's a defense against fire...

Jefferson Harco leaves the room to go warm up..

Dianysia seems torn between curiosity and self-preservation.

Yushaqi: "Hmm, anyone able to make some fire," Yushaqi asks.

Dianysia: Yeah, but I am not sure what will happen. Should I try? If it goes wrong, I'll need someone to cover my backside... but it IS appearing to be somewhat resistant to fire already...

Yushaqi: "Well, we could take a look at that bereau over there," Yushaqi says, pointing over to the indicated item, and moving towards it, searching in more detail, "first."

Jefferson Harco is still watching everyone from the outside of the room, thru the doorway

Dianysia moves to check.

Dianysia: That was bunk.

Jefferson Harco: **yelling into the room** anything??

Yushaqi: "There is a door," Yushaqi says, beginning to push the Bereau out of the way.

Jefferson Harco: i need to heal before i can move any further...

Dianysia turns towards a spore and casts burning hands.

DM: the fire sputters as it leaves your hands... fading away before it can hit the mold
DM: but you DO manage to light some of the other furniture on fire
DM: which starts to smolder, producing a decent bit of smoke

Dianysia: It's what I was afraid of. It's fire-resistant

Yushaqi: Yushaqi, watching the burning attempt, shrugs, and focuses again on the door, searching it in depth.

Dianysia: A little help here?
Dianysia moves to extinguish the fire, trying NOT to injure self.

Jefferson Harco: i cant...it will hurt if i go back in...

Yushaqi: "Just throw something with the mold on top of the fire," Yushaqi said, as he opens the door, "Jeff, come on in."

Dianysia casts ray of frost in the same area

DM: lol, that puts out the fire

Jefferson Harco: ok well im stuck out here.

Dianysia: You can move in here... You just can't get too near the mold

Jefferson Harco: ok well i move to the door, avoiding any mold by at least 5 feet if possible
Jefferson Harco: the door that Yu was in

DM: avoiding the patches of the most cold, it's easy to avoid the mold, now that you know to watch out for it
DM: beyond the door, you are faced with a long set of stairs going down into darkness, beyond the limits of any available light

Session 2, March 17th 2007

Tristanu: "There was an awfully strange wind blowing yesterday Dianysia...did you notice?"

Dianysia: "Was there? I didn't notice"

Tristanu: "Strangely it only blew around me and did so for exactly one hour...odd"

Dianysia: "Oh, yeah, I noticed that.. it was odd.."

Tristanu: "There is foul works about...that breeze tells me"

Dianysia: "Well, since it only blew around you... maybe it means foul works towards you?"

Yushaqi leans against the tree, his arms across his chest, eyes still closed, hiding the brown eyes underneath. His brown hair is closely cropped and trimmed, as is his thin brown beard. He doesn't look to be too tall, nor too short, and to be about average build, with olive tone skin.

Tristanu: "Yes...perhaps our opposing mage was directing some form of distanced perception on me...I think that perhaps you should look into the matter"

Dia is elven, with dark hair, blue eyes. She's wearing color-shifting robes (sometimes she wears blue, sometimes red), followed by a riding dog. She wears no armor (hint: mage)

Dianysia: "I will most certainly look into it for you, Tristanu. We wouldn't want any mage working foul magic on our party."

Tristanu: "Of course...since you are so very dedicated...it is a possibility that we will need you to take the lead in our contest with him...no worries, of course, you will be well protected as long as I am here!"

Dianysia: "As long as you are so kind as to take care of the remainder of his party, I would be more than willing to lead the fight against the evil mage."

Eyes still closed, Yusahqi says, "Protection is not something one can promise, only attempt, beware of promises which you may not be able to keep."

Tristanu looks very offended "My good man...I have never failed before in that which I have attempted...I dare not begin now! Our enemy will flee at the very sight of me!"

Dianysia mumbles something about friends running as well.

Tristanu: "What was that Dianysia?"

Dianysia: "Aren't friends swell?"

Yushaqi: "One day brother, you will be faced with a challenge, and you will fail in your promise. That is why you do not make a promise unless it can be kept, and why you avoid oaths."

Tristanu looks upon Yushaqi with an expression of extreme distaste "Yes, well, let us hope that my failure does not come while I am attempting to provide healing care to you, dear Yushaqi!"

Jefferson Harco: "Yushaqi, is it ok if i just call you Shaq?"

Yushaqi stands up, and brushes some of the dirt off of him, and adjusts his robes. "I do not hope for you to fail, just warning you of the dire consequences of promises and oaths," and turning to Jefferson, "No."

Jefferson Harco: "Ok then Yushaqi!! Where are we off to now? the Ruins?"

Dianysia: "Is there any nickname that we could use that wouldn't offend you?"

Tristanu seems to ignore Yushaqi's statement in a vain attempt to make his hair part just right.

Yushaqi: "If you must, then I guess Yu would be best, as it at least does not break two parts of my name up and shove them together."

Tristanu shoots a gaze at Dian's buttocks while she is not looking "I will take the rear"

Yushaqi: "Very well, I am behind Dianysia."

DM: right then... we've got our marching order... and the sun is starting to rise, making it light enough for travel

Jefferson Harco: "Lets continue to head west towards the ruins."

DM: Swift has been perched in the tree above all this time, and now takes off into the air, circling above often, but generally drifting towards the west.

Dianysia: "Yes, but let's keep a close eye out for the other party... If we come across them, I may be able to glean some useful information from them."

Yushaqi picks up his pack, throwing it on, and muttering a slight prayer under his breath before stepping out onto the path.

Jefferson Harco gets his bearings by following Swift in the sky, then continues west.

DM: a'ight... we've got another fairly uneventful day of hiking... by mid-afternoon the forest has come into view to the west, and the hills are more or less behind you at this point

DM: once in the forest, navigation might become more of a problem... any of you happen to have any ideas how you're going to stay on track through the trackless wilderness? :-p

Dianysia: "Anyone know their way through a forest? I am most certainly a city girl."

Jefferson Harco: "We could punch trees in the way we are traveling so that we can keep our bearings."

Dianysia: "Umm... no... Not breaking a nail, thank you very much."

Jefferson Harco: "Hmm...well i dont know..."

DM: if you try to blaze a trail, your progress will be EXTREMELY slow, as you'll have to fight the underbrush

Jefferson Harco: "Anyone have any ration crumbs?"

Tristanu looks at Jefferson with a confused expression

Dianysia: "I have chalk... we could draw an arrow."

Jefferson Harco: "hmm...chalk might just work?"

Yushaqi drops his stuff onto the ground, and sits down, looking at the party. "Mind if we rest a bit first? I am just a simple priest... not used to walking."

Jefferson Harco: "How about we dont stop and we keep walking."

Dianysia: "Well, I just realized... if the people come in behind us, we'll be pointing straight at ourselves."

Jefferson Harco: "We cannot let the other group get the artifact, whatever it is, before us."

Jefferson Harco: "Well lets just hope they cant read arrow...."

Tristanu: "Point all the arrows backwards"

Tristanu: "They point the way back...not the way to"

Yushaqi: "I trust in the will of God, and do not worry to much about it. And by the way, getting out of a forest is far more difficult then getting in."

Dianysia looks at Tristanu in amazement. "That really might work."

Tristanu: "That may at least deter their progress for a moment"

Jefferson Harco: "hm...this is a predictament..."

Jefferson Harco: "I just say we run through everything."

Yushaqi: "The brash path is rarely the path of success, but the path of an unwanted rebirth," Yushaqi says, then takes a sip of water from one of his skins.

Jefferson Harco: "Deep, just like the forest...."

Jefferson Harco: "Ok we're not getting anywhere by listening to the insightful words of Yushaqi here...we need to formulate a plan."

Jefferson Harco: "The chalk idea is our best bet."

Jefferson Harco: "Well second to punching trees..."

Dianysia looks between Mr. Sage and Mr. Vain. "Any idea from the peanut galleries?"

Yushaqi just rolls his eyes, and stands back up. "Never been in a wood without some trails, and we just run from the sun until it is above us, then towards it after that."

Jefferson Harco: "Listen Yushaqi, I dont know what elven wine your sippin on but thats not gonna help us out right now."

Tristanu: "What, my dear, is a 'peanut gallery'?"

Swift flies down to land on his perch, tilting his head to stare out of one eye at the party.

Dianysia: "Just worry about your hair, 'my dear' "

Dianysia: "Any ideas, Swift?"

Yushaqi looks at Jefferson and says, "Brother, the son moves in a fairly straight line. We just follow its line, and we can go in a straight line."

Jefferson Harco: "Well i walk in a straight line how about you just follow me..."

Swift turns to look straight at Dia with one eye, then darts his head again, looking away with his beak possibly "just happening" to end up pointing due west.

Dianysia: "The bird knows the way... let's just follow the bird... obviously the smartest one here..."

Jefferson Harco: "No argument there...."

Jefferson Harco starts walking in the direction the bird pointed his beak.

Tristanu points at the lush tree growth. "Plus...I think Mr. clear a path may have issues following the sun through this."

Dianysia: "So, what's-his-face gave us a messenger and a compass? How considerate."

Jefferson Harco: "Dalimyr."

Dianysia: "As I said, what's-his-face."

Jefferson Harco: "Ok well its about time we kicked this machine into action..."

Swift takes off again, soaring low due west, then climbing high to gain altitude, circling several hundred yards ahead of the group.

Yushaqi comes up to walk next to Dianysia and says to her something in elven.

Yushaqi grins at Dianysia's comment, and adds another statement in elven.

Jefferson Harco picks up the pace....now turns to the group to wave at everyone to come join him in his brisk jog.

Yushaqi: "Let him run, maybe if he is tried, he wont speak so much."

Tristanu leaves the two love-birds alone to their own devices and runs after Jefferson

DM: Jeff catches that they're speaking, but not the individual words

Jefferson Harco: "Stop the chatter you two and keep up, we dont have much time to waste...."

Jefferson Harco slows down when he approches the edge of the forest.

Dianysia: "I'm not wasting time, thank you very much. I'm just not so good at the continued exertion."

Tristanu: "Come on...if they do not wish to stick to the mission, then so be it for them...let us not waste any time and allow that mage to get there first"

Swift soars forward a little ways into the forest, and lights on the branches of one of the trees a little ways in, still visible from the outside, looking back at the group.

Yushaqi, turning to Dianysia, "I hope he is not always insistant on getting to places now, so much for patience, no?"

Jefferson Harco follows swift into the forest...now walking at a normal pace.

Tristanu: "As of yet...I have seen NO exertion...my dear"

Dianysia laughs, then starts sprinting to catch up.

Jefferson Harco: "Ok, who has the map?"

Jefferson Harco: "We need to figure out where we are now, and how much further we have to go."

Dianysia: "Uh, didn't you have the map?"

Yushaqi continues his walk, until he eventually catches up.

Swift waits for Jeff to get under his tree, before taking off again, flying forward a few yards to light on another tree further in, staring back at the group.

Jefferson Harco: (after Yushaqi meets back up) "Oh hey, you must be the one we met back in town...nice of you to join us..."

Jefferson Harco: "This birdie loves to play games." *giggles*

Tristanu laughs.

Jefferson Harco runs after the bird.

Yushaqi: "Where we met is not going to mean squat if you keep running, exhaust yourself, or worse, the noise of our knightly friend here draws attention."

Tristanu runs to keep up.

DM: btw, you DO remember that you're only on the SECOND day, of a roughly THREE day journey to these ruins, and that the Stimson group is coming from the opposite direction?

Yushaqi turns back to Dia, and says something in elvish again.

Dianysia smiles but doesn't respond.

Jefferson Harco: "What's that jibber jabbeer you rant back there Yushaqi?"

Swift continues leading the group forward through the forest a dozen yards at a time, waiting each time until the group gets to his current position before moving to his new one.

Jefferson Harco: "hehe"

Jefferson Harco runs after Swift...looking forward to see if anything is visible as he runs...and to make sure he isn't hit by low hanging branches.

Yushaqi igores the overly loud Jefferson, and begins to concentrate on his surroundings as they walk through the forest, espeically with the noise of a running man in armor, and Jefferson's yells making hearing anything vritually impossible.

Dianysia: "What a smart bird. No wonder he sent you, Swift. Care for a ration?"

DM: as it's getting pretty close to sunset, and the direct light is only hitting the treetops above... Swift takes off a final time, this time flying up and out of sight

Dianysia: "Hmm... I think he's saying to stay put."

Jefferson Harco sighs. "Aww...i cant jump that high...."

Jefferson Harco: "Ok so now what?"

Jefferson Harco: "Did you chalk up our path into the forest, Dia?"

Yushaqi: "How about you get some sleep so we can enjoy some quiet?" Yushaqi says, dropping his stuff, and looking up into the trees.

Dianysia: "No... trust me, we're in good hands. Er, wings."

Jefferson Harco: "If we sleep now, anything could happen while we rest...and I'm sure you don't want an opposing adventuring party finding us at night."

Yushaqi: "Trust me, with the noise you two," pointing to Jefferson then the Palaidn, "made, they already know we are here."

Dianysia: "They're coming from the other direction. People need to rest. Besides, Swift has taken off, and we're useless on our own."

Jefferson Harco: "yeah you're probably right Dia... and I didn't make much noise as your insessent nagging did... Shaq."

Tristanu points out, once again, that the opposing party is approaching from the opposite direction.

Jefferson Harco climbs up a tree to rest.

Tristanu: "Ok then...I will take first watch."

Dianysia: "I can take first or last.. Can't afford to split my sleep."

DM: um, you [Jeff] get comfortable... and FALL

Tristanu: "Please...feel free to join me for the first watch...I wish to learn more about you after all"

Dianysia shrugs. "Sure."

Jefferson Harco: "Hmm, whats up?? Hmm....i guess trees are still for cats..."

Jefferson Harco falls asleep....now on the ground.

Yushaqi grins slightly as he watches Jefferson fall onto the ground, and nestles himself up against a tree.

Dianysia: "Learn anything important about gravity there, Jefferson?

Jefferson Harco: "Yeah, next time let it know you're trying to sleep....*grumbles* and rolls over...

Dianysia says something in elven to Yushaqi.

Yushaqi nods at Dianysia

Dianysia: "So, should we set up a perimeter, or what?"

Tristanu: "So...first watch begins?"

Tristanu: "No...I would think not...unless of course it makes you feel more comfortable"

Tristanu: "Feel free to ready whichever forms of protection you feel is needed"

DM: Dia & Trist, a few hours after the sun sets, you notice Swift return to perch in the tree above Yu.

Dianysia starts watching Swift, wondering what is going on.

Swift simply tucks his head under his wing, apparently going to sleep

Yushaqi after a while closes his eyes, and leans against the tree.

Tristanu: "So...(Talking to Dia)...can you tell me anything about yourself?"

Dianysia: "What do you want to know?"

Tristanu: "Whatever you feel comfortable to tell me...I just find that I like to know a little about those I fight beside"

Dianysia: "Umm... I don't know what to say... I'm pretty straight-forward...."

Dianysia: "What you see is really what you get... I like explosions, research, spells, and luxury... Oh, and animals, obviously."

Jefferson Harco wakes up and brushes the dirt that accumulated upon his arrival back to earth.

Jefferson Harco: "Alright you two, my turn to take watching."

Yushaqi continues to appear asleep, complete with rising chest, and the occasional 'dream twitch' and head loll.

Dianysia goes to sleep.

Tristanu snores a little loudly.

DM: both of you [Jeff & Yu] notice Swift wake up, and something not noticeable in the darkness of last night, he's got something tied to his leg, which he reaches down with his beak to pull the cord, catching the roll of parchment in his mouth, before dropping it to land right by Dia's sleeping form.

Jefferson Harco: I grab the parchment quickly.

Yushaqi: "Put it back Jeff, the message is for Dia, not you," Yushaqi says, still appearing asleep.

Jefferson Harco: (whispering) "How would you know its for her?"

Jefferson Harco: (still whispering) "Did you get the bird to drop off the note for ya?"

Yushaqi: "The bird dropped it by her, so therefore it is for her."

Yushaqi lolls his head slightly, giving the strong impression that he is still asleep.

DM: Jeff, you can tell he's trying to feign sleep

Tristanu snores loudly.

Tristanu rolls over and knocks his sword over.

Jefferson Harco: "Stop faking it Shaq I know your still awake, did you leave this note for her?"

Yushaqi: "Call me Shaq again, and so help me..." he starts, the lets it trail off, then says, "No, I didn't, howerver it is her note," then he stands up, and walks towards Jefferson, "Give me the note, or put it back next to her."

Jefferson Harco holds the note away from Yushaqi.

Jefferson Harco: "Listen, you better tell me how you know the note is for her or I shall gander at its conents."

Yushaqi: "Not very disciplined are you? Simply by the location of the note's fall, it is for our elven friend. I suggest leaving it for her, and let her decide what to do with it; afterall, this is the disicplined course of action. Or you chould prove me right, and do the undicispined thing, and take a look at it."

Swift screeches loudly, one eye fixed on Jeff, the noise is plenty to wake both sleepers.

Tristanu wakes up with a start "Yes lord?!?!"

Dianysia: "What is going on and why are you both standing over me?"

Jefferson Harco: "You want me not to read it but you test my person by using reverse psychology."

Dianysia: "I know well enough that I'm the only girl in the group, but this is rediculous!"

Yushaqi only grins at Jefferson, "Tell her the truth or I will."

Jefferson Harco: "This note fell from the bird and i clamied it. He says that because it landed near you it's yours, but i dont see your name on it."

Dianysia: "And you're standing over me... why?"

Yushaqi: "The bird dropped it near you, Dianysia, and I suspect it is for you. That is why he is over you."

Jefferson Harco: "Because the note fell near you and I walked over near you to grab it."

Jefferson Harco: "Swift is this note intended for the eyes of Dia?!" (looking at the bird)

Dianysia: "Oh, please... somebody read the damn note, or give it me to read."

Tristanu peers a sleepy eye on the argument, then gets the normal look of "What the hell are you guys doing?", then falls back to sleep.

Swift continues to stare right at Jeff, no obvious response.

Jefferson Harco: "I shall read it Dia if you have no objections."

Dianysia moves from the bedroll, keeping a close eye on the one standing over her.

Jefferson Harco backs up to give Dia some breathing space.

Dianysia nods her appreciation at the breathing room. "Whatever... someone read it."

Jefferson Harco reads the note aloud after seeing the nod of appreciaition.

Tristanu snores in approval.

DM: contents: "Spies place Rileal's party in vicinity of ruins this night. Further information suggests abandoned temple to Anor. Move quickly. -Dalimyr"

Dianysia: "Well, looks like we need to move on."

Jefferson Harco: "First I would like to say AH HA!! in your face Yushaqi, because I was right...and second I agree with Dia."

Jefferson Harco: "Let us make haste."

Tristanu snores his approval.

Yushaqi: "Lets not run, it is better they do not know we are here, wake up Tristanu, and I will take the lead," Yushaqi says, throwing his pack on.

Jefferson Harco goes and wakes up Tristanu.

Jefferson Harco: "Ok well if Mr. 'I'm not used to walking' over there can manage to walk for a while, then we should make it to the ruins in time to thwart Rileal.

Tristanu: "Wow...good night's sleep...I had a weird dream that you were all awake and standing over Dianysia's body"

Jefferson Harco: "You were dreaming....only I was standing over her body..."

Tristanu: "oh...right...wait...HEY!!"

Jefferson Harco: "Ok, which way Swift?!"

Yushaqi: "I would prefer Jefferson, that we approach with prudance in mind, and not make a huge amount of attention gathering gestures while we do. And with that said, quiet you two, and gather your gear."

DM: and I'm gonna do a little DM magic, and fast-forward us all... it's now about an hour, maybe hour and a half after noon, and you break out of the trees into a VERY large clearing... large enough to almost qualify as its own space, rather than a clearing in the forest... a good 50 acres or so...

Dianysia: "I would like to point out, for future reference, that I would rather wake to NOBODY standing over my body."

Jefferson Harco: "Would it be ok if Tristanu was lying next to you when you awoke?"

Tristanu smiles flirtatiously at Dia.

DM: at the base of a hill in the center of the clearing is a small stone temple, an overgrown dirt path winding towards it from somewhere off to your left. The atmosphere around is quite serene, and continues in the sense that it's been for the entire day's trip. The building has been covered by mudslides and has obviously been standing for many many years, but some of the original white granite construction still manages to shine through. The entrance to the temple can just be seen as open to the air, allowing the natural surroundings to mesh with the constructed temple.

Yushaqi: "Gentlemen, quiet. If you must talk, keep it low," Yushaqi said, then scanning the horizon.

Dianysia speaks to Yu in elven. To Jeff, "No, it would certainly NOT be all right, unless I went to bed with him there, with my permission... which, Tris, is NOT anywhere near forthcoming.

Jefferson Harco: (whispered to Tris) "ooooh...shut down...."

DM: there is no sign of any other people in sight

Dianysia: ((That was supposed to be in a quite whisper to Jeff & Trist, fyi))

Yushaqi grins, and whispers back to Dian in elven.

Jefferson Harco whispers to the group. "Let'ss run down to the entrance..."

Tristanu whispers to Jeff, "I think she wants me"

Yushaqi: "Jefferson, you go ahead and run, we will cover you from here, ok?"

Jefferson Harco: "Ok, good."

Jefferson Harco commandos up towards the temple.

Dianysia whispers to Yu in elven.

DM: moving forward 25 ft, you find NOTHING different, Jeff

Jefferson Harco is still commandoing towards the temple, and is now 50 ft away from the party.

DM: the temple is roughly 100 yards (300 ft) from the forest where y'all are standing, btw... and still nothing new, Jeff

Jefferson Harco commandoes so that he is halfway between the group and the temple.

DM: nothing new

Yushaqi steps back towards the trees slightly, hiding in the brush.

DM: still a serene scene, as far as any of you can tell

Jefferson Harco commandoing even further 15yards

DM: Swift is sitting in a tree obove you at the edge of the meadow

DM: still nothing

DM: y'all can see Jeff at this point, most of the way to the temple, still crawling across the meadow

Jefferson Harco takes 2 minutes to scan the area searching for anything that doesnt seem to belong there.

DM: okay... nothing appears out of place

Jefferson Harco runs towards the side of the temple, trying to stay out of the view of the entrance and moving silently.

Tristanu twiddles his thumbs.

DM: okay... you're at the wall... it's white granite walls...the wall stretches back away from you quite a ways, dodging both in & out from there... but you still see nothing new

Jefferson Harco turns the corner to look towards the entrance, to see if anyones there, and to listen to hear anyone around the entrance.

Dianysia: (whispering) "Do you know where they are swift?"

DM: you see nothing out of the ordinary, Yu

DM: and no response from Swift

DM: the entrance spans the whole width of this wall, you [Jeff] can see the building continuing further somewhere beyond it... the entrance is quite wide, and supported by three columns... other than that, you don't notice anything from your quick look

Jefferson Harco signals to the others on the edge to come in closer.

Tristanu starts walking to Jefferson's position.

Yushaqi continues to stay at the tree line, and watches carefully.

Jefferson Harco is still standing at the wall and watching to see if anything happens when they walk down.

Jefferson Harco makes the action to everyone that they should commando the way down.

Swift takes off from the tree, soaring out over the meadow to land at the apex of the ruined temple roof, right above the entrance.

Tristanu walks to the entrance.

DM: nothing happens, and Tristanu makes it to where Jeff is

Jefferson Harco: "Ah a little birdie tells me we are to go in." (as he walks in ahead of Tris)

Yushaqi: Only now does he begin to move towards the ruins, carefully staying out of sight as best as he can, and moving quietly as possible.

DM: the 2 of you [Jeff & Tristanu] are faced with a wide open space, three massive white granite pillars supporting the entrance. Mud and rubble cover the marble floor. Portions of the ceiling have collapsed, exposing the room to the sky. Inside, a large basin flanked by two white marble statues forms the major feature in the room. Both statues have suffered the effects of time, but they are both basically recognizeable: the one on the left shows Anor in wizard's robes, holding an elaborate staff. The one on the right pictures her in full plate armor, holding an elaborate sword. In the back right corner of the room, a smaller statue that is less worn shows her holding aloft the sun in one hand and the world in the other.

Jefferson Harco continues walking into the temple, listening and watching.

Dianysia casts invisibility and moves quitely forward.

DM: the room itself stretches forward through two narrow corridors into a back room, obscured by the tattered remains of purple curtains. Off to the left, the rear half of the wall is also tattered curtains, these golden and showing a little less wear. The basin is dried out from years of exposure with no care

Jefferson Harco: Can I hear anything coming from the back room?

DM: no

Jefferson Harco: hmm...i search the statues, visually

DM: the statues are merely marble statues, as far as you can see... very worn down from centures of exposure to the elements

Jefferson Harco cautiously continues onward to the back room.

DM: Jeff, you can spot Yu as sticking to the shadows near the entrance

Dianysia moves towards the entrance, hurrying somewhat.

Tristanu follows Jeff...weapon at the ready

DM: Jeff, you notice that the curtain has been recently disturbed

Jefferson Harco moves in closer, even more prepared for what lies ahead.

Dianysia whispers "This can't be good."

DM: moving into the room... it's a nicely decorated atrium, this time with an intact ceiling... a beautiful inslaid stone mosaid of a variety of the good patrons dominates the walls. The sounds from outside, so obvious in the entrance hall, are muted in here, lending it a serene quiet.

Tristanu keeps himself ready.

DM: both of you can hear the sound of running water from coming from behind the single wooden door in the room, which is directly opposite the curtain you just passed through.

Jefferson Harco: does the right side passage meet up with the left side passage into this room?

DM: yes

Jefferson Harco: ok well i listen to the door

Dianysia enters quietly behind them.

DM: nothing more than the running water

Jefferson Harco opens the door slowly.

DM: okay... you open the door slowly, the wood surprisingly well preserved for its age... the mechanism moves smoothly, too.

Jefferson Harco glares towards the shadows of the curtain... then move into the doorway.

DM: beyond the door, you see a small square nave, dominated by a white marble fountain, topped by a statue of the sun patron. The fountain is still running fresh and clear after all these years, and the right side of the nave is diminated by a wide golden curtain, mostly intact, but spread open slightly in the center

Jefferson Harco: does it look like it was spread recently?

DM: no way to tell

Jefferson Harco: ok i go towards the fountain and kneel to take a handful of water to sip on.

DM: it's literally just a couple steps from the door

Tristanu: I search the room

DM: you find nothing spectacular about the room

Jefferson Harco: after sipping on water, i move towards the gold curtain

DM: the water is crisp and clear, slightly cool

DM: beyond the curtain is the rest of the room, decorated similarly, with a few stone benches against the walls... a hallway stretches off to the left, with a large mosaic of the sun patron on the "back" wall (directions from the curtain)

Jefferson Harco: I glance down the hallway to the left

DM: it leads to another small room, all you can see is a tattered tapestry on the left wall, and another door directly across that room from the hallway

Jefferson Harco moves slowly into the hallway and towards the other room

Dianysia inspects the sun decoration.

Tristanu is right behind him [Jeff].

DM: it's a short hallway... within a few feet you can see into the room, obviously a small sanctuary for private communion with the patron. More tattered tapestries line the walls, with more benches at the back right... in addition to the door opposite the hallway, a door leads off the other side, a sharp u-turn from the hallway to your right (leading into the room that forms the right side of that hallway)

Dianysia searches the mosaic.

DM: the decoration itself is a beautiful mosaic, depicting the sun patron in her most common setting, striding across a clear field, lit by a single sunbeam from above - other than exquisite workmanship, there is nothing special about the mosaic

Jefferson Harco: I'll listen to the door opposite the hallway i just came through.

DM: you hear nothing at the door opposite the hallway

Jefferson Harco: i open the door

DM: this door opens just as smoothly Jeff... beyond is a simple hallway, with a door leading off to the right, another leading off to the left

Jefferson Harco: "hmm...this is quite maze like..."

Tristanu listens at the left door.

DM: you hear nothing through the door, Trist

Jefferson Harco: ok well i move to the door on the right, and listen to it

Tristanu: "It seems our over-wise friend was unable to keep up"

Dianysia: "Umm... yeah...."

DM: you hear nothing

Jefferson Harco: i open it

DM: the handle turns, but the door won't open

Jefferson Harco: ok move to the door that was to the left and listen to the door

Tristanu: " no luck over there?"

DM: you hear nothing

Jefferson Harco: open it?

DM: the door opens easily... and the most noxious smell you have ever come across comes pouring out of the room beyond. Iit's obviously some sort of tool shed, since you see a variety of rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, etc. (used in maintaining a garden) littering the shelves around the wall... but there's also several piles of what looked like manure for fertilizer, that has obviously gone bad over the years, and is obviously the source of the stench...

Jefferson Harco: hmm... I search the manure...

DM: Jeff, you are gagging at the smell, sickened

Dianysia: "Eeewww...."

Dianysia looks around for Yu.

Jefferson Harco: i search the room

DM: trist, you're fine with the smell

DM: you find nothing of interest in the manure... but your hands are now coated in it

Dianysia: "Eeeewwwwwww! Keep away from me... far, far away..."

Jefferson Harco: "Haha," while gagging, "it's like posion on my fists!!!"

Jefferson Harco: I move back out of the poop shed

DM: okay... moving back into the hallway, you start to catch your breath again

Jefferson Harco: ok back to where there was the unopenable door.

DM: the one thing... in addition to the door you entered by, there is a 2nd door out of the gardening shed, off to the left of the entrance

Tristanu: Listening at the other door

Jefferson Harco: i go back to a way i can move further onward

DM: you see sunlight streaming through cracks in the closed door, and bird sounds, but nothing more

DM: Jeff, define that for me

Jefferson Harco: uh past the unopenable door, back to the closed door in the room before that

Jefferson Harco: i think it was the sanctuarry

Dianysia: "Eeewww..."

Dianysia moves AWAY from Jeff

Jefferson Harco: "Oh dont worry Dia, its not my own feces...."

Dianysia looks sick and steps further away.

Jefferson Harco: ok so i open the other door in the sancutary

Dianysia: "So, how do we get into the unopened room? I mean, come on... that's where all the fun is!"

Jefferson Harco: "we could break it down?"

Tristanu brandishes his sword.

Tristanu: "I call her...'Lockpick'"

DM: the door opens stiffly, and inside you find yourself facing a small closet, shelves filled with the remains of daily worship... incense, herbs, wooden holy symbols, etc.

Jefferson Harco: i look for Yu

DM: you think you catch movement out of the corner of your eye, but when you look again, you don't see anything

Jefferson Harco: ok is there anything in this room that catches my eye?

Dianysia enters room [the small closet], looking at the various items, picking up the stuff she knows what to do with.

Dianysia she puts them down as she finishes looking at them.

DM: you find a few odds and ends, but nothing spectacular

DM: and nothing catches your eye jeff, no

Jefferson Harco: ok back to the door that couldnt be opened normally

Jefferson Harco: i bash it in

Dianysia: "Anyone follow Anor?"

DM: attacking, or trying to force it?

Jefferson Harco: "Nope."

Jefferson Harco: attack it

Jefferson Harco: *this is gonna hurt*

Tristanu: "oooh...can I help with the bashing?"

Tristanu attacks something...just because there is noise to cover it.

DM: you [Jeff] smack the door a good hit... and are rewarded with a minor dent in its surface for your efforts.

DM: trist, your sword glances off

Jefferson Harco: again!!

Jefferson Harco: i flurry the door into submission

DM: jeff, you bark your knuckles the first time, take 2 nonlethal, and the 2nd time you just bash your hand against the wood to no effect... trist, your sword glances off again

Jefferson Harco: hmm...

Jefferson Harco: i try pushing the door really hard.

Dianysia: I'm in the worship room still, standing in the corner farthest from the entrance near them

Tristanu: I assist

DM: the door creaks, a large crack appearing around the edges

Jefferson Harco: I continue pushing

DM: the door frame creaks loudly as the wood splits, tumbling you into the small room a little ways, the door hangling loosely on its hinges.

Jefferson Harco: I quickly look up to see if anyone or anything is around

DM: you find yourself in s small closet, scattered with old rusted armor and shields, all of them worn to the point of uselessness.

Jefferson Harco: "Ok, well whatever we came for is now gone."

Tristanu: "What was that line about in the note Dian?"

Tristanu asks to see the note.