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.