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Things were getting very hectic in the room, and the fighters seemed to be facing ever increasing odds. "Come on everyone, we cannot defeat them, we must leave! Lets go, follow me!"

Westian indicated to Falkor and Brighteyes to leave as he stood by the doorway. He got ready to dart as soon as the others began to withdraw, but first he prepared to cast out the undead one last time. "Your lives are over, your damned souls can rot in the abyss for all I care. Begone, Lord Larethian commands you!" Had Westian known that one of the lost was possibly the brother of his paladin companion his words may have been more charitable, but as it was he spoke in ignorance.

OOC: Turn undead was 16 + 5 = 21.I don't know what range there is for fear effects...turn undead is 60 feet but I could not find a range for intimidate. If possible Westian stands by the doorway, turning the undead whenever they get within range and leaving as soon as Aurek, Haynuus and Farel start to withdraw.

The moment the door opened, Brighteyes wiggled free of Westian's grip and ran for the door. There was a moment's pause, and then a gnomish head appeared from back aroudn the corner. "Umm, perhaps everyone should come wiht me. Things are much more facinating from afar! Especially when they are getting so big anyway!"

Falkor had been muttering to himself, and for some reason the muttering took an angrier tone until Brighteyes made his reappearance and pointed all attention back into the room.

In the centre of the hall, an even worse horror was forming, obviously composed of the eight bodies recently slain. Each leg seemed to almosta creature or two in itself, and other creatures were visible at strange angles twisted to form part of a torso and an arm, or a pelvis and leg. The creature looked tight, although obviously meeting from so far away from each other mean alot of its body was trailed in earth and dust swirling in the hall.

The two golems converged on the horror they had wrought by smashing the individual parts. The second golem had the farther to travel, and simply let out a baleful moan and flared its eyes. The joined horror sneered from its many heads across its body, and then turned right into the path of the second golem.

This golem had risen its club high, and with a determined glaremezmerised the horror, and then brought a club hard through the thing's 'body'. For the moment, the horror was reduced to dust. However, the dust swirled around in a determined manner, obviously waiting for more of its fellows to give it form once more.

Boy did that guy roll low hit points. And boy did that golem roll high damage. Those two combined to one shot kill a pretty nasty creature. You better thank the golems. You know, as you are running!


Aurek moved forward to protect the half-orc, and cried out to push the foul abominations back. Unfortunately, he could already feel the resitance of the focused hatred of these creatures. Aurek could only focus his will on the most powerful creature that turned its attentions upon the paladin, and he found it only fell back a step.

Exponentially powerful creatures are a pain! Still, it rolled a low intimidation and is the most powerful looking (ie most hp) so that's cool. Oh, and diagnonals alternate as costing 1 and two squares of movement, so you can only reach S3 I'm afraid. Still, I remmebered your temp hit points last round, just forgot to mention them - I rolled a 6! So it's all good.


Haynuus meanwhile felt the burning in his face move across his whole body, like an itch under all his skin - though even whatever odd sensation afflicted him did not dare attack his tongue.

Sorry, you lose 1 constitution point (temporarily), which also means you a further lose 4 hit points! The +5 save incluses your +1 for the constitution you used to have. Your save is now only +4 too


Haynuus still had enough presence of mind to realise that his blow against the undead before him was not working - the thing was not staggered. Still, the blow was a powerful one, and the creature seemed to temporary fall back too.

A very good tactic, just a shame the undead can ignore non-lethal damage I'm not going to leave you hanging in the breeze, so such a powerful blow and the fact it was already wounded means it's temporarily shaken and will not attack you this turn.


Westian caught Falkor muttering, but the events of the hall were too intense to ignore. He was prepared to focus the power of Larethian once more, but either the mere name was too powerful, or for the moment his enemies were more intent on self destruction than destroying the holy warriors.

All of the undead apart from the most powerful one that had targetted Aurek turned as one and attacked the golems. For now the solid nature of the golems seemed impervious to the fists of the undead, but how long would that last?

Westian's warning to his fellows seemed appropriate. Indeed, it seemed Larethian was giving his disciples one last change to flee before the weight of hatred turned to crush his true servants.

Yeah, normal turning should just work LoS within 60 foot, while intimidate in combat is a melee action. I'm splitting the difference with melee and also with turning, and saying as long as you can 'threaten' an opponent - ie if you have a clear field to move and attack them, then you also have sufficient space and attention to make them focus on you and instill the fear of your god into them

So sadly, at this point in time everyone in potential range has a wall of fighters around.

Still, perhaps your words and good dice roll reflecting the power you exude had an effect on the tactics of the creatures...you never know. Ok, you do - it did.


Farel fell back to be shoulder to shoulder with his allies. "Westian is right, we can do no good here by slaying these things! Their rest seems probably only when we do not antagonise them!"

Right, that's another round over! Really you only have one more update and I'm out of it until next Tuesday it looks like now, so better make it count!

Map looks like this: http://www.dmjump.net/golemhallfight11.jpg

You can see the remains of the scary creature that formed before the golems took it out. It occupied four squares. I'll let that sink in, aswell as the fact that the golems can attack twice and have two critters standing around them...

Once more, good luck!

"These abominations seem to be distracted for the moment. Let's get the hell out of here." said Aurek, before running (double move, unless I can move more) straight out the door.

Haynuus cocked an eye at what he thought was the huge splattering of a monstrous undead 'thing' on the floor in front of the golem. It would have been an insanity check for sure in an alternate universe however Haynuus was not bright enough to worry about such things, and he felt the poison was spreading throughout his body now.

He left the carnage and moved 'east' 30' and waited on the other side of the doorframe past the human cleric and by the side of the gnome. There he readied the sword should any of those things move in range.

"Psst, Westian. I'm poisoned or something. Those ghouls have put some unholy curse in my blood!"

Falkor needed no time to think, he followed Brighteyes out past the door, turned and looked for a lock mechanism on the other side. If these monsters were to start a pursuit perhaps Falkor could use the glove to send the energy back into the door. It was a long shot, but worth a try....

OOC: If everyone gets through and the monsters start following, then Falkor will try the glove on the lock with another knowledge (arcana) check (1d20 = 20). If we are still waiting for others, or the monsters don't attack then no actions at this time.

Westian fell back through the door in step with Haynuus. He took a quick look at his face, and moving behind him as he did so to avoid blocking the doorway.

"Here take this" he said as he plucked the UM VI potion from his pack. Being unsure of the nature of the injury Westian did not know if it would cure the poison or simply mask the symptoms.

The group as one fled through the door. Haynuus and Westian standing at the other side of the door, ready to take on anythign that would follow, Farel looking into the corridor quickly to ensure that the gnome and halfling had followed.

In the hall, the golems seemed to eagerly smash the twisted creatures before them, and for their part the twisted creatures seemed overjoyed to be crushed into oblivion, as if knowing that each blow made the more powerful - soon to be more powerful than the golems?

Only that last horror was free, and after Aurek moved from its sight, it made a determined move towards those at the door. Not wishing to test any theory that the portal - even open - was a barrier to thise creatures, Westian focused the radiant energy he had been holding ready incase of attack. The last creature fell back a step at Westian's innate goodness, and four heads snarled in joined hatred.

There was a quick burst of movement, and Falkor stepped forward. The halfling had not seen any locking mechanism this side. However, his magical instincts told him that surely the magical 'lock' of the portal was still technically engaged as long as the golems were walking. Therefore, surely if he could just direct him mental will using the glove, he could re-ignite the RA door again, ensuring it blazed closed.

The halfling pressed the glove to the doorframe, anf with a surpreme and effortlessless thought felt the man in himself and the glove combine and flow outwards. It made hi ma little dizzy, but the effect was spectacular. The RA door again blazed into life. A mere moment before, when standing on the other side, such a display had been disheartening, surely. Now, it was the most fantatsic thing in the world.

The joined horror finally found its footing and launched itself at Westian through the door, and was rebuked easily by the force and power of the door.

Brighteyes, who had made it to the second corner of this corridor before Aurek had caught up, perhaps realised the changing fortunes of the group and stopped, and walked back excitedly.

"Aha! See, I told you it was facinating! Watch!" The gnome seems happy to look at the display of the golems turning to move towards the last creature. However, then something apparently occurred to him,and he turned around.

"Now, as facinating as all that was, and will be, just one small niggle...something...irksome, oh my yes, I wish to bring up." The gnome waggled his fingers in the direction of Westian and Aurek. "Now, I do not mind lies of omission, after all, I don't think it does anyone any good to know the entire truth about everything, oh my no! However, I have the feeling that - despite all the bad thigns you have said about Brighteyes - not that I might, not that worse has not been said - buty I have the feelign that after all the promises you made Brighteyes swear to keep you safe, which I warned you was difficult, and all the slurs you threw at me, nasty, dirty slurs that I have only sometimes earned, why...umm... wait, where was I? Oh my yes, I remember now - I have the feeling you two did not think to tell me you were religeous just because you didn't think it was important! I mean really! At leats you aren't one of the elf's cultists, thank goodness...well, I mean Larethian is an elven High Lord, but last time I paid attention I am sure he is a good one. Still, what next? I mean I know the halfling is not just an ordinary halflling, no one can do...." and the gnome waggles his hand at the door, "...that normally. I mean, what next?" Brighteyes puts his hands on his hips, tries to look up at Farel and Haynuus, then falls over and is forced to look at their knees again. "I mean, are you the decendant of Gholst's old second in command?" he asks Haynuus. "Are you some form of 'noble knight' or paladin yourself?" he asks Farel.

Brighteyes is obviously a little upset, but seems to calm himself down. "Anyway, I forgive you, I forgive you all, no harm and besides it was so very entertaining. Just, if you can tell me everything that might possibly be relevant now - as I did for you - then we could get to Seeroc's room in one piece! Not far now, not far now, but there's a store room guarded by some soldiers. They'll let us past so as not to anger Seeroc, on my yes, but it would really help me if you could let me know!"


Whew, and there you go, not with a nag but with a whimper -though a well earned one - you guys managed to sneak through the door. A good idea by Falkor and some good die rolls have seen my cunning 'be chased by the undead remaining' plan shot to peaces. Oh well, those guys were starting ot get seriously powerful, so I think if it had gone down to a running fight, the slow moving tanks might have started feeling the pressure. A good place, perhaps, to draw a relaxed breath!

Feel free to comment on Brighteyes's stream of consciousness (sorry, typing at work at lunch, so it might be a bit too stream of consciousness), or feel free to get the heck out of dodge incase I have some evil door re-opening plans up my sleeve. The corridor bends around, the continues east for a decent length before twisting into a stairwell.

Also, if anyone wants to rest, Brighteyes will point out there is a small secure stores room - with food and drink - not far away. Can anyone say level 9 store room? I sure can, cause that's what it is

Anyway, well done... thank the gods of dice for two good rolls when it mattered, as i think one more round and you'd have been in a world of hurt. That would have been a fun cliffhanger! As it was, I think I prefer the 'we're free' to the 'oh god how are we going to stop the painful death' ending we';ve reached. I might do a later update - at the very least some OOC comments to tide you over for the break - this evening.

"Now...um...Brighteyes, I hope nothing that has been said has offended you. You must understand that you are in the presence of professional soldiers...combine that with the level of action we saw and tempers are bound to get frayed. This is normal with any military excursion, and words spoken in the heat of battle should never be taken to heart.

"As for the lies of omission, well you see it did not occur to me to introduce ourselves based on profession. You must see that any omission was simply because it did not register as important, what would we have to gain by keeping such things from you?

"No, I understand your anger, and that can be a normal emotion after the things we have been through. Do not let it trouble you. And I assure you that you are directing it at innocent people. But now we are safe, and we will keep our side of the bargain by allowing you be present when we confront Seeroc.

"As for any further information, I can honestly say that none comes to mind. How about the rest of you?" With those last words he scanned his faces of his companions to see if they wished to add anything.

"And Haynuus, has that potion done anything for your wounds? If not I could prepare a YA potion...I am certain I used to know a spell for curing poison, but the shape of the runes elude me."

OOC: diplomacy on Brighteyes was 9 + 13 = 22

If Haynuus had learnt one thing, it was that trying to stun undead with the flat of your blade was just not going to happen when you have muscles on your muscles and you may as well have dropped an anvil through it's skull. 'Stunned' it was not, more 'Excavated'.

With the hysteria of battle gone and also the door closed, the tugging of the poison started to rage. Westian's comments kicked his thoughts into the potion he was holding. With a quaff-quaff it was gone and something more fulfilling appeared. Good health! (3d6=8)

"Thanks Westian. A little posion is still coursing through my system, but if we rest soon I can sleep it off..." He then thoughtfully added. "If I could park my backside over an open barrel real soon that would be great." Obviously it was a posion with one of those side effects. He handed the empty flask back.

Next up was Brighteyes. "Hi, I'm Haynuus. I'm a fighter and I hit things!" Suddenly the gnome didn't seem so bad.

"Now, Brighteyes, I'm going to only say this: 'You could've helped in there! You could've tried to stay out of trouble, instead of in the middle of it... next time... HELP instead of gawk!' now that is said, I have to say that I am sorry for not letting you know that I was religious, I honestly didn't know that it mattered." he paused for a moment, then continued "I'm willing to keep up with our bargain, if you continue to keep your end up. You seem like a nice little chap, but, as I'm sure you understand, we haven't known you that long, and I still can't fully trust in you. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm willing to give you this shot, just please don't botch it..."
You still make my skin crawl, you sneaky little gnome... I wonder what OTHER little surprises we're going to have, that you 'accidentally' forget to tell us about.

Aurek walked over to the wounded orc, "Haynuus, how's that big mug of yours doin'? How badly did it get you?" he enquired, looking over the orc's face. "I too remember being able to assist poison victims, but the knowledge continues to elude me."

The half-orc smiled. Ouch! Here they were chatting away and on the other side of the RA door was a scene from Benny Hill with a golem chasing after an undead fiend. "Oh just fine thanks. I'm still hurting, your magic potions heal the damage but does not remove the cause, although I feel a little weaker for now." The golem swings at the undead but somehow the fiend got hold of the end of the club and was lifted up in the air leaving an empty floor - where d'he go? "I'm hoping that over time I'll beat this thing, although it's hurting and may yet cause me a little more suffering." The golem looks up from the floor and then catches the eye of one of the heads that happens to be attached to the fiend's 'backside'. There you are...

Brighteyes smiled happily at Westian's words, shaking his head at the mention of anger and waving away his temporary concerns. However, his expression darkened slightly as Aurek spoke.

"Well, I do seem to recall someone who pulled me into troube, beside a golem no less, then left me while he antagonised the dead in the wall with his ...whatever you people have, is it goodnes? I find the definitions so hard to recall... and then I remember someone making those things stronger and stronger while Falkor and I risked being electrocuted to open the door that someone had activated by their prescence...." However, then the gnome's expression brightened up again. "But do not worry! Westian is right, there is no need for anger, we are all alive ands have lived to see something I don't believe many people -especiallynot of your persuation - live to remcall! I most excellent day! Certainly a little series of misunderstandings shouldn't spoil such a wonderful partnership as ours!"

The gnome nodded at the internal logic of it all, and positively grinned as Haynuus, the other person who had also been a little rough with the gnome - actually spoke some kind words. Brighteyes almost fell over backwards looking up at the half-orc, but grabbed onto the offered hand and shook it vigourously while pulling himself back up. "Haynuus you say? A most delightful name! My names is Brighteyes, although you knew that already, and I suppose in some regards you might almost call me a mage, although I don't think of myself as one at all. Oh no. And what I most like to do most in the whole world is....oh my no!"

The gnome suddenly remembered exactly what he liked to do, and bumped noisily off of the door as he tried to run to collect all the items he had dropped when Aurek had grabbed him. The gnome gave a small sigh, and then turned bravely back to the group.

"Oh well, no time to dawdle here gawping and watching the exciting display behind us, and then recovering those notes. I suppose I shall have to come back later, oh yes." Brighteyes regarded the group. "Westian is right, the fun of you confronting Seeroc is more important, we must away, oh yes, not a moment to lose to get to Seeroc's room. Oh my no! Well, unless you need to rest a moment first, and perhaps some light refreshments. In that case, we could perhaps lose a moment. But then no more! Then, to Seeroc's room! So close now, oh yes, very very very close! Be good to get my poor small feet up, yes it would!"

Brighteyes's mind then seemed to comprehend something else that was said. "Oh, potions! That was it! Potions! Seeroc's room has those to! Some I have made, little pick me ups and curios from many interesting plants I have found, and some Seeroc made for the soldiers! I am sure there is a cure for poisons, aswell as some fortifiers for you when you face Seeroc! Oh yes! Let's not delay, let's not delay!"


I'm up early, mum's not yet, let's have a quick update! Can retcon any comments Falkor makes when money posts. Ok, so unless there are any last minute questions for Brighteyes, or more importantly things you guys want to do at the door, then onwards!

"Let's go, we have been lucky this time I feel, next time the result could be very different. Does anyone need rest? Perhaps we can stop to feed and drink up ahead as you advised Brighteyes?" Falkor gave a few moments to let the others react, before anyone spoke he fumbled around in his back pack and pulled out the cloack - just a little, and turned to Brighteyes, "Do you know what words activate this cloak? I'm sure you already know, as do I, the power it harnesses, but I could not recall the correct words to activate it. Any ideas?"

Since you were a post behind money, I'll post a reply to your second part now.

Brighteyes nodded happily as Falkor agreed with his statements on moving on and taking a quick rest, and then looked curiously at the cloak offered.

"Oh my, you have me at a disadvantage, and I usually know many magical things!" he says, eagerly pawing over the cloak. "It is definitely magical, and can feel it and see it in the quality, quite wonderful in its elegant weaving, the bunderthread if I'm not mistaken. Hmm, the colour reminds me of something..."

The gnome seems taken with the mystery of the cloak, and starts saying many words of the variety of 'work' and 'start' and 'power'. After using the phrase 'flame on' while holding the cloak (along with Falkor) perhaps even Brighteyes realises the sensable precaution of asking something. "I am sorry, you did mention you knew the power the item harnesses - what is it?"

Feel free to roll a sense motive if you suspect he is being less than forthcoming!

Haynuus raised an eyebrow when Brighteyes said that he was a mage. To him, there were two types of wizards. Those that ran around zapping big hairy things for whatever reason be-known to themselves and then there were wizards who were in charge of their own arm-chair who chose to do 'research'. Usually with their eyelids closed. He had assumed the gnome was one of the latter yet...

"Sooo, can you do fireworks as well, then Mr Brighteyes? A sole gnome in a deep dark dungeon must surely have a few ways to defend himself..." He bent down and put an arm around the short fellow as a symbol of protection. He then observed Brighteyes for his reaction. (1d20+1=21)

"Perhaps a bit of rest would not be a bad thing. And then we move on. Are we likely to encounter any soldiers - or worse - while we rest? They tend not to like us so much."

"A wizard, eh? Interesting." Westian thought for a few seconds, and then suddenly changed topic. "Now that I think of it Brighteyes, I imagine your life will be a bit easier if we gain the upper hand over Seeroc. You know you can trust us, whereas Seeroc sounds more than a little capricious. Just a thought. And anything you can do to help us will be remembered fondly."

"As I said Brighteyes, I meant no offence there. But help was needed. I'm sorry to have been so crude with my wording, but you must understand that time is of the essense." apologising to the gnome. However, as Aurek was speaking to the gnome, and watching/listening to others interact with him, he observed him very closely, trying to figure out what his REAL motives were. (sense motive 1d20 = 18)

"Now... we have more pressing matters. To rest, or not to rest... that IS the question."

Brighteyes seemed to simply smile or wave away the other comments, focusing on what Haynuus was saying. "Oh, why yes, why oh my yes! I can cast fire int othe air to make light! Or light into the air to make fire, I forget which. And I can roll it into a ball and throw it around! Oh how people hate that. Would anyone like me to teach them if or when we rest? It mgiht be useful against Seeroc, oh my yes!"

However, the gnome's attitude seems to change as Haynuus continues his questioning. Or at least, it changes as far as Haynuus and Aurek are concerned, since they are looking for it. There is an odd expression that none have really seen on the gnome's face before. Some strange, self satisfied smirk that isn't his usual bright and brittle smile. Both feels a little chill, and a little bit of justification in their previous harsh dealings.

"Oh, well of course Brighteyes has various means, oh yes. No need to do anything unpleasant to defend myself, but I make sure people respect Brighteyes. Oh yes. People are afraid of Seeroc. And afraid of Theron, come to that. Brighteyes always makes sure he makes the correct friends, and makes sure the right people know about it, oh yes!" Brighteyes gives his normal innocent smile, yet the warriors realise that last statement had some odd teeth. Worse yet, both the warriros - not the cleric, however, because he seems to be temporarily lost in checkign the surroundings - realise Brighteyes just quickly winked in the direction of Falkor!

Wow, some good sense motive checks. I was goign to just let them slide, but decided to see what bluff Brighteyes could roll...yeah, he rolled poorly. Hence I threw Falkor under the bus for free!

Brighteyes goes back to Westian's comment as the cleric - not perhaps noticing the undertones around - speaks to the gnome. "Well, that's an interesting thought now," says Brighteyes, "if you do bad things to Seeroc, what happens to Brighteyes? Theron is so distracted at the moment... hmm. Would you all agree to be my friend, and to promise not to harm me and to make sure other people don't harm me?" Brighteyes then waves away his own question. "No, this can all wait to be discussed over food. Indeed, there are soldiers around - it is their own food store. But don't you worry, a word from Brighteyes and I am sure I can make them ignore you. After all, they will not want to intrude on anything to do with Seeroc, and in a round about way your unimpeded progress to Seeroc's room is vitally important in how Seeroc's plans will turn out!" Brighteyes grins and nods at this easy logic.

Aurek is still watching the gnome closely, and perhaps noticed the small look and smirk shot in his direction when Brighteyes was asking for a promise not to harm him. Whatever skin was not crawling before would probably be calling by now.

So late, so much sleep to catch up on, but what the heck - let's set you guys up for tomorrow

Falkor was eager to move on, the past few minutes had been rather worrying for him and yet, a sense of ease at how everything was panning out also gave him some more hope. He realised he had not answered Brighteyes question about the cloak, and instead pushed it back inside, winked back at Brighteyes and quietly spoke "you shall see soon". He then turned to the others in the group - "come on, let's move on we have waisted enough time and Ameena will no doubt be awaiting news of our return."

The fact that they were travelling with a fireball throwing homicidal maniac gave the half-orc gas. His eyes widened at the new found knowledge. Next came out was that the gnome knows more of Seeroc's plans than he's letting on. He just thought that a pat on the back and a simple request would help.

"Please. You can trust us. Just don't... Give us any surprises."

Haynuus smiled at the halfling's mention of Ameena's name - he thought it would be very cheap to buy a beer for her when they all got out... But hold on, Falkor had not just mentioned her name he placed an emphasis on it so that Brighteyes would pick it up. These two wizards were not letting on all that had gone on in the past. The thing was for Haynuus the past had little importance to the half-orc and it was your actions now that mattered.

He put a finger in an ear for a few pensive moments.

Westian seemed a bit distracted as Brighteyes and the others chatted. He looked around with a somewhat quizzical expression, but then seemed to shrug it off.

Re-focusing on the conversation he smiled at Brighteyes. "Don't worry, you will find in us much better allies than you ever had in Seeroc. We are in this together. Give a gift, get a gift. Now perhaps we should move to the rest area. Some food sounds good, and the potions should be interesting."

"I second Haynuus on that one..." said Aurek to the gnome, "Please don't give us any more suprises. If we're walking into a death-trap, please tell us. I understand that you hadn't known that we were religious, but you also failed to ask any of us, before we entered that room. We don't keep things from each other. You shouldn't keep things from us, and we won't keep them from you. Trust is earned, not given. You want us to trust you, then show us reason to. We were also abit cautious of each other at first."

He then turned to the group, to discuss the current situation, "As to the matter of pressing-on or resting. I for one don't really need a rest, even though Haynuus looks like he could use one. However, where Haynuus is concerned, will resting make his poisoning worse? It may not be a poison that can be slept off...."

Sir Farel stirs at the comments on poison. "I imagine diseases fell, or the draining of lifeforce are more likely with creatures of nightmare such as those dead. In all my years of studym and all the stories I have heard, I have never heard of creatures such as those possessing anything as pedestrian as poisoning. I do not believe rest can do our orcish comrade - indeep, any of us - any harm at all. As Aurek, I am still strong. I would prefer to move as quickly as possible, and avoid any more soldiers." Farel seems to have been avoiding regarding Brighteyes, but looks reluctantly at the gnome now. "Did you say the potions that may be of aid were in Seeroc's room?"

Brighteyes nods and smiles in return. "Indeed, indeed, the potions are on our way, if that is all you require. The food would be a momentary diversion, and the soldiers not ones we could avoid, I am afraid. A few of us could always go acquire provisions and some information while the rest scouted Seeroc's room. No point in us all getting captured!" The gnome thwen smiles at the group, then his face falls. "That...that was a joke, oh my yes. I don't want you getting captured, no, infact I won't allow it! I will see you safe." Brighteyes gives Haynuus then Aurek a look for the comments they have made. "Questions, questions, very well, questions! I shall see you to the...I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Brighteyes seems ot have caught up to the comment made by Falkor. "Who is Ameena? Some patron of yours? My my my, perhaps you haven't told me all the reasons why you have cmae in here. Quite facinating! Who is this Ameena? Are they here or outside? Should we go find them? I do so hope you aren't looking for them too. That's not the name of the squire, is it? Ameena the squire, that would be such a strange name..."

Brighteyes looks expectantly for the answers, although he is already hustling the group down the corridor when a gigantic roar can be heard from deep in the hall."No time, no time, let us go and speak further away."

The group, perhaps reluctantly, follow suit. The corridor is a decent stretch, wehich then bends to a set of stairs. Brighteyes beckons the group to follow him downwards, and despite the trepedation they follow him. Perhaps as an anti-climax, the stairs below lead to a small landing and then some further stairs downwards. On one wall is a floor to ceiling alcove, as deep as the one where the golem has stood in the hall above. It seems moutned on the wall at about chest height is a green gem or immense worth.

"Ignore, ignore, we much onwards," says Brighteyes, gesturing to the gem and keeping his voice quieter. "Now, down there stairs we cna go straight onwards for Seeroc's room, or reight for the store room. Now, if you want to go to Seeroc's room and not deal with the soldiers, we will have to be quiet incase there are soldiers guarding the store. If any see us, let Brighteyes deal with it."

Brighteyes starts to move forwards, and then stops. "That reminds me, questions, questions! So, is anyone allergic to meat? Or rats? Or rat meat? Or water? Or water that might have fungus inside it? Or the colour black? Or have a phoebia about sharp objects? Or not understand normal conversational common when asked direct questions? Or not know left from right? Do you like sparrows? That last one has nothing to do with keeping you safe, I just do so love them. Does everyone know what the colour blue looks like?"


Sorry, wanted to move us onwards, but the Ameena discussion mgth be interesting, so feel free to continue it as the group move.

Otherwise, a little break to decide on your own next move. Go forward to the mage, or right to the food - Brighteyes will let peopel scout ahead, but will go with the food foragers. Farel would want to press ahead if anyone else does. If you want to avoid the soldiers altogether, feel free to roll a stealth check. Brighteyes apparently plans to talk to the soldiers if they come forward, but of course if anyone like Westian wishes to actively seek them out for information, now would be a good time.

The idea of picking up a few potions appealed to the half-orc. Anything to make him feel better, although in all honestly he'd got over the worst of it now.

"We need the food and water. We've had nothing for a while so... If maybe you and Falkor could innocently pick up the things, that would be excellent. I don't doubt that the soldiers would look at me somewhat suspiciously." He pulled his finger out of his ear at that last thought.

Next was to answer the gnome's question. "Ameena is a friend of ours who decided to look for a path out of here. You'd like her."

As he passed the magnificent gem embedded in the wall, he got the adventurer's urge to press it, then run like mad in case anything bad happened. It quickly passed by. It was then he heard something from Brighteyes... "Water with fungus inside?.. Hey you have this problem down here with the mould too? Where does that come from. Like a black, slimy carpet that seems to suck the water away from this place. Who cast this evil down here?..." And then the gnome started chattering to himself. "Blue? No, not afraid of the sky, although the sun can be a little too strong for me at times."

Realising the importance of keeping the mercurial gnome on side Westian suppressed his dislike and distrust – on the surface at least – and smiled and chatted as they walked. “Sparrows! Ah yes. Do you mean the desert-dwelling migratory sparrow or the more sedentary house sparrow? No matter, they both are wonderful. Perhaps we will have more time to discuss such matters later, when we have found our friends. And on that topic, no, Ameena is not Sir Farel’s squire. She was a friend of ours, or rather she still is a friend of ours, she just decided to leave the dungeon and get back to civilisation. I imagine by now she is relaxing in the sun-shine, telling tales of her underground adventures.”

“I am not allergic to any of the items you mentioned – although I cannot be sure in the case of mould, as I do not have much experience of it. Still, we spent some time in a mould-covered room near the entrance, with no ill effects, so I will give a qualified “no” as an answer to that question.”

With that he turned to the rest of the group. “So now people we must make a decision as to what to do. We could split up, one party venturing ahead to see if there is any danger, the other going with Brighteyes to get some provisions. Perhaps if only a few of us travel to the store room we will attract less attention.”

"It wouldn't be the wisest idea to split up. We are stronger together... AND most of us are wearing loud clanky armour, meaning that stealth wouldn't be too effective either." declared the paladin, to Westian's suggestion.

Brighteyes claps his hands that the group seem to wish to stay together and eat. "A group that eats together, stays together!" he infact chimes, nodding to Aurek at his words. All traces of the odd expressions before seem to have gone from the happy-go-lucky gnome's face. He positively skips down the stairs, beckoning the party onwards.

Falkor seemed to be near the front to get to the food, and Brighteyes seems happy to have the company. The gnome keeps spinning aroudn to address happy dissertations on sparrows, or 'passeridae' as he keeps calling them, tryign to ensure Westian's knees knows the difference between them and the completely different 'estrildidae'. Though the gnome does admit a fondness for the desert dwellers.

"Ameena, Ameena, a facinating name. I am so sorry I will not meet her, well, perhaps she will get to see some wonderful sparrows, who knows! Perhaps we shall all see the sunshine soon enough. After all, without Seeroc what would Gholst be, eh? Nothing, nothing, I am certain of that! Oh my yes!"

At Haynuus's question, Brighteyes rounds on him and then almost falls over. "Yes! I swear, yes! Mold! I can taste it in the water, its subtle but you can taste it! No one else believes me, they don't have the taste buds apparently. I swear I can hear the spores, here them slowly growing in the water if I hold any close to my ear." The gnome nods. "I mean, the Oitus are busy gathering and harvesting mold, why does no one believe they could be trying ot poison us? Why, why, why? Perhaps I can speak to Theron about it. Perhaps."

Brighteyes then puts his finger to his lips, and looks aroudn a corner. Once again, the party have decended to a stairwell with a single landing that then carries on. However, instead of an alcover, there is now a corridor which turns to the right.

"There should be a soldier or two guarding the room, but worry not, worry not. Brighteyes will protect you!"

With a happy nod, the gnome moves onwards, getting the party to follow him. Brighteyes is correct, and at the end of the tunnel, a soldier dressed in black armour and a skull helm stands tall beside a grate.

The soldier puts a hand to his weapon and spins quickly, then stiffens and straightens up when he sees the approaching group.

"Only me, only me, do not be alarmed!" says Brighteyes, happily waving the soldier down. "Just a few friends and myself going to Seeroc's room, looking for some food first. You do not mind, do you?"

The soldier still seems stiffened in shock at the appearance of the group, his hand still on his weapon, looking down to the gnome happily waving, and then to the mis-matched group behind the gnome.


It is perhaps at this moment, when the group are being stared down by one soldier who may well be the first of a whole squad just around the corner, that some might start to question whether Brighteyes is actaully as well know, and as well able to negotiate the corridors, as he seems to think he is...


Ok, let's have a breathing space there for you guys to figure out what you wanna do. Weapons close to hand or even drawn, or will you look unthreatening? Who is going first? Will any of you try to take aswell as Brighteyes, or try anything else?

Farel will have stayed at the rear, looking to the stairs down perhaps unsure of the delay.

Oh, and let's have a map!
http://www.dmjump.net/ratroom.jpg

Obviously, for you guys not doing anything active, feel free to run sense motive checks on the soldier, on Brighteyes, perception checks on your surroundigns, or even perception checks onwards to see if you can detect soldiers round the corner.

And roll me initiative. Hahahahhaah. No, really, roll me an initiative roll.