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"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius."
- Comte de Buffon

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Our story....

It had been three years since they had received a summons from their mysterious benefactor known as The Voice. It was often his projects for them that brought together Freddy Fastfingers, Elias Greyson, Boas Nightshade, Eupheraphora, and Dusty to commit evil upon the citizens of Calisham.

Without The Voice's direction, these rogues of the streets went their own ways to further their fortunes. One can imagine their surprise when after so long they find themselves escorted to the richly furnished library, where they find fine wines and other delectable foods waiting them.

Eupheraphora, the halfling Priestess of Shar (Mystress of the Night), is the first to arrive. She stands near the hearth as the others file in, one right after another. "So, my friends," she says thickly as she sips from her wineglass, "we are brought together again." As usual, she is dressed in black leathers that would easily mask her in the shadows. "What of your exploits of the last three years? Why do you think we've been brought back together?"

Dusty looks to his rejoined companions from the bar and smiles. "I am hoping we were brought together for fortune. The fact that our benefactor has been absent for so long though, either implies that he has been working on something very big, or there was a problem, and our task may be that of revenge. I have touched upon my sources a few times in the last few years, but never did discover any more information about the Voice. But then again, why look a gift horse in the mouth."

Dusty gathers his ale and walks to a table near Eupheraphora in his dark grey cloak and merchant-like clothing. You remember that he always carried many outfits to blend in where necessary. As he sits down, he responds to her other question, "And as for my exploits, let us just say that I have been successful in honing my abilities as a gatherer of information and the like. Quite successful."

Elias tosses two large chunks of bloody meat to the pair of wolves curled in the corner before approaching the table. The ranger looks as scruffy as ever and the smell of wet fur washes over the group as the ranger sits down at the table. "Wind and I spent our time away reconnecting with our kin" says Elias in a voice that borders on a growl, "Wind has taken a mate". The ranger makes some guttural noises which prompts Wind to raise her head from her dinner. "His name is Shadow."

"I have no idea what The Voice wants from us," comments the ranger, succinct as usual.

"Whatever it is, I hope its not dangerous," whimpers Freddy, huddled in the dark corner. A ratty black cloak draped over his hunched form obscures most of his form and a disturbing odor arises from him, detectable if you get too close.

"Not dangerous?" Boas snorts. "When has The Voice ever called on us to do something that wasn't dangerous?" Leaning back against the wall, the man continues, "If there is no danger, there is no reward. No reward, and I'm not taking part. Simple as that. Unless there is a big enough challenge...." His voice trails off as he slowly steps more into the light. He is an average sized man, about 5'10", 170 lbs., dressed in non-descript clothes that appear to be black, but on further examination are actually an extremely dark purple. No flashy jewlery or anything looking remotely expensive is seen on his person. Boas Nightshade has spent countless hours working to look as normal as possible, so you forget him as soon as you pass him on the street. A perfect look for an assassin.

Swirling the blood red wine in her glass, Eupheraphora smiles at the reactions of her former and future comrades. "Not much has changed in these years," she comments lightly, eyes dark and mysterious. "I would have figured Calimport to have toughened you up, Freddy," she says with amusement.

"Calimport? No. But, I do believe I have toughened up a bit," says Freddy.

Shaking his head towards Freddy, Boas laughs, "the more things change, the more they stay the same. Good old Freddy never was the first in line for a fight - or second, or even third for that matter," he continues, trailing off.

"So, what have you been up to for the last couple of years? I myself was busy with family issues. Had an adopted father and extended family to kill and what not. You??"

"Let's just say I've gone through some major changes myself," offers Freddy, trailing off with a slight giggle. "Changes for the better I'd say."

Elias finishes his sandwich and stands. "Wake we when The Voice makes an appearance so to speak." As the ranger walks across the room his form shimmers and a large black wolf joins the pair sleeping in the corner.

Dusty, more quiet than they might remember, stands up during the silence and begins to walk the perimeter of the room, carefully examining from floor to roof. As he does so he asks, "Are we waiting for anyone else? Or do think The Voice is just watching and waiting?"

Eupheraphora shrugs without concern. "What matter if it does?" she asks.

The large wolf in the corner gives a quick growl of agreement at Dusty's suggestion that the group is being watched. Still in wolf form, Elias lends his keen nose as he joins Dusty in inspecting the room.

If The Voice or any of its agents are watching, there is no indication.

"I don't believe we're waiting for anyone else, and as Eupheraphora says, it probably doesn't matter if The Voice is watching. I suspect we wouldn't be able to tell if he was or not anyway. May as well enjoy the food and drink - it's not poisoned, I checked - and wait until The Voice called us here," Boas says, sliding into a chair (positioned with his back to the wall and facing the door, of course).

Elias finishes his inspection of the room and gives the equivalent of a wolf shrug. Snagging a large ham from the buffet, Elias settles down to guard his sleeping pack as the group waits.

Eupheraphora seems rather amused by brief banter. "I for one am glad The Voice has brought us back together. Life was getting rather boring just furthering the goals of the church - not that any of her companions would expect to hear any of these, those of the shadow weave being most secretive. "I just hope it isn't a whack job," she admits.

"Some how I don't think it will be a whack job," Boas says, laughing slightly. "But I'm sure The Voice would love to hear your high opinion of the jobs he sends us out on...."

The halfling priestess doesn’t respond, instead draining the remainder of her wine.

"I for one could do with a bit of blood in my teeth," responds Elias taking human form again. "It's been a while since I've had a satisfying hunt."

Eupheraphora laughs at Elias’ comment. “Always thinking as a wolf,” she murmurs.

Elias inhales deeply. "Freddy, tell us more of these changes you've gone through. There is an odd smell about you that I don't recognize."

"Ah, that would be the smell of death, or shall I say undeath." With that Freddy pulls down the cowl of his voluminous cloak, revealing his pallid skin stretched tight over his skull. Long fangs protrude from his tight lips and long claws tip his fingers.

Eupheraphora recoils slightly, her training as a Sharess priestess keeping her from leaving.

"Lets say you and I have much in common now, only I prefer my prey a bit more aged than you do," replies Freddy to Elias

"Ugh - I thought you reeked from not bathing - this is absurd! What happened to you?" demands Boas, nose curling in disdain.

"My sources hinted that you were playing with some dark forces, but I would not have guessed this,” remarks Dusty dryly. “How is it that you are able to control your lust? We certainly have loyalty amongst ourselves, but I have heard that many who have tried to glean the benefits from such a transformation, eventually lost all respect and need for human companions," Dusty comments to this new Vampyre.

Eupheraphora looks at Freddy more closely. “I do not think he is a vampire,” she murmurs. “What have you become?”

Boas looks over Freddy with a slight gleam in his eye and asks, "So, Freddy - one would think there are certain advantages to your current state that may help the group. Care to expound upon that??"

Elias remains quiet, but stands protectively near his wolves.

Eupheraphora just watches Freddy as she fingers her symbol of Sune, a large, black disc.

"As you surmise, I am no vampire, though I have worked for one. Nay, I feast ot upon the blood of man but upon their flesh. I am cursed to continue this unlife as a ghoul," replies Freddy, flexing his long, cracked talons.

Dusty smiles. "Well I guess I we can work around that, but what made you choose a ghoul? Or wasn't it something that you had much control over?"

"Didn't choose this. Kinda was forced on me. Being slain by ghouls and all," quips Freddy. "By the way, when is the Voice going to show up?" he asks, looking about the room impatiently.

Releasing her unholy symbol, Eupheraphora offers a shrug. “Patience, as always, seems to be of short supply,” he opines quietly. Moving to one of the plush couches, she pulls herself up and settles in.

"Well at least you can put your fear of death behind you," comments Elias to Freddy, relaxing slightly. "So how did the Voice contact everyone else?"

"How are you able to maintain conscious thought?” asks Dusty, persistent as usual. “I thought people raised as ghouls become insane?"

"Perhaps I was already ghoulish in my mind before the transformation?" laughs Freddy. "Other than that, I have no idea."

"Well he wasn't all that sane to begin with," comments Elias dryly.

"Good point, Dusty,” replies Boaz. “I've had experience working with," looking at Freddy and winking, "and against ghouls. Normally the lust for living flesh drives them insane. How is it you've saved your mind?"

"Don't know. Guess it was my superior intellect I started with." grins Freddy, revealing long, jagged fangs.

Clearing her throat, Eupheraphora asks, “Is there anything else we should know about the rest of you? My time has been spent in relative boredom compared to Freddy.”

"Other than my list of contacts having grown, and the fact that I can change my appearance at will." Dusty says as his features meld and he looks like a tall Cormyrian Guardsman. "Otherwise, just excitement and fortune."

"Not from me. As I mentioned, I just had some personal things to take care of - being the torture and execution of my adopted family - but other than that, things were relatively tame", Boas deadpans.

Dusty smiles from behind his Cormyrian guard disguise, "Just a reminder that I have always considered you a friend, but never family."

"Duly noted," Boas says, smiling back.

"Well Wind and I spent our time protecting and growing our pack," responds Elias, "And my shapeshifting ability is one of the benefits of my new found closeness to my wolf brethren."

Dusty shifts back into his normal form, "A useful disguise, but it always leaves me a bit unnerved." He grins evilly and sighs. "Anyone interested in a card game? While we are waiting?"

Eupheraphora chuckles dryly at Dusty, but does not leave her spot apart from the men.

"Sure, but I prefer to play bones. Get it... bones. I'm a ghoul... I like bones," cackles Freddy.

"I thought it was flesh." Dusty say coolly. "Remember, I make a living on knowing what was said and what was not."

"You're a moron," states Boas with a groan. "I can't believe you actually thought that was funny. Guess your sense of humor didn't come forward into this unlife..."

Elias paces the room like a caged animal as the party waits for their mysterious host. "This place is too confined for my likes. I'm going for a walk," comments Elias as he heads toward the door. "Wind will let me know if 'The Voice' makes an appearance." Pausing at the door the ranger adds, "I trust my pack with you as I would trust myself. Do not disappoint me."

Eupheraphora moves to intercept Elias. “I wouldn’t wander his halls,” she warns the ranger. “If he wanted us in this study, then this is where we should stay.”

"I think she's right, Elias. Not a good idea to go wandering about - although whatever happens to you might prove to be entertaining to the rest of us...." Boas comments.

Elias growls in frustration, but nods his head in agreement. "Maybe another drink will calm my nerves." Elias grabs a wine bottle from the table and sits cross-legged on the floor near Wind and Shadow. The ranger closes his eyes and appears to meditate for several minutes before taking a deep drink.

"May as well deal me in," Boas grunts.

“The Lady of Darkness doesn’t allow her priestesses to participate in games of chance,” remarks Eupheraphora as she walks away from where the game is gathering. “Even if such games aren’t necessarily involved in chance.” She shoots a look to Dusty.

"Okay, Dusty, break out the cards," says Freddy, jumping down from his perch atop the table. "Just no cheating, like you usually do."

"Then why play?" Dusty smiles. The quick-witted Spymaster starts to deal out three poker hands and looks invitingly to his fellows, waiting for their third player.

Elias scans the room from his position in the corner as the card game gets underway. “Someone is coming,” he says suddenly.

Knife in hand before Elias finishes his comment, Boas quickly takes up a position against the wall a few feet from the door ready to slink in behind whoever is comes through.

"Great, we will have our third then Freddy." Dusty smiles and watches the door, but even as he does so his form melds into that of a young innocent boy.

Elias wakes Shadow and Wind with a growl. The pair raise their heads and start to rise, but a second guttural grunt causes them to lay back down and feign sleep. The ranger transforms into wolf form and joins them in the ploy.

Eupheraphora stands where she is, casually watching the door.

In what seems like an eternity, the quintuplet wait. There is a click as the doorknob is turned and the door slowly opens. The butler who led each into the study enters, carrying a small silver filigree box. “Your employer is ready to speak with you,” he says, his voice like ancient parchment. Setting the box on the large table, he lifts the lid.

“Welcome, my friends,” comes the cheerful tones of The Voice.

Sliding his knife silently back into its sheath, Boas slips into a chair and grunts, "Good morning yourself, Voice. I assume you brought us here for a job, not to exchange pleasantries, so what's the gig?"

The young innocent boy with cards in his hands looks toward the box and smiles. "Good morning Charlie," he states.

Eupheraphora gives the boy an annoyed look, the turns her attention back to the box expectantly.

Elias trots over from the corner to join the group. Sitting on the floor the mangy wolf raises his ear to hear better.

“You were always the impatient one, Boas,” The Voice states simply. After a brief silence, perhaps to let that sink in, it continues. “I have summoned you all back together after all these seasons because I have need of not only your skills, but also your talents for ruthlessness. If, however, you have become squeamish at the sight of blood, you are welcome to depart now.”

Dusty returns to his normal forms and stands to respond properly. "If we were squeamish, we would not be in the positions we are today." He grins, "Especially Boas."

Winking at Dusty, Boas smiles and says, "Aye, getting squeamish at the sight of blood isn't one of my problems. So, again - what's the gig?"

Elias barks in agreement.

"Naw, I just drool a bit more now." says Freddy, wiping a string of saliva from his chin with his long lizard-like tongue.

"I would say we are ready for the details." Dusty says. "And, as usual, the more details the better."

“Good,” replies The Voice. “Hiram, the map.” The butler goes to a cabinet, produces a key, unlocks it and retrieves a rolled up parchment. Closing the door and locking it again, he comes back to the talking box. Carefully, he unrolls the parchment. It is a map of Calimport, but slightly different.

“What you see is our beloved city from about a thousand years ago,” says The Voice. “As you can see, it was much smaller and heavily walled, keeping the unwashed from the sight of the nobles. Djinns patrolled the walls just to make sure the two classes never encountered one another. The building in red was the home of Noble Persephero, a famous inventor in his time. If you remember your Calimport geography, this corresponds with where the Brothel of the Eight Veils front for the Gypsum Thieve’s Guild.”

"I do recall some of our local history and the map does seem to make sense,” replies Dusty as he looks towards the speaking box housing _The Voice_. "I would guess though, that any treasure or key finding would have been discovered by the thieves guild by now, since they have overrun that building now for years," Dusty adds as he walks up to more carefully examine the map. He motions to have Hiram hand over the map. As the butler does so, Dusty briefly appraises the map for authenticity and age.

Glancing quickly at the map, Boas nods, "Aye, that is the place, I've been there several times myself. As Dusty says, my cousins in the Guild have picked it pretty clean over the years. Getting us in there won't be a problem, but getting out may be. Not a good idea to kill your own Guild-mates".

The Voice replies, “Very likely.”

Pausing slightly, he continues, "What are we after, anyway?"

The Voice replies, “An ancient artifact known only as Persephero’s orb.”

Eupheraphora shakes her head negatively. “Never heard of it.” Given the expansive knowledge the cleric has of artifacts, this is surprising indeed.

"Boas, my friend, does this guild perhaps employ the use of dogs for keeping an eye out for those trying to sneak past guard posts?" questions Elias as the team brainstorms. "I might be able to use my own powers to give the team an idea of the current status of the guild."

Shifting back to human form Elias nods. "I'll test the loyalty of my pack over that of your guild any day. My guess is for the right price we could get one or two of your guild-mates to turn a blind eye to our passage." Turning toward the spymaster Elias adds, "And perhaps that price is a secret that someone would prefer remain hidden. Might one of your contacts provide us with the information on this building of secrets?"

"Ah, the old no honor amongst thieves argument, aye?” comments Boas. “Honor, probably not, but certain death by slow dismemberment - that tends to keep people in line. The Guild allows for a lot of internal fights, but get caught as a traitor - the last unfortunate who did that was kept alive magically as every day he lost a body part. When he was left with just a head and trunk, his midsection was split and they pulled out his insides - again, using enough magic to keep him alive. When they ran out of things to remove or pull out, they let the birds pick at him until even the mages couldn't keep him alive. Took close to two months for him to finally die...

“Anyway, they use dogs and other beasts, as well as magic, humans and non-humans alike, to guard the place. As I said, getting in is easy - it's getting out that will be a challenge...."

"Here we go again..." Dusty smiles. "It was like I never left. Please, before the plan gets finalized, let us clarify what the objective is." He motions toward the box, "If you wouldn't mind oh illustrious Voice."

The Voice clears its ‘throat’. “What it does or is does not matter. It appears to be a silver ball about the size of a child’s fist, whose surface seems to swirl like the clouds before a funnel cloud arrives. It should be handled with great care. It is likely to be in a matching box of silver.”

"And the extent of your information about its location is that it is within the guildhall and is in a silver box." Dusty sighs, "It would appear that I have my work cut out for me."

"Does the Guild know what it is - or where it is?" Boas asks, thinking out loud. "If they don't know it is anything other than a silver ball and box, it might be easier to get it out. We may even be able to just trade for it. Of course, if they suspect it is something of any value beyond the metal, well, I guess that makes it more complicated...."

"Once we find it, I can get it out, that won't be a problem. The problem will be if someone knows of its value and wants to keep it." Dusty replies.

"It is doubtful our employer would have gone to the trouble to assemble us together if this was a simple task," comments Elias. "It is more likely that the owner knows its value, has it well hidden, and well guarded."

“I do not know if the guild knows of it or not,” comes the Voice from the box. “For the moment, we should assume they do not.” There is a certainty to his statement.

"What shall we do with it when we get? I trust that we should open the box to validate the contents. Is there some task we can perform with the orb to ensure we have found the right silver orb?" Dusty inquires, eyes twinkling.

The Voice warns, “Do not do anything other than confirm it appears to be the right artifact. It is not dangerous unless mishandled.”

"While we have always been rewarded well for our services, my needs have changed and I have little use for silver balls and other riches," comments Elias suddenly. "What payment can we expect for fetching this magical bauble."

A deep chuckle comes from the box. “Indeed, let us get to the reward for retrieving the artifact,” says The Voice. “I am prepared to provide each of you the sum of ten thousand gold coins.”

Raising an eyebrow in interest, Boas smiles and says, "Well, for that kind of coin, it might be worth my time. However, it also begs the question – who else is looking for this? It seems a little strange that you call us together and offer a lot of money for something that apparently has been sitting around for some time - I'm guessing there are other interested parties we may encounter along the way." drawing his dagger and running a sharpening stone along the edge, he continues, "Not that I have a problem with that...."

Hiram watches Boas’ sharpening with open disgust, but the butler does not say anything.

"Indeed, there must be something that prevents locator spells from functioning with regard to the device... Eupheraphora, Is there anything you can do to speed up the search?" Dusty inquires.

“The Lady of Shadows often allows her clergy to pierce darkness,” replies Eupheraphora simply, “though I’m not at the moment prepared to at this moment.

Dusty paces around the room as he thinks aloud, "Are there any among us who no longer have access to the guild?"

"I do not have such access," comments Elias calmly.

The Voice speaks up, “I have no information about any other parties also searching for the artifact. However, you should assume that there are, just to be properly prepared.” There is a pause and then. “Are you in?”

Winking at Hiram, Boas shealths his blade and coolly says, "Sorry good sir, did not mean to offend you… anyway, I'm in. Elias, we should be able to get you in - there are gambling halls and brothels and all sorts of areas where non-Guild members are allowed, with proper vouching. I think we can get you at least that far, then we'll see what we can do."

"To be honest, I may incur some expenses along the way. In many cases I can acquire information freely, but some times information has a price, whether by favor, or by gold. $10,000 seems a great deal now, but an upfront payment to cover some of our expenses would be appreciated," Dusty proposes.

"The 10,000 will be paid upfront," replies The Voice.

"I am willing to accept this task" comments Elias turning toward the group, "but I have no interest in the gold coins our employer is paying. Instead, I would request a favor for my pack from those assembled."

"There is a village near my pack's hunting ground," says the ranger with an icy edge to his voice. "The pathetic villagers have paid someone of note to have a garrison stationed nearby. While my pack mates are more than capable of dealing with the villagers, they are not equipped to take on well-trained soldiers. In exchange for my participation and the 10,000 gold coins our employer is paying, I would request the use of your talents to find a way to relocate the garrison and after that, to eliminate the village."

"I fear that Wind and Shadow will be a liability in the maze of tunnels we will need to explore," comments the ranger sadly. "I will need to take them to the safety of the country-side before we venture into your guild."

"I hate charity cases", Boas groans, hearing the story. "But, I might be willing to make an exception. I've got some new herbs in that are reputed to be some of the most toxic ever found. I could use some test subjects to determine the proper dosages...." Smiling slightly, an evil glint in his eye, Boas seems to be warming to the task, continues, "I do see a problem - taking out a garrison and a village usually brings an armed response. Having your pack overrun the village may be enough to discourage people from returning - no one wants to live in an area controlled by rabid wolves. We can take out enough of the garrison to make it look like the wolves did it & leave enough survivors to tell the tale. Might work."

"I did offer my share from this job as payment," counters Elias. "It would not be charity case, but either way it sounds as if there is interest in my request, so for now I think we should turn our attention back to the matter at hand. Where do we find this magical trinket and how do we go about retrieving it?"

"Can we eat them when we're done?" hisses Freddy, returning from whatever morbid fantasy that has kept him entertained until now.

Eupheraphora gives Freddy another disgusted look before replying, “I, for one, would be willing to help you, Elias, in exchange for helping my church with a little matter afterwards.

The Voice speaks up. “This is all well and good, but I didn’t bring you all here to discuss other jobs. As for where it is and how you retrieve it, well, you are the experts, right?”

"Certainly we are, but you did not answer my question on an advance payment to cover potential bribes in and information gathering expenses. I would hate to use my share alone for those efforts, as we all benefit." Dusty replies.

The Voice replies, “Yes, your reasonable expenses will be covered.” It sounds like its patience is wearing thin.

"No need to get snippy, Voice", Boas gently chides. "But he has a point. Let's get this job done first, then we can start doing side work. Ok, to sum up - we know what this thing looks like, we think we know what the box it's in looks like, we have no idea where in the compound this thing is, there are others potentially trying to find it and it's being kept in a Thieves Guild location. In other words, it's surrounded by a bunch of folks who make a living paying attention to little details and killing people who try to make off with stuff before they get their mitts on it. Did I leave anything out?? If not, let's get a move on!"

“That pretty much sums it up. Hiram will see to your needs. May whatever god you follow guide you.” The butler closes up the box and collects it.

"Ok, let's do this,” says Boas eagerly. “I suggest we come up with supplies we'll need and get Hiram busy shopping. Once we get there, I recommend we rent a room for a couple days to watch the place and get to know the routine. Most of us can get in pretty easily and do some initial scouting, then we can see what we find and how we want to move forward".

Dusty moves away from the butler and speaking box he holds. "I will check with some local contacts and get some information on the location. Regarding our one member who does not have access... I think I can work that out." Dusty smiles.

"While you do that I will see what the canine inhabitants can tell me about the place," offers Elias in response to Dusty's comment. "These people may be suspicious and secretive, but they might let their guard down in front of their favorite pet."

Setting her empty glass down, Eupheraphora says, “I will seek guidance from the Lady of Shadows. Where will I find you when I’m ready?” she asks Boas, her liquid eyes seeking out each of her comrades. She, too, is eager to get to this.

Hiram merely stands there holding the box.

Dusty grins almost imperceptibly at Hiram. "I have no particular supplies to acquire although an advance to cover expenses would be acceptable." He looks to the butler to see if he is authorized.

Hiram doesn’t respond.

"Very well then," Dusty continues. "I think a nice base of operations would be the Spitting Camel, about a quarter mile from the guildhouse. It has a nice private back room for discussions. Don't let me forget to purchase the privacy though." He winks.

"Can we get something to eat.... I'm famished!" salivates Freddy.

Dusty looks back a bit concerned. "Yes, let's get him fed."

Shuddering slightly, Boas snickers. "Something or someone, Freddy?? Gross or not, he does bring up a point - let's go grab some grub and get ready for the adventure!"

Eupheraphora grimaces. “That’s sick, Boas.”

"Meat is meat. I ain't picky," chuckles the ghoulish rogue.

"You need help. Really," Boas says, shaking his head.

"I'll see you all tonight at the inn," says Elias as he moves toward the door, "If Hiram would be so kind as to show us a safe route out of this home."

Hiram heads for the door, opening it. “Follow me….”

"Fresh meat..... mmmmmm. Even better, perhaps a bit ripe. Maggots, squirming, wriggling maggots. Mmmmmmmm." mutters Freddy as he capers behind Boas, following him out.

"I am soooo not sharing a room with you any more, Freddy..." Boas says as they walk out the door.

"Meet you at the inn in short order," comments Elias as he leads the pair of wolves through the crowd.

Everyone disappears into the busy streets of Calimport.

That evening, they slowly filter into Spitting Camel, first Dusty, then Freddy minutes later. Eupheraphora arrives with a large, well muscled man. Boas is on their heels, and Elias completes the group as few minutes later.

“This is Saad,” the priestess explains of her companion. “My cohort and bodyguard.” The swarthy man merely nods to the others.

Nodding at the newcomer, Boas slyly remarks, "Just the one? Slowing down a bit, aren't we??" before heading to a table where he can have his back to the wall.

Eupheraphora ignores the barb as she slips up into a chair at the table. Saad stands silently behind her.

"This map cost me a handful of gold to procure," comments Elias as he unrolls a crisp sheet of vellum on the table revealing a detailed representation of the city. "Do you think it would be covered under expenses?”

The ranger stares at the map for a few minutes before giving up in frustration. “Can someone please show me where we are on this thing and where this guild we are investigating is located?”

"You really are lost outside of the woods, aren't you?" Boas says good naturedly. "Here, this is us, this is where we need to be," pointing on the map.

"I tried to get a map with roughly the same scale as the one provided by the voice," comments the ranger ignoring Boas' jab, "I thought we might compare the two to see if there is an alternate route into the underground catacombs we seek."

"That's a good idea, Boas," says Eupheraphora, offering the ranger a rare smile. "Who has that map?"

Dusty smiles, "You want a map? You want information? You have come to the right place, the key is scale, but I think I have all the ones we might require." From his pack, Dusty pulls out some large scroll tubes and carefully unfurls a few of them. Dusty cautions, "Some of them are fresh so please watch the ink. To be honest, this type of operation is likely to have been performed before, so although it may be located in some secret passage, it may be less obvious.. Perhaps a small hidden area under a floorboard, or even an extra-dimensional space of some type. Euph, might you be able to use your skills to determine if any such things are present near the guildhouse?"

The priestess nods affirmatively.

"I'll leave you all to ponder over these scribbles while I check my contacts in the guild," comments Elias stepping back from the table. Slouching to the floor in the corner of the room the ranger sits cross legged with his head resting against the wall and his eyes closed.

"Don't strain yourself, Elias," Boas says, grinning. Turning back toward the maps, he continues, "Too bad we can't find an old map - there may be some sewers or something going back a hundred years that everyone has forgotten about. That would be awful convenient".

"Sewers? Now there's an idea. I could flitter about through the sewers and see what I can find. Be like old home day for me," giggles Freddy.

"Flitter? You?? Didn't realize ghouls could still do that!" Boas quips.

"Oh yes, very well matter of fact." With that, Freddy begins to caper about the room, waving his arms while holding his cape, while screeching in a shrill voice. "See? Flittering!" he cackles.

"Okay, Freddie, have a seat, don't want to draw too much attention to yourself!" Boas says quickly, "Apparently sarcasism is a little over your head at this point..."

Dusty turns to Boas with a look of surprise. "Well, I didn't know you had it in you. Brilliant, I say, brilliant. Allow me to call in a few favors, and I know just the person." Dusty's form shimmers and he becomes taller, more gaunt, and dressed in simple but fine clothes. "If you will excuse me, I have an appointment with an old friend." Dusty turns to leave.

"Hmmm...thanks, I think," Boas mutters.

A rare smile briefly dons Elias' face at Boas' antics making the ranger appear suprisingly un-wolflike. The moment is fleeting however and the ranger growls to himself as he refills his tankard with water.

After an hour, as conversation over the maps starts to die down Elias opens his eyes and stands. "I talked with every canine within a mile of the guild and found that there are a suprising number of animals housed inside the guild. Those inside are primarily trained to smell out anyone who attempts to pass unseen and give warning."

Sitting at the table Elias continues, "They know little of the layout of the place, but I should be able to steer us clear of their guard posts once we are inside. I got the impression from one older dog that there are several alternate routes in and out of the upper passages, but he could not give me enough detail to locate those entrances. There is also a fairly large pack deeper in the tunnels who have not been treated very well and would gladly help us deal with their trainers should they be given the chance."

"Interesting, getting the pack to turn on their handlers would be a big asset. Maybe we should pay a visit to them with some food a couple times before we make the big push for the item", Boas muses.

"Bribes of food might give us a few more allies of the canine type, but there are bound to be other creatures in the maze using their sense of smell," replies Elias. "I suggest that we stock up on poisons and scent blocking powders in order to slip past those beasts undetected."

Eupheraphora, who had been pacing the last ten minutes, stops and turns to the others. "How much longer do you think we'll need to wait for Dusty to return?" she asks.

"It takes as long as it takes, Eupheraphora. You of all people should know that. Why not relax a little while we wait. Maybe go play with your boy-toy for awhile," Boas adds slyly.

The priestess gives Boas an icy look that would make Auril proud. She goes to take a seat while Saad follows, his expression neutral as if he didn't comprehend anything.

"I agree. Since we have no idea where he was going or who he was meeting with we have no other choice but to wait." Scanning the crowd outside their private room Elias adds, "Besides, given his talents he might already be back hidden some where in this crowd."

A familiar face appears at the doorway carrying a large leather bag. He approaches the main table and carefully sets the bag down. "If you all would indulge me, I must ask you to be extremely careful with these parchments. They are quite old and I am personally responsible for their condition and I don't want to risk negatively impacting this contact." Dusty breathes deeply and slowly unwraps a set of old maps. The crinkle of the ancient paper is music to those who appreciate true history.

"I think you will find this quite interesting." Dusty says as he carefully places the third of the sheets in the center of the table. He points toward the corner of the sheet, "As was discussed, before the guild took over this building, the inventor's house stood. There was a reason the inventor Persephero selected this area, and in particular, this place to build his abode."

"Bats, I bet it was because of the bats." Freddy grins.

"Well Dusty, don't keep us in suspense - I'm sure it's not because of the bats," Boas says, shaking his head at Freddy, "what's the deal?"

Elias walks over and exams the map, but remains quiet.

Eupheraphora also joins them. "What did you discover?" she asks. Saad stands just behind the halfling.

Staring at Dusty, who apparently is lost in a train of thought, Boas impatiently taps his dagger on the table to get his attention, and says, "We really are all waiting with baited breath here, buddy. No need to continue building the suspense, just tell us what you know!"

"Bring us a tankard of your best and then be gone" barks Elias when a serving wench pokes her head into the room.

Dusty sighs, lost in a moment of thought. Perhaps recalling his most recent meeting with an old friend. "My apologies, I did not mean to keep you all waiting."

Kicking his feet up on the table and leaning his chair back against the wall, Boas takes a drink from his mug and casually remarks, "Well, guess this is going to take a while, may as well get comfy."

"I was hoping someone would be able to tell by looking at the map," Dusty comments. "Let's take a quiz... Who used to own this particular property and what were they known for?"

"What care have I for some filthy city dweller," retorts Elias looking down at the map. "What's the significance of the building?"

Dusty shakes his head. "The original occupant of this building was an inventor... name of Noble Persephero. Did you not hear The Voice? When someone gives you such little information you must pay attention to every detail."

"Ok, so, we have a previous occupant who was an inventor," replies Boas. "So, what else does that tell us?"

"Inventors need workshops... and rich inventors may have several and require many varied and expensive items to work with, which may require some digging or mining." Dusty smiles and points to the old map. "Although it is not overtly obvious, deep beneath this facility there are a few open caverns from some underground digging as this was built on a rather complex tunnel system, perhaps created some years ago by previous native inhabitants of this area." He points to the map. "See here, where they begin and the few gray shaded areas that I perceive to be large open areas using in mining or similar activities. But, that is only the beginning," he says as he pulls out a more recent map. "Although the thieves' guild has made a number of changes to the facility that were not documented, I have a document here approximating changes that were made." he grins. "Now look here, near the southeast corner, there are a number of private rooms, built in a near circle. The center area was never populated due to extreme hardness in the rock face there, but I surmise through some research with my friend, that this area here, represents a very private, very special inventing lab, protected and hidden either by the natural hardness of rock, or perhaps even some permanent magicks. My guess is that we can enter this room from beneath, or we need to find some magical way to enter the center of this circle, "he points, " through one of the rooms.

Smiling broadly, Boas leans forward and says, "Well well well.... looks like the wait was worth it. Nicely done, Dusty! That is indeed information we can use. Shall we start searching the caves for a way in?"

"Oooo goodie! Caves! Caves mean bats! Bats, bats, bats, bats!" cackles Freddy as he capers around once again. He taps Boas on the shoulder and with a conspiratory whisper says, "Bats are your friends. hehehe!"

"Seriously Freddy, don't touch me," says Boas, shuddering.

Eupheraphora carefully runs a finger over the map, tracing something. "This is bad," she says, dread thick in her voice. "This is the symbol for medusa," she adds, pointing to a rather unremarkable sigil.

"Hmph..." Dusty grumbles. "At least I didn't miss anything obvious. This doesn't embarrass me as I recognize we all have skills to bring to the table. What we have to deal with a medusa is this groups affinity with darkness. Her special powers cannot affect us in the greatest of darkness, but her talons are sharp as well."

"We have enough gold, we should be able to buy some stone to flesh potions - just in case," Boas mutters, the thought of turning to stone not really that applealing to him. "I do have a spell of darkness that will help - as long as I'm able to cast it!"

Eupheraphora shakes her head. "Why would they put a medusa there if darkness was all it takes to render her harmless?" she asks.

Dusty listens to the conversation and muses to himself, "I wonder who has that old talisman now..."

"Perhaps they are counting on the element of surprise?" Boas responds to Eupheraphora's musings. "Or perhaps there is more to it than that - an enchanted light source of some sort? After all this time, who knows if there is still a medusa down there. They may have put the silgle there to ward of potential raiders such as ourselves. I doubt it, but you never know!"

Dusty begins mumbling to himself and paces around the room. He paces a bit too close to Freddy, "Phew." he shivers. "A bath probably won't help you but I would suggest it. The good news is that the stench reminds me of where there is a useful talisman for us. We may need to borrow it. It isn't an easy trip, but it will probably be worth it. Lord Timbren lives only a half days ride north."

Eupheraphora asks, "What talisman?"

"Yes Dusty, what talisman do you speak of?" asks Boas

"Approximately 4 years ago, Lord Timbren came into possession of a very unique talisman. It wards against petrification and paralysis of any form. It was constructed with blood samples from some very powerful creatures as well as enhanced with powerful magicks," Dusty instructs. "I believe it's power extends to those with 10-15 feet of its wearer. Lord Timbren does not travel much, and maintains a small library of well protected unique items. He is rather protective, and he has been known to send a group of well trained assassins and warriors to track down lost items, therefore my comment on borrowing. We can't ask him of course, but this group ought to be able to acquire and return it without too much difficulty...or notice."

"Couldn't we just do away with him and take all of his goodies," asks Elias coldly.

"Do not underestimate his power. I have taken this course before with a lesser skilled group. I am sure we can get away with a borrowing, but not an outright theft." Dusty smiles, hiding an obscure but obvious secret.

Elias shrugs bowing to Dusty's superior knowledge of the man.

"Like the attitude, Elias, but it sounds like we might be able to use him later. No need to off a potentially valuable asset. Plenty of time for that later", Boas says, idly fingering a knife. "Let's say we go pay him a visit and see what it's going to take to "borrow" this little trinket".

"It is as good as any option we have now," replies Eupheraphora drolly.

As the planning continues, Elias slips out of the room and returns a couple hours later as the bar maid makes a final call for drinks. "The work of the best herbalist in town", comments the ranger as he lays out a collection of small vials, sealed pots and bags. "The tincture in the vials will temporarily boost our resistance against poison, the paste will counter all but the nastiest diseases, and the bags contain an assortment of powders to mask our scent. I should have enough for everyone when the time comes."

Dusty says, "Lord Timbren will be having a costume ball tomorrow night. I can acquire invitations, so if you can all collect some sort of costumes, Freddy, you should be fine, we can attend and I will create a diversion to get us into the west wing."

"Sounds like a plan," says Boas, intrigued. "Do we have a floor plan to work off? Would make it easier to do a snatch and grab."

Eupheraphora gives Dusty a significant look. "So far, you haven't let us down on details," she says leadingly.

"Details, details..now I know this group has matured over the years." Dusty chuckles and looks directly at Boas. "Remember the time we captured the Baron's daughter to save your hide? As I recall we applied a great deal of planning to sneaking her out of that fort."

"Well, I'd like to think I've learned a few things along the way." Boas grins, obviously enjoying a stray memory. "Besides, that was a little bit more pressing as far as getting the job done right then!"

Eupheraphora sighs in frustration. "When you two are finished with your mutual admiration, perhaps we could actually plan something?" The halfling woman's eyes flash with her well known temper.

"Very well," replies Boas. "Ok, we should be able to get in easily enough. I suggest we have a slight distraction to allow some of the team to sneak off and retrieve the item. Hey - I've got it, Eupheraphora, think you can arrainge a wardrobe malfunction?? That would easily take people's eyes off us!"

The priestess gives Boas a withering look.

"Alright, we can discuss tactics. Dress in something tacky and wild. If you don't you will be conspicuous. These are wild affairs." Dusty chuckles remembering something. "At around 10 o'clock there will be a diversion. You don't need to know what it is, suffice it to say, you will know it is a diversion. We all need to be near the buffet tables. When it is time, grab a tray of food from the buffet and take it into the kitchen. Stay to the left walk quickly and when you see a large red door drop the food and step to your immediate right near a large ivory statue of Gond." Dusty shakes his finger at Freddie, "Yes, it is worth about 35,000 gold, but believe me it is too hard to get out of there.

"When the red doors open, and they will...be patient, wait no more than a 20 count and run through them and up the stairs. If you wait any longer, you are a dead man. " Dusty looks extremely serious and then continues.

"At the top of the stairs, we need Euph to cast a dispel magic on the portal, and then we need two people to pick the locks on a set of double doors. We need to open then at the same time, or they will explode. We also need to get through them before the magic runes on the door recast themselves in 2 minutes. Once through the doors, we can rest, and depending on what we find there, I can review the next step of our little journey." Dusty smiles at his awestruck friends. "You wanted detail..."

"What do we know about the layout of the place and its defenses," asks Elias wearily. "I tire of all this talk."

"Oh.. that is the easy part." Dusty grins wickedly.

"Wow, I was waiting for you to get to the hard part....," Boas starts with a grin. "Ok, who will be picking the locks? I have some ability, but will defer if you feel you are better at it".

"Don't look at me. I'm terrible with locks," responds Elias dryly. "I'll stand guard at that point."

Eupheraphora glances up at the silent Saad. "That shouldn't be a problem," she tells her companions.

Dusty nods, smiling. "Well, you all have a day to work on your costumes. Let us all arrive separately at the mansion an hour after sunset," he says. "See you then."

"Sounds like a plan. Until then," Boas says, leaving.

--+--

One might barely recognize Elias as he appears at the door. Freshly bathed with short cut hair and a neatly trimmed beard, the ranger is dressed in very little besides a cacophony of multicolored feathers that cover his face, privates, and boots. A golden torque detailed in tiny flying birds and pair of matching armbands complete the ensemble. Several of the women near the door sigh approvingly despite the numerous scars that crisscross the ranger’s well-muscled torso.

Grabbing a goblet of wine from a passing servant, the ranger makes small talk with a pair of women before slowly making his way toward the buffet

Boas is slightly more covered in a variety of strategically placed furs. In keeping with his abilities to blend in, he has opted not to wear the most revealing outfit, but is comfortably in the middle with regards to costume. As with Elias, his body shows the signs of one who has spent his life adventuring, much to the delight of the ladies. He also heads towards the buffet tabel, but stays on the opposite end from Elias for now.

A short demure brunette, dressed in peacock feathers sidles up to Boas and smiles. "Excuse me, would you mind getting me a glass of wine?"

"How you doing?" Boas purrs, grabbing a goblet off the tray of a passing server and handing over the glass. "Nice touch with the feathers, by the way."

"You have some time for a dance or some fraternization if you like." The brunette winks. "We have some time before the Event. Have you seen any bats or a priestess yet?"

"No bats, no priestess. Think I'll pass on the dance, not sure we want to fight over who leads!" Boas wisecracks. "I put some drops in the wine to negate the effects of alcohol, so feel free to drink it. You'll pee blue for a couple of days, but it won't cause any other problems."

"You have such a way with the women," says a rather tall woman drolly as she approaches. Her gown consists of layers of blue and green silk, and she's wearing a mask of small peacock feathers. "Where is that giggling idiot Freddy?" asks Eupheraphora.

Looking up in the shadows of the high ceiling one might catch a glimpse of leathery wings and glowing red, beady eyes.

Elias wanders the hall for a while killing time while he waits for the big event, but after a particularly portly woman dressed in blinding yellow gets a bit grabby, the ranger decides that he's had enough and finds a quiet corner behind the bar to sit and drink his wine.

Like most parties in Calimshan, this one is a lavish affair with food abundant, and liquor flowing from decanters. The rich of the city do not need much reason to prove to each other how rich they really are. Or lascivious.

Eupheraphora glides towards one of the tables laden with food, her large sequined gloved hands preparing a small plate of hors doeuvres. She then glides over to where the brunette waits. "How soon?" she asks before stuffing a shrimp puff into her mouth.

Several foppish men approach the brunette, all quickly and quietly rebuffed. Not surprisingly, none of the attendees approach the exceptionally tall Eupheraphora, nor do any of the outrageously dressed women seem interested in Boas or Elias.

"Really, how much longer are we going to have to deal with these boors?" Boas asks after descretly ensuring no one is listening. "I may have to take out a couple of these twits if things don't start happning soon," he continues lightly tapping a vial of black liquid that suddenly appears in his hand, "this stuff will cause the most amazing mortification process. Truely a delight to behold..."

Elias finishes his wine and considers getting another when suddenly his muscles tense. Smelling the air the ranger rises and joins the group near the edge of the table, "Trouble's coming."

"Thanks for the tip," Boas says, putting down his goblet and nonchalantly looking around the room for the expected commotion.

The pretty brunette smiles suddenly as she looks at Elias. She whispers silently, "Amazing... Ready yourselves."

The hourly chimes begin their mark of the tenth hour, nothing seems amiss with the patrons of the party.

Looking around in anticipation, Boas eventually gives up, shrugs and says, "little anticlimatic, don't you think?"

The attractive brunette adjusts her dress and places a finger to the side of her nose. Moments later the huge double door crash open as several burly ogres and 12 orcish patrons rumble in dressed in various colors, all wearing outlandish hats and several with exceedingly long scarves. A small gnome steps forward from their midst declaring loudly, "Once again, I was not invited. I am afraid that it is time that I take the festivities into my own hands." He cackles as he raises his hands and blue flames surround the patrons of the room, including the party. The ogres advance menacingly.

"I'm going to have to talk with that pair about keeping watch", comments the ranger as he grabs a platter and heads toward the rendezvous spot, "They find a couple having relations, but totally missed a dozen orcs, a trio of orges, and one pissed off gnome!"

"Guess this must be the distraction," murmurs Boas, edging away from the table.

"You think," asks Eupheraphora, turning her attention on the brunette with anticipation.

"False alarm," comments Elias with a wicked smile on his face. "The wolves heard a commotion, but its just a pair of inebriated guests enjoying each others company. Should I have Wind give them a shock?"

With her adjusted dress, peacock lady heads after Elias with a platter of meats. The commotion surrounding the arrival of the angry gnome and his entourage draws far more attention than the movements of the small group.

Per the previously issued instructions, the group with their varuious platters heads through the kitchen door and down the hall. The brunette flings her platter like a cow pie and meats fly against the wall and lay strewn over the floor before the huge double doors. Stepping back into the alcove, her form shimmers and reforms into the Dusty the group remembers. "Quickly... in the alcove, don't move until I say so."

"Your wish is my command," murmurs Boas quietly.

Elias does as instructed and slips into the alcove behind Dusty. Quietly removing the gold torque and bracelets, the ranger reveals his bracers and amulet right before he transforms into his wolf form.

Eupheraphora's head suddenly rises up and then slowly descends to her normal halfling height, Saad standing behind her, rolling up most of the dress the pair was wearing. The priestess wears the costume top as a full length dress. "What now? And where is Freddy?"

Dusty smiles and points at a bat hanging upside down. There is a familiar grin from the creatures face. Suddenly a large man thrusts open the door and runs down the hall toward the commotion. He is followed by over a dozen large canines. Their loud barking and snarling is interrupted by gulping and licking noises as they stop to partake of the feast strewn about the floor.

Dusty peeks out at famished animals and peers back with a smile. "Feeding time... Follow me but do NOT stop to pet them." He quickly sidesteps the creatures and sneaks into the back room quickly running up a large winding staircase past an outside door leading to a kennel. When he reaches the top he points to a small sigil at the top of the door and the two keyholes. "Who is up?"

Elias pauses for a moment as the party moves into the kennel. The ranger growls and barks at the pack who respond to the ranger's request enthusiastically before returning to their feast.

A bat flutters down and in midflight morphs into the tattered caped figure of Freddy. "See, told you, bats are your friends, hehehehehehe!" He then examines the sigil and the keyholes, his beady red eyes keen for hidden dangers.

Eupheraphora and Saad watch impassively as the ghoul works.

Returning to human form, Elias shuts the kennel door and joins the group in front of the door. "The dogs will keep the chaos in the ball room going as long as we make sure to leave the front doors open on our way out." In response to the unasked question the ranger adds, "I've offered them the chance to join my pack."

"Good move, I guess. Can never have to many starving dogs chasing us around!" Boas wisecracks. "Freddy, any luck with that sigil??"

Freddy giggles hysterically. "Magically trapped. That'd be you, Eupheraphora. Beyond my skill," he says, stepping aside.

The priestess produces a wand from from her gown and points it at the sigil and lock. "Vorlatess," she whispers in the harsh tongue associated with the shadow weave. "Proceed."

Boars urges the ghoul to hurry, not completely confident the distraction will last long enough. A few deft movements and Freddy is rewarded with a soft click as he works the lock.

The room beyond is magically dark.

"Sorry guys," says Boas as he stares through the doorway. "Not much I can do about darkness. Anyone else?"

Dusty mumbles to himself as though counting, and raises a finger to the others. "I hate this one..." he quitely says and continues. After a few moments he nods, reaches the right number and calls out. "Roll through, stay as low as you can....now!" Dusty vaults himself forward somersaulting into the darkness.

"Into the breach we go!" Boas giggles, rolling forward after Dusty.

Elias transforms back into wolf form and bounds after Boas. Sniffing the air madly as they travel through the dark the ranger keeps a nose out for danger.

Eupheraphora is startled by Dusty's actions, glaces up at her silent guard, and walks through, assuming her natural height is low enough. Saad drops to his hands and knees and quickly follows.

"What now?" comes Eupheraphora's voice in the darkness. It is answered by a low, canine-like growl.

"Well, well" Dusty says quietly. "It looks like he has upgraded his defenses since last time... I can no longer provide assistance... I trust that Elias can help us now?" Unseen, Dusty's weapon finds it way into his hand.

There is a quick series of barks and growls followed by Elias' voice, "This beast may sound like a wolf, but I have no influence on it. I suggest we prepare for a fight."

"Great. Just great," Boas mumbles, deftly dipping a dagger in a vile of greenish-black liquid. "Just need to get a scratch on the beast, this should take care of it... Ow. Cyric's t..." There's a bodylike thump in the darkness.

Eupheraphora mutters, "By the Mistress, we're down one already!" She murmurs a spell as Saad stands ready to protect her.

Dusty somehow manages to duck under the high swing of a large blade. A giggling howl preceeds Freddy leaping upon the unseen (and apparently bipedal) opponent. "Bad. Very bad you've been," says the ghoul as he slashes at it with his gnarled hand, catching skin with his nails. There's another thump of a body falling.

Other opponents appear to have moved forward into a ready position.

"Not sure how this is going to work." Dusty tumbles backward from the falling bodies and quietly reaches into his pack. "Brilliant" he says simply. There is a flasy of light that illuminates the room in a cone in front of Dusty. Briefly seen is Freddy atop a large humanoid, and two gnolls with rusty scimitars waiting to attack. Then it is dark again.

Elias waits to attack.

Eupheraphora casts another spell in the darkness. "Be aware, there are four gnolls," she mutters.

Saad swings his longsword in the darkness twice, missing both times.

The two gnolls illuminated by the flash of light seem dazed still and do not move. A grunt from Saad indicates he's been hit by a gnoll scimitar.

"Hehehehehehehehehe," cackles Freddy as he bends down to take a bite out of his paralyzed vicitm. He then flies up to the rafters of the room.

Dusty steps over toward the stunned gnolls and swipes at them with his rapier. He scores a hit, wounding one severly, before springing back out of danger.

Reacting to the flash of light, Elias transforms and lunges at the pair of stunned gnolls intent of ripping out their throats. His attacks miss, probably due to the darkness.

Boas remains unable to move.

Eupheraphora mutters something unflattering before casting another spell, summoning up light to eliminate the hampering darkness. "Kill them already," she says of the six remaining gnolls (two of which are stunned).

Saad takes advantage of his ability to see his opponent and with two quick strokes of his longsword lays one dead. He then cleaves into the one next to the gnoll, cutting it across its hairy chest.

The stunned gnolls remain stunned. However, the three remaining viable gnolls move to attack. Saad is slightly wounded by one scimitar. The scimitar aimed at Eupheraphora's head barely misses. Dusty manages to dodge the slash from the one approaching him.

Freddy cackles from the rafters.

Knowing the stunning will only last for so long, Dusty springs back and tries to finish off the gnoll he wounded earlier. The gnoll is gravely wounded, but still seems eager to fight on. Dusty retreats a (hopefully) safe distance.

Elias wheels around and lunges at the nearest gnoll, the one Dusty just attacked. He kills it.

Boars manages a moan, but no other movement.

Eupheraphora waits, watching and listening.

Saad finishes off his opponent with another heavy blow from his longsword, then attacks one of the having the audacity to attack the priestess. It goes down, headless.

"Weeehoooo!" cackles Freddy as he dives down from the rafters, transforming into his true form and landing next to one of the gnolls, preparing to attack with his paralytic claws.

The two remaining stunned gnolls stand stupidly.

"Euph ensure we aren't being followed and that the noise isn't attracting attention," Dusty asks just before he springs back next to a stunned gnoll and attempts a killing blow. Not quite.

Elias moves toward the other stunned gnoll clamping his jaws on the creature’s unprotected throat. There comes sickly tearing sound followed by a thud of a body falling.

Boas remains unmoving.

Eupheraphora moves to Boas and casts a spell. Touching the man, she removes the effects of the poison. "Don't do that again," she warns him.

Saad steps over to protect the priestess from the remaining gnoll, just in case it is faking being stunned.

Freddy leaps at the back of the remaining gnoll, slashing with his talons. It falls.

"Silence." Dusty listens carefully only to hear distant commotion from the ballroom. "Let's move on, but be careful. Who wants point? I take point in negotiations... not in combat."

Elias transforms into human form with blood still dripping from his mouth down his bare chest. “The wolves report that our distraction is still in play and our battle here went unnoticed, although they do warn that we should hurry up. Evidently our guest’s guard are starting to get organized.”

"Ohhh, well that really sucked," Boas moans, dragging himself up. "Thanks, next time I'll be a little more careful..."

"Good idea," remarks Eupheraphora dryly. Saad lets out a quiet, and quick, laugh.

Dusty grins slyly at Freddy, "So...can you flap ahead and report what you see?"

"Sure thing!" cackles Freddy, licking the blood off his talons. "Just remember, bats are your friends!" With that, the ghoul swirls his tattered cape around him and transforms into a bat, winging off into the darkness.

The ghoul returns moments later. "Door ahead. It glows," he warns. "Nothing else though."

Dusty squints at Freddy and asks carefully, "Glows because you cast a spell that tells you that, or because it is actually glowing?"

"Spells? I can cast spells! Cool!!" cackles Freddy. "Boogatdy- boogatdy-boogatdy" giggles the ghoul, waggling his fingers.

The halfling priestess of Shar slaps her forehead. "I'm surrounded by idiots," she mutters under her breath.

"How about letting someone who can detect the next nasty suprise take point," suggests Elias. "I'll follow behind just in case I can hear or smell something." Looking at the ghoul, "Unless of course you'd like to volunteer to flutter forward and take a look?"

"Well, I for one don't want to stand here all night. Let's move!" Boas whispers urgently.

Eupheraphora speaks up, "Saad will lead." The silent servant doesn't wait for consensus and strides forward, the halfling following, assuming the others fall into place.

Literally, the door does glow. An eerie, flickering, unsettling greyish-green color. There is also a faint odor of garlic at the end of the hallway. "Wait," Eupheraphora says, casting a spell. The glow fades. "Quickly through."

Saad tries the handle then throws his shoulder into the door, the bar beyond splintering with his efforts. The man stumbles in. The room on the other side of the door is dank and the strong aroma of garlic wafts over everyone outside. There is a moan from the single occupant, slumped from chains about his wrists hanging him from the 20 foot high ceiling. The room has many implements of torture about it.

Elias scoops up a bloody scimitar from one of the downed gnolls and takes off down the hall.

"Hmmm.... My kind of place," Boas says approvingly. "Who's the stiff?"

“Well, unless he has a magical device stuck someplace,” comments Elias as he enters, “I say we leave him be.”

“Very well,” replies the ranger, “But time is not on our side at this point, so I say we make our questions short.”

"Let's see if he knows anything first," Boas suggests.

"Are you alright?" asks Dusty. "Is your torturer here?" The man does not respond. "Euph, is there somethng you can do for him?"

Elias shrugs his shoulders as the others investigate the man. Scanning the room, the ranger looks for possible exits and sources of danger.

"No," replies the halfling priestess. "I say we leave him."

Not accepting this is all that can be done, Dusty says, "Watch out for traps or others entering the room. Euph, can you have Saad lower him to the floor?"

"No," replies the priestess of Shar again. "His fate is none of our business."

"If we have time on the way back we'll cut him down and take him with us," suggest Elias, "But for now I believe there is a magical bauble with our names on it somewhere around here."

Freddy slinks about the edges of the room, eyes scanning back and forth and his slit-nostrils quivering. "No door," he mutters.

"His fate may lead to information that can help us decide our own fate," Dusty states as he walks over the man. "Speak if you can and tell me what you know... if you do I will help you. If not, we can release you from your agony now..."

"Friend," remarks Boas as he walks around the torture chamber, "you have one last chance. Talk now, or your chance to leave here before your hosts come back is lost forever. Who are you, and why are you here?"

The man's parched lips split as he whispers, "Release me. I can help."

"Tell me how you can help with one word, and I will release you" Dusty says solemnly.

Elias shakes his head in disgust as they discuss taking the man down. “We really need to get moving,” comments the ranger impatiently.

"He's right," says Boas curtly, "this is taking to long. Speak now, or that's it. Why should we save you?"

Eupheraphora and Saad set to searching the walls. "Here," the priestess says, pushing open a halfling-sized passage. "Is this the direction we need to go, Dusty?" she asks imperiously.

"Death," murmurs the hanging man, the word seemingly exhausting him more.

Transformning, the ranger trots passed Eupheraphora as he takes the lead through the small door. "I guess he didn't need to know," mutters the priestess, waving Saad to follow. The tall, silent man falls to his knees and crawls on.

"Death is what you'll get, my friend, if you don't make some sense real fast. Last chance," Boas says, drawing a dagger.

Dusty watches the ranger as he moves through the door. "Information has always been the key to my survival, so I will release you, but it may be painful." Dusty draws his rapier and leaps upwards hacking at the chain with one slash. This causes the man to sway, groaning in pain.

"That was effective," mutters Eupheraphora disdainfully. She follows Elias and Saad, not having to duck through the door.

The man hanging from the chains grunts. "Guard has key." He jerks his head towards the door they came through.

Dusty looks at his rapier. "Hmmm... Chain or not, I expected that to break. The key must be on some of the gnolls we killed."

"Let's move people," urges Boas. "Nice that we saved the smelly little fella, but we have business to attend. Key is on one of the dead guards, consider this your lucky day," Boas says, heading onward.

Elias finds a long, narrow and short tunnel that seems to spiral downwards. He manages to avoid a pit trap that opens. Saad and Eupheradora arrive shortly after.

Elias appears ready to jump then decides at the last minute that the distance is too great. Sitting down, the wolf appears to be contemplating his options for getting across the pit.

Eupheradora asks, "Why did you stop?" She tries to peer around and sees the pit. "That does present a problem."

Beyond the pit is apparently a dead end.

Eupheraphora tells Saad to stay with Elias while she informs the others of the situation. Treading carefully the twenty feet back to the room, she says, "Okay, this looks like a dead end. Just as the wall ends there is a five foot by five foot pit. Don't know how deep it goes."

"No problem! This is a job for Super-Bat-Freddy!" cackles the ghoul. Flapping his cape, he transforms into a bat and flitters across to check things out. He clings to the wall as he searches

Elias sticks his head over the edge of the pit trying to spot the bottom while Freddy searches the dead end.

Dusty shakes his head, "Exactly... information is the key. Is it a dead end truly? Is our path actually down the pit? The answer lies in taking the risk."

"Great, I'm sure he's going to be able to jump the pit," Boas groans. "This better be good, Dusty..."

"What are you doing?" hisses the priestess. "You are wasting time with him that will only get us captured or killed."

Dusty doesn't reply, instead he turns to jog back to the dead guards. Unfortunately, they have been discovered by a half-dozen gnolls barking their strange tongue to one another. They don't seem to be aware of him. Yet.

Elias smells the floor trying to determine in anyone besides the group has passed through the hall. Unfortunately, the odor or urine and blood are too strong.

"That fool is going to get us all killed," Boas hisses in a low whisper. "Freddy, did you find anything??"

Freddie the bat doesn't answer, but flies down the pit far out of sight.

Dusty grimaces and silenty backs off from the hallway. He pulls out is eversmoking bottle in preparation and heads back to the group. He quickly informs them of the situation. "If they come this way, we need to deal with them quickly...and silenty."

Eupheraphora looks less than pleased. "This idea of yours is getting worse and worse all the time, Dusty," she tells him. Saad is suddenly behind her as if silently summoned. The halfling priestess casts a spell, staring intently at the doorway. Suddenly, dozens of whirling blades protect the area this side of the door.

Back in the pit, a freakishly high giggle reaches Boas and Elias. "Here! I found it! Here!" comes Freddy's excited call. "Locked Box. Gotta be it!"

Elias returns to the other room and crouches on the inside of the blade barrier waiting to see if any of the gnolls get through while the others investigate the box.

Dusty opens his eversmoking bottle near the blade barrier hoping the gnolls won't see the whirling blades until it is too late. He then quickly follows his compatriots. "For the record," he says matter-of-factly, "this item may save us from turning to stone, so this can't be any worse than that."

"Then get it and bring it here, Freddy!" Boas whispers urgently.

"What?" calls up the ghoulish man.

Boas sighs as he looks at Dusty, who only grins in chagrin. "We're going to have a fight on our hands!" Boas calls down to Freddy urgently. "So hurry up and bring it here."

A loud grunt. "I can't. Too heavy."

Nothing's come through the door as of yet.

"Can anyone get down there and help Freddy?" Boas asks, obviously not happy with the delay.

No one volunteers. Boas sighs impatiently.

"Make sure it isn't trapped or attached to something trapped," Dusty calls down helpfully. "Anyone have something to put it in?"

Freddy licks his fingers before bending down to examine the box more closely. It is about four feet long, three feet wide, and two feet high, made of forged steel, and has a complicated looking lock built into the seamless lid. "Come here my sweetmeat," cackles the ghoul as he pulls out his tools and sets to picking the lock.

Eupheraphora and Saad continue to watch the only exit.

Elias sniffs around to bide the time away.

"Got it!" announces the ghoul as he pops open the lid. There is a brilliant flash of light that momentarily blinds Freddy, Elias, Dusty and Boas, followed by a gutwrenching wave of motion sickness.

Boas is the first to recover his sight and he curses profoundly. The others discover why: They are all in a different place completely, a large cube of worked stone littered with the skeletal bodies of many humanoids. There doesn't appear to be an exit. Eupheraphora and Saad are no where to be seen, nor is the box.

"Hmmm, clearly we have been teleported to a prison...and these other souls did not seem to have any luck escaping." Dusty peers around. "First things first, let's see if these poor chaps had anything that might help us." The skeletons are in rags, and most crumble at any movement or even the merest touch.

Elias growls in frustration as he begins searching the room for an exit, not expecting to find one.

"NIce job, Freddy," Boas deadpans. "What do you think the chances of Eupheraphora getting us out of this mess are?"

"Hey, you guys told me to open it!" protests the ghoul. "Least, I'll have plenty to eat." he cackles as he searches the remains.

Elias growls again at the ghouls comments and then transforms into human form to resume his search of the upper walls and ceiling.

"Easy, Freddy, don't get yourself too excited," Boas says, eyeing the ghoul, "may not be as easy a meal as you think..."

"Be careful what you touch.." Dusty comments. "These creatures have no arms or armor. I wonder if that is a play on words...or if there is more to this trap than just isolation."

Elias' search nets nothing but more frustration.

"I don't need armor or weapons to be deadly," comments the ranger as he continues his search. "Can anyone get word to Eupheraphora about our predicament." Closing his eyes the ranger extends his senses trying to warn his wolf companions that it is time for them to be leaving the grounds. When he opens his eyes he says, "I was able to reach them, so we are not too far away."

"There must be a way out," says Freddy. "Everyone look carefully." He transforms into a bat to search the higher areas.

Elias sighs. “I will instruct the wolves to keep an eye out for Eupheraphora and Saad”

"Well, if we're close, there must be a way back. Keep looking, anything may be a clue to get us out of here," Boas urges, redoubling his investigation.

Dusty settles down on the floor after he clears a place. "Clever trap to protect one's valuables," he murmurs, thinking. He scratches absently at his chin. "What are our options if we don't find any secret doors?"

"Our jailor may not need a door or passage to reach this place," reminds Elias as he closes his eyes.

"Elias, are we still within range of your pets?" Dusty asks.

"The wolves have not been able to locate Eupheraphora and Saad," comments the ranger.

"There has to be a way out," says a frustrated Boas. "Whoever designed this had to be smart enough to realize that he might get caught in his own trap. Keep looking," he urges his companions on, "we've got to find our way out."

The group continue to search, moving bodies out of the way should they be obscuring a trap door. Suddenly, Freddy giggles. "I know this one," he says of a long dead body. "He was..." the groulish fellow is interrupted by the arrival of a strange creature: It is goblinoid in appearance, but with zombie-like qualities and two long, purplish tentacles extending from its abdomen.

Freddy takes the short step closer to the creature, striking at him with his clawlike fingers, but to no effect.

Dusty instantly takes a defensive stance, wondering if the creature appeared out of thin air, or through some sort of portal. Deftly reaching under his cloak he pulls and looses several darts at the opponent. None find their mark.

The zombie-like creature lashes out with its tentacles at Freddy, one missing but one wrapping around his waist. The tentacle squeezes making Freddy gasp, but not doing any apparent damage.

The others spring into action now that the momentary surprise has passed.

"Hello ugly, looks like your stay won't be to long!" Boas says, drawing his sword and taking a swing, careful not to strike Freddy. His weapon bounces harmlessly off the dead thing's sickly skin.

Freddy pulls off the tentacle and backs up into a corner, chittering nervously.

"Beware the tentacles AND your weapons..." Dusty cautions, "Given the nature of how we found these dead creatures, I expect that metal will not react well to contact with this creature."

Elias growls. "How do you propose we defeat it then?" he asks as he draws his weapon.

The zombie-creature flings its tentacles out at Dusty, both wrapping tightly around his waist and throat. As it squeezes, Dusty can feel his constitution being drained from him.

"Damn, I really liked this blade!" Boas groans, but nonetheless strikes at the creature, trying to drive his blade into the beast's eyes. It doesn't find the undead thing's eyes but does nick its shoulder. Blood red dust puffs out.

Summoning all of his courage (which isn't much), Freddy circles around behind the creature before striking with his claws. Parchment dry skin peels back but otherwise doesn't seem to bother the creature.

Realizing he has no choice, Dusty reaches for his rapier and with both hands cuts across the tentacle currently constricting his throat. The blade cuts through the tentacle as if it were paper, though the severed appendage continue to cling to Dusty's through, though it squeezes no longer.

Elias transforms as he rushes toward Dusty. Upon his arrival, the ranger snaps out trying to rip the tentacle from his companion's waist before attempting to pull the creature off balance using the same tentacle. At least he removed the tentacle.

The zombie creature rakes at Dusty with its ragged clawlike fingers, tearing skin on his cheek.

"Freddie, any idea how to kill this thing!?" Boas snaps, attacking again. His blade takes a good sized chunk of the zombie's parchmentlike skin off but doesn't seem to slow it.

"Keep hitting it?" cackles the ghoul. His attacks seem useless as well.

Dusty groans under his breath and calls out to his companions, "Paper thin he is... Combustible he might be?" Dusty slashes at the creature and then springs back toward the wall, using carefully honed skills from over the years. "Anyone have any fire handy?"

Elias lunges at the creature trying to clamp his jaw on the creatures neck as he uses his momentum and weight to drive the creature to the ground. The creature pushes him away like he was a child, following up with one of the tentacles lashing out at the wolf-man. The tentacle squeezes, drawing constitution from Elias.

While his frustration mounts, Boas has no other option but to keep hacking at the creature, still focusing in on what appear to be the vital areas (eyes), in a hope to at least blind the creature. He does manage to cut off part of its cheek.

Freddy retreats, digging in his gear for some oil and a torch.

Trying to keep Boas between himself and the creature, Dusty deftly pulls out an oil flask for his lantern, and tucks a piece of torn cloth in the end. "I wonder what type of creature this might be? Perhaps that would help us determine it's weaknesses."

Elias attacks the tentacle attached to him weakly, growling menacingly and feigning several attacks in order to keep the creature focused on himself, but in reality the ranger fights defensively trying to keep the creature from scoring with another tentacle.

This tactic seems to work for the undead thing doesn't do any more damage this time around.

"C'mon guys, do whatever you are going to do!" Boas snaps, continuing to slice and dice the creature with no real effect.

Freddy works to light his torch, finally succeeding.

Dusty steps up and leans the vial to Freddy's smoking torch, lighting the cloth hastily stuffed into it. He then yells for the others to stand back as he prepares to throw it.

Elias continues with his diversion giving Freddy and Dusty time to get their fire ready. Once Dusty gives his shout, he jumps back.

The undead thing whips his remaining tentacle at Dusty, quickly and tightly binding his, pinning his arms to his sides. Dusty takes no damage, physical or otherwise, though.

The sudden arrival of a half-elven could be more graceful than the stumbling step she takes upon her appearance. Her expression betraying her surprise, "What the..." Down cast gaze quickly lifts to take in the room and its occupants, assessing them as she mumbles to herself, "...Oh sure. It's right over here, Taree. Just you wait until I get out of here, Jadun." She takes a step backwards, preparing to defend herself.

"Don't know who you are, but I suggest you help us take care of ugly over here and we can sort our issues out later!" Boas yells, hacking at the tenticle trapping Dusty. He cuts it but does not sever it.

Freddy giggles uncontrollably, his ghoulish hands swinging the torch back and forth threateningly at the undead creature.

"If someone could please take care of this tentacle," comments Dusty, "I shall be happy to send my little surprise toward him." He delays his action.

Elias lunges forward to attack the tentacle attached to Dusty before returning to his previous game of cat and mouse. He succeeds.

Dusty dextrously maneuvers his body and raises his hand with the burning cloth toward the creatures' tentacle, attempting to catch it on fire. It seems resistant to this form of attack.

"Taree," The half-elven woman replies, sparing a cool glance at Boas for his yell. "I didn't know we had any, but since you asked so nicely..." She moves farther back as the creature gains most of her attention, distancing herself before casting a spell. Several darts of light strike the creature, rekilling it.

Dusty pulls the tentacle off his body and pulls the lit cloth out of his oil flask. "Many thanks, Taree, how is it that you ended up in here? I doubt you entered in the same fashion as our group."

Freddy hangs back, the cowl of his cloak pulled over his head. Strangers, this couldn't be good.

Backing off, Boas nods to the newcomer and adds, "If you have any thoughts on how we get out, I'm sure we're all ears."

"Thanks hmm? You're welcome," Taree replies, brushing at imperceptible dust on her navy robe. "As for how I got here, my previous companion is either worse at finding traps than I thought, or decided he didn't need my help any more." She glances again to Boas, sounding somewhat amused, "You're just hoping for all kinds of favors today, aren't you? And if I do?"

Smiling, Boas bows to the newcomer and says, "You don't get what you don't ask for. Not sure where you came from to get into this little trap, but where we started has a bunch of uglies waiting to kill us when we return. Get us out, and I'll do everything I can to keep you alive once we get there".

"Still doesn't make quite the right sense," remarks Dusty. "Was it a large box in a hole? Or... well, how would you describe the box you were trying to open?" Dusty queries.

Elias trots up and sits next to Dusty like an obedient pet while the group accesses the recent arrival.

Taree chuckles in response to Boas, "You have a point. And there is certainly something to be said for being direct." She takes a moment to consider the offer as well as the others in the room, "Everything, hmm? Well then, perhaps I'll see what I can do to rectify our little problem." But before she does anything more, she regards Dusty, a single brow raised, "There was no box, in a hole or otherwise, that we came across. At least as yet."

"Interesting. It would seem that this the target of many traps," Dusty explains. "You see, we were in a tunnel and found a box that was supposed to contain a object we were looking for when a flash of light captured all but two of our companions and we ended up here. If you wouldn't mind sharing how you arrived, it may help us deduce our location and a way out."

Elias wags his tail and lumbers over to sniff the newcomer’s boots and equipment to see if he can determine the original of their new cellmate. As he does so, the ranger scans and inventories the women’s possessions.

"Well stranger, can you get us out of here or not?" Boas asks, rather impatiently.

Taree asks of Dusty, as she watches Elias approach, "Which would you prefer first; a story? Or possibly a more active method of finding out?" She gives Boas a cool smile and inclines her head, "Let's find out, shall we? We can worry about the rest once we know." She incants a spell.

"Information is always most important," remarks Dusty. "Then you can try your active method."

"Quiet, Dusty," snaps Boas. "Let her concentrate."

A smug smile fleetingly crosses Taree's features and she turns her regard to settle on Dusty, "An overview then, since you insist. I'm afraid it's nothing overly exciting. My most recent associate took on a job to collect a monetary value owed. He paid me, to help get him inside. We thought to use a certain distraction to our advantage, and he claimed to know the proper direction to take. There was a hallway he proceeded me down, as I watched his back. He signalled me to follow. I did, and ended up in your company instead." A glance for each then and she waits with a raised brow, "Now... do you wish to stay here a while longer, or shall we try for an alternative view?"

Freddy sulks around behind his companions, trying his best to remain unnoticed. Occasionally he can't help but let out a little cackle of madness or glee, especially when he finds an exceptionally tasty morsel on the ground.

"Hmmm... I am concerned, but at this point I guess our best option is to get out of here and find our companions as soon as possible." Dusty ceremonially steps back. "Lead on, Taree."

"Well, I don't know about the others, but I think I'm a little tired of this place. Food sucks, no wine - what the hells, let's go. After you, M'Lady," Boas says, executing a picture perfect bow.

Elias barks a signal of approval at the option of escape as he returns to Dusty’s side.

Taree inclines her head at the agreement, as graciously as any lady - other than that hint of smirk she doesn't bother to fully erase. "Right then. Before we gain any other company, our exit would appear to be in that direction." Rather than point at any of the walls, it's to the ceiling, some 20' above she points, "The door is up there."

"Cool!" cackles Freddy as he transforms into a bat and flutters upwards.

Dusty watches Freddy and awaits his pending discovery.

Elias sits down and stares at the dark ceiling along with the rest of the group. The wolf barks a word of encouragement as Freddy fiddle with the door.

"Ok, let's go," says Boas, feeling like things are looking up. "Freddy, see anything up there? Taree, do you have to do any of that magical mumbo-jumbo to get it open?"

With Taree's assistance, Freddy is able to locate the secret door. Opening it takes a little creative positioning, but Freddy succeeds. "Ooooh... Dark," he cackles appreciatively as he peers into the area above.

"Today, huh Freddy?" Boas snaps, blades at the ready.

"Who has a rope handy?" Dusty asks.

"Why waste any 'magical mumbo-jumbo', when one just needs to first check if it's open?" Taree replies in a low murmur, maintaining her attention on the door above, even as she gives a shake of her head in negation to Dusty's question, "Not I."

If Elias has a rope, he doesn't change back from his canine form to present it.

Freddy ignores Boas' impatient plea and crawls through the opening. Moments later there comes a quiet ratcheting sound and a rusty cage lowers slowly into the room. It looks very fragile and is only large enough for one human-sized creature to fit in. Freddy leans his head out. "Who's first?" he asks with a giggle.

Elias closes his eyes brief and then sighs. Quite a feat considering he is still in wolf form. After a few minutes the ranger changes form to report, "Our diversion is mostly under control at this point. The wolves have had no luck finding our missing companions, which probably means they are still in my backback which wind is carrying at the moment."

"Judging by the looks of that thing," comments Boas, "we should send up the smaller statured people first - just in case it can't handle the big boys."

"I will go first," Dusty offers and grabs the side of the cage.

“Forget getting in that cage,” comment Elias as he climbs onto the cage and shimmies up the chain. Dusty shakes his head, grinning as he holds the cage steady.

"Going down?" cackles Freddy. "Or will there be love in the elevator?" The caped ghoul starts dancing around and singing off tune up through the trap door.

Elias pushes past the ghoul. "I'd just climb if I were you," he calls down. "The winch doesn't look particularly sturdy."

Taree's attention turns from the cage to Elias, when he makes his shift. She opens her mouth to say something, and then soon closes it once more, when the others don't react to the wolf taking human form. Instead she nods to him in amused acknowledgement, of sorts, before she does reply while she watches Elias' climbing efforts, "Fine by me, I'll go next."

"Ladies first," Boas says, executing a picture perfect bow with a flourish. After the mage goes, Boas heads up.

Dusty brings up the rear.

The room above apparently serves as some sort of torture chamber, with many instruments of torture lying about. It is empty of anything living or dead, with the exception of the party. There are two doors on the wall opposite where the trapdoor they just came up through, the chain still hanging down.

The cage is raised. Noisily.

"Let's cover our tracks," suggests Dusty quietly as he carefully closes the trapdoor behind them. "Now, let us not waste any time in finding out exit. I choose the prize behind door number two." Dusty grins as he points to the door on the right.

Elias returns to his wolf form and carefully sniffs around both doors. Neither seem to have any extraordinary scent to them.

Boas follows Elias to check if the doors have been used recently. Seeing no signs of recent use, he sets to trying to find any traps on them.

Taree surveys the room, remarking dryly as she gazes on the contents, "Our host sure has a way of making uninvited guests feel all cozy." She turns her attention to the doors, even as the others do, but for her part, she stays back and allows them to proceed her.

Freddy stands in front of a rusty iron maiden, the sharp points stained red from long use.

"Not trapped," Boas announces as he steps back. He looks to Dusty expectantly.

Dusty sighs in a much put upon manner and steps up, grasping the handle. Remarkably, the door opens easily and quietly. Beyond is a corridor leading off into the darkness.

"Well, I, for one, do not want to go back to that little hell hole, so I say we get out of here," Boas insists. Looking at their new arrival, he adds, "I believe you came this way - any thoughts on the route?"

Elias pauses for a second to see if Taree has any input before giving a very convincing shrug in wolf form and loping through the open door.

Taree slips forward far enough to look down the hallway, prudishly keeping her robes from brushing against anything that might muss them. Her answer comes after she steps back to regard the others, "This wasn't the way I came in. I'm afraid we'll just have to see where it leads, or check behind the other door."

Dusty responds with an uncharacteristic impatience. "Let us see where it leads. Given my current condition, I would prefer to be sandwiched somewhere in the middle of our marching order."

Boas and Freddy bring up the rear respectively. The hall is about fifty feet long before it T's. To the right is a door ten feet away, to the left is a stairwell going up about twenty feet away. All is very quiet, except for an occasional giggle coming from Freddy.

"Instincts tell me to head upward, but it is realistic to assume that the door over there might be a storage compartment that may contain some items of use," Dusty suggests.

Agreeing with Dusty, Elias leads the party to the door on the right.

Freddy follows along with the group, stopping occasionally as he finds a particularly tasty bug.

Taree dips a shoulder in a shrug, silently accepting the decision but staying back a cautious distance from the door.

Elias sniffs around the frame cautiously before stepping aside to let someone with hands open the door.

Boas steps forward and takes the handle, giving it a careful turn. The door opens easily revealing a blackened room about twenty feet square. The inside of the door shows scorch marks, as do the two doors on the opposite wall. A crispy bipedal corpse roughly the size and shape of a dwarf lies in the middle of the floor, occasional wisps of smoke rising from the body. Otherwise, there is nothing else of interest in the room.

"Hmmm, the rising smoke would suggest, that this was a recent occurence. Trap? Enemy? Interesting questions," Dusty whispers.

Nodding his head in agreement, Boas says, "Aye, a recent death indeed. Not sure if we want to meet up with someone who can blast a dwarf like that. I think we check the other doors and be on our merry way."

Taree steps carefully to the entryway of the room gaining a look and wrinkling her nose, "Someone really should tell our host, there are neater ways to decorate..." The corpse draws her attention, possibly because it's all there is to see. Or perhaps because of another reason, for she murmurs, "I wonder..."

"Taree wait." Dusty steps as he carefully steps backward toward the door. "I am sure this place is alive with traps."

"A point well taken," Taree replies, after completing a visual survey of the room's 'occupant' from the doorway, not venturing any farther herself just yet, "So, do we check those doors? Or just take the stairs?"

Elias barks his opinion at the bottom of the stairs from across the hall.

Freddy's long raspy tongue licks his thin lips as the smell of charred dwarf wafts out of the room. A rope of saliva strings down before he licks it up with a wet slurp. "Mmmmm, barbeque."

"Any luck with the doors?" Boas asks, keeping an eye out for whoever barbequed the dwarf. "Let's get out of here as quickly as we can."

Freddy examines the doorway and floor before it for traps. "Not trapped," he informs his companions.

"Let's move through," Dusty urges quickly.

Elias trots across the down and cautiously follows the group into the charred room.

"Let's try the stairs," Boas suggests.

Taree reminds, "I thought we were going to go this way rather than go back to the stairs?" She points to the two unopened doors recently declared free of traps be Freddy.

Freddy nods, opening the the door to the right. There is a short hallway leading to another door. Freddy searches the floor.

While Freddy is looking for more traps, Dusty carefully opens the other door. It, too, has a short hallway ending in a door. "Our host likes doors," quips Dusty.

Once Freddy is finished with looking for traps, Dusty says, "Let's take this door to the right Freddy. Lead on."

"The door on the right sounds as good a plan as any," comments Boas. He gives pause. "Before poor Dusty joins Freddy on the other side, does anyone have any healing ability to help him out?"

Freddy giggles at Boas' comment.

Elias changes form. “I can help with the injuries, but have nothing memorized that can help with the weakness the creature caused.”

“Hold still,” commands the ranger as he examines Dusty’s wounds. Growling under his breath the rangers hands glow slightly as he traces over the more serious injuries. Dusty's pallor doesn't improve, but the injuries disappear.

Dusty takes a deep breath as his wounds heal. "Many thanks, Man of Wolves."

“Take care not to get injured again until we rest. That was the only healing magic I had,” comments the ranger returning to wolf form.

Freddy follows Dusty as he moves down the corridor on the right. "No traps, right?" asks Dusty before pushing on the door. It opens easily. Beyond is a medium sized room, about 20'x30' with two exits. And five armed men in leather armor. Who appear to be surprised by the door opening.

While crossing the room behind the others, Taree's pause to investigate the 'crispy dwarf' ends as she turns away with a dry chuckle, "Alas, poor Jadun. You got what you deserved." With that she turns her attention to the party's chosen door, following them to it.

"Seems like you don't have much attachment to your friends. I like that", Boas says, continuing his walk.

Dusty springs at the closest foe and slashes deeply with his rapier. The sneak attack wounds the man deeply.

Freddy leaps forward after Dusty claws slashing at the same man in a sneak attack. His attack brings the man down before he knows what happened.

Elias follows Freddy through the door, briefly unaware of what is going on.

Dusty takes a brief moment to confirm the man falling before him indeed has been incapacitated. He then leaps to his right, putting his back against the wall, and engages his new opponent, rapier steel flashing in the torchlight.

Dusty's opponent blocks the attack and counters with a vicious blow of his own which gashes the recently healed man. Two other men close on Dusty and attack, getting in their own way. The other two men attack Freddy, one poking him with his sword and the other missing completely.

Boas rushes to the aid of Dusty, who appears to be in the more serious situation . His falchion hacking at one of the men who deftly avoids the blow.

Elias darts forward and lunges at the exposed back of Dusty's opponent. Even with this flanking maneuver the wolf is unable to find purchase.

Freddy leaps into the air, transforming into a bat and fluttering for the safety of the ceiling. Taking the opportunity provided them, Freddy's attackers miss.

Taree's lazy grin at Boas' comment drops as she follows the others through the door, "Ah, charming." As Freddy leaps clear, she casts burning hands directed at his pair of attackers. Both drop their weapons to put the flames out.

Dusty favors his wound only slightly as he sweeps widely with his rapier attemmpting to wound the enemy on his right, in the hopes to push him further from his comrade. Then springing between the enemies and landing underneath Freddy he anxiously awaits the results of his friends attacks.

Dusty's attack is easily deflected before he springs away.

The two men on fire continue to pat themselves down, offering an opportunity for Elias to turn and nip at one of them, catching the man's knee with a painful bite. The two men succeed in putting themselves out, and offer some creative invectives.

The other two men, though surrounded, press on to Dusty. Elias does not have the combat reflexes necessary to attack again. Boas, though, takes an attack of opportunity with his falchion and gives one of them men a minor wound.

Nevertheless, they attack Dusty, adding two more minor wounds to his growing list.

Boas continues to press his attack and attempt to get Dusty out alive. His flachion catches one of the men along the side.

Elias continues his attack on Dusty's attackers. Even flanked, the opponent manages to deflect the wolf's attacks.

Freddy drops down behind one of the men distracted by putting themselves out of fire and sneak attacks him. The man goes down with a soft groan.

Taree takes a step to her left and frosts the formerly burning man with a ray of frost spell. He drops like his companion.

Dusty, rapier slashing, addresses his combatants. "Two have fallen, and you surely will soon. I have many hours of battle left in me, you can lay your arms down now...or we take you out the hard way." The information expert cuts expertly across his immediate foe's chest showing all, that he wasn't always the man behind the desk.

"Screw you," chimes in one opponent in witty response. He doesn't seem to care he's outnumbered and wounded. There's dedication for you. He slips past Dusty's defenses, jabbing his sword into Dusty's shoulder. The other man swings low at Dusty's legs, connecting but not handstringing Dusty.

Boas will continue his attack in an attempt to get Dusty out. His flachion comes down on his opponent's sword arm, not quite disarming him, but getting his attention.

Changing tactics, Elias transforms into human shape and charges one of Dusty's attackers.

Seeing Dusty is hard pressed, Freddy scampers around behind his foes and strikes from behind. This flanking attack allows Freddy to rake the man's left shoulder painfully.

Taree mutters under her breath at the outburst from one of those remaining, "Yes, yes. You're a clever one aren't you." Rhetorical that, as she aims another spell at the opponent she has the clearest shot at. The ray of frost takes the man down.

Although beaten down, Dusty sees victory in sight and swipes at his foe in an upward fashion and springs back out of combat, dextrously trying to avoid a retaliatory strike by his foe. However, his luck isn't with him and the opponent slices into Dusty's upper arm. Still, Dusty grins as his comrades take a step closer, cornering the man.

Something must be driving the man to continue against such odds. With Dusty out of reach he turns his focus on Freddy, nicking the ghoul just once.

Now that Boas doesn't have to attack though Dusty, he presses his advantage with the polearm. The opponent looks down as the falchion splits his belly, looks up and dies.

"Let's take this one alive," shouts Elias as he moves forward and lunges at the remaining guard. Too late, obviously.

Freddy looks rather surprised he was wounded, and says nothing.

Taree moves decisively to have a clear line of sight, but pauses ever so briefly as she overhears Elias's words. The hint of a shrug she gives, combined with her expression might suggest a casual, "Well. I think your suggestion came a little too late to help him," she says, nodding to the fresh corpse falling off Boas' weapon.

"To that end Elias, check to see if any of these men have any breath left in them," Dusty comments, and then quickly checks the two bodies nearest him.

“Well, they did not seem to be looking for us,” suggests Elias.

Shrugging slightly, Boas mutters, "Sorry," then kicks the body off his blade.

"Just thought we could convince him to show us the way out. Maybe next time." Elias dons a slightly damaged suit of leather armor from a guard before checking out their weapons. There are three longswords and two shortswords, and all had daggers.

"There are other ways than asking, to find out information at times." Taree suggests, moving to one of the bodies. She wrinkles her nose as she nudges it with the toe of her boot, "Check their pockets? I expect it's unlikely they have what we need, but still you never know. There might be something." With that, she bends to do so, with quick efficacy.

Sighing, Boas quickly performs searches of the bodies close to him.

In addition to the leather armor and weapons, they all have black gold rings, and an unmarked vial. Nothing in the way of coin or gems.

Elias replaces his scimitar with a longsword and short sword from the pile. The weapons disappear as the ranger transforms making you wonder why he even bothered to pick them up.

Dusty takes one of the rings and carefully examines it. "I would suspect that this is representative of a gang or group that these folks are affiliated with. Give me a moment to determine if I can recall which organization that might be. I would also highly recommend that you handle the vials with care. I suspect they are a highly effective ingestion poison."

"Really?", Boas says, his interest perking up at the word 'poison'. "Perhaps I should take a look at that - carefully, of course, don't need a another accident..."

Taree leaves the weapons alone, showing no inclination to collect any of them for herself. She takes some time, looking at one of the rings before Boas' words catch her attention and draw it to the vial, "Another accident? Dare I ask?"

"No," replies Boas. "Details aren't important."

Freddy stands, staring down at the minor wound. No blood trickles from it, thank the gods, for Freddy always fainted at the sight of blood.

Dusty frowns. "I cannot figure out which organization uses this symbol," he says with disappointment. "Perhaps there are new players in town?"

Taree sniffs carefully at the contents of one vial, then laughs low. "Not poison. Curing potion," she informs the group. "Fortunately for us, they didn't get a chance to quaff them before the fight was over."

Elias paces between the doors in the south west corner looking for signs or smells that might indiciate through which door the guards entered. Easily, he determines it is the door to the south. He snarls at it.

"If you are sure, then this is a welcome find," Dusty states, and sniffs one of the two he is holding.

Taree lifts a single brow and then shrugs a shoulder as if it means little to her. "Of course," she states simply as she also pockets one of the rings.

"I suggest we get moving. We were on a time line, which I'm sure is shot at this point," Boas says, taking one of the vials.

Freddy moves to the door Elias snarls at. "Nice doggie," he says with a delirious giggle. He pushes it open to reveal a long corridor leading into the darkness. Elias takes the lead, sniffing along the way. The corridor "T's", with a set of stairs to the right and a door to the left. Here, Elias gets confused by too many scents.

"Looks like we need to make a decision. Anyone have a preference? If not, I can flip a coin," Boas suggests, idly flipping a coin in his hand.

Elias growls again in front of the south door showing his preference.

"I don't like unopened doors to my back" Dusty says. "Freddy, flitter up the stairs and see if there is anything threatening, if not, let's go through here." He drinks both potions he has.

Freddy transforms into a bat and flitters up the stairs to check things out.

Bowing to the wisdom of covering their rear, Elias turns right and heads toward the closed door after the bat-ghoul.

Seeing no reason not to, Boas also agrees with the group and goes to take up a position by the door.

Taree trails after the others, murmuring in response to Dusty, "Fair enough." She hangs back, allowing the others to file in between her and the doorway as she gives at least part of her attention to watching after Freddy's progress.

Elias listens at the door for a moment before transforming into human form. The ranger quickly scan the handle for traps before opening the door.

Beyond is a long corridor disappearing into the darkness. Every ten feet there is a door, alternating sides. Otherwise, everything is quiet down the corridor.

"Let us not waste any more time Elias. Check the next one, quickly." Dusty says pointing to the first door on the right.

The ranger nods in agreement and heads to the first door down the corridor. Scanning the door quickly the ranger cautiously opens the door and peers inside. The large room is empty, except for two tall tables and a workbench on the far wall. Fresh blood is pooled on the bench, slowly dripping onto the floor.

"Elias, why don't you take the next door." Dusty glances toward Taree. "Would you be so kind as to give this room a closer look as we check the next?"

Elias moves down the hallway leaving room for Taree to enter the room.

A glance is given back towards the stairs, perhaps checking again after Freddy before Taree inclines her head to Dusty, replying, "Certainly." She moves ahead towards the open doorway, pausing once there to survey the room's constants, prior to cautiously proceeding to take a closer look.

Boas takes a defensive position, ready to assist if the group gets hit.

Elias opens the next door. The room beyond is irregularly shaped, as if the construction was halted. There are two large piles of slintered wood and somewhat charred wood, and there is a strong smell of sulphur. That might be because of the three hellhounds.

“Wrong room,” say Elias sharply as he slams the door shut before the hounds can react. “I’m not sure this door is going to hold them,” continues the ranger as he draws his weapons. The barking and scratching at the door can be heard by everyone.

"Door ain't gonna hold, looks like it's time for fight!" Boas says, looking to get to the side of the door to allow the fighters to get at the beasts, as well as set up for a possible backstab.

Taree's search of the first room comes to an abrupt end as she makes her way back out to the hallway. Once there she turns to face the door of the second, readying herself from there with a murmured, "Charming."

Elias closes his eyes briefly as he tries to communicate with the hounds. Unsuprised at the abberation's failure to understand, the ranger waits patiently while everyone prepares and for the hounds to make a hole large enough for him to thrust in with his swords.

Dusty quickly takes position near the stairs around the corner and readies himself in case the commotion of the hounds draws others to this area.

Freddy continues to remain upstairs and unheard.

The door actually bulges as the hellhounds try to get through, but it holds. For now.

"Well, I don't know about you all, but I'm all for moving along," replies Boas. "No need to deal with the mutts unless we have to." Looking around he continues, "Anyone object?"

"Up here! hehehehehheheh," cackles Freddy, from up the stairs. "Another door."

"Since these rooms appear to be cells and holding areas I'm inclined to agree" growls Elias as he backs away from the door. The ranger protects the parties rear flank as they back out of the hallway, just in case the hounds make it through the door.

"Fine by me." Taree replies as she watches the doorway blocking the hounds, "I'd rather not waste our energies needlessly." She glances at the others, "Seems like the other options might well turn out more promising than checking all of these?"

Dusty winces as the door pounds again from the hellhounds. "I hope they don't burn the door down, although I expect they would have tried that already, so we are probably safe. I will watch this corner and down the hall as you head upward."

Elias and Boas approach the door. "Locked," announces the ranger with frustration, pointing to the obvious lock.

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Dusty awaits his fellow thieves with better skills than he to attempt to open the lock.

“One of your fast finger fellows like to crack at this lock?” suggests Elias moving back from the door. “And be quick about it before our fiery friends get loose.”

"Don't everyone volunteer at once - this isn't exactly my specialty!" Boas snaps.

Freddy pulls out his tools and gets to work on the lock, cackling under his breath. After an eternity, he steps back. "Done."

Elias grabs the door and opens it. Beyond is a large room, some fouty feet square, with a very high ceiling, perhaps also forty feet. The room is bare except for the large black pentagram inscribed on the floor, its diameter being ten feet. There are archways on the far wall, one with a glowing pale blue mist and the other with a glowing vibrant green mist. From somewhere comes the sound of running water. *

MAP KEY
1 = Torture Chamber (trapdoor to room below)
2 = Room with crispy dwarf
B, D, E, F, T = Party Members
X = Dead Bodies

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This page was last updated February 24, 2006