Rayne gave up her search. And turned to guarding th others. If this would be opened with magic she had none ans so let th others who had such skills. She knew well that four if their party had such skill. Sirene, Haila, Maggot and Ulthok. A good ly number and she hope that one or all of them together would find a way to open it.

Rayne took out the bow that had so surprised her when she fired it for the first time today. She had seen the arrow transformed into pure streaks of energy. That energy was not defected as real arrows often were. She was very happy to have chosen the bow over the sword. It had been a difficult choice, not knowing the bow's abilities. And the sword she had first pick up had been a very fine weapons.
Rayne takes a moment to thank her Deity for her final selection.

Standing ready with arrow notched and ready to draw and fire if their was need.

Cynil finishes any healing Ulthok need. They she stood and move to where she could what the proceedings for know. She preps a spell in case Cor's augury comes to pass. She moves over closer to Connall, but leaving him room to work as he needed.

Sometimes Cynil wished that she could summon nature's here allies but did not think that the animals of the nature world could appear here underground. She did not think it likely. From where would they come. there were so many dangers here in this place that she had chosen not to gall on them.

Having felt the sting of his curiosity first hand Ulthok lay where he had fallen as he attempted to regain his senses. While the initial pain was indeed profound the healing came swiftly from his friends and soon enough the sharp jab in his chest that came with every breath was rapidly receding into memory.

It took only a moment for Ulthok to reach the decision that wisdom was the better part of valor. Making no move to retake his feet Ulthok enjoyed his rest as the others made their own attempts at the door. Better one of them seek entry next, perhaps they would have better luck.

Kenji moved away from Ulthok as others with healing abilities tended to the wounded halfling... he again took up his vigil at the rear of the group... he didnt want something to come upon them from behind... he would look at ease but really he was coiled ready for action if the need arose.

The she elf stood in silence and waited. An attempt to dispel the magic that guarded the doors was a good move. She was more than happy to let the honey haired mage try her hand at it. Still Siréne stood at the ready. There was no way of knowing what would come of the Haila's spell, all any of them could do was wait.

A different type of door before the party, one protected by magic and made of metal not wood, the question had become how to gain access to the room beyond.

Haila’s idea of using a Dispel Magic spell to try and un-magic the doors had been greeted with approval so wasting no time she proceeded to cast. The spell aimed at the doors for a moment it seemed to the party that they seemed to flicker but before anyone could act the glow was strong once more.

The next to try to do something was Alasdair as he first attempted to disbelief, with no luck, and then turned to his psionic ability of clairvoyance. To his amazed shock his psionics did indeed penetrate the magic of the door before them.

Before him, as if he were standing in the middle of the room, the Paladin could see that he was in a 60x70 room filled with a large stone table running north and south with many thick wooden chairs around it. In the center of this sturdy well made table rested an exquisite 5 branched candle bra forming a hand within its grip was held a green apple sized emerald. Jutting from the base of said candle bra in the pattern of a star, five onyx holders held unlit candles clearly untouched by flame.

To the north, what could be called the tables head, there arose a grand chair made of silver and gold inlaid with gems of all types from ruby’s the size of a human hand to opals as small as a dwarven thumb. jade, sapphire, pearls and more too were set in the metal of the chairs making.

Upon closer observation Alasdair could see resting upon the seat of the chair was a scabbarded sword, roughly long sword in length that upon setting his eyes on it seemed to shine with a holy light and call out to him to claim it.

Tearing his eyes away from the sword he proceeded to continue his scan of the room and further saw that tattered rotted tapestries, long faded with age, hung about the walls of the room and a number of shields with heralds as yet unknown to him were placed behind each chair, some alike, but most different. To the north of the room and just to the rear of the main chair Alasdair could see a large chest did rest. As was normal with every room encountered so far everywhere the Paladin did look it all was covered in ages old dust and cobwebs.

The last thing of note he did see, before his vision faded, was a door directly on the East wall opposite the one before the party outside, with nothing baring the way between both.

(DM OOC: ok good posting everyone. Well there you have what’s beyond the door, question now is can you get in. Next post next Sunday as norm.)

OOC: Assuming Alasdair shares his vision.

"Well now that makes things a might bit more interesting. Seems we have two puzzles at once now. First how do we get past this door and then what should we do in the next room. Though it makes no differance what the next room holds while we are still in this one I suggest we each at least give it a thought and perhaps we might even agree on a tactic before we enter." Cor looked to see if the others agreed.

"As for this door, the dispell magic seemed to have some effect. Could it be that it has more than one magic upon it or that it somehow saved against the spell? Perhaps another attempt might have differant result."

Halia stared at the door and nodded slightly absently to Cor.

"Yes it did seem to work for a moment. I can try again... or perhaps if someone has a stronger version of the spell they could try that."

OOC: Alasdair would indeed share his vision.

"I would caution you not to use up all of your dispels. Cor is right, it may simply be that there are multiple enchantments, but if that were the case I would think the door my radiate a bit less. If the power of your spell simply didn't overcome the magic of the door, would there be any way to tell that without casting another? If not, I say we try one more attempt. If that fails we move to something else."

After sharing his observations with the group he steps away to analyze the room interior in his thoughts. "I am curious about that sword..." he mumbles to himself. "A holy sword in this place... it might be what we are looking for. But I have a nagging feeling that this is not the end of our trek." The paladin paces as he thinks, eventually finding himself beside the samurai.

"What do you think Kenji? You have been rather silent this whole time, and while those more skilled in the mystical arts are trying to determine a way to get into the room, I wish to ask your thoughts about the room itself. Any ideas?"

Cor thought about the description of the next room. Somehow it seemed very odd. The rooms so far held tests not rewards, with one exception. "Alasdair, think for a moment. So far the tests have been magical and physical. What if this next room holds a new type of test, one that measures our focus and character? None of the other rooms had a visible exit when entered so why does this one? Perhaps we could simply walk straight through and out the other door without any effort required." Such an idea seemed to simple but sometimes the simple solution was teh best.

Maggot heard the description of the room, "Althena," the old man looked at her, "She is the key to this one. If the door still has magic upon it she can open it. She is the one." Maggot said nothing else.

"What do you think Kenji? You have been rather silent this whole time, and while those more skilled in the mystical arts are trying to determine a way to get into the room, I wish to ask your thoughts about the room itself. Any ideas?" Alasdair asked.
Kenji had heard the description of the room beyond the door… he had been pondering it when Alasdair had walked up and asked him what he had thought.

“It is a trap,” he said frankly, “The sword and jewels are obviously intended to lure us in and then spring whatever it is upon us. We need to ignore it and move forward.”

This statement was all that he had to say… he turned back to watching the rear of the party and on guard behind them while they figured out a way to get into the room that was obviously a deathtrap for them.

"Well put Kenji. You're probably right. So it seems Cor's thought that we might be able to just walk through might actually be the case. Though I would recommend we each steel ourselves to any attempt at mental manipulation. That sword called to me, even just at a glance in my mind. It is likely that the rest of the treasure may have similar enchantments on it to temp and lure us to it."

Confident in the solution that his comrades had created he turned once again to the problem of getting into the room in the first place.

"Maggot, what makes you think Althena is the key to the door? The only thing I see that might lead me to that conclusion is that my psionic abilities pierced the door when magic would not. She too is a mind mage. I am just curious if there is something more to your thoughts."


(DM OOC: Actually your the more powerful Psioncist then she is.)

I agree with Kenji and Cor's assessment of what Alastair saw. The thrice accursed evil sword in disguise that may well be trying to lure one or all of us to pick it us. That we must not do. Treasures are well and good but not now and not in this situation. We must be steadfast in out focus or getting through these test. No treasure is worth the risk of failure.

I should have taken augury to help us with this decision but in this place I may not be able to know the truth anyway. The Gods do not always give simple responses that are easily understood but rather wrap the truth in many possibilities. and options. I will trust in what knowledge we have gained in this place. Stay focused and true to out quest and goal." The Ranger/Cleric speaks her words so that all can hear her clearly.

"May I suggest we pair up for our trip through the next room. Perhaps a buddy will help keep us from falling victem to our desires. Perhaps those of differant classes so as to make the most of the assistance?"