The plan had merit - splitting up the party would mean leaving each team vulnerable, and they needed each other. Casting a glance about the battlefield, Sirene smoothed out the fabric of her clothing, and rubbed the back of her neck.
She found a decent position that gave her a clear view of her companions and the area around them, and made herself somewhat comfortable - enough that she could nap a bit and recover herself a little before pressing onward.

"Alright the plan is we rest up tonight and then explore the rooms tomorrow as a group. Those on watch stay extra sharp. The closer we get to our goal the more unexpected guests I expect."

Ulthok listened to Cor assess and then gave the party direction.

I know some of you wish to explore and others to rest. Splitting the party is not going to happen. If there is one things we should have learned so far is that it takes us all working together. I will not risk losing anyone as that might spell failure for our mission. The rooms will be there in a couple hours after we rest. Those we require sleep see to your bedrolls. The others will take shifts to watch and clean weapons. Are there any objections?"
"Well as Uncle Trapspringer used to say, …When given lemons make hay while the sun shines!”……...Ulthok looked around at blank expressions on his companions faces.

Then with a straight face he said, ”Ok,..so I never understood that one either, …but we should gather our wits and reassess our spell choices….. The evil magic of this place has rendered many of the creatures immune to battle spells, but not our weapons……… Each of you has shown the martial skills that I fear will be the real saving of our mission………… Our spells may not work well on these things that try to stop us, but they will work on the things around us. So I would recommend we review those things that help us, instead of those that are pure weapons. “

The Halfling then found a comfortable spot to rest and study spells that may help them.

Rayne sheathed her sword and moved over to the wounded. When the talked turned to exploring the area, wanted to go explore this area. After all exploring was part and parcel of being a ranger. However, her healing spells would be needed here by the wounded. I suggest I use my healing spells on the injured and the spell caster rest to regain their spells. and then wait here to protect them so that they can rest. Those of you who are fit desire to explore can do that. I will stay to care for and defend the ones that remain here."

Moving over to Maggot she put a hand on his shoulders to keep him from rising. You my friend are to stay still for now. Your magics as well as the others' magics have given us our chance but now you need healing and rest."

Rayne will used her healing spells from highest to lowest to heal those more seriously damaged to those with lesser damage first. After healing all she can she looks for a place for the wounded and spell caster to gather, cleaning it up as necessary.

"ulthok my wee lad, your uncle was indeed an interesting person. Your observations are well noted and some like me do tend to take spells that aid us instead of targeting our enemies. But it is never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket. Some offensive spells are always appreciated."

As the party decided to rest up, heal, and regain lost spells once more, Althena finally back on her feet, though a little shaky, stepped forward to address the party as a whole before any of the talked about actions could take place. Her face all in the party could see, was set in one of unyielding determination.

“I am sorry my friends but we cannot rest! I feel the sword above us and even now it calls out to anything it can corrupt to come and protect it. To rest allows it that much more time to gather more allies to its aid then the ten creatures I sense that already guard it now. It is close, so very close, and I must gain it into my possession in order to silence its cry for help. If we ever hope to gain our goal and leave this place alive we must not hesitate yet again. Search the rooms if you want, heal those of us that need it as the metal stairs cool, but soon in no more then fifteen minutes I think the stairs will be cool enough to climb. The choice I leave to each of you, but in fifteen minutes with or without you my friends, I am going up those stairs!”
Alasdair as the party knew he would, stepped to her side took her hand in his and faced her

“Have no fear my love, my heart, you will not go up those stairs alone” Turning to the rest he looked to them. “Who else will follow the lady and I up those stairs?”
The silence was deep as at first no one of the shocked party did move, and then with a look to Conall of duty inclined sadness Cynil stepped forward to join them, raising the number headed up the stairs to three........

(DM OOC: Ok there is my post for this week, and you all have a choice stay and rest regaining spells, health, and so forth. Alternatively, to follow Alasdair Althena and Cynil up the stairs to face the sword above. Please be sure to post your choice in game so I know who is going and who is not.
Also a head‘s up to Magic-user players. Standing guard is really not recommended as Mage’s & Cleric’s need a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to memorize or pray to gain spells. Standing guard is better left to the none magic-using fighter types. After all is that not the REAL reason to keep fighter types around . Ok Next post, next Sunday GAME ON!!)

"Well lass, I guess that goes in the objections category." Cor took a moment before adding, "You all heard her, up the stairs we go in 15 minutes. As she is the reason we are here there is really no room for discussion. Ulthok me lad, if you want to rummage the rooms do it quick and take Kenji with you just in case there are any besties in them. Everone else do what you can to get ready."

Sirene stood, taking a great breath. Though there was some merit as well to the lady Althena's plan, there was more harm in it than good. And finding her voice, Sirene moved towards her and stood respectful.

"My lady, please. We all understand the importance of this task you have set before us, but you cannot ask us to do this with such haste. We have chosen to do this, there is no need to force us. If we proceed now, we risk having less than our true strength to protect you with, and leaves us vulnerable. I beseech thee, let us rest a bit."

Conall listened to the ideas as they were being put forward, whether to rest, press on, or explore. Believing rest to be the most valid option, he was about to voice his opinion when Althena interrupted him, imploring the party to press on. A man true to his heart, Alasdair also joined Althena, knowing she needed to have support. Once again, Conall opened his mouth to speak, only to see Cynil also walk over to them and join them. Conall was now torn, and thought he better open his mouth before anything else radical and drastic were to silence him.

"Althena. Alasdair. Cynil, my dear. Let us be reasonable here. Resting here, even if it's just enough so that our spellcasters are fully prepared for what is ahead is crucial. You say you can sense 10 things above, yes Althena? I would rather fight 15 well prepared than fight 10 with some of us not as prepared as we could be. We need to optimize our resources, and running in to what could be the toughest battle of this journey without everyone in prime condition is a signed letter for a one way trip to the nine hells. This sword will be silenced, and I would like to avoid having some of my comrades silenced before that sword. Althena, please. The poison of these roaches might still be influencing you. Take a moment, and think of what I've said."

Looking directly at Cynil now, instead of addressing the three of them, Conall adds, "Surely you can see my point of view, light of my mornings. Do you not agree?"

"Ok, perhaps we are all being a bit hasty. Since we have 15 minutes or so until the steps cool perhaps we should cool ourselves as well. So, let's all put forth our thoughts and then vote." Cor looked at the others. "I for one would rather have us all well rested and prepared even if we face a few more dangers than going into a fight unpreparred. What say the rest of you?"

"Great googoly moogoly” Ulthok moaned.

“Rest, don’t rest. Explore, don’t explore! “

“ I am here to follow My Lady. I will follow you as needed, but My Lady those stairs were glowing red hot. Only enchanted metal could cool so quickly to allow all passage in fifteen minutes. Our brave Paladins have made many of their own their own weapons and would know how long it takes metal to cool. I fear the forces are once again driving us and this time focusing on you. The forces speaking to you may be using half truths to drive us to rush in. You are sensitive to this evil and now it may be trying to use that against you. I for one know this force, it drove me when I should have known better, but I am a poor fool of a Halfling.

Would it be so unusual to think that it would also hide that could be used against it, say behind the giant home of enchanted roaches? Why would those doors be the last in the room? Could it be a different way to the sword, less protected, less obvious?

I simple propose a choice to charging head on into a waiting enemy.

Sirene nodded at her companions wise words. "Listen to reason, My Lady. We are your friends, and we mean no harm. Surely you see our reasoning?"

"Well it seems the votes have been cast and the majority wishes to rest. Therefore rest we shall." Cor looked to Althena "All of us will rest. There is an old axiom; divide and conquer. The reverse is also true; divide and be conquered. There has not been a test yet that did not take all of us to complete. I see no reason that should change. Althena lass, you may be the reason for the mission but I am the leader and have been charged with your safety. We will all see you through to your tasks completion. Have faith." Cor then turned and asked Alasdair to set a watch rotation.

Kenji awakes as the Voices echo throughout the cavern.

"Althena, you need rest like the other casters do. Don't you trust the swordsmen to keep you alive? Besides, we need to stay together if we want to stay alive.The beasts are after you, you can't go with only a three person party."

He gets up and walks over to Althena and puts his hand on her shoulder. "We all need you, you may be able to lead us to the sword. But you can not if your dead."

"Althena, I promised when I join ed that I would see you through to the end. Of you cannot rest now then my path is clear. I go with you now." She had her raise dead still and a few other spells that might prove useful. "Does anyone still have healing potions? That knowledge might prove very important to anyone who gets injured..