Rayne sees the Ilithiad attack Weaver. She brings her bow up, with a silent prayer to the god, she shoots. The green energy hopefully enough to take down the horrid creature. But if not, enough to disrupt the attack on Weaver.

Rayne sees the Ilithiad attack Weaver. She brings her bow up, with a silent prayer to the god, she shoots. The green energy hopefully enough to take down the horrid creature. But if not, enough to disrupt the attack on Weaver.

Alyia started to panic when she saw the tentacle grasp weavers face. the elation of her fireball spell hitting accurately instantly forgotten. she pulled a flint from her pack and lit a small sprig of wood casting Dismissal on the ithllid that attacked weaver. moving into range yet trying to stay between the fallen Vaelen an the ithllid. she hoped the spell would work an she could in turn use it on the remaining ithllids in succession.

(OCC)

dismissal
Level: 5 Schools: Abjuration
Range: 10 yds. Components: V, S, M
Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 1 rd.
Area of Effect: 1 creature Saving Throw: Neg.
By means of this spell, a wizard on the Prime Material Plane seeks to force or enable a creature from another plane of existence to return to its proper plane. Magic resistance, if any, is checked if this spell is used to force a being home. If the resistance fails, the caster's level is compared to the creature's level or Hit Dice. If the wizard's level is higher, the difference is subtracted from the creature's die roll for its saving throw vs. spell. If the creature's level or Hit Dice is higher, the difference is added to the saving throw roll.
If the creature desires to be returned to its home plane, no saving throw is necessary (it chooses to fail the roll).
If the spell is successful, the creature is instantly whisked away, but the spell has a 20% chance of actually sending the subject to a plane other than its own.
The material component is any item that is distasteful to the subject creature.
(so i;m using fire/ember to cast the spell)

Breaking down his Bipennis Battle axe, Cor threw it at the illithids. Frustratingly, Cor watched both the axes miss, as the illithids both teleported. Cor cursed. It seemed that he'd need a new plan, as his throwing attacks were not effective.

To make matters worse, it seemed that the illithids had overpowered Lothor's mind. The Illithids mental capabilities must have been extremely potent, as Cor had seen Lothor stare down many a foes without flinching. That only made them more dangerous...

In addition to Lothor, and Lady Jessica getting taken away, Weaver was under threat by the illithid. Cor would have went to help him, but it looked like others in the party beat him to it. As for Lady Jessica, Cor was sure that that they would not be able to assist her until they had finished off the enemies.

Judging by the words uttered by Ulthok, hold person seemed to be the spell used on Lothor. It would only be a temporary solution, since the spell would not free Lothor from the illithids mind control, Cor knew they had to deal with the illithid. If they could get Lothor out of the malignant mind control, they'd at least have most of their manpower. Ever since the beginning of the fight, they'd been short handed. Hoisting his axe, and letting fly another battle cry, Cor charged the illithid (#6) Cor decided that if he was unable to make it to the Illithid, he'd cast light on it's eyes. Perhaps it's effects would force the illithid to release Lothor...

(OOC: Cor will charge #6. If he can't make it to it, he will cast light on it's eyes. He will do that unless another Illithid positions itself in a place more opportune for Cor than #6.)

Weaver hit the Illithid with his fist still closed around his bow in the mouth, "Eat that Molester of minds!" Kyle as he did this moved his sword hand to the hilt of his dagger as the combat was close, pulled it and attempted to stick it in the mid section of the Illithid before him. "Let us dance you and I." he whispered.

As living flame and magical flame danced through the chamber, Siréne let the raging elemental continue its assault against the mind flayers. Moving from a fallen illithid, the living flame reached out hungrily for the nearest of the still standing abominations.

Siréne turned her focus onto the illithid that now stood fumbling with the two captive cages. The vile creature was up to something, of that she was certain. Not waiting for its plans to unfold, the enchantress flicked out a hand and uttered a single word of power to bring forth a rolling ball of flame just next to the illithid.

((OOC: Casts Flaming Sphere, illithid #3 is her target. The elemental will attack whichever of the illithids is closest - I believe that would be number 6 at the moment ))

Barreel, in the midst of his song, grunted in satisfaction as the thrower returned to his hand... then the song rose, again, and, behind it's tune, the battle-rager advanced. His initial target was the one that was closest... the black robe on the table... but, in his first steps toward that goal, he caught sight of Sirene setting her conjured globe of fire after the mind-flayer in the further reaches of the room.

Grinning savagely around the lyrics of his song, then, he let loose the thrower at the target Sirene had selected, too, with the hopes that, at least one of their strikes would land true.

((OOC: There ya go! Adding a bit of standard smash to Sirene's magical attack and then heading for the BR on the table.))

With the party down three members, Valene unconscious, Lothor under enemy control and the lady Jessica gone, it was time to end this fight quickly.

The first to act this round was again Sirene. Her hands and words working the casting of yet another spell, this time Flaming Sphere. She watched as it rolled across the floor and hit the Illithid square in the back and exploded! The flame and heat of the sphere catching not only the Mind Flayer on fire but the two prisoners inside the barely opened cages as well. In minutes, the prisoners were dead and having failed in whatever the creature had planned for them. Turning to glare at Sirene and preparing to Plane shift away, it was suddenly stopped, as from out of nowhere it was hit by Barreel’s Dwarf hammer. Where it had planned to escape it instead found itself on the room’s floor, a huge hole in its chest, dying.

The next of the party to act this round was again a magic user, this time the Halfling Ulthok. Facing a mind controlled Lothor and having not the melee skill to stop the large party member the Thief/Mage turned to magic. A quick word as he dodged Lothor’s attack and in moments, the large fighter was incased by magic and falling to the ground held.

Alyia too had decided to relay on magic for this turn and with Illithid #1, there before her attacking Maggot she quickly mouthed the words of the spell of Dismissal. However, to her dismay the spell had no effect what so ever as the Mind Flayer was of the Prime Material Plane and no other. However, she need not have worried as Weaver rammed his bow and fist into its face and Rayne launched two point blank energy arrows into its back. Combined with the damage it had taken earlier and the new damage it took now, the Illithid died.

The final member of the party to act was the Knight Cleric Cor. Having missed Illithid number #3 the last round, the Dwarf decided to close the distance to #6 and engage in melee. However as with #3 he did not get the chance as the Mind Flayer, seeing #1 and #3 fall dead, plane shifted away. However Cor saw that left behind was Illithid #5 caught up in battle with a Shadow and unaware of Cors approach. Moving forward he knew he had only one attack, with a strong swing, and a critical hit, Cor sliced the bipennis through the creature cutting the Mind Flayer in two. With the death of the last Illithid still in the room, a silence fell over the room.

Within the next few minutes, Valene was brought back awake, Cor destroyed the Black Robed body on the table and Sirene and Rayne moved to help heal the female Paladin on the other. With the Illithids gone Lothor found himself free from enemy control and thanks from Ulthok was set free. As each of the party rested each knew that it would only be a matter of time to continue to move deeper into the castle before.

(DM OOC: OK here is this post for this week. As of right now you are out of combat turns and back into normal time. All characters still in the game are fully awake so Kriea feel free to start posting once again. Ok next post next Sunday. )

Lothor stood looking like a statue that adorned the Hall of Heroes. With his sword raised to strike and the fierce look frozen on his face as he loomed over Ulthok. The spell had cught him in time to prevent him from delivering further damage to Halfling mage. Ulthok slid out under the shadow of the gladiator, ready to now help his other companions. Looking around he could see that the others had advanced the attack and now the room was falling silent as the last of Psionic creatures crumbled to Cor’s axe.

With the situation no longer critical Ulthok commanded the Shadows to stand ready, they may still be needed as they moved on. He then rushed back to those that had fallen in the first mind stunning attack.

Little Peri lay crumpled on the floor, her eyes shut but her little chest still slowly heaved with labored breaths. The Mage gently picked her up and cradling her in his arm, then moved to Valene’s side. Cor had indicated earlier she not in danger, only rendered unconscious from the mind attack.

Carefully he sat next to her and raised her head, resting it in his lap. Slowly he rocked Peri in his arm and softly stroked Valene’s face and hair. There he stayed as the two slowly stirred and regained their senses. Valene’s eyes flutter open as he held her comfortingly, he bent forward, lightly kissing her forehead, “Rest” was all he said.

Peri being so small she had taken the attack more heavily. Ulthok could feel her thoughts and sense her pain as she too started to come around. Releasing a small whimper the Faerie Dragon nuzzled her face into Ulthok’s chest. The Halfling raised her up and placed a kiss on top of her scaled head; she let out a quiet purr. There the three sat for a few minutes as the two ladies in his life recovered.

As he sat there he could also see a familiar expression return to Lothor’s face. The grip of the Mind Flayer’s Psionic control had faded. The large warrior now seemed mildly concerned that he couldn’t move. Ulthok released the spell holding the human and nodded to the man as Lothor regained his movement.

When Valene was able to regain her legs Ulthok moved to other end of the room to join the rest of the party. Once there Ulthok addressed Cor, “We should smash these chamber holding the next generation of Black Robes, perhaps Barreel’s hammer would be just the thing.” Then looking to the Shadows, “I’ve kept them here, they can stay a while longer and we may need them for what may be beyond that door or what may have followed in the hall.”

Seeing the remains of the other attack party and Holy Avenger sword on the floor the horror of what happened to Lady Jessica returned. “The Mind Flayer has escaped with Lady Jessica in its grip. It is not likely we will ever see her alive again… and if we do she will most likely be just a mindless shell.”

The mage retrieved the sword he had so recently seen taken up for their cause. “Cor place this back in safe keeping, perhaps we will find another with the strength and courage to yield it.”

Taking deep breath to help him steel his resolve the mage addressed the party, “Which way next?”

Aliya moved to weavers side, quickly looking him over with worry in her eyes. ".. are you ..ok?" Alyia asked weaver softly stammering slightly. berating herself mentally, their were others in far worse shape she should be asking and seeing is she could help but she had moved to weavers side with out a second thought.

(pending weavers answer)

She mentally chided herself. she was a mercenary, a trained warrior, a soldier. yet since joining this adventurous group she had seemed anything but. Naive, childish, overly emotional, short sited. She had almost died in the first conflict, the trauma from that had rendered all but useless, she had watched her sister die in front of her and allowed her emotions to over take her. she flexed her hands in remembrance of the flames licking her flesh with their searing heat. an now they had lost lady Jessica and almost lost several members of the party. she had only had eyes for weaver. she hated this, this was not her. she was a trained cold tactician, could something else be influencing her?

seeing the rest of the party regroup slightly she moved to search the tables and back of the room for items of magic or interest.

Frustrated for the miss with his dwarven throwers, Cor charged. Fire exploded to the left of him, as Sirene went to work on one of the Illithids.

Cor watched as the Illithid he was charging for fell. There was one left he saw. Cor charged towards it, and, with a two handed swing, cleaved it in too. Cor watched in satisfaction as it toppled to the ground, dead.

Casting a quick glance around the room, Cor realized there was no threatening enemies. Striding towards the table, Cor split the black robe on the table, ending the twisted abomination to life with an axe blow. Though he spun around to help the female Paladin, he noticed that Sirene and Rayne had already made it there. Ulthok was behind him, helping Valene and his familiar recuperate from the attack.

Cor looked at the door on the right, hoping that Lady Jessica would have somehow fought free and would return to that, though he knew it was in vain. She never came through. Grieving would have to come later: they had to survive this wretched castle first.

Seeing the remains of the other attack party and Holy Avenger sword on the floor the horror of what happened to Lady Jessica returned. “The Mind Flayer has escaped with Lady Jessica in its grip. It is not likely we will ever see her alive again… and if we do she will most likely be just a mindless shell.”

The mage retrieved the sword he had so recently seen taken up for their cause. “Cor place this back in safe keeping, perhaps we will find another with the strength and courage to yield it.”
Cor took the Holy Avenger from Cor. It was a complete shame that both it's wielder's died. Two of perhaps the most heroic people on Trilogy, and they had both been killed. Cor quietly prayed to Odin for their safe passage. Cor nodded to Ulthok, as he began to place the Holy Avenger back in his bag of holding. "We will. After this castle."

Taking deep breath to help him steel his resolve the mage addressed the party, “Which way next?”
Cor looked back towards the door to the right of the room. "I know it's hopeless, but I think we should at least check out that room. What say you all?"

Weaver felt the tentacle fall from the side of his face. His eyes followed the dying
Illithid fall to the floor. ‘Short but sweet dance you and I had.’ A sick twisted smile drifted across the ranger/bard’s face. When the body came to rest on the floor at his feet, Weaver spat on it, ‘No mother will weep for you this evening.’

In the silence that filled the room, Weaver looked over the stillness until his gaze fell upon Ulthok. The Lady Valene, lying with her head in his lap and the small figure of Peri cradled in his arms. Weaver felt sadness in his heart from the love Ulthok had just lost and the love Weaver had lost lifetimes ago. Weaver was about to approach when the two ladies slowly stirred from slumber and life filled the three of them once more.

Weaver’s sadness turned to relief and then rage deep inside as his loss was now back on the service of the Ranger/Bard. Waver turned his back on the happy seen unfolding and moved to the side of the big man Lothor. With an open hand pat on his back, ‘Welcome back friend.’ Weaver then moved away to the tables.

The voice of an angel brought Weaver back from that dark place he was running to.
".. are you ..ok?" The Lady Alyia asked Weaver softly stammering slightly.

Weaver looked at her and for that moment only her, ‘What has brought you Nymphaea Red Flare from the serenity of your home to this dark place?’ Weaver could see her searching for an answer to his question. He places a reassuring hand on her arm. ‘I am fine,’ a smile came to his face once more. She returned his smile with an awkward smile of her own and then began her search of the two tables. Weave stood by to lend a hand if anything jumped from the tables.

When all seemed well and the others moved together to have council on what direction they should all take, Weaver moved to the Paladin on the table
Do not injustice to another
Defend the weak & innocent
Let truth & honor always guide you
Let courage find a life within
Stand up when no one else is willing
Act not in hatred or in spite
Be to this world as a perfect knight
Even if it means your life...
Be well in the Halls of Valhalla.

Weaver then took his place with the others and without thought or by chance he found himself standing next to the Lady Alyia.

Waking up to find herself in Ulthok's arms dulled the pain and initial panic of having been knocked unconscious during battle. Once she was sure of her own safety she looked around to check on everyone else, and worriedly checked over the tiny dragon to make sure she was only dazed and not physically wounded as well.

With her strength mostly regained she joined Ulthok and the others, wearily doing a mental count of wounds and damages. "Why can't one of these rooms be filled with pleasant things like cakes and fluffy pillows?" she asked with a weak giggle. "Or at least maybe what we're looking for?"

Rayne seeing the fight for the moment was over moved quickly over to the hurt paladin. Reaching the table she could tell she was barely alive so at once cast the spell of Cure Serious Wounds upon the still form.

“Sirene help me here please, I do not want to use my Heals except on our own.”

With this fight over and a brief moment of peace at hand the surviving members of the party raced to prepare for the next clash. With a quick check to find Valene, Peri, and Niamedris once more conscious and unharmed and Lothor again in control of himself the party turned to the room and the things within it. Rayne followed by Sirene had made her way to the female paladin’s table to find her yet alive. However though alive, clearly thanks to the dark magic around her, the human fighter was beyond help as her interior organs were mostly gone. Only massive regeneration could possibly save her and then only as long as the dark magic remained to keep her living. With the Mind Flayers gone or dead it was only a matter of time till the magic failed and so too the Paladin’s life. As Rayne and Sirene stood at the tables head gazing into the open living eyes of the women undecided of how to proceed, they were shortly joined by Weaver. Seeing the situation the Ranger/Bard began to sing, magic clear in his voice.

Do not injustice to another
Defend the weak & innocent
Let truth & honor always guide you
Let courage find a life within
Stand up when no one else is willing
Act not in hatred or in spite
Be to this world as a perfect knight
Even if it means your life...
Be well in the Halls of Valhalla.

With that last verse he reached over her face and gently closed the eyes of the holy warrior granting her peace in death. Then the three moved to rejoin the rest of the party who had by this time destroyed all tools of evil creation, and though Aliya had done a quick search of the room she had come up empty. Her skills not that of a rogue. With all that could be done, done the choice of which way to continue became the priority. The question back North the way they had come or through the West door, the same direction as the surviving Illithids had fled.

The first of the party to ask the obvious question was easily the group’s most vocal spokesperson as Ulthok spoke up. “Which way next?”

As Cor looked back between both doors, he seemed to make up his mind as to which door to him seemed the best to move through. "I know it's hopeless, but I think we should at least check out that room.” pointing to the West door. Though the nominal leader of the group he was, still one to seek advice from them and once again did so in this case.

“What say you all?"..................

(DM OOC: Ok I stopped my post here, as I do not know 100% where you the party will decide to go. North or West are your two choices. Ok my next post will be next Sunday the 22nd then there will be a two-week break for the holidays until Sunday January 5th. Please post this week on what direction the party as a whole will go. Thanks.)