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?"..................
“Good enough..” the Halfling replied. Ulthok stepped to the door and checked for traps or triggers.

As he started checking Aliya came up,"I know we need to move, but we need to regroup and eat also. Stay and guard the door or come back and eat either way your doing something that needs to be done."
A pause might be good, hopefully what was on the other side of the door would not be setting a trap for them.

The Halfling found some food and drink and shared it with Peri. As they ate the group could plan....

(May have another post later to fill here.)

When the discussion were complete Ulthok stepped and checked the door for traps and triggers.

(Assuming nothing found.)

As the small mage opened the door,he wished he still had the Shadows to send in ahead to command them to attack any Mind Flayers or Black Robed Mages they might encounter.

Ulthok carefully checked the now open passage to be sure there were no trips or triggers awaiting them as they passed through.

(Again assume he finds nothing.)

Peering through into the room he watched as he perpared to move forward. This time he would spread the warning before all got caught by surprise.

(Either giving an all clear or a warning to attack depending on what he sees.)

With his bow ready he steeled him mind against another mental attack and lead the way into the room.

(O.O.C., found out from Tann that the Shadows were no longer available so I've edited the post to take them out.)

Weaver stands at the ready with bow, ‘A most deadly game of hide n seek,’ He whispers to the winds.

Time for the moment seemed to stand still for Weaver, when the Lady Aliya tapped him on the shoulder. Weaver looked and saw the offering of food and drink. He looked up at her and smiled, ‘Thank you.’ As he reached for the food he noticed the muck and gore still on his hand. He pulled back quickly and gave a boyish smile and wiped as much away as he could on his tattered cloak. ‘Sorry,’ he whispered to her and then took an apple that was deep red in color, a bit of cheese, and a bit of the bread.

He watched as the Elvin Chained Lady drifted from one companion to the other offering food and drink. ‘How do they do it?’ the Lady then knelt and seemed to be arranging her things, ‘Little Nymphaea Red Flare, so far away yet some how right where you want to be.’ He glanced down at the muck and gore that still coved his drapings. ‘Cor, I think I need a bath. Let us take but just a moment more and then find this bitch so I can find,’ Weaver shuttered at his next words, ‘a warm bath.’

Aliya shrugged not finding anything of interest on the black tables or at the back of the room. moving back to where the rest of the group were settled.

Aliya offered lothor a wine skin, wishing she had something stronger to offer the man. wanting to offer some word of comfort she found none, only to pat the dwarf on the back of a shambled sign of comfort. looking around at the party still getting their bearings after this battle. the room was horrific, Alyia sighed, this whole building was horrible. their was never going to be a proper time or place to stop and eat, but aliya felt that given the severity of this last battle, now was as good as time as any.

summoning Xin, she had him conger food and drink and place a soft illusion spell over the small eating area to mask the scent and scene of carnage which surrounded them. Xin always eager to please his mistress she conjured a picnic area and range of meats, fruit, and breads.

grabbing some food and drink Alyia slipped from the blanketed picnic area which Xin had conjured and went to were Weaver and cor were already heading towards the door. tapping weaver on the arm she held out the food and drink to him. (assuming he takes the food)

she moves on to cor, and offers him the same. "i know we need to move, but we need to regroup and eat also. stay and guard the door or come back and eat either way your doing something that needs to be done." Alyia didn't wait for a rebuttal and moved back to the group.

unsure of how to approach each of the party she moved to each and merely pointed to the area and mumbled an apology to each in turn.


(after eating/talking to the party)
kneeling she opened her spell components pouch and moved some items around so that some components were easier to grasp and cast if need be. nodding in satisfactions that everything was in order seeing that Ulthok and cor were already on the move she slipped the pouch back onto her belt and rose pulling her sword to the ready she fell into step behind them.

Cor stood beside the West door into the next room. He bottom of his battle axe rested on the floor, with Cor's hand holding it up. Aliya patted Cor on the back, to which Cor responded with a nod. Cor was weary, but he knew they had to continue.

she moves on to cor, and offers him the same. "i know we need to move, but we need to regroup and eat also. stay and guard the door or come back and eat either way your doing something that needs to be done." Alyia didn't wait for a rebuttal and moved back to the group.
Cor laughed a tired laugh. "You're probably right. Especially with what we've been through. And charging in isn't going to save her..." Cor's voice drifted off as he accepted the food, the sword in his backpack feeling abnormally heavy. Cor ate the food, thoughtfully chewing each bite. They had to move soon. The Dragon Queen had to be here somewhere.

After his food was finished, Cor walked up by Ultok, who was looking in to the next room. Cor hoped that it would be less tragic then the last two fights had been. Standing next to the Halfling Cor whispered, "Just say the word," He leaning the back of his axeblade on his shoulder. "Let's see what they have in store for us now..."

As the paladin's eyes were closed for the last time, Rayne sent a small prayer to the gods.

As the rest sat to eat and rest for a bit, she too pulled out some food and drink, resting for a moment. Listening to the others, she checked her arrows. There seemed to be enough. So she prepared her bow for the upcoming search.
The west door? "As good as any", she thought. She got up and prepared as best she could for what lie ahead.

With slender copper fingers, Sirene guided the paladin's eyes shut for the final time. Breathing a silent prayer for the fallen warrior the priestess bowed her head in sorrow. The woman's death had been horrific and yet that death was a mercy that had spared her a far worse fate. Sirene knew not the rites of mortal death, but she granted that the Lady embrace the woman with peace at the end of her journey.

With a final glance to the fallen warrior the enchantress glided across the room to where the others gathered. Already their numbers were smaller with Lady Jessica taken by the illithid. They would not likely see her again. The first of them had fallen to this vile place. Sirene clenched her fist in rage. She would show this dark queen a true witch. The rage of the Goddess would rise again soon.

As they talked of which way to go next they ate. She nodded her thanks to Aliya, accepting a piece of fruit. Even after all this time in the outside world she still abstained from flesh food.

A decision was made and they began to move on their way. She joined them steeling herself for the next trial to come. It was high time they left this charnel house behind.

The party having rested briefly to eat and ready themselves to continue found itself in no real need of healing other then Ulthok. However be it courage, pride, or a disregard for his health the Halfling Thief/Mage did nothing to correct his 12 point handicap. With everyone ready he moved to the door gave it a careful check for traps or triggers and swung it open.

As if that was the bell to signal another round Ulthok saw charging down the long hall beyond the door a number of the same looking large Orcs as faced outside. Yet among these Orcs, there seemed to be a number of even bigger ones with more of a human look though as ugly as any Orc ever seen. In Ulthok’s quick look, and thanks to his many years of travel and study, he could tell these Orcs looked to be a cross between an Ogre and an Orc instead of just a giant Orc.

Turning to yell a warning to the rest of the party and to close the door, he again was witness to the return of the four escaped Illithids as they once more plane shifted into the room behind the party. However, unlike when they had escaped separately, this time they did not return alone.

With each Mind flayer now were three creatures none of the party had ever encountered before. These twelve new creatures the party could see were strongly humanoid in appearance each standing a little taller then average human height yet much more gaunt and long of limb. Like many of the demi-human races, their ears were sharp points serrated at the back. With rough, yellow skin, gleaming black eyes instantly betraying to the party their inhumanness these creatures looked ready for a fight.

Where each creatures armor was different in appearance from plate to heavy chain to three wearing a strange type of hide, all were in some fashion decorated with feathers, beads and various gems, for nine of them their weapons were not. The nine in question holding silver two handed swords virtually pulsing with magic and eager smiles on each face they only paused long enough to better their grip on their swords. Then on the command of one creature wearing an amulet, in a language guttural and cruel none of you have ever heard, the nine creatures surged forward to the attack.

The three hide wearing creatures appeared to have no weapon in their hands at all and seemed to be speaking silently the only thing moving their hands together in unison. Strangely, the four Mind Flayers retreated as if waiting for commands, taking no action this round.

(DM OOC: Ok headed down the West passage by Ulthoks count are about 20 giant Orcs with about five Ogre Orcs mixed among the 20.
Within the room per the map, you have 4 Illithids and 12 of these new creatures, an extra 1k of exp to the first to PM me the right answer to what they are. Ok holidays are over, we have a new year, you are in another tough fight, and Trilogy continues. So in the immortal words of one Dragonmist
GAME ON!
Next post next Sunday the 12th)

As Rayne followed the rest of the party towards the west door she found herself at the end of the party next to Valene. As she turned to glance at Valene suddenly the Mind Flayers reappeared this time along with many new creatures and Rayne found herself in battle once more. Raising her bow quickly, she fired at the first creature to the South. (C7)

Aliya slipped between Barreel and Weaver making sure she was clear of the group. Crushing a small glass rod into a bit of fur she set her jaw in concentration and cast lightning bolt. letting the spell tear through her hopping to get as many of the large group of monsters in the blast as she possibly could. Aliya never though of herself as a mage before yet in this constant barrage of attack it felt so natural. She was thankful that out of habit drilled into her by her grandfather rather then nessety she kept a well stocked spell pouch.

Cor stayed behind Ulthok, waiting for the halflings signal. They would storm the next room, and continue on their trek to the Dragon Queen, and the destruction of this castle. As Ultok turned to warn the party about the enemies in the next room, another threat became apparent: the returning Illithids. This time, however, they were flanked by some other creatures. Hopefully, they weren't as dangerous as the Illithids themselves.

"Ambush!" Cor shouted, though he knew the party already knew that. Taking note of the three Illithids and three hide wearing creatures, Cor hoped the mages in the party would be able to deal with them. For them to do so, Cor would have to keep the enemies on them.

The creatures at the bottom of the room were obviously a threat to the spellcasters; the creature had to be dealt with. With a battle cry to Odin, Cor charged toward the creatures (C-7, C-8, C-9) with his axe. Even if he didn't kill the lead one(C-7) he'd hopefully delay them from attacking the rest of the party.

(OOC: Cor charges and attacks C-7 with his battle axe.)

While Ulthok was looking down the hall Peri turned to see the yellow skinned creatures appear. They seemed to be really enthralled with their glowing swords, so much so that they secured their grib as they prepared to charge. “Well we’ll just have to see about that, maybe those shinney swords should slip from their grip.” With that the little faerie dragon cast “grease” on the swords of the six charging creatures.

(O.O.C., Those would be C1,2,3,4,5,6)

Pulling a thin rod from her pouch Siréne raised an outstretched arm towards the yellow chanting creatures. She could the raging tempest within struggling to be released, and so, sending a trickle of will into the wand she set the power of the storm free. A thunderous roar and a blinding flash of light exploded out from the wand and into the beast before them.

((OOC: Using wand of lightning, forked bolt aimed at the chanting creatures. She will try to catch the illithids in the blast as well))

The Halfling Mage had determined that there were no traps on the door and started to push it open. Peering down the length of the hall there charging toward him were perhaps twenty of the large Orcs and even larger Ogre Orcs. He turned to warn the other to fall back and saw four Illithids appear and dozen more creatures.

Ulthok could see they were caught between two advance menace. With the party between him and the Illithids Ulthok decided to slow the advancing Orcs. While using the door to shield himself he pulling out his wand of frost a cone of cold down the hall, filling the passage with a freezing force that washed over the Orcs and Ogre Orcs. When the blast had left the wand Ulthok slammed the door shut and turned to aid his companions.

Weaver feeling the magic filled the room he turns as the once empty room is filled with new foe. In one swift movement his hands have the components and the words of a long forgotten arcane tongue. A charge fills Weaver and the air around him. His target is the three Illithids that once escaped but this time, perhaps it will be different.

OOC: Lightening bolt, one of my two at the Illithids center target on the one in the middle.
Sorry this one is short and sweet but if I could I would fire ball every freaken Cedar tree in this state.

With the party’s hope of leaving the room without a fight shot down in flames the only thing left to do was fight. Their enemy this time around was three Mind Flayers and nine strange creatures. The creature’s faces the party could see more closely now, appeared almost monkey like in appearance with noses looking as if on a skull covered with very thin yellow skin. On top of the creatures, head their long hair was set into a type of triangle with the pointed tips curling forward with all the same color black. As these creatures charged forward, the party only had a short time to guess their origin.

The first of those party members to act were once again those casting spells, Aliya and Weaver. Though having thought most of the time as a fighter in this case her mage came forth. Words spoken under her breath palm pointed towards the six creatures charging from the North. To her initial pleasure, then shock, she watched as she only caught two of the creatures (# 4 & #6) within the bolt. The other four, just like the Mind Flayers behind them, phased away fast enough to be missed. Only to appear among the party and attacking the nearest member at once.

For Weaver it was a choice between the six creatures headed towards the party from the North, the three coming from the South or the Illithids standing quietly in the back. In a spilt second of thought, the Ranger/Bard turned north and like Aliya sent, a Lighting Bolt headed the Illithids way. In choosing the Mind Flayers as his targets, he was lucky as Aliya’s Lightning Bolt before his had opened a nice hole and his bolt hit all three head on! As he watched all three were blown off their feet to lay on the floor for the moment unmoving.

For Peri having been out cold for the first part of this fight she was more then ready for this part. Seeing six of these creatures headed the party’s way she knew harming them was not her style however making it harder for them to attack was ok. Casting Grease, she aimed it at the full six only to watch as four of them phased away. Her spell like Aliya’s effecting only #4 and #6 as the creatures tried to recover from shock and the damage of the Lightning Bolt.

With two of the parties Magic-users and one familiar having acted it was now the turn of the rest of the party to act and first up was Rayne and her bow once more. Seeing both the six from the North and the three from the South she saw she had a clear shot at the southern creatures. Pulling the bow strings back she let loose two of her energy arrows, her target the creature in the lead. (#7) Once more as it seemed to have always been both bolts of energy hit true sending the creature backward and past the two still charging enemy. Then it too was once more changing ahead.

Ulthok having opened the door to find twenty-five Orcs and so headed to the room, and knew having done so had most likely allowed the phasing in of the Illithids. Hoping to save his spells, he quickly grabbed out of his gear a Wand of Frost and sent a Cone of Cold towards them. Knowing the size and width of the cone, he knew it would catch them all. Shutting the door quickly he turned to the battle at hand to find one of the creatures striking at him. (#9) Though its first attack was a clean miss its second was not as it brought the two handed sword back. Grinning a very evil smile on its skin covered skull like face it moved to attack again.

For Sirene it was not a spell she decided to use but an item. In a fast move, she grabbed and brought forth her Wand of Lightning commanding it to cast a forked bolt at both the Iillthids and the strange creatures. Though she successfully hit the chanting creatures, she missed the Illithids, as they were already down. As she watched, the forked bolts easily hit each of the creatures causing them damage but more important stopping their chanting together. With eyes glaring red inside black, they focused on the Elf Mage/Druid for next round.

For Cor, the semi-leader of the party, his actions were at once clear to him. Knowing he had to defend the Mage’s of the party from attack he charged forward towards the three southern attackers only to find one appear right before him swinging its large two handed sword.#8 Though he had been taken by surprise, his armor won out as the creatures two swings missed. However, for the creature it was not so lucky as Cor’s return attack with his axe was dead on both hits drawing blood and pushing it backward. A snarl and curse in some unknown language it moved forward to attack the Dwarf Knight Cleric once more.

For Barreel, Lother and Valene the last three party members to possibly act offensively. Instead, found themselves, along with the rest of the party, having to defend themselves as the last four creatures phased into the middle of the party.

With #1 attacking Barreel, #2 attacking Weaver, #3 attacking Lothor and the last one facing Aliya it became close quarter combat very fast.

Barreel was a Dwarf, a Battlerager, a lover of combat and he did not hesitate or protect himself from the creatures first attack, relaying on his armor to do its job. His faith proved good as though he was hit both times he took only minor damage. His return attacks were also a success as the creature before him took both axe attacks dead on. Though it did not drop dead, Barreel did draw its blood, which flew forward to land upon his armor.

For Weaver, already having acted all he could do this turn, it was a matter of defense and he was granted a 50-50 in that regard only taking one hit. However, though the hit was a hard one, his armor helped limit the creature’s damage and left the Ranger/Bard ready for the next round.

Lothor’s opponent was a bigger specimen of this unknown race but the Human Fighter cared not. With his own two handed sword in hand the two combatants traded a total of four blows and settled for just the ringing of steel on steel as neither scored a hit on the other.

For Aliya the situation looked bad, really bad. Having like the rest already acted all that was left to her was to defend and the creature clearly had her at a disadvantage as she had no weapon to hand having just cast a spell. As the creature attacked, she desperately tried to draw her sword knowing that she would not be able too in time. Then the creature suddenly screamed and turned away from the Half-Elf Fighter/Mage to reveal a dagger protruding from its back. Glancing beyond the creature Aliya could see Valene standing ready her short sword in her hand. Clear it was that the Halfling Cleric/Thief had just saved Aliya some possible major hurt by attacking the creature from behind.

Thus, this first round of combat ended with no apparent loss of life on either side, however there would be enough death in the rounds sure to follow this first one.

(DM OOC: Ok sorry about no post Sunday night I really did not think that enough people would post. Ok as its Tuesday night/Weds morning I will give you till Sunday the 26th to post a new post. I will draw up a new map of the smaller area of the combat for the next round hopefully by tonight or tomorrow and post it underneath this post. Also for any that want to know Mom’s Op went ok but was a long one so she will be laid up a few days here at home so if I seem to not be on much this week that’s the reason. Ok Game On)