For the party within this throne room the battle had been a series of ups and downs. What would this round turn out to be..................

So far this fight Sirene and her magic had taken the lead in the actions among all the combatants, however this time was not the same. A quick message of action to the Lich Queens advisor cost her a few precious seconds of time. Those seconds giving Dark Whisper time to get her next spell off first. In seconds five Magic Missiles left her hand to slam into Lothor's back as he stood over the sword pinned suit of White Armor.

Sirene turning her attention once more towards Dark Whisper saw the five streaks of light leave the Shadow-Wraith‘s hand all of them hitting Lothor. Her anger already aroused she turned to the spell of Shout. Using her new anger over Lothor being struck to add more power. She shaped the spell to hit Dark Whisper and only her, the Elf Enchantress watching as the female Wraith was caught completely off guard. The force of the shout taking Dark Whisper from her feet to slam into the wall behind her. Sirene watched as she began to fall to the thrones rooms floor only to be thrown back into the wall once more as two bolts of energy slammed into Dark Whispers chest. With nothing else to stop her descent, Dark Whisper finally fell to the throne rooms floor unconscious or dead..............

Smiley seeing the Shadow-Wraith fall was at once moving, his target Sirine. Using his full movement he was quickly floating just above her head reading himself to attack the Elf his next round............

Rayne seeing a quick chance to cause Dark Whisper some harm, yet not sure her arrows of energy would hurt the sadistic creature. Grasped and raised Anduril anyway and fired off both arrows of energy. Her timing was good as both her bolts streaked into the female Shadow-Wraith's chest as she was falling to the floor. In seconds Dark Whisper hit the wall once more and fell to the floor not moving.................

The Lich Queen seeing Dark Whisper fall quickly ordered her two last suits of White Armor forward to the attack (#3 #4) However her grotesque faced head quickly swirled to face her Advisor as she heard him muttering the words of spell reversal. Staring at him in shock she was for the moment, other then her order to the White Armors, inactive for this round.................

For the Lich Queens Advisor his task was simple destroy the Hydra per beautiful Sirene's asking. Muttering a series of words and ignoring his queens shocked look he did just that. In seconds both of the creatures were gone having been quickly unsummoned. His task done, a large smile on his face, he awaited the Lady Sirene, his good friend's next request.............

For Weaver, having not been gifted a spell of Heal or a Wish by Rayne or any of the other clerics. The world was full of magical things both wondrous and a little dark. With the Hydra's disappearance he was sad as the big creatures had been cute. However his mind as that of a moronic child for the moment, it was just a question of what would catch his attention next.............

Lothor had the damnable suit of white magical armor right where he wanted, helplessly pinned to the floor. His goal to take off its head or helmet and finish it off was put on hold as five magic missiles slammed into his back hard pushing him over and past the White Armor. Though hurt he found himself still on his feet and turning back continued his attack upon the armor. Then to his delight his axe hits, though not decapitating, seemed to have the final word as the suit collapsed into itself like a crushed soda can. One suit down 3 to go.............

Roan had sought to finish off the apparently helpless suit of armor but getting hit by the Lich Queen's Bigby's Clinched Fist for the moment had put that on hold. His magical hammer easily slamming full force into the powerful fist was still unable to stop it as once again without error slammed the Elf Ranger/Cleric backwards. Hurt but not out of this fight he readied himself once more........

For Cor and Aliya the Hydra's sudden disappearance allowed them to check their attacks and quickly do something else this round other then combat.......... (See Below)
_______________________________________________

SOMEWHERE ELSE
For Ulthok frustration was the name of the game with his Shadow-Wraith opponent. Hoping to stop Howlers next charge he quickly grabbed his Wand of Frost calling forth a Cone of Cold. The Cone easily struck the male Wraith throwing him back once more into the room. As the Halfling Thief/Mage watched, everything within the room was quickly covered with ice. The Cone as if with a mind of its own and much more power then a normal cone grew so fast it quickly blocked the doorway, and the Howler within. With only one way to go the choice to stay or try to rejoin the party before him................

(DM OOC: Ok my post. Keeper, Astrid as the Hydra's poofed before you started your actions you get two in your next posts 1 non combat, 1 combat. Number them #1 for the non-combat action and #2 for the combat. Map and character hp updates tomorrow. NOTE: Though Peri is STARTING to wake up she is still no where near able to fight. Also with Dark Whisper going down Rayne's ferrets are free of her control.)

One moment Cor was fighting a hydra and the next moment it was just gone. "Well now that is a neat trick" he muttered. Seeing that he was not in combat, Cor took advantage of his good fortune. Cor took notice of his own wounds and realized he was in bad shape. Without moving to engage a new foe, he cast cure serious on himself. (Act #1)

Now, feeling better, Cor turned his attention to the white armor. Hoping hey were golems of some sort he chose his staff of smiting and attacked the nearest armor.

( #1 )
Alyia came to a sudden halt, the hydra's poofing from the room in a instant. Drawing two of the larger viles from her spell pouch on her hip she quickly drank the last of her Potion of Extra Healing.

Lothor smiled grimly as the armor crumpled beneath him. As the Hydras disappeared and Dark Whisper crumpled against the wall, he drew a breath. This was good.

Of course, as soon as that thought entered his mind the Lich Queen sent the other suits of armor into the battle. Damn! He really wanted to launch his hatchets at the queen. He was confident he could prevent her spell casting. But the armor was his first task. It seemed obvious that his role in this fight was to keep those suits of armor away from his friends.

And so he yanked his sword from the floor and prepared to move towards the armor. As he reclaimed his blade he saw Cor move towards Weaver. Cor's movement placed another obstacle between Lothor and the armor that seemed to be headed towards him. (#3) So instead of trying to work his way through his friends who were busy healing, the warrior moved quickly behind them to the left and stepped towards the other suit of armor. (#4)

He didn't close for melee just yet, he wanted to bring this suit to the floor like the other, but he also wanted to be between it and his friends.

In an instant the whoosh of a cone cold slammed into Howler with enough force to knock him back into the chamber. It was a moment of relief to the Halfling to not face that enchanted sword. But as he watched the ice forming he saw that instead of coating the surfaces the chamber filled until the door way was blocked with ice. He had only assumed that the chamber's size had caused the fireball to rampage around the room and cast him into the hall. But now he felt there was something amplifying the magic in that room. If indeed the hanging gem was controlling the castle then it needed the boost in the room to give it enough power. It may not take much magic to destroy the gem if the room increased any spells power.

Ulthok pondered again on trying to destroy the gem, but with the room filled with ice it would take time to get to the gem again. So knodding to the room, "You stay cool, I'll be back!"

Ulthok then turn and trotted up hall toward the light. He noted the details of the passage so he could lead the party back. Reaching into his pouch he pulled the potion of extra healing and drank it to restore what Howler has taken from him.

As the warmth of healing flowed through the mage the thoughts of how things had changed since the main battle ended. So while there was no one there to see him fail he once more willed a bit of spirit into his Ring of Invisibility. To reach his friends he'd need any advantage he could find and being invisibile would set him up nicely.

Roan had sought to finish off the apparently helpless suit of armor but getting hit by the Lich Queen's Bigby's Clinched Fist for the moment had put that on hold. His magical hammer easily slamming full force into the powerful fist was still unable to stop it as once again without error slammed the Elf Ranger/Cleric backwards. Hurt but not out of this fight he readied himself once more........
The Human Ranger/Cleric once again summoned his inner strength to defend himself against this Huge Fist, readying his Spiritual Hammer to hopefully end this unexpected interference, so he could finish his fight against the now helpless White Armor that was sprawled on the floor, unable to move.

Roan instinctively raised his arm, clenching his own fist, as he unexpectedly unleashed the force from his Ring of the Ram, while breathing a praise to Odin to guide his aim once more!

((OOC: Roan readies his Spiritual Weapon against the Huge Fist, as he watches the result of 2 Charges expended from his Ring of the Ram, while preparing to defend himself against this new foe with his Spiritual Weapon, if necessary!))

Aiming for a second, Rayne let loose an arrow directly at Dark Whisper. Not waiting to see if the first had effect or not, she immediately fired a second one. When combined with Sirene's shout, Dark Whisper was finally neutralized.

There was no time for even a second to savour the moment. The other two White Armour closed in. One headed directly for the still feeble-minded Weaver. Rayne had chosen to attack Dark Whisper, and had left Weaver defenceless to the White Armour; Rayne would not leave him to die.

Since Rayne was already at Weaver's side, she quickly cast heal on him. That should be enough to get him back in the fight. With the white armour advancing directly at Weaver, Rayne knew she had to do her best to defend him while he recovered. Taking a very defensive stance, she stood ready to divert the attention of the White Armour.

(OOC: Cast Heal on Weaver. If possible, she draws her sword in 1 hand. She does her best to defend Weaver from the White Armour)

A tingle of pleasure ran through Sirene as she watched the wretched woman fall to the floor unmoving. It was a well deserved fate indeed. They weren't out of the woods yet, but things were looking brighter with the fall of the wraith. Dare she hope?

Yet there was little time for hope now. With the fall of one challenge another grew up in its place. The defeat of the wraith brought the smiling yellow visage upon her. It floated to her with surprising alacrity, all the while its mocking smile never faltered. Soon the great maw would swallow her.

Sirene was ready. Throwing her hand above her head to point at the creature, the witch spoke a single word of power. Her voice seemed to echo with the sweet call of oblivion as she lay her curse upon the creature. A smile curved her lips as she regarded the immobile creature, held as if in tar.

Her attentions moved to the advisor and the Queen. Seeing the shock and rage in the Lich Queen's dead eyes brought to mind a plan. Once again, Sirene reached out into the mind of her thrall.

Oh my love, she looks upon you with rage. Already she turns against you. I see your death in her eyes. Strike first my, love. Defend yourself from her and strike first.
((OOC: Casts Hold Monster on the Smiley. Is having the Advisor attack the Queen to defend himself)

Peri:
The merciful darkness of unconsciousness start to wane as Peri began to recover from the Hydra's firy breath attack The searing pain of burns clutched the faerie dragon; she trembled. Opening her eyes Peri noticed she was invisible and mild rush of joy filled her as she thought her Ulthok was protecting her. A soft accented voice close to her whispered to lay still. It was then she realized that Ulthok was distant in her thoughts and had been fighting his battle away from rest.

Small gentle hands touched her damage flash as Xin cradled her. Quietly as to not draw attention the Jenni explained that Aliya had bid him to her aid. He had cloaked her first with his cape to end the fire from the Hydra's breath and then he cloaked them both in invisibility to move them away from the battle.

As she tried to regain her wits Peri did as Xin had said and lay quietly. But then realizing that the Jenni was able to cast invisibility she guess her own ability to turn invisible would work too. "Xin, thank you for your help, but you go now and help the others, I'll fend for myself." With that she she envoked her own ability and remained unseen by those around her.

Xin cradled perri whispering reassuringly as he gently stroked her cheek an neck. his heavily accented hushed tone he quickly explained their current situation.

"Xin, thank you for your help, but you go now and help the others, I'll fend for myself." the little dragon murmured an cloaked herself. Xin left his cloak warped about peri not wanting to cause peri any more pain then she may already be in.

"I'll return to you, once Lady Alyia is no longer in need of me." Xin turned as his form evaporated in a haze of faintly coloured smoke which held his form before dissipating moments later.


( #2 )
Xin materialized beside Alyia.
The plan already hashed out mentally between the two of them.

Xin took the bottle from Alyia an gave her a wane look as if to say good luck. Xin darted across the room staying low an moving as fast as he could with the bottle. darting up Xin lobbed the vile of Oil of Fiery Burning at the throne's dais at the queens' feet.

Xin's form faded as the bottle left his hands.

arcane word falling from Alyia's lips like a whispered mantra.
drew an image to her mind. the queen's body a flame her body crumbling to ash, her focusing her mind she pictured burning eyes white pupils surrounded by deep yellow an red swirling irises. a voice hissed like crackling fire in Ignan.

the lick of heat seemed to lick both her face an mind. Alyia clenched her eyes an bit her thumb to keep her concentration willing the creature forth into the flames at the queens feet.

(summoning a fire elemental )
(if Xin isn't attacked he'll return to the ring )

For the moment the party seemed to hold the upper hand once more. Dark Whisper down possibly dead. The Howler, MIA, unfortunately taking Ulthok with him. The Advisor controlled, the hydra's gone, and only the Queen, the last 2 White Armors and a floating smiley face were left. However nothing good lasts forever as the party had learned time and time again.............

Alyia and Cor finding themselves with no enemy before them, the Hydra's having been unsummoned, took advantage of this ‘free action' to heal. Cor quickly cast a cure serious wounds upon himself gaining a good measure of returned health. For Aliya it was to drink quickly a Potion of Extra-Healing, the healing gained from drinking it dry was considerable putting the young Half-Elf Fighter/mage only a few points short of full health.............

Sirene on the verge of a loud shout of joy watched as Dark Whisper fell to lay unmoving on the room's floor. Quickly turning to her new enemy, Smiley, once more a string of Elfish left her lips and just like that the grotesque flying bubble like creation was held, falling to the rooms floor unable to move.. Then remembering her new ‘lover' she turned her mind to him once more only to find someone else instead.

Oh my love, she looks upon you with rage. Already she turns against you. I see your death in her eyes. Strike first my, love. Defend yourself from her and strike first.
Annoying elf child I was playing with men's minds before you were even spawned! Come play in my world
Just like that Sirene found herself no longer in the Lich Queens throne room but in a cold rank smelling place almost without light. Around her floated ghosts of demons clamoring for her blood, her soul, her flesh. Always speaking to her.

Join us sweet elf child. Be us little one. Give you to us. Come home with us. Surrender your soul to us, we will make you immortal,
Watching all this, floating in the air, the Lich Queen smiled. Sirene was in her mind, her hideous undead play ground and soon she would own her. At the rear of the party no one saw the Elf Enchantress eyes roll back into her head as she fell.............

With healing magic flowing through him Cor once more felt like the Cleric Knight he had always been destined to be. Having seen the fruitlessness of edged weapons unless very lucky he turned to his Staff of Smiting. Moving quickly his strike was an easy hit but seemed to only cause the White armor to pause in its attack. As Cor successfully dodged its return attack his mind was working overtime on how to stop these damn suits....................

Lothor for a spilt moment of calm was uncertain what to do. Cor's movement and dodge had placed an obstacle between the large Fighter and the White Armor that seemed to be headed towards him. With Rayne and a feebleminded Weaver in his way instead of trying to work his way through or around them, the warrior moved quickly behind them to the left and stepped towards the other suit of armor. Avoiding Cor's dodge he struck fast but like his many hits on the armor before his sword had no effect. Once more Lothor faced a slashing blade immune foe.............

Roan so badly wanted to reach the helpless White Armor to finish it off yet the floating fist stood in his way. Once more relaying on the spiritual hammer to protect him he unleashed a two charge attack from his Ring of the Ram. The ring's force slammed into the clinched fist and moved it backwards so much so that it was now out of range to strike back. Perhaps one to two more hits might finally destroy this damn fist..............

With the rest of the party thus engaged Rayne knew she had to do something to help Weaver throw off the magically created feebleness. Turning to him she cast on him one of her two Heal spells and watched as the confusion died to be replaced by his true mind once more. Moving to place herself before the charging white suit of armor she was caught off balance as the armors lone attack this round slashed into her ribs. The power of the strike pushing her backwards and the pain of it sudden, she still found herself between Weaver and it. No matter what she would not let her friend die without a fight..............

Alyia full of health and ready to rock, quickly brought a spell of summoning to her lips. After all if the foes before them could call for help why not her. With casting times she knew her summoned help would arrive next round. With Xin returned to her ring, Peri no longer unconscious but very visible to all, invisibility not working within the room. Alyia was free to act this next round no longer as hurt as before............

SOMEWHERE ELSE
For Ulthok it was not a question of returning to the room now blocked by ice of his own creation but one of rejoining his friends. The only way to do that was clear and wasting no time he started running up the hall drinking a Potion of Extra-Healing and triggering his Ring of Invisibility once more. To his surprise at least here it worked once more. Within moments he reached a wooden door a candle lit lantern hung above,

The light coming from it quite strong it was clear here was the pin prick the Halfling Thief/Mage had seen. Though the light was strong, from the doorway of the frozen room it had seemed leagues away. As he began to look over the door for traps Ulthok could clearly hear the sounds of combat coming from beyond its wooden frame. Could his friends actually be on the other side, only one way to find out........

(DM OOC: OK new post eat your hearts out. Kyle your once more good to go so post em if ya got em . Nimu your of course trapped in the Lich Queens mind both of you trying to defeat the other. Good place to take her out of the fight if you can. Good Luck. Ok next post, next Sun the 8th.be here or be square As normal will update characters and add map sometime tomorrow)

Lothor knew slashing weapons weren't of much use against the armor, but that didn't bother him. He had taken the last one down without the need to slice and dice and he would do so again. He had a blueprint for how to do it - take it to the ground and crush it.

The plan was quite simple, really. Use his blade to knock aside the armors weapon so that it hopefully couldn't attack and he wouldn't get skewered while flinging himself bodily at the armor. A large, fully-armored, warrior with hill giant strength should come crashing down on the suit of armor, knocking it to the ground while landing on top of it - and hopefully even doing a bit of crushing damage while he was at it.

He grinned to himself as he launched his assault. Others might need a rams head ring or a magical giant fist, but Lothor would be his own battering ram!

Cor remembered that Lothor had taken out a suit of armor by grappling it. Well, if Lother could do it so could he. Cor dropped his staff, pulled out his dwarven thrower and jumped onto the armor he was fighting. He hoped to gain purchase and beat the thing on the head from above.

Weaver watched as the heroes battled around him. By now the young lad had moved on to a long staff thing and looking at the big floating face when the lady hero beside him reached for him. The world slowed as she spoke words that were like songs on a mid-summer's day in the meadow.

In a flash the room came crashing back into him. Maggot found himself in the storm of battle. He quickly twisted his hand around and grabbed the Lady Rayne's hand and pulled her toward Sirene. While doing this he stepped forward into the approaching path of the Armor holding his staff up as if it were a shield.

Roan Fenstrider had mere moments to decide which foe to dispatch with his Spiritual Hammer!

Would it be the fallen White Armor ... or ... the Huge Fist ... both equal nuisances!

As the Human Ranger/Cleric began summoning his weary strength to guide his Spiritual Hammer, his Ranger senses detected from the corner of his eye, a small helpless form that had suddenly appeared visible on the floor of battle!

Tiny, but no less valiant than the larger members of his current comrades-in-arms, the suffering plight of Peri could not be ignored by the Odin Ranger/Cleric.

In that self-same instant, the toll of his own wounds clamored for his merciful self-sacrificing attention in the heat of battle!

Roan swiftly made his way to the burnt form of the Tiny Faerie Dragon, reaching out with his battle hardened left hand, seeking to ease the pain of Ulthok's familiar.

Guiding his Spiritual Hammer into a defensive position, he called upon the Odin Force to bring Healing to both Peri and himself; for he would not allow the Tiny One to pass from this life, especially when it was within his power to save her!

Holding his right hand upon his own chest, the Ranger/Cleric concentrated as the warm flow of Cure Serious Wounds passed through his body and into the limp form of the disabled Peri Faerie Dragon!

((OOC: Roan readies his Spiritual Weapon against a possible retaliation from the Huge Fist, or any other unexpected foe, as he concentrates upon Casting Cure Serious Wounds to flow to both himself and Peri the Faerie Dragon!))