With the attack of the strange undead looking creatures having forced the party back to their boat, all they could do was wait out the night. Throughout the night the howling seemed never-ending but with the coming of the light of a day like a switch had been thrown the forest and beach went silent once more.

With the day bright and clear and a good easterly wind blowing they moved around the island once more seeking a better landing area. However it soon became clear there was only one beach and that was the one they had landed at before. Anchored off its shores once more Ulthok decided to send Peri aloft to seek out any sign of the mysteries Tower of the Cyclops.

Peri glad to be aloft once more, her wings feeling the air below them, quickly moved inshore and over the forested land of the island. For the first hour she found nothing but then as if suddenly before her she saw what seemed to be the tip of a tower. As she moved closer to investigate she could see that she had been correct as the rest of the upper parts of the tower came into view.

Deciding to move closer she was suddenly forced to reconsider as rising from inside the towers belfry, and it's sides, were numerous eagle sized black and red birds. As the birds rose into the sky they turned and headed directly towards the faerie dragon. A quick look before turning away showed her these birds had long barbed beaks, and instead of two legs all had four, some even with six legs. The claws, four per leg, looked very sharp, very deadly and glistened as if wet.

Turning away quickly she dove towards the ground to gain speed and went invisible. Still for a time the birds followed her then slowly each turned back towards the tower giving up the chase of the little dragon. Peri however had gotten a good look at the birds and had counted at least a few hundred in and on the tower . Some clearly were younglings and Peri assumed the birds gathered around them to be female. Other then that she had never seen their type before or had a memory or a name for them.

As Peri scouted out the island Cor back with the rest of the party having decided on a plan of action voiced it.

""Unless any of ye object, and ye don't, we will be spending the night on the ship ta regain spells." Cor's eye twinkled as he spoke that line. "We set out at first light and try ta find the camp of the beasties. If we can kill them all at once with fire they canna sneak up behind us later. If we canna find their lair, we head back ta the ship before nightfall. Then we figure out our next move. Hopefully Odin will smile on us and we will find the lair and be done with it." Cor looked around for any objection. "Well, now is the time ta object; but ye won't" Cor laughed.

As the party members readied themselves for another long day and night upon the ship Peri returned to tell of what she had seen. At once from her description it became clear that to reach the tower, through the heavy thick forest, could easily be a three-five day journey. With this info on the thickness of the forest before them it became clear that Cor's plan to find the creatures lair, though workable, would possibly be more time consuming then the party had thought.

For now the party readied spells and gear knowing a little better what they faced.

(( DM OOC: Ok I stopped the post here to give you time to get your new spells to me and consider this new info that Peri brought to you all. Ok next post this Sunday the 21st))

The party had sailed around the island and Peri confirmed what they had seen. Peri's wings fluttered as she listened to Ulthok; ".....too bad that first map didn't show the tower. Well it's never easy is it? But then we've got Rangers to scout it out."
"You silly mage that will take much too long, I have already scouted the coast. I will find the tower."
With that she was once again off.

After several hours she returned again relayed what she had found. Said that for the first hour she found nothing but then as if suddenly before her she saw what seemed to be the tip of a tower. She moved closer to investigate; she could see that she had been correct as the rest of the upper parts of the tower came into view.

She told of deciding to move closer and that she was suddenly forced to reconsider as rising from inside the towers belfry, and its sides, were numerous eagle sized black and red birds. The birds rose into the sky then turned and headed directly towards the faerie dragon. A quick look before turning away she saw these birds had long barbed beaks, and instead of two legs all had four, some even with six legs. They had claws, four per leg, that looked very sharp, very deadly and glistened as if wet.

Turning away quickly she dove towards the ground to gain speed and went invisible. But still for a time the birds followed her then slowly each turned back towards the tower giving up the chase of the little dragon. Peri however had gotten a good look at the birds and had counted at least a few hundred in and on the tower. Some clearly were younglings and Peri assumed the birds gathered around them to be female. Other than that she had never seen their type before or had a memory or a name for them.
"Interesting"..Ulthok said, These bird could follow you even as you were invisible and they gave up to return to perhaps guard the tower." Looking around to the others, "Well we need to get there first before we worry too much of those guardians."

"We must prepare before we go ashore again. When the daylight returns we will need to quickly make our way past the beach and hopefully those screaming creatures. We can destroy what lairs we find but I think we should not spend too much time to search them out. If we put enough distance between us and them they may search for other pry or spend time devouring their own dead. But you all think it wiser to try and remove the threat as Cor has suggested then we need to prepare for that hunt."

Pulling his tomb of magic the mage started studying the spells he needed to replace or prepare anew.

Alyia curled up in a out of the way crevice near the stern of the ship.

The list of the ship made reading quickly turn into a stomach churning blur of motion sickness. Much to her stomach's protests Alyia would give in an either nap or knit till the queasiness quelled a bit.

Xin appeared several times more out of boardum then any useful reasoning. hovering about Alyia in a hen peckish way. teasing her that her bullheaded nature when it came to magic an study made her a glutton for punishment especially in the current circumstance. Xin sighed an poofed in an exasperated huff sighting that he'd never understand humans.

Alyia continued to spend the day in a mix of studding, knitting an sleeping.

finishing her studies an on the verge of heaving at her stomachs wrath. Alyia pulled her cloak over her head an went to sleep until either daylight or call to arms.

Drawing her bow, Rayne fired arrows rapidly into the advancing horde. Her magical bow was more than enough to shred the creatures. She was astonished at how the creatures charged in with no fear of being killed, despite the lack of defenses. Despite their suicidal abandon, the enemies could still over run them if they weren't careful.

Sirene called down a lightning storm; though it killed many of the creatures, it did not stop them. Ulthok the spell of continual light, illuminating the battlefield. It was Cor's wall that changed the fight. Effectively cutting of the enemies from them, it allowed Sirene and Rayne to drive the creatures back. With some breathing room, they were able to retreat to the boat, and head back out to sea.

All in agreeance to stay out in the boat another night to prepare for the day ahead. As day came, Rayne discussed with the party about what their plans were for approaching the summit.

***Entry edited to account for the voted on plan of dealing with the gibberlings first.

Lothor brought the boat in near shore. While there was light left he intended to scout the edge of the forest - could he see anything? Were the gibberling dens anywhere near? Could he tell which they had gone? He would open some dens while the light lasted if possible, but it probably wasn't.

With the others at the beach he arranged things for a siege. Those who were strong and armored would stand at the front and act as shield for whatever made it through. That much was simple. The rest was up to the spell casters.

As long as the wall of fire worked there was little danger for the group - the creatures were only dangerous in large numbers and the fire would prevent their overrunning the group. They would have an escape route to the boat if needed.

He built up a fire - not enough probably to keep the critters at bay, but enough to attract their attention - and provide some light for the group. Soon it would be time to act.

"All right lads and lasses, tis time ta cut down the number of beasties. Come sundown we move to the beach and see if we can draw out the things. Once they appear, we cast area effect spells on the horde and confuse them with continual light. If they get too close, the mages can teleport us back to the ship. Maybe a night or two of this will destroy them. If not we might have to try another plan like trying to follow them back to their lair at daybreak."

Rayne Fireheart:

The elven ranger was displeased at having to retreat to the boat for the night, as it meant another restless night, listening to the sounds and searching the darkness that surrounded them. The howling continued at intervals through the night, upon her elven ears, and she stilled her thoughts as she sat with her companions in the boat. Keeping watch when it was her turn she prayed for strength and courage in the coming days, and with the comforting thoughts of her ferrets, her eagle owl, and her Roan watching over her as she took her turn to sleep.

With the day bright and clear and a good easterly wind blowing they moved around the island once more seeking a better landing area. However, it soon became clear there was only one beach and that was the one they had landed at before. Anchored off its shores once more, Rayne watched as Ulthok sent Peri out to survey the island, without putting the entire party at risk. She watched as Peri faded from sight and she turned to her own animal companions sending her ferrets out in search of a camping spot less than a day from where they were now docked. Rayne then spoke with her eagle owl, sending her to search for food that they might be able to salvage along the way, and as they waited for Peri to return with her report.

Rayne stayed relatively quiet during the time the companions were away, glancing at each member of the party and confirming none of them needed anything before going back to her own thoughts. The ranger checked her weapons and ensured they were ready for battle at first light when the sounds of the enemies had faded and they could venture out of their boat.

"The creatures seem afraid, or unable to show themselves in the daylight, perhaps we can find a way to use this to our advantage. Also, they seem to use numbers to their advantage, so perhaps we can find a way to narrow down their passage, from massive numbers to a trickle. Can we find things to set up traps to catch them off guard during the night, to give us ample warning once we are no longer able to flee to our boat."


Roan Fenstrider:

The human kept Rime and Reason close after their fleeting encounter with the creatures who pushed them back to their boat. He kept close to Rayne, as they had fought many fights side by side and come out victorious, some were close calls, but they worked best as a pair. They trusted each other, and that was the most important aspect when fighting creatures of unknown strengths, was knowing you could depend on somebody who knew your tactics. Less open communication, meant less chances the enemy would have to figure out your plans.

The Cleric had taken the first shift of sleeping, as his partner, and companion took the first watch shift. Roan prayed for his protection this night, and for the strength to overcome the hurdles they would face with the rise of the sun. He slept peacefully until it was his watch, and then he thanked his companions for watching over him, and allowed his significant other time to rest and prepare her spells for the battle they could not avoid.

Roan cleaned his twin blades and kept his ears open for trouble as everyone made preparations for the next encounter with the creatures who appeared undead. As Clerics, he knew that they could use turn undead, but there was no guarantee the creatures were undead, but it could have simply been an illusion.

"We need to know our enemies before we enter battle. They appeared to be undead creatures, perhaps we should use our clerical abilities on the creatures to test if they are indeed an undead creature, or if they simply resemble an undead. Regardless of our knowledge of our enemy, we can all agree that we only have two options, turn around and give up, which to me is not an option, or to find out as much as we can about our enemies before we have to encounter them. Splitting up would be detrimental as they have the numbers to crush us. We need to work as a team, and find their weaknesses, and cut them off from attacking in large numbers. Peri has gathered us a lot of important information about what awaits us at the tower, but we are unsure what lies between us and the tower. "

As they gathered their belonging to begin their day, and discussed their plan of action, the sun was preparing to rise. Roan sat beside Rayne as her companions returned to her side ready to continue the journey ahead of them. A short moment spared between them, as they gave each other the strength to continue, and the faith to face anything that may spring upon them.

The party had decided there were too many of crazed creature in the forest just move past the beach to try and venture past them in the daylight. They would spend more to bait them to the beach in an effort to reduce their numbers.

As darkness fell the party manned the beach to draw them out. Ulthok sent Peri skyward a bit to help him judge the distance to the pack as they charged. So as the on slot began the Halfling mage cast fireball into the midst of the throng taken out many and perhaps slowing the rust to allow the others to deliver more fire. As needed then to support the others the mage would a second fireball to destroy those still pressed forward. When the carnage was more than they could stomach the party once more would retreat to the boat. There their once again rested and replenished the magic.

"I will cast a wall of fire around as many of the creatures as I can, let them kill themselves trying to get to us. I will cast blade barrier as a last line of defense in front of us. Everyone use whatever spells you think best. Firestorm, a conjured fire elemental and some flame strikes should thin them out."

Alyia watched as the others stepped up an cast their fire spells. watching the ensuing chaos alyia smirked... might as well add to it.

(casts lightning bolt over the throng of creatures)

They chose war.

The years of travel had hardened them all, twisting the light into a burning flame. This is what they had sacrificed for the world. A loss of innocence and wonder for the ruthless fires of retribution.

Sirene laughed. Long ago she had surrendered to the Lady of Retribution. It brought pain, but with it there was power. She would be the Goddess' hand of vengeance against the shadow that twisted this world.

With a scream the war witch took to the air. Rising to the skies she summed the storm once again and sent heaven's thunder into the bestial horde.

((OOC: Using Fly from ring. Casts Call Lightniing - 20 ft Radius (2d8 + 12d8 )x2 per bolt. Will call 12 bolts))

With the party finally agreed on a method of attack the coming of night was one of fire, flame, lightning and death. With the coming of the cry's and howls of the unnumbered horde in the night the party tore into them from a position of strength. Knowing now what they faced though unsure of the exact number for the next 4 nights the party kept up a barrage of area effect spells, the screeches dimming a little more each night. Finally moving to the beach on the 5th no howls met them for the first time since setting foot upon the islands shore. As during the day the beach was eerily quiet with no movement or sounds other then the water splashing upon the beach.

The next morning with her ability of flight, Sirene took to the air to look over the area devastated by the party's spells. To her satisfaction she looked down to see thousands upon thousands of blacked burned bodies of the creatures they had fought five nights before. Large area's of forest were no more, though some yet burned, the rising stench horrifying in thickness and smell. From her perch upon the wind she could easily see no life remained in the area around the beach, this new area, for the most part bare, almost three miles wide. At its edge stood broken and flame damaged trees slowly moving back towards the tower into a full forested jungle once more.

The creatures all dead or fled, it was time once more to ready spells and make for the tower and the goal purportedly within..........

(DM OOC: Ok there you finally have a post from me I hope it helps you on deciding the parties next move. Good dialogue in the Q/A I enjoyed reading it. Please keep it up. Also welcome back once again to cdnflirt and Schnozzle I personally am glad to have you both back)

Night after night the creatures came. Night after night the party dealt out death upon them. Night after night thousands died. Then, on the fifth night the creatures came no more. Cor felt no elation. These were not honorable enemies but mindless creatures who were slaughtered. Piles of smoldering corpses spewed forth ill-smelling clouds of smoke. The once dense forest lay in ruin for several miles in all directions. Now it was time for a new plan.

"Well, shall we be off ta find the castle? I think it is time ta change ta movement in the daylight. One more night we will spend on tha boat and then we set out. Pray or memorize spells as ye will for what we face is unknown. Only thing I am certain of is that this is not the worst we shall face on this island."

The ship rocked in the waves as dawn broke gently over the island. The battle was over, for the moment, and for the first time in what seemed like ages Roan had gotten a good night's rest. He stepped out onto the deck and stretched; this would be a good day. Kneeling to the rising sun, he prayed silently to the allfather that he might be victorious in all his ways and deeds.

His morning ritual complete, Roan returned to his room. Rayne was still there. He looked into her soft lavender eyes with a tenderness he once thought he had lost and reached to embrace her. Words that only the two lovers would understand passed between them. The man sighed, knowing there would be precious few moments of privacy like this for quite some time, and that anyone else on board would see this moment as time wasted.

Tending to his equipment was the next order of business. All his blades were sharp and clean, Rime and Reason doubly so. His chainmail seemed virtually unscathed from the battle in the flying castle, but he checked every link by feel, just to be sure. This new bastard sword needed a good breaking in - perhaps he would wield it against the cyclops and earn it a name. Everything else seemed ready to go, packed neatly into his duffel.

Roan looked up at Rayne, his work completed. "Odin smiles on us, but if I should die on this adventure, I will die happy knowing you fought by my side."

The wind whipped through her hair as Siréne flew high above the island. Her keen elven sight pierced the distance and the scene before her took her breath. The devastation was unfathomable. Thousands upon thousands of bodies, blackened and burned, lay strewn across the land. Magic had consumed them all, and when there were no bodies left it had consumed the land. A huge swath of the forest had been burnt away in their magical storm. Thick pillars of smoke still reached into the sky.

A single tear fell from the witch's eye. In fighting this war would they become no better than their enemy? Did the ends justify the means?

Shaking her head, Siréne made her way back to the ship to join the others. They had preparations to make for the battles to come. She just hoped it wouldn't cost her, her soul.