Hearing Rayne's words, Cor turned to her. "Rayne lass, if ye have raise dead then we can give it a shot now for I have neutralize poison. The dispel magic was just as an extra precaution but I think the other two spells should be enough. This way we can reclaim the spells tonight for the morrow." Cor waited for a response.

"Good," Rayne says with relief. "It is best down quickly sometimes the spirit wanders and does not want to return. Cor, if you cast Neutralize Poison first, I think that is the best way. At least then when I cast Raise Dead he won't die again from the poison.

Rayne prepares her spell, it is one of her most potent ones. She prays quietly to Corellon so as not to disturb Cor as he prays to his Deity. Corellon would understand it is what is in her her and her thoughts that is more important that mere words. "Corellon, grace me with thy divine power that I may heal raise our comrade from the darkness of death."

Rayne holds her spell waiting for Cor to cast his.

Ulthok watched as his hard headed, foolhardy brother did exactly what the rest of them knew was probally not a good idea, for just because they could not detect any traps or magic on the blasted door did not mean there was not any, and most of them where sure that there was some form of trap here just not sure what it was.

So Divot walks up and promptly places his hand into the imprint in the door and at first it looked like he may get away with it but alas that was not to be for only seconds after removing his hand and turning to flash his triumphant smile the little halfling promptly fell over dead.

Ulthok at first thought it might be Divot and hid unique form of humor acting out, but it became clear very quickly that his brother had made a very bad mistake, and Ulthok stood for a moment frozen in time the halflings mind racing as history plays back through his mind as he looks down at his second
brother to lay dead at his feet, at first it was almost more than he could take and he could feel every muscle in his body start to tighten and he began to shake he looked around franticly as if looking for someone or something to take his agression out on something to blame for what had just happened, he could hear the others talking but could not understand what they where saying it was all garbled all a blur why had they not done something why had the group not stopped him and as he looked at them there seemed to be no urgency he could make no sense out of their words where they making jokes they where laughing, he looked from person to person this was their fault they had pushed him had gourded him into doing it if any of the party was watching him they may have noticed how his expression went from one of blankness to one of having a smirk a evil grin as it may be, his body was now shaking even more as his mind started to try to form a plan a plan of revenge on these people who had killed his brother it seemed as if Ulthok was on the verge of a mental breakdown in his mind it seemed strange that they were ignoring him like he did not even exist Ah but he knew he would get his revenge and as his now twisted mind was trying to seek out his first target something Cor had said drew Ulthok to look first at him and he tried to remember what it was the war cleric had said YES then he remembered Told ya it was a push door."
As if he was enticing him to push it open, yes Cor that was it he was the one it was his fault, However as the little halflinfs mind was thinking that in the back of his mind there was something else Cor had told him and for some reason this something was holding Ulthok back was keeping him from acting on his whacked out thinking, he tried to push this nagging memory from his mind and concentrate on the moment on the act that he needed to do next, but try as he might he could not concentrate enough to call up the spells he wanted to use so inorder to get to what he wanted to do he had to bring up this memory to the front and get it out of the way and so he does just that, suddenly he is not standing at the base of a mountain but on a ship caught in a bad storm he is however in the same state of mind as he finds Cor leaning against the rail of this tossing ship and it is then that Cor turns to him and utters the words that had changed Ulthoks life and at the time he thought removed from him this curse of always looking for blame when someone close to him dies then he remembers the dream of that night and suddenly he stopped shaking and the strange murderous thoughts he had left him as he realized that Divots actions where just that HIS actions his shoulders slump and a tear runs down his cheek, and he realizes why it seemed no one was paying him any heed first they where thinking of was to bring Divot back and second this whole thing from Divot falling over to Ulthok weeping took only a matter of seconds.

Ulthok pushing all from his mind goes to his brother and cradleing his head in his arm he bends forward and kisses Divot on the forehead With the gods permission my dear brother you will return my gesture of love and if not you will live on in all of our memories and espeicly in my heart

"Very well, one neutral poison coming up. Tis proper to cast it first as you suggest." Cor was about to start casting when he glanced at Ulthok and noticed a strange expression on his face and the hint of wetness on his cheek. "Ulthok lad, come here I need your help for this to work." Cor pulled out a sprig of acacia from a pouch in his backpack. It had no magic properties whatsoever except that he found it helped the holder gather the strength to believe a good outcome would occur. "Take this sprig and pass it slowly over his body as I pray."

OOC: Assuming Ulthok takes the sprig. If not I will edit.

Cor waited a moment for Ulthok to get in position and then continued. The words of the spell were in the old language of Odin and said in low tones. Cor laid his hand upon Ulthoks brow at the final word. "There, he should be free of the poison now, Odin willing. It is up to Corellion now to bring him back." Cor stepped aside and retrieved his sprig of acacia from Ulthock. "This is the tricky part lad for his spirit has to want to return and his body has to be strong enough to survive the returning. A tough little bugger he has proven to be so far."

Rayne kneels down so she can lay hands of Divot. SHe aits as Cor intones the words of his spell, the languages he speaks is not familiar to her but that matter not. Cor had told her what he ws doing and that was what he was doing. Between them it was the simple trust of comrades that they shared as with all the others.

Rayne prayer for Cor's success= to the Greatest of Elven Deities and her patron, Corellon. In Elven she prays for the soul of Divot to be returned to his body. and life to his limbs, one without the other would be an anathema. Corellon ws a good Deity and as such if the power is granted to her to raise Divot all would be well. She knew this in her heart. As she prayed she praise the pluck halfling for all the good things she know about him though tempered it with the impulsiveness. After all Divot was in this state because of that impulsiveness. None of them were perfect and her prayers was for a mortal being who had good points and bad points.

Ulthok looked so devastated by his brother's death. Rayne's heart hurt with him. Laying her hands on Divot she nods to Ulthok, "I will call on Corellon's grace to raise him,." Then to the others, "Those of you so inclined may add your prayers," Casting her spells she waited for the glow o Corellon's Divine grace to flow through her into Divot. She felt the power within her as she finished the words of her prayer and it was her fervent hope she would be successful.

Rayne's heart swelled to fell his power working though her. Even after all the years she had served Corellon it never ceased to raise her spirits. She kept her hands on Divot praying for him to live again.

Kenji turned back to the group when he heard someone speak and was just in time to watch Divot fall over. He listened as the others checked him and pronounced him dead. It startled Kenji at first wondering what exactly had happened. He heard the mention of Poison of some kind and sighed heavily.

Kenji liked the little guy and felt a keen loss at the sudden unexpected death. At first he didn’t understood what was going on or what was being said then finally it sunk in. They were speaking of raising him from the dead. His eyes grew large as he thought on this and he couldn’t help but feel that such a thing was evil.

He had encountered the walking dead before and they were always used by evil men. He didn’t like was he was hearing about raising Divot, thinking that he would just be some sort of zombie. He shook his head and remained silent, taking a step back from the group as they continued to discuss options.

When Cor and Rayne began to cast magic that would bring Divot back from the dead he only shook his head more and took another step back.

“This is.. wrong.” Kenji muttered as he continued to step back, his hand involuntarily going to his Katana.

As Rayne intoned the words, Cor noticed Kenji moving back and reaching for his sword. "Stay your blade my friend. Tis a strange thing indeed to you that which we now attempt; you said magic is not common in your lands. Wait amd see, either our friend will return his old self or his body will crumble to ashes never more to exist."

As Ulthok's mind finaly comes under control and he can make some sense of what the others are doing around him he has knelt down next to Divot and cradleing his head had planted a kiss on his forhead as tears continued to fall and drip onto Divots face.

Then when Cor speaks to him about needing his help in his upcomming spell he is eager to be of any asistance he can.
So when Cor pulls a sprig of acacia out of his pack and instructs Ulthok to pass it slowly over his body as I pray. he is right there.He takes the sprig and starting at Divots head slowly passes it over his tiny body from head to foot up and down over and over while Cor casts his spell.

With disbelieve on many a party member’s face they watched as Divot Rydenham died. Yet as some would think, in particular Ulthok, there seemed to be no rush to save the Halfling fighter from his foolishness. Only Haila seemed concerned as she rushed to Divots side to clasp him in her arms, tears beginning to run down her face.

With momentary thoughts of betrayal by those, he had thought friends, Ulthok was ready to avenge his brother’s death at their hands, but it was not truly anyone’s fault but Divot himself. With this realization, Ulthok’s anger bled away like an open wound to leave him in grief over another brother’s meaningless death.

Then he noticed the tone of the voices around him were not of people mourning Divot’s death but words of bringing him back to life, he was approached by Cor, the Dwarf letting Ulthok know, that despite his brothers foolhardy act, between himself and Rayne both had the needed spells to make him live again.

With his help readily given, and a disturbed Kenji calmed, Cor began his spell to neutralize that which had killed Divot. With Ulthok passing the sprig over the Halflings body Cor mouthed the words and though Divots skin yet held the waxing grayness of death the greenish tint of the poison faded.

Then it was the turn of Rayne, her with the bigger task of returning life to their newest member. Her words spoken quietly, her hands moving in gestures of healing, her tone of voice soothing, slowly Divots skin began once again to turn from gray to pink and as if awakened from a deep dream Divot coughed with his first breath of life and his eyes opened.

“So did it work?” .....

Throughout all this Althena had been shocked and stunned by Divots initial death and could not help in some way blame herself for in her hesitation to place her hand in the impression Divot’s impatience could have cost him his life permanently. Seeing the Halfling once again breathing and with Conall’s attention on the scene there she moved quickly to the door and this time with no hesitation placed her hand within the impression. At once the bite of a needle was felt and for a moment she had the fear of death then the imprint of the hand shrank to fit hers and into her hand was formed a handle. Not wishing to take the chance of the handle disappearing, if her hand she removed, she griped it firmly and turned it to the left. At once the door, silent in its movement, began to move sideways to the same side until before her was a passage 20 feet across leading into the darkness of the mountains interior. With Divot’s question asked Althena could not help but reply in a humorous manner.

“No but this did and it was a sliding door, not a push one, after all”......

(OOC: Ok door is finally open I took control of Althena (See Q/A) to get the ball rolling as you people have been outside the mountain long enough. So for those of you who posted good job.. For those of you who did not, exempting Eol, N.P.N.S)

The last thing Divot truly remembered was being frustrated by the seemingly unanimous decision that another night spent on the mountainside was preferable to getting the door open right away and, following that, placing his hand firmly into the depression that no one else seemed willing to even touch so he was a little bit more than befuddled when he opened his eyes to find a weeping Halia and a red-eyed Ulthok huddled around him and a good deal of the rest of the troupe, too, looking down at him with expressions ranging from annoyance to disbelief to consternation…

“H’lo Halia-luv,” he whispered, “Oy, Ulthy…”

…It was strange, too, he thought, how fresh and sweet the mountain air felt in his lungs even with the others pressed so close… as if it were the first breath he’d ever taken…

“Oy,” he groaned, trying to blink away his confusion, “Wha’ inna nine hells’re you lot doin’ wallerin’ on me? An’ why’s me blinkin’ face all wet? I swears, if’n one o’ yer critter companions’s pessed on me whilst I were sleepin’…”

It was then that the tunnelrat realized that he didn’t remember having fallen asleep. “Oh… shyte,” he murmured, recalling the odd little pinprick he had felt when his hand had met the surface of the door. An almost embarrassed grin curled his lips, then; “I reckon that weren’t sech a good idea…”

The discomfited smile morphed into one hinting at an apology for his brashness as he looked upon the face of his brother and his sweet Halia. One hand lifted to clasp warmly on his brother’s tiny shoulder and the other reached up to tenderly wipe a tear from Halia’s cheek… and the smile changed again, reverting suddenly to the ever-present mischievous grin with which his companions had become so familiar… “So, did it work?”

“No, but this did,” he heard Althenia’s voice reply in an almost humorous tone, “and it was a sliding door; not a push one, after all.”

Divot craned his neck back, perceiving the Valar and the now open doorway upside down. “Well,” he chuckled, offering Althenia a playful wink, “now’s a bloody good time ta tell me, innit? Ya couldn’a said nuthin’ afore I went an’ got kilt?”

He peered into the darkness beyond Althenia and the doorway, his curiosity piqued by the promise of tunnels and caves to root around in for a moment, then, the newly returned to living Halfling sat up and very shortly thereafter hopped to his feet. Grinning broadly, Divot hauled Ulthok up, as well, and caught his wee brother in a warm embrace; “Sorra ‘bout tha’ bizness, lad,” he whispered, “I dinnae mean ta worry ye.”

He freed Ulthy from the embrace, then, and before Halia could get fully to her feet, he caught her lovely face between his hands and planted a passionate kiss full on her lips, then one on her forehead for good measure, before he offered a hand to help her up as well. “If’n it meant I’d wake up tae yer face ever’ time, lass,” he winked, “I’d do it agin, too... Course, I’d much rather ye were smilin’ than boo-hooin’, aye?”

Then, turning to the rest, his roguish smile at full beam; “An’ thanks tae all o’ ye fer no’ leavin’ ol’ Divot ta feed th’ worms, eh?” he tugged his axe from its slings and gestured purposefully at the now open portal into the mountain. “Now, what say we gets our arses in there an’ find us this sword o’ whateverthehellitis? Wan’ me ta take point?”

((OOC: Holy crap! I’m alive!!!! Now you’re all in sooooo much trouble! Following Divot into his “terrain of choice” might just turn out to be suicidal don’cha know? Sorry you all had to use those crucial spells on my dingus Halfling – even if it did make for some cool reading - I’ll try to be a bit more careful… bah! Who’m I tryin’ ta fool… it’s Divot fer the luv o’ Christmas!... Ummm… for everyone else’s posting purposes Divot will express his thanks to those who aided in his resurrection and de-poisonification… feel free to post as such and if you see fit. As Dragonmist says; “GAME ON!!!”))

"Why are you crying? He's just sleeping. They all do that from time to time you know." Niamedris' thought pokes into Haila's mind as she cries.

Haila almost lashes out at Niamedris' thought, but is too torn emotionally to do so. Her heart felt like an ice carving, cold, and melting... Divot... That would be two people she had lost who were close to her.

As the others talk about resurrection, Haila moves to the side, hoping.

Holding Divot's hand, even though it was dead, Haila feels the warmth return to it as his life is restored.

“H’lo Halia-luv,” he whispered.
Unbidden, Niamedris' thought comes as well, "See? I told you he was sleeping."
Haila rolls her eyes, although the motion isn't directed towards Divot. He was dead, and now he is alive! Her heart flutters after its sudden stop a few moments ago. When he kisses her, her cheeks redden, and she clenches his hand slightly. Sheesh, now they'll all know for sure. She thinks, But... do I really care?
"Hey, if I liked another cat, I wouldn't hide it. There's no reason to I think. You humans are just strange." Niamedris inserts, before his thought changes to questioning when the next meal is.

“If’n it meant I’d wake up tae yer face ever’ time, lass,” he winked, “I’d do it agin, too... Course, I’d much rather ye were smilin’ than boo-hooin’, aye?”
"You fool." Haila says with a smile.

Suddenly, she grabs Divot in her embrace, holding him tightly. "Don't you dare do that to me again! I'd kill you again for making my heart nearly stop!"

"Did it work?" asks Divot as his eyes opened

"No, Divot" Rayne responds to Divot. IT did not work the way you wanted it. Your precipitous action did however kill you. It was fortunate that between Cor and I we had the spells to bring you back amongst the living. I believe you have a debt to Odin and Corellon for their divine intervention on your behalf. Do not forget it when you have the time.".

Rayne stands and lets other gather around. She looks over towards Kenji who was agitated earlier about what they were doing. Her sensitive ears had caught his words. He thought that to raise the dead was something abhor ant He said they had no magic users amongst his people did they have no clerics as well.

Gracefully she crosses over to Kenji who stood off to the side. His hand near his sword and poise ready for action. She thought about how to approach a man whose experiences of life were so different form hers.

"Kenji, you seemed disconcerted by what we have done for Divot," Rayne states as an opening gambit. "Would you care to share your concerns with me. I would like to reassure you that all is well but I realize that what we did here might be something beyond you experience."

Cor watched in amazement as Althena stuck her hand on the door so soon after seeing Divot raised from the dead. The fact that is worked was not important; it was that once more a party member had made a rash decision. Now it seemed the others were want to pile mistake upon mistake by rushing into the opening before properly preparing.

The elder knight-cleric shook his head. "Divot lad, your brashness will truely kill you one of these days. We can only bring ya back so many times you know. No doubt you will find yourself unable to recover as quickly now as your body was over-taxed. Boldness is fine but it must be tempered with reason. My actions cost Connel his leg and your cost your own life." He turned to the party as a whole, "Have we learned nothing fom our mistakes? Never did I expect to be the voice of reason for Connel will tell you that I am usually the one doing the brash acts. If we continue as we currently are, each acting on his own accord, none of us will exit this foul cave. Run in blind if ya wish but I will be spending the eve out here replacing spells. Seems we may have need of more than a few healing or raising in the coming days."

“This is.. wrong.” Kenji muttered as he continued to step back, his hand involuntarily going to his Katana.

As Rayne intoned the words, Cor noticed Kenji moving back and reaching for his sword. "Stay your blade my friend. Tis a strange thing indeed to you that which we now attempt; you said magic is not common in your lands. Wait amd see, either our friend will return his old self or his body will crumble to ashes never more to exist."
Kenji looked at Cor and stared at him for a long moment, then looked down to where his hand rested on his Katana. He slowly removed his hand and relaxed; looking up at Cor he nodded slightly but stepped back a little bit further. Apparently all of his suspicions were now alleviated completely.

As Divot stirred and rejoined the land of the living, Kenji looked on quietly from the edge of the group. He hardly noticed when the Lady Althena put her hand up and opened the hidden door. He looked at her and then nodded, he had thought that she was the only one that would be able to open it, afterall wasn’t this quest in her hands.

He kept his distance as the others welcomed Divot back from the dead; even though is hand no longer sat on his sword, he still seemed ready to draw it and defend himself incase the Halfling became one of the undead.

Rayne stands and lets other gather around. She looks over towards Kenji who was agitated earlier about what they were doing. Her sensitive ears had caught his words. He thought that to raise the dead was something abhor ant He said they had no magic users amongst his people did they have no clerics as well.

Gracefully she crosses over to Kenji who stood off to the side. His hand near his sword and poise ready for action. She thought about how to approach a man whose experiences of life were so different form hers.

"Kenji, you seemed disconcerted by what we have done for Divot," Rayne states as an opening gambit. "Would you care to share your concerns with me. I would like to reassure you that all is well but I realize that what we did here might be something beyond you experience."
Kenji drew his attention away from Divot and looked at Rayne as she walked over and spoke to him. He bowed his head to her and then looked back over to where Divot and Haila were enjoying a warm embrace.

“In my land,” the Samurai began, “there is no returning from the dead. Only evil demons and such have the power to raise dead to fight for them. They are monstrous mindless beasts who kill for their masters.”

He was speaking to her but his eyes were still on the Halfling as if waiting for something.

“This just feels … wrong!” Kenji said softly, his stance showing readiness though he no longer looked as if he might draw his sword at any moment.

Ah yes, there are those also in our part of the world that raise the dead to serve them but those poor dead creatures are the undead. They have only a semblance of life. They are not truly living anymore.

"What Cor did was call on our divinely granted powers to neutralize the poison that killed Divot and to call his should back to his body--back to full life. While I call on Corellon to send his soul back to his body now that it was healed. Anything less would be an anathema to Cor or me and all good folk."

"The Gods work through their clerics and other favored and chosen ones, to help mortals during their time here. By our prayers we accomplished many things. However, such prayers are not always granted. It is my belief that for some who die. their time has come. and for others they have things left to do. I am but a conduit for what Corellon grants to me as Cor is a conduit for what Odin grant to him."

"I have served Corellon long and faithfully with all my heart and soul, and I will continue to do my best to give aid and succor those in need and to further good. Divot is as deserving as any other. A bit Foolish and impetuous but of good heart and he meat well.

"Know that I understand you concerns about what you perceive as highly unusual events. I but ask that you keep an open mind and ask when you are troubled about what ever bothers you."

"I cannot imaging the world you came from and so I must understand how hard it is for you to understand ours.".

"Will you try to give us the benefit of your doubts?"

Rayne stood quietly close by while she let Kenji ponder her words. Her had proven to be a man of action strength and honor. She knew he needed to feel himself still in control of those aspects of his life even though the paradigm of his world had beem turned upside down apparently.