The party with a brief moment of safety listened as Haila told her tale of mind control and evil. Her telling of how she had broken the swords spell a surprise to some but not to all, the look received from Divot hopeful yet without words, she paused to await the parties reaction.

Her heart glad that none had a negative reaction, but yet at the same time sad, that none other then Cor seemed to react at all. Perhaps in the heat of this fight all just accepted that she was once again friend and not foe and back among them.

So with two plans presented Cor had a choice to make and he made it... Cynil the bat would take the ruby and fly to the hole as the others attempted to protect themselves as best they could from the flying spikes.
Her aim they hoped would be on target each in his or her own way kept their fingers crossed.

Then it was time to act and with the go ahead nod from Cor, Conall flung the door wide, his shield up as best he could, to provide the others its limited protection, the paladin and his love were the first to reenter the test. Once again from everywhere it seemed the spikes did fly to the attack and not for the first time were members of this party of ten hit.

With his shield before him and moving quickly Conall at first found himself untouched. However a misplaced foot and a shield momentarily raised too high and the paladin felt the strike of a spike as it entered his lower right thigh. The impact of the hit forcing Conall to the left and with him went his shield thus depriving the rest of the party its small protection.

Evie as was her nature moved into the room fast and low using what little protection afforded her by the paladin’s shield to her advantage, only find said protection gone a moment later. As low as she was and even as quick as she was, was not enough to save her from being hit by a spike straight on into her chest, the spike embedding itself there as if it belonged. The spray of blood from her chest just proceeding her crash to the ground she slid to just below Conall’s feet. The big Paladin seeming as if a giant standing above her.

The next to be hit was the Ranger/Cleric Rayne a pair of spikes hitting her both high and low. The first one high grazing her neck and opening a very bloody wound, the second one low straight into her abdomen dropping her to the ground. The pain from the two hits intense and almost to the breaking point of her staying consensus.

Cor, right on his counterparts heels, saw the two spikes hit her and without stopping picked her up and tried to cover her as best he could as he moved her out of the way of the others behind him. Mayhap Odin seeing the Dwarf’s courage granted him an extra moment of luck as the Dwarf Cleric was missed by no less then six spikes!!

Divot was next into the room and once again, he like Cor, took no hit though three spikes were very close one of those three instead finding a home within the right arm of Kenji, causing him to release his katana. The pain though intense, the Samurai his reflexes quicker, still managed to grab the weapon before it hit the floor. Setting himself in a guarded position he like the others awaited Cynil’s attempt.

The next to enter was Haila and though the first, second, and third of four spikes missed her that same fourth one did not slamming in and then out of her right shoulder. The hole left behind was large enough to easily fit two fingers through, though bloody and painful the Fighter/Mage yet managed to stay on her feet.

Ulthok just behind Haila and moving to her left was also very lucky indeed as he was only grazed in passing by a spike that just nicked his cheek an inch below his left eye. The blood from the cut well below his eye did in no way hamper his vision as he watched Cynil glide and maneuver her way through the hail of flying crystal.

Althena the last of the ten to enter the room found herself untouched for the moment by nary a spike, the number of bodies in front of her shielding her for the moment from harm. She like Kenji and the others prayed that Cynil would succeed in placing the gem within the whole.

Then it came down to Cynil, her bat form quick, small and highly agile, she had as yet received not a single hit, not even a grazing from any of the mass of flying crystal. A turn, use of an updraft and then she was diving down to make the attempt. Heading for the hole, ruby clutched in her claws, she came to a sudden stop just inches from the small opening, the ruby headed for the hole beneath the stone bridge.

Ten breath’s held, Ten hearts stopped, twenty eyes watching in hope, only to see that hope die as the ruby entered the hole to cause....nothing........

The crystal walls continued to spin, the spikes continued to fly and the party would slowly it seemed continue to bleed and then perhaps die............

(DM OOC: Ok here’s this week’s post I hope you find reading it as enjoyable as I did writing it.
Next post once again next Sunday hope all of you post this week.)

Evie as was her nature moved into the room fast and low using what little protection afforded her by the paladin’s shield to her advantage, only find said protection gone a moment later. As low as she was and even as quick as she was, was not enough to save her from being hit by a spike straight on into her chest, the spike embedding itself there as if it belonged. The spray of blood from her chest just proceeding her crash to the ground she slid to just below Conall’s feet. The big Paladin seeming as if a giant standing above her....

Ten breath’s held, Ten hearts stopped, twenty eyes watching in hope, only to see that hope die as the ruby entered the hole to cause....nothing........

The crystal walls continued to spin, the spikes continued to fly and the party would slowly it seemed continue to bleed and then perhaps die............
Evie scrambles back to her feet, uttering a long and surprisingly creative string of expletives, none of which are in the least bit lady-like.

"Give me a bloody enemy I can fight!" she bellows at no one in particular. With that she takes bow in hand, nocks an arrow and fires it straight at the crystal wall, hoping the fragile crystal might chip or shatter, and give the group at least a clue as to how to defeat this test.

Kenji had kept his silence, not really knowing what to say about this plan. Yes, it was absurd, but he had yet to come up with anything notable as of yet. He was a warrior and knew war. This was not what he knew and so everything was out of his expertise; just give him something to actually fight, and he would bring the beast down. Kenji had mixed feelings about seeing Halia again, as it was his way to repay all debts, and she certainly owed them all a debt. One of blood, but it would most certainly wait til they got out of this place.

One by one, the group entered onto the stone bridge, the crystal walls whirling around and the spikes being released yet again. The group had not gotten far before the spikes hit most of them one by one. Kenji felt the one enter his forearm, causing the samurai to lose the grip on his katana, although he managed to catch it before it hit the ground. It would not do to dishonor you in that matter, my friend. His sword took care of him and he would do so to it as well.

Grabbing the spike and pulling it from the meat of his body, Kenji spoke up, "Just try putting your voices together, ladies. Nothing else seems to be working at the moment."

With his blade back in hand, Kenji once more took up the defensive posture.

Seeing that the ruby had no effect, Cor echoed Kenji. "Sing lasses! Seems as logical as anything else."

Cor looked around and tried to determine if anyone was wavering a bit too much after the spike hits.

THe stinging pain of the spike grazing her neck had Rayne flinging head back in reaction. a second spike slsammed into her absomen knocking the breath and nearing the sense from her' Woozily she swayed, double over on the catwalk incapable of movement. Someone grabbed her up and moved her one. She felt the blood slowing freely form her neck wound and then someone grab he up and half carried her forward. Unfortunately there was no place of safety.

Thank you Cor,

Rayne cast a CLW on herself. but only that to stop the bleeding.

When Cynil's attempt with the ruby failed, her mind got to work again,

Althena's father wanted her to be able to get though these tests so there has to be a way.

Rayne shares her ideeas, "Here is a crystal or try one of the other crystal spikes in that hole. If that does not work I will try putting and arrow into it. Rayne unslung her bow and notches an arrow redy to fire it the crystal spike does not work.

Rayne will also lend her voice to song. As an afterthought Rayne adds, "Male voices and well as female voice might do the trick."

Cynil flies back to the hole to try and reach inside to feel if there is some sort of lever and button she could pull or push.

At the suggestion to try and break the crystals with resonance, she adds her own high pitched squeaks to the cachophany of sounds as the others begin to sing, chant, or whatever.

"Alright lass, I'll join in. Heck, when Connel and I sing stuff tends to break anyway."

Not knowing what effect all these amateur voices will have on her attempts to maintain a resonant frequency, Evie shrugs and hopes for the best.

Slinging her bow, she pulls her lute and starts hitting the note that the crystal shard shattered at over and over, then draws a deep breath and starts to sing, her voice rising in volume and power. She holds the note as long and loudly as she can.

Conall stood by and heard the story of Haila while under the spell of the Sword. When her words came to an end and Cor spoke the truth. Conall looked at Haila, “If it is I next time the sword takes, I have no cat and will excpect no quarter from any. Please find it in your heart to forgive me for what I might have had to do for I still do not think I can yet forgive myself for the thoughts of what I might have had to do.” Conall then turned and walked to the next door.

Conall looked at Cynil, “I will see you later. That is not a request, that is a fact.”



In the room, Conall fell to one knee and then pulled the spike from his leg and it melted in his hand and fell to the floor. He then grabbed Evia, “To your feet woman! We just found you and we are not going to loose you just yet!” he pulled the spike from her and quickly placed his hand on her shoulder (the laying of hands). She felt strength return to her, Conall only hoped it would be enough.

Conall’s mind is racing, “I will sing but one with magic plug that hole! Perhaps the weight of the used shards will slow the turning of this killing device!”

With the discovery that the ruby was indeed, just a ruby and nothing more, the time now was for a new plan. A plan of voices joined in harmony, or perhaps more aptly, in disharmony.

Evie the first to act this round chose at first not to try singing, but instead to try the straight forward approach. Drawing her bow and an arrow quickly nocked she aimed and fired at the crystal wall. Her arrow flew fast and true striking the crystal wall dead on, however except for the chipping of a few pieces, the arrow had no effect. The wall still intact, still spinning, spikes still attacking. One plowing through the female bard’s thigh to leave a gaping, bloody wound behind.

Just then as if called by his god to her side Conall was there his hands laid upon her in healing and once again she was fully healed, but alas not for long as a second spike struck her squire in the chest, pushing her hard into the Paladin’s midsection, his arms just holding her upright. Though not meant to be such, Evie had acted as a sort of shield, allowing the human fighting machine the grace of taking no hits this turn.

The next to act this turn was the bat Cynil, though she had hit her target and placed the ruby within the hole, it had not had the desired effect. flying closer to the hole she tried to reach inside hoping to feel for any sort of lever or button she could pull or push. All that she could feel, just out of reach, was the ruby she had just thrown in.

Kenji seeing that the ruby was no key and all they would do if they stood around grasping at straws was die, called to the Bard and the Bat to raise their voice’s in tone, as each had done outside. A moment later his call was taken up by the dwarf Cleric Cor who also called out to Evie and the bat Cynil. Though wounded Evie could do no less but answer the call and raised her voice as best she could adding it to the sound of Cynil’s screech.

The crystal wall shook and seemed to tremble, perhaps even begin to crack, as piece’s seemed to fall here and there....

Then Rayne called for everyone to raise a voice and as all followed suit the sound of the Bard and the Bat was lost among the disharmony of too much sound, the wall returning to the way it had been as if unaffected.

The next to be hit as if retaliation for her contribution to the wave of sound was the bat. Cynil, her movement and ability to weave and dodge, her bat sense of when to turn and where to fly, negated as she hovered by the hole in the wall, was hit by a single spike.
Though it was a lone spike, still it was deadly, as it ripped through her left wing causing her to lose all ability of flight. Crashing into the spinning wall below her she tumbled end over end her voice once shrieking in hi pitched sound now shrieking in high pitched pain.

As fate would have it this turn there seemed to be very little luck as almost in succession first Divot, then Cor, then Ulthok were all hit by two spikes each, though none caused a critical wound all did take their pound of flesh leaving bloody penetration wounds behind.

Then it was Rayne’s turn to be struck, though it was a glancing blow from behind, having deflected off Kenji’s armor as he stood beside her, it still caused her pain and more blood loss as it lodged just inside her armor. Though not having penetrated deeply it had, thanks to the Ranger/Cleric’s armor, lodged itself in such a way that it was still a very real hindrance, causing pain whenever she moved. The deflection the only hit the Samurai did take, he was the only one, other then Conall, to not take any damage this round.

Althena too found herself struck this turn, hit squarely across her scalp by a oddly angled spike, the blood from the wound gushed forth, causing her to lose sight of the room as blood did cover her face. Looking worse then it truly was the impact nonetheless pushed her to her knees, a gory looking mess.

The last of the party to be hit was also the most vulnerable as a spike as if guided by an invisible hand did slam into the back and through the Fighter/Mage’s throat. Eyes rolled up into her head, Haila fell to the ground unconscious, possibly dying or dead.......

The round over, a plan of sound defeated by too much sound, all the party could do was try another plan. Hopefully they would find the right one, try a new one, or die one by one in this crystal tunnel of death........

(DM OOC: ok good posting from those that posted. Fletch for the moment is dealing with RL stuff, Flirt is MIA, and Dragonmist, with great sadness, due to once again not posting in over 5 weeks and lack of any contact from him as to why, has been dropped and will be replaced.

~sigh~ just another normal Trilogy week..... :-/

OK Next Post, Next Saturday as I work Sunday Night this upcoming weekend.)

"Alright, everyone quit singing except the two who should be!" Cor yelled. He had seen the cracks appear at the combined voices and then dissappear as all joined in. "Tend to Evie and Cynil with potiens so they can give it another try. Everyone else hunker together so at least a few of us will take most of the blows. If Hailia still breaths put her in the center; if not use her body as a shield for now."

Evie will take whatever cover she can behind the nearest heavily armored person, and continue her singing and playing. Hearkening back to the years of training at the feet of the Masters, she tried to remain relaxed and let the air flow her. Tilting her head back a bit to open up her throat and keeping her diaghram firm but flexible, her voice rose high and pure above the constant noise of the crystal shards clattering all around, and sometimes, into them.

Kenji stood ready with his Katana at hand in a defensive posture and nodded to Cor yelled out his orders. Kenji had not joined his own voice to the others as he had no talent for such things; but having seen the effect of the two singers had upon the crystal he believed they were on the right course.

“Hai!” Kenji said as he stood watch over the singers, “Cor-san is correct.. It appeared to be working!” The Samurai didn’t know much about such things but he thought maybe it was the pitch of the ladies voices which could shatter the crystal. He had heard many Geishas sing back in his country and one several occasions when the pitch was quite high it would be uncomfortable to hear; though he would never had told the lady of his pain, it was unseemly.

He moved to stand protectively using his own body to shield those who would be singing; they seemed to be their only hope of surviving this trap. He held his Katana ready, his eyes casting about looking for incoming crystal bolts. He would attempt to use his skill with his blade to bat the shards away with the flat of his blade when they neared. He knew he couldn’t get them all but stopped even a couple would help the situation.

The Samurai hated all these traps and things; this was no way for a warrior to fight. Where were the real opponents, the flesh and blood ones that he could strike with his blade? He had no fear, but he did feel almost useless with all these riddles and puzzles to solve in order to escape some death trap. He began to doubt that he should have joined this quest, it sounded worthy though so he had joined and while he might second guess his decision he was here now and had to follow though till it’s completion.

As he stood guard shield others with his body, he thought that if he gave his life for the cause then so be it, to die with honor was the end goal of life.

(OOC: Sorry my post is a little lame and short.. I know! It has just been hectic at work and I havent had much time to come up with a good post so this will have to do for now. I hope to get better posts up before the DM kills us all! )

The next to enter was Haila and though the first, second, and third of four spikes missed her that same fourth one did not slamming in and then out of her right shoulder. The hole left behind was large enough to easily fit two fingers through, though bloody and painful the Fighter/Mage yet managed to stay on her feet.

Blood loss caused the woman to sway slightly with the unbearable pain. In that moment the worst happened, a spike lodged into her throat and back causing her a pain that she had never experienced. Bleeding profusely the fighter/mage searched her mind for a release. Fighting with all her might to hold on and survive this task. At which point she could be healed. Her body colapsed as she she fell into unconsciousness, the deadliest place she could find. Yet she clung to the memories she shared, each one flashing before her eyes. The majority included Divot and her family whom had passed on years before.

Unconsciousness was a peaceful place, the pain was more tolerable in this state. Her body had put itself in a coma to be able to hold on without the immense pain. She would have to be healed to a great extent, if she survived, in order for her body to wake from its coma. Hot blood flooded her body pooling on the tasks floor. Fighting away the urge to follow the light, she kept her thoughts on Divot, he had saved her once before.

Rayne looks around after casting CLW on herself Seeing Haila down she hurries to her side and casts Cure Light Wounds on her. Haila what been hit several times with the flying crystal spikes.. Rayne cast evokes HEr Deity's grace and feeling the warm glow lays her hands on Haila to pass on the gift of healing. She then has to use simple healing skills to to bind Haila's wounds.