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------------------------Chapter 37: A Poor Beginning-------------------------
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(Arlon:)
He looks around to all:
"It's up to our little group to accomplish this monumentous task.  May
our journey be swift and we all return safely with our objective.
Well Falrun, Keilan I suppose it's yours to lead the way."

OOC:  That's his pep talk, I figured if I didn't keep it short we would be
here for a day listening to it. :)

(Keilan:)
Keilan runs his hand over the smooth surface of the road marker, but his
attention is on the surrounding forest.

(Silver:)
Silver reaches down and touches the flagstones with her fingers, feeling 
their surface texture and temperature.

"No wonder there are no plants along this stretch. These flagstones will
last for many lifetimes yet, I believe."

Breathing deeply, Silver moves her pack on her shoulders to make it
more comfortable. With a glance all around, at each member of the party
including Raoh and Tuft, she takes Shade's arm and moves slowly toward
the direction that Saicha indicated.

"And so it starts again. I think I almost understand what made Dithion 
follow his chosen path of adventure, of exploration."

She keeps aware of all around, detecting differences in the natural world
around her - plants, animals and elements - that she is not accustomed to.

(Shade:)
The bard kneels near the milestone and carefully cleans the inscriptions
from the dirt, then he tries to decipher something of it (Read languages,
50%, your turn Whisper;).

(DM:)
        Shade and Falrun bow their heads over the inscriptions of the
signpost, but have trouble reading it. They figure out that one pictogram
probably is the bridge that Saicha spoke of, with a distance of 7.5 of some
kind of unit of measure, which means little to you. Other objectives would
seem to be cities or villages, but the distance pictograms for those are so
complex as to defy understanding. You figure they are a lot farther away.

(Falrun:)
When they appear on the road, Falrun will try to read what the sign post
says.  When he gets back on the road, "Well, Keilan, are you ready to lead
this group to wherever we're going?"

(Keilan:)
"Not yet."  He looks down the roadway in the direction the group should go.
"Wait here.  Something isn't right.  Let me scout ahead first."  He starts
to walk off down the road.  Raoh follows close behind with his ears cocked
sideways.

(Silver:)
While Keilan scouts ahead, Raoh trots a little way after him. Silver growls
deeply in her throat and Raoh slinks back close to her, eyes wide.

(DM:)
        Meanwhile, Keilan has abandoned the signpost, and scouts ahead,
looking intently at the ground and surrounding forest. When he is only a
small figure in the distance (some two hundred yards away from the rest of
the party), he looks at the sky. When he comes back he has little news to
report. The ground was devoid of recent, or even older tracks of any kind,
and the sky is clear, and it looks like it's going to be a nice, hot,
clammy, sunny day (real beach weather, too bad you all have an appointment
with a swamp instead).

        When you are all together again, the sound of ethereal voices drifts
onto the road, and the source of them moves rapidly closer. Coming along the
road, the side where you would travel away from, appears a group of shady
figure. Literally shady, for you can see through them. The figures are of
human proportions, and are dressed in ancient and strange, equally ethereal,
clothing and or armor. It is a group of some 12 beings, both females and
males seem to be among the group. They rush along the road, talking to
themselves, seemingly oblivious to your presence. You cannot hear the words
clear enough to decipher them. Those who have mastered the ancient tongue
among you, recognize a word here and there as being of that language.

(Silver:)
Silver notices them, saying softly "Strange beings indeed, traveling the
same road that we do. Still, Saicha warned us that many different beings
used the Citadel ..."

(DM:)
        Once the shades have reached close to you, they suddenly notice you,
and scream in rage, pain and desperation. A cry that seems ripped straight
from a lost soul in the 666 layers of the abyss. Their hands become claws,
and they visages expressions of pure hatred and dispise. They charge you to
attack!

(Falrun:)
After seeing these dark shadowy beings transform into creatures of ill
intent, Falrun draws his swords and prepares to attack. "Now I think would
be a good time for Keilan to test out Shadowkiller's abilities.

"Arlon, any idea what these things are?"

(Arlon:)
"They're things that want to rip us apart would be my first guess."

OOC: Didn't take us long to find a battle,  I can just hear Keilan now. :)
[a reference to something Keilan said long ago after the demon battle]
>(Keilan:)
>"I can barely fight and it seems if I am to travel with the mighty Eidolon
>that is all I can expect."

I guess Arlon will cast Evard's Black Tentacles into their midst, I am assuming
they're somewhat bunched up since there are 12 of them.

OOC: Did everyone (anyone) receive my mail with Arlon's little pep talk
(after we were teleported)?

(Keilan/Lance:)
OOC: Quite sensibly Keilan ignored it, but yes I got it.

(Falrun:)
Falrun shoots Arlon a sideways glance, "I can see now why you're the mage.
I don't think anybody else could have figured that out." :?

(Keilan:)
Keilan draws Shadowkiller quickly and looks to the magical bracer on
his left arm.  "This better work," he mutters trying to will the
eldritch shield into existence.

He takes his stance beside Falrun, putting their three blades between
the attacking shades and the rest of the party.

"Raoh, stay back."

(Shade:)
When the shades start to scream Shade casts a spell (Protection from Evil)
then he draw Soulcrusher and Serpent's Tooth and joins Keilan and Falrun
muttering "A pity Dithion is not with us, I do think this would have been a
good chance to test his turning ability."
Before striking he will carefully study if the spell can keep this things
at bay. BTW, does Shade have any idea of what sort of things are those
"people"?

(Silver:)
Silver is taken aback for a moment, then stands in front of Raoh. She
chants:
         Mielikki, bounteous font of knowledge
         of things unknown, things strange.
         Allow me a glimpse of the hidden,
         show me the true nature of these shades

OOC: Detect Alignment
     Also, will they be in combat with us next round, or might there be
     a chance for another spell beforehand?

(DM:)
        The screaming shades attract everybodies immediate attention, and
the fighters among you spring to the fore with weapons drawn and at the
ready. Keilan wishes for the bracer to form a shield, and a slightly
shimmering shield sized wall of force springs into being, without any side
effects like headaches or anything else like that. 
        Unfortunately, none of you have ever seen the likes of these beings.
(Or maybe, fortunately ;) ) As the creatures rush at you with great speed,
Silver and Arlon manage to get off a quick spell each. Silver is suddenly
filled with bad foreboding, and shivers run down her spine. These things are
EVIL! And very much so. Silver feels in them the hatred for anything living,
and knows they are the antithesis of all Mielikki and herself stand for.
        Arlon's spell takes effect, and wavy black strands spring up from
the ground, and these mystical tentacles grasp for the shady characters.
However, these long wavy strands pass straight through the shades! There is
no more time to cast another spell, for the creatures are upon you!
        Shade's weapons sneak out to one of the shades, and as the weapons
hit, they also pass straight through. However, where they pass, a streak of
magical crackling energy is released, and the shade screams in agony as it
rakes out with it's claws. One claw hits on the arm holding Serpent Tooth,
and you feel your strength being drained (4hpd), also a numb coldness begins
to spread from the point you were hit (save vs paralyzation or that arm is
paralyzed, if saved the feeling will quickly drain away and your arm will
feel normal again (except for the 4hpd that is))
        Keilan also lashes out, and as Shadowkiller connects with the shade
Keilan targeted, a spectacular explosion of electrical sparks occurs, and
the shade screams in terror and agony, and after the sparks are gone, the
shade is nowhere to be seen.
        Falrun also hacks at a shade with his weapons, and he gets a similar
effect as Shade had, however, this shadowy being does not succeed in hitting
you.
        You are startled, for the shades that are not engaged by the
fighters, flit around you, and attack Tatiana, Arlon and Silver, and some
attack Shade, Keilan and Falrun from the sides or back, resulting in hits on
the following ppl. Silver for 9hp, save twice or left arm and neck
paralyzed, Arlon for 6hpd, save twice or both arms (first right, then left)
are paralyzed, Tatiana for 8hpd, save once or left leg paralyzed. Further
attacks on Falrun, Shade and Keilan missed.

(Arlon:)
OOC: 18 then 11, I don't have my charts with me so I assume the 11 fails -
please tell me if I'm mistaken.

I'll assume other things - if my left arm is paralyzed, then spells with
semantic components are unusable (?) and I can't use my staff with 1 hand
(like that would be a big help anyway).  I could use the fireball wand  I shot
a fireball into the air ... a little late for that.  I guess I would need two
hands available to use Burning Hands from the ring of Shionne (?).  Maybe I
should lay down on the ground and cower?

Arlon will try to dodge them as best he can.

"Damn netherworld beings, their touch is so cold it drains the feeling from 
that spot."

(Tatiana:)
OOC: Wow, way too much to catch up on.  I'll just start in the middle

Tatiana stepped forward to guard Arlon from the shades, but the cold 
chill in her left leg hampered her greatly.  In fact she could no 
longer move her leg of her own free will (OOC: 9 failed the save :()

Tatiana raised her new sword high and hoped the fighters amulet would
help her aim.  Relying on her old training as a warrior she battled
strongly to save her loved one's life.

*Away Tuft!  See if there are any more to come*

Tuft had already taken flight before she could complete the thought.

Hearing Arlon's cry of dismay, Tatiana called out.  "Create a ring 
around Arlon, don't let them get to him!" she called.

(Silver:)
"Oh no no no .... I have never seen souls of such utter black void ..."
Silver is so taken aback from the vision she has glimpsed that she just
stands gaping mutely while some of the shades sneak round to attack her.

OOC: Rolled 15, then 14 so saved both, just the 9hpd

Silver tries to shrink away from the attacks, but they come from too many
directions. Suddenly, her face filled with disgust at these creatures, 
she wields her owl-staff (+2) frantically at one of the shadowy forms.

*What price the long life of the elves now, Falrun* thinks Silver, trying
to see if she can move into a position to help protect the mage, while
also shielding the cub.

(Keilan:)
OOC: Yipe!

Keilan is startled by the flash of sparks from Shadowkiller, but takes
heart from the apparent destruction of one of the attackers.  He
turns on the next closest shade (but not Shade :) ) and swings again.

Raoh is crouched low on the ground almost flat with a look of fear
and confusion.  Mostly the small cat is concerned with not being
stepped on and avoiding the swirling phantoms.

OOC: For the caller: round two - two attacks on the nearest foe

(Shade/Mauro:)
OOC: I thus assume that protection from evil was not able to  keep the
creatures at bay. Just to be sure "drained 4hpd" means that I now am a 5th
level bard? Whine!

(Keilan/Lance:)
OOC: Considering Silver took 9?  I'd say hpd probably means "Hit Points
	Damage".  Otherwise, these guys make vampires and liches look
	like child's play.  Sure, all DM's are evil, but I don't think
	Whisper's *that* evil.  :-O

OOC: That is not a challenge, Whisper.  (bowing humbly)  :->

(Shade:)
I saved vs paralysis.

The drow grimaces as the shade drains is lifeforce, then, as the coldness
slightly fades away, he snarls at the monster trying to impale it with
Soulcrusher.

OOC: P.S.
If it ever happens to him to get an opening to cast a spell Shade will cast
Shield, in any case he will try to move as to form a ring with the others,
if possible next to Silver.

OOC: URKA! That's what you can call an hot start!

(Falrun:)
Falrun fights on as his expression becomes more grim and concentrated as he
hears the cries from his fellow companions when they are hit by the creatures.

(Arlon:)
Arlon would have been taking the ring from the finger of his paralyzed arm
and handing it towards Tatiana.  He does this as Tatiana starts to defend him.

"Tatiana, take the ring of Shionne and cast the Burning Hands spell from it.
Hopefully the heat will be too much for their cold hearts."

(Tatiana:)
As her leg became numb and Arlon held out his ring to her with
what was left of his energy, she realized her ring of free action
was going to help her this time.  She quickly sheathed her new
sword untested in battle, and took back the ring she had just given 
Arlon.  She slipped the ring onto her hand that bore no ring.

Spreading her fingers wide as the spell's somatic gesture demanded,
she will the ring to hit as many of the shadows as possible.

OOC: If damage is done, she will repeat, if no damage is apparent
she will draw her sword and attack again.  3/2 attacks

(DM:)
        Uhm. On the admin, nope, elves ain't immune to this special
paralysis. Yes, the damage is cold/energy drain wise, not physical/woundage.
Keilan is right that hpd stands for hit points damage. I know most people
think DM's are cruel, but hey, were people too you know! ( ;^) ). Good thing
_somebody_ still thinks so out there at least ;). Gotcha on the weapons
Falrun, may not have been clear from my description, but I knew you attacked
double weapon style and # of attacks. Arlon, yup, an 11 doesn't make it,
guess you shoulda asked for the Ring of Linne'Tari instead huh? On to the show:

(Shade:)
OOC: Wow! Is beautiful to be still 9th!

(DM:)
        The melee becomes a mess, as the shades have snuck around and are
flitting around engaging all of you, denying the possibility to hold the
shades at bay easily. The fighters keep on slashing, and Silver now also
swings furiously at the monstrosities with her owlheaded staff. Keilan
strikes out twice, once each on separate shades, and two shades scream out
in agony, disintegrating in showers of blue crackling sparks. Falrun hits
one shade with his short sword (the one already hit several times), and it
winks out of existence, with his longsword, he twice hits another shade, but
though having a visible effect, the shade still attacks and hits once (3hpd
+ save vs paral on hand /w longsword). Shade lashes out, and strikes at a
shade, damaging it obviously, but apparently not enough. Shade was beset by
two shades, both of which score one hit each (7hpd + 2 saves vs paral on
left hand and left leg).
        Arlon tries to stay away from the shades, and Tatiana has taken his
ring. Four shades come at them, but as they reach hungrily for the pair,
Tatiana spreads her hands, pointing at the shades, and fire spurts at the
shades. They grimace and seem hurt, but not enough. The four attack, and go
for the downed mage. Tatiana manages to interpose herself in front of two,
and suffers for it, being hit thrice (14hpd + save thrice vs paral on left
hand, left arm, body (body paralysis would hurt movement by half and negate
AC armor effect)). Even so, Arlon still gets hit thrice also (15hpd, save
thrice vs paral on left arm, right arm, neck).
        Silver's swinging, has her staff pass through two shades in front of
her, hitting both similar to the attacks by Falrun and Shade. However, they
both keep on coming, and she is hit thrice also (16hpd + save thrice vs
paral on left hand, right leg and body).

(Falrun:)
Falrun glances in Keilan's direction. "Nice work Keilan!" he yells with
admiration.

OOC:  Needed a 10, rolled a 10..  Whew!

After noticing the situation that Arlon and Tatiana seem to be getting into,
Falrun will make his way to help relieve the Mage and Bard of some of their
attackers.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana tried to impose herself to save Arlon.  but got battered 
heavy on her left side instead.  The numbing cold nearly got the 
better of her, but she fought off the chill. (OOC: 20, 12, 12 all 
save).

Stepping back, she tried to get as many of the shades in her
ring's influence as possible.  Once again she fanned her fingers
out before her,  A frustrated rage was beginning to show on
her face as she concentrated to bring forth the rings powers
once again.  These demon spawn would pay for injuring Arlon!

(Arlon:)
Well, Arlon is in deep dodo - has about 13 hps left, you know I'm going to
be looking for bracers after this.  Saves - 18,5,13 so now both arms are 
paralyzed.  He is getting ready to cast Dimension Door - the only thing he
can cast.  I think we're going to be resting really soon.  I hope this isn't
a welcome back present :O .

"Damn shadows, cold as a demons soul.  Tatiana, protect yourself, I can still
get myself out of harms way."  If Arlon gets hit again, he's outta here.  He'll
be taking a look around for a nice far away area to DD to (can go 270 yds).
After this he will get up and run if the shadows discover him.

(Keilan:)
Keilan suddenly finds himself surrounded by sparks but no more shades.
A quick look around tells him all he needs to know, and he charges
toward the four shades swarming over Tatiana and Arlon.

Meanwhile, Tatiana's fire burst, Shadowkiller's sparks, and the
fearful shrieking of the shades is too much for little Raoh and he takes
off in the direction of the nearest trees in a dead run.

OOC: Actually it's probably Arlon's whining ;)

(Tuft:)
Tuft watched the pitched battle helpless to do anything about its
outcome.  He saw the tide of the battle turn as Keilan destroyed
two more shades, and rush to help his Master.

Tuft watched the young cub run off and thought to himself he was once
that young.  He took wing and followed noiselessly above the cub making
sure it got into no trouble.  Or if it did, then he could lead Tatiana
and the others to help it.

OOC: Tuft is 5 years old :)

(Silver:)
OOC: I presume that my staff has *some* effect on them, if so keep on 
     using it. Saved 3 times (13,8,7). Being a priest has real advantages
     at times  ;-)

"Eurgh ..." Silver says, though she still seems fairly steady on her 
feet. She cannot see any easy way out of this to help Arlon, so keeps
on swinging her staff.

(Shade:)
OOC: 15, 17, enough, but how long can we go :|
OOC: I do not remember anymore am I able to fight two weapons? Better, can a
bard be able to do it? If the answer is yes I'm doing it, if no I just use
Soulcrusher.

As he sees the shades hit Silver more and more, the drow becomes dreadfully
worried. Without stopping his swordplay he will move to reach for the
druidess.

(DM:)
        The fighting goes on, quite viciously so. Arlon is unable to do much
more than avoid the blows of the evil shades, and even so got hurt plenty.
This round spells little better for him. Even though Tatiana stands
protectively above him, and both Keilan and Falrun try desperately to come to
the aid of the pair, Arlon still gets hit twice by one of the attacking
shades (13 hpd + 2 saves vs paral on left leg and body) and falls
unconscious (if I am not mistaken). Meanwhile, Tatiana hits two of the
shades with her burning hands effect (unable to capture more shades in area
of effect for fear of hitting party members), two shades she had hit before,
who shriek in agony, and are nowhere to be found once the flames subside.
Keilan swings out with Shadowkiller, but upon first hit, even with the
spectacular effect, does not kill the shade, and has to use a second stroke
to finish his opponent, on his way to aid Arlon and Tatiana. Silver swings
again at her two antagonists, and though hitting them obviously and
effectively, both are still 'alive' enough to counter-attack. Silver gets
hit thrice by the fiends. (13 hpd + save thrice vs paral on left arm, right
leg, body) Meanwhile Shade swings his weapons (two handed attack using both
Soulcrusher and serpent tooth) at one of the surviving shades and strikes
one enough times to destroy it. Even so, another shade attacks successfully,
and hits Shade once (3hpd + save once vs paral on left hand). Falrun attacks
one shade still in front of him with a two handed attack, sending long and
short sword whirling through the ethereal body of the creature opposite him.
The shade reaches with it's claws for Falrun, but gets hit too many times by
Falrun's weapons and winks out of existence before being able to reach him.

(Arlon:)
Rolled a 20 and a 14.  Arlon is going to take a little nap - someone wake me
when it's over.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana scream a battle cry to rival the shades initial scream when
she saw Arlon fall.  Pulling her Long sword she dragged her frozen
leg behind her as she closed on the shades hovering over Arlon.
She trusted in her prior training as a warrior and hoped the fighter
amulet would improve her even more.

OOC: My stats didn't include the adjustment due to this charm

(Falrun:)
After dispatching his final opponent, he breathes a long sigh or relief and
rubs his arm where he had been previously hit by the shade, checking to make
sure all feeling was there and no ill effects remained.

He quickly cut short his repose on the realization that the others were
still battling the remainder of the shades.  Quickly analyzing the
situation, Falrun decides that Tatiana and the slumbering Arlon seem to need
the most aid.  Brandishing his swords, he rushes to help.

(Shade:)
The bard shivers as he feels his strength being drained away from his left
hand
OOC: a 4, too bad :(

Wildly and theatrically swinging his now useless left hand to distract the
shade's attention from Soulcrusher he charges (one of the?) shades that are
still striking at Silver.

(Silver:)
Silver rocks slightly from the attacks, but shrugs off the coldness that
their touch causes. "By the Balance ! You need to feel more power, you 
accursed travesties ..." she shouts, sheathing her owl-headed staff, and 
reaching behind her for the runed staff. As she pulls it round to strike, 
she intones the least aggressive phrase which she has memorized from the
trinity of harm.

If there is room to strike at the shadowy forms close to the prone form
of Arlon, she will do so - if not then she will strike at the two 
closest to her.

OOC: Saved with 12,9,19. Mustn't get too smug, though  ;)
     Also - how many are left ? I lost count in the heat of the battle ...

(Keilan:)
OOC: By my count there should be four remaining shades, if there were 12
to start with.  Two on Silver, one on Tatiana/Arlon, and one on Shade.

Keilan's charge toward Arlon and Tatiana is broken by the shade that
refuses to go down as easily as the others before Shadowkiller's power.
Seeing Arlon collapse, he yells, "Arlon!!  Hang on!" and springs forward
again to attack the shade still menacing the downed elf.

Elsewhere, on a branch about 30 feet above the forest floor, Raoh watches
the battle rage on; the blood and adrenaline still pounding in his ears.
Even Tuft flying by doesn't distract his attention for more than a moment
from the din of the combat.

(DM:)
        Silver gets upset, and swings with renewed vigor and a new weapon.
As the red glowing staff passes through the two shades antagonizing her,
they both scream out in pain and anger, and wink out of existence.
Meanwhile, Keilan and Tatiana both swing for the one surviving shade still
threatening Arlon, which disappears into a shower of sparks after having
been hit by Keilan with Shadowkiller (you slick ranger ;). Shade and Falrun
both turn their attention to the very last remaining ghostly figure, and it
stands little chance against the furious slashes of both. The last shade
also winks out of existence, leaving you all alone, the only audible sound
the heavy breathing of yourselves, and your hearts pounding in your chests.
You look around and many of you look worse for wear. Arlon is lying on the
ground, and others look haggard and depleted from the energy drains. Arlon's
face looks pallid and grey, but upon checking, he still breathes.

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-----------------------------End of Chapter 37-------------------------------
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