An Exercise in the Study of Immortality Part 2 by Patrick P. Weeks (Silvorn) weeks@studsys.mscs.mu.edu ============================================================================== Five stand on a cliff, the suns rising from the south and east. One man tall and broad, carrying a two-handed sword, looks over the cliff face. "Down there?" he asks. A human female, wearing robes of shimmering colors nods. "The legend I researched indicates an item of indescribable power lies within that cave on the face of the Eteppe wall. She shivers in the morning breeze and taps her staff on the ground, creating a small fire. "Thanks malady" says a dwarf gruffly. "I'm glad to see you take care of your hired help. If I'm to help you climb down this cliff face, I'll NEED to be warm." She nods. "Come on, come on, come on! Let's go!! The warmth may be enough for you, but I'm not even remotely happy about being THIS far away from the ground... on purpose no less!" They all stare at the short human. He is wiry and dressed in leathers with ratty black hair hung back in a pigtail. The priest, a well built man, carrying an amulet of gold, which matches the color of his golden locks, laughs. "I would think a man of YOUR particular talents, would be used to climbing." "Some are, some aren't Gerik. Years from now, some may speak of Ragan the Rogue and discuss his exploits, but they will never need to know that my fear of heights was my true enemy!" The female mage chuckles. "You secret is safe with me. Doran, lower the rope and show us what to do. Kerol, you will go first." "As always malady Marda. Taking the front line." --------------------- The five climb down the face of the cliff, 100, 200, 300, 400, 460 feet to a small crevice which open into the face of the cliff... Kerol, the burly fighter leads, while Gerik the priest and Marda follow. After some time, and three lengths of rope are wrapped AROUND the rogue, he arrives, and the dwarf follows. It is dark with the cave, so Gerik mutters some incantation and a ball of light appears on the end of his torch. "let's go..." Traveling in the narrow passage, all but Marda have difficulty. Finally it seems to open a bit and travel becomes easier. Kerol says, "Well this should be easy. What could fit through that passageway that would be so hard to kill..." Marda looks back and grimly responds... "As the legend goes...very little COULD fit through the passageway, but I hear a creature of great power was banished within this mountain to protect the item. I wish I knew more, but the legends are very vague in that regard..." The group can see that the passage opens up a little further on, so Ragan is sent ahead. It seems alright until.. "aaahhhhhh!!!" Kerol chuckles, "In trouble again..." He runs forward only to be snagged by a thin thread and dragged upward. The other three arrive to see Kerol and Ragan being carried upward by thin webs. " "distance weapons I see" says Gerik as he hefts a hammer and it goes ethereal... It reappears at the top of the cavern and smites the cave fischer on its shell. The dwarf grumbles, "Oh we just need help getting down the mountain..." as he hefts a sling and sends a few stones up at the enemies. Kerol drops his sword and draws a dagger, slicing himself free, free to fall that is... "uumph" Marda looks up at the ledge and says, "yes..." "Yes what! Dooo something!!" yells Ragan. "I am.." Kerol strings a short bow while Gerik continues to smite the creatures with his spiritual hammer. Marda looks at the group, "Save your missile weapons...we may need them later. Incubis armi tak!" And a sphere of flame appears at the top of the cavern rolling along the ledge and incinerating the creatures as they try to run away. The thread holding Ragan ignites and he starts to fall. Kerol grabs a small white disc and tosses it at the ground below the falling Ragan. It explodes and a rush of air flows upward slowing the rogues descent and allowing him to land gracefully. "I HATE HEIGHTS!!!" "Shh, " says Marda. "Oh chill, says Kerol, "at least I had time to save your hide, my butt still hurts from my fall..." "Yes, about your butt, "Gerik smiles. "Let me help you." Laying his amulet on Kerol, he incants a few words. "That should reduce your pain a bit, hopefully enough to sit down for a meal. "Yeah, I WAS getting hungry, grumbles the dwarf. We could have toasted cave fischer." He giggles as only a dwarf could giggle, and the five have a brief lunch of dried fruits and jerky.