Culdat wiped the spray of blood from his face, giving Jardel a warning look, "Next time, please let me get out of the way before you start chopping heads." With that he trooped over to the corner where the stalagtite sat. The little halfling began to search the area nearby, on the floor, walls and ceiling for any sort of false openings or traps. He began to whistle a low tune as he worked his way inward towards the base of the stalagtite where the strange formation was seen. "Hmmm ... srangest thing I ever did see ..." Culdat eventually concluded there were no traps and touched the stlagtaite formation by the wall. The second he touched it, his hand disappeared into the apparant solid form and into the wall. Jumping back, he looked at his hand, still intact and unharmed. A ten foot section of the north wall receded backward into another room, this one unlit. Culdats halfling senses told him there was nothing warm blooded inside as his infravision picked nothing up.
Belgrius saw the priest beheaded. He thought his departure would lead one to think he was more than just a warm blooded creature. There was magic about him. He wiped off any blood spray that might have landed on him and turned around, scoping out the room once again. When Belgrius saw Culdat at the wall he became curious as the halfling's hand disappeared into the wall and then returned when he pulled it out. Walking cautiously, he went to the wall and stared hard into the unlit room to see anything in infravision. He tried to use his clerical intuition to sense undead. "Careful. There could be more skeletons in such a place as this." As he spoke, he held his holy symbol and prepared a turning undead ritual in case the expected jump out of the room at the party. "We shouldn't stay in one place too long and he HAVE been her for quite a while now."
"No matter what lies ahead, we must also be cautious of what lingers behind. But you are probably right by saying that haste is a necessity. What say you Humus ?" Culdat moved back and away from the opening, fearful that Belgrius' words may come true and a sword, or axe, or other such unpleasant device come down upon his little hand.
Seeing the wall recede, Humus' body tensed - just waiting for another small army to leap out. Seeing that no new enemies were forthcoming, Humus relaxed a little. "No matter what lies ahead, we must also be cautious of what lingers behind. But you are probably right by saying that haste is a necessity." Looking at the little 'finder', Humus continued, "Yes, little friend. We need to be cautious, but we must also hurry." Speaking to the group, "It seems that there are two paths before us now. The one where the priests came from, or this new secret path. "I say we take this new path. Our goal will most likely be well hidden. If any one thinks that we should take a different route, speak up now - else we will take this new path." Waiting for the others to voice their opinion, Humus prepared to move out in the proper direction as soon the majority had decided the path.
"Onward to the new, secret path !" Kethas spoke, after the carnage he had witnessed. "I believe that we should be on our way soon. After all, Enchantra has asked that we return her staff, and I fear the rages of a female wizard probably more than the next person, knowing what they can do if pushed to the limit. We still have to pay for these blessed weapons, and she may need her staff back. I am also hopoing to get a couple of games of chess in at the tavern, and I'm sure that we all want to break open that chest. Perhaps Enchantra will aid us with that too. Also, there is the impending threat of Dark Elves, and their friendliness to darkness. We may want to wait until day."
"The secret path sounds good. Once we enter the next room we should turn and look to see if there is a way to close the opening behind us, thereby leaving less chance of being followed." Belgrius collected the necklaces with the pentagrams, moved to an area of the room away from the party with his back to the party, and beat each one with his weapon to destroy them. He then collected a mace to carry as a spare weapon. He left the armour alone, worried that if he wore it would interfere with his mage spells. "The advantage of waiting until day is that we clerics would have time to pray and ask to have our used spells returned to us."
Obviously bothered by the dispatching of the second priest, Da Ghiri nodded curtly and replied, "The secret path appears to be a wise choooice". As the party contemplated the new secret passage, Belgrius stepped near a wall and knelt with his holy symbol in hand and said a brief prayer, of which the party only heard, "and thank you for answering my prayer of preventing the evil priest from going to his reward. I am your tool and stand ready to fight the evil." Putting his holy symbol back into position to turn undead if needed, he moved to the opening and stepped forward to enter.
His enchanted blade flaming and sizzling, the fresh blood from the dead evil priest quickly bubbled in the heat and evaporated - leaving 'Caliburn' once more shiny and clean. Jardel smiled at Culdat regarding the stained red clothes. "Sorry little guy, but it seems the color red fits your attire, be it spilled strawberry jelly or sprayed human blood. We'll get you cleaned when we get out of these caves." Watching Culdat and Belgrius inspect the illusionary wall Jardel advanced on the duo. "Belgrius, my thanks for your prayers and purification rituals. It deems best to take the utmost precautionary measures to prevent further souls from entering the Abyss. Unfortunately, we must continue on. Time for further prayers and meditations, aswell as the learning of new spells must be postponed. We are yet able and helathy and should take advantage of our seemingly surprise entrance." Pointing 'Caliburn' into the new darkness "Men, let us continue on the new path with our last marching order." Carefully he sensed possible evil within the new location.
"Looking toward Jardel, Belgrius responded, "I should be thanking you for freeing me from my unholy prison and for allowing me to join the fight against this evil. But remember, when my spells are gone I will be of little use because I am not a fighter. I do carry weapons but I do not have a fighter's prowess." Licking his lips as a nervous reaction, Culdat checked the entranceway to the secret room one last time. Cautiously he moved forward taking a deep breath, into the room beyond.
With the light from Jardel's sword, Culdat and Belgrius looked inside the new room. Only 20' by 20', this small square room held a lot. A huge pile of gems,jewlery, and coins littered the northeast corner. On the east wall were 5 medium sized wooden chests with locks, while on either side of the door were a few miscellanious items, such as a cloak, a pair of boots, 2 scrolls, a book, 3 potions, a ring, and a medallion. On the West wall were 10 swords of various designs, though all basically longswords, 2 battle axes, a longbow, and 20 arrows. Nothing else appeared to be in the room besides the treasure.
Walking into the the small room, Humus stared wide eyed at all the treasure. "Holy !" Looking over the hoard Humus was very glad that he had asked for that Bag of Holding at Enchantra's. Suddenly distrustful of the entire situation, he took an involuntary step backward. "Maybe before we take anything or go further into the room we should check the area for traps. This looks too good to be true. Also, we need to make sure that there are guards posted. We don't want anyone - or anything - sneaking up on us now do we ? Also, we probably had better store everything for now and divy it up later to be fair to everyone. Unless someone else has a better idea. Also, we most certainly don't want to put on or use any cursed items. Culdat, I believe that we may want to use that Bag of Holding that you are carrying now if you don't mind too much. Also, as you check for traps on each item, we can put some of them in the bag. Everyone remember that nothing sharp goes in the bag. Maybe the gems and other things like that - and possibly the chests - or their contents. Speaking of which, maybe we should check them for the staff and the scepter - and maybe the chest that we currently have in the bag. We can't leave here without them both."
Culdat waited outside the room for a full minute before entering. "I fear the room will collapse on us or something. Those chests, are they real ? I don't like this too much either. I think I'll just stand guard a while and wait to see if the room collapses." The little halfling handed the Bag of Holding over to Humus gratiously. Belgrius saw the room of treasure and realized some of it may be magical. "Be careful, my friends. Touch nothing with bare hands and be cautious of the locked chests. In such an evil place, this treasure may all be cursed or trapped or poisoned. If we can gather the items and place them all in close proximity I can cast a detect magic spell to see what might be magical. I will ask that you stand back when I do this so I do not also light up your magical belongings." He walked carefully around the room looking for bags that treasure might be loaded into. "Culdat, you might be the moset experienced of the group with this stuff from what I have seen. Can you detect any traps ?" He continued, "Perhaps we should cart off the items we think are useful and examine them later. Do you see any of the items for which you are searching ?" When he finally maked his way to the medallion he paused to examine it carefully, looking for any signs of the evil marks he saw in the other room and what the evil priests have been displaying.
Hearing Belgrius might be able to detect magic on the treasure, Humus spoke, "You might also want to use that spell so that the coins, gems, and jewelry will be affected as well. I've heard tales of some of my father's adventures and the wealth that he and his companions found. Occasionally, they would find coins that after a few hours would explode into a huge fireball."
"What do you see that I do not ? What makes you think the room will collapse ?" Belgrius looked toward the ceiling while standing inside the room to investigate the treasure. Caladan entered the room and looked around, as he saw the amount of treasure his eyes widened. Kethas joked to the group, "Ya know, guys ... if we were to line up all of the chests in a nice row, I could Magic Missile all of the locks off ... if you want to do this, I have one memorized."
"Well Belgarius my friend, not everything is always as it seems. I don't like this place because it is a foreign environment for me. I am always skeptical of a large pile of treasure, it just seems too much for me. As far as the roof falling in on us, it's just a figure of speech, I just don't want to be caught unawares with all the glitter in my vision." Culdat moved slowly over to the row of chests and began his search for traps or other such devious devices. "Now, Kethas, how about that magic missile of yours ..."
Jardel refrained from entering the small treasure room, standing near the entrance and illuminating the direct area surrounding 'Caliburn'. He shook his head in disbelief and smiled at the others. "These caves are the most astonishing place I have ever seen - never so much treasure in one place before. This is like taking candy from a child. There is bound to be something awry about this hoard and I am glad that my caution and constant scepticism is rubbing off on most of you. Let us hurry and deposit the chests and items into our magical bag. Later, when we return to Enchantra, she should be able to help us identify the usefulness of these magical trinkets, of which we could keep the interesting and sell the useless. There is bound to be enough gold crowns for all of us, enough to possibly construct a church to the many followers of Heimdall within the capital." He waited for the other strong warriors to lift the chests into the bag and return to the larger room, while he stood guard.
Caladan waited until Culdat had checked the room for traps and then helped Hmus with the treasure. Belgrius looked puzzled. "You do not want me to cast detect magic on the items ? All we need to do is push them together in one spot and stand back." Looking around, Humus spoke. "I think that I would rather Belgrius cast the detect magic on everything. That way we know what to take, and which things are more dangerous than others." Kethas added. "If you want them opened, I could summon my Unseen Servant, and it could smash open the chests. It would not damage him, and if there were any traps, we'd have the other chests in different rooms. I may be discomforted afterwards, but I'd get over it, and we'd have all of the magical items at once." "That might be a good thing to do before I detect magic, providing, of course, that the smashing does not damage the contents of the chests." Belgrius replied as he started pushing items into a pile using his weapeons as extensions of his hands and using cloth to stand between his skin and any item he had to pick up to move. He did nothing to the chests.
Standing in the doorway, the firelight from Jardel's sword illuminated the other side of the room with dancing shadows. Culdat cautiously checked for traps every step he took before making it. He went around the door and the walls finding none there, checking next the chests and finding none. Walking around, he looked at the weapons and miscellanious items in the room and decided they were untrapped as well. After having moved everything into a pile, Belgrius cast a detect magic on all the items, revealing that all items are indeed magical, including the contents of two of the chests, which were unseen but magic was detected from within. The cloak, boots, book, ring, scrolls all radiated moderate magical auras. The medallion showed a strong aura, but it didn't look like one that was worn by the priests. This medallion was in the shape of two faces facing one another. The two chests radiated strong to overwhelming magic. The potions each radiated faint magic while the weapons all radiated moderate, though some a little stronger than others. The cloak radiated an aura of illusion/phantasm, one scroll radiates protection, the book was a scinthillating display of colors, apparantly a spellbook, the ring radiated illusion/phantasm and the medallion radiated divination. The one chest that radiated magic radiated a few colors of the "type" spells. All other items could not be perceived as types of magic. Caladan began loading the items into the bag of holding, minus the weapons as they were sharp objects as Jardel thought it to be a bad idea to put sharp objects into the bag. No sounds other than the distant wind and the crackling of the enchanted fire could be heard ... a nice change to the hectic few hours spent down here so far ...
Belgriue stopped what he was doing and pondered for a moment. Then he turned to the paladin. "Just a thought here, but what IF this treasure does not belong to the evil creatures we are fighting. Is it possible the treasure was here before and belonged to someone else that the creatures just stole it from ? Maybe we should not claim it and should see if it might belong to someone who needs it back and who stands on our side ? What if this place was part of the properties of some normal person who lost it to the threat of the evil ones ? Should we claim treasure under those conditions ? I suggest that if we use any of the items we do not claim them personally and then we see if their rightful owners can be found." Seeing the spellbook, Belgrius jumped. "Wait, let me see that book." He picked up the book and looked at the cover. "This might enhance my spell casting abilities if it has spells in it I do not yet know." Once we have time to rest I will study and try to memorize some identify spells because some of this treasure might be useful in defeating the foes we are bound to meet before we get back to your friend Enchantra." Turning to the paladin, he asked, "Do you feel any evil from any of these items Jardel ? If so, we should destroy the item and not take it with us because it might serve as a beacon to draw the enemy to us."
Happy to find out what was magical and what was not and that there were no traps Humus. Seeing Kethas' intentions, Humus waited outside of the room until the Unseen Servant had finished its task. "Well, we probably needed to open the chests anyway to see if the items we are looking for are in them. I just hope that they are not damaged in any way. I have to agree with Kethas - I want to be out of here as soon as possible too." Humus then entered the room with his brightly glowing blade drawn and addressed Belgrius concerns about the treasure belonging to someone else, "I have a feeling that these evil creatures did take it from someone, however I doubt that these people are still alive. These priests and creatures didn't seem the type to just take things without killing the owner. Anyway, should we know the true owner, we should give it back, but how do we find the true owner ? We can't just go around the realm asking everyone 'Did a big hairy demon steal any money or magical treasure from you ?'. I have a feeling that everyone would claim part of this treasure - whether it was theirs or not. Let us first get this stuff identified at Enchantra's shop and maybe she can find an identifying mark on the items. You never know, she might even know the history about some of them and tell us of the fate of the original owner."
Seeing Belgrius eye the book, "I also agree with Kethas about the book. It would be safest if we just packed all this stuff up and had it identified properly - no sense in getting your brain fried for no reason. Should we decide to use some of this equipment after it has all been identified, we will have to decide on who gets what." A bit perturbed, but not saying so, at the slightly sarcastic note in Humus's voice, Belgrius replied, "If we clear this area of demons, surely some descendents of the owners will reclaim their land, unless this is wild area. Since I was brought here blindfolded, I am not sure where I am. I just wish not to anger my god by becoming a thief who ransacks treasure troves belonging to other descent people. So, let's use what we need to finish the mission and then let this Enchantra make the decision if you believe her to be good. As an afterthought, "Just who is Enchantra and why is she so important to you ?" Seeing the look on Belgrius' face, Humus knew that he had been offended. "I am sorry Belgrius. No offense intended. I was just thinking that most likely these priests have been collecting this loot from all over and storing it here. From what we have been told, there was a small army garrisoned here under the command of the demon that Jardel killed. I just doubt that a being as powerful as a demon would not know about treasure as big as this under his nose." To further clarify the situation, Humus patiently said, "Since you profess no knowledge of the area that we are in, I shall tell you. The entrance to this cave is in the shape of a giant skull. The surrounding area is dead - all trees and plant life are dead or dying, and there are no animals to be seen or heard. It is as if the land is cursed. Also, not far off is a forest and valley filled with drow elves. So as you can see, this is not a pleasant area. I'm not really sure that anyone will want to come and reclaim this land unless they be evil. Which brings me to another point - why we are here. A great evil is rising in the land and we have been ordered by the crown to help try to stop it. The prince told of a scepter that might help and from all reports the demon Jardel killed had it." Putting a comforting hand on Belgrius' shoulder, he continued, "I can understand your feelings about not wanting to anger your god." Looking at Jardel, "We have others here that I'm sure feel the same way and none of us would want you to do anything against your religion." Remembering what the tied up fighters said earlier, "Also, there are still others in this cave that serve the demon. I do not know how many, but we just cannot leave this for them to take after we leave." Smiling broadly, "Ah Enchantra ! Well, she is owns a magic shop in a town called Vain to the south. She was kind enough to loan us some of our more powerful equipment to us to retrieve a magical staff that was taken from her. We have to return the staff to her or several of the items that we need - like Jardel's wonderous helm - will disappear. I also gave my word that we would return it to her and I refuse to break my oath." Looking at Humus who had just educated him, Belgrius replied. "No offense taken." He looked towards the room and seemed to study it for a moment and then began a story. "When I was a youth I entered the priesthood. I trained with some of the best priests of my faith. They became increasingly nervous about all the evil in the land and the manner in which it seems to embrace magic so they asked me to undertake the rarest of all training for a priest, the training in the mage schools of magic. I found a tutor of great esteem and was apprentice to him for years and learned much. Then, after passing the secret test all mages must pass to be sanctioned within the mage community, I was recalled to the church. The head of our order then sent me out to find information about the evil things that have been happening in this region. When I began, I thought I would move slowly and quietly find the troubled area and study the goings on. Then, as I traveled on the road I was waylayed, by brigands I thought. My head was covered and I was thrown roughly over a saddle where I rode, belly down, for days. I must have been knocked unconscious because I awoke as I was being drug down the steps to the cell where you found me. I consider myself to be on a holy quest. I will aid you as much as I can but if you should ever turn away from the greater fight agains evil I will have to take anoter path until the evil is destroyed or my church recalls me." Belgrius took a slow, deep breath and watched the party for reactions, as they loaded the treasure as previously described.
Remaining wary of the current situation in these dark evil caves, Jardel refrained from helping the others sorting through the magical and monetary treasure aswell as it's stashing into the bag of holding. He stood stoically at the entrance of the treasure chamber, still in the larger room, sword drawn and flaming to illuminate the area. His eyes darted around the room nervously. After hearing the interesting tale Belgrius shared about his history Jardel joined in on the conversation with Humus. "Belgrius, my honest thanks to you for sharing your history with us, for until now you were a stranger to us. You may be grateful to thank your diety for having us rescue you and letting your captors leave you here in these caves fully armed and equipped. Strange ... Humus has been so kind to relate the details of our mission and our immediate surroundings to you. I myself am on a holy mission to Heimdall myself - even personally quested - and my everlasting desire to rid the realms and kingdom of evil will certainly pair you, Belgrius Silvermoon, and myself on a long and enduring journey. Therefore knowledge and trust within ones own abilities and those of ones adventuring comrades is the basis to surviving and prevailing in dangerous and life-threatening situations." Ignoring the fact that Belgrius was to read the magical tome, the paladin continued. "Kethas, you have cast useful magic to help us - good fortune to the quick minded - hopefully we will have time later to have these items identified by Enchantra before curses or worse befall us here and now. If anyone else deems his life and that of us worth challenging, then I will not intervene should any of you take an unknown item and try using the designated item chosen for the benefit of the group. But beware of the hidden dangers. Final distribution should be done in a safer atmosphere and after having found out what these items really represent. Surely each of us has preferences regarding strengths and weaknesses which should be balanced for the benefit of the group. I myself took a chance with 'Caliburn', although my augury with Heimdall had reduced the risk to a minimum. As successor to the wielder of this legendary blade Heimdall has also burdened my soul with more knightly tasks to fulfill. Having recieved a potent item I naturally step down from initial distribution of these items - which I deem ours now, having honestly retrieved them from true evil. Tis not the time or place to philosiphize whether we do right or wrong in keeping these items. It is our responsibility as servants to the crown to employ these treasures, certainly not forgetting the tithe to our king and his castle. There will be much to distribute amongst us - every member standing here deciding how to employ this wealth. I myself have an idea of perhaps purchasing some powerful item of healing magics and donating the rest to the local community and Followers to Heimdall. Actually, with this obvious magnitudeof wealth it should be a pleasure to present good tidings to Father Cuth'marn. This year we might actually be able to build a small church, granting housing and teachings to stray followers of our faith -teaching them the true values of honesty, protection and devotion to ideals born of a higher standard ..." Staring at Humus he startled. "Forgive me for rambling on. I am sure tis no interest to you all what path my potential reward takes. Actually, we might not even set another foot outside of these caves again. Provided yes, Enchantra might prove a costly identification to these items, or some former owners - good or evil - might urge a hasty reposession. Nevertheless we live in the present and must make honest decisions today. Like I said before, should anyone take cause and result into consideration and claim a magic item now before later then I give my consent. I only urge you to hurry so that we may continue on. Should we find the enchanted staff Enchantra had arranged us to find, then I suggest we return to Vain immediately consult the veteran mage Enchantra. Refurbishing our bodies and minds - not to forget our arsenal inidentified magical items, any foes encountered in these dungeons after returning will make haste to repent or die ..."
Da Ghiri, who had been silent through his companions expositions, bowed to Belegrius after he introduced himself. "Well met. I am Da Ghiri, a humble priest from far off Kara-tur. I was summoned heeere to help find the prince, now king, of theeese lands when he was taken and nooow I find my destiny and that of this kingdom entwined once mooore." Regarding the treasure, the little priest added, "I am certainly willing to wait until we are in safer circumstances and can examine these things mooore closely. I would say ooonly two items concern us now, the Staff and the Sceptre, and I don't think we shooould leave without either lest our enemies remove them to a mooore secure place, though it is the Sceptre we shooould be focused on. We set upooon this path without the aid Enchantra has provided, if needs be we can continue it without her trinkets. We cannot stem the tide of eeevil without the Sceptre." Da Ghiri regarded the hoard a moment. "Of cooourse all these considerations may be moot. Thooose two chest radiate powerful magic, we may be standing before the items we seek as we debate".
Belgrius looked at the spellbooks spine and binding trying to figure out if it was evil in nature or not. Not really being able to tell, he also found no runes of protection upon the cover. Cautiously, he opened the first page and read ...
the last bit smeared with blood as most of the pages were, making reading difficult. It seemed to be more of a diary than spellbook, though there were a few readable spells of low level that were recovered.
Waiting to see what Kethas found in the chests, Humus went over to see the book that Belgrius found. "It sounds like this book has some information about these caves and possibly the ones that were here before us." Looking over his shoulder to see if Kethas was done or not, Humus said. "As to move on or regroup, I think that we should see if our goal was in those chests or not and then decide what to do. Should they be in the chests, I say we move out of this cave to rest and recover. Otherwise,we probably should press on as fast as we can. We cannot allow all those in these caves to form up against us. If we are to rest now, I think that this room would be the best place for it. It looks to be well defendable as long as we post a few guards at the entrance." Jardel frowned at hearing the bits of information from Belgrius. "Belgrius, what is it you read there. Please read it again. It seems we have found a valuable diary - filled with the so much needed information we sought from our enemies. On the one hand we should move on, on the other we should regroup in some safe place, rememorize and pray for spells and most of all try to evaluate this diary. Belgrius, you should discern if there are any maps within and if there is any chance to discipher any passages of text without proper restoration. Should the book be totally unlegible, then we must revert to our initial plan of rapid movement and extinction of all evil within these caves. Primary question to answer is the missing staff -where is ?" Waving his flame blade in warning, "Humus, dost thou agree with my idea as presented ? Like I said before, we should advance until we are challenged and beaten to retreat before pausing. There always remains the question of finding a semi-safe haven - in this area of the realm a truely difficult task at hand." Death still lingering in the near chambers, Jardel waited for the others todecide on the items issue and whether to proceed or rest. Belgrius tucked the book into his pack so he could transcribe the spells later. With the unseen servant of Kethas performing the task of breaking open the chests, everony saw that each chest was indeed trapped, as needles, explosions, and scorpions try to kill the servant. Being that it wasn't alive the traps were harmless. Inside the chests were 100 pp in 3 chests, the other two consisted of a large barrel marked with strange norse ruins that had been defiled by arcane writing which the mages told of as demonscript, but one word was still untouched, the name of Hiemdall. The other contained a staff with a crystal held by a golden dragonclaw lying at the bottom.
Caladan looked at the barrel. " We should leave the barrel to the court mages they might be trapped ... unless the power of Heimdall has protected it from the demonscript. I'm starting to feel a little tired, but I still have spells and my swordarm can still swing the sword, so if needed I can continue." Caladan knelt next to the staff, letting his finger slide up the staff as he gently caressed the artifact "So this is the Staff of Magius, once I would have claimed this artifact and used it to change the world and a part of me still hungers for its magic, but in my weakened mental state I'm forced to wield the simple magic of a warrior." Caladan grabbed the staff a brief moment to feel its powers surge through him and then turned away his eyes once again visible because of Kethas' detect magic spell and they were burning with anger. "Let us get out of these caves as quickly as possible."
Seeing that Kethas had finished playing with the chests, Humus went over to see what had been found. Seeing the staff, he smiled, "So this is the Staff of Magius ? I hope that Enchantra appreciates what we are going through to get this to her." Humus helped to put the treasure in the bag - being very careful of the magical items. "Caladan, I think that you may be right about leaving that barrel to the court mages. I don't trust anything with demonscript on it - or anything related to demons for that matter unless it be a demon-slayer. As to whether to go on or stay here, it appears that Jardel and myself have voted to go on" looking at Jardel "unless you have changed your mind that is. Also, Caladan says that he can go on or rest. What say the rest of you ? If we are to move on, let us make up our minds and do it quickly. I'm like Caladan - I want to get out of this evil place as soon as possible." Belgrius seemed disoriented for a moment. "Ummm, yes the book. I have told you all what I was able to read. If we have time to stop and study it perhaps some of the lettering will become more clear with concentration and in good light. But perhaps we should move one to a location that is more defensable ?" He eyed the staff, "The staff we have found is one of the strongest ever made, I believe. It is a true artifact. A side of me wants to carry it in case it can be used in our defense but I suspect my meager skills would not activate it. I suggest we be careful about how we carry it. I am worried about the effect it might have if stuffed into a bag of holding." He looked around for a plain bag of cloth such as a shirt suggesting the staff be wrapped to disguise it from unfriendly eyes. As soon as Jardel saw the Norse rune markings on the sturdy barrel, 'Caliburn' immediately seized burning and quickly disappeared into the scabbard. With large steps the old knight bound into the small room for the first time and scanned over the open chests and magic items being stored away into the bag of holding. He grapped his silver holy cross, hanging from a chain at his waist and raised it to his lips.Granting the cold metal a brief kiss he detected evil from the items and persons present, receiving no evil detection. He stuffed the holy symbol back into his belt and knelt in front of the strange barrel. His gauntlet hand caressed the coarse wood and ironbands, while his fingers touched the name of his diety. "Heimdall ! Could this be it ? Friends ... since leaving Vain after being visited by Heimdall I have been on an important quest, only secondary to our primary mission to the crown. Heimdall has been depraved from his breath - so with not being able to warn the other gods from approaching evil giant-kin crossing over the Bifrost Bridge. I truely believe I have found his breath, which is certain to be within this enchanted barrel. What I do not know, is how to release it or give it back to Heimdall. I do not think that court wizards haveany knowledge over this subject, so I must pray for wisdom and answers before sundown. Heimdall must learn of this triumpf and grant me audience or name me a location where to deliver the barrel to." Jardel unstrapped his shiny shield and tied it to his back with the leather straps. In one fluid motion he easily hefted the large barrel onto his right shoulder - like a giant picking up a pebble - and held it in place with his right arm. He then withdrew 'Caliburn' once more and with the words 'blade a feuris' willed it to flame. Looking at the others stashing away the final magic items he turned towards the mages. "Kethas, Belgrius, Ashal, you have the responsibility to care for the staff. Since I was not with you, when you visited Enchantra, I have no idea of our agreement in detail. Humus or Caladan must carry and guard our sack of valuable treasure, whilst the others will guard us all from any trouble on our way out. I take it we have found our staff, from what our wizards say, and I have found the breath of Heimdall ... so I presume. To culminate our tasks we have defeated Balazaar and have dealt the minions of Rackart Flagg a harsh blow ... at least they will have to plan their attacks with more detail and fortune. Let us leave these tunnels with haste before our foes regroup and corner us here deep below the soils roots. Remember, they are at an advantage for knowing these halls. Let the priests and mages decipher the journal before we return to finish the job, for I am sure there is much more here than what we have encountered so far. Belgrius, we have mounts and guards of the crown waiting for a total of three days on us outside. Since entering but a mere half-day could have passed by, let us meet up with Kothas and the other riders to return to Vain. Hopefully our path back into the rain will go unchallenged." Looking at the others, Belgrius seeked approval, "I would be happy to carry and guard the staff but I was not one of the party Enchantra charged with this mission so I will not object if another wishes that honor." As an afterthought, "You may have mounts waiting but I will be afoot since that is how I started and the way I was when I was captured. Perhaps one of the larger mounts could support two ?" Da Ghiri considered. "We have ooonly completed a portion of our task and the lesser portion at that. We should not leave withooout the scepter yooour prince sent us to find. Leaving now wooould give our enemies a chance to remove it to a more secure, and possibly unknown, location - if indeed they haven't done so already. We can rest here or nearby if needs be". Humus agreed. "I believe that Da Ghiri is right. We could go ahead and go back to Vain, but that would give those rotten demon worshippers time to remove the scepter. The prince bade us to hasten to retrieve the scepter. If we should leave now, we would be potentially be wasting a lot of time to go there and back. I say that if we are to rest that we should rest here and then continue on until we find the scepter. However, we have always went on a 'majority rules' system, and I will not complain too much if the majority says otherwise. What does everyone else think - go or stay ?"
Culdat stood to the side of the room watching all that transpired. "Belgrius, perhaps Da Ghiri could teach you to float, as I hear he can do that well. That would make it so that you would not have to walk back to Vain. If we leave that is." The halfling glanced at Da Ghiri with a tight smile. "Otherwise I will go, or stay, there seems to be a need for both." Twiddling his thumbs, Culdat waited for a decision, either way, to be made. Upon hearing Da Ghiri mention the Scepter of Power Jardel's cheeks flushed deep crimson. Stammering he averted his eyesight to the ground. "Er ...blasphemy ... what error on my behalf. I sincerely apologize to King Edmund for lapsing in my judgment. How could I have forgotten our main objective in recovering this artifact for the benefit of all good. These last few days very many occurrences have happened and have confused my memories. Perhaps though this is the doing of Asmodeus ..." Regaining his composure, he once again exuded strength and confidence. "Certainly we shall remain here and continue our search for this item ! Only after finding this scepter we are free to return to the capital and King Edmund. All other options are secondary. We must choose are next path wisely. We have already discussed leaving the prior room, where Belgrius' lightning bolt rebounded off the door, through the eastern door. Furthermore we have five more cells to inspect and the v-intersection leaves us with two more separate exits to traverse. I suggest we continue our search by leaving this treasure trove as well as the altar room behind us and check the eastern portion of these caves by entering the immediate hallway behind the eastern door in the room where Caliburn was found. This was our initial plan and should be followed through with. Let us move into our known marching order. Time is of the essence, for we have used much in checking out this room. I will take up the rear guard and carry this enchanted barrel. It is my intention to guard it with my life. Should I die, then I bid any and all of you to destroy it, before it lands in the hands of evil again. This container holds the breath of a god and must be freed in order to serve the realms in a righteous fashion."
Kethas crumpled his face, obviously in deep thought. "Hmmm ... If one of the fighters were to go with me, Belgrius or even Humus, we could return Enchantra's scepter to her, while the rest seek out the prince's scepter. I believe that there will be enemies to battle, but I hold that a small band of travelers could make it back to the city, hopefully unnoticed. I realize that this will break us up but the greater good will hopefully be served. If anyone vies to go with me in support of this course of action, or present another, I am willing to listen."
"We should not split up." Belgrius interjected. "The forces of evil are strong enough without dividing our forces. We should stay together to present the strongest front to fight the evil. We should either all go back together or move on together. I belive we should continue the fight forward if we can not all agree on going back."
Belgrius spoke. "So, must we vote ? I vote to continue." Culdat chittered hastily "Let us go on and uncover the scepter's resting place. I do not think we have a choice. Belgrius is correct, of course, and we cannot divide our forces. We must have the lady's staff, and we must have the scepter. I fear we have no recourse, but to continue..." He continued to twiddle his thumbs nervously. "I certainly do not want to stay here ..." Kethas turned once again to the group. "I vote to continue then, as Belgrius has stated, we should not split up after all, and we do not yet possess the prince's scepter. I also believe that I should carry Enchantra's staff. I may not be able to activate it, but it is best kept in the hands of a magic-user." Belgrius countered. "That is the very reason I offered to carry the staff. I am as much a mage as I am a cleric." Kethas replied. "All right then, friend ... Carry the staff in good health. If it becomes necessary, you may also have a seat on my horse. Perhaps we can later arrange to a trade of spells, in better company, and in a less hostile environment. Maybe even a game of chess ..." Seeing that the majority had spoken, Humus decided. "It appears that we are pretty much in agreement then. Onward it is. Let us do as Jardel said and go out that eastern door in the other room. Culdat, will you take point again for us ?" Lighting up his sword, Humus got back into his position in the procession and went onward. With that settled, Culdat moved to the front of the group. The little halfling attempted to discern the safest passage into the eastern part of the complex, the part they had not yet been. Peering over his shoulder at the rest of the group to see if they were still there, he began searching the floor, the ceiling, the walls. Fingering his lucky coin Culdat peered into the heart of darkness hoping that he provided a small target for anything or anyone that may lie in wait, further into the gloom ...
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