Dungeon Crawl Log

[Hannah Green]

The Black Court march from the manor above with a military precision, calling out a summons to everyone on the island, @lord Spellcarver demands all come to a meeting at the stage.@ They then begin moving from door to door and demanding the presence of the citizens of Nasmara in the square immediately. The demons, as usual, are in no mood to be trifled with, and herd their charges into the square after allowing them a moment to ready themselves for a public area. Once everyone arrives, the lord's children form a ring around the square, their menacing looks boding no good for those who try to leave.

Morbax was already there.... the little over-achiever. He had moved out of the tavern after a time in order to position himself near the stage, patiently awaiting the arrival of Spellcarver should he make himself known. He was seated in a monklike position on one of the benches, clawed fingers steepled before him and legs folded, silvery mask dipped in thought. Though he didn't move in the slightest, his attention began to span around the area, simply observing.

Thomas Eicheim was in middle of .. bathroom break when he heard the summons. The brute showed great speed and dexterity of cleaning stuff up and putting his gear back on before rushing to the staging point.. which apparently was the stage! With a portable keg in his hands and a piece of jerky in his mouth, he settled down to stare around at the Council. Holy hell, it was probably the first time he saw those guys, not to mention hear about them. Yup, the brute hasn't been properly conversing around about the manor, its inhabitants and other fun little things of the island.


Kahakuloa had opened the door of the inn to suddenly find it was swarmed with.. other things.. He rolled his eyes and then suddenly if Landi was following closely behind him... would reach out and carefully place a hand to the boy's shoulder.. "We are here for the battle.. These.. aren't the battle.. I think they are part of Spellcarver.. Dont' focus on them.. Focus on the task at hand.. You're here to heal.. Remmber that." He murmured softly.. Oddly enough.. for one who didn't like magic.. Haku seemed oddly unnerved by this.

Landi was closely behind Haku and had, indeed, turned the crook in his hand to jam it into the nearest demon. Landi halts his blow as Haku grabs him, no doubt earning at least a ~look from the demon nearest to him. "Tchaigala, Haku.. first the imp, now this..." Yes, there had been an imp. Landi had not thrown anything at it this time. He walks stiffly out behind Haku, turning in his steps every few paces to try to keep them all in view, but there were too many. "What kind of a warlock is he?" Landi breathes, his image of the man discombobulated. The armor he wears is bright enough to light a small section of the cobbles around him, and bounce off of Haku's dark clothing.

[Hannah Green]

Spellcarver appeared on the stage and turned to address the assembled citizens of his town, a very serious look on his face. His normally clouded eye surprisingly clear and focused. "The undertaking I propose to you people is no small task. I require an escort, and I cannot use the Black Court for this, I need something more subtle, which is why I have assembled you. Those who do not wish to go will find themselves at the brunt of my ire, you people live and grow on my island according to my good graces, I expect occasional comeuppance from you. This is one of those times.”[C]

Spellcarver continues, "There is a place, another world, a dying world, that must be taken care of. If its destruction is not seen to properly it will take other worlds along with it. In order to perform this solemn task, which the Fates of Balance gave me long ago, I must be escorted in a vulnerable state to a very specific location. My limited powers can grant us entry to the world, but the location is not certain...you will have to take me to the proper locale, and from there I will do my deadly work. What you see will likely haunt you for the rest of your lives, but do not worry....that indicates only that you are still sane." [e]

Morbax looked on quietly, his expression unfathomable. Though he'd been dressed and equipped, ready to go, he seemed oddly relaxed for the moment being. There would be enough time for stress very soon... so he remained calm, for now. However, it was a deadly kind of calm... attentive, solemn, as he awaited Spellcarver's next words.

Thomas Eicheim happily munched on his jerky while listening Spellcarver speak, not really listening on the details or anything. He just picked up the facts that assstance was required so with a mischevious grin the brute raised up his hand, giving a wave even to catch an attention before shouting out. "Oi, toss few weeks o' free stout in n' I be in!" He would yell out before merely smirking in arrogant manner. The whole situation sounded like a good test on his new toys atleast and if it got him free booze for limited time, he'd see no reason to decline!

Kahakuloa gave Landi a look that was hopefully gong to shut him up. "Just be the healer you know how to be." He murmured, and he kept his hand on Landi's shoulder. he frowned a bit as Spellcarver Showed up. He looked over to Morbax and Thomas.. and nodded to them in greeting. He had NEVER had to do something like this, and The bow and quiver and gauntlet along his arm and shoulder, proved that. He stood in silence as he heard the speech, casually glancing at the others.

Landi listens intently, though his eyes remain on the demons surrounding them. ~The Black Court~. That's what they must be. His creations, whom he despises. The slow thinker that he is, he is running through his processors the data from days ago, compiling matches with this new information bit by byte. What the man is saying ~now? Largely lost on Landi, who has quietly moved to put his back to Haku's.

[Hannah Green]

Spellcarver raised his hand slowly, fingers open, before his fist clenched and jerked up. There was a ripping, a tearing of the fabric of reality, letting out a low sound like a bell tolling combined with a saw being wobbled. The effect made one's eyes want to water, and could give anyone a sense of nausea just hearing it. The portal was open, a rippling, wobbly hole in space and time. "Enter. I will follow behind. Those of you who object will be left as entertainment or food for my Black Court, the choice, or lack thereof, is yours.@ His eyes briefly fall upon Thomas before turning to reguard the portal. [ `join a:dungeon:crawl once you finish posting out. =)]

Morbax's brows tightened into a more stern expression. As though he'd been waiting for this cue, the reptilian alchemist sprang up to his clawed feet and darted forward, leaping into the opened tear in reality without hesitation. The action was a quick one, accompanied only by a few sounds... a scrape of hooked claws, a quiet jingle of the metal clasps of his field medic garb, and then he suddenly disappeared from the town square entirely.

Thomas Eicheim watched the rift open with a quirked eyebrow, taking a deep breath while gazing right at the anomaly. Poor brute and his dislike towards magic (which made him kind of hypocrite sinde he absolutely adored enhanced weapons). Nevertheless, the brute prepared himself and made his march into the rift! There. Whee. Slow and short due distractions.

Kahakuloa looked around to the court as Spellcarver spoke about them.. and then Haku flinched at the sound and he groaned.. OH.. that was horribe.. even to one who wasn't that sensitive to magic. He frowned as Morbax suddenly took action.. and Lept through the gape.. He had a perplexed look on his face, before he set his jaw and nodded.. and immediately tried to grab Landi's armor. "Now or never!" he growled, as he tried to pull Landi forward with him.. "let's go! we said we would do this!"

Landi cringes behind Haku as the wrench of arcane happens behind him. He instantly regrets eating The armor turns more slowly at the bottom than he does, sending a pinwheel of green and gold light across the cobbles as he stares, transfixed. Could... He doesn't even cater to that thought, nipping it write in the bud. When he's grabbed - a harder thing to do in that armor, he walks steadily toward the portal, lifting an arm in front of his shades, trying to shield his eyes and the effect portals have on his head...

[Hannah Green]

The tomb they arrive in feels as if it is deep within the earth, though no dampness can be found within this underground cavern. The only illumination coming from faintly glowing magical items, the dark room seems large, and the glitter of gold and jewels can be seen. A kingly figure is located against one wall, his bones tightly wrapped with desiccated skin, though most of his flesh is hidden beneath his armor. The wall is very smooth, and marks on it suggest that it was carved out by skilled hands. A darker place in the cave wall, flanked by two ominously pulsing red orbs, seems the only way out of this room. [c]

It was dark when they arrived, that horrid sound of extradimensional travel leaving as soon as they were all in. After a whispered word from Spellcarver, several balls of Witchlight flew around, one for each adventurer, providing them with personal light. "Watch your step, and damn it. We've landed further off the mark than I anticipated, we're somewhere below the surface. I have to be able to see the sky to do my work. I have power enough to help us if we get into serious trouble, but I need to conserve what I have. I'm afraid you all are on your own for now. Lead me to the surface. Welcome to Kaireen, and by the way...there is something of a time issue here, whether I get to the surface or not, this world will die, and us with it if we aren't out here in time." [e]

Morbax stumbled once his claws met the ground. The sudden stark difference in light and heat threw him off-guard, but he managed to reclaim his balance after a second. Immediately, he shifted back away from the general area he'd appeared to make way for the others, and attempted to figure out where he was. Except for the glowing lights nearby, nearly the entire room was naught but blackness to him, and he visibly hesitated a minute as though attempting to acclimatize himself. If he had any guts worth feeling sick over, he would have likely been nauseated by the shift. [Alright. I'll keep it in mind]

Thomas Eicheim made a "woah" sound as soon as he emerged from the portal and found himself in totally new place. The brute shook his head and put a hand on his temple. He wasn't accustomed to portals. What did the not-so-heroic manual of brutish warriors say about random portals? With a frown he listened to Spellcarver, giving a little nod and taking heed of the limited time. He first brought his new shield underneath his cape, clasping the bracer onto his forearm and grasping onto the 'handle'. Then he drew his sword. He was about to say something, but he noted the ball of Witchlight and rolled his eyes. Now attention to the rest of peeps. "Alright, I be takin' front, someone with good eyes be takin' the rear. We be rushin' through n' there ain't tellin' what be layin'" He stated sternly.


Landi's armor adds some light to the situation at hand, even if it shifts and ripples like Akkubae's fur, and the green of it makes it much more useless. He's sickened, as he was before, by the sudden wrench-away from his connection to the life there. His issue with arcane magic being directly used on him has warped his perception something fierce, as well, and he reaches out a hand to grip blindly at Haku, who maintained a grip on Landi's armor through te shift. To Landi everyone sounds like they are speaking a different language, under water. His vision, sensitive to light changes by that one right eye, and behind shades to boot, melts. At Einrehjar's words, Haku gives a snort. "That'd be me, but I'm sure that Spellcarver is the one in charge here." He tries to push Landi ahead of him. [NPCing Haku with permission while he is away]

[Hannah Green]

Spellcarver nodded to Thomas, "Take point." He looked to Haku, "You and Landi are the brains here. I don't have time for you people right now, my mind is full with this planet. There are....something's not...." He shook his head, "Fill your pockets with treasure if you will, only have a care of what you touch, some of these things may not be as inoccuous as they look. Do so quickly, it will likely be your only reward for this trip."

Spellcarver looked over his shoulder and then up at the cieling, "We are not alone." He murmered. "Somewhere here....just watch yourselves, our arrival may not have gone unnoticed."

Morbax began to step around the room, the click of his claws audible across the floor. He was acclimatizing himself while the others spoke and arrived, his actions slow as he took note of each glow of heat and light in the room... faint and strong. Eventually, his path took him around to the other side of the room... where a particularly abundant glow of light attracted his attention. One clawed hand reached gingerly over to pick up a small scroll of paper, attention spanning briefly over its scriptured surface... all of it in a language he could not understand. "Be on your guard," he'd say simply after hearing Spellcarve speak. "We can't stay here long." Of course not. But... Morbax was going to have issues underground, he needed the other big glowing blobs of light that were the others to guide his way outta here.

An odd little creature appears as the piece of parchment is picked up, a large grin on his face, and his green eyes staring with a mad sort of intelligence. He gives a coughing, barking sort of laugh and licks the legs of the parchment bearer enthusiastically, scraggly tail whipping behind him. He seems eager to follow at the parchment bearer's heels. Looking at the sheet of paper reveals only unintelligible scribbles, the letters, if they are letters, not similar to anything found on all of the earth.

Thomas Eicheim slapped the flat of his blade against the black surface of his shield. A kind of common preparation rite or a gesture while Spell spoke. The brute began to move towards the only exit by few steps before looking over his shoulder. He was tempted to stuff his pockets full of the treasures laying abound, but something wasn't right. There was just no free stuff! Nevertheless the brute spoke, still trying to hog the role of a leader. "Alright, hog stuff if ya want, but do it fast." A small pause before something struck to his mind. "Oh, if things be gettin' too much heat, run with the boss n' leave me." Just a little reference to his curse and blessing, just spoke in time to see an odd critter pop out and tag Morbax, causing the brute to stare at it with rather dumbstrucken look on his face.

Kahakuloa was able to orient himself.. his amber eyes acclimating to the dark light, farily quickly. He held back behind the others, Letting Landi go and then carefully knocking his bow in readiness, remaining silent. He looked over to Landi, making sure he's ok. "you remember.. Morbax needs different healing if.. it comes down to it.." he whispered softly. He had no need to 'looting' anything. He knew that some things just weren't meant to be touched. He looked all around them.. until Morbax picked something up. "What is it.." He started and then.. that creature showed up. He stepped in front of Landi, as if to shield the boy from what had popped up, his arrow still knocked, but not aimed. "Watch it MOrbax.."

Landi's head has slowly cleared, hastened by hearing his name from Spellcarver, though he didn't catch the sentence that it was in. "I'm better now," he says. He'd tuned back in at the command to ...loot? Landi lets Haku go. Haku and Landi have already been promised a reward, and he knows neither of them need anything like money. "Yes, Haku," he says. "We discussed this." When Haku prepares his bow, Landi moves back from him to give him space. ...He's a practical man, and moves..not to anything that glitters, but to see what's in the barrels, removing his shades and tucking them into his belt as he goes. His one white eye is incredibly noticeable in the dark, reflecting more light than the brown one.

[Hannah Green]

Spellcarver looked to Morbax and frowned, "Just so you know....that can't come back with us. Nothing living can come back with us. Everything here will perish. Do not get attatched to it." He looked to Thomas, "Meat, less barking of orders and more of finding me a path to the surface. Haku, Landi, and Morbax are fucking this mule, you're just holding the tail." Spell had little respect for meatshields beyond the obvious: They soaked up damage for him. That did not require talking. "Now, if you're all finished, lets go. All of you, move, I don't care where just make some progress."

The barrels are full of musty old foodstuffs and aged alcoholic beverages. A rather beautiful and largepearl, oddly enough, floats at the top of a barrel of clean water, glowing faintly and invitingly. [For Landi]

Morbax had stopped to regard the really... odd creature behind him with apparent confusion, not really sure what to make of that thing. It didn't seem entirely hostile, however.... and when Spellcarver spoke, he affixed a dry look over towards the man. "No worries," he answered dryly. "I do not think that will be an issue. Now.... are we going to dawdle here all day, or are we going to move, Thomas?" the alchemist would say, focusing his attention in on the man. Though his tone might be scalding... he offered a smile as though in a teasing manner. "Let's go, shall we? Before someone else shows up?"

Thomas Eicheim made a little shrug, ignoring the little creature following Morbax just to grumble at Spell's words. He made it sound like Tom was just a work animal or something! The brute did not appreciate that, if it weren't for his tactical expertise (or common sense, whatever), he chose not to quarrel. Instead he turned about on his heels and muttered. "Feh, frick´n mages." Now that he was facing the exit, he would make an overhead swipe with his sword. "Yah, let's move out already." Though he kind of wished he had brought a rucksack or something to get some proper loot with him. Oh well, hopefully he runs across something worth picking up later. So he'd head out when the rest of the party had assembled, taking the vanguard and probably getting mauled by cave critters in the next room. Damn tanks, never getting respect they desired.

Kahakuloa arched a brow as he watched Landi move.. away from the group.. "Landi." The group is moving.." He muttered.. He gave landi a hard stare.. and then looked over to Spellcarver with a rather amused look with those words. He wasn't touching a single thing. There was nothing here that he would want, possibly. "are we following Morbax.. What did the note say?" Ya.. ok that was smart.. Morbax was blind wasn't he? He looked to the.. creature. "Landi.. Morbax is moving.. Come on." He was sure footed as he looked around him.. to the ground.. anything that might have caught his attention..

Landi does not collect baubles, and so had not reached for the pearl. It wasn't a thing that could make, preserve, nourish - as far as he could tell by looking at it, and so it's almost of no curiousity to him at all as he closes the barrel and returns to move, obediently, in front of Haku. Part of his lack of curiousity is due to his attempt to find life outside of themselves to draw on. His armor was storing plenty, but a more native source was highly preferred. ~now he notices the...thing, and swails his attention under that as he prepares to move the column of people.

[Hannah Green]

The hole in the tomb wall leads to a large tunnel, also obviously carved out of the stone. Walking along the tunnel reveals a branching, and the adventurers must choose which direction they will go. Faint illumination and the scent of candle wax comes from the right hand path, but it slopes slightly downward. The other path slopes upward, carries the faint tang of blood for those with good noses, and is dark.

Morbax moved after the group, the click of his claws echoing somewhat off the cavern walls. It wasn't a sound he could easily muffle, but it wasn't a loud one, thankfully. He was starting to learn how to visualize objects by mean of the light spell that had been cast on each of them... it was difficult for him to figure things out when the light was radiating from himself, and not a nearby source. Nevertheless, he could use the images of those ahead as guidance. As an undead, he naturally detected the faint scent of blood first, and a quiet, almost inaudible growl rattled from his throat once he came to an abrupt stop.

Thomas Eicheim practically marched forward, keeping his eyes scanning on the forward area of the party and his shield arm ready to raise and sword prepared to hit something. There was something about cave complexes that just weren't right. Perhaps it was the odd feeling, perhaps it was just paranoia. When they reached the intersection, Tom stopped dead on his tracks, gave a little frown as he spent a moment to think. Now, he could try and pretend to lead the bunch, but he'd probably get into a fight, so he figured to disguise his 'order' as a suggestion. So he pointed his sword towards the path that sloped upward. "I be thinkin' we oughta take this way." What an obvious choice, then again, his nose didn't pick up the stench of blood.

Kahakuloa kept his silence the whole time they moved. He kept the bow and arrow at rest, but was well prepared to use it. He kept his eye out over everyone, being he was probably the tallest one of them all, standing 6'7". When Morbax stopped, Haku stopped as well, noticing the fork. He tried to peer into the darkness.. trying to see if there was anything around them.. He watched Morbax more than anything.. "Morbax... " He glanced to the other direction... "I don't care which way we go.. Pick something.. "

Landi is more or less auto-walking, following behind whomever is immediately in front of him while letting his geas operate - trying to stretch out and ..find anything. He was always worse underground, where life was suffocated by the press of stone. He could feelthe people in the party, sans Morbax and ..the little thing he has, which is only the faintest flicker. The green glow of his armor is more pronounced in the darkness here. He says to Spellcarver, "there's other things down here." Landi points to the upward slope, that has Morbax on edge. "A few up that way." Then he points over to the downward lit path with the top of his crook. "And .. one... very... ..." he struggles a moment. He has no metaphors, so he grasps for what he knows. "It feels like.. large. old. Many, but one. That way." He shakes his head. "It's different here," he says, looking helplessly at Spellcarver. He tonks the butt of his crook into the ground.

[Hannah Green]

Spellcarver looked to Landi, trying to focus on what he was saying, but he seemed to be in a bit of a daze just now. Once it sunk in he nodded, "You found him, then." He murmered, looking to the downward slope. "This is your first times, I don't expect you to understand this....but you have to go down from here. He won't let you not meet with him. For all things its opposites....Fates never send just one. There are some qualities, some incorporate things, that have a double life, which thus is made, a type of twin entity, envinced in solid and shade...." Yeah they were losing him fast. Something about this planet seemed to be draining his mind and his power.

Morbax's head turned briefly to Spellcarver and Landi, though he said nothing... he wasn't entirely sure what he spoke of, but was looking indecisive all the same. Clawed fingers tucked themselves into a pouch at his side, withdrawing the same faintly glowing dust he'd shown to Landi earlier... and with a swift action, raked his arm out in a broad curve. The glittering dust was left to drift gently through the air, of which Morbax attentively watched... he was testing to see if there were any slight air currents, and from which tunnel they originated. "Each may be a trap... obvious or not... the path that hints at danger may lead to the escape, unless it is not, and leads only to bloodshed... yet sometimes, one has to head downhill in order to go back up." Difficult choices, indeed. One could sit here for hours pondering on it. Unfortunately, they did not have that time.

Thomas Eicheim should've brought his keg with him. Instead he was stuck with his waterskin that was filled with his homebrew. So while rest of them contemplated about the right path, the brute used his shieldarm to uncork the waterskin and lift it to his lips, taking a good gulp out of it before sighing in content. When he recorked the waterskin, he took a glance over his shoulder at the rest of the people. He had picked up some words from the conversation between Spell and Landi. "It be soundin' like we oughta go that way." He said, pointing the sword at the path leading downwards. It sounded like a fight!

Kahakuloa remained in that stoic yet ready stance. He was simply there to defend if need be. He had no say in the matter.. A soldier, perhaps. He had been in a few fights. He also knew that it would be better to go TO the danger.. than have it sneaking up on you. He watched Landi, then Spell.. "Lead the way then. I'll stay behind everyone to make sure nothing sneaks up from the other direction." He glanced back the way they came.. and then down the other path..

Landi watches Spellcarver as he speaks, and moves forward to attempt to help him along, seeing only the struggle there. The words make little sense to him, past the first few sentences, but a suffering body did. Regarding himself, perhaps wrongly, to be the least physically adept here he seeks to burden his free hand by supporting Spellcarver with it. If allowed, he would walk slowly behind the Lord, aware that this man, in addition to being ~who and ~what he was, was also their ticket home. "Down along the lit path, then," he says, quietly.

[Hannah Green]

The cool light of the candles barely reveals a robed figure, the shadows around him moving in strange and unsettling ways, sometimes seeming to form into ghostly mirrors of the creature. A large key can be seen glimmering on the floor behind him. Any who approach the male are waylaid by the shadow creatures, who simply block the way forward. “Good evening.” His voice a rumbling of deep caverns and dark caves, it fits very well in this underground tomb. Tone ever so reasonable, he continues, “For all things its opposition, Spellcarver. To pass here you must oppose me, or appease me. I will take nothing less than one of you or yours. A life for the life of a world, a trifle in comparison. You would do well to consider my offer, Archmage. To engage me would mean the loss of several of your number, rather than just one.

Spellcarver seemed to snap out of his reverie at that voice. "Wrath!" He hissed. "You have no business here! I was given this task." He stepped forward in front of the party protectively, reaching up to pull his hair away from something that glowed: It was a crown of sorts, a diadem, and he glared at Wrath.

The Fate of Wrath seemed to emanate a certain smugness, "You should know by now, Archmage, your little toys won't work on me. I am beyond this world, beyond even your power. My deal stands, a life for the life of this planet."

Morbax stepped forward, trekking after the group as they chose to head downhill. He halted when a cold voice greeted them, though the reptilian healer sported no visible expression of reaction. He merely set a clawed hand calmly at his left side over a satchel, looking almost like a gunslinger readying for a shoot-out. It was clear he did not approve of either of the given options.

Thomas Eicheim grinned, yes. Tom grinned at the sight of the robed invidual and moved next to Spellcarver, obviously not approving the protective stance of the archmage. Instead, the brute tossed a death defying glare at the robed foe before tossing out an one liner. "I be callin' dibs on his gear." He'd said while resting the flat of his blade on his shoulder, posing with his shield side facing the apparition.

Kahakuloa was simply making sure of the backs of everyone, but the voice chilled him.. he spun around as everyone stopped and then quickly looked to Spellcarver.. "What.. is it talking about Carver.. we are here to kill the.. world.. right? How are we going to do that.. one being at a time, that will take too long.. " he had thought they would simply do something magical and be on their merry way.. a life for the lives or somthing like that.. Haku shook his head.. they couldnt' afford to lose anyone.. there had to be loophole..

Landi pulled in those questing, straining senses like a person reeling in their laundry at the first hint of thunder, as that voice reaches his ears. More attentive now, he hears the choices and..his hand lifts off of Spellcarver's back, not even daring to look at Haku. Life.... our slow thinker is thinking. He wants life, does he? Landi rolls the idea over and over in his head while Spellcarver speaks and the thick-skulled man postures. Carefully, he draws some of the life energy he'd stored into the runes of his gear into himself, getting ready to discharge it as a snap heal. For now...he does nothing, and keeps his eyes on Spellcarver.

[Hannah Green]

Spellcarver stepped in front of Thomas, "Be silent, Thomas." He said gently. "You stand and speak to the Fate of Wrath....the apparition you know as the Pale Hand. The incarnation of Death itself. He's here to make sure everything is fair....for the other side. You see if we fail, he harvests that much more souls." He reached up and removed the Diadem from his head and turned around, gently placing it on Landi's head, settleing it in his hair gently. He then removed his cloak, and with a smile wrapped it around Haku's shoulders. Finally, to Morbax, he handed his staff. "Do not waste these." He murmered softly. He looked to Thomas, "They will be able to help you more now." Before, seemingly naked of his trappings, he stepped up to Wrath and his horde. "From a man of death to death itself....I accept." Wrath would boom in his voice, "DONE THEN!" And there was a flash of light....and they were gone, Spell and Wrath. [Items are coming, one sec.]

Spellcarver: [Landi: The Ordrope Diadem: Legendary Starsmithed Item, head piece, effect: Anyone who looks into the eyes of the wearer of the Diadem, or the jewel affixed to the Diadem itself, will lay bear their soul and mind to the wearer of the Ordrope Diadem. This bypasses all defenses, mental, magical, or from items. Chance on hit: If wearer of the Diadem has an expansive mind, or is exceptionally powerful, may drive target temporarily or in rare cases permanently insane. ]

Spellcarver: [Haku: Cloak of Arachnida: This black garment, embroidered with a weblike pattern in silk, gives the wearer the ability to climb as if a spider climb spell had been placed upon her. In addition, the cloak grants her immunity to entrapment by web spells or webs of any sort@she can actually move in webs at half her normal speed. Once per day, the wearer of this cloak can cast web. She also gains a +2 luck bonus on all Fortitude saves against poison from spiders.]

Spellcarver: [Annnnnd Morbax: Staff of Chains: minor Starsmithed Item, Once per day: Chains of Force, target is locked down, unable to move or act. Once per day: Chains of Dread: single target fear effect. Once per day: Chains of Decay: Single target Damage over Time.]

The key glimmers invitingly from the ground. It begs to be picked up. Perhaps it will be useful later? O-O

Morbax bristled automatically upon seeing Spellcarver move forward. At first, he had been merely confused when Spellcarver started to hand things out... his clawed hand closed over the staff, frowning over at the man. But when the man moved forward towards the figure ahead, he automatically stepped forward as well, alarmed. "Spellcarver!" the alchemist said sharply, but was forced to stop upon the flash of light, recoiling slightly under the sudden blast; he would be momentarily blinded by it as it engulfed the room. This drew an enraged sort of snarl from the alchemist, lips twisting away from daggerlike teeth beyond the mask. "No!"

Thomas Eicheim made an angry snarl as Spell stepped infront of him once again, tempted to shove the archmage away and do what Tom does best; commence beatdown, but as the Archmage began handing out his items to people, Tom blinked few times. He suspected a clever ruse being planned on so he held on his urges untill it was late. A flash of blinding light later, the brute blinked and groaned. He eventually recovered from the temporary blindness caused by the light. With the powerful mage and guide gone, the brute moved to the spot where the Wrath was, taking a look around. "Well, it IS a good day to die.." He muttered before spotting the key and so, he would step his way towards it and pick it up, hoping he wouldn't be getting odd critters to follow him.

Kahakuloa sotod ready to what needed to be done.. ad then he lowered the arrow when Spell wrapped the cloak around him. "Carver..." He muttered.. His gaze was wary.. he looked over to Landi.. and then suddenly when Spell moved forward.. "NO!" just about the same time Morbax spoke.. He notched the arrow and took aim.. only to fire the bow too late as he careened off the wall.. "NO.. no where did he go!" He looked to Landi.. "Landi.. can .. can you feel him?" He looked in the darkness.. "What.. is going on? I thought we were supposed to destroy a world.. not willinglly kill ourselves off.. Let's destroy it already!" Odd, coming from the human..

Landi comes to his idea... just in time to see Spellcarver turn and crown him. His eyes blink in astonishment as the man hands out his items. He'd heard a story much like this before - from where the name "Einherjar" came from, in fact. Landi was a man who tended to take things literally... He stops, and stares as the other men shout. "Haku... speak more gently of killing, please.. I can't feel anything right now..," he says. He was..aware of what he wore. And doesn't look at Haku at all. Or any of them directly. "He did something like this for Morbax..."

[Hannah Green]

The creepy little dude gives another laughing sort of bark as they all stand and speak, his pointy little snout pointing back out of the room, the way they came. Mad green eyes roll to look up at the adventurers, and he lets out a singing little sound, dancing in place.

Morbax , after his initial look of shock, ended up looking angry, oddly enough.. his clawed and bandaged hand tightened over the staff he'd been given, low rumble of a growl audible from the undead's direction. How were they going to destroy this planet without Spellcarver? And even more so... how were they going to get back? Yet.. none of this was voiced as the alchemist suddenly turned around upon hearing that laughing bark. "Let's go," he growled shortly, and without question, started to take off down the direction the creature had pointed.

Thomas Eicheim put the key in one of his pouches before casting his eyes on Morbax and shrugging. "Hell, like I said, this be a good day to die. better make most outta it n' try get somethin' done." Who knows? maybe there was some magical gimmick that would require mages to operate it and to Tom's knowledge, he was with three mages. Yeah, still going with his assumptions about Haku. Nevertheless, the brute would start marching, speeding up enough to take the lead once again. He did gave a glare to the little creature and comment. "Next time, I be tossin' ya at Wraths so shut it."

Kahakuloa glared at Landi.. he lost one arrow.. and Spell was gone.. again. When had spell done this.. before.. oh.. right.. Morbax.. was this something similar? He would only hope.. He shook his head and then looked over to Morbax.. he reached up and shifted the cloak along his shoulders and removed the quiver from his shoulder to tie it at his waist instead, and grabbed up another arrow and readied it before snarled at Thom.. "no one else is dying.. how about YOU shut it." He stalked after Morbax.. he was doing his best not to let this affect him.. much.. being that with spell gone.. there was no.. way.. back.. or was there?

Landi has a very careful kind of faith. So far, he has not personally seen Spellcarver make a mistake. He'd heard of it, yes, but hasn't ~seen it. It was a childlike faith that the simple often had inthe complicated - surely he knew what he was doing. Terribly aware of the crown, Landi sacrifices most of his night vision behind the shades again, even though there isn't much he can do about the gem set into the top of it. Landi's reordered the party again in his mind, and walks behind Morbax, but in front of Haku. He..keeps a hold of that knot of life's energy as they walk. It is a habit he grew used to at the Tether, for Haku's sake, and is used to the burden.

[Hannah Green]

The cries of a youngster can be heard coming echoing through the caves, "Help! Help!" Perhaps it would be prudent to move onward!

Faaide had been there from the start, though the boy had been careful not to let his presence be known to the others. The onyx amulet around his neck had helped him achieve this, and once the others had left the initial room in search of whatever Spellcarver had been on about, the fox had taken the opportunity to go secure some treasure for himself. Unfortunately, though nocturnal, the boy had missed the large webs in the carrion darkness of the tomb's hallways, and stuck on it as he was the fox could only let out a series of cries for help, voice echoing along the blackened shaft while his struggling only got him more and more stuck in place.

Webs, invisible in the dark tunnel, line the rock walls and span across the opening of the tunnel, ready to snare the unwary traveler!

Morbax moved swiftly forward, though not too quickly... he had to let Thomas ahead of him, what with the man being the designated meatshield. And here was the oint when Morbax would start having issues... spiderwebs being something he wasn't so good at detecting. If he'd been in front, he would surely have unwittingly plowed into one.

Thomas Eicheim began sprinting as soon as he heard the voices, determined to get to the source of sounds. Who knows? It might be Spell whose voice was distorted by the cave's walls? Who knows. Or if it was just a kid, he needed to be taken to safety. Tom was relatively fast runner compared to his size, but that size of his made him catch the webbings, causing a reaction of cutting himself free. When he'd reach Faaide. "Stay put, we be 'ere to getcha home." and with that said, he'd kneel down and start freeing the looter extraordinaire with his blade. While at it, he couldn't help but shudder. Spidersilk meant spiders. Either there was one helluva nest of some inferal breed, or then there was those big, mansized ones. Both sounded like a lot of trouble.

Kahakuloa shifted the cloak around his shoulders.. He wasn't so used to wearing one lately, it felt weird. He had heard the cries, and of course, was once again on alert, looking around with what little dark vision he had. "WHoa.. wait.. I understand we need to keep moving.. Slowly. We don't know if there are bends, or creatures.. " He brushed up against the wall and pulled his hand away with the feel of a web along it. He stopped and stared hard at the walls.. "Keep from touching the walls.. everyone.. There are.. things.. along the walls.. webs, I think." Whatever made the webs was.. big.. Thomas running off had Haku rolling his eyes.. Wow, that male just never listened to reason.. He calmly walked and reached out to Morbax. "Morbax.. Try and stay with Landi.." He looked to the new being they approached.. "who are you?"

Landi was attempting to multitask, which mean that he was again walking on autopilot again, following carefully behind Morbax without much thought devoted to the task. Blind leading the blind, considering that to keep his party safe he's destroyed his ability to see clearly. If the halls were strewn with rocks, he likely would have tripped. Landi is - reaching out again - trying to hold onto that ball of life energy while at the same time casting out his sense to try to find those three lives he found in this direction before. "It's a real child," he confirms. "three things still ahead," he says... Normally he would be the one to accept the child, and maybe in the near future he would, but right now...his attention is ~beyond that.

[Hannah Green]

The movement against the webbing attracts the attention of dark, looming shapes within the room, and large chitinous legs appear on the ceiling, preceding a giant arachnid. Fangs dripping poison, eight black eyes stare hungrily and excited clicks come from the creature's mandibles. The webs begin to shake again, and two more spiders come to line the tunnel. They obviously planned on their meals coming from the opposite direction, however, and so have to fight their way through their own webs to get to the adventurers. The five have a minute or so to think of a plan.

Faaide's struggles grew more pronounced as the group approached, "Thom!" declared happily, recognizing the large man from the village. Arms bound tightly in the spidersilk, the fox wouldn't slow even as the man began to cut him free, the boy's attention focused firmly on the large barbarian. "'urry up, I 'eard somethin' movin' earlier, I think there's somethin' near 'ere!" The fox had done his best to not put two and two together, not wanting to think that webs like this meant spiders big enough to spin them... he HATED spiders. Kahak's question as to who he was is missed in favor of a short cry of panic as those spiders appear, "'urry, 'urry', 'urry!" demanded desperately, the fox looking ready to lose it as the arachnids fought to reach them.

Morbax was... stuck in the back. And he couldn't squirm ahead to help. Normally, he would have taken an alternate path... as in, scrambling along the wall like the lizard he was in order to cut the line up to the front... but it had been mentioned that there was webs along the walls, too. He was left to sit there and look slightly annoyed at the narrow passage, simply directing his attention towards the group ahead. Life of the combat healer. ...Ah well, he could still smack a rat with a stick and get a spot in the Recount meter.

Thomas Eicheim would make quick work of freeing Faaide from the webbings. Sure, the poor boy's gonna have some of the spidersilk all over him, but the main thing was to get Faaide to stand and move on his own. Just because of the hurry ups he kept shouting out. Nevertheless, once done the brute rose up to stand and face the spiders, grunting a little bit. If he was going to get poisoned, he'll make a sure to smack Spell if he ever reappears again. With a deep breath, he would take a side-facing stance once again, bringing his shield up and ready to confront the spiders. He would even try and command the rest of the party. "Get behind me!" Heroic? Nah, more like suicidal.

Kahakuloa definitely confirmed it.. Spiders.. Haku wasn't seemingly unnerved by the place, more so that Spell had completely abandoned them, and possibly left them for their own doom. Great. The rustling and shifting of the webbing along the wall caught Haku's attention and he followed the webbings to... oh shit. He.. looked to Landi.. Then morbax..the healers in the back.. Idiot man up front. Haku snorted.. "You won't do us any good poisoning yourself. We all are in on this!" He looked to the spiders, and then raised the arrow.. took the stance that Landi had shown him, and took aim. Haku was adept at bows and whips, and had uncanny accuracy as he aimed for the spider.. behind the first, and let loose the arrow....

Landi does not need to be in physical contact with his targets, not for a preventative heal. Extending his left hand out over Morbax's shoulder, Landi orders from the life stored within him, "Ashne tobor." He was working with preciously limited resources, but with Einherjar and the child being the most likely targets for the first strike, he sends two invisible threads of life energy through the ground to them, refreshing their systems and overhauling their healing for a short time - minor scratches would likely close up shortly after being opened, and both would have a sudden burst of energy and well-being. [Minor Rejuvination, two targets, one round]

[Hannah Green]

The spider is hit by the man's arrow, which sticks into its body and draws a spattering of insectoid blood, but only seems enraged by the attack. Letting out a shriek of pain and anger, it tries to shove the lead spider out of the way, long legs skittering across the ceiling as it plows through the webbing. Dripping mandibles snap at the group, though it seems bent on destroying Haku first. The other two spiders seem surprised, but follow along behind with many chitterings and clickings and turn their attention to the two up front.

Faaide didn't need to be told twice. As soon as he was out of the web the fox scoops up a tri-corner hat that lay by his feet and hurried towards the small group. Darting between Landi and Kahakuloa, the fox turns and watches with wide eyes as the spiders scuttle forward. There was no bravado in him, for now, the creatures nearly sending the boy running back down the hall the way they'd come. He'd stick beside Morbax in the back though, a shaking paw holding onto the hilt of a small dagger on his belt.

Morbax's eyes narrowed as he watched the issues people were having ahead of him. He had an idea... but it couldn't be done from their current position. He'd step aside as Faaide approached, and then turned his attention in on Landi. "If we can force our way through, I can attempt to catch all of this webbing on fire. If we're lucky, it might torch many of the arachnids here. There may be a lot more where they came from, we could be fighting here for hours. Remember, we're on a time limit!" This last sequence was said at a shout. "

Thomas Eicheim gave Haku a little glare as he snorted at Tom. The brute knew what he was doing so right back at the tall man who was tall by mundane methods, he yelled. "I be havin' a shield, ya don't!" And so, after the arrow was fired, Tom would once again step infront of Haku, intending to keep whole group behind his broad back. Now as the enraged spider approached, Tom would raise his sword and then thrust it forward, using his reach to his advantage and hope to take the spider down by trying to drive the sharp blade through its head. Succesful or not, he'd hear out Morbax's words and take a heed on them. So if the spider was dead, he'd start advancing with hastened steps and keep his shield raised to keep it in a ready position.

Kahakuloa gave a snarl at the screech made when that arrow hit.. and then they started coming. Oh gods. Haku snarled, as he once again grabbed another arrow and aimed, and only to hear what Morbax said.. "Auwe! If you got one ting for doing.. DO IT, we no got time for waste!" he growled at Thomas who stepped in front of him.. He took a chance and as he aimed, and shot the arrow again, trying to aim for the other spiders advancing... "Morbax.. Landi... !" He called back.. "if gots one idea. Use it!" He was already reaching for yet another arrow...

Landi has a moment of pride at Haku's shot, quickly overridden as one of them picks up speed. "There's only three," he insists, "I'm certain of it! Move up when you can". He looks about to the webbings, not being able to see them well at all with the shades on. As the child comes closer, Landi shifts to keep the kit between himself and Morbax, bringing his crook around in front of the fluff of orange fur. With again, two people in the fore, Landi pushes out with his reserves of energy. "Ashne tobor!" The words were not strictly necessary, but helped so very much with precision as he was still watching ahead of them via his attention, straining to pick up new life as he moved.

[Hannah Green]

The brute's stab up into the spider kills it, and it lets out another shriek of sound before falling to the ground. Anyone beneath the great arachnid would find themselves in a rather unhappy place. The other two spiders go berserk, screams ripping from their dripping mandibles as they advance on the brute at the fore of the group. One scuttles across the ceiling, while the other races along the wall. Haku's arrow plants itself in ceiling spider's eyes, and it slows slightly, front legs wiping over its face, before advancing more cautiously behind its unwounded partner. Fangs flash as the wall spider slashes out at Thomas.

Faaide couldn't help but fall back a step as the spiders began to screech. The normally reckless fox was more than happy to remain behind Landi for now though. Ears pinned back beneath the hat firmly planted on his head, the boy's paw remains on his dagger. "Thom, look out!" called out however when the fox spots one of the great arachnids takes a strike at the large man.

Morbax directed an irritated look at Landi, lifting up a small bottle from a pouch at his side. Its innards seemed to be thrashing wildly around, a violent array of fiery-hued liquids, splashing a heated light on the walls around them. Yet, despite this, it was entirely silent, and the bottle wasn't fighting to be rid of his grasp at all. "You want me to set this off here?" he'd say wryly. "Notice we are surrounded by spiderwebs? We'd go up in smoke with them. We need to progress forward, first." By means of the witchlight, he spied an opening upahead, and would suddenly dart past both Faaide and Landi in order to move up into the room itself, bounding up over the one fallen spider... and in turn, landing directly behind Thomas. He was a healer who wasn't much use at a range, anyway.

Thomas Eicheim: :'s eyes widened at the sight of incoming spider assault. One would expect a shieldbearer to assume defensive stance, but not Tom. Nope. Not him, Instead he actually lunged forward while swining his shieldarm to collide the steel against the slash before raising his sword above his shoulder and bringing downwards to cleave at the spider, complete with a warcry: "UURRAAAA!" the brute wasn't fencing. Nope, his whole mind was on killing every hostile thing he met. If he managed to take down the spider, his eyes would immediately seek for the other alive one.

Kahakuloa stepped to the side a bit, hitting the wall as Morbax pushed ahead. "NO!" Dammit.. He needed space.. "Move up!" he shouted, and he didn't have time to grab another arrow as the spiders advanced. He felt the energy, knowing who that was from, and he couldn't be concerned about that. Not now. The spider closer to Thomas "Watch it!" he quickly reached up with an open palm. "Upena ia lanalana!" he shouted, and of course.. that odd cloak that surrounded his shoulders.. shivered, and a rather silky looking net of spider silk formed, and he tried to snag that spider behind the one that Thomas was attacking!

Landi, when the child had moved behind his heavy kilt, loosed one hand to reach into his pouch and pull out a tiny vial of seeds. An old hand at this, he presses a sweat-slickened thumb to the neck and shook what turned out to be two seeds onto the flesh. He recorks it and licks the thumb. Once the seeds are secured in cheek and vial, he says, "Is your idea," he confirms and lets Morbax bolt, trusting the man to know his own strengths. As the way is cut through by Einherjar, Landi moves forward, crook in front of him in one hand, one pale human hand back for the child with the other. Once the last is netted, however, landi grips the kits arm, hand, or shoulder - whatever he can reach, and pulls him along at a faster pace to regain his position as penultimate of the pack. "Akamai, Ipo!" he breathes as he passes, getting himself and Faaide clear of the webbing, if possible. [prep post]