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-----------------------Chapter 38: A Moment's Peace--------------------------
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(Tatiana:)
Keilan and Tatiana both swung at the last shade, Keilan struck first and
it disappeared in a shower of sparks.  Her anger still quite evident she
spins around to find more.  Seeing none she sheathed her blade like
an experienced warrior and collapsed next to Arlon, her paralyzed leg
refused to make it a graceful maneuver.

(Keilan:)
As the last shade disappears from view, Keilan turns around once
looking for any further dangers.  Seeing none, he kneels next to
Arlon, Shadowkiller resting across his knee.  As Keilan looks
carefully at the elf, he says grimly "Silver, you should probably
try to bring him around lest he fall under the curse of these
ghosts.  I've heard their victims can suffer the same fate."

(Tatiana:)
Cradling his head in her lap she check for breath and breathed a sigh of
relief when she found one.  She started stroking his hair as Keilan
and Silver attended to him.  "Will he be okay?"  she asked them.

She then concentrated in her familiar when talking to Tuft

*Are there anymore?*

(Shade:)
With a circular glance the drow quickly checks out the status of his
friends, he waits a second to be sure Silver is ok then, a worried look on
his face, he approaches Arlon.

When Tatiana (I suppose she is the closest to Arlon. Also spatially speaking
;) says Arlon is alive he loudly breathes out his worry.
"Well, my father always told me 'A quick death is waiting for the one who
does not check out the shadows', but this was ridiculously too much of a
proof for his wisdom...."

(Keilan:)
Keilan stands off to make room for Silver.  Trying to be reassuring he says,
"He'll be fine, Tatiana."

(Silver:)
OOC: Just before she gets the amulet out ...
Silver glances up from checking Arlon at the worried face of Tatiana.
"With the blessing of Mielikki, Ana. But hold his head still for a
moment." Silver checks his eyes, then glances over at Tatiana. "You
don't seem to be in peak form yourself, either ..."

OOC: Does the healing sort out the paralysis effect ? 

(Falrun:)
After defeating the last of the shades Falrun will also check on Arlon's
condition showing some concern.  After he has determined that Arlon yet
lives and that there is little that he can do to help his condition, Falrun
will search the area for any evidence that the shades had ever existed and
to again determine that there is no additional danger that has been
overlooked.

Until Arlon is cared for and the party is ready to move again, he will keep
an eye on the countryside, watching for anything else that may try to 
approach.

(Silver:)
Silver glances briefly at the others, seeing them standing and turns her
attention fully to Arlon who lies still and ashen. "Time to use this
wondrous item ..." and pulls out from within her robe the amulet with
the bright blue stone.

As Silver stares into the stone, her dark eyes gradually take on a blue 
tinge to match that of the stone, and her attention seems fully taken 
with the device. "Almost as if I can touch the power itself ..." she 
mutters, then lays her hands upon Arlon's chest.

	My wondrous goddess, if it is Your wish,
	permit me to breathe Your strength, Your life,
	and Your gentle touch, into the core of these,
	Your children, who desire Your caress.

As Silver intones these words, her eyes shine bright blue, and a greenish
glow seems to emanate from her hands and cover first Arlon, then Tatiana,
and finally Shade.

OOC: Arlon Cure Crit (27hp back), Tatiana Cure Ser (17hp back),
     Shade Cure Lt (8hp back).

Once this has finished, Silver shivers almost uncontrollably for a while
and says "Such a rush of power ... I will not lightly call upon Her blessed 
healing touch again this day ..."

OOC: Nearly out of healing guys ... I was way down on spells when we 
     started. One cure left. Only other options are the staff and the 
     death-cheater ring. Whew .... a real tough one, that !

Silver will turn to Keilan and say "Thanks, Keil" softly and sincerely.
Then she stands once more and hugs Shade tightly.

(Shade:)
Shadowdancer absorbs the healing power with an evident sigh of pleasure and
relief "Thank you dear - he mutters - the cold of those things was still
deep in my soul" Then as he closely looks at the druidess "but, - he
worriedly says - you would have better kept it for yourself...."
He hugs her once more and then he turn to the surrounding in search of any
new danger.

(Silver:)
"I'll be alright" Silver says, touching Shade's forehead to soothe his
frowning expression.

OOC: Just realized that I'm down to about half-hps 

(Arlon:)
Arlon wakes up slowly and with the shivers, like being out in the cold while
not properly dressed.  His hand slowly reaches out and then he exclaims
"What!"  He then is fully awake and still feeling the effects of the shadows
cold touch.  "Wwwas jjust a dre dream."  He sees Tatiana (and others) over
him and smiles.  "II'll be ffine, just nneed to warm up a bbit.  How's 
everyone else?"

(Keilan:)
Keilan puts Shadowkiller away carefully and walks away in the direction
Raoh ran off.  Nearing the edge of the trees, he calls up into one
of them, "Come on down, Raoh.  They're gone now."

Raoh deftly turns around on the branch from where he watched the last
of the battle, and then starts climbing down the tree.  When he's about
20 feet from the ground he stops, spins around so he's facing head first
and races straight down the tree, leaping the last 10 feet to the ground.
He races over to Keilan and proceeds to climb up the ranger's leg to his
chest.

"Ow!  It's good to see you too, Raoh."  Keilan pries the cat from
him and walks back to rejoin the group.

Seeing Arlon still woozy from his ordeal, Keilan says, "We should move
off the road at least until we are ready to press on."

(DM:)
All will be happy to know that the paralyzing effect of the shades only last
six rounds, so after you have all realized and established that there is no
further danger, all of you can move again with those limbs and other body
parts that might have been paralyzed.
	Nothing else much happens at this part of the road. It is still
somewhat silent, but then again, it's only been a few minutes. The road
seems clear, and you can not discover a single trace of what became of the
shades. They quite literally disappeared into thin air. As you stand around,
healing each other, overlooking the situation, nothing happens of
significance, so it is again up to you guys.

(Arlon:)
A little later when he is feeling better: "I might just have to fireball
first and ask questions later.  Looks like I'll have to find a magical set
of Bracers."  OOC: AC -10  would be nice.

(Keilan:)
OOC: Now that Arlon feels better, I can pick on him  8)

"I don't know how anyone else feels, but I'd consider it a personal favor
if you didn't play with fiery explosions.  Not around me anyway."

"And I'd just like to point out, for those who missed it, you still can't
catch a ghost in a net."

When Arlon doesn't reply to his comment about ghosts and nets, Keilan
looks directly at the elf trying to meet his gaze, "Right?"

(Arlon:)
OOC: Well I guess Keilan asked for it

"Depends on the net." he smirks, obviously feeling better  "Everyones weapons
had some effect.  The tentacles was the best spell I had for opposing a large
group and being magical, there was a chance that it would have effect.  Next
time I'll have to use a different net." he smiles

(Keilan:)
Keilan gets a big grin that he tries to stifle at Arlon's roundabout reply,
"Just checking."



And then those who missed it show up....

	Without warning, Dithion is sprawled on the ground not 10 feet
from the group looking rather like he did last time he barged in on
Saicha S'Zigodd.  Saicha though, says nothing and is gone in a second.
And though you only see her face for an instant, her expression shows
clearly how much she cares for the priest's repeated interruptions.

(Dithion:)
Dithion slowly rises from the ground.  He shakes his head, and
says, "I feel like I have been asleep for months!"  

A grave expression comes to his face and he says, "Seems I missed
most of the battle.  Who is in need of the healing hand of Des?"

OOC: It is great to be back!  I am done with the semester and will
not be taking classes this summer!!!!  

(Shade:)
The drow flicker his eyes wide open, then, a wide smile on his face, he
almost run to hug the newcomer "Dithion! It's so wonderful to see you're
back, friend!"

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
She stepped away from the group and thought about the battle they
had just gone through.

*What's the matter?*

She fingered the fighters amulet in contemplation, *I nearly lost
Arlon there.  I should have done better!*

*Don't be so hard on yourself, you got the most intense part
of the battle.  And it's not like you had a sword like Keilan's*

*But that's the point.  I'm not a warrior anymore.  I'm a bard, what
am I doing pretending to be a warrior like I used to be?*

*It's what you were, History is strong with you.*

She shrugged, *Still, Keilan should have this fighter amulet.*

*I wouldn't know, You're only two years out of practice.  Keilan has
2 years on you.  Does it make more sense to improve your luck and
come closer to his skill, or have one really good fighter?*

She shrugged again.

Walking back to the rest of the group.

"Hi Dithion, nice to see you could join us."

She walked over to Keilan,  "I've been thinking," she started as she
removed the Fighter Amulet.  "This would probably do more good with you."
She held it out for him to take.

(Keilan:)
Keilan smiles a bit as Ana takes off the amulet, knowing what she's going
to say, but waits for her to finish before pulling out a necklace from
underneath his shirt.  "You keep it.  I'll look like a gypsy if I start
wearing half a dozen necklaces.  Besides, if we really want to do these
things aright, then Falrun would be carrying Shadowkiller."  Keilan's
necklace looks to be made of bronze and is in the shape of an oak leaf.
The stem of the leaf curls twice around a leather thong.

(Silver:)
Silver notices Keilan's necklace, and smiles warmly as he talks to Tatiana.

(Tatiana:)
She nodded accepting his wisdom as if given to her by an older 
brother, but said no more.

She went back to Arlon and handed him the ring  "I think we have the 
fighters in this group, but I need to act more like a mage than a fighter.
Sorry I let you down."

(Arlon:)
"Actually I fell down"  he smiles  "you did fine, there was no way to stop
them all.  They just got in a lucky shot."

OOC: Since Joe asked the question about Stoneskin, Tatiana did not answer
Arlon's question about it's reapplication.  If Tatiana does not take it,
Arlon will cast it on himself.

(Keilan:)
Keilan calls out from a ways away, "Mr. Agility indeed."

(Arlon:)
"Yes, I fell quite gracefully."

(Silver:)
Silver can't contain a chuckle at this "As graceful as a wild boar 
digging for truffles ..." she adds, smiling.

(Keilan:)
Keilan grinning like a fool, "See, Arlon, she thinks you're a bore too!"

(Silver:)
Silver grins and looks at Arlon ...

(Arlon:)
Arlon is just a bit too tired at the moment to argue with Keilan and
he'll be quite happy when Dithion shows up.

"Good to see you again Dithion, we could sure use your help.  I could
also use an extra touch of healing, even though Silver did a great job,
I would like to be as healthy as I can while carrying this wand."

(Dithion:)
Dithion greets Arlon and Tatiana "It is nice to be back, thank ye." 
He walks over to Arlon and says, "Twas a most grievous battle, I can
see."  He sets his club down, and slowly intones:

	"A wanderer ambushed on his travels
	wind, rain, and wounds slow him not
	Another barrier overcome on this road
	ease his burdens so that he may go farther"

Dithion lays a hand upon Arlon's shoulder and says, "Go forever onward".

OCC: Arlon gets 6 points back.  How much do you need?

(Arlon:)
After Dithion heals,  "Thanks my friend, it was sure nice that you popped in."

OOC: 6 is great I'm just 1 hit point short

(Falrun:)
When Dithion appears Falrun will greet him with a hearty handshake, "Welcome
back Dithion.  For someone who likes to do battle, you came in a little late
but it's good that you are back now."

(Keilan:)
Keilan looks surprised to see the priest but waits quietly until his
unexpected arrival is explained.  "You missed quite a battle.  Thrills
and chills all around."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana was silently relieved that no one was seriously hurt.  
She nodded to Dithion as he popped into being after the battle.

(Silver:)
Dithion appears, asking who is in need of the healing hand of Des.
Silver raises one eyebrow, and says nothing. "How *very* convenient"
she mutters, and turns back to massaging the paralysis effects of 
others unlucky enough to have succumbed to the cold touch.

(Dithion:)
Dithion gives a hard stare at Silver for a moment, a tight half smile on
his face.  He shakes his head slightly and greets Falrun. "Hail, my
friend, it is good to be back."  

Dithion will say to Silver, "I know ye don't trust me or Des, but if you are
willing, I feel sure that Des would heal ye...the choice is for ye to make."

(Silver:)
"No, Dithion. It is not that I do not trust you or Des. I can always use
the natural healing abilities granted to me by my Goddess if things get
too bad. Save your gifts for others just now ..." Silver seems slightly 
less tense around Dithion after this.

(Dithion:)
He says, "As ye wish, but I have always been of the mind that awaiting 
need is likely to cause more need and, mayhaps worse...."  He then says, 
"However, if ye are sure, then so be it, just remember ye're wounds 
should battle be joined again."

(Silver:)
Silver nods, but says nothing.

(Dithion:)
Seeing that there is little he can do, he stands looking out away from
the camp.

(Shade:)
The drow looks at Silver, then at Dithion, then a puzzled look on his face
he mutters to himself "My, my, I've lost something here or what?"

OOC: Something I should know? Forgive my (Mauro's) faulty memory if so it's
the case.

(Silver:)
OOC: Almost the last words Dithion said to Silver before storming off ...
> Dithion seems to start at Silver's words and then says, "That is a
> choice I will make!  This is not the time."  He stands up abruptly
> throwing his chair back several feet as he does so.  He slams his
> hands down on the table...upsetting dishes and glasses alike...he
> glares at Silver.

When Keilan and Raoh return from the trees, Silver will watch them 
approach. As Raoh notices Dithion, Silver will make a low growling
noise at the cub. *Be wary, Raoh*.

Silver does not investigate the surroundings. She is both acutely aware
of, and pointedly ignoring, Dithion. Her face betrays nothing of what
she currently feels toward the priest.

(Falrun:)
After all healing is taken care of, "We'd better be off now if we want to
have any chance of getting to the city before nightfall.  Anything else out
here is probably going to be ten times worse in the dark.

I suggest Keilan and I take the lead to scout out any more dangers up ahead.
Shall we?" he finishes with a raised eyebrow and a sweep of his hand in the
direction the road leads...

(Arlon:)
"Quite right Falrun.  Tatiana, I believe our protections have been worn 
out by the shadows.  I can put another upon you before we rest."  He is 
talking about Stoneskin.

(Tatiana/Joe:)
OOC: Wow I totally forgot about that!  Would I have taken any damage 
from the shades hitting me?  Would I have had to make a saving throw?
My take on the spell is no damage, so the healing meant for me can 
go to Arlon.  But I would have had to make the saving throw vs 
paralyzation

She gave Arlon a wry smile, "Yeah, the stoneskin didn't do me much 
good that time.  The damage those demons dished out was spiritual in 
nature, and not physical.  But I don't feel the protection any more 
either."

(DM:)
	First some Admin: The damage suffered was not due to physical
woundage, so the Stoneskin did NOT protect against it. Dithion being sent
belatedly by Saicha S'Zigodd sounds fine to me. Reminder to Mauro and call
to Matt, I'd like to get your updated/last charsheets pls. End Admin.

(Silver:)
Silver stands, grimaces slightly, and looks along the road the party
intend to travel. "You're right, Falrun. We'd better move out ..."
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----------------------------End of Chapter 38--------------------------------
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