%It's probably just an obscuring spell, but I'd still suggest a detect magic. I didn't memorize it, and we are unlikely to afford to ten minutes to cast it otherwise. Let's be cautious and line up behind Pol. And next to Velon for his god-like glow.% Lawrance leaves his Robe off for the moment, turning it on every couple of minutes as they explore to see how far the fog effect goes. 

  Lia walks over to Poljen.  " Just a minute before you head out..." She puts her hand on his shoulder and calls down Sune's protection upon the barbarian.   Speaking through the link she says, " That will save you from death once.  Nothing can kill you in one fell swoop.  Nothing.  Once this saves you one time though the protection is no more.  " 

OOC: She cast Death Ward upon Poljen.  It lasts for 8 hours.  The first time some effect hits him that would auto kill him it is ignored.  If something takes him to zero hit points he will be left with 1 instead and the spell is consumed.  

As Lawrance speaks Velon just stops whatever he is doing and looks at the wizard bewildered.  His mouth hangs open and his gauntleted hands are as face up as they can get, his shield and hammer waving awkwardly to each side.  "You'd suggest?!  "YOU would suggest that someone else's job here is to inform us of all dangers related to the arcane?  YOU'RE the arcanist!  The W-I-Z-A-R-D, right?  The one who doesn't stop prattling on about all things related to magic?  Honestly, if I knew more about wizards I might be able to tell if you are the best wizard around, or the worst.  I thought we settled this back in Diderius's bedroom?  If I had known that our resident historian and knower of all things ARCANE had given up the hobby I might have asked Bahamut for such help as I once did.  Instead I've been focused on his blessings that protect those around me and other such things to keep all of YOU alive.  How silly of me!  What exactly is it that you'd all say you DO here, anyway?  I'll go first.  My job is to obliterate everything that endangers us or our mission, bestow Bamahut's blessings on all of you to keep you safe, heal anyone who is sick or wounded, stand alongside Poljen between the rest of you and our fiercest foes, occasionally wield the sorcery of the gold dragon that infused my blood with hers as needed, and generally try to hold back the torrent of stupidity that endangers this group on a daily basis!"

"Who wants to go next?  Please, the floor is yours..."

Velon bends over and leans against the wall of the hallway near the entrance to the barracks sighing and looking at the floor before looking up at Lia with despair and saying "I don't know how much longer I can stand them."  "I fear Tiamat less than the madness they will drive me to."

     Lia looks upon Velon with concern at his angry outburst. She walks over to Velon and hugs him.  Speaking softly so that no one else can hearshe says. " My love, whats done is done.  Before our next outing  we will make sure that someome is ready for times such as this.   It is too late now and we face a fierce enemy here. Keep your faith in Bahamat.  We will overcome. He will reward you again for good service.  I will reward you too.  " She winks at him. " Let us go my love. The sooner we get done here the better   " 

At first taken aback by the vehemence of Velon's outburst, Lawrance starts to straighten up near the end, heat steaming from his clothes as his own emotions come to the fore. Once Velon is finished with his berating, Lawrance leans forward slightly and says aloud:

"I should have known that the mighty Velon would be too short-sighted to see beyond his own needs to think about what others have do in their efforts to be useful to the group. You've had things too easy. Like an overindulged child with a doting parent, when Velon want's something, his god hands it to him. Some of us actually WORK to develop our skills! I spend many hours each and every day, learning, memorizing, testing spells so that I can find something that I just hope aids the group in our endeavors. Hours of research, knowing that if I get it wrong, it could rip apart time and space itself, just to have the one little advantage over the foes we've had to deal with. Why do you think the Gods locked away the greatest of magics? The spells that, used without understand, could shatter the Realms and kill EVERYTHING? Each day I have to choose what spells I hope will prove useful, praying in my own fashion that the spells i pick will be effective against the next enemy. Almost always not knowing ANYTHING about what we'll encounter next. I choose as wide a variety as I can, and hope the one I didn't pick wasn't essential to saving our lives. My mind has limits that I cannot exceed, no matter how advantageous it would be. Oh, but I forgot! Velon no longer has to worry about merely human limitations! You came to me and asked what would be need to change your physical form into something of a comparable life length to Lia's, so the two of you could spend many happy centuries together, and I listed what I knew, the mighty magics, the elaborate quests, all the ways to accomplish that goal. None of the easy, or without some kind of sacrifice. What happens next? The VERY NEXT DAY, Velon gets exactly what he wanted from Bahamut, like a spoiled child wheedling to it's parent. How nice for you that things come so easy that you don't have to sacrifice anything significant to get what you want. Your other magics all provided by your deity, requiring nothing more than a few minutes of prayer 'Please, Bahamut, can I have...'. Simple."

"My one connection to any God seems to be the historical knowledge that has been poured into my head. Infinite access to random facts, useful in certain cases, but bubbling up from unknown sources. Uninvited, but useful, it has aided members of this little group many times, and I hope it proves useful as we go, but in fact I will be looking to get RID of it, once our overarching quest is done! I don't welcome the mild mental **** of some high-powered being dumping things in my head that I didn't EARN! You may welcome such things, in your devotion, but I do not!"

"You think this is the life I'd chose? I was a SCHOLAR, not an adventurer! I was researching, studying and learning about the world we live in, hoping to help people and gain some measure of fame in the process. From the time I met you, we've been running from battle to battle, hardly any rest between fights, combating greater and greater foes at every turn! What kind of life is that for any sane person? Nary a break, just bloody fight after bloody fight! Whisked like a lightning bolt from combat to combat, it has made me think there is a dangerous craving in some of you to seek your deaths. Take this latest venture: Instead of taking a day and wisely scouting it out remotely, with all the skills and spells we have at our disposal, we jump right into a hole in the ice, with no real clue what we'll find. Now here we are, in some prepared rat's maze, hoping for a piece of cheese at the end. No use trying to find the advantage here, we've handed it completely over to Mr. Voice. "

"You are so quick with the cutting words against those who are part of this rag-tag group, myself, Pol, Cratol and most of the rest, yet you fail to look at your own motivations, methods and actions. Sword on high, swinging at anything deemed a threat, blood thirsty and ravening more than Pol in his Rage! Condoning the pointless murder of those captured, all in the name of your God. Where is the thinking, the planning that should precede any of our excursions? Nothing but animal instinctual reactions to the next enemy, and the next, and the next."

"So yes, I didn't memorize one simple, low power spell that I can cast repeatedly from my spellbook, given the time to do so, because I thought that having spells of greater power would be more likely to save our lives. But if you feel that having such a spell always available, no matter what, then for-fend me from denying Velon what he wants! I'll make sure to have it from now onwards!"

With that, and still literally steaming in his own anger, Lawrance stands tall with arms folded. 

Cratol looks at velon and then Lawrance.  He looks into the barracks and heads inside there to search the room and look at any other openings rather than be between these two.  He hopes that they can continue forward and not worry so much about the inner bickering that has always ruled the Sliver Blaze.

Velon is breathing heavily and ready to snap further as Lia whispers to him.  He says to her through gritted teeth "they never learn."  "They need to learn before we all die, and the world with it.  It does not bode well for the realms that I, no one from nowhere, have more sense than most of them.  We have gotten by on a great deal of luck thus far.  Perhaps the gods protect us more than we even know, but we should not rely on it."

The paladin stands and moves past Lia again as Lawrance speaks, his hammer on his shoulder now.  "You know nothing of my path, wizard.  Bahamut does not grant me these powers to reward a spoiled child, he grants them so that we have a slim chance of surviving this war and saving the realm.  He grants them to make up for what the heroes of this realm LACK!  He grants them because it is my job to stay alive and protect the rest of you so that WE, together, can save this world.  These are not gifts to a spoiled child, no, they are my burden!  Yes, they do come with the small hope to still be alive after all of this to enjoy a longer, better life, but it is a life the rest of you threaten when you are not focused on the task at hand!  I pay for them with my pain, my blood, my sleepless nights and perhaps with my very sanity!

You dare question HIS wisdom?  How foolish when battling the followers of Tiamat herself.  HE is our greatest ally.  It seems you need reminding of why we do what we do, since you are complaining about the dangers.  Which of us is a child, again, as you cry about preferring the warmth and safety of your libraries?  We do not jump from one dangerous situation to another for any pleasure at all, we do it because it is what must be done.  There are certainly many things that I'd rather be doing!  Perhaps that is why you lack focus on our missions.  You are busy pondering the best way to summon a spectral steed and find an excuse to use it, or some other scholarly endeavor while the rest of us fight dragons.  Where were you while we fought Chuth, anyhow?  Suddenly you were taunting a dragon, for some reason even the Gods will never understand, and then you were gone!"

"You also dare accuse me of not planning?  If I show too much caution, or ask for ideas, all I am met with are desires for individuals to go it alone and show off what they can do for their own pride, not for the good of the group.  I am accused of not taking the risks necessary to achieve our goals.  Every time I ask someone to use certain magics, I am told they haven't properly prepared for it!  YOU have taught me that I cannot rely on such things, so I do not ask!  I do not recall you offering to use your arcane eye before we entered this place.  YES, you SHOULD make sure to have such spells from now on, as that is your JOB, but alas, I cannot rely on that, it seems.  I will bend my arcane and divine gifts and try to achieve a sense for the magics around us once again to keep everyone safe as always,  especially if the WIZARD is going to go reading runes without first discerning what type of magic they may hold!  Perhaps I can borrow one of those funny hats from your apprentices if I am to add this to my list of responsibilities."

"I expect everyone here to spend some time thinking about why they are here, why WE are here, what their role here is and what they are willing to sacrifice to achieve our goals.  I will sacrifice everything, as I know Poljen would, but I prefer not to.  We are not here for anyone's pride, for trophies or riches, for academic study or bardic tales.  When we are on a venture such as this one, if you are thinking about anything other than how to keep each other alive and how to achieve our goal, it would be better if you were not here at all."

At that Velon strides to the center of the room and looks at both unexplored set of doors.  He looks at Poljen and nods at the one to the east, "shall we?"

Poljen thanks Lia for her boon, but Poljen offers no comment on the argument.  He remains in the middle of the barracks.  When Velon finally approaches he nods.  "Onward."  He moves towards the door to the east, under the assumption that is the direction most likely to lead them to their goal.

  Mari moves along with Poljen towards the door.  " Let me check this door first before we just open it.   " She examines carefully for any traps on the door. Mari also listens for any sounds on the other side of the door.   

  Lia remains quiet as the argument persists.  A worried look is on her face as Velon strides off into the room.  " Lets get this over with. " She follows the others towards the eastern door.  

After the various outbursts, the voice states, "Now, now, none of that, I said I wanted good results, and I mean to get them." 

There is a pause before he continues, "...Come to think of it, just carry on if you wish, I just thought of another test, how well you'd perform by comparison after being raised from the dead and no longer capable of bickering."

As mari investigates the door, there is flickering movement all around you. Shadows in the room come to life and begin moving in your direction. They coalesce into vaguely humanoid forms and advance towards the party.

%This joker has far too much magic at his or her command. % Lawrance 'paths as he gathers his own magics for defense. 

Intelligence Save  12

Cratol sees the shadows forming around him and gathers himself for battle but hoping that this is just an illusion. 

OOC  Rolled a 16

Intiative I rolled a 1 so with my +4 that is 5 so I guess I will be going last.  At least I would rather roll a 1 crit fail for initiative than an attack

During the lengthy investigation of the room, and the arguments back and forth between Velon and Lawrance, Perry has been staying just outside the room writing in his songbook. He can be seen mumbling to himself, "Something that rhymes with seen? Mean? Or maybe...clean? That could work here..." He scribbles some more in the book, until Velon gets to the part about no time for "bardic tales" that is. The tiefling freezes, then slowly closes the book and sheepishly puts it away into his bag.

He coughs.

Once the shadows begin encroaching, Perry yelps, "OH NOOOOOOOOOOOO, the darkness has taken on vaguely humanoid shapes!!?!?!?!?" He is quivering and looking around in multiple directions with a panicked expression. He fumbles his arm behind his back and strums a discordant note on his mandolin as a light yellow glow briefly illuminates him.

 Lia is startled as the shapes rise up at them from the floor. She casts bless upon Poljen, Velon and herself.  They can feel a boost to their abilities.   She eyes the shadow creatures worriedly.  

  Mari gasps as the strange forms coalesce around them.   Figuring that the best thing to do mighr be a hurried exit, she continues working on the door.  She will either attempt to unlock door if it is locked or open the door and walk through if not locked. She will look around beyond the door if possible.  

Poljen frowns when the shadows form, unsure what to do...

Poljen says, "Let's see what these are truly made of..." as he steps forward and begins to lay into the things.

Velon readies his hammer and shield and looks around the room at the numerous shadows.  Still in his surly mood he mutters "now what?"  "Speaking of doing one's job, I suppose this type of this is as much mine as anyone's."  At that Velon closes his eyes for a brief second and calls upon his connection with his God to discern exactly what type of trouble they are in now.  He opens is eyes again quickly to see what Bahamut may have revealed to him.

Action: Activate Divine Sense

(Velon's initiative was 3.)

Lawrance, limited now to normal vision and unused to the reduction, peers at the advancing undead. Sudden understanding comes over his face as he matches form with knowledge and he calls over the mental link %They’re SHADOWS! Their very touch drains life and if they take it all, you join their ranks!! Avoid direct contact if you can!%

Tapping into the Weave for some temporal magic, Lawrance envelopes a group of the creatures into bluish light, the glow seeping into their shadowy forms and altering the flow of time. 

OOC - casting Slow DC 16 Wisdom   On 6 of them. 

Cratol will advance on the closest shadow and attack it. 

Rolled a 15 and a 6  Add +10 to each that is a 25 and a 16 to hit  Rolled a 1 and a 2 for damage so add the +6 to each makes that a 7 and a 8.

As Perry shields himself, Poljen steps up and does what he does best, cutting the ephemeral creature before him to shreds. Mari manages to unlock the door before her.

The shadows, in the meantime, close in, striking from multiple sides. Most have a hard time getting through the party's defenses, but a few blows land true. The things flit about, amongst and through the party, making it extremely difficult to keep track of their position.

It quickly becomes clear that something is wrong, as Lia casts a blessing on two shadows in addition to herself, and Lawrance attempts to slow fellow party members. Cratol steps up and strikes Poljen in the back, while Morgaine does the same to Lawrance. Only Shadowsnacks and Poljen seem to be free of whatever influence is causing people to confuse friend from foe.

Velon can tell something is wrong when he activates his divine senses, as all of those he is now seeing as his teammates feel like undead to him.