Date: 8/16/98

Players: JC, Kathy, Jeff, Kris, David, Davy, Bryan, Thomas, Chris

Characters: Rio, DM, Saunders, A'tora, Vorn, Caland, Erin, Giblet, Lew

Now firmly convinced that the trip down to the lower level was a time wasting mistake the druid pulls Vorn, Erin and Saunder aside. He is getting ready to inform them that it may be necessary for him to leave the group and proceed immediatly to the sacred grove to aid the Great Druid with the upcoming battle but all of a sudden a rotting shambling figure approaches from the tunnel that leads to the outside and demands to know "Who disturbs my tomb." Rio wields the scepter, ready to fight if necessary. Saunder attempts to turn it an Erin charges to attack with his sword.

MELEE

Erin swings through it, meeting no resistance, and at this time a small voice can be heard giggling. A small faerie dragon appears laughing and identifies himself as Newt. He is a servant of Robin, the great druid and Tristan, her husband who used to be the high king. It gives Rio a scroll case which contains a letter from Flamsterd and a scroll containing an improved Chariot of Sustarre. The letter explains that they are under attack but have the situation well in hand. A'Tora gives Erin an illusionary pair of wings which the barbarian manages to attribute to her magic. Erin is not happy about it and grabs A'tora bending her over his knee to spank her. Rio roars at the group, "There's no time for this !!" and turns to leave through the small side tunnel.

The group climbs back up to the top of the hill near the entrance to the ruins. Rio begins casting the Chariot of Sustarre while Saunders has begun casting Restoration to cast on Vorn. During this time Erin spots one of the priests who was tied up fleeing toward the forest. The man is followed by someone we've never seen who's chasing him. The man chasing him manages to smack the fleeing priest and knocks him unconscious. Caland goes to investigate.

By the time Caland and the new guy come back to the top of the hill the Chariot is ready and Rio is urging all to climb aboard. Although Kedet doesn't want to leave A'tora Rio tells him he must stay and that he will make sure that A'tora returns for him. Then we depart. During the flight many of the group use Caland's Nap spell to regain spell levels. Rio, following Newt's directions guides the chariot to the south. We use the flight time to get to know Lew.

Shortly before landing we begin to cast protective spells. Rio casts Protection f/Evil, Vorn casts Bless, Lew has been playing a pennywhistle to raise morale. We reach the grove. It is 80' in diameter and has a large MoonWell in the center. It is surrounded by large oaks that are tightly grown together. There is a trail that goes through the grove from E to W and at the west edge, outside of the grove is a pack of wolves battling a group of Firbolgs. At the east is a group of faerie folk battling bonebats.

Inside the grove more fighting is going on. Robin and Tristan are pressed back by a Blade Barrier swirling about them. Seven black robed priests have encircled the Moonwell and are chanting. An eighth seems to be guarding Robin and Tristan. He stands with a scepter and advances toward the western entrance where we have landed. Rio immediatly races into the grove and moves to attack the priest wielding the scepter, who is advancing toward him.

FINAL MELEE

Rio tries to discharge SOMETHING out of the scepter in hopes of damaging the bad guy before he gets his attack which looks like it is going to be a physical attack. Nothing happens and the bad guy misses Rio miserably but Rio strikes the priest with the scepter. A magical discharge occurs in the form of a Power Strike and he takes A LOT of damage. Next round the priest hits Rio, for minor damage and fails to stun him. Rio misses. Also during the third round Caland gets off a Wall of Ice which falls on the large evil priest who was chanting at the edge of the pool disrupting his spell. The others, who were standing at guard, scream in rage and agony and break from their position to come attack.

At the first segment of the next round a flood of knowledge flows into Rios mind and he becomes aware of the powers of the grove. Realizing he now has several new abilities, Rio Dimension Doors over to where Robin and Tristan are held behind the Blade Barrier and begins casting Dispel Magic. The spell is successful and the Blade Barrier is gone. Also during this round the priest that was knocked into the Moonwell casts Blade Barrier that obscures the West entrance completly.

The next round Rio invokes the scepter. A Sonic Blast comes out and does damage to the dark druid. Tristan, who is now free from the Blade Barrier, charges toward the dark druid and attacks with his sword but before he can get there the dark druid freezes in place, a victom of Calands Hold Person spell. Noticing this, Rio who has been advancing on him anyway, continues with the idea of knocking him over and drowning him. Tristan pulls his second attack and misses the dark druid.

END SESSION

Begin with 6th round, 1st segment. It is the last round of the Bless spell.

Rio tells Tristan "Go help the others, I'll take care of the dark druid." It's his intention to drown the man. Caland is approaching and wants to strip the dark druid of belongings and weapons. Rio will not allow this to happen until he is sure the man is dead.

Additionally Robin has just completed a spell that has had no visual effects as of yet.

Unfortunatly the dark druid will probably attempt a god call.