In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 40):

Shorty looks at Warwick and ask, "him leakin at mouth too?"

In reply to Shorty (msg # 41):

Warwick shakes his head.  "I don't see any drool.  Maybe he's still talking to it?"

In reply to Shorty (msg # 41):

Me no got talking marble.  Dat be cool.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 42):

Beads of sweat start to appear on Aztar's face, his face also readens and contorts a bit similar to a face when someone is lifting a heavy weight.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 44):

"i say we give him more time, lad.  Seems like he's fighting with the big marble."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 45):

You then see Aztar beginning to look in some distress.  His body begins to shake in small tremors and then full spasms, legs, body and arms shaking yet he holds onto the orb.  His mouth opens in a silent scream.  You then notice the Orb is quickly glowing brighter, soon you must shade your eyes for the light becomes painful.  Aztar's form begins to disappear as the light intensifies.  Then the Orb erupts in a brilliant flash and your eyes, even if shut, are overwhelmed.  All you see is white.

More to come...

OOC: You may still try to act if you want.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 46):

Shorty acts on instinct keeping his eyes closed as he would when fighting in the dark. Meh rushes forward and attempts to grab his friend around the waist with one arm.  He uses the other hand with the non functional black glove and tries to grab Aztar's arm.  If he can grab the arm, he will attempt to smack Aztar's hand against the pedestal to knock the marble free and then back out of the room as quickly as possible.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 47):

Shorty moves quickly forward in an effort to 'save' his friend.  He does not get very far as he rushes headlong into what feels like a wall but even Shorty knows it is not a wall.

He smashes into the 'wall' with a grunt and rebounds backwards, luckily missing anyone behind him, and falls in a heap on the ground.

He has smashed his nose and forehead (6 pts), he may talk 'funny' for a while.

He stumbles getting up at which point the intense light fades; but the groups eyes will take time to adjust back to normal light.

Actions?

--DM2

As the light fades, Aztar is left standing there, holding the orb in his hands.  His whole body is exhausted and his eyes shows that he is completely worn down by whatever just occurred.

He looks out of the room and sees the group blinded and Shorty laying on the ground.  He pauses a moment and then speaks, his voice clearly showing the exhaustion he's feeling, "Well, that isn't something I'd want to experience ever again.  However, I have managed to assert my will over the artifact and I'm able to free Rigel."

"What happened out here?"

In reply to Aztar (msg # 49):

"Just worry for ye," replies Warwick, still hovering in the air.  "We thought we'd lost ye."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 50):

Morteft says, "Good. Let's get out of here."

"Couldn't agree more, Morteft."

Aztar moves to the doorway so that he can see out into the larger room.  Once everyone's eyes have cleared and they can see see, Aztar adds, "Make some space by the door so that I can summon Rigel and he won't crush anyone."

When everyone is clear, Aztar commands the orb to release Rigel and then waits to see if everything works properly.

In reply to Aztar (msg # 52):

Trysk, having somewhat recovered, moves quickly to the side to avoid being squashed.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 53):

"Lad should ye wait until we're out of the maze?"

Aztar almost turns pale and glances up in the darkness above the room, "That would require taking the orb out of the vault which I'm not comfortable with and goes against our agreement regarding freeing Rigel."

"I don't believe we'll have any issues getting him out, but if there are complications, we'll figure it out when we run into them."

In reply to Aztar (msg # 55):

"As ye wish lad," answers Warwick as he flies off to the wall.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 56):

Aztar requests that everyone move to the edges of the room so when Rigel appears no one will get caught under the dragon.  You all move to some section of the wall.  When you are all out of 'harms' way, Aztar gives a slight nod and looks at the Orb.

Suddenly a large bright bluish dragon appears.  Luckily sapphire dragons are not as huge as some of their other cousins and no one is pinned against the wall, although Morteft almost has a tail in his face.  The dragon, Rigel,  faces Aztar.

Actions?

--DM2

Aztar smiles, 'Greetings Rigel.  I am pleased to see you.  I'm sorry for your capture but am glad to say the troll that captured you has ceased to exist.'

'Are you alright?   I'll put this orb back and we'll get out of this place.'

In reply to Aztar (msg # 58):

Shorty grins and waves.  "Hiya Ribel drabon.  Me miss boo.  Sorry be talk punny.   Broke be nose I tink."

In reply to Aztar (msg # 58):

"No real harm done."  replies Rigel  "Eventually it would have absorbed me.  Yes, please put it back where you found it."

--DM2

In reply to Shorty (msg # 59):

Rigel gives Shorty a a sideways glance, "Greetings Shorty."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 57):

Trysk examines the sapphire dragon, having never seen one before.

Aztar nods, moves back into the vault, pausing only a moment to study the orb for a brief moment, still exhausted from the battle of wills to control it, places it back on the stand and moves out of the room.

'Yes, I understood that because of the time shift it would've absorbed you which is why we got here as quickly as possible'

Aztar turns to the open door and waits to see if it closes automatically or if he has to do something to close it.

In reply to Aztar (msg # 63):

Warwick bows, while hovering in the air.  "I am pleased ye be well.  We greatly feared for ye."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 64):

Rigel also gives Warwick a side-wards glance.  "Yes, appreciated Lord Warwick."

--DM2