Selvin shook his head. "Uh, no, not lookin' t'be eaten or die. Just wanted t'talk. Just...kinda passin' through actually."

He then looked torn. He glanced back at the roof then back at the dragon. He opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again. Finally, words came out. "I...uh..." He sighed. "Can I ask what you are dying of? Would healing magic be of use in keeping you alive?"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 12):

The great Wyrm's body seems to convulse.  But then you realize it's laughter.  "I was wounded in the battle.  It seems I must pay for my sins.  But it is as it should be.  I have been true in my faith. So I shall fly by the side of my lord."

One of his eyes pops open and surveys you Selvin.  "You aren't one of ours.  I would remember you.  And you aren't on the other sides.  Who do you fight for?"

Selvin hesitated and then offered, "Well...I mean...one of my allies is a cleric. They could try t'heal you if you want...If you're not just...resigned t'die or whatever..."

He shook his head. "Ah, no. We're not really on either side, I guess. It's...complicated." He chuckled and shrugged. "Technically...we're just passin' through an' this has all already happened."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 14):

Excelbraxas stares at you in confusion a moment Selvin.  Then he seems to understand.  "You're another shade then.  One of the 'Ones Who Will Come', eh?  Like that priest Sial."

He closes his eye again.  "Well.  I thank you for your offer.  But I bow only to Zon-Kuthon.  And someone else's priest will do me no favors.

"But because of your genorosity of spirit, I'll grant you a favor little Shade.  I will spare your life.  But let me ask:  why did you come to Scarwall?"

Izzick stood at the ready, swallowing down and certain that his heart fell down his throat as he did. Selvin was crazy sure but wooo...this took the cake. "I dunno, she sounds the most sane of us all right now," he said, having sudden second thoughts but it was true they were getting no where without speaking to this man...dragon...evil divine monster. He still kept a close eye on Selvin, waiting to see and getting ready with 100 spells in his head. Whether or not he wanted to reveal himself was like a coin of gold flipping in his head that he couldn't quite decide which side it should land on.

Selvin gave a little growl at the name Sial. He gave a shrug and then gave a conceding nod. "Yeah. I guess so. Sounds about right. What my an' my allies're seein' already happened a long time ago."

He frowned at the wording of the dragon's refusal of healing. Very strange. But there wasn't much Selvin could do about it. He blinked at the dragon's casual 'sparing of his life', wondering if the dragon could kill him so easily while apparently mortally wounded - but he was in no hurry to find out.

He drew in a deep breath. "I mean...it's a long story but...the spirit of Kozovon is possessing our queen? We came to find information, possibly a sword, anything to help us with setting her right or stopping her at least, definitely stopping her from finding all the pieces to his body and...bringing him back or something. I'm not sure, but that's....kind of the gist I think."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 17):

Excelebraxas has another laughing/coughing attack.  A spray of black fluid hits the courtyard, making hissing, sputtering pools that sizzle and eat into the stone work.

"Pardon..." he adds weakly.  He lowers his head.  "If you had come to me with this two days ago, I would have roasted you like a cattle herd and served you as an appetizer to some demons I know.

"But...as I die...I feel..."  He is quiet for a long moment and then shrugs.  "Whatever word I am looking for escapes me.  It seems a lot is escaping me.  I am dying after all.

"I won't tell you how to stop my Lord.  He is the chosen one after all.  Though Zon Kuthon chose poorly.  But I will tell you this...

"Kazovon would be in his throne room.  If he still exists.  The champion who has come to challenge him...and may have already done so by now...would be there.  If he still lives.  I saw the sword he held.  It was a spark none of us could deny. As you can see by my state."

His body shudders.  That one eye opens again, though not as wide as it did.  "I have given you enough little shade.  Best you and those others hiding up there be off.   Before I decide to have 'one for the road'..."

The eye shuts again.

Selvin gave a slow nod. "Thank you. Most generous of you. I hope you...find peace, or the afterlife you are expectin'." There was almost a question mark at the end of that. Selvin wasn't sure what happened to dragons after they died, let alone ones who worshiped Zon Kuthon (and he was pretty sure he didn't want to know).

With that, though, he flew towards the throne room, giving the dragon a wide berth, glancing back at his allies to see if they were coming.

Following quickly behind, Izzick did his best not to glance at the dragon, or make it seem like he was looking at the dragon, or in any way offending the dragon as he caught up to their summoner companion. "You've got - well I dunno what you've got but I'm surprised it's not a puddle between Zac's legs." Still as they moved forward he felt a little more confident, "I suppose now we just have to see if we can take the sword with us."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 20):

Uhmm...actually.  I think there's one more question...  Chandanar scratches his head.  Where's the throne room?

Laoris coughs.  Do you want the good news or the bad news first?  She blinks like she expects someone to actually make the choice before going on.

Good news:  I know where the throne room is.  It's actually below ground.  In the base of that tower...

She points to an odd, star shaped tower at the other side of the courtyard.

So...here's the thing.  The bad news is there's some kinda gate that has a particular kind of access.  And no.  I'm afraid I don't know what it is.

I don't think Sial knows either.  But...we're gonna have to figure that out.

Selvin glanced at Izzick and let out a chuckle. "Barrin' high-level magic, wishes or gods, we only get one life t'live. Might as well live it t'the fullest, man." He shrugged. "B'sides, the dragon looked like he wanted t'talk more'n fight."

He stopped and sighed as the topic of where the throne was, was answered, then another obstacle was lightly tossed in to their path. He frowned. "But...okay...so how do we find out what we need if we don't know what we're lookin' for? I mean, do you know what kind of...gate it is?"

Laoris shakes her small head.  I only know it's probably in the chapel.  Through there...

She points to the other side of the courtyard.  To the door Excelebraxas is busy dying in front of.

Selvin looked where Laoris was indicating. He then looked at her and rolled his eyes before shaking his head and sighing. "I mean...I already didn't get eaten by him once. I can't imagine he'd be nice enough t'let us all just go past him while he's still alive."

He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. "Sooooo...we wait til he dies or what?"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 24):

Chandanar shrugs.  Maybe we can tip toe?

You can fly down to the courtyard steps, over and past the dragon.  Or try to find another way into the tower.  Laoris doesn't think there is one though...

Selvin looked around. "I mean...I can fly down there, no problem." He gave a shrug. "I can probably carry one or two of you with me, the not-heavily-armored kind. But...I would prefer not to do a bunch of ferry trips and potentially catch his attention so we get eaten."

He looked at Izzick. "Ideas?"

Izzick nodded, "I can enchant another to fly, if Chandanar's too heavy, then it would be me and him. You'd just have to carry Zuni and Laoris." The woman they had brought with them was small enough that it shouldn't be too hard, Izzick himself could probably carry her if needed. "Does that sound like a plan?" he asked, already feeling the magic go to his hands. As soon as he touched someone, they would be as weightless as needed and then they would just need to actually past the dragon. Preferably far over the dragon's head and out of reach of anywhere he could strike or breath or anything else. "If we need, I can do another but I'm going to guess we need as much sorcerous power on our side as possible once we're through those doors."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 27):

By positioning everyone just so and so, you manage to make it over Excelebraxas and to the doors of the star shaped tower.

The doors are slightly ajar.  Laoris, without any fear or hesitation...or caution for that matter...reaches out and pushes them open...

There's a sudden burst of sunlight all around you.  Well.  Not sudden.  You seem to have skipped back to where you came from.

You're standing on the steps in front of the courtyard.  The corpses of Excelbraxas and all the dead are gone.  Instead, there are twenty gargoyles, perched with their backs towards you, watching a door that you could've come through had you not taken the long detour you did.

It seems you'll get to ambush the ambushers after all...

You are back in your time.  None of the gargoyles are aware of you.  Have fun

With a touch of his hands and word to distort his form, Izzick spread out like a smear of ink on a page. Flickering and unclear, he hoped at least some of the gargoyles would fail to strike him as he began to chant towards his next spell. He was sure the small army that had been assembled would have skewered them alive if they'd walked through the door, but they weren't out of danger yet. His eyes scanned their number, trying to get a count. They would need to hit hard and fast.

Casting Blur on myself to start. Are we able to buff up before hand? If not that's all for now

In reply to Izzick (msg # 29):

See my response to Selvin on the OCC thread.  But yes.  You may sneak right into the tower.  Or buff up.  Ya'lls call.  Thanks

I can cast Haste and Protection from Evil on everybody

Selvin suddenly had an idea and held up a hand as Izzick started to cast spells. He whispered very quietly. "get ready to move in quickly. i'm gonna summon some creatures t'distract the gargoyles while we go in."

He hovered with his two allies on his centaur-like back. He concentrated and cast a spell that tore just a small hole between this plane and another, summoning 4 Lantern Archons in to the air above the gargoyles with instructions to begin firing their energy rays.

Then he flew for the door.

21:29, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 4 using 1d4+1.  Summon Monster 5 (but SM3 choices).

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 32):

Izzy, I'm assuming you did not cast Haste/Protect from Evil per the OCC thread comments unless you tell me otherwise

The air above shimmers and then the Lanterns appear, doin' their thang.

Your group dives/swoops for the door.

The gargoyles launch upwards towards the lanterns, seemingly oblivious to you.

You hear Chandanar mutter.  He's cast some kind of spell.  He holds a finger up to his lips and points at the landing.

You land soundlessly.  Laoris opens her mouth to say something, can't, and shrugs.  She reaches forward and pulls open the door.

There's a bright flash of light and the smell of ozone.  Laoris slumps to the ground, having been shocked.  There was some kind of trap on the door.  Not now though.

The gargoyles are still too busy with the lanterns.  They don't notice.

Heading in?  And anyone picking up Laoris?

And in case you haven't figured it out, Chandy cast Silence 15' right before the door to try to give you a stealthier landing. 

Izzick watched as the small woman fell and quickly lifted her up, hefted silently over his shoulder as he looked towards the door. If nothing else the silence meant they could kick down the door easily enough and he looked towards Selvin for that. Despite his heritage - he was scrawny as far as half-orcs came and he wasn't going to be the one breaking in if the handle was still trapped. Wordlessly (not that he could speak if he tried) he turned to watch, making sure the Gargoyles weren't catching on.

Selvin flew in ahead of Izzick and then set down his two 'riders', before quickly turning to watch the gargoyles and make sure they weren't seen. He prepared himself to fill the doorway and hold back the horde for as long as he could....but really just waited to shut the door as soon as everyone was inside.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 35):

The gargoyles may or may not have noticed you.  Something else draws your attention when you come inside.

Inside the doors is a large chamber with high ceilings.  The floors and walls, save the southwest corner, are made of tightly fitted dark gray stone, polished to almost a gleam.  Above hangs a rather grandiose chandelier.  The only dust and cobwebs in the room cover the chandler.  The floor and walls look almost new.

This was obviously once a chapel.  Or maybe a better term would be cathedral.  There is an altar occupying the southwest nook.  Even though it's bare, it still screams ostentatious.  Made of a whiter than white stone of some kind, it's been stained in areas, mostly around the corners.  You've seen enough blood to realize that is the basis of the stains.  Hundreds of people must have been bled on the altar over years to get those stains in place.

Past the altar is a rather odd looking wall.  It juts out at an odd angle, making a sort of crenalated triangle that pushes up close to the alter.

Standing with their backs to you is your good buddy Sial and his chain demon girlfriend.  They don't seem to be aware of you.  Chandanar's zone of silence kept your arrival quiet.  And they haven't turned around to notice you.  Yet.  They seem to be staring at the altar, discussing something.  What you don't know.  Cos...you know...Silence.

You've been reunited with Sial.  Try not to hug too hard.

Remember, you are silenced.  You will need to move 10' forward from the door to cast spells with audio compenents.

The gargoyles haven't noticed you.  You can shut the door if you like.