Note: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence. It therefore may not be suitable for younger readers.

Dungeon Masters: Shelley Proulx and John Proulx
DM-played characters:
Strumblor and Drumblor, are two dwarven bards, who's unique attitudes are
not well-received.
Aurora Flagstone is an invocation specialist who is currently employed by
the Tourism and Information Center in Imor.
Judith Scarsdale, is a strong-willed young woman, and perhaps even a force
of nature.
Ashley Scarsdale, is a student at the School of Wizardry at Imor University

Player Characters in alphabetical order
Kessa, a Halfling Female, priestess of Sedrick.
Li-Jorus, Gnome ,Male, Thief.
Ralnar, Dwarf ,Male, Fighter.
SniffWind , Half-elf,male, Bard, Herald.
Thorodin , Half-elf,Male, Mage.
Tripper Leebow, Human,Male, Druid.
WildFire, Elf, male, Fighter.

Everyone rendezvoused back at the Red Dragon Inn, and decided that they
would not wait for Tripper, and would go ahead to the party at the Golden
Geyser in honor of Orpheus.
Efrem arrived with several Tenser discs to bring the group to the Geyser,
and shortly thereafter Judith and Ashley appeared, and the group confirmed
that they are, indeed, sisters, with Ashley being the elder.

The group was transported to the Geyser, and entered one of the larger
buildings, to be greeted by the eruption of a true geyser. Judith quickly
began making the rounds, introducing SniffWind to the other guests. At first
Ashley treated WildFire as her escort, but once the group arrived at the
party she abandoned him to meet her friends. Li held court at a table in the
corner, telling stories, while Kessa and Ralnar gravitated toward a familiar
face, Aurora, who was also a guest. Thorodin made a beeline for the pool,
where he met a young woman named Lorin.

The party went on, with the biggest event being the arrival of Robin
Ellison, a local athlete and celebrity. Strumblor and Drumblor set up their
instruments to perform, but just as they were about to begin, there was a
commotion on the balcony. Thorodin looked up, and it appeared that one of
the crystal statues had come to life and was wreaking havoc upstairs. As the
group reacted, a second commotion began among the baths, and a second statue
appeared.

Thorodin fires a magic missile at this one while the rest of the party
prepares for battle...

When the missile slams into the crystal creature, it turns to Thorodin  and
starts to move his way.

Kessa and Ralnar make their way over to the southwest corner of the room  to
join Li. Conversation occurs.

WildFire grabs Ashley's hand and pulls her out from under the table, and
they do their best to dodge other running people as they also head
toward Li.

Thorodin momentarily glances at the pool, then takes off around the
southern end of the pool. Lorin, who has started to get out of the pool,
kind of stares as he runs off, then scrambles toward the front door.

Judith gets to the top of the balcony steps and sees what's happening, then
runs  toward the buffet tables.
Aurora, who was near Li, takes off up the
southern balcony staircase, trying to plow her way through people coming the
other way.
SniffWind, as soon as he gets the creature on the balcony within sight,
tries to aim his sling, but he is jostled by someone coming down the  stairs
and the bullet bounces harmlessly across the carpeted floor.

Meanwhile, the second crystal creature among the baths, seeing that Thorodin
is
running away, stops pursuing him and picks up a tray with several
bottles of some kind on it and throws it, bottles and all, at a group of
fleeing people. One of them, a teenage boy, is hit by one of the
bottles, which shatters, and knocks the boy to the ground, his head
bleeding.

The first statue stands on the balcony as one of the chefs starts
yelling at it. The statue picks the chef up by his shirt and tosses him
over the balcony railing into the pool. The chef bobs to the surface,
still yelling and shaking his fist.

WildFire gets to the group by Lee. He takes out a piece of black fabric  and
covers his hair.

Strumblor slides behind his brother.

Ralnar says "We need to stay together, but we should try and get these
kids out of here. Where the hell did that bard go?"

Kessa reaches into her pocket for a sling bullet to load her sling.

Judith runs toward the buffet table and grabs a shish kebab skewer off  the
table.

WildFire turns to Ashley and asks her if she's armed.

Kessa says to Ralnar "I think he went upstairs?"

The second Crystal Creature, the one in the baths, knocks over a massage
table.

Ashley stares at WildFire with panic in her eyes.

SniffWind reaches the top of the north balcony stairs. He sees Judy
approaching
the first Crystal Creature, the one on the balcony, with the skewer and
gasps.

Ralnar, seeing the remaining statues, says "We better move it before the
rest of these wake up!"

WildFire turns to the others and says "I think you're right. Any plans  good
friends?  I don't think I have anything that will stop them."

SniffWind begins preparing his sling, keeping a careful eye on the drama
unfolding in front of him.

WildFire turns back to Ashley and asks "Have you ever seen those things
before?"
Ashley replies, "No, and I never want to see them again! Get  me out of
here!"

Ralnar turns to WildFire.  "Get 'er out of here and check out the
situation outside!" and he gestures to the entrance with his sword.
"Make someone run for help and then come back in if it's safe there.  Direct
as many of these, and Ralnar gestures with his other hand to the  scurrying
fools, outside and away from the building!"

Aurora reaches the top of the south balcony stairs.

Thorodin casts Grease between himself and the second Crystal Creature.

Ralnar then turns to Li.  "See if you can get that bard, and everyone  else,
back down here.  We got to get as many of them out as we can.
Don't forget to come back.  We need to stick together as a group!"

The first Crystal Creature picks up a bowl of food and throws it at some of
the girls, who
are hiding in a corner behind the other statue. It shatters against the
statue's shoulder, and the girls scream.

Drumblor picks up his instrument and puts it on its side in front of him.

Li nods to Ralnar, then follows Aurora up the south balcony stairs.

Thorodin begins taunting the second Crystal Creature.

WildFire says "OK, Ashley, so far we are good. As soon as these guys  decide
what they want to do we'll be out of here, but whatever happens  don't
panic."

Turning to Kessa, Ralnar says, "Stick with me for now, but be ready to  take
off if things get bad.  I want to see if the mage has anything of  use
left." and he starts working his way over to Thorodin's position.

Ashley's grip on WildFire tightens. "What if they decide to come after  us
when we run for the door?" Her voice is just a pitch higher now.

Kessa nods and follows Ralnar, slipping a bullet into her sling as she goes.

Ralnar curses, grumbles, and mutters to himself as he approaches
Thorodin, who is standing near the dais near the entrance.

The second Crystal Creature ignores Thorodin, instead busying itself with
heading toward the lounge area, where several teenagers are huddled in
fright.

Thorodin, seeing that the Creature is not paying attention to him, looks
around for something to throw at it. He finds a piece of broken glass from
the shattered bottles and tosses it in that direction.

WildFire replies to Ashley "Shhhhh, these guys here," WildFire looks at  his
assembled friends, "don't want to get hurt as much as you do. We are
going to do fine."

Ashley looks at WildFire with a confused expression, then turns her gaze
back towards the steady stream of folks exiting the area. She says nothing,
but keeps a firm grip on the elf.

Judith yells at the first Crystal Creature "Hey, you! Stop ruining my
party!"

The second Crystal Creature ignores Thorodin and continues toward the
southeast corner of the room, tossing random brick-a-brack aside as it goes.

WildFire turns to Ralnar and Kessa, saying "So, ladies and gents, shall we
make our exit since this party has gotten a little rocky and head back to
the RDI for some drinks? The company there is better."
At the mention of better company, Ashley jabs WildFire. "Hey!"

Judith tries to stab the first Crystal Creature with the skewer, but it is
able to dodge the
shot. It turns around to face her, and she jumps back slightly.

With the first Crystal Creature no longer facing her, two missiles come
shooting out of  Aurora's fingertips and streak toward it, slamming into its
back and
causing 6 points of damage.

WildFire raises an eyebrow and looks around then looks back at Ashley and
just shrugs his shoulders. Then he smiles at her and says, "Don't worry I
won't let anything happen to you. We have a date at the range tomorrow."

SniffWind finally gets his shot lined up, but just as he's about to shoot at
the first Crystal Creature , his foot slips on some of the food on the
floor, and he drops his
sling over the edge of the balcony and into the pool.

Ashley says "Yeah, yeah, sure, let's just get out of here first."  From her
tone, you can tell she's pretty distracted at the moment.

WildFire, finally realizing that someone other than Ashley said
something to him, nods gives the long-gone Ralnar a thumbs up and turns to
Ashley. "You heard him you are out of here. He grabs her by the hand and
runs towards the door.

Li, having seen SniffWind's sling go into the pool, calls out to him,
"Ralnar wants you downstairs, mon! Get your girlfriend and let's go!"

At hearing the desire to vacate being supported, Ashley says in an
indignant voice: "What? What about all my friends?" She flops on her butt
and looks at WildFire imploringly. "I thought you were brave. Don't let
these things hurt my friends! Please!" Her eyes begin to water.

WildFire replies to Ashley "Brave is one thing stupid is another. First
things first: I'm going to get you out of here and then look for some more
muscle or whatever it takes to stop those things. Unfortunately we don't
have the means to deal with them ourselves. Then I plan on getting all these
people out of here safely.

Ashley gets back onto her knees and takes a quick look around the room for
anyone in uniform. "Well, OK...so long as I, er, I mean, my friends get out
of here in one piece."

WildFire replies to Ashley, as the entire room pauses and watches this
soap-opera-esque conversation going on: "OK, then, less talking and more
walking."

SniffWind calls out "Judy, get away from that thing! We'll get the
soldiers to take it down!"

Li calls out "Both of you get out of there!"

Ralnar, having reached the dais, asks Thorodin what he's got left for
spells.

Ashley finally extricates herself from under the table, saying, "Anytime
you're ready, bow boy..."

The Crystal Creature on the balcony turns around to face Aurora.
SniffWind pulls out a dagger and begins advancing on it.
Judith replies "Normally, I'd think that's a good idea, but I think Aurora
needs us up here now!"

Thorodin replies "I cast a magic missile, doing minor damage. Then
grease hoping to lure the statue toward me." Thorodin gestures toward
the grease spot near the edge of the pool.

Aurora looks around and spots a tablecloth in the midst of the debris.

WildFire sighs dramatically, then bolts for the front door, Ashley in tow.

As SniffWind moves up behind her, Judith brings the skewer up, ready to
swing again.

Li, seeing that nobody's listening to him again, mutters something as he
pulls his blowgun out of his pant leg.

After listening to Thorodin's account, Ralnar asks "You have any other
attack spells?"

SniffWind is in position, but finds it hard to get a clear shot with his
dagger.

Li begins loading his blowgun, sliding behind a potted plant for cover.

Thorodin replies "I'm fresh out," then turns to Kessa and says "there's a
boy bleeding over there," as he gestures toward the fallen teen. "You being
a cleric and all, I thought you'd want to know."
Kessa replies "I should get over there.  I don't think that one will make it
out on his own and it doesn't look to good from here."

Aurora picks up the tablecloth and says "Okay, big guy, if you can throw
stuff, try this for size!"
She tries to throw it over the Crystal Creature , but it gets caught on the
balcony railing behind her and flutters harmlessly to the floor.

Still looking for an opening to throw his dagger, SniffWind shouts down to
the stage, "Strum and Drum. "How about
throwing some daggers you guys!"

The Crystal Creature  on the pool level continues advancing threateningly on
the group of teens.

Thorodin says to Ralnar "I'm going to get my clothes and daggers," and
begins making his way toward the changing room door.

The first Crystal Creature  swings one of his fists at Aurora, hitting her
for two points of
damage.

Ralnar replies "Hurry up, no telling what may be in there, and get back with
the group.  Try and help direct these kids out of here."

Kessa yells after Thorodin "How long does this grease thing last?"

WildFire and Ashley make it out the front door, but a quick glance
around shows no guards to be seen. They do see a number of partygoers hiding
in some nearby bushes, though.

Thorodin turns briefly back to Kessa, shrugs, then continues walking.

The Crystal Creature  swings a second fist at Aurora, but connects with
nothing but air.

One of the threatened teens tries to throw a couch pillow at the second
Crystal Creature, but
it gets batted aside.

Kessa mutters "Spell caster doesn't know the effects of his own spells."
She looks at the Crystal Creature, the boy, the place where the grease is
and back at Ralnar. She checks her sling.

Li puffs a dart out of his blowgun, but it wails off to the right,
lodging in the balcony railing.

Ralnar glances at the fallen teen.  He then looks back at Kessa and nods,
gesturing for her to go ahead.

As Thorodin enters the dressing room, he notices a sharp pain in the sole of
his left foot. He looks down, and there's a huge shard of glass embedded in
it, and he's bleeding profusely. Thorodin takes 1 point of
damage, and will need some healing quickly.

Judith jabs the shish kebab skewer at the first Crystal Creature again, but
it slides past the creature's midsection.

Kessa begins to make her way toward the fallen boy. She is being careful and
trying to move quickly but not so fast as to call attention to herself.  As
she goes, she says a few words to Lord Sedric, hoping that the short journey
from Ralnar to the boy will be uneventful for everyone.

Ralnar, grumbling all the while, makes his way toward the Crystal Creature
advancing on the teens near the pool.
It  reaches the group of teens and takes a swing at the one who threw the
pillow, but misses and demolishes a nearby ottoman instead.

Thorodin falls through the doorway into the changing room, grabs his injured
leg and yowls in pain.
He stands on one leg and quickly scans for danger, then looks for something
to stop the bleeding.
He notices some robes behind the counter where the attendant was standing.
It sounds like there are several people  hiding in one of the changing
rooms.
He yells out, "Hey, any healers back there?"
The attendant comes out and says, "Um, no, but I can call for one."
  Thorodin  says, "Pleas do that, meantime, I need something to stop the
bleeding here."
The attendant replies, "Ah, yes, by all means."
As he looks around he asks, "What all is going  on out there?
One of the party goers came running in here and said the statues came alive,
and that we should all hide."
He pulls a belt off one of the roves and hands it to Thorodin.
"This should do as a tourniquet."
He then goes over to a wall panel, presses it and says, "This is Kenneth in
the party area. We need a healer in here quickly!"

Thorodin takes the belt and says, "Thanks, yes, two of the statues came
alive, well animated anyway, and they are rampaging through the party. One
boy was down already with a lot of bleeding. So you may want to call for
some backup too."

Kenneth exclaims, "There should be guards just outside the front entrance!
Where are they? There should also be a guard on the balcony, behind the
buffet tables."

Thorodin says, "I haven't seen anyone that looks like a guard out there."

Kenneth  says, "This is not good, not good at all."
He goes back over to the call box.
Kenneth  yells into it, "Hello, hello?"
He examines the box and says, "This doesn't seem to be working!"

Meanwhile on the balcony, SniffWind finally sees his chance and tosses his
dagger at the first Crystal Creature, but it
sails over its left shoulder, over Li's head, and clatters down the stairs.

Kessa reaches the side of the fallen boy, but a quick examination tells her
that it's already too late.
Kessa  looks over to the second Crystal Creature that killed the boy and
thinks of what spell to use against it.
Ralnar reaches a position behind the Creature and brings his short sword up,
ready to strike...

Strumblor stays hiding behind the drum as  Drumblor stands up and starts
heading up the stairs.

Aurora tries to back up but the creature is still focused on her.
As she edges towards the stairs, it follows her.
 Judith takes another swing at it with the skewer, but misses its head.

WildFire turns to go back in the place and waits to make sure the door isn't
blocked.
As he walks in the door, he notices that most of the room has cleared out.
The chef that was tossed into the pool passes by him out the door.
 There is maybe a couple dozen people in the area.
When WildFire gets near the fountain, the Geyser  goes off with a blast.
This pulls him up short, saying, "Wow, what the hell was that?"
Seeing no immediate threat he glances around looking for something long and
hard.
Something he can wield like a bat.
 The closest thing would be a leg to a banquet table but he doesn't want to
get that close to the creature.
He still looks for something to strike the creatures wile also looking for
Ralnar.
He glances at a chair and thinks he may have to use it to throw at the
creatures.

the second Crystal Creature  takes a big swing at one of the
threatened teens, misses but spins in a big circle and tumbles over the
couch, and falls onto the kid he was trying to swing at.

 The teen is crushed flat by the statue.
Ralnar swings at the prone statue with his short sword, breaking the
creatures left arm off at the elbow for 9 points of damage.
The Crystal Creature struggles to get up but is having trouble, flailing its
legs and one good arm.

The first    Crystal Creature   on the balcony swings at Aurora  who is
climbing down the stairs, but misses over her head.
 It gets hit by SniffWind's dagger, for 3 points of damage.

Kessa casts Faerie Fire, and the spell outlines the second creature with a
pale blue glowing light making it easier to strike.

Ralnar  surprised by the  glow, steps back a moment, being caught off guard.

WildFire getting closer to Ralnar  sees him take a arm off the statue.
Still looking for a weapon has only sees broken plates and trays strewn
around the floor.
He shrugs and trots over to Ralnar.

The creature on the balcony turns to face SniffWind as he backs off a bit
and reaches into his back pack for another dagger.

Li seeing the creature turn towards SniffWind, puffs a dart out of his
blowgun, hitting the creature in the back.
Drumblor reaches the top of the stairs with his dagger out.

WildFire pulls out a dagger as Kessa asks him, "Did you find anyone out
there to come help?"
He answers, "The only ones out there were a bunch of scared kids. No guards,
nothing.
Hopefully, Ashley went to get them."

Thorodin  looks at the robe belt around his ankle and it is already bleeding
through losing another hit point.
He asks Kenneth to bring him his daggers and clothes.
Kenneth  says, "Oh, yes, of course."
 He rummages around and pulls out some stuff.
"This is yours, I believe."
Thorodin   grabs his items and hops out the door yelling, "I could use some
help over here! I think I'm bleeding to death!"
 He is very, very careful not to hop on any glass.

Aurora is one or two steps below the balcony watching the creature turn
towards SniffWind.
Since its attention is turned away and she has no more weapons, she will
continue down the stairs.

Kessa hears Thorodin and glances his way seeing him drip blood.
She mutters and heads over to him wile still keeping an eye on Ralnar and
WildFire.

On the balcony      Drumblor  heads closer to the creature.
 It takes a swing at Judith, and fortunately she is able to get the shish
kebab skewer up and block its arm as it comes down.

Kessa reaches Thorodin and notices it looks like he cut an artery in his
foot and there is still a big chunk of glass stuck in it.
 She frowns and says, "You need a serious healer."
Thorodin cries, "I'm gonna die from a foot wound, how embarrassing!"

Kessa says, "Well, I don't know if it will help, but I can get that out, and
try for a cure light, or wait for a real healer."

Thorodin  pleads, "Pleas try, whatever, I'll be dead soon if you don't do
anything!"
Kessa pulls out the glass and she rips a larger hole in his foot causing 1
point of damage.
Thorodin is looking pretty faint from loss of blood.
There is blood all over the floor from him and the kid
 who got his head gashed open and the one who got crushed.
Kessa is praying that Ralnar  and WildFire can get lucky and take care of
themselves.

Meanwhile, upstairs,   SniffWind is free to get his dagger out
He throws it but trying to miss Judith it just barely clinks off the statues
arm.
Drumblor throws his dagger and hits the first crystal creature for 2 hit
points.
 it stumbles backwards and falls down the stairs, breaking into fifty
chunks.
Aurora  at the bottom of the stairs, watches the peaces roll past and says,
"Oh well, guess I'm done!"
Looking up at the dwarf, she adds, "Nice shot!"

Li comes out from his cover and says, "What do ya know, da Bards came tru!"
SniffWind frowns at Drumblor  and says, "You took all the glory bringing the
creature down but my little nick there set it up!"
Drumblor  gives him a thumbs up saying, Hey, it's teamwork, remember that!"

The second crystal creature is finding it oftly hard to get up with only one
arm. It doesn't seem to  know what it is doing.
WildFire throws a dagger at it but he misses and the dagger imbeds itself in
the carpet.
 WildFire curses, "Why does this blinkity blink work at the blinkity
blinkity RDI, blinkity blink."
Ralnar swings    at the crystal creature, hits and it breaks cleanly in half
along the edge of his sword.

WildFire smiles and says, "Well, good job!"
Then he takes a quick bow.
Ralnar glances over to WildFire, but all he says is a muttering grumbling
cursing at the damn thing that is in pieces now.
Then he has the presence of mind to look around to see if anything else came
to life.

Kessa hears the chunk clunk behind her as she casts a cure light wounds
spell on Thorodin and cures 8 points.
He suddenly feels much better.
Thorodin  exclaims, "Oh thank you!"
He looks down at his foot and sees a healed scar.

Judith comes over to SniffWind who is collecting his daggers, and says,
Well, so much for my party, I guess!"
She looks out over the balcony down at the pool area and gasps, "Dennis?"

SniffWind says, "What caused those statues to come alive? Did that ever
happen before?"
At her mention of Dennis he looks down and sees blood all over the floor.
He exclaims, "Holy mackerel, there's a lot of blood down there! We'd better
see if we can do anything to help them."

Judith says, "Yes!" and immediately rushes for the south stairs and heads
down towards the pool.

Ralnar looking around for more danger sees nothing but a room that looks
like it was hit by a tornado.
He turns to WildFire and asks, "So, what was the situation out there?"

Judith dances around the broken glass as she heads for the fallen boy.

At this time the Golden Geyser  goes off again and they notice Ashley
entering the room with Efrem.
He takes in a deep breath and says, "Oh my goodness! Is everyone alright?"

Aurora  walks over and says, "I doubt it."

Thorodin   points and says "I'm afraid we have two casualties back there."

Efrem exclaims, "Where are the guards? Has anyone called for a healer?"

Thorodin    answers, "Yes, apparently, the communications device is not
working."

Efrem  eventually finds the guards dead in the bushes.
The group leaves the building by the servants entrance and finds several
Tenser discs waiting.
At the gate of the  Golden Geyser,  SniffWind receives a note.

To          SniffWind & Party
From     Military Intelligence
Re         Missing Person: Tripper Leebow

Mr. Leebow is in custody for suspicion of murder.
His hearing is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. at the Central
Military Complex.