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---
Trunk and branch, twig and leaf,
Memory is a reality thief.
---

Then a shade of some sort of mage begins to yell at me and I don't know what is more insane, the incoming undead or conversing while it happens.



I may leave if you answer my questions first. Why are you still here haunting this place?

Why? Why you ask? We were needlessly attacked by cowards who thought of us as a threat and sought to steal our knowledge. For this we remain and our dead enemies we cursed them to serve us as protectors of our knowledge. Ironic isn't it? What they came to steal, they now end up protecting as will you. You will never leave here, destroy them!

Uh oh. And she was a cutie too. I feel sad that I didn't memorize Fireball today - this wide-open space with a lot of enemies would be perfect for it. Instead, all of us mages just throw the quickest offensive magic we can at the shade before SHE fireballs US.



Imoen's choice is the savior of the hour - her Orb of Air lands again! Why doesn't it ever work out like that for me?



I have a crazy idea, and run out into the crowd of undead coming after us. It would have worked too, but I trip a trap and get roasted by a lightning bolt! Ouch!



Around the same time, Edwin casts Grease, blocking off one area from possible undead advancement.



I block off another. I hope I can get away before the bunnybombs fall.



Something is wrong. We can't see Arch Mage Arias, but she can see us. She fires 5 magic missiles at Firebead!



I thought she was still locked in the Orb of Air but I guess its just normal invisibility or something.

I manage to get away from the rabbits of doom and start making my way back to the rest of the group. Firebead gets hit with a second volley of Magic Missiles, and Yeslick decides to retreat to heal him.



Firebead is no stranger to combat and meets Yeslick halfway. Edwin is the next to get hit by the invisible archmage's fury.



Edwin, unable to target anything, casts Color Spray. It is unclear if he is successful or not.



Firebead is successfully healed by Yeslick, but they also see some new undead threats. Ghasts!



Firebead responds completely appropriately, with Stoneskin.



Edwin is all alone in trying to figure out how to deal with Arch Mage Arias. She figures out how to deal with him first.





I heal myself and for the second time today regret that I did not prepare Fireball.



Imoen is threatened by a ghoul shambling up to her. She responds with overwhelming force.



Firebead casts Minor Globe of Invulnerability, preparing to take on Arch Mage Arias.



I try to decide what to do as well, and go with Chaos Shield. As Firebead's Minor Globe of Invulnerability touches Arch Mage Arias's, she finally becomes visible. Now we must strike!



Arch Mage Arias' Flame Arrow hits Kagain, but he doesn't even seem to notice.



She also hits Imoen with something before anyone else can do anything. How is she casting so fast?



Then when I see what Firebead is doing, I think he may have won the day. He casts Chaos.



But then Arch Mage Arias lets loose with a Fireball and all bets are off.



And Imoen falls.

In incoherent rage I run for Arch Mage Arias screaming, dragging the Weave behind me and preparing to throw something, anything, all the high-level energy I can gather into my hand. Firebead sees me coming and steps out of the way. Arias fires some magic missiles at his shield.



They fizzle harmlessly. I try to let loose a Cone of Cold. The Weave doesn't let me.



Then Archmage Arias fires a Lightning Bolt at me and I die.

---
Trunk and branch, twig and leaf,
Memory is a reality thief.
---



What's wrong? What is driving you to madness. Lady, if you want help, you're going to have to calm down.

He... it's in my head. It won't be quiet, just keeps on whispering, and whispering. You see this jar. Do you SEE it?!!!

We see the jar lady, now just calm down and tell us what's happening.

My companions and I... we explored the Firewine ruins... and we found... we found, this jar. It... it drove them all mad. They hacked and they cut, and... the blood, so much blood. They're all dead now, and only I'm left. The voice... it tells me to say the name. If I say the name, it promises great rewards. But... I won't... I won't.

Give us the jar, we'll know what to do with it.

NO! Carsa will not give the jar. The jar is Carsa's and hers alone. Get away... get away or Carsa will say the name... and we will all die.

Give us the jar Carsa. Give it to us now!

You not take the jar from Carsa. It's mine. MINE!! Stay away, or I say the name. Stay away.

We're taking the jar from you, whether you like it or not.

NOOOoooo...

KAHRK!!

OH MIGHTY KAHRK!!!

Whoa! That's some really creepy magic there!

OH MIGHTY KAHRK!!!

Then the magewoman dies and an ogre mage appears in her place.





It is so nice of him to say so. Time to die Kahrk!



Yep... just as soon as we figure out where you are...



And yet it works anyways!



We all target spells at him and begin casting. But he has a contingency set up!



He becomes visible again, and we all rush him again. But a pack of undead seem to shamble up to support him.



Yeslick throws his own Dispel Magic at the beast, just like he did in the Cloakwood Mines.



And at the same time, the ogre mage casts Confusion on us all. The most amazing thing happens. For a moment we are all confused, but then Yeslick's Dispel Magic washes over us and most of us are restored instantly!



Despite all that, Kahrk still has a stoneskin to put up. He wades into battle with us and injures Finch!



I am also hit in melee, and then Imoen screams out. Coran is still confused and is coming after her!



Finch is out of healing, so Yeslick takes care of her while the ogre mage closes in.



Then Kahrk casts another Confusion and things are looking grim.



Thankfully Coran kills a zombie this time.



A confused and wandering Kagain gets paralyzed by an attacking ghoul, and I think all is lost. But as if on autopilot, my hands have already opened up Rhialto's Spellbook and have thrown a Dispel Magic at the melee crowd. It hits perfectly.



Kahrk casts Flame Arrow at me. I take out my Sword of Flame and laugh at him.



GAHOUCHAHGAH!



Thankfully I can give myself a healing touch.



Kahrk's next victim is Finch.



Imoen hits him a good one and then he tries to put me to sleep.



Then I am hit with a Lightning Bolt and die instantly.