Returning to the maze of the mad wizard seems like a good idea, especially in light of the coins which they plundered last time. They hazard a guess as to the location of the rest of the stash and make their way back into the maze – into the teleportation stairs (protected from fire this time, thanks) and emerge in front of the door – now no longer protected by an illusion, but protected by a tripwire trap involving a falling potion of explosions – that nearly slays Ron’j!. This leads to rapid deployment of much healing, then a decision to try and circle around and approach the room from the entertainment district direction – and by the way – maybe we can stop and plunder some magic from the depths of the specter pit.

A quick flyover reveals only specters and no magic...

Rested and refreshed, the group re-emerges from behind (another) wall of stone and plans the assault upon the giant stronghold. Ti’Karu creates an illusionary army of kobolds and the group trails behind them invisibly, relying on his ability to detect illusions to prevent their swift descent into the pit. WHen the group is close, Demming releases a bombardment of boulders to smash into the tower and the rest of the group ‘charges’. Ti’Karu and Bud and Ron’j! form one trio while Dalliance and Barada trail a bit further behind.
Group one plunges through a pit and would die an untimely death but for Dalliance’s swift Feather Fall spell – which saves them from the ground, but plants them amidst the spectres...

Pausing to dump a few healing spells into the recumbent Ti’Karu, the group discuss options. Dalliance takes off her pantaloons and puts them on the unconscious illusionist. This makes him light enough for Demming to carry and the group retreats to the lair of the stoned basilisk.
While they try to rest, they are disturbed – first be a dry chuckle that seems to emanate from the stone walls – but is eventually traced to another speaking tube located in the ceiling near one of the pillars. The second disturbance is in the form of an insistent rapping at the chamber door. Paranoia levels spike as the group nervously awaits further intruders…but none come.
Tunneling out through the Wall of Stone they used to seal off entrance to the room, the group wanders through a sort of entertainment distri...

As the shimmering fades, the group is in a short hallway facing a door adorned with a symbol of a white hand. The door is investigated and the smell of perfume wafts from beyond the closed portal. The party wheels about and begins to explore in the other direction. They travel a short distance then enter a huge vaulted hallway. Inexplicably, Demming pauses to detect thoughts and is alarmed to sense malignant intelligence nearby – so nearby that he barely has time to croak out a warning before a trio of invisible stalkers assaults Barada, Demming and Dalliance. Barada is savaged and so is Demming. Dalliance is struck unconscious and is slain by the attacker. Luckily her ring of nine lives is still functioning, and she leaps off the ground in terror, alive but without spells...

Once the party has descended and disembarked from the elevator, as the device rises upwards into the darkness, the group appoints Barada pointman and off they go. Barada bitches about being placed in the lead – but he is reminded of his invincible armor and insane strength, plus the fact that he is the only one with a chance to detect traps. That doesn’t do much for the attitude, but he does take the front. The group travels about 50 feet, finds a secret door that baffles all but the plucky hobbit, enters and slays three drunken orcs. The orcs are drinking and dicing in a room full of counterfeit goods and speaking tubes that lead to who-knows-where. In the midst of the crates is a rack with a suit of shining chainmail and a equally shining blade...