A summary of what happened during the game sessions:

February 1, 2002 - Session 24

The group left the building and decided to head to the garden and the gate to rest and talk further. However, before they had gone too far from the outside of the building, Sana proposed that the group look around for a weapons' shop to go with the already-looted armor shop, to see if they could find some magical or neat weapons. They set a few parameters on how far they would search, everyone agreed, and then they headed out.

It took them a while, but off on a side street from the main circuit around the fortress, they found an arms shop. They grabbed a number of magical weapons, and then headed to the garden.

Margaret woke up as Rylan was examining the gate, and was filled in on what had happened since she passed out. After Rylan was sure how to operate the gate, discussion ensued on what spells would be cast upon Jon, and how long was needed. They decided that Rylan would give him not only the ability fo fly, but also to become more agile and stronger. He'd also cast a spell to absorb small amounts of damage up to a limit. Margaret enabled him to breathe water and endure cold, and gave him another spell to make him able to take more damage. Ezhno also loaned him the Ring that would allow him to move freely underwater, should it come to that. They set up watches, and took what rest they could.

Their rest was interrupted twice, by ghostly figures attacking. The second group of ghosts not only scared off a few of them, but one managed to inhabit Jon, and when Margaret successfully turned the ghosts, Jon ran off. Fortunately, the ghost took the path of least resistance - to him. Jon hit the ironsilver latticework, and the ghost kept going.

But finally, there was enough rest that Rylan and Margaret could cast their spells. All that was left was to enact it.

Rylan, Jon, and Margaret all went to the base of the fortress, and he cast flight on all of them. The rest of the spells were cast, and they flew off into their separate directions. Upon reaching the gate, Rylan worked to open it. The center shimmered, and it was time to go. Sana went through first, leading the horses, all tied together. Jack went a few paces behind, beside another horse. Margaret came at the end, followed by Ezhno. As the last ones were going through, the lights in the dome keeping the water out vanished, and they began to hear the roaring of water in the distance. Then only Rylan and Jon remained.

On the far side of the gate, those who had passed through found themselves in a hot, dry stone room. The floor was sand, and it very bright outside the small room. The outline of the portal was behind them, but there was no opening back, nor did it look like there were carvings like the ones on the other side to activate it. Sana lead the horses out, and found a man in desert garb waiting on the other side of the exit, sitting in the shade of the building. He smiled as she exited, but seemed to notice her wings and frowned, but stood up. Sana called out for the others to come out and meet the stranger, who introduced himself as Tallis.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the gate, Rylan cast Spider Climb and scurried up the gate, hanging on the upper portion of it. And in the distance, he saw Jon running. All of a sudden, Jon was hit by something from behind, and threw the rod at Rylan, imploring him to catch it. Rylan wasn't prepared, but Jon threw well, and he caught it. A wave swept down between them, and Rylan wasted no time going through the gate.

At the other side, Jack was waiting for his father to appear with Rylan. Rylan told him what had happened, but Jack believed he'd still make it. Tallis told them that he was a guide through this desert, an area called The Trackless Waste. There was an oasis about a quarter of a mile away where they could rest and recuperate, and perhaps wait for the last person to come through the gate. Jack asked the direction of the oasis, and chose to remain at the small stone gate exit for Jon to come through.

The others followed Tallis to the oasis, where his horse waited, and set up camp. They would wait a few days, giving them time to recover, cast a few spells to identify the magic items they had found, and hope for Jon to come through the gate.

Quote of the evening - "Hey everyone! Come out and meet the surly man!" - Sana, on meeting Tallis