After the heroic battle, the group was in high spirits. Which is better than methane spirits but not quite as good as alcohol spirits. The group of adventurers from Bottomburn, who had been saved by Torner's quick sign change, had decided to get back to the town and let the people know what was happening. The elves, lead by Elyandon, flew back to Deepbottom village to tend to their wounded. Both groups promised Torner, Ophyllia, and the others that they would bring back twice as many re-enforcement's to storm the mountain stronghold at Bottom's Up. Though Colonel Keebler was no doubt responsible for the gathering of humanoids, he had not been seen during the battle. Ophyllia made the comment that the yellow bellied boot licker must have stayed behind in Bottomburn. Safe. Or so he thought. The returning group would make the people aware of Keebler's traitorous acts and would see that the fat man would be properly "detained."
While on their march to the mountain, Torner and Pavek got into a heated discussion (the secret marital word for argument) about how to approached the lair. There were also discussions on how to approached a liar, but that was not important here. Torner and Rasor had teamed up with the opinion that a quick, hard, surprise attack on the interior was the best. Pavek and Morgan favored the quiet approach; there was less chance of any of the group getting killed that way. Danidar listened intently to both arguments (he knew what they were!) and nodded at each person's point while not appearing to take any side. Gramps and TymeKeeper hadn't noticed the discussion as they were too embroiled in their own personal debate of the laws of physics on whether or not Pegusi should be able to fly or not.
Ophyllia rolled her eyes in boredom as she listened to their squabbles. She raised a delicate red eyebrow and smiled.
"You know, having a shopping mall wouldn't be so bad..."
Seven pairs of eyes turned to stare at the bard. Ophyllia shrugged her shoulders innocently and ran her fingers through her shocking red hair.
"Just a suggestion - sheesh."
The others grumbled amongst themselves but they had otherwise stopped their bickering.
"Hey, I know," Morgan piped up, "We need a name. All the great adventuring groups have a kewl name."
"Torner's Heroes." Torner grinned. "Just joking."
"Let me see that material again, Pavek."
Ophyllia strode up to the fighter and took the mysterious fabric.
"Hmmm, maybe we can call our group the Lavender Panties, or, how about Lavender Fleece?"
Ophyllia had lost it by then (not that she ever owned it to begin with) and fell out with peals of laughter.
Eventually, the whole group joined in the mad bard's infectious giggles. Even Nipper and Stormwind seemed relieved by the sudden upbeat mood.
"So, what's your opinion Ophy?" Torner looked to the bard.
"Well, why don't we just wait and see what we're up against first. A bit hard to make plans before you know how many of them there are - or - if this even is 'M's hide-a-way."
"Now that sounds like good advice." Danidar winked at the bard.
Gramps looked astonished.
"Good advice? From her?"
The group made their way secretly (thanks to Torner's knowledge of the mountains) to the foot of Bottom's Up.
Now, Bottom's Up was so named because of the distinct heart-shaped curves of the top of the mountain. Compared to all the other conical peaks, this one stood out prominently and could be seen from any direction in the valley. The secret path that Torner knew lead to an overhang that looked down into the ravine Pavek had found. The path was partially shielded by evergreens, scrub, and large boulders, but as the path went further up the mountain, it became more open. The group paused. The air was brisk in the early morning - the sun had just risen - they could see white puffs of steam escape their mouths with every breath.
Morgan crept up to the edge. Eight gargoyles swooped across the ravine to her right, but she was too well hidden for them to see her. Directly across from them and about 100 ft below, was an opening in the mountain. Two unusual looking trolls stood just inside the opening. Pavek and Ophyllia joined Morgan and the three watched as the huge beasts lumbered back and forth. Whenever one stood still for any length of time, it seemed to blend into the rock around it.
Ophyllia motioned to Gramps. "They look like stone," she whispered.
The old man nodded thoughtfully and went to confer with TymeKeeper. He returned a moment later.
"Good reason they look like stone. Seems that those are stone trolls."
"They're made of stone?" Pavek asked.
"No. But they've got rough pebble-like skin. TymeKeeper says that they're hard to hit. Swords have a tendency to bounce off them."
"So now what do we do?..." Danidar joined the foursome.
"... I'm having a hard time keeping Rasor placated."
Pavek spoke up.
"The problem is, is getting to the opening without being seen by the gargoyles. That won't be easy."
He glanced at the entrance again. Not only was the opening on the wrong side and 100 ft down from them, but it was also 100 ft up from the base of the ravine. Tucked just inside the dark opening was a coiled rope ladder. At the base, directly below the entrance, stood a dozen or so large crates waiting to be hauled inside. A small rough ledge ran around the perimeter of the cliff wall. Ophyllia, Morgan, Pavek, and maybe Danidar could ease along the edge, but Rasor, Torner, Gramps and Tyme Keeper would never get across.
"Now how do we get over there?" Gramps tapped his finger to his lips.
"Well, I can get over there, no problem..." Pavek scratched behind Nipper's ear. "...Do any of you spell casters have anything of use?"
Gramps, Danidar, and Ophyllia glanced at one another. Ophyllia, always the one for bright (and sometimes strange ideas) smiled and gathered everyone around.
"Well, what are our assets?"