I am diseased. My mind without function. My body, old and decaying. My purpose... I can only remember one word, one silent breath. It has been my mantra... my only hope of survival. For months or moments I have uttered this word. It has been my answer to every question, my scream to every pain. I no longer even remember my captures, their reason for my torture. I only know I have escaped. As I lay here on the stone cold floor of a once familiar keep, I hear voices, some strange, some all too familiar. Yet I can place none. My body again wracks in convulsion, constantly shifting between the real and the ethereal. I hear words, prayers being muttered, I can feel magic coursing over my body, seemingly, albeit hopefully these cloudy faces and jumbled voices are trying to heal me. I fight the urge to fight back, knowing these are not the same people who have stripped my flesh and dined upon my soul, these forms speak to me in kind soothing words, their spells fill me with a fond darkness. Now I feel comforting hands upon my head, an image of a serpent great and mighty takes over my mind. Venom drips from the serpents mouth, infests me, cradles me in its poisonous comfort. For the first time in ages I feel free of my physical body and can at last rest. As I succumb to the powers of this serpent, whom I feel I have always known, I begin the journey into restful sleep. And before I take the first step of my journey into healing, I hear the word, my mantra spoken... WOH and with it, my name... Ion. An old, battle scarred warrior enters the keep of the Warriors of Hades. Though many do not recognize him, Woh has never allowed any foolish enough to challenge him without an extremely good reason, to enter the brotherhood of the serpent. He strides straight to the table where Havoc sits. "Havoc, my old friend, tis good to see you again. I thought Ion would be here already. Tis a shame you young warriors still have some things to learn" he says as he smiles at an old slave who, seeing Peron and remembering him as he walked into the keep, is now dragging a large keg to the table.

Stormie walks into the keep and grins seeing the keg meant for Peron. She walks over to it plopping down the bloody bag she was carrying. Grabs a mug and helps herself to the keg. Thanks Peron!! Sits down next to him throwing her legs up onto the table. So ...what's up?

Materializing out of thin air from the realm of shadows. A tall dark form looms over those seated at the table calmly drinking and talking. Hail and well met my brother and sisters, and with a nod of respect he nods to the battle scared veteran. Then he notices whom it is he has just nodded too. "Peron! Long time my friend", says Vikar. "I have just recently passed though your little town of Peronville, nice place I love what you have done with it".

::slamming through door startling all in the keep::
"Damn you Vikar. If you're gonna be appearing outta no where like a shadow lurker HOW do you expect beings like me look cool appearing from the shadows?"
::seeing the keg::
"Never mind, I figured out how"
::runs up to the keg and grabs it...de-materializing along with the keg into nothing but air, leaving only a note and a bag::
The note reads: I guess I'll have to find my own ways to look cool. The bag is to pay for a round of drinks...in honor of my brother Peron of course!

Peron smiles as he watches Stormie fill her cup with ale from the keg. "Ahhh, it gladdens this old heart to see you haven't changed wench" he says to her as Vikar materializes suddenly. As Vikar and Peron grasp each other's arms in friendship they both suddenly grab their sword hilts and turn towards a commotion near the entrance. "Tis only Phantom" says Vik as they each sit back at the table. Peron laughs heartily as Vikar starts to rant as Phantom disappears with the keg of ale. "Relax my friend" he says as he passes his hand over the spot where the keg was sitting and it appears again as if it had never left, which it hadn't. "Do you really believe that *I* would lose a keg so easily" he laughs, "I didn't spend a week expanding my knowledge of the mirror image spell for nothing ya know." "Drink up !!!!" "The second kegs on Phantom, he says laughing"

Smiles brightly seeing more of her brothers and winks to Peron. I will never change...she grins...much...turns hearing the noise and smiles seeing who it is. Laughs as he attempts to take the keg then re-fills her glass

Vikar smiles, "Ahh Peron, your skills with mirror image are only matched with your wit of out smarting the young ones like Phantom". **grabs a tankard and fills up a mug of ale** "Damn Peron where do you get this stuff. Every time I have some it just gets better and better". Looking to his sister, "Stormie, long time no see. Still as hot and fiery as ever! Thy name surely fits you well".

::an empty keg is thrown through the door followed closely by the Phantom::
I resent that "Young ones" comment my friend. But, I'd also like to note that your magic IS getting better! Bet it didn't taste as good as this did!
::walks over to the bar and talks to the keeper for awhile. Turns around with one round of drinks::
Well, I figured that today would be a good idea to show you my latest creation, in honor of my return to the brotherhood. Tell me what you think and maybe I'll tell you what it is!
::walks over to the table placing the drinks down::
G'devning doll (directed towards Stormie) Long time no see, how's that beautiful woman doing'?

" Someone drinking without me?" Ion says from under the table where he has been laid out from too much partying the night before. Crawling out from under the table Ion bumps into a pair of shapely legs. "Sorry Stormie dear." "For what Ion?" " Didn't mean to bump into you, just this damn headache has my head swimming." "But you didn't bump into me Hun." "Then whose oh so womanly legs did I bump into." Emerging from under the table Ion looks up to see the embarrassed face of Vikar glaring down on him. Peron and Stormie burst out laughing. Vik mutters a few words from under his breath, magic spilling forth from his hands, a beam of pure energy strikes Ion squarely in the face. " What the..." Ion's voice is that of a young woman. " That oughta teach ya bro! " Vik declares, sitting back and smiling. ~Been a long time brother's and sisters. ~Ion , let the games begin !

::Phantom stares in awe as Ion gets his voice changed::
"Ion? Are you OK...dearie?"
::joins Stormie and others laughing hysterically breaking only for a chug at the ale::
"Hey Ion...I think that I know a boutique down the street that makes beautiful dresses in just your size!"

Sitting back and smiling after having some fun with Ion, and hearing Phantoms comments, Vikar decides to go one step further. Quickly reciting the words to a very powerful spell (while Phantom is drinking) Vikar hurls a little spell at him and hits him square in the chest! Phantom unmoved begins to laugh, spewing ale all over Peron and Stormie. That is until he begins to feel a little top heavy. Quickly looking down he notices that he no longer has a flat chest! But a pair of breasts that makes Stormie quite envious! Still standing there, no longer laughing ,but with ale drooling down his chin. All he can do is stare in disbelief! At this point the laughter that erupts from the room is unequaled! Even poor Peron and Stormie can't help but to laugh at this site. "Feeling quite pleased with himself, Vikar allows a small chuckle to escape "Glad to see you found us here Ion !"

::After staring in disbelief Phantom gets a sly look on his face::
::shuts eyes::
"Yas eybdoog ot ruoy kcid dneirfym"
::A slight glow appears from under the table. The lights go dim and all of the windows in the keep shatter as a loud screech is heard from Vikar::
"Well, what's fair is fair my friend...I'm sure that some man will love you for who you are, not who you were!"
:: Phantom refills his mug and continues to drink, massaging his breasts occasionally. Amazed with the feeling::
"And, Don't worry Vikar, it'll return soon!"

While Stormie, Havoc & Peron are laughing hysterically at Vikar's sudden change of gender, Vikar is feeling around trying to see where his manhood has gone. The tavern door swings open & shut slowly. Nobody is seen, but there seems to be a new presence in the room. The laughing fades as they all look to each other for an answer to the mysterious door. Before anyone can speak a mug floats from the table & fills at the keg. They watch as the mug raises & is drained into thin air. A grin comes across Stormie's face as a bodiless voice booms, "Hail My brothers & fair sister". Stormie responds, "Greetings Cobaras, It has been a long time my brother" "You know me well Sis", says the voice. Slowly a body dressed in black & green comes into view, revealing Cobaras as he tries to fill his mug again. Only a few drops come out and he turns to the barkeep, "My good sir, would you kindly bring us another keg, this one seems to be of no use" "On second thought you'd better make that two more, filled with your finest ale. I have a feeling that there will be more arriving soon" He looks around the table at Vikar Ion & Phantom "Beautiful breasts you have there Phantom, but will you people please tell me what in the name of Hades you're doing to each other ?? " He fills his mug from the fresh keg & settles down to hear what they have to say.

Ahh Cobaras! Long time bro! Ahh yes I will gladly let you in on our little secret. **Reaches over and pats Cobaras on the back** Suddenly and without warning there is a bright flash, and Cobaras is overcome with a violent shaking. Everyone turns to stare at Cobaras' predicament. And Peron starts to laugh knowing full well that he has just become the latest victim of our little game. Quickly Cobaras becomes transformed, hair growing long and curly as his lips become full and red. His face ever so fair. Slowly his chest expands to match that on Phantoms. And his hips swell to become the hips that would give birth to a nice WOH child. At the same time Vikar's pants begin to swell once more with man hood. **Removing his hand from Cobaras' back, he quickly reaches down and scratches his new set of balls** "Not bad, not as big as I'm use to, but serviceable. Thanks bro, or should I say Sis" Reaches over the table and refills his mug from the new keg of ale that was just brought in. At that very moment Stormie also reaches across the table and gets a handful." MMM quite serviceable I would say" Smiling broadly she once again reseats herself. Raising an eyebrow at Stormie, Vikar quickly seats himself and Graciously returns her smile.

:: Rogue wobbles into the keep a little weary after battling his way to the tavern. "Damn why do you guys always pick the places furthest away from civilization to share a few kegs?! I nearly got myself killed, however I did manage to make use of the situation!" Rogue walks over to a table and tosses his bag full stirge parts down. "Stirge soup for everyone !!" Rogue looks up at Phantom, "long time no see bro! ..err." He takes a closer look. "Sis?? What in the name of Hades....!" Great amounts of laughter fill the room. "Hmmm, I swore I heard 2 women in here yet all I see is my Sis Stormie , hiya Hun. Ion mumbles something about Vik causing all this madness "Ion bro!! What in Hades has he done to you!!" Rogue can't help it but to burst out laughing , as everyone joins in except for Cobaras who is staring at his chest in amazement. "Umm did I miss something?" asks Rogue.

Cobaras finishes his ale pretending that his sudden transformation is of no consequence. There is a loud noise from a dark corner of the tavern as if a table has been knocked over. A voice chants 3 quick words and a bolt of lightning streaks out of the corner directly at the back of Vikar's head. With a quick wave of his hand Cobaras blocks the lightning bolt inches before it makes contact with Vik's head. At the same instant Rogue pulls a dagger from his belt and expertly sends it toward the dark corner where it is heard entering flesh. A woman dressed all in blue staggers from the corner into the light clutching at the dagger in her heart. With her final breath she whispers "Death to the Warrior Vikar", then falls forward to the floor driving the dagger all of the way through her body. As all concerned stares at the woman's bloody body, another woman dressed exactly the same as the first comes charging from the corner, longsword raised high. "DIE VIKAR !!" she screeches as she heads straight toward the still bewildered Vikar. Havoc jumps to his feet diving between Vikar and the crazed woman. He diverts the blow from the sword just slightly so that it merely grazes Vikar's arm tearing away his sleeve but drawing no blood. Phantom has drawn his broad sword by this time and with one smooth swing removes the woman's head from her body. The head falls to the floor its face still locked in her scream of rage. Cobaras looks to Vikar, "These women seem to have quite a distaste for you my brother. I would think you would not want to increase the number of females in this land". Stormie Peron & the others begin to laugh as the barkeep and his assistant began the dirty task of once again cleaning up the foolish souls who dared to try to cross the power of the Warriors of Hades.

Stormie sits back and laughs hard watching the antics of her brothers.... It has been way too long...she glances over to Peron and Havoc wondering how they have escaped the spell that is going around. Slowly she turns and looks at each of her bros. in turn and chuckles at each one of them.

The tavern door slams open with a bang. A woman slouched over holding her side slowly creeps through the door with a trail of blood, as bright red as her hair, trickling down her side and off her muscled calf, making a puddle at her feet. "Help.... Please..." Her words barely audible, "I was... jumped...outside...two women..." Stormie jumps up from her seat. "Devlyn? Is that you?" She runs over and helps Devlyn sink slowly to the floor. You idiots!! Just don't sit and stare! Help her, grab blankets and something to rest her head on!!" Stormie yells to the Warriors sitting around the nearest table. "I fear she has fainted dead away...at least it will be easier on her while we move her and tend to her injuries."

Vikar stands up, "Aye, Stormie, take Dev and lay her out on the bar so that we may all give her a touch of our healing magic" With Peron's help, Stormie is able to get the injured Devlyn to the bar. "And while you two are at that I am going to get to the bottom of these blue Bitches who want me dead!" Walking over to the decapitated head of the second women in blue. Vikar picks up the head and goes into a deep meditation. Then upon opening his eyes, he utters but one single word."Speak" suddenly the head comes alive and the ghostly voice of the second women fills the bar."Death to the one known as Vikar of WOH" Raising the head to meet his own scowling face, Vikar answers back." And why would you want to kill such a warrior as Vikar?" " He is the warrior who is responsible for the wenching and looting of our fair village." Thinking to himself in silence, wenching a village? I have not done that in a very long time! Certainly none of those women would yet live? " Tell me the name of this village you have come from wench." Slowly the head speaks forth but one name "Peronville". Everyone suddenly notices Vikar's head as it leans back almost as if his throat had just been cut. But suddenly and without warning a cry is heard from Vikar's lips. "PERON!!!, for the love of Hades!! How many times have I told you, if your going to go out wenching, not to take my form! At least you could have asked! The only wench I want to wench these days is Stormie!" Slowly turning around, Vikar spots Peron standing next to the prone form of Devlyn as she lies on the bar. With one fluid motion, he tosses the head to Peron who easily catches it with his free hand. All watch as he holds the head up level with his own. And then suddenly his face masks over with a perfect likeness of Vikar's. And then slowly fades back to his normal self. Then the head bursts into flames and floats off to hover above his head. "Hmmm you weren't the best wench I ever wenched, but you will do very nicely for a lamp". "Come brothers and sisters and let us all heal our wounded companion." Slowly we all take turns giving Devlyn a touch of our healing magic, until at last she regains consciousness. "Now pray tell me who do I owe revenge upon for this attack?" Devlyn asks, all eyes turn to Peron who looks like he is trying to escape out the garbage chute in the rear of the bar.....

Peron pulls himself out of the garbage shoot and stands up behind the bar. Raising his left arm above the bar he shows off a small skinny thief he is holding by the scruff of the neck about a foot off the floor. "Vik !!, did your brains temporarily disappear with your manhood ? " "Would they name that damn town after me if I *had* to rape and pillage there ??" "Besides" Peron grins at Vikar, "I only use your form when I want some peace from the wenches." The laughter breaks the tension of the last few minutes but Peron's face soon turns serious as he looks at the scruffy little thief. "We do seem to have a problem here though." "This one was spying for someone." "You seem to have an enemy out there that doesn't like you very much Vik, or perhaps ... we both do." "I think we need to ask a few questions of our little friend here, don't you?"

As everyone's attention is centered on Peron and the thief a dark form slowly materializes in the far corner. It is the blackest of black, a void more than a color. The form slowly oozes toward the center of the room and slides its way up to the top of the table that Dev's near lifeless body resides upon. It begins to probe her body then envelops it in its entirety. After a few moments the form releases it grip on Dev's body and begins to change into a humanoid figure. The figure holds Dev's body in a prone position. A deep voice booms over the tavern, "You have been healed my sister. Now about repayment shall we do it here in front of everyone? Or later in your quarters?" The newly formed warrior hears a familiar voice, "Warlok, glad to see you joined the party bro." Warlok turns his head to meet the eyes of the one that spoke. "Cob long time bro. Nice TaTas." A smile breaks over Warlok's face revealing blackened teeth. He removes himself from Dev's body and allows her to sit up. Warlok once again speaks the voice seeming to come from every point within the tavern, "So what have I missed?"

:: Seeing the injury to Devlyn and the attempts at Vikar I decide to take it seriously::
"Morf Lleh Era Ew...Eht Smrof Fo Eeht...Tnapres Nruter Su Kcab Ot Eb"
::a large bang and thunder crash from the outside as the room goes black::
::When the light returns to the room all are back to their normal forms. Including Phantom, a little disappointed::
"I believe it is time to take it seriously my brethren. Devlyn, are you OK m'dear? Warlok, glad to see your powers still work wonders, but please save that for later! Peron, Vik, tie the thief to the bar...let's find out where this disgrace to evil comes from...and who the HELL took Vik's form!!!"
:: Watching as all is done. A small smile comes to Phantom::
"OK, I changed my mind"
"Stsaerb Ot Uoy Elohssa!"
:: the thief gains a girlish figure::
"Now, Where were we?"

Stormie looks at Dev as she is healed by all.... Dev... Are you OK now? And whose butt do we need to go whip up on?... Stormie smiles to Dev....can't have anyone messing with the best. Stormie glances over at the thief and shakes her head watching him grow parts. ..She mumbles we need to get to the bottom of this....

::: Devlyn sits slowly up, holding onto her stomach:: Thank-you everyone, my wound feels better, but I cant say much for my stomach, it feels kinda queasy, and the room is spinning, but other than that I'm fine. :: Dev tries a small but shaky grin:: Thank you Warlok for the ummm ..... Offer but I believe we need to find a few people. :: Dev lowers herself off the bar and staggers into Vikar:: Sorry, I haven't quite gotten my balance back yet. :: sitting down in a nearby chair, Dev rests her head in her hands and begins her story:: The women that jumped me, came out of no where, they had good magic, the first spell they cast froze me in place so that I could not move. They told me that they were sent from a city to bring destruction to WoH and I was going to be the perfect example. I asked why they wanted WoH and what had we done to them, and they replied that they were merely bounty hunters being paid by a whole town to bring down WoH. I tried to talk, to reason, but there were no reasoning with these two. They began to punch and when I fell, they began to kick. Then it stopped, I waited hearing no one I raised my head and that is when I saw the sword, she rammed it straight into my side...hurt like hell. I am so lucky I was able to make it to here. Thank-you so much. OH! There is one more thing. The one stuck a note in my pouch. Stormie, my pouch is by the door, would you mind getting the note and reading it, I didn't have the time too, heh. I don't think they thought I was going to live to hear it though.... :: Dev slowly gets to her feet:: I'm not feeling very good guys I'll be right back! ::: With that, Dev scurries to the back room with her hand over her mouth:::

"As for why Peron never ends up as the blunt end of one of my pranks... let's just say I have learned my lesson with the wise one. Havoc on the other hand has traveled with me often enough to know most of my games. It's good to see all of you here. It is of obvious importance that the pranks end for the time being and our powers are pooled together. I for one believe that this purse-snatcher and the women in blue are all employed by the same people. In my travels of late I have come across numerous rumors about the Warriors. This reason is in fact why I made the journey here. Seeing as how I arrived early I made acquaintance with a beautiful woman. Sadly I can no longer appreciate some of the more humanly pleasures." Ion looks down at his form wavering between the real and ethereal, a sigh escaping his lips. " Odd how owlbears blood can still get my head spinning. At any rate I drank too much and paid attention not enough. Though I do remember one thing... a phrase much akin to the words my torturers had muttered, a phrase that will never leave my mind... a phrase the lady I drank with muttered as I passed out. 'Drakken fure Vikar meste.' The language is unknown to me, though during my time imprisoned I have learned one word for certain, it was whispered in my ear every time they cut into my soul. Meste... die. Whoever I escaped from, whoever sent this hoodwink, whoever sent these women to beat up Devlyn, they want you Dead Vik, and for that I believe they want all of the Warriors of Hades dead."

After listening to Ion quietly, Cobaras steps forward," My friends I accept that I'm new with my alliance to Hades. And that I lack the experience of most of you in these matters, but I think I know the course we should take to combat the forces that mean to do us in. Although our numbers exceed 60, I have not had the chance to travel with but a few of our guild. We must stick together my friends. Our bond is our strength; together we can withstand an attack from anyone anytime. We WILL get the answers we require from this thief or he will suffer more than his small mind could possibly imagine. Someone else should start the questioning, as I fear that in my rage I would kill him much too quickly.

>:: Looking towards the thief Phantom disappears into thin air::
::Suddenly a knife is thrown from across the room through a window towards the thief. It stops directly in front of the thief's neck and appears to float as a blood-curdling scream is heard from outside the keep. A woman is thrown through the door closely followed by (guess who) Phantom::
"While reading his thoughts I realized that he was sworn to secrecy. I knew that this was at ANY cost and thought to check outside...lucky I did. We almost lost our suspect!"
:: Phantom looks at the knife and it falls to the ground::
"Looks like my magic is improving too! Although, I REALLY tried to stop it a little bit farther from his neck...oh well."
:: Phantom seems to go into a dark state of lifelessness and into a semi-yoga-type position floating above the ground, so his eyes meet with those of the thief. ::
:: Phantoms voice is heard, however, not from his body but that of the thief. ::
"Well boys, this wasn't as hard as I thought...now...what shall I ask...Ah yes, WHO ARE YOU?"