Good Guys Always Win...don't they...? (DM Donna) d20=10 d20=7 d20=16 d20=13 d20=18 d20+2=10 d20+2=18 d20+4=5 Monday October 15th, 2001 7:10:58 AM
Once more, the resourceful Bill T's tactics prove to be effective, as the group of mercenaries go tumbling to the ground like a group of bowling pins. The other Hamleteers take advantage of their foes' inferior (or should I say "posterior"?) positions and whack away at them as Draax once more whirls his trusty grappling hook overhead and snags one end of the Soul Forge. Draax calls out to the party to help him topple the horrible machine, and so the Hamleteers' attention turns to bashing the artifact to bits before it can do anymore harm.
All around the heroes, the Sons of Dread are in thrall to the energies being directed into and through them, the vanquished mercenaries are in no position to oppose the destruction of the machine--but also there are dozens of people falling off balconies and dying from having all of their lifeforce drained off by the diabolic device. The Hamleteers begin doing their utmost to bash the Soul Forge into inoperation.
Meanwhile, the battle between Good Versus Evil continues:
With a mighty roar of defiance, Marteaus rushes Domi, grappling with the older deity and getting in several blows that send Domi reeling. However, Domi's obvious experience keeps Marteaus from finding the one hold that would clinch the victory for the would-be god, and the match continues.
"Even as you combat me, old friend, you break your word..." Domi grunts, writhing in a bearhug that would pulverize a mountain, "...you...have not...stopped your machine..."
"What do I care...if these chattel give their lives for me..?" pants the Dark Lord, "...it's the least...they can do...for their new...god..." Domi twists out of the grip and reverses the hold, causing the distinct crackling sound of ribs breaking.
"You will never...be accepted...even if you...win...nobody will ever...trust a liar..!"
"Who...wants trust??? I...will have...power..!" Marteaus once more breaks the hold, managing to throw Domi off from him.
"Now, Hamleteers--NOW!!!" Rond screams as he continues to bring his weapon down upon the Soul Forge, inspiring the rest of the party to redouble their efforts and break the machine.
And--under the determined assault--the machine breaks. The Hamleteers pant tiredly, utterly exhausted, but justifiably proud. They have destroyed the Soul Forge. The Sons of Dread all fall to the ground. Members of the audience slowly begin to recover their senses.
Domi shouts, “WELL DONE!” Then he pounces across the arena to land on Marteaus and finish this battle. He yells, “GET TO KNOW ME! I AM DOMI!” As he falls on Marteaus, however--something cracks.
Domi gets up one arm hanging uselessly at a horrible angle. Marteaus also gets up, staggering. They begin to fight again, each pushing the other to new heights of pain and suffering and heroism.
After what seems an eternity, Domi seems to be tiring. Marteaus’ greater strength is winning the battle. Marteaus eggs him on.
“GET TO KNOW DOMI! LOSER! THE GOD THAT DIED IN FRONT OF HIS PEOPLE! GET TO KNOW HIM LIKE I KNOW HIM! LOSER!!!”
Domi tries to rise again. The god of courage looks upon the crowd--his people. His trust. His breathing is ragged. He is beaten. The crowd falls silent, except for the moans of the injured and dying. A little girl falls from a third level balcony.
Domi struggles to his feet, his bones cracking. He catches her. The crowd cheers faintly and then grows quiet again. Marteaus circles behind him, preparing for his death stroke.
Domi sits on the dirty arena floor and holds the little girl to him in a tender hug. He whispers a final thought.
“Have courage...” A pale blue light flows from him into her. Through her the blue light continues to flow. It fills the arena healing everyone from their injuries, removing their charmed states, curing all manner of illness and disease...even extending to the Hamleteers and completely replenishing them of all the energy they have expended this night. Domi puts the child down on the ground.
"As long as his children live, a father does not truly die...HAVE COURAGE..!"
Then Marteaus quickly lays his two hands to the neck of Domi and flicks his wrists. Domi collapses to the floor dead.
Domi...dead..?
Silence reigns over the entire arena. Then Marteaus raises his clenched, bloody fists to the two moons above him and laughs maniacally, his terrible mirth booming across the city like malevolent thunder!
"MwuhahahahaHAHAHA!!!" Marteaus becomes bathed once more in arcs of mystical blue energy, and the moons in the sky suddenly become red, as though with blood. “COME... JOIN ME, MY FRIENDS... THERE IS NO GOD TO OPPOSE US THIS NIGHT. DOMI IS DEAD! WORSHIP THE CULT GODS!!!”
Renik Monday October 15th, 2001 9:03:42 AM
"Oh no... this can't be..." Renik's blade falls unnoticed to the arena floor. "How can Domi be dead? This isn't right, it isn't right..."
His gaze is drawn like a magnet to the terrifying spectacle of Marteaus, jubilant in victory. Tears spring to the young man's eyes as the enormity of what has happened begins to sink in.
He turns to look at Rond, with an expression that says "What in the Wold do we do now?"
Rond Monday October 15th, 2001 9:08:30 AM
Rond meets Renik's gaze, then turns away, his mind in turmoil. What can they do? The altar lies destroyed, they thought they had won... and instead great Domi lies dead in the arena! How is such a thing possible?
And as for what to do next... he feels the eyes of his companions turn to him for leadership, but he has none to offer. He stands, frozen in horror, as the Dark Lord revels in his victory.
Draax Monday October 15th, 2001 2:20:54 PM
Draax begins to celebrate the destruction of the altar. He turns to his companions ready to beat back the SoDs to follow up Domi's victory over Marteaus. He looks to Domi seeing Marteaus has the upper hand, but Draax is still sure that Domi will win, having unwavering faith in the god. His faith that good will always defeat evil in the end is something that has been with him since he was a child. Draax holds to his faith in Domi’s victory even as the god speaks his last words. So when Domi actually dies its takes a moment for Draax's mind to register the truth. The reality of the situation shakes Draax to his core. "This cannot be!! How can this be?" Draax looks from Domi’s body to Marteaus standing triumphantly over it, trying to will himself to wake up, thinking that this must be some type of Nightmare that he is sleeping though.
Coming to the understanding that it's all real, Draax looks angrily at the SoDs gathered. He puts his hand to his sword and begins to pull it slowly. "Let's see how long you last as a god if you have no followers." Draax begins to slowly advance on the SoDs trying to get his anger under control.
Bill Troublefinder Monday October 15th, 2001 8:38:35 PM
Bill recalls the patient waiting for the inevitable that Marteaus exhibited not that long ago back in Windhorn Hamlet, as he waited to have the adventurers give him the Water Ring of Ascension - or die, so he could take it. Marteaus took his time to get it 'legally' in one sense. Ask, offer an exchange, appear reasonable. Offer lives in exchange for what he hopes to gain. Which, as his own lips just said, is power. Well, through his machinations and corrupt promises, it looks as though he has attained a measure of that.
He repeated the exchange-of-lives offer tonight to Domi. And Domi gave his life -- when it was clear Marteaus reneged on his promise -- so that the people might yet live.
Bill wonders that he and his friends were not as affected by the Soul Forge. When Marteaus moved them to the side of the stage - perhaps it was Domi who extended his protection over them. Or perhaps someone else. Maybe he'll never know.
Bill thinks briefly of some last act of defiance toward this megalomaniac. But under the circumstances, he thinks the greatest act of defiance is to live - and to help as many as they can to live, as well.
The little girl whom Domi held - Bill must see her. "Draax, maybe you're right ... but let's get that little girl and as many people safely outta here as we can. C'mon, friends, let us leave this place with as many of those for whom Domi gave his life as we can. I have a wand that can help us get many out without getting trampled. Maybe different ones of us can take an exit, and help keep people from trampling each other. Let us have courage - and be wise." If any want to be able to levitate, he will quickly take care of that for them.
Unless Rond or someone direct him otherwise, Bill runs over to get the little girl next to Domi's fallen form, and to take her up the stairs. "Little girl, I can float us down. The exits are too crowded. Are you all right? My name is Bill. What's yours?" If she doesn't want to exit over the wall, Bill will cast levitate on her, and instruct her how to float above the heads of the crowd. This girl whom Domi saved must get out safely.
And Bill briefly wonders who is the greatest of the gods. Is it Alemi? Or The Jericho? Or ... who? Then those thoughts disappear for the time being as he works to help people leave this debacle in a way that does not kill more of them. His emotions about tonight's matters will have to wait for a more convenient time.
Arien Monday October 15th, 2001 11:07:08 PM
Arien walks over to the fallen god and crouches beside him. "Worry not, and rest in peace." He whispers in Domi's ear, "We few will carry the courage you demand from us. Should we fall more will come and come until this great wrong is righted. The Wold will not rest until this is put to right. One by one we will strip Marteaus of his followers and he will weep for eternity for he shall live, and die, alone."
Then Arien turns from the body and rejoins his companions. Then, after placing a restraining hand on Draax, Arien speaks to him quietly. "Come friend we should get these people out of here. Their safety should be of greater concern to us for the moment, let us plot our revenge at a more suiting time."
Aftershock (DM Donna) Tuesday October 16th, 2001 6:33:52 AM
A great wind comes swirling down into the Arena. Suddenly various forms appear and surround Marteaus, laughing and cavorting and sending lightning bolts into the audience to fry the random worshipper.
“RUN!” Marteaus screams. “RUN! WE DON’T WANT YOUR LOVE AND DEVOTION! WE WANT YOUR FEAR AND RESPECT! GET TO KNOW US! WE ARE THE CULT GODS AND I, MARTEAUS, AM THEIR LEADER!”
By now the captive audience is operating under their own free will--and their first choice of action is to run away, as fast and as far as they possibly can! Pandemonium breaks out as the panicked populace becomes a screaming, clawing stampede for the exits, a blood-chilling sight that only serves to amuse Marteaus all the more.
The party will have to make a Fortitude check versus DC10 to fight the crush of the crowd to get to that little girl Bill is interested in. Those failing the save will get swept up in the opposite direction. Whether or not you make that save, you then roll a Dexterity check versus DC15 each post you make within the perimeter of the Arena. Failing this check means your character suffers 1-4hp buffetting damage because of the mindless mass of people doing anything in their power to get OUT of the Arena.
One thing is for certain, though--in spite of Domi's attention to the child before he died, the little girl will be crushed flatter than a pancake if the Hamleteers don't try to do something about it!
Ferrak d20+9=26 d20+3=10 d4=4 d20+8=17 Tuesday October 16th, 2001 7:56:35 AM
Stunned by the tremendous shift in the balance of good and evil, Ferrak nearly falls from his brother's back. This shakes him out of it though, and he lets out a long and mournful howl for the fallen God.
Sensing that the natural balance of the Wold has just taken a great plunge towards the side of evil, Ferrak silently vows to avenge the brave God's death and try to help set things right.
As the crowd runs past the wolven brothers (Fort save-26) Ferrak sees that the little girl saved by the courageous God is now in danger of being trampled.
Determined like others of the party not to let the girl come to harm, Ferrak urges Darkfang towards her in a dead run.
As the two of them move into a blur of motion Ferrak is battered by the crowd. (Ref save-10) (Do I roll dmg? If so, there's a big 4 for my trouble. O.K. though, Ride-17)
"Make speed brother." Ferrak growls through a bloodied lip, holding fast to the back of Darkfang. "She may soon need the healing powers of Mother Nature!" he snarls, his face a mask of determination as they run.
Renik d20+5=16 d20+4=9 d4=3 Tuesday October 16th, 2001 7:58:42 AM
Renik snaps out of his funk when he spots the danger to the innocent child. Pausing only to hand the communication coin back to Rond he fights his way through the crowd towards her, getting battered by the crowd (suffers 3 HP damage). "I'm with you Bill!" he calls over the screams of panic from the crowd.
Rond d20+8=27 d20+5=18 Tuesday October 16th, 2001 8:08:48 AM
"Save the child!" yells Rond as he grabs the coin from Renik. Calling into the coin he yells "Marcus! All units! Protect the innocents! Get the injured to safety!"
Then he plunges headlong into the crowd (Fort 27) and steams towards the child, the panicked mob parting around him (Dex 18).
Bill Troublefinder d20+9=26 d20+3=19 Tuesday October 16th, 2001 11:14:44 AM
[Fort 26; Dex 19.] The hobbit's little legs are a blur as he races towards the threatened girl. With his boots giving him the ability to travel up to 160 feet in six seconds, he quickly erases the distance. His wand out, he brakes himself as he reaches her, and casts levitate on the girl. "Hey, sweetie, Domi saved you, and we're gonna make sure you get out safely. Take my hand - My friends and I'll help you stay above the crowd. I'm Bill. Are your mommy and daddy here?" If she does not take his hand, he asks Rond to pick her up. If she does take his hand, he will take a few steps forward to accelerate toward an exit, then lift them both up into the air, perhaps six or eight feet above the buffeting crowd.
Arien d20+1=10 d20+8=24 Tuesday October 16th, 2001 4:30:40 PM
Though he lithely darts in between the panicked people the rush of the mob prevents Arien from moving with any speed. He does however manage to keep up with Renik and the others heading towards the small girl.
Sontra (Sunblaze) [Steven] d20+3=5 d20+1=2 d4=4 d20+4=14 Tuesday October 16th, 2001 6:16:01 PM
Sontra watches as Domi dies. He watches as the death of a god inspires and he watches as chaos begins. Looking around, he barely notices the crowds running aimlessly. He falls to the ground, shocked and amazed. As he gets up he gets hit over and over again, he cannot get back to the group and is taken along with the crowd to the outside of the arena. He screams, loud and piercing, as his sword attempts to strike any that move (Fourteen on attack roll, I don't have Sunblaze's sheet with me now, so I don't know what the bonuses or negatives are).
"STOP!!!!!!!!"
Draax d20+7=19 d20+3=8 d4=4 Tuesday October 16th, 2001 8:16:19 PM
Draax brings his anger under control as he listens to Bill's suggestion about saving the crowd, especially the young girl that Domi took an interest in. "You are right Bill, the welfare of these people comes first."
Just as Draax starts to make his way to the little girl he hears the words that Marteaus scream. Turning his head in direction of the god Draax tries to project his hatred of the god with all his might. "I may loathe and wish I had the ability to kill you, but I will never fear you."
So caught up in his show of defiance that Draax only barely feels the first person that bumps into to him. The next couple of people that hit him with their bodies as they try to exit the arena shows Draax how dangerous it is remaining where he is. He starts to force his way to his comrades suffering visible damage as he goes against the flow of the panicking people.
Good News...and Bad News (DM Donna) Wednesday October 17th, 2001 6:27:00 AM
The little girl--a fair-haired elf--looks at Bill with wide blue eyes, then smiles at the halfling.
"I knew you'd save me." she says in a placid voice. "My mommy is...is..." The girl looks around then points to a blonde elven woman who is barely managing to stand against the rush of fleeing people. "...over there!" Bill sees the woman pause by Sontra/Sunblaze, who is on the ground trying to fend off the more panicked stampeders with his sword.
"Take my hand--stand UP!" the woman urges the disguised Hamleteer. (OOC: Sontra/Sunblaze, make another Fortitude save at DC15, but add 10 to your roll because of the elf woman's help.)
Just as the Hamleteers come together and return the child to her mother, the woman screams and runs away with her daughter. Turning to look at whatever frightened the elven female, the party sees a horrible sight: a ghastly figure with the head of a bird and wings made of shadow sprouting from its back. Though it has a human torso with human arms and legs (wearing black pants), a black mist with swirling feathers in it surrounds its lower legs so that one cannot be 100% sure that its feet are also human...or not.
"Hahahahaha!" cackles the apparition. "Come, come--Dathil is hungry after years of starvation--who will be the honor of being Dathil's first meal...?" Eyes of flame turn towards a dark-haired human man whose gangly build marks him as being less than athletic. Indeed, as soon as the poor man realizes that Dathil's outstretched, clawlike hands are reaching for him, the skinny guy trips and falls, attempting to scramble away. While the fella is doing reasonably well avoiding the trampling of the fleeing audience, it's clear that Dathil's first meal will be this poor sap if the Hamleteers do nothing.
Rond d20+9=12 Wednesday October 17th, 2001 7:59:01 AM
Part of him cannot believe what he is doing; thwarting Gods? Are they insane? But outwardly Rond is all action. His moment of indecision has passed, and he is back in control.
"Draax, Sunblaze, move to the left flank and hit it with whatever ranged attacks you have. Ferrak, you're with me, on the right flank, ranged attacks.
"Bill, Arien, Renik, get that guy out of there! We'll provide a diversion!"
Dashing over to the right of the bizarre monstrosity he prays this doesn't get them all killed...
He nocks an arrow and fires, but his tension shows clearly; the arrow flies wide (AC 12).
Ferrak d20+3=8 d4=2 d20+8=17 d20+5=7 d20+8=15 d4+3=6 d3=2 Wednesday October 17th, 2001 9:56:06 AM
As the crowd within the perimeter of the Arena continues to buffet Ferrak (Ref sv-8 dmg-2), tenacity of will keeps him in the seat however, as he halts Darkfang's dead run to face this new threat. (Ride 17)
Hearing the call of the Alpha, Ferrak goes to pull one of the well made darts given to him by his mentor out of his pack. (Will Check for viscious spear to use another weapon? Failure-7 if I do need to roll for that.) (If I don't, 15 for attack 6 for damage.) If I can't throw the dart I'll try to start casting a spell.
A vicious smile comes to Ferrak's bloodied lips as he thinks of a good distraction. Calling for allies of mother nature, he howls up into the stadium as he makes complicated designs and symbols into the dirt whilst simultaneously smashing mistletoe into the soft earth.
(Summon Nature's Ally II, Full round action as he tries to send a few hawks into this guy's face. d3 hawks=2 for three rounds.)
Bill Troublefinder d20+8=20 d20+8=20 d20+3=20 d20+9=13 Wednesday October 17th, 2001 11:36:16 AM
As the girl joins her mother, he memorizes their features [Autohypnosis 20], and again asks her name. But the panic in the mother's face precludes an answer.
He listens to Rond's directions, and asks, "Anybody got a net?" as he reaches into his knapsack, withdrawing a half-pound bag. He takes a running start, so that his leap will take him over the shadow-winged beast, and bring him to where the fleeing man is running. As he goes over the top, he shakes the contents of the bag into Dathil's eyes (20). A small cloud of finely ground hot pepper swirls around the bird-godling's head. [Oh, and rolled a dex check vs. crowd buffeting, DC 20.] Once he is near the man, he levitates down to him. He says nothing, but points off in a different direction than the man had been going, and motions for him to follow. [Fort check for movement, DC 13 (need DC 10+).] [Three adjusted 20's. Funny roller.]
Draax d20+3=4 d4=3 Wednesday October 17th, 2001 4:57:22 PM
Hearing Dathil's laughter, Draax turns to look at the creature. "Now whhaaatt?" Draax stares at the creature for a moment, caught completely by surprise at what he sees.
He listens to Rond's directions and gladly complies, happy that someone has taken charge of the situation. Or it should be said that Draax intended to comply, but as he moves to get into position a child scurries directly in his path. Adjusting his weight onto one leg to avoid stepping on the child, Draax is knocked off his feet by the panicking crowd that has taken their desire to leave the arena to a new level at the sight of the creature (rolled natural 1). The half-elf is being trampled by the crowd as he attempts to get to his feet again (3dmg).
Sontra(Sunblaze)[Steven] d20+12=24 Wednesday October 17th, 2001 8:36:21 PM
Sontra grabs the woman's hand and thanks her profusely. Then bounding up, he runs to the rest of the Hamleteers.
"Hurry! After my spells are finished I'm running in!" His sword is thrown into his bag. His wand, which is still out fires off a charge, sending a hawk towards the being.
Arien d20+1=20 d20+6=20 d20+1=8 Wednesday October 17th, 2001 11:26:56 PM
Seeing Draax fall under the crush of the mob and the Bill was already taking care of the girl Arien decides to help out his comrade. Darting through the mob Arien grabs Draax's hand and pulls, trying to help Draax to his feet. (Last number is a voluntary strength check)
Renik Thursday October 18th, 2001 4:12:24 AM
Renik hares after Bill as best he is able, attempting to assist in any way he can with the rescue of the hapless man.
Combat Round 1 (DM Donna) d20+4=21 Thursday October 18th, 2001 7:11:18 AM
(OOC: I rolled for Renik's Dex check versus the pull of the stampeding crowd {DC10}, and he isn't buffeted. Please remember to roll for that at the beginning of each turn that you stay inside the Arena.)
Neither the arrow nor the dart fired at Dathil seem to come anywhere near the avatar (OOC: if you are going to cast the Summon Nature's Ally, Ferrak, that cannot happen until next round), though Bill's pepper-in-the-eyes maneuver appears to be a specTACular success, causing the unholy creature to grab at its eyes and caw its displeasure.
The sound of the caw, however, causes Sunblaze's summoned hawk to abruptly veer off and fly away as fast as its little wings can carry it.
~I--I CAN'T attack the Raven God, big brother!!!~ Darkfang whines, obviously spooked by the sound Dathil is making. The wolf stops in his tracks and doesn't come any closer to the blinded avatar.
Bill and Renik are close enough to help the still-prone intended meal to his feet, while Arien helps Draax to his feet.
"Caaaaaaaaw-ses!" Dathil screeches, rubbing his eyes. "Cawses upon you all! I shall feast on all of YOUR eyes...this I swear..!"
Rond d20+4=23 d20+9=16 Thursday October 18th, 2001 12:01:16 PM
Well, they may have saved that fellow, but now they themselves are the targets. Not good...
"Everybody, stick to your teams and pull back! Anyone has a web spell or anything similar, cast it now! We need to delay this 'thing' long enough for the crowd to clear!"
Rond deftly avoids the stampeding mob around him (Dex 23), and backing up as far as he is able lets fly with another arrow, (AC16) though against a foe of such incredible power he knows this is probably useless. Well, if they must die protecting the innocent, Rond can think of worse ways to go.
Renik d20+4=23 d20+3=8 Thursday October 18th, 2001 12:07:53 PM
Renik has no problem weaving his way through the crowd (Dex 23: Sorry Donna, last round was a bit of a rush job!), his arm linked with the hapless would-be victim's. He attempts to drag him to safety (Str check 8), but struggles somewhat. "Come on, man, MOVE!" he yells, trying to get the fellow clear of the bird-headed monstrosity behind them.
Draax d20+3=17 Thursday October 18th, 2001 1:47:18 PM
With Arien's help Draax gets to his feet and finally avoids the crowd enough not to take any damage. "Thanks Arien, I was taking a beating trying to maneuver in this crowd." He takes aim at the creature with his bow ready to add a distraction to keep the beast away from the crowd.
He thinks to himself, 'The next time I stop at the Catacombs, magic arrows will be on my list of much needed items.'
Bill Troublefinder d20+8=27 Thursday October 18th, 2001 3:59:45 PM
The one who lives up to his family name casts levitate via his wand on the clumsy would-be victim. "He'll float now," he tells Renik. "Carry him." Bill wonders why his friends didn't pick up on the hint to use a net. He thought Rond, or maybe Arien, had a magic net of snaring, or some sort of magic net, among his gear. He takes the time to look for the elf girl and her mother, bouncing up in the air toward the direction they ran, just a little above the crowd to increase his field of vision. [With the time that has gone by, have the crowds thinned at all yet?]
Ferrak (Sorry, no net.) d20+3=9 d4=2 d20+8=25 d20+8=16 Thursday October 18th, 2001 7:39:32 PM
Bashed in the face yet again, Ferrak is getting frustrated fast. (Ref-9 dmg-2)
"Darkfang...!" Ferrak yells "Great, just GRRRRreat!" as he leaps from the back of his skittish brother. (Ride-25)
Moving in a fluid motion to the side of Alpha/Rond, as he pulls a well made dart from his pack, he lets it fly... (Att-16)
Unsure as to whether his darts are having any effect, Ferrak is moving in as far as possible with that throw, hoping to use his spear soon.
Sontra (Sunblaze) [Steven] d20+3=8 d4=4 Friday October 19th, 2001 12:43:30 AM
Sontra, seeing that the bird can't attack it, glares. His hands shaking slightly, it's disturbing and scary and more.
"Away from the Arena! We are no help if we die! The other groups have either already ran or died! We are no-" Sontra sees that Darkfang and the animals won't attack, and wonders if they can't directly attack the god, but perhaps they can attempt to grab the meat from it. He throws in, then attempts to run out of the arena, as fast as possible.
Loss of Snack..? (DM Donna) Friday October 19th, 2001 7:18:08 AM
Dathil the Raven God's eyes of fire flare up, burning away the pepper that blinds him. The avian head swivels about, not even flinching at the oncoming missiles launched at him.
(OOC: roll Spot check versus DC13; those who make the check notice that the dart & arrows aren't so much missing Dathil as simply seeming to hit an invisible barrier and falling down.)
"Heyyyy! That's my lunch, you little pipsqueaks..!" screeches the avatar at Renik and Bill as they push the floating thin man away from Dathil's reach. Then the Raven God's flaming eyes blaze with interest at the sight of the fleeing Sontra.
"OOOOOO...never mind--THIS one has more meat on its bones..!" Dathil's claw-like fingers wiggle in the disguised bard/wizard's direction--and Sontra finds himself surrounded by tendrils of freezing darkness (make a Reflex save versus DC15. If you fail, you are grabbed by the darkforce fingers and have to make both a Fortitude save or have 5hp sucked out of you, and a Willpower save or faint from the sheer horror of what's happening [a Fear effect]. Both DCs are also 15.)
Bill Troublefinder d20+13=14 Friday October 19th, 2001 2:37:22 PM
Seeing his friend Sunblaze being attacked, Bill does not hesitate to retaliate. Using far hand (minor telekinesis) on a thunderstone, he hauls back with it in hand, and with psionic energy augmenting the accuracy of his throw (added a +4 circumstance to his 'to hit' roll), the stone heads towards the raven-headed beak. Nevertheless, his efforts are for naught - and he realizes he needs to practice more on his hand-eye-mind coordination [Natural 1 - whiff!]. Still exercising far hand on the errant stone, he works on lifting into the air, hoping to bring it back to his hand, so that next round he can try again [unless something happened to the stone due to the natural 1].
[OOC: Nets, blankets, rope anyone? Let's figure out a way to take this guy. Be creative!]
Sontra (Sunblaze) [Steven] d20+6=25 d20+10=14 Friday October 19th, 2001 4:33:20 PM
Sunblaze dodges away, seeing the attack before it happened. Her feet nimbly move aside. Looking at Bill she quickly attempts to sing her bardic song (Fascinate the God thing). She attempts to make it up on the spot.(Performance Check: 14)
"Domi fought to save our life. To stop Marteaus' eternal strife. To end it all, without blood on knife.
Marteaus with strength as he may, Did not become a god this day, Nor ever with the sun's bright ray.
We are those of Windhorn Hamlet and mighty more! Domi's wish is what we shall right for! Marteaus is a great big w___(rude word)!"
Ferrak (Polly wanna cracker?) d20+3=4 d4=1 d20+5=22 Friday October 19th, 2001 11:56:44 PM
(Are there still effects from the crowd? If so...)
Ferrak just can't seem to avoid the press of the crowd as he catches yet another elbow to the chin. (Natural 1 for 1 damage)
Rushing over to get in between this bird god and Sontra in case his/her fascinate attempt fails.
Ferrak then sets his spear for a charge, as he tries his best to insult this guy in an avian way. (Animal Empathy +5=22)
As the feral gnome scratches at the ground, and wiggles his posterior, in what he hopes is a supreme insult to this thing, he grips his vicious spear with grim determination.
"Grrr..."
Arien Saturday October 20th, 2001 12:52:10 AM
Arien pulls his rope out his pack and ties one end to the nearest object that looks like it could actually hold the Bird thingy, at least long enough to let everyone concerned a good headstart. Then he ties the other end into a loop with a slip knot and passes it off to Bill. "Jump over him and try to drop this over his head so we can get out of here." He says to Bill quietly so that the bird/god thing can't hear.
Rond d20+9=15 Saturday October 20th, 2001 5:24:10 AM
Rond takes in the scene quickly. Sunblaze looks in pretty bad shape; they need to protect her. Arien seems to have the right idea; "Everyone, we need that thing slowed down! Any entanglement you can think of, do it NOW!"
He fires again, more out of frustration than an expectation of causing any damage (AC 15).
Renik d20+4=22 d20+22=38 d20+9=27 d20+9=12 d6+5=8 2d6(2+2)=4 Saturday October 20th, 2001 5:49:12 AM
Slowed down? Renik can't see what he can do to manage that. The only thing he could try is too near to suicidal for his liking... but if they don't do something quickly this thing is going to kill Sunblaze, then them, then the crowd. Looks like he's going to have to do something stupid. Renik promises himself that if (by some miracle) he lives through the next couple of minutes, he's going to retire from spying and take up a safer profession. Gargoyle wrestling. Dragon baiting. Rogue Demon Hunter. Anything but going toe to toe with one of the Cult Gods.
He fights down his growing panic. Darting through the fleeing citizens once more (Dex 22) Renik flips up the hood of his cloak of Elvenkind, attempting to blindside the creature (Hide 38). Hopefully arriving unnoticed behind it, he plunges his blade into the creature's back. (hit AC 27 (Crit threat, then AC12. Phooey!) for 8 + 4 sneak attack=12 HP.)
Draax d20+3=13 d20+8=15 d20+8=13 d20+1=17 Saturday October 20th, 2001 11:02:37 AM
As he avoids what is left of the fleeing crowd, Draax takes aim at the creature and lets two arrows fly in its direction. After witnessing the other missiles hit some type of invisible shield (spot check 17) he is sure that his arrows will do no harm, but they might get the thing's attention. Changing his appearance to be a taller and much heavier human warrior, Draax hopes that the creature cannot see through the illusion. "Hey birdman or manbird or whatever you are, why don't you pick on someone your own size? Or at least with a little more meat on them. And you call yourself a god? It is almost feeding time at the zoo, if you hurry I am sure that they will give you some seeds."
To himself Draax thinks, 'What in the wold am I doing? I cannot believe that I am taunting a godlike creature.' Draax takes a step closer and aims his bow again. Hoping that he gets the creature's attention away from Sunblaze, but also fearing that he will actually get the thing's attention.
Feeling Peckish (DM Donna) d100=10 d20+9=12 d20+5=18 d20=13 d20+10=21 d20+10=13 d20+5=20 d8+4=6 d20+5=10 d20+5=6 Monday October 22nd, 2001 6:22:41 AM
(OOC: the crowd is still numerous [there were a LOT of people there!], but it IS beginning to thin out--stray lightning bolts and carnivorous avatars tend to do that, you know! ;D Anyhow, the next few Dex checks must be made versus DC5 or suffer 1-2hp buffeting damage.)
Bill fumbles his well-intentioned throw of his handy-dandy thunderstone, so that it lands on the ground at his own feet rather than in Dathil's area. The blast affects Bill, Renik and the skinny guy--of the three, only Renik makes his saving throw (he got the 18). Bill and the skinny guy are deafened for the time being.
This being the case, Arien cannot get Bill's attention because now the halfling cannot hear him. If Arien wants to lasso the Raven God, he'll have to try to do it himself...or try to hand the rope off to somebody else.
"RrrrrrAAAAK!" caws Dathil scathingly at Sontra/Sunblaze. "Silly man--you think YOUR pathetic music can fascinate ME???" (OOC: his Will save is 22 versus Sunblaze's Performance check of 14. Nice try, though.) Once more the black spectral fingers of the hungry cult god reach out hungrily towards the disguised Hamleteer--
"RAWWWWWRRRRK???" Dathil screeches angrily, his attention arrested by the insulting behavior of Ferrak. Unable to resist his angry impulse, the Raven God rushes at the physically-demonstrating ferral gnome--and obligingly impales himself on Ferrak's spear! (OOC: 6hp damage) Darkfang whimpers and crouches behind his big brother.
Neither Rond's nor Draax's arrows affect the avatar at all--but Renik takes immediate advantage of Dathil's distraction and manages to strike the birdman from behind (OOC: 12hp damage)! Between having Ferrak's Vicious Half-Spear in him and the shock of some upstart mortal dare to strike at his back, Dathil's only attempts at attack fall far short of their targets, his taloned hands clawing only empty air.
Arien d20+4=24 d4+3=6 d6=4 d20+8=17 Monday October 22nd, 2001 2:50:20 PM
Seeing the raven avatar actually taking damage from Renik and Ferrak, Arien drops the lasso and charges the at the avatar. With his dagger held low Arien searches for a vital spot and lunges at it with his weapon leading the way. (Nat 20 on a sneak attack, 10 damage. Reflex save = 17)
Rond d20+4=19 Monday October 22nd, 2001 3:26:27 PM
Having seen Bill move pretty fast Rond tries to get his attention. When Rond notices that the thunderstone seems awfully close to Bill, he makes the guess that Bill cannot hear anything. Grabbing the rope that Arien had, Rond runs over to Bill and grabs him, to get his attention. Using his fingers to indicate a circling motion, Rond indicates that Bill should circle around the DuckBill (Dathil ;) ) a couple of times, and then pull the rope tight, as he and others in the group will anchor it. If Bill gets the idea of what Rond is trying to convey, Rond pipes up, "Look sharp people, everyone on this rope, so that we can try to trip this being up"
In the back of Rond's mind, the enormity of what they're trying to do seems to linger at the edge of his conscious mind.
But remembering Domi's words, Rond plucks up his courage, and hopes beyond all hopes, that Domi is somehow smarter than Marteaus. Hoping that Wardd is with everyone today, Rond continues on.
Draax d20+3=20 Monday October 22nd, 2001 6:49:15 PM
Seeing that his arrows are not getting the creature's attention, Draax holds his breath as the creature rushes Ferrak and is pleasantly surprised as the creature is hurt. He drops his bow and gets ready to charge the creature, when he hears Rond's call for assistance with the rope. Draax changes direction, runs over to Rond and take hold of the rope.
Ferrak d20+3=17 d20+9=20 d8+5=6 d20+5=24 Monday October 22nd, 2001 7:34:07 PM
The one advantage to being attacked by a giant bird god, is that it seems to help Ferrak finally avoid the batterings of the thinning crowd. (Ref-17)
In the thick of it now, Ferrak holds firm to his spear as the birdlike creature impales himself upon it.
Though the impact of Dathil's attack is tremendous, Ferrak maintains his grip and attempts to jab his spear once again up into the thing's soft underbelly. (Attack-20 dmg-6)
Still trying to keep the thing's attention, Ferrak quacks like a duck, then does a little shimmy with his behind, as he starts making a clucking noise like a chicken. (Animal Empathy-24)
"You fight more like a chicken, than a duck!" Ferrak yells at the enraged god, too wrapped up in the thick of battle to understand the danger of his position.
Bill Troublefinder d20+3=18 d20+3=19 Tuesday October 23rd, 2001 5:42:12 AM
[Dex check 18; Use rope skill 20 (should have used 20+4, instead rolled 20+3. 19 adjusts to 20)] Deaf Bill clues in to Rond's idea. He takes said rope, and begins to race about Dathil's legs and wings, threading the rope about him, bouncing into the air - up and around and down and around (well, as much of that as he can in one round), seeking to gift-wrap the ravenous raven god.
Truss Me (DM Donna) d20+9=26 d20+5=23 d20+5=11 d20+9=10 d8+7=10 Tuesday October 23rd, 2001 6:29:49 AM
The flaming eyes of the Raven God blaze up in anger--but then subside into their usual size.
"Oh, ho--I see through YOUR tactic now, you mongrel twerp!!!" Dathil cackles, reaching down and removing the Vicious Half-spear from himself, and turning it on Ferrak, jamming it straight at Ferrak...but the sentience of the spear works against the avatar--and Dathil ends up spearing himself with the weapon! (OOC: rolled a 23 to strike at Ferrak, but the Willpower save that is required is a natural 1--a failure! So the spear speared the birdman instead! LOL)
Dathil is rapidly finding himself trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey, and is suffering damage...and is clearly flabbergasted that a band of mortals (mortals!!!) is defeating a Cult God!
"I've never seen such...such..." gasps the all-but-forgotten skinny would-be victim, who is now standing a bit away from the action, but close enough for Renik to hear him speak in an awestruck voice, "...foolishness? Bravery..? Suicidal insanity..?"
Renik must make an Intelligence check versus DC20.
Renik d20+6=22 d20+4=22 d20+2=18 Tuesday October 23rd, 2001 3:12:15 PM
Renik delves into his belt pouch, empties the entire bagfull of caltrops (24) at the Birdman's feet, then dives away from the avatar, weaving and bobbing (Tumble 22) towards that damned foolish skinny guy (Dex check 22, Int check 18, failed). "Hey, stupid!" he yells, waving his arms, "I thought I told you to get out of here! So RUN!!!" If the skinny guy does not make a move, Renik will try to drag him clear (I assume he's still floating?).
Bill Troublefinder d20+6=26 d20+6=24 d6+3=5 d6+3=8 Tuesday October 23rd, 2001 7:00:49 PM
Bill, trussing completed, ends up with the end of the rope around Dathil's shoulder and neck. In a "ride 'em cowboy" maneuver, he holds on behind the neck with his left hand, and with his +2 short sword in the right, aims to slice the carotid artery [called shot] of this nasty lived-too-long immortal.
[Crit threat AC26, crit hit if AC24 hits. Dam 5+8=13.] [Am embarrassed to say that I don't recall the called shot rule: Is it a -4 on the roll 'to hit' for a called shot? Am away from my books at the moment. And if the victim is inhibited - like tied up by ropes, would that be +2 or +4 to hit, or some other number? IWICRTSR*. I'll let you make the calls on this, Donna**. BTW, the carotid artery supplies the blood to the brain. Damaged artery (but not completely severed) can cause instant blindness, dizziness. Severed artery leads to unconsciousness and brain death.)]
* I Wish I Could Recall The Specific Rules ** As if you wouldn't go ahead and do so anyway! :-)
Bill T d20+4=23 d20+4=13 Tuesday October 23rd, 2001 7:26:59 PM
[Part the Second - forgot two rolls. Ride skill check and Intelligence check.]
Bill looks like he was born to ride. He just won't be able to hear the roar of the crowd for a bit.
Ferrak d100=76 d20+3=23 Tuesday October 23rd, 2001 7:38:11 PM
"Hey, my speaggrr!" Ferrak growls as Dathil takes away his only effective weapon.
Then as Dathil succeeds only in stabbing himself with it, Ferrak cheers. "Good spear, smart spear, hit him again in the ear spear!"
Pausing in his mirth long enough to realize that he is standing in front of a pissed off cult god without an effective weapon, Ferrak goes into motion.
Noticing the spikey things on the ground, and the rope tactics of the rest of this pack, Ferrak decides the best thing for him to do is try and keep the birdgod's attention.
Going down on all fours barking loudly at the birdgod, Ferrak snarls and bares his teeth, whilst arcing his back to make himself look bigger. Meanwhile, reaching into his belt pouch with his right hand Ferrak pulls out a pinch of Illusion dust.
All of a sudden the feral gnome resembles the biggest, most ferocious wolf imaginable. Growling and biting in the face of Dathil, as if trying to bite it off, Ferrak is truely a wild sight.
(If possible I'd like to augment this illusion with the ghost sound of incredibly loud barking. Armor check-76)
(Ref-23)
Draax d20+3=22 Tuesday October 23rd, 2001 9:12:43 PM
Draax avoids what remains of the crowd (Dex check 22) as he continues to hold and pull on the rope. He watches Bill as he jumps on the creature's back. "Yee Haw, ride him Bill!"
He almost wants to laugh at the sight of Bill riding Dathil, but he is still aware that the situation is nothing to laugh about.
Draax unconsciously takes a step back at Ferrak's transformation. “This day is full of surprises.”
Rond d20+4=9 Wednesday October 24th, 2001 2:10:32 AM
Having no problems from the thinning crowd, Rond waits for Bill to finish his task. Once Bill begins the riding scence on Dathil's shoulder, Rond assumes it's time to tighten up security.
With that said and done, Rond motions, and says to the group, "Everyone available pull on this Rope, Ferrak continue with what you are doing." Doing their best to bring the rope tight and trip up the raging god, Rond holds his breath awaiting to see what happens.
Just Call Me "Buck"..! (DM Donna) d20+5=6 d20+6=21 Wednesday October 24th, 2001 7:00:00 AM
"Who are YOU calling stupid, you--" the skinny guy snaps at Renik, then shakes his head ruefully. "Never mind--I'm OUT of here..!" And the man runs away into the last of the escaping crowd, chuckling.
The raven-headed Cult God is NOT amused. He strains against the constricting rope--and does NOT break it! He stomps about, trampling on those caltrops and obviously hurts himself on them, screeching even MORE loudly than before. And--to top it all off--a mortal the size of a child is hacking into his neck! The indignity of it all!
There are tendrils of darkforce whipping around--everyone except Bill has to make at least two rolls: the Dexterity check versus DC5 to keep the last of the panicking populace from slamming into you; then you have to roll make a Reflex save versus DC15. If you fail, you are grabbed by the darkforce fingers and have to make both a Fortitude save or have 5hp sucked out of you, and a Willpower save or faint from the sheer horror of what's happening [a Fear effect]. The Fort and Will DCs are both 15. Feel free to use a Hero Point if you have to.
Ferrak d20+3=16 d20+3=19 Wednesday October 24th, 2001 9:03:14 AM
"WOOf, WOOf, WOOF!"
Grr...
Renik d20+4=17 d20+7=10 d20+5=14 d20+5=18 d20+1=14 Wednesday October 24th, 2001 9:52:35 AM
Renik, intent upon that curious skinny fellow, is able to avoid the crowd (Dex 17) but not the dark tendrils (Reflex 10). He feels his very essence being sucked from him (Fort 14, loses 5HP), and the Wold about him fades to black as sheer terror overwhelms him (Will 14). Renik's struggles cease, and he is enveloped by the eldritch power of the fingers of darkforce.
Bill Troublefinder d20+6=25 d20+6=7 d6+3=8 Wednesday October 24th, 2001 10:48:56 AM
Bill again goes for the neck. He *almost* says, "Yee haw!" himself, but checks himself. Gotta find those carotid arteries. Sure is quiet around here. [AC 25, threat, not crit. 8 hp damage.]
Draax d20+3=23 d20+3=15 Wednesday October 24th, 2001 4:42:25 PM
Draax keeps a firm hold onto the rope, easily avoiding what is left of the crowd (23), but just barely getting out of the way of the tendrils of darkforce (15). He thinks, 'Hey, we might actually win this fight.' A brief smile comes to his face, but it is quickly wiped away when he looks over at Renik.
Realizing that a long fight would only favor the creature, the half-elf pulls the rope even harder hoping to bring the creature off of its feet.
Sontra (Sunblaze) [Kim filling in for Steve] d20+3=6 d20+6=16 d8=7 Thursday October 25th, 2001 2:21:02 AM [Note to Steven: Sunblaze has 5 more hit points than you think. Should have 21 total hp (before accrued damage). You did not add in the bonus from constitution.]
Sunblaze avoids further being bumped. In her guise as Sontra, she just manages to dance away from the dark tendrils. And downs the potion of healing that Bill gave her in the pyramid, regaining 7 hp lost to the bumping crowds.
[Okay, Steve, your turn tomorrow.]
Ooooo--LUNCH! No, wait--I mean LAUNCH! (DM Donna) d20+4=15 d20+5=16 d20+3=23 d6+1=6 d20+3=9 d20+10=11 Thursday October 25th, 2001 6:37:24 AM
In spite of the fact that Bill has landed some telling blows, and that Draax has practically given himself a hernia trying to yank the evil Dathil off his unseen feet, the Cult God is still going strong.
"Bark all you want, you fleabag!" cackles Dathil to Ferrak as he throws down the Vicious Half-Spear onto the ground. "I have sustenance now!!!" Screeching in defiant triumph, the avatar inhales deeply--and everyone sees the darkforce appendages wrapped tightly around Renik swell up and pulse...and Dathil himself seems to get a little larger.
Renik--though still unconscious--moans as his life is starting to drain away before your eyes! (OOC: Renik must roll another Fortitude saving throw vs. DC20 or suffer 10hp damage--make the save for half damage.)
Ferrak's continued defiance and aggression in the literal face of the Raven God, however, seems to have abated Darkfang's natural instinct to avoid Dathil. Even though a large part of him still wants to put his tail between his legs and just RUN from the immortal, Renik's being killed by inches just doesn't sit well with the wolf's "protect the pack" mentality, and so the animal crouches low, then launches himself at Dathil's throat while the newly-returned deity is gloating, catching Dathil completely off-guard. (OOC: rolled a natural 20 for Darkfang, though no crit was made...however Dathil's Dex check is a natural 1. Heh.)
Between Draax's yanking on the rope and the wolf's unexpected attack, the Cult God is toppled over. Bill must make a Tumble check versus DC15 or suffer 3hp damage from the fall.
Ferrak d20+9=13 d8+5=8 Thursday October 25th, 2001 7:18:19 AM
"Yes brother, YES!" yells Ferrak as he rushes to pick up his fallen spear.
Then with a feral snarl he jumps on top of the fallen cult god, hoping that killing Dathil is the best way to help Renik, Ferrak stabbs down with all of his might. (13+4 for being prone - dex = ? Dmg=8)
(OOC-What is Darkforce? Can you attack it?)
Bill Troublefinder d20+5=17 d20+6=23 3d4(3+3+4)=10 Thursday October 25th, 2001 10:52:44 AM
[Oops. Tumble is d20+3, not +5. 'S OK, though as it just makes the DC 15.]
Whoa! The halfling tries to decide whether to ride the bird down, or let go. He compromises by hanging on to the rope, but uses his levitation to pull the other way, and ends up floating just above the godling's head. Bill perceives that his meager sword slices are not touching the carotid arteries. Anger wells up in him as he notes the dark tendrils extending to his new friend Renik who lies upon the ground.
Something clicks in his brain, and he focuses the power of his mind directly downward into the head of the gloating, wicked beast god. Those looking on see waves of energy in a small conical area below Bill enveloping Dathil's head. [Mind blast - save vs. Will DC 23 or be stunned for 10 rounds if nonpsionic, 3 rounds if psionic. Dathil gets +4 to save if nonpsionic.] ======== [Addendum: If Dathil is psionic, Bill is toast. Well, he's probably toast, anyway...]
Rond d20+4=19 d20+7=24 d20+4=6 Thursday October 25th, 2001 11:47:25 AM
Rond dances around the various people as they flee the scene. With Dathil's dark force wandering around, Rond keeps a wary eye, and dodges the tendrils as they move around. Once Renik is captured in the Cult God's tendril, Rond's concern for his teammate heightens his worry about what is going on. Just as Rond is about to shout a command, DarkFang pounces upon the Cult God. Raising a defiant cry Rond cries out, "Though Domi may be down, his spirit continues on. Everyone that has a piece a rope, let's hog tie him up, quickly, NOW! GET THAT DISPEL MAGIC CAST, AND SEE IF THAT CAN AID RENIK." After seeing that his commands are followed out, Rond concentrates on attempting to tie up Dathil. As he works Rond begins to chant loudly, as if it is his mantra, "Though Domi is down, he has charged the Wold to have courage. Just as Domi has given his life to do the right thing, I will have courage, and lay my life down, to do the right thing."
Renik d20+5=24 Thursday October 25th, 2001 11:58:11 AM
Renik, despite the feeling that he is floating in a cold and endless darkness, is not finished yet. Something within him cries "Survive!" and he struggles against the blackness (Will 24, 5HP damage).
(OOC: Donna, I have Renik on 12 HP damage, have I missed any, or does that match you?)
Sontra[Sunblaze](Steven) Thursday October 25th, 2001 1:28:35 PM
[Sorry all, I've been feeling under the weather, and then much homework has kept me from the computer. Thanks Kim!]
Sontra, seeing Bill is still holding onto the Bird God, realizes that speed is needed. Throwing his bag off onto the ground, he empties it and then shouts to the crazy halfling.
"Shove it over his head!" He runs and tries to give Bill the bag. His mind, still stuck about Domi's disappearance.
==== [Bill can't hear Sunblaze. He is momentarily deaf. She might do the work herself. Or, can she cast dispel magic, as Rond requested? -Kim]
Draax d20+3=20 d20+3=13 d20+6=21 Thursday October 25th, 2001 10:07:45 PM
Draax is thrilled at the sight of Dathil being taken off of his feet. He rushes to obey Rond's orders as his side steps one of the slow exiting populace. He moves next to the creature and in his excitement to help to secure it he steps directly into a tendril of darkforce. Draax feel a chill begin to run up his body, but he fight off the draining effect(fort 21). He takes a second to compose himself before going back to work.
Arien d20+8=12 d20+8=27 d20+6=25 2d4(3+3)=6 Friday October 26th, 2001 3:44:28 AM
Dancing lithely about both terror driven spectators and deadly dark-energy appendages, Arien backs off a bit and blasts the avatar with a magical arrow of acid. (6 damage, lasts 1 more round)
POOF--Gone! (DM Donna) Friday October 26th, 2001 6:47:01 AM
The Hamleteers struggle mightily to contain a force that they all well know can likely flick a feather and consign their souls to eternal torment for this umbrage--but Domi's will and last words hold sway over the heroes and they fight on with enough courage to bring tears of pride to Domi's eyes...were they not now closed forever.
"...feast...on...all...your...eeeeeEEEEEEEEEEYESSSSSSSSSSSS...!!!" screeches Dathil as the concerted efforts of the party do more and more damage: Ferrak's spear, Darkfang's bite and Bill's psionic attack batter the birdman--but it's the final application of Arien's well-aimed Acid Arrow that finally causes the large avatar to shudder and quiver violently.
"Awwwwwwk! I'm melting...melting..." Dathil squawks miserably, the tendrils of darkforce receding away from Draax and Renik, forming a swirling effect around the suddenly-smoldering Raven God. "...what a Wold..! What a Woooooooooold...!" The darkforce energy intensifies so that all can feel the utter iciness of it--then there's a whirling, swirling mass of feathers that get violently sucked up and around and into itself...
POOF!
All that is left are the Hamleteers, the odd straggling escapee from the Arena, and a single raven feather floating, floating down to the ground.
Renik manages to wake up, feeling utterly exhausted, but lucky to be alive.
Sontra(Sunblaze)[Steven] Friday October 26th, 2001 9:54:52 AM
Sontra, seeing the god melt, laughs. It seems 'mere' mortals could beat the unbeatable. Utterly amazing. As the feather touched the ground, he walked up to it. Grabbing it, he places it in his bag, gathering up the items he dropped out of it.
"Good show!"
Bill Troublefinder d20+3=16 d8=1 d8=3 Friday October 26th, 2001 10:08:57 AM
Bill shoves off as Dathil diminishes. Quickly he pulls a little hand net out of a pouch at his belt, and tries to catch the falling raven feather (dex check, 16). He carries it over to Ferrak. "Here." And, since he can't hear himself too well, his voice increases in intensity. "YOU INSPIRED ME. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE YOURS." He gives him a serious nod of the head, and, if DarkFang allows such, scratches the valiant wolf under the chin. "GOOD BOY!"
Bill then speaks with Sunblaze. "READ A SCROLL OF CURING FOR WHO NEEDS IT." She might recall he gave her two scrolls of Cure Light Wounds - which a bard should be able to read. (Would do 1d8+1.) He gives Renik a potion of CLW (1d8 only, reroll 1's. Renik gets back 3 hp.), then looks around to see who else might be injured. He offers two more potions should anyone need one. "Gotta Find Somebody," he says in what he takes for a whisper. "LET'S GO." His eyes look to see if there is any evidence of Domi's little girl, or her mother. Then, remembering the chain of command, he looks to Rond to see if his suggestion is acceptible.
Bill / Kim Friday October 26th, 2001 10:16:24 AM
[OOC: Uh - this is a case of simultaneous posting. I began posting when only Donna's post was there. By the time I got done and hit 'Submit', I saw Sunblaze's post concerning the feather. Donna? So, what happens with the feather? I suppose if Bill had seen Sunblaze get the feather, he would have politely (though LOUDLY, at the moment) suggested awarding it to Ferrak, the newest party member, who clearly showed his valor and his worth.]
Renik Friday October 26th, 2001 12:31:25 PM
Renik sits up, rubbing his eyes. "Gods, but I never want to feel that again! Is it gone? What happened?" He gratefully gulps down the potion Bill offers him, and begins to feel marginally better. "Well, Rond, what now?" he enquired, clambering unsteadily to his feet.
Ferrak d4=1 d4=4 d8+3=7 d8+3=11 Friday October 26th, 2001 11:01:13 PM
Still breathing hard, and holding tight to his spear, the wild gnome finally notices that the battle is over. Rushing over to Darkfang he grips his brother in a powerful bearhug, then playfully cuffing him on the ears, he sits down exhausted.
At a loss for words, Ferrak stands up as Bill comes over and quietly nods back to the formidable halfling.
Standing a little taller now, as Bill scratches Darkfang under the chin, Ferrak reaches into a belt pouch for some mistletoe. Reaching to the ground, the feral gnome takes a hand full of earth and starts mashing the mistletoe together with the cool black loam, chanting. When he finishes the chant, five tasty looking berries appear in his outstretched palms. (Goodberries +1 hitpoint and refreshing like eating a full meal.) "These are 'good' berries," he says while passing one each to Arien, Bill, Draax, & Rond. Then eating one himself, the feral gnome begins chanting again.
Given the time, Ferrak will administer to Renik & Sunblaze a Cure Light Wounds spell each. (+7 & +11 hitpoints respectively. Cool, I rolled an 8!)
With this finished, Ferrak takes Darkfang aside and says to him in wolven. "Looks like we've found a new pack." Scratching his brother behind the ears. "I can't help but like them, despite the way they all walk on two legs," he says grinning to himself.
(OOC I've got these spider walking slippers and I don't think that Ferrak would ever use them. I'll trade you Steve, I think a bard or a rogue would do better with them, also I would kind of like a momento of this, my first real battle.)
P.S. This is lots of fun.
Rond Sunday October 28th, 2001 11:39:12 AM
Rond is caught flat-footed as he stares at where Dathil use to be. Coming to his senses, Rond pulls out the communication coin, "Team A reporting in. Dathil, Cult god, defeated and out of picture. Raven feather all that remains. Team A intact, awaiting further instructions."
When Rond is offered a berry he says, "Thank you for this. You and your companion's aid have made a big difference."
Responding to Renik, "Let's help out where we can here, and scout around to see if we can find, or learn something new, until we get further instructions."
Bill Troublefinder d20+5=13 d20+5=7 Sunday October 28th, 2001 7:56:38 PM
"THANK YOU," the halfling says to Ferrak. He eats the berry (back to full hp, I think). Using the Read Lips skill (DC 13) he is able to tell approximately what Ferrak says. Trying to talk quietly, his voice ratchets down a few decibels. "A Friend Used To Give Us Some Of These, Too. Tasty."
Bill massages his temples as he looks around to see what else is happening in the Golden Arena. Since he is not looking at Rond, he doesn't know what he has said to Renik (Read Lips 7 - I figure he wasn't even looking at Rond. And doesn't Rond still wear that mask, anyhow?). He looks over to the body of Domi. After the fevered actions of the past few minutes, now for the first time he allows his heart to feel a measure of sorrow. "Shall We See If We Can Bury Him?" he asks his friends. Bill is concerned about what the followers of Marteaus may do to Domi's now mortal remains. And where now is Marteaus, and where are the other cult gods? And where is the little girl? Domi's little girl? Despite the well-being engendered by the goodberry, the hobbit feels a headache coming on. He has never mind blasted anybody before - he's just practiced it in training. He wipes the blood of Dathil off his sword onto a rag, which rag he then folds over to keep the blood in the center, and places it into a bag. With no sign of the girl around, he takes a step toward Domi's body.
Draax Sunday October 28th, 2001 11:14:53 PM
Draax shakes off the remnants of the tendril of darkness. “That felt creepy.” He looks down at the spot where Dathil body would be if there was a body. Smiling, Draax says as if he was just thinking out loud. “What do you know, survived another one.”
He takes the good berry from Ferrak. “Thanks, if I haven’t said it before, welcome to the group.” Draax eats the good berry. “Nice, just what I needed.”
To Rond he says, “I think Bill is right about burying the body, but I would rather do it someplace else. It does not feel right burying him in this place.”
Arien Sunday October 28th, 2001 11:47:54 PM
"Aye let us take Domi's body from this place and to a more suitable resting place for him. We should move quickly however, lest one of the other Cult Gods take interest in us. I don't know that we could withstand another attack of that sort." Arien wipes the avatar's blood off of his dagger on a rag and glancing at the rag in disgust and drops the bloody thing to the ground.
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