Arien 3d6(6+6+5)=17 d20+13=27 Thursday March 28th, 2002 1:02:00 PM
Seeing the beating Rond is taking Arien turns his attention to that area of the battlefield. He points his ring at K and unleashes the power of his ring again. The ghostly ram's head streaks across the battlefield, slamming into the fighter for 17 points of damage. (Opposed Strength check for the Bull Rush = 27)
Draax d20+2=18 d20+12=16 d20+6=20 d8+7=15 d8+7=15 Thursday March 28th, 2002 1:11:00 PM
Seeing S goto the ground, Draax changes direction and goes for C2. The quick change in direction saved (saved 18, 10dmg) the half-elf from receiving the full blast from the golden sphere. Taking his frustration out on the cleric, Draax attacks C2 with his longsword. (hitting AC 16 for 15dmg & AC 20 for 15dmg)
Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo, Blinking) (30, 33, 35, or 38 hp damage sustained) d20+16=25 d20+5=15 5d20(3+1+15+14+18)=51 5d4(2+4+3+4+3)=16 d20+24=40 Thursday March 28th, 2002 1:21:37 PM [OOC: See private post for explanation of confusion on hit points taken. d20+24=40, voluntary Concentration check, DC 40.]
(Psi-/Spellcraft roll [d20+16=25], DC 25.) Bill notes the undead summoning, and perceives that as his greatest present threat. Flying slightly downward towards the elf wizard and woman cleric, he angles yet another cone of sound, with a rainbow wash of color emanating from his eyes as the power explodes, so as to catch the wizard and cleric within the area of effect, but trying to avoid, barely, Renik & K'isst. His two opponents take [(2+4+3+4+3)=16] 16 hp damage, or 8 hp if they succeed at a Reflex save [d20+5=15] DC 15. [Ignore 5d20 roll - was supposed to be 5d4.] He hopes he can disrupt the wicked cleric's summoning.
Bill activates his ring of blinking, and himself and his images begin popping in and out of view.
Borgo/Bill's movement ended above the elf W, his feet about 15 feet off the ground, with two to four 'Borgos' visible. "Hobbes!"
Hobbes (14 damage) d20+4=22 Thursday March 28th, 2002 1:56:59 PM
Hobbes wheels around at the sound of the commotion behind him. Seeing the gleaming sword in V's hand which would have undoubtedly been aimed at him, he pauses for a second to look thankfully to the attacking Darkfang. "No doubt an animal blessed with the watchfulness of Gargul," he thinks to himself.
Something makes him turn his head. A mumbling... an intonation, one that fills Hobbes with a rageful purpose. Clutching his eye and holding it strongly before him, he runs 20 feet towards the sound of C1's spell. If V wants an AoO, let him.
"By Gargul's holy name you dare blaspheme the Wold with your atrocities!," he bellows, "I, Hobbes of the Eye, forbid it!"
"Vo'up Rep!"
(Silence cast in the air right beside C1. In between C1 and W. No save as it's not on them. Radius is 15 feet. As summoning spells are one full round to cast, I assume it is now disrupted without the continuing use of his verbal component unless he has silent spell feat.)
Ferrak d20+14=18 d8+5=7 d20+10=24 Thursday March 28th, 2002 9:28:43 PM
For now, leaving his shield where it lies, the feral gnome hefts up his vicious spear. Slowly at first, Ferrak advances on the battle between Darkfang and the purple faced assassin.
"Furball...?" he mumbles under clenched teeth gathering speed.
Singed and still smoking, the wild gnome's blackened visage is a terrible thing to behold. His burnt hair twisted madly about a face on fire with a silent, smoldering rage, Ferrak charges. Legs pumping hard as he clashes into the assassin, the feral gnome jabs fiercely with his spear. (+10+2flank+2charge=7dmg)
Assuming that he at least makes contact with the man's armor, Ferrak tries to use his spear as a sort of pole-vaulting pivot. In effect using the momentum of his charge to rebound off of the man, onto the back of his valiant brother Darkfang. (Ride check=24 Is this possible?)
Feng (Bull Strength, Cat's Grace, 18hp dmg) d20+14=32 d8+8=12 d6=6 Thursday March 28th, 2002 10:03:54 PM
Feng looks back and forth between the spellcasters behind the wall and Kalabak. He was about to run toward the wizard but thankfully somebody engaged him. Kalabak deserves his full attention. Gripping his ax tightly, Feng shouts "Kalabak!" With anger in his eyes, Feng moves over to Kalabak and flanks the dark warrior. Spinning the ax over his head Feng brings and end down hard, leaving a trail of fire as the ax strikes at Kalabak's ribs. [d20+14=32 to hit, d8+8=12+(d6=6)for 18 points of dmg]
Renik (by Kim) d20+6=17 Friday March 29th, 2002 2:23:00 AM
Renik takes his folded net, steps five feet ahead and to his left, so he is about eight feet from the woman cleric, and tosses the barbed webbing over her head (ranged touch attack, she gets no armor or shield bonuses, AC 17), hoping to ensnare her. He notes just how quiet it's gotten in this area. He glances over at the dwarf who just slammed against the wall, hoping he remains still.
Ambush Round 4 (DM Donna) d20+11=17 d20+3=21 d8+6=13 d20+6=26 d20+11=26 d20+4=24 d20+5=6 d20+5=22 d20+13=29 d20+8=18 d10+7=11 d10+7=9 Friday March 29th, 2002 8:16:33 AM
K'isst's attack upon W causes the elf to lose his grip on the wand, which goes clattering to the ground. Gravely wounded, W grits his teeth and slaps K'isst in the face (hits AC21), but lets his hand linger... delivering 13hp of electricity damage with his Shocking Grasp spell.
Arien's ring hurts K--who, incredibly, is not knocked back by the force--as well as Rond's determined attack, too... but it is the blow from F1 upon the man that finishes the blackguard off. Still, the defiant evil fighter manages to spit in F1's direction even as the light of life fades from his eyes.
"The Dark Lord eats traitors for breakfassssst..." Kalabak hisses his last words.
Only one of Draax's blows manages to land on the cleric he faces, but it definitely does damage, for the half-elf stops and stands stock-still. His eyes narrow in concentration and his lips twist into a mocking smile... and Draax hears the telltale sound of rattling and the scattering of stones. The Hamleteer suddenly realizes that no less than twelve skeletons have popped up out of the rough, broken terrain--one of them actually having used to be opponent S!
Bill's attack hurts the female cleric and fells the wizard... but some kind of sixth sense--the rising of the hairs of the back of his neck--makes the halfling turn around in time to feel the deathly-cold grip of an ethereal vision of horror on his very throat! And, yes, this thing has Bill in a very solid grip, too, as the halfling feels his very lifeforce drain away! (OOC: you've lost one level. Strength check versus DC19 or this undead, ethereal being will retain its grip and drain another level next round.)
Hobbes casts his Silence spell, but C2's face is a study in triumph because she knows her spell was successful... and now the cleric of Gargul suddenly finds the dwarf fighter in his face--and with a Dwarven War Axe, yet! Hobbes gets hit for 11hp damage, but this doesn't stop the prickly chill that shudders across his very soul as the priest of the Woldian God of Death senses the appearance of the dozen undead behind him.
Ferrak's attack on the sneaky assassin does no damage--the wily evil one is too limber, it seems. However, even as the determined feral druid remounts his energetic brother, the human they are attacking fumbles for the buckle of his belt... and suddenly disappears!
I... I cannot track him, big brother! yelps Darkfang, confused. His scent... his self... is completely gone from here!
Renik's net falls wide of the female cleric he targeted even as her expression mocks him.
This ends the bad guys' half of round 4...check out DM Donna's Map Site: http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html to see what's left on the battlefield. (My apologies--the map will show "V" as still being right by Ferrak & Darkfang, but the assassin has, in truth, teleported away from the battle.)
Feng (Bull Strength, Cat's Grace, 18hp dmg) d20+3=17 2d6(6+1)+7=14 Friday March 29th, 2002 9:37:40 AM
Feng gives a slight smile and nod to Rond. "Excuse me. I have something to take care of." Feng hustles past Rond getting closer to the skeletons. Pulling a Medallion out from under his breastplate (swirling Vortex with stars in it), Feng draws upon positive energy and atempts to turn the undead away. He glances up at the horror and hopes it leaves too. [turning check d20+3=17 (affects up to 6 HD creatures), d6(6)+d6(1)+7=14 total HD turned]
Renik d20+10=14 Friday March 29th, 2002 11:46:23 AM
(OOC: Many thanks for posting for Renik, Kim. Yesterday was absolutely frantic! Apologies all.)
Renik dives into combat with the heavily armoured dwarf, stabbing ineffectually as he does so (Hit AC 14: Grrr). With deft spin he continues his move, adopting a flanking position behind the hairy fellow (Spring Attack, no AoO). From his new vantage point he spies the army of skeletons gathering around Draax, and prays he and Hobbes can nail this dwarven follower of the Dark Lord fast. This scrap is getting dangerous!
K'isst d20+14=26 d8+9=15 d20+9=29 d20+9=24 d8+9=13 d8+9=13 Friday March 29th, 2002 12:54:23 PM
K'isst lets loose on C1 trying to finish her off.
She swings her trident once hitting AC26 for 15 points of damage.
She swings again! She hits 29 with a Critical hit! (29 is a natural 20 with 24 also hitting confirming the crit.) She yells her triumph as the trident is yanked out of the opponent the strike doing 26 (13+13) points of damage!
"Yiyiyiyiiii"
Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=1 or 2 or 3(?) illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo, blinking) (15, 18, 20, or 23 hp damage sustained; one negative level) d20+2=20 d20+23=33 2d8(3+7)+5=15 Friday March 29th, 2002 1:10:12 PM
[Spending two hero points on Strength escape roll: 20. Terror can do that for ya!]
Bill's blood chills as the cold fingers close about his neck. Calling upon reserves from his hatred of the undead, he wrenches free of the tightening grasp, feeling a weird combination of ennervation and sapping. Borgo, and his multiple, dancing images, fly away full speed, backward and upward at a 30 degree angle, his magical sword before each image, fully defending with the weapon in his right hand against any further attempts of the abomination to grasp him. With his left, he pulls forth a potion of cure moderate wounds, removes the stopper with his teeth, and downs the contents. (Concentration: DC 33. Cure moderate wounds: 15 hp)
Draax d20+12=24 d20+6=18 d8+7=11 d8+7=13 Friday March 29th, 2002 3:47:29 PM
Hearing, feeling, and smelling the arrival of the skeletons, Draax glances right, left, and then back at the cleric. Figuring that he is in a hopeless situation, the warrior is resigned to his fate. He smiles as he looks into the cleric's eyes. "You could have saved us both a lot of pain and suffering if you would have just surrendered. But nooo, you had to bring your family into to this - and by the way, your mother looks lovely. Oh well, seeya in hell."
Believing that he sounds braver than he feels, Draax raises his shield high hoping to catch a few of the many blows that he is sure going to be raining down on him at any moment. He cuts into the cleric with his longsword (AC24 for 11 dmg, AC 18 for 13 dmg) trying to back his words with action and end the evil half-elf's life.
Ferrak d20+14=23 d8+5=7 d8+5=8 Friday March 29th, 2002 10:00:24 PM
Ferrak's snarls of anger and rage soon turn to that of confusion and surprise as the evil man winks out of sight. Disappointed, the feral gnome mutters, "Coward," under his breath, then freezes as the icy chill of unnatural life sends a shiver down his spine.
The hair on the back of his neck rising, Ferrak takes a moment to survey the battlefield. Seeing the travesty of evil un-life that surrounds them, the feral gnome makes his move.
Urging Darkfang to speed, Ferrak's face a mask of determination, the wolf brothers head straight for Renik, Hobbes, and the Dwarf attacking them. Charging up, opposite of Renik, the feral gnome readies his spear for impact. (+10+2+2 Dbl damage Spirited Charge=15)
Crashing heavily into the armored dwarf, Ferrak pulls up in front of him, trying to shield Hobbes from any further attack.
"For the pack!" he yells at the newcomer, turning to wink at him in wild eyed encouragement.
Arien 2d6(4+6)=10 d20+12=26 Saturday March 30th, 2002 12:49:28 AM
Once again Arien unleashes the energy of his ring upon the evil dwarf. However he does not let loose with the full power of the ring since he might need it later on as well. The ghostly ram's head slams into the dwarf for 10 (4+6) points of damage. (Opposed str check: 26)
Hobbes d20+4=18 2d6(2+6)+11=19 Monday April 1st, 2002 4:06:48 AM
Hobbes finishes his spell and then winces as he looks down at the gash formed by the dwarf's axe. Biting through the sting, he glares down at the wild-eyed dwarf before catching sight of his new comrade Bill in undeath's grip. Abandoning all notions that there is any danger before him, he turns, holding aloft his holy symbol of Gargul.
His ears clatter with the echoes of impact of the magic ring upon the wild-eyed dwarf as he steps forward toward the apparition which is now floating up into the air, giving the dwarf a clear shot at his backside even as the thundering ram of Darkfang barrels into him.
"You cannot remain here," wards Hobbes holding his silvered eye higher toward the dark hovering form, "This place is forbidden to you! I cast you back into the abyss from which you came. By all that's holy of the great power of the true keeper of the afterlife, you are banished! Gargul commands it!" He plants himself firmly in a spot directly under it.
"You...Are...Banished!", he bellows as he channels forth the radiating blue power forth from his holy symbol. The glimmering sphere shoots out from the eye in Hobbes' hand and radiates outward up through the undead creature and simmers out five feet past it. Hobbes proudly gazes up, almost tearful that Gargul has chosen him to give such a burst of extra divine power.
(OOC: Turn Check 18, Most Powerful Undead Level banished: 9th. Turning Damage: 19. In both cases, my level is considered one greater when turning as the special divine power of a cleric of Gargul dictates if anyone was wondering)
Rond d20+10=21 d6+3=6 d6=2 d20+5=10 2d6(1+1)+3=5 Monday April 1st, 2002 4:17:31 AM
Watching stunned as the blackguard falls to the ground, Rond wonders whether he could have really taken on this fellow without the help he received. Speaking of help, what's this fellow with the axe going to do?
"Thanks for the aid. I have seen this happen before and understand if you're wishing to switch sides. We'll talk more later on this."
Surveying the scene quickly, Rond shudders when he sees how many skeletons are on the field. Not wanting a member of the team to drop Rond announce, "Draax, help is on the way." Charging, or moving as best he can. Rond attempts to take out skeleton #7, in order to cover Draax's back.
1st attack AC 21 for 8 points of dam (supposed to be 2d6+3, but forgot 2 in roller)
2nd attack AC 10 for 5 points, if connected
Ambush Round 5 (DM Donna) d20+5=10 d20+5=19 d20=17 d20=16 d20=8 d20=14 d20=18 d20=9 d20=4 d20=18 d20=18 d20=7 d20=15 d20=17 d20=2 d20=6 Monday April 1st, 2002 10:08:11 AM
The half-orc who assisted Rond leaps forward and presents what looks like a holy symbol towards the cadre of bony undead, commanding them to disperse. Surprisingly, several of the skeletons disintegrate into dust (skels 8 to 12)! This is a surprise to both the Hamleteers, because the half-orc is affecting the undead like a cleric or paladin... and to the half-orc, too, because he thought for sure that he'd be affecting more of the skeletons than he is.
Renik, Ferrak (with Darkfang) and Arien concentrate their efforts on the dwarven warrior who'd attacked Hobbes. The evil dwarf suffers a lot of damage, but it is the attack from the ring that has the most telling effect: F2 is knocked back and out of sight over some rubble.
K'isst's attention turns to the female cleric that summoned the apparition that now stalks Bill in the air. Her vicious attack skewers the haughty priestess, leaving behind a lifeless corpse with a knowing smirk on her lips... and all of this soundless, thanks to Hobbes' earlier Silence spell.
Bill backs off and quaffs his potion as Hobbes attempts to banish the horrible abomination that siphoned off some of the halfling's energy, but the cleric of Gargul's effort--while clearly debilitating to the evil creature--forces the thing to fly straight for Bill once more, matching the metamind in direction and altitude. However, the spectral fingers that greedily reach for Bill fall short of their intended goal!
Draax's bravado succeeds in felling the cleric who summoned all the skeletons... and his shield manages to fend off the scrabbling claws of the skeletons that flail at him (skeletons 2 through 5). Skeleton #1 tries to hit the half-orc responsible for destroying the other skeletons, but misses as well.
Skeletons 6 & 7 strike out at Rond. Neither of them connect, and skeleton #7 looks like it's being held together by wishful thinking.
The only things left in the immediate area that are putting up a fight are the skeletons that Draax, Rond and the half-orc are fighting, and that flying undead ghostie-thing that is 45 feet up in the air with four Bills... though the flying horror keeps targeting the same Bill repeatedly with terrifying accuracy.
Those who have Spellcraft can make a check versus DC15 to figure out that there's a Desecrate spell that's interfering with divine attempts to turn the undead here (except for F1... who already knows that.)
Visit DM Donna's Map Site: http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html to see how the battlefield looks now. (OOC: I accidentally forgot to color C1--the evil female cleric--gray... she is out cold at the very least!)
Feng (Bull Strength, Cat's Grace, 18 hp dmg) d20+3=23 2d6(2+2)+7=11 Monday April 1st, 2002 10:45:28 AM
Feng ignores the skeleton in front of him. He needs to concentrate on the task at hand. There isn't time to bless the area, even if somebody could. "The land is desecrated." He shouts to all. Feng closes his eyes and says quietly, "Gods of the wold hear my cry. Your loyal servant needs thy aid. Please lend your strength so I can destroy the servants of Marteaus." Feng's holy symbol glows brightly, bathling the skeletons in light. [turn check= 23, max hd affected is 8, 11 dice of turning dmg]
Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (23 hp damage sustained; one negative level) (AC vs. Spectre: 28 (note: bracers, ioun stone, dex, size, intertial armor, dodge bonus all apply vs. incorporeal)) d20+15=20 d20+5=7 Monday April 1st, 2002 11:12:13 AM
Bill is able to discern that this graveyard is desecrated [Spellcraft DC 18 (should have rolled d20+13, not +15)].
Bill drops his blinking, so as to be able to move faster (move 60 when blinking, 90 when normal). He continues flying backwards, staying 45 feet in the air, but travels in a broad circle [so that he doesn't go off the edge of Donna's map :-) ], ending the round (he moves 90) about 20 feet east of F2's position, and maybe 15 feet to the south and 5 feet west of Renik's - and still in motion. As he moves backwards, he extracts from his pocket a vial of holy water, and tries to splash that on the pursuing spectre. However, as he fights defensively (-4 on attacks, +2 dodge bonus to AC), the liquid goes well off course (AC 7 - and I don't know if 'splash damage' of 1 hp would apply in this situation). He hopes, now that he is moving faster, to distance himself from the reaching grasp of the vile undead. Also, based on his knowledge of Plateau City, he calculates the distance to the nearest temple of Alemi from the Scar. Getting the spectre away from the desecrated ground may be his best bet - especially if he can get to consecrated ground... But let's see what his friends might do.
Renik d20+13=17 d20+23=32 Monday April 1st, 2002 2:25:51 PM
Renik glances up and sees that Bill is still battling furiously. If only he had some way to help...
Cursing himself for not being better prepared Renik elects instead to move off after the dwarf, staying quiet and low. He raises the hood of his cloak of elvenkind, and sneaks towards the pile of rubble where the dwarf fell, rapier at the ready (Move Silent 17, Hide 32).
He only hopes his companions can fare better against the unliving horror than he.
K'isst d20+14=17 d20+9=27 d8+9=10 d8+9=13 Monday April 1st, 2002 4:43:03 PM
K'isst waves at Bill to come to her and widens her stance to receive the vile thing... K'isst style!
In the meantime she also motions to Rond and holds up a potion marked CLW in case he wants it.
Draax d20+12=23 d20+6=16 d8+7=11 d8+7=8 Monday April 1st, 2002 5:52:44 PM
Draax smiles as he sees the life in the cleric's eyes fade. Feeling the rain of blows upon his shield, the half-elf is surprised that he was not hit. Hearing Rond's promise of assistant Draax begins to feel a little more confident about his chance for survival. The fighter turns to skelly #5 formerly known as S and attacks the unnatural creature with his longsword (AC 23 for 11dgm, AC 16 for 8dmg). Too late the warrior remembers his father's lessons about fighting skeletons with a slashing weapon.
Hobbes (25 damage taken) d20+9=29 2d4(1+2)+3=6 Monday April 1st, 2002 6:07:28 PM
Hobbes, seething with rage, lowers his holy symbol.
"Bab'on Gog!" he shouts like a madman and immediately rises from the ground [Fly]. Like an arrow he shoots towards the spectre, scythe in a wind-up. He catches up to the flowing monster and rams it cleanly with his Scythe +1. [Partial Charge Movement (Less than 90 feet), Natural 20, No Crit, Effective AC 17]
The scythe cuts through the apparition, wounding it slightly. [6 points of damage]
Arien d4+1=4 d4+1=3 Monday April 1st, 2002 6:42:30 PM
Arien also joins in the battle with the undead creature chasing Bill, he quickly sends up two Magic Missiles after the beast which hit for 7 (4+3) points of damage.
Rond d20+10=11 Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 3:46:20 AM
Rond engages skeleton 7 in order to help his friend Draax. Being engaged with the skeleton, Rond doesn't notice K'isst and her offering. Doing his best to skewer the skeleton, Rond slips on some of the carnage that surrounds him and drops his sword.
Ferrak d20+6=23 d20+10=16 d8=5 d20+10=18 d20+4=12 d6+1=4 Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 6:18:25 AM
{Help Draax brother.} yells Ferrak as he jumps off of his brothers back.
Getting a running start, the feral gnome get's ready to throw his spear. Fighting with the will of the thing, Ferrak is able to use it the way he wishes. (Will Check 23 to use sentient spear.)
(Attack 16 dmg = 5+5=10 probably a miss though.)
Ferrak runs after his spear to cast it again.
(If Darkfang is able to attack now against a skeleton Attack 12=4 dmg.)
Ambush Round 6 d20=6 d20=5 d20=9 d20=14 d3-1=2 d20+5=15 d100=57 d100=87 Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 7:51:43 AM
The half-orc's action causes skeletons 1 through 4 to crumble to dust. Draax's attacks on the-skeleton-formerly-known-as-"S" (#5) manage to be more than the bony undead can take, and it falls to pieces. Rond's sword is hastily retrieved, and Darkfang charges at the skeletons closest to the leader of the Hamleteers. #7 misses Rond, but one of #6's bony fists strikes the wolf for 2hp damage.
Once again Bill Troublefinder retreats from his implaccable foe...and once again the relentless undead thing will not be denied, snatching hungrily at the vital, wily halfling (and missing!) However, Arien's attack does damage, causing the thing to howl in agony. Hobbes' blow swishes through the ethereal wraithform of the creature, not appearing to do any damage. Ferrak's spear--not even coming close to his intended target--clatters to the ground about 25 feet away.
Renik starts in the direction the dwarf fighter sailed off towards, but after clearing the obstruction of a five-or-six-foot-tall pile of rubble, the rogue is astonished to see that the dwarf is NOWHERE in sight!
K'isst silently tries to get Bill's attention.
At this point, only skeletons 6 & 7 remain on the ground--the undead S is doggedly orienting on Bill with far too much accuracy to be natural (if you can call anything the living dead can do natural, that is). The dwarf has disappeared from the battlefield completely.
Renik: Bossy Time Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 8:31:06 AM
Cursing, Renik races back to where Bill is being attacked. To his companions he yells "The dwarf has vanished! Have a care, he has probably fled, but he may be invisible!"
Turning his attention back to the fight he calls out "Bill's in trouble up there! Does anyone have any Holy Water? That might help!" Clerics! Concentrate on that creature, the skeletons are just a nuisance compared to that thing!
"Bill! Bill! Head down here! My rapier is a magical weapon, it may prove equal to this monstrosity!" he yells, brandishing his +2 rapier. He wishes he was as confident of that as he sounds.
Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (23 hp damage sustained; one negative level) (AC vs. Spectre: 28 (note: bracers, ioun stone, dex, size, intertial armor, dodge bonus all apply vs. incorporeal)) d20+5=16 2d4(2+2)=4 d100=82 Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 12:23:01 PM
When Hobbes joins him in the air, the halfling is grateful, as well as for the other support his comrades give. Bill, hearing Renik's voice from the ground, glances over his shoulder, and swoops downward, landing on the ground about five feet west of where the cleric (C1) lies. Should the spectre follow, it will likely be near to K'isst and Renik. If it has not broken off pursuit, then as he lands, he splashes the spectre with holy water (AC 16, for 4 hp damage, or 1 hp splash damage if not a direct hit, roll to see if water has a chance of touching at all (usually 1-50 miss, 51-100 hit), with an 82), still fighting defensively, trying to dodge those relentless fingers.
In the back of his mind, he wishes that people stopped calling him 'Bill.' He's in disguise, after all! On the other hand, there IS a lot of stress...
Hobbes (25 damage taken) d20+7=11 d20+6=25 6d8(1+1+7+5+6+3)=23 Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 1:11:44 PM
"I am NOT through with you!" commands Hobbes to the spectre as it flies away from him. He takes his attack of opportunity on it and misses. [Roll of 11]
He glances at the halfling that is desperately trying to avoid it and growls, "You leave him ALONE!"
He immediately points his scythe in the direction of the vial creature and his hands begin to tremble. The vibrations become intense and his whole body seems to shake with a vast power as his mind utters a repeated prayer to Gargul and then bellows the command words, "Fu'muun...VORATIS!"
Immediately a surge of light bursts forth from Hobbes' hands into his scythe and out the top of it. The blinding light streaks across the air with firey intensity and cuts into the dark being.
[Searing Light. Ranged Touch Attack hits AC25. 6d8 against Undead hurt by sunlight. 23 Damage. Hooah!]
Rond Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 2:07:08 PM
Rond quickly scans the area and decides that it is time to get in touch with their employer.
Using the coin: (ooc does he speak aloud, or just think?)
"We did not teleport to Koshe-Mar. We actually teleported to some sort of ambush in The Scar. Currently have some kind of undead creature as the only thing sticking around and being troublesome. Any help would be appreciated if available."
Should there be any inquiries to their position Rond will relay what he knows of the area.
From the ground Rond tries to keep an eye on things going on at ground level. He'll do his best to keep Borgo in his sight, but he's more worried about the ground, where he can help out.
Draax d20+12=23 d20+6=18 d8+7=14 d8+7=8 Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 2:12:34 PM
As he finishes off the creature formerly known as S, Draax turns to confront the other skeletons that had him surrounded and a big grin appears on his face as he finds only dust. As he surveys the area he hears a slight cry from Darkfang as the skeleton hit the wolf. Moving in that direction the half-elf confronts skelly #6, attacking it with his longsword (AC23 for 14, AC18 for 8).
K'isst Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 4:24:29 PM
K'isst waits for the undead thing to close so that she can wallop it.
Feng (Bull Strength, Cat's Grace, 18hp dmg) Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 4:51:41 PM
Seeing how the situation is under control, Feng stands back and watches. He seriously doubts he could turn the creature even if the land wasn't desecrated.
Arien d20+6=25 2d4(4+1)=5 Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 5:42:41 PM
Seeing his spell effect the undead creature Arien sends yet another spell after it. He fires of an Acid Arrow hitting ac 25 (19+6, ranged touch attack) for 5 damage. (4+1)
Ferrak (-15hps) Darkfang (at 15 hps) Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 8:05:53 PM
Seeing that Hobbes' scythe had no effect, Ferrak ponders for a moment what to do, sure that his spear is at least as effective as a scythe.
Worried for Darkfang, but seeing that Draax and his brother are together, Ferrak moves to where K'isst and Renik are waiting to attack the ghostly spectre.
Picking some dirt up from the ground the feral gnome begins a chant as he rubs his hands together vigorously. At the climax of his chant he extends his right hand and flame shoots forth from it. There burning brightly, aggravating his recent blistered burns, is a flaming blade of magical fire.
"Grrr."
Ambush Round 7 (DM Donna) d20+10=15 d20+5=25 d6+1=6 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 7:34:21 AM
Renik's shouts coax all four of "Borgo" to land on the ground in the very middle of the area of Silence. The shrieking wraith-like creature heads straight for Bill, claws extended, its eyes suddenly glowing a malevolent red. Even as it tries to grasp at Bill (again with eerily unerring accuracy) spells from both Hobbes and Arien hit it, causing it to miss. Its howl of agony is unheard, though, as it, too, is now within the area of Silence. However, the creature is definitely now within range of everyone who is next to that part of the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Draax's attacks shatter skeleton #6. Darkfang's jaws latch onto the forearm of skeleton #7 and the wolf shakes the damaged undead to pieces.
The only opponent left is the ethereal undead--but, suddenly, the spectre seems to swell in size, becoming comparable to a hill giant in stature--and speaking in a voice that sounds all too familiar:
I have more gods to slay, or I'd stay and play with you all...however, I leave you with a reward for your cleverness, lowly one..! The red glow of the giant spectre's eyes intensifies and strikes Bill (yes, the real Bill!)
Bill must make a Fortitude Save versus DC30 or lose another level.
Laughing maniacally, the super-spectre fades away.
K'isst d20+14=25 d8+9=13 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:01:03 AM
K'isst, roaring with anger and the frustration of standing there waiting for 2 rounds for a chance to strike at this thing that then runs from her, strikes at the retreating figure, hoping that she gets an attack of Opportunity as it disappears.
She strikes with her +2 Trident rolling a 25 for 13 hit points damage.
Feng Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:37:37 AM
Feng stares wide eyed as the spectre grows and strikes Bill before leaving. Was that really Marteaus? If it was, Feng's in a whole lot of trouble. Slipping the hat from his head, Feng's true appearance is finally shown. He is a half orc, but nothing like he appeared to be. He's bald with a gotee thats trimmed and neatly braided. His teeth are as white as white can be. The cloak is new and his armor polished. The flames on his ax die away before the ax is strapped to his back once again. With his cover blown, Feng smiles and reaches into his pack. Pulling out a vial he dabs a small amount of it's contents on his neck. When the wind blows it would be clear that it was a nice and subtle cologne. Nothing too strong. Looking at the people before him Feng says, "It looks like I have some explaining to do. I am a Paladin in service to the gods of the Wold. Before I continue, is everybody all right? I can still heal for the day. If anybody got infected during the fight please let me know. I'll take care of that too. Anyway I work for a man that I would like to remain nameless due to our location. He sent me in to spy on Marteaus' operation. Specifically he was afraid that you would be assassinated. Unfortunately I didn't have time to warn anybody. The best I could do was blow my cover and pray that nobody died. I have something that will prove my story." Feng fumbles around a bit before pulling a ring out of a pouch. "Please take a look. It should validate my story." The ring is a signant ring with Marcus' symbol on it.
Rond d20+6=23 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 11:53:08 AM
Taking time to clean off his sword. Rond listens to the newcomer's story, and then looks at the all too familiar ring of Marcus. Rond wonders how many of those rings he has. "Before we stop, let's make double sure the area is clear." Once the party has had a chance to check things out and make sure the scene is clear. Rond begins to tape himself has you see two nasty gashes in him (heal check 26). "Let's see who is the worse for wear. We may still have time before we go to accomplish our mission."
Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (23 hp damage sustained; two negative levels (AC vs. Spectre: 28 (note: bracers, ioun stone, dex, size, intertial armor, dodge bonus all apply vs. incorporeal)) d20+10=24 d20+3=16 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 3:14:16 PM [OOC: My computer died this morning, and I'm at the library, and I don't recall Bill's Fortitude save adds - but think it is around +10. Adjust accordingly, Donna, not that it makes a difference in this case. Thanks.]
Bill feels the red ray strike him, and feels a measure of his vitality being sapped away {Fortitude save 24). The eight shoulders of Borgo the dwarf slump, and he sits upon the ground.
Shaking his head, he looks around. He sees the wand of magic missiles used by the wizard against him earlier (spot 16), and picks it up. "Anybody want this?"
Renik d20+4=24 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 3:48:03 PM
"Great Gods! Was that really Marteaus? He was fighting us? I'd feel honoured if I didn't feel so sickened. And, now I come to think of it, terrified." splutters Renik.
When Feng speaks he walks over to him and extends his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir. The name's Renik Dacour, though I go by others. Your assistance was much appreciated." He points out his companions, naming them, as they go about the task of securing the area.
He heads off to search the corpses of their fallen foes for coin, magic items and incriminating documents (Search 24, Nat 20!), all the while pondering aloud "So how in Mittiri's name did we end up back in Plateau City? How far were we teleported? What about the door to Koshe-Marr? Why didn't it work? Did it ever? And if it did, who stopped it working? Hmm, I suppose that would have to be our friend the dark Lord. But why? And why fight us? What did he have to gain? And, now that all's said and done, how are we going to find the real path to Koshe-Marr, to the Printing Engine, and our potentially undead friends?"
It occurs to him, as he rummages through the pockets of the dead and chatters away, that he may have been spending a little too much time with Bill of late.
Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (17 hp damage sustained; two negative levels) d8+1=6 d20+12=30 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 4:28:29 PM [OOC #2: Library PC gave me two minute warning before I was done posting.]
Borgo's eyes are bloodshot as he sits on the ground, and his breathing labored as he works to catch his breath. The 'dwarf' looks up as Feng introduces himself. "Welcome, big friend," he says to him, and, though he is sincere, there is little inflection in his voice. "For now, call me Borgo," he says flatly.
Borgo tells his friends as he continues to sit, "We are in Plateau City, in the Scar, part of Nightmare Quarter - a few hundred yards west of the archway we entered. This is not Koshe-Marr. This area - the Scar - is cursed with a weighty curse." His shoulders shake as he laughs mirthlessly for a moment. "Cursed..." he says, more to himself than to anyone in particular.
He hands a wand of cure light wounds to Ferrak. "This hath fifty charges of cure light wounds. Thou dost use it like this," he tells his gnomish friend. He uses the command phrase, and heals 6 hp damage (d8+1=6) on himself. "Go ahead and use it on who needeth it."
At Renik's question, Bill/Borgo answers, "Whether that were the Dark Lord himself, or he merely possessed the spectre at the end, I do not know. Friends, he sucked something from me. I am drained. I feel a need for succor."
Still in his sitting position, Borgo rises into the air, and goes around to look at the structure from which they emerged. He invokes the power to detect psionics/magic, and looks at it for a few rounds, seeing whether he detects any auras matching those of the bone gate by the butcher's, then scouring the premises after Renik's searching, to see if any other magic items may have been overlooked.
"We should leave here, soon, I think. Good leader, before we try to go where we intended, might we spend a brief time trying to recover?" he asks Rond.
[Spellcraft DC 30, to recall what may counter the negative energy attacks he just suffered.] Of Hobbes and Feng, he asks, "Is there a cleric who might cast greater restoration that ye know of? If not, might we not see if a scroll may be obtained?"
Hobbes (25 damage taken, Fly) d20+5=15 2d8(8+8)+6=22 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 7:54:08 PM
Hobbes recovers from the recoil of the searing light and darkly grins that he has brought damage on his enemy. He immediately charges forward, flying down in another charge, but stops as before him, the gray being now grows. Very unusual for an undead of this sort. None of Hobbes' previous encounters with beasts of the like ever amounted to THIS, he is sure of it. [Knowledge Undead Roll 15]
He listens to the massive figure thoughtfully, not quite knowing what to make of it, until he utters the words "Kill other gods". The blasphemer is here. He who would defame the name of Gargul with his twisted evil ways.
Hobbes' eyes widen as he swings, but too late as the poor halfling is targetted with the crimsons rays of death from the figure. The scythe connects with nothing... just a faint smoky wind left in front of him, letting Hobbes see the hapless halfling sitting on the ground, debilitated by that vile thing.
Hobbes immediately flies down to Bill's side.
"Easy. You have been struck by a great blow, sir. Here, let me touch your brow," Hobbes says as he lays a gauntletted hand upon the small forehead of Bill. He drops his scythe upon the ground and murmurs, "Trck'se marm gak zortan," letting the warm glow of a healing spell rush into Bill's body. [Cure Moderate Wounds for 22 hp]
"There. That should heal the outer damage, but there still lies the taint from within, that which I can only but cast spells to aid your strength against. That we will do in due time, but now I must get you back to the Black Cathedral for that... and other reasons..." he says as Renik lists his questions. Hobbes stands and turns to him and without batting an eye, says, "Because the door was fixed to bring us here. We are in the Scar. It's still there, but perhaps taken or covered. It was obviously rigged to send us here. Maybe. Obviously one of the people who knows we were going. That's a good guess. To stop us from achieving our goal. Because he fears we may be on the right track to destroy his plans. Same reason, and we ask questions... lots and lots of questions."
He sighs loudly, a surprisingly troubled look on his face despite his cool, together oration, "And the first question is what has she done with my horse..."
Ferrak -15hps Darkfang at full hps. d8+1=6 d8+1=7 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:11:09 PM
Exhausted, Ferrak heaves a sigh of relief when it's all over. With a thwip, the flaming blade disappears from his hand. Retrieving his shield and spear, Ferrak goes over to see if the disguised Bill is all right.
Surprised, when the formidible halfing offers up the wand to him, Ferrak can't help but be impressed by Bill's indomitable spirit, valiant courage, and his simple generous good will.
Sensing that the balance of his aura is more than just a little bit off center, Ferrak is concerned for Bill. Aware however, that his healing magic would be of no help to his friend, Ferrak accepts the wand humbly, after using it on Bill again, the feral gnome does what he can for the others. (+6 more points for Bill.)
Touching Darkfang with the wand, Ferrak is so glad to see his brother alive a tear wells up in his eye. (Darkfang is now at 22hps, his max 15+7)
(Could everyone post the damage that they've taken again, so that the healers can heal?)
Turning to the newcomers, Ferrak says simply, "The pack grows stronggerrr, welcome."
Draax d20+1=17 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:32:07 PM
After destroying skelly #6, Draax smiles while watching Darkfang rip #7 apart. The smile is quickly wiped from his face as he observes the spectre's transformation. He gets butterflies in his stomach from hearing Marteaus' voice and cringes as the eye beam strikes Bill. After the creature leaves, Draax wonders what's Marteaus' beef with Bill and what did he mean by the words 'reward for your cleverness, lowly one.' Draax dismisses the words as more of the darklord's showing off.
He looks skeptically at Feng, not sure exactly who he is or where he came from. As he hears the half-orc speak, Draax remembers the voice that called for the destruction of the skeletons and relaxes a little. He feels a little more relaxed as the hat of disguise is removed and the majority of his doubts vanishes at the presentation of the ring.
While listening to everyone talk, Draax helps Renik with the search of the bodies and the collection of anything that could be a clue or valuable (search 17).
Renik (8 HP Damage from 32) Thursday April 4th, 2002 7:08:52 AM
Renik gingerly prods at his sore, slightly bleeding ears.
Aftermath (DM Donna) Thursday April 4th, 2002 8:14:11 AM
Rond now has the time to ponder why there was no response on his coin the last time he used it. K'isst gets the grim satisfaction of having landed a last blow before the spectre had faded away.
Bill isn't feeling at all well--his suggestion about seeking higher-level cleric help is a very logical one.
Feng's introduction and the procurement of the telltale signet ring confirm that the half-orc is, indeed, one of the good guys.
Ferrak's use of the healing magic gets applied to Darkfang and Renik's bleeding ears.
And the search of the immediate area turns up several interesting things:
On the body of the blackguard (Feng identifies him as "Kalabak"), there is a letter with the seal of the temple of the Dark Lord. The letter is a commission by Prelate Marshall for Kalabak and any mercenaries he employs to "use whatever methods necessary to lure the enemies of the Dark Lord to their doom." The letter promises a great deal of gold when the mission is accomplished.
The items recovered from the six bodies that are left behind: three suits of plate mail (human-sized), two maces, a longsword, 2 small metal shields, a greataxe, six daggers, a pearl, a ring and that wand that Bill found.
Renik's sharp eyes find a single, gold metallic sphere (the size of a large marble) over by where the opponent formerly known as "S" blew himself up with his own Fireball.
Renik (2 HP damage) d20+2=10 Thursday April 4th, 2002 8:47:55 AM
Thanking Ferrak Renik studies their haul.
"Hmm, I'm sure Marcus will be interested in this letter!"
"Well, at least we should be able to make some coin from this lot. Can someone check to see if any of this stuff is magical, and what it does?"
Once they have an idea of what they have Renik continues; "Anyone want to help me cart the stuff we don't need over to the Catacombs?"
He thinks on a couple of moments and then says "HEY! We can disguise ourselves, right? The Prelate won't know who the mercenaries are; why doesn't one of us play the part of Kalabak, and the rest of us the Mercs? Of course that blasted dwarf did escape, so it might be risky... but if he was a mercenary he might not know the Prelate? If we pulled it off we could infiltrate the enemy organisation, and make plenty of gold into the bargain! Oh, wait, didn't another one escape before the dwarf? Hmm, maybe it is too risky."
He examines the gold sphere carefully (Appraise 10) but can't tell precisely what it is or how it works. "Anyone know what these little things do?"
Borgo (Bill) Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:01:45 AM
"I thank you all, for your valiant effort, and resourceful thinking. And for helping each other - and me - under dire straits," Borgo tells his friends.
"I think that gold sphere releases a fireball when thrown, Renik," Bill answers. "At least, that's what the other ones seemed to do."
"Arien - there's something I was meaning to give you. Here," he says, handing him a scroll organizer. Inside are five arcane scrolls: Bull's strength, cat's grace, protection from arrows, resist elements, and rope trick.
He communicates telepathically with William, asking him to suggest the following telepathically with the others, so that any unseen listening ears will not hear. 'Let us go, as Hobbes suggested, first to the Black Cathedral - it's just a couple hundred yards away - then perhaps to the Catacombs. Any word from Marcus?'
Arien Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:32:23 AM
"Thank you Bill, this will come in most handy. Renik, I hate to tell you this but the Dwarf wasn't the only one to escape, one of the ambushers disappeared completely from the field, likely some kind of teleport spell. Anyway from the tone of that letter and considering the dreams I suspect it went something like this. We were sent those dreams to lure us to an ambush, now Hobbes was likely sent a dream by Gargul, who likely has a healthy interest in seeing Marteaus fall, to warn us that the dream was false. So it seems likely to me that there is no way for us to drain his power that way. I would like to say that good always wins because evil is stupid but Marteaus was a step ahead of us here, I say we hurt him, anyway we can. Anyway let me see what I can find out about this little collection we have here."
Arien walks over to the pile of loot and casts Detect Magic. He studies the pile a bit to make sure he catches even the smallest aura.
William the Psi Gem Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:35:42 AM
"As you wish it, mighty Bill!" salutes (inasmuch as a gem can salute) William. Telepathically he communicates with the party; "Noble heroes! Companions of the Great and Powerful Bill Troublefinder! Hear His decree!" And he recounts Bill's message.
Feng Thursday April 4th, 2002 12:17:32 PM
Impersonating them is too risky. These guys are smart. The cleric responsible for this ambush designed one hell of a trap. "It's a testament to all of you that everybody survived. I wasn't discovered because who looks at a half orc that can't get his own name right half the time." Feng stops and thinks for a moment. "Unless I was discovered and everything that happened here was a distraction for something else. I think we need to collect what's going and get to a temple. Perhaps we can trade this gear for that greater restoration spell that Bill needs."
K'isst Thursday April 4th, 2002 12:31:42 PM
"Do not dismiss Renik's idea so quickly. If we could pull it off, we could attack from the inside and shut down this temple.
"However, I have a question. Was the whole thing with the machine and our friends still being alive with the machine true, or part of the setup? If it is true, then we need to find them and do that first.
"Also, that was not Marteaus. You all saw him in the Arena. No way we could even scratch a God. Powerful? Yes, but he was not a god.
"I could use some healing, I am moderately wounded. It can wait if necessary.
"Bill, I will go with you to a temple to see if they can help ya."
Ferrak d8+1=6 d8+1=6 d20+7=27 Thursday April 4th, 2002 9:40:51 PM
"My brrother had a taste of one of them. His scent should be clearrr. If he comes close, we will know it."
Taking his bloodied spear over to Darkfang the feral gnome says, growling in Lupine, 'This is the Dwarf's blood. He may still be alive brother, so mark him for the hunt.'
Studying the pack for wounds (Heal+7=27), Ferrak sees that it is the newest members, most in need of healing magic. Going up to the priest, and the paladin, Ferrak touches them both with the wand. (+6 Each)
Pointing to their remaining wounds, Ferrak says, "Lick them, and keep them clean."
Darkfang d20+4=19 Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:06:55 PM
Darkfang wags his tail as Ferrak administers the healing. "Woof, woof." 'Feel better big brother.' The wolf goes over to the remains of skeleton #7 and with his hind legs shoves dirt onto the bones. Coming back over to his brother the wolf barks, 'Bone man taste bad, no meat on the bones, don't want to eat.' Darkfang stretches and then shakes his fur before looking over at his brother again.
Darkfang takes in the scent from the spear and begins to sniff around the area trying to locate the scent (tracking 19).
Draax Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:23:56 PM
Draax looks at Renik with the gold sphere. "Please do not drop that, the last one almost blew me apart."
Draax follows Darkfang with his eyes wondering if the dog could track someone invisible by their smell.
To the rest of the group he says, "I agree with, uh Feng is it? Just call me Draax. Like I was saying I don't think the impersonation scheme will work as long as the two that got away is out there. And if Marteaus did somehow take control of that creature, he will be preparing for us or at least have those fools that follow him waiting for us. And like Hobbes said, I do not think that we are finished with the gate yet. We should report this incident to our sponsor and see what he has to say on the subject. Also, his connections may be able to help Bill regain what he has lost or at least guide us to someone who can if the temple cannot."
Draax stops talking for a second and then says, "Do any of you think that someone could eavesdrop on the conversations over the coins? It would explain how they knew we were coming. The dark one is suppose to have the power of a god."
Rond (56 points down) Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:57:32 PM
Not wanting to think at all about what happened. Rond comments, "Our employer has been unresponsive to this point. I wonder if we're being blocked somehow.
"I agree that Renik's plan has some merit to it. But for now I say we go to the Black Cathedral and make sure everyone is up to snuff. Then we can try to figure out which of the dreams is real, and what that really means. Then if it looks like we might want to execute Renik's plan, then we'll do it."
Feng Friday April 5th, 2002 12:14:17 AM
Feng walks over to Rond and lays his hands on him. [+18hp from Lay on Hands]
Hobbes (Fly, 25 hp damage taken) 2d8(5+8)+6=19 d20+6=9 Friday April 5th, 2002 4:27:05 AM
Hobbes is very quiet now, his face morose, as he looks around at the group. He immediately flies over to Rond and lays a hand on his brow, clutching his silver eye and utters, "Trck'se marm gak zortan" and nods to his new leader. [Cure Moderate Wounds 19 hp]
He then quietly looks around the area where the blasphemers originated looking for tracks to determine a point of origin. [Track Feat Wilderness Lore Check 9]
Not finding anything useful in this combat-ridden area, he flies high up into the air about 100 feet and looks around for the Temple of Gargul.
"The Cathedral should be right over these houses," he thinks, trying to push other unpleasant thoughts out of his head, "One would have thought we would have already seen its dark bell tower looming over us."
Hobbes d20+5=21 Friday April 5th, 2002 4:31:32 AM
[Spot check to see the temple (and anything else of interested) -- 21]
The Cavalry Arrives...a little late (DM Donna) Friday April 5th, 2002 7:40:32 AM
The voice the super-spectre spoke with was recognizable as sounding identical to the one Marteus spoke with in the Golden Arena, when he killed Domi. However, in the same vein, while the voice sounded the same, there was some indefinable spiritual quality lacking in it that makes everyone fairly sure that the super-spectre was NOT the evil god... only an intimidating stand-in, if you would.
More and more clues pile up in favor of the fact that the dreams that Arien and Marcus had were blatant falsehoods--bait to lure the Hamleteers to their doom. (Something else to "thank" the Dark Lord's followers for the next time the party gets a chance!)
Arien's Detect Magic spell causes the following items in the pile of stuff to glow: one of the maces, the longsword, the greataxe, the pearl, the ring, the wand--and the golden metallic sphere that Renik is eyeing with great interest.
Hobbe's rise above the rest of the party affords him a bird's eye view of something not usually seen in the streets of the Nightmare Quarter of Plateau City: a couple dozen brothers and sister of the Eye quickly hustling towards the party's location within the Scar--being led by Morphia, who is riding Hobbes's horse!
"Brother, brother, we are here!" Morphia calls as she gallops up to the site of former battle and stops, looking around. "Brother Hobbes?" The young priestess slumps slightly in disappointment. "We're... too late..?"
Renik Friday April 5th, 2002 11:14:36 AM
Eying the mound of magical loot with some satisfaction Renik says, "Hmm, seems we have quite a haul. We should get this stuff analysed, see what we can use, then sell the rest.
"Now, if Darkfang has the scent of this escaped dwarf, would it not be useful for him to track him back to his lair with Ferrak in tow in his canine disguise? No-one is going to worry about a couple of hounds, and we may locate a useful source of information in the process. Just a thought."
Borgo the dwarf (Bill the halfling) Friday April 5th, 2002 11:22:42 AM
"Welcome, Morphia, and company," Borgo says as they ride up. He points up in the sky toward brother Hobbes.
"He is not lost. And not too late are ye. Rather, just in time to help us take away the corpses of these wretched minions of the so-called Dark Lord from this desecrated place." As he speaks, his voice has little inflection, and little energy, which was not the case when Morphia first met the group only a few minutes ago near the butcher's shop. "I would that they be rendered so as to make it ... difficult to be material for the undead. As thou didst divine, good Morphia, a trap was laid. Bless the righteous gods, we were equal to their foul challenge - though I am now, perhaps, less equal than before. How camest thou to know where we were?"
K'isst d20+8=20 Friday April 5th, 2002 12:49:16 PM
K'isst begins looking for wood with which to burn the bodies of the slain. She begins to looks a bit frustrated as she always does when people sit and talk instead of acting.
Impulsive to the end, she says, "I'll burn. Need wood." (20 on search check for wood.)
Kiki Friday April 5th, 2002 9:09:56 PM
Twitching her nose, Kiki slinks up to the golden globe. {Pretty, pretty, pretty.} Pawing it she looks around to make sure no one else is after it.
Ferrak (Sorry Todd, that was some damage, and Carl, Kiki must be climbing on Renik.) Friday April 5th, 2002 9:23:48 PM
Nodding towards Renik, Ferrak pulls out his hated collar. With a sigh, he slips it on, and then puts the other one on Darkfang, trying to shield the change somewhere behind Draax so that the priests don't take too much notice. Ferrak says to the savvy rogue, "If he left this place through magic, Darkfang will not be able to follow. But he won't be able to ambush us again."
Sitting with his brother licking his wounds, Ferrak waits for the others to decide what to do.
Feng Friday April 5th, 2002 11:08:14 PM
As help arrived, Feng stood back in silence. He didn't know how he fit into things anymore. His cover was blown. What would Marcus want him to do now? Feng's thoughts drifted to Degg. A mighty warhorse and his one true friend. Maybe now he won't have to hide.
Hobbes (Fly, 25 hp damage taken) Saturday April 6th, 2002 5:06:40 PM
The sight of many black-robed men and women bustling through the streets of the Scar catches Hobbes' eye. "Are those priests?" he thinks frantically, "Yes! they are! And that looks like..." Without finishing the thought he streaks down out of the sky as Morphia looks around for him.
He lands next to Bradbury, his horse, so filled with relief to know that he had been mistaken; his horse had not indeed fallen in with the wrong crowd. He pats the beast on the side. "You've missed all the fun, old boy," he says, "We could have used you here." He strokes the muzzle of Bradbury, all the while making note of what Morphia and the priests are doing.
"Strange that we keep meeting like this, Morphia," Hobbes says still keeping his eyes on his horse, "Two times we seek your temple and two times you arrive before we even start off. Odd that, wouldn't you say?"
He glances over to Rond trying to give him a quick, "I'm not so sure about this" look.
Arien Sunday April 7th, 2002 7:47:20 AM
While the spell was still in effect Arien separates the magical from the mundane. He distracts Kiki from the sphere with a copper coin that he skips on his knuckles, causing it to reflect the light. With his other hand he snakes away the sphere and hands it to whoever is closest. That done he shows the rest of the pile to the group and says, "Well friends this, and that golden sphere there, all register as magical. Sadly that's about as much as I can tell you. My studies didn't include the spell for identifying magical items. So I suggest someone makes a trip to get these identified. I'm guessing that the Catacombs would be the best place as we could also sell the rest of this stuff at the same time. Then after we find out what we have here we all meet up at the hideout and divvy it up, then we try to figure out what to do next."
Draax Sunday April 7th, 2002 5:34:37 PM
Draax looks up at the arrival of the priestess and wonders to himself about the timing of her arrival. It could be a coincidence, but there have not been many coincidences since their first meeting with the darklord.
Noticing Ferrak's and Darkfang's transformations, Draax positions himself to cover them from the eyes of the new arrivals.
Agreeing with Arien's suggestion, Draax helps pack up the items to make it easier for Renik to transport. Looking over at Feng the half-elf wonders what the paladin is going to do now. There is more than enough room at their residence, but noticing the size of the half-orc he wonders if there is enough food.
Morphia Tells All (DM Donna) Monday April 8th, 2002 6:44:47 AM
Darkfang--after carefully sniffing about--lets Ferrak know that the dwarf must have used magic to escape, because his scent (like that of the foul assassin) simply disappears from the area instead of trailing off in any particular direction.
Kiki almost succeeds in wresting the gold sparkly from Renik, but Arien's clever distraction rescues the sphere from becoming the ferret's latest acquisition, and Renik gets the metallic ball back. Bringing the captured items to the Catacombs sounds like a very logical option.
K'isst quickly finds and gathers plenty of wood. Since there is now a surplus of clerics to aid her, soon there is a prodigious amount piled together, and the impromptu funeral pyre is quickly underway.
"My brother," Morphia turns to Hobbes, "I'm glad to see that you and your comrades haven't been dispatched to the Hall of Judgement before your time..." She glances Borgo's way before continuing: "...I was struck by an urge to join the lot of you right after the last of your number stepped through the gateway...so I rushed into the butcher shop, got some bones and broke one--but the gate didn't activate. That's when I knew that...somehow...I had been tricked--and that I was responsible for tricking all of you into some kind of trap. I hastened to the temple, where I confessed all to the senior cleric on duty..."
"That would be me." a somber, middle-aged man greets the Hamleteers. "I am Jonno Virdune. Morphia told me what happened and I bid her to gather together those of our brethren you see here, while I cast a divination spell to locate where Brother Hobbes was now located. Once we realized that your group was still within Plateau City, we all came here as quickly as possible to help you...but it seems that you had your situation well in hand."
"I should have realized that the passage about the smith's favorite sound was false--" Morphia says bitterly, "--I thought something was odd about it! I nearly got you all killed." It's obvious that the young female feels very guilty about this.
Casanova Renik d20+2=21 Monday April 8th, 2002 7:41:58 AM
"Fear not, sweet Moria," smiles the charming rogue (Seduction (Bluff) check of 21). "You were not to know, as we were not. And nobody was killed (apart from these Marteaus-worshipping scum) so there is nothing for you to worry about. All we need do is cure our wounded, restore Bill to his prior vigour (and here I am sure your temple may be of some assistance, seeing as it is in a way partly responsible, and shares with us our aims in this good fight), and identify this booty, and we will be no worse off than when we started. Indeed, far better off, for we have been afforded the opportunity to meet, and for that I feel singularly blessed."
He takes her hand, offers a polite bow, and brushes her fingers with his lips, his eyes never breaking contact with hers. The old shmooze merchant is at it again.
Rond (19 points down) Monday April 8th, 2002 9:15:06 AM
With merriment in his eyes for what Renik has attempted, Rond also addresses Morphia, "Do not fear for your mistake." As Rond shows more compassion and understanding, and loses the merriment in his eyes he continues to talk Morphia. "Most of us here have made relatively grave mistakes before. We've survived them as we have this latest one. Now you must learn how to grow from this. You did good with your research and at least gave us a direction to go. We know that Marteaus considers us some kind of threat to him, because he set this trap up. Now we must use our time to find out why we are considered so dangerous. So you have a new knowledge, and possibly a new task." Rond looks to the senior cleric with a question on his face. "Because there must be something that we can do, which will thwart or turn Marteaus' plans. As our good man here pointed out." acknowledging Renik, "We must now regroup and assess what our next move is. Let us hope that Marteaus' pack is licking its wounds more than we are."
William the Psicrystal Monday April 8th, 2002 9:55:42 AM "Mighty Bill," urges the tiny crystal in words only the halfling can hear, "tell me the bleatings of your erstwhile worthy companions will not sway you now? What need have the like of we for healing and resting and similar timid pastimes? Are these the requisites of heroes? Of such valiant warriors as we? I say thee nay! nay! Thrice nay!
Come, Wondrous Bill, let us strike now, while the iron is hot, let us brave the enemy's lair and slay him where he stands! Heed not the words of these milksops, with their talk of feather beds and soothing hands and financial renumeration! A pox on their base and craven desires! We do not need them, Prodigious Bill! We shall triumph together, if these popinjays have not the stomach for the fight! Onwards Great Bill, to Victory!"
The little gem is so excited he begins to bounce up and down in Bill's waistcoat pocket, causing the halfling to look as if something is trying to burst out of his chest.
Feng (12 hp dmg) Monday April 8th, 2002 11:54:58 AM
Feng slowly walks around to the side of the priests. The timing of their arrival makes him wonder. "Excuse me. Perhaps you know of a priest that can help Bill. He suffered the grievous touch of the undead, twice. Returning his strength should be a top priority."
Borgo/Bill (no one believes he is a dwarf, I guess) Monday April 8th, 2002 12:48:32 PM
Borgo nods in acknowledgement of Morphia's allusion to what he whispered to her before entering the gate. He holds no ill-will toward her whatsoever, believing fully what she tells the party. He concurs with Rond's words to Morphia.
"Jonno Virdune, well met, and thy brethren. Thou mayest call me Borgo - or Bill, since my friends cannot seem to make up their minds how they will refer to me," he says with the hint of a twinkle in his now bloodshot eyes.
He looks at the ground as Renik and Feng speak up on his behalf, grateful for their words of support, yet somewhat embarrassed nonetheless.
As William urges him to action, Bill responds thus: "William, nothing would please me more. Would that I had the power to do exactly as you say." Bill extracts his psicrystal from his waistcoat, and holds him in the palm of his hand for a few moment. "But a warrior armed with bravura, and no knowledge, dies quickly, and fails to harm the enemy. Friend, the spectre has robbed me of stamina," Bill communicates telepathically with his psicrystal. "He has robbed me of powers. No longer can I detect psionics and magic. No longer use the power of my mind to heal the wounds I receive. No longer disappear from the sight of others for tactical surprise. No longer can I fly. No longer can I attack numbers of our enemies with a cone of sound. And you, good William, will not be able to communicate with others, to relay our thoughts and plans.
"Friend, a wise hero cannot simply run into the enemy's lair, screaming and waving his sword. First, he must find out where the enemy's lair is. And he must know whether the sword is the most effective weapon against that enemy.
"Finding out what the magic items are will help us strike harder against our enemies. Seeing if the effects of the spectre's hand can be reversed will make both you and me more powerful. I am not seeking a holiday, brave William. I am seeking renewed power so as better to thwart the nefarious plans of the enemy, the followers of Marteaus, and even the Dark Lord himself. You see, a hero fights with his sword, and his wits, and with what resources he can garner. It is, to my mind, a hero's job to prepare intelligently for a confrontation, so that he is armed with more than bravery, essential though that is, for the encounter. You want us to win, do you not, my stalwart friend? You know I will not shirk to fight. We have just won a great battle, thanks in part to your help. Let us rejoice in our victory, and prepare for the next."
K'isst Monday April 8th, 2002 1:16:42 PM
"So does that gateway normally go to another location, or was that it?" K'isst asks. "Do our two friends who took the machine to be destroyed, still live or were we lied to? We must know this and know whether this whole thing was a sidetrack or a dead end.
"I think it was a sidetrack. If they wanted to kill us, they'd have tried harder. This seemed more of a 'feel them out' and 'distract' kind of thing.
"What say you Rond? Morphia? Others?" she prompts.
Hobbes (25 damage taken, Fly) Monday April 8th, 2002 3:58:31 PM
Hobbes stares into his horse's eyes almost as if he were apologizing to it telepathically. Then he heavily sighs, not from grief, but nearly from exhaustion as the depth of his wounds is indeed taking their toll.
He turns to the elder gentleman and kneels before him. "All are safe, master," he speaks bowing his head, "We thank you for your assistance and guidance. But our quest evades us. While I knew the dream of my companions was false, I cannot abandon the notion that the evils within that land done to those that were in my dream... must be stopped and their souls freed from the torture of Marteus. We must get the gate to work properly!"
Hobbes looks up at the elder gentleman observing the folded wrinkles on his forehead and stern brow, "But first, sir, I would deem it a great request if you were to take the taint from my companion, the good dwarf here. An evil force has indeed sucked some of his life away, and in exchange for healing him of this malady I would gladly donate all of my share of anything we should find on our quest as payment."
Hobbes listens to the advice and response then given by Jonno and then straightens up, then wonders aloud, "So how does the gate work, then? We know that it does indeed do SOMETHING since there were people who crossed it that have received curses or have died. Unless these too were plants of Marteus. But in that case, Morphia," he says as he gives a sidelong glance to her, "if she were of any skill, should have known they were ruses."
Darkfang Monday April 8th, 2002 6:13:29 PM
Unable to locate the scent of the dwarf, the disguised Darkfang walks over to the new-comings and if allowed he will begins to sniff each one taking in their scents. After familiarizing himself with Morphia's crew, Darkfang will move over to Draax, sit next to him and place his head under the half-elf's hand. "Woof' {scratch please}" After his itch is satisfied Darkfang returns to his brother's side.
Draax (18 dmg taken) Monday April 8th, 2002 6:21:30 PM
As Renik begins to sweet talks the priestess, Draax rolls his eyes and turns his head away to hide his smile. Looking around at his friends he see that most are still hurt. He turns to Morphia, "Like my comrades said, you are not to blame, we knew the risks and jumped through the gate willingly and although I would not state it as a victory," he says looking at Bill, "we did survive. It was a hard fight and some of us are still a little hurt. Could you and your friends lend us some healing?"
Draax looks over at K'isst and thinks that he would hate to experience what she would consider trying harder to kill them. "I agree K'isst, there has to be more to the gate than bringing us here."
To Feng he says, "Feng did they give you any hint as to how they knew we would appear in this spot and at the time that we did?"
Feeling something furry on his hand, Draax looks down to see Darkfang looking up at him expectedly. Not knowing what is expected of him Draax begins to rub the wolf's head and then realizes that he guessed right as Darkfang moves his head to ensure the half-elf gets the right spots.
Arien Tuesday April 9th, 2002 2:26:39 AM
Except for a slight ringing in his ears and a headache, both of which were acquired from the sonic attacks at the beginning of the fight, Arien had managed to stay pretty much out of the way. Just the way he liked it. After tucking Kiki away in his pack he turns to the conversation and interjects, "I'm sure that all the tales and explanations will be forth coming but might I suggest that we do this somewhere else? We have wounds in need of healing, vitality in need of restoration, loot to be identified and distibuted. Then there is the fact that this is tainted ground, not exactly a good place to talk about everything in the first place. I say we take care ourselves and then discuss all this."
Ferrak (15 dmg taken) d20+50=67 Tuesday April 9th, 2002 6:29:43 AM
Ferrak chews on the broken bone, glad to have the snack now that they won't be needing it to get back.
"Woof." he says as he scratches a flea.
{We should go back and get more bones, eh brother.}
The flea jumps off of Ferrak and hops over to Darkfang. Leaping viciously at the wolf it attempts to feed. (Attack +50 = 67 for 0.01 dmg)
Kiki Tuesday April 9th, 2002 6:31:57 AM
Despite squeeking a minor protest at being put into the pocket again, Kiki soon settles down for a nap.
Walk This Way (DM Donna) d20+3=15 Tuesday April 9th, 2002 6:45:02 AM
Jonno Virdune nods in Draax's direction.
"You have the way of it, sir," the cleric says firmly, "Come to the Black Temple, we will heal those who need healing and restore those who need restoration...and endeavor to answer the questions asked here."
Morphia--her cheeks pink at the attention Renik has so gallantly paid her--opts to walk to the temple, relinquishing Hobbes's horse to him.
Once the party is at the Black Temple, they are brought to the office of Virdune, where those who are still injured find themselves on the receiving end of various Cure spells until they are completely healed. Then the extraneous clerics hustle Bill/Borgo away to cast their restorative magicks on him.
Virdune looks over the records and tomes that Morphia got her information from, a scowl darkening his face.
"It's not Morphia's fault that she was misinformed." he tells the party. "She has been assigned here for only four months. The head archivist of the temple had been so for almost thirteen years, but left our fold at the time of Domi's death. He had chosen the faith of the Dark Lord over that of Gargul. I can see that these records have been tampered with, and I do not doubt that he did so before leaving the premises."
"But--but that's tatamount to...heresy!" Morphia gasps, her pale face even more ashen.
"Yes, child, and that's why we here at the Black Temple do NOT worship Marteaus," Virdune replies, "For the Dark Lord would corrupt even historical records to further his purpose. I think, however, that the information of how to truly operate that gate is within the vaults, still--once I realized that the head archivist was one of the Bloody Eye, I had him escorted off the property. I doubt he had time to destroy any records...only to hide them away."
"I'm going to go over all the writings in the archives!" Morphia declares, leaping to her feet. "I'm going to find the real records!" The acolyte practically runs out of the room, having to swing wide to avoid the return of two of her fellow clerics and Borgo/Bill. The clerics whisper to Virdune, who looks VERY disturbed and glances over at Bill, then dismisses the pair of younger priests.
"Sir...you have apparently invoked the displeasure of the Dark Lord himself," Virdune tells the disguised halfling, "For your current state has resisted restoration by our highest-ranking cleric currently on the grounds. We have been able to restore to you only some of what that abomination at the ruins drained from you. Those assistants have just informed me that the divinations cast show that only time and further experience will now restore what that horrible creature took from you. I...am sorry, truly sorry...but there is nothing more the Temple can do for you."
A knock sounds on the door and another female cleric comes hurrying in, handing Virdune several sheets of paper. The older cleric reads them quickly, his displeased scowl sinking deeper into his features. He picks up a nearby quill, scribbles a few notes and/or signs a paper or two and then hands the papers back to the young woman, who hurries away with the barest of acknowledging nods to the rest of the people in the room.
"The Temple is being inundated with refugees from the latest incursions of the Dark Lord upon our neighboring countryside," Virdune announces as he gets to his feet, "So if there are any more questions you have of me, personally, ask them now, before I join my brethren in caring for the injured."
Renik Tuesday April 9th, 2002 10:50:31 AM
At K'isst's words Renik thinks deeply. "Aye, it is certainly possible... but for what purpose?" He is soon far too preoccupied flirting with Morphia en route to the Temple to give it much more mind.
When the young priestess of Gargul goes to carry out her research Renik watches Morphia go with a smile and a wave, then pays attention to Virdune. When the Priest explains that Bill has been permanently drained by the Dark Lord Renik places one hand on the halfling/ dwarf's shoulder in sympathy. "My friend, we will avenge this wrong, and many others the Dark Lord has perpetrated. Now more than ever we must find the way to Koshe-Marr, and follow the true dream that Brother Hobbes experienced."
He turns to the party leader and whispers "Did you have any success in contacting, um, our benefactor? It is most disturbing that our means of communication was blocked earlier... is it still so? If it is perhaps our first priority should be to determine that no harm has befallen our mentor."
He suddenly has a thought. "K'isst, you thought perhaps the attack was a diversion; could it be the true blow was struck elsewhere? That whilst we, the body, were distracted the 'head' was being attacked?"
K'isst Tuesday April 9th, 2002 11:40:40 AM
"Hmm...perhaps our friends were about to fail or succeed in their venture with the machine and our arrival at that time would have blown things," K'isst muses. "If so, we must try to find them quickly.
"I can't read, but those who can might do some research on gates and what opens them and what subverts their true destinations. If that gate goes elsewhere, we need to get to elsewhere and fast. For the forces of Marteaus didn't want us there. That reason alone is enough to want to be there and soon."
Bill Troublefinder d20+18=36 d20+18=28 Tuesday April 9th, 2002 12:39:51 PM
Once in the temple, and before the clerics begin any of their work, Bill removes his disguise, and reveals himself as himself, the halfling. "Sorry, good folk. My disguise was not intended to deceive you, but rather to throw off our opponents." He laughs mirthlessly. "Not that it had that effect at all." Then, perking up a bit, he tells them, "I am Bill, Bill Troublefinder, at your service."
As they work on overcoming the work of the spectre, he submits himself willingly to their ministrations, but observes closely all that they do and say [Autohypnosis 36]. He gets the names of as many of the priests and priestesses as he can, and learns their faces [Autohypnosis 28].
As he reads the puzzlement and concern on the faces of the priests, he asks if there is anything he can do to help. Of course, what could he do?
He takes the words of Virdune gravely. "Yes. I perceived that the second attack was of a different sort - it had a different feeling - than when the, the thing first grasped my throat."
He offers them all his heartfelt gratitude at what they were able to accomplish. "What would be an appropriate offering for your help?" he quietly asks Virdune. He asks the group of them, "Are you aware of anything that can serve as a defense against the sort of attack that I suffered?"
His ears perk up at the mention of the temple's keeping of historical records. "I know that we do not have the leisure for reading at this time, but, should the opportunity present itself - I love to learn about history." He pauses, then adds, gravely, "It looks like we are in the middle of more history in the making. I pray that we - all the forces arrayed against Marteaus - survive to write that history."
Feng Tuesday April 9th, 2002 4:48:06 PM
Feng is at ease within the temple. He serves all gods, Gargul included. "The man who employed the Sons of Dread was Prelate Marshall. I don't know if the ambush was geared toward you specifically. They were there to ambush anybody who responded to a magically telegraphed dream message. Kalabak and the others were very concerned with one individual. A Halfling, gnome, or dwarf that could stomp the ground and knock people over. I was never privy to the why's of the ambush."
Bill Troublefinder Tuesday April 9th, 2002 8:47:00 PM
Bill laughs at Feng's revelation. "Okay, next time I'll have to try a different disguise. I am that halfling, gnome or dwarf. Feng, I am glad you joined us in the battle. Since our mutual friend asked for your help on our behalf - I hope you'll consider working with us on a longer term basis." He turns his head and asks, "Think I could do a convincing ogre, Arien?"
Darkfang Tuesday April 9th, 2002 9:52:06 PM
Darkfang mouths drools as his brother mentions getting more bones. "Woof {Yes we should get more bones}" The wolf says as he eyes the bone that Ferrak is chewing.
Draax Tuesday April 9th, 2002 9:59:49 PM
Draax thanks the priests and priestesses for their healing and then listens to Virdune describe how the bad guys duped them. As both Virdune and Feng state the darklord's hatred for Bill, Draax remembers Marteaus' last words to Bill about his reward for his cleverness before shooting the eye beams at the halfling. He wonders whether he should be envious of Bill or feel sympathy for him. Draax is very curious about what the halfling did to get under the imitation god's skin, but not knowing how much the priest actually knows about their situation, he decides to wait until they are in their own home before asking.
Draax nods a thanks to Feng for his explanation.
Ferrak Tuesday April 9th, 2002 10:22:45 PM
Ferrak, passing one half of the broken bone to Darkfang, says drooling. 'Maybe, the next gate will open with the sound of eating a rabbit.'
Then, receiving the healing of the temple outside with the horses, Ferrak says to Darkfang, 'Let's sit outside and watch for hunters on our path. Keep your nose to the wind, brother.'
Arien Tuesday April 9th, 2002 10:48:46 PM
"I think you're a bit too smart Bill." Arien responds, "Could you stomp around and shout 'BILL GO SMASH' and keep a straight face? I know I couldn't if you did. You could try Kobold if you can stomach looking like them. I've read that they can use sorcery and most people that don't practice the craft likely wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Psionics and Sorcery. Then again they did seem to be looking specifically for you so I think you might as well just go as yourself. Since whatever Marteaus sends after us will likely be able to tell exactly what and who you are I don't think the disguise would really help."
Hobbes Wednesday April 10th, 2002 2:19:22 AM
Hobbes eyes Morphia as she dismounts and possessively grasps the reins of Bradbury's bridle and walks his horse slowly back to the temple. During the walk, his eyes drift from one comrade to another, which causes his head to raise ever so slightly each time as he realizes the quality of the company he has joined.
He quietly takes in the questions asked by them to the elder cleric and inwardly is relieved when at last he is healed by his fellow eyes and as well that his horse is now once again in the safe care of the cleric stables, a task for which he makes sure that the stablemaster on duty is legitimate.
The information passes freely as the company continues asking things of Jonna, but now Hobbes is more reflective and listening more. He raises an eyebrow indignantly as Renik continues to flirt with the priest and stands to say something but with all of the information flowing he is unable to get a word in. He is even more flustered when Morphia suddenly bursts out of the room speaking of finding the real sources of information. He looks around confused, then sharply back to Jonna after the door closes again.
"Sir!" he implores, "I didn't want to say anything earlier but I have reason to doubt the legitimacy of that acolyte. Twice now she has come upon us with information before we needed it and it was indeed her information that led us through. If what you say is true that the evil followers of Marteaus planted false information, it stands to reason that they would also plant a plausible source to deliver said information!"
"That girl!" he says pointing fiercely at the door, "has only been here four months. Do you have proof that her whereabouts before entering your service are good?"
He paces briskly back to the door. "I suspect more foul work. I could be wrong, but I have a bad feeling. She means to destroy the real information quickly and she knows where it is. I am going to follow her. I beg of you to dispatch a trusted guard to attend her and ensure she will not do what I suspect. I am going to follow as well. Please tell me where the vaults are."
Hobbes waits to receive the directions and then turns to the rest and says, "If any of you wish to join me please do, if you do not leave word with Jonno where you went and I will catch up. I must be sure of this before continuing."
With that, he pulls open the door and chases after Morphia.
Rond Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:33:49 AM
As all gather back at the temple, Rond is relieved to see the party being treated so well. Once inside the temple he passes on, "We may need to send someone to talk to our employer. Our usual line of communication appears to be not working. So I am unsure as to how much he really knows."
Rond places his hand on Bill's shoulder when he gets a chance, when he hears of the wounds that Bill has taken.
Questions Answered (DM Donna) Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:52:10 AM
Rond, distressingly enough, cannot get ANY answer on his magic coin, for all that it seems to be in working order.
Renik and K'isst's exchange cause Virdune to tug thoughtfully at his beard.
"Hmmm...you two could be correct--such diversionary tactics are well within the purview of those who serve the Bloody Eye." he admits, then nods when Feng's words seem to confirm the theory. "Misdirection through emotional appeal--you'd do well to check up on whomever...or whatever...you are referring." Bill's query returns the scowl to Virdune's face.
"Ahhh...the obvious answer would be: do NOT tick off a god." the cleric says in a show of irony. "However, it would be far better for you--and The Wold itself--if nobody had to ever contend with the Dark Lord at all..." Deep thinking furrows the brow of the patriarch as something apparently occurs to him. In fact, Jonno's reverie is so deep, that he misses Hobbes's demand and the younger cleric's hasty exit to try to discern Morphia's true motives for himself. Startled, Virdune urges the party to follow Hobbes.
"Go after him--find Morphia." he says. "When you find her--tell her that I said that your party is ready for the Journey to The Beginning. Now, go!"
Virdune practically pushes just about everyone out of the room. Darkfang can easily lead the party to wherever it is that Morphia and Hobbes have gone.
Renik Wednesday April 10th, 2002 9:26:12 AM
"So, can we contact Marcus now or not?" asks the rogue as they are jostled along the corridor in pursuit of Hobbes and Morphia.
K'isst Wednesday April 10th, 2002 12:26:21 PM
Whispering, "Bill we should make a donation for the healing you're receiving. I could use some healing whenever our good cleric can get around to it and can afford to use the spells. No hurry."
Frustrated that no one is taking her worries seriously, she decided, in her usual fashion to do something about it.
"I'll be back."
She literally runs to the Royal Library. "I need to hire someone that can read and find stuff."
Rond Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:12:10 PM
Rond moves forward in order to join up with Morphia. He's intrigued by the lastest comment. Journey to the Beginning. Answering Renik as best he can, "We need to go see Oratai as soon as we get a chance. Things have been silent from there."
Darkfang d20+4=21 Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:15:05 PM
Darkfang takes the offered bone from his brother and begins to chew it happily. "Woof, Woof {hmm good. Rabbit will be good; we should hunt down a few rabbits and make good kills. Biped's world is making you soft and I was always a better hunter than you.}" The wolf smiles at his brother which looks exactly the same as if he scowled.
When asked to track Morphia, Darkfang looks for somewhere to place his bone and then decides to take it with him. The disguised wolf uses his nose to locate the priestess (Tracking 21).
Kiki Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:19:19 PM
Jumping from Arien's pocket then hustling out the door Kiki pipes at Ferrak and Darkfang. "Kee-Kee!"
Then hustling back as fast as she can, she jumps back onto Arien, then scrambles back into her pouch.
Bill Troublefinder Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:34:57 PM
At the time Renik, and later Rond, expressed their concern and care for him, he thanked them, simply and sincerely. "Just think - I get to learn a bunch of stuff all over again. It's gotta be easier the second time." At Draax's curious stare, he just shrugged his shoulders, lifting his eyebrows in a 'darned if I know' expression.
He laughs at Arien's first comments, and appears to consider his suggestion regarding kobolds. "Hmmm - haven't learned kobold yet," he muses. And nods regarding the possible futility of further disguises.
At first part of Virdune's answer to his question, the halfling exhibits a wry smile. About to agree with the cleric, his reply is precluded by what Hobbes has to say.
As Hobbes heads out, Bill sends him a telepathic missive. 'Though deceived, I still doubt Morphia a willful deceiver, Hobbes.'
"I know, K'isst," Bill says quietly. "I asked them about what would be appropriate to offer, but they didn't say anything," he tells her, knowing he should offer something. "What do you mean you're not healed? I watched 'em cure you up when we first got here. Did it for everybody, just before they whisked me away. You look perfectly fine to me. Is it something we can't see?" Then he looks really worried. "Y-y-you didn't run into any undead, or anything, did y- I mean, did the same thing happen to you that happened to me, but you just never told anyone yet? Hey - where're ya goin', K'isst?" he asks as she moves to exit from the temple. "We're suppose to go see Morphia down here in the temple library!" If she does not heed him, he shrugs, and figures she will, as she told them, be back.
He too, ponders the meaning of the 'journey to the beginning.' Which beginning? What kind of journey?
Ferrak d20+2=15 d20+4=10 Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:37:18 PM
Sitting with his brother outside, Ferrak's day dream of hunting rabbits, is rudely interuppted by Kiki's squeeking.
"Is that a rabbit, brother???" with a dangerous gleam in his eye.
Dissapointed when he realizes it is a part of Arien's family, Ferrak follows Darkfang and Kiki, as they enter the building.
Seeing that Bill looks like Bill, Ferrak takes his, and his brother's collar off again.
Jumping on to Darkfang's back as he is busy tracking the priest, Ferrak keeps an eye, and an ear out for any signs of trouble. (Spot-15, Listen-10)
Draax Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:43:10 PM
Draax listens to everyone's speeches and suggestions. He gets up from his seat to follow Hobbes as suggested by Virdune. He stops for a second when the priest asks them to deliver the coded message.
As he follows Darkfang to Hobbes and the priestess, Draax wonders what new direction he and his friends are being guided in without their knowledge.
Feng Wednesday April 10th, 2002 11:20:34 PM
Feng watches K'isst run out. He feels he should do the same. Whatever the journey to the beginning is, he needs Degg. He's already spent too much time away. "Rond, Borgo, everybody I shall return shortly. I would like to join your quest to bring down the dark lord. However I require my steed. He will be a great asset. I will return shortly." Feng runs out of the temple. As he crosses the threshold, Feng suddenly appears to be a thinner human male wearing a headband in peasant's clothes.
OOC: Feng will return as soon as he gets his mount. Notably faster on the return trip.
Hobbes d20+6=16 d20+4=21 Thursday April 11th, 2002 1:19:30 AM
Hobbes dashes through the halls, knowing that he is slowed by his cumbersome attire. He shakes his head at his doubts about the girl and hopes that he is mistaken as Bill's words echo that sentiment in his head.
"I must pursue that as a side interest," he thinks, "Just how does that remarkable halfling accomplish this mind communication? Bill, can you hear my thoughts?"
He heads toward the temple library but asks passing clerics in the hall along the way where the temple archives/vaults are to make sure he is headed the right way. He also asks if the girl Morphia headed that way. He makes a mental note as to whether many of them do not know who the young cleric is and describes her briefly if need be. If for some reason, the girl did not go to the archives, Hobbes pursues her wherever that may be. Speed is the main concern.
[Track Check 16, Gather Information Check 21]
We're Following the Leader, the Leader, the Leader...(DM Donna) Thursday April 11th, 2002 6:28:46 AM
K'isst goes to the Royal Library, only to find it closed. A scrubwoman attending to the building points to the sign that K'isst cannot read, then amends her mistaken assumption by telling the half-elf that the personnel at the Library were pressed into emergency service in order to aid the local temples with the influx of refugees from the advance of Marteaus's invasion forces.
Feng returns to a safe house location that Marcus had given him, where he is further directed to the location of an import/export shop being run by a female gnome that he remembers as being an assistant to Marcus.
She introduces herself as Mekkina Sprocket and procures Feng's horse for him. The mount is safe and sound. However, she has new orders and information for the paladin, too:
1. Feng is to join up with the Hamleteers for the time being.
2. Plateau City has announced it is raising an army to send to the aid of Floating City (in spite of the Big Float's paranoid treatment of the fair Plateau City!) To this end, Baron Balentyne has been appointed as the Council's Official In Charge of Collecting Taxes...and--wouldn't you know--there is now a Militia Establishment Tax that all adult citizens of Plateau City are required to pay.
3. The urgent message from Valdor to all the heroes and adventurers of The Wold must take precedence--the Hamleteers should focus on trying to follow those instructions while Mekkina does her best to handle the tax collectors that are now combing the City for the taxes to finance the militia being raised to help Floating City.
Meanwhile, back at the Black Temple: Hobbes hurries along the corridors of the temple, easily recognizing that, yes, Morphia IS going to the archives. He finds her there just as she is pulling out a heavy, brass-bound tome from a shelf. Before he has time to say anything, however, Morphia speaks to him first.
"If you're here to help, I think you can try to search through the Cataclysm Collection over there..." she says, nodding in the direction of a rack that holds dozens--perhaps hundreds!--of scrolls and scroll tubes, "...however, if you can read Elven, maybe you could focus on thumbing through the Sylvan Tomes two racks over--"
At this point, the rest of the party arrives (with the exception of K'isst and Feng), and Morphia clearly looks confused.
"Are you all here to help me research..?" she asks, giving Ferrak and Darkfang a disbelieving look.
Renik (oh, not again) d20+4=6 Thursday April 11th, 2002 7:13:16 AM
"Well, if help is needed, dear lady, I would be honoured to assist." Following her suggestions he pulls dusty tomes from shelves and leafs through them, searching for anything pertinent. However the lascivious rogue cannot prevent his wandering eyes from finding their way back, repeatedly, to Morphia, and consequently he is of little help in finding anything useful (Gather Info 6). Even in the face of dire emergency, it seems, Renik has a hard time controlling his amorous impulses.
K'isst Thursday April 11th, 2002 1:02:33 PM
K'isst returns frustrated.
Ferrak d20+1=4 Thursday April 11th, 2002 8:01:23 PM
Ferrak tries to be helpful. Mainly by carrying books and holding things for Bill. But he is little help, despite being smarter than the average wolf.
(Attempt to use cooperation rules to give Bill a +2 on his check. =4 {needed a 10})
Darkfang Thursday April 11th, 2002 9:35:00 PM
Darkfang notices the look that the priestess gives him and his brother. He puts the bone down and barks at Farrek. "Woof, {She acts like she has never seen a bone before. You tell her to get her own, she cannot have mine.}" The wolf picks up his bone, moves away from the priestess, lays down and resumes chewing on his bone. He looks up a few time to ensure himself that she is not trying to get near his bone.
Draax Thursday April 11th, 2002 9:49:29 PM
Draax moves near the priestess, he hesitates for a second and then begins to talks. "Before I help with the research...uh..Virdune told us to tell you that we are ready for the Journey to The Beginning, whatever that means." The warrior waits, hoping the priestess will clarify the meaning of statement.
Feng Thursday April 11th, 2002 10:58:23 PM
Feng returns to the temple as fast as he can without drawing attention. He enters the temple and notices the others have moved on. He searches the temple hoping to find somebody.
Hobbes Friday April 12th, 2002 4:10:35 AM
Hobbes enter the library briskly and looks around for the young cleric. He finds her with a large tome and is about to object her actions, but is quieted by her recommendation. He wrinkles his face at the request and looks over to the racks of books and scrolls, but then recovers and peers back as her as she does, indeed, start searching through the tome.
He silently moves over to the rack keeping an eye on her. Soon the others start piling into the room and he lets the tumult of the entire group spilling in take over the situation and continues to watch her. When he is convinced that there are enough people to guard any questionable actions, he slips out of the room and seeks another cleric of the temple to determine if there is anyone on staff that can cast Know Alignment, Zone of Truth, and especially Detect Lie. If he does he lets them know that he might need to use their abilities briefly in a little while within the temple. He then slips back to the archives area.
Arien d20+6=16 Friday April 12th, 2002 7:22:19 AM
Arien decides that the best thing that he could do for the moment is to help Morphia looking through the library. Taking the shelves that the cleric had indicated to be in Slyvan, Arien browses through them looking for a book that might hold the key to this riddle. (Spot Check: 16)
Rond Friday April 12th, 2002 10:28:22 AM
Rond moves with the others to where Morphia is. When she asks about helping Rond re-iterates what the group was told about the Journey. After hearing the story, Rond comments that he has some other things to check in on before he can help out with the research.
Bill Troublefinder d20+18=30 d20+18=31 d20+18=29 d20+18=24 d20+18=37 d20+18=22 d20+18=31 d20+18=30 d20+18=19 d20+18=23 d20+18=19 Friday April 12th, 2002 10:48:47 AM
Hobbes does not get any response from the halfling when he mentally attempts to asks if Bill can hear his thoughts.
Glad that Draax and Rond carried the message from Virdune to Morphia, he asks, "Yes, I was wondering what 'journey to the beginning' means. Which beginning? What kind of journey?" As he waits for her response, he looks at the Sylvan Tomes, first looking through the volumes to discover whether they contain indices or tables of contents. If so, he will use said tools to help narrow his search. If not, he begins quickly to skim through the volumes, beginning with the first. He does take the time to memorize the first page of the first volume [Autohypnosis 30], then additional passages as may seem pertinent. [Ten more Autohypnosis checks, of 31, 29, 24, 37, 22, 31, 30, 19, 23 & 19.] As his head fills with information, he finds it more difficult to concentrate on memorization after a while.
William the PsiCrystal Friday April 12th, 2002 11:01:08 AM
The Hamleteers all suddenly hear a tiny voice, sounding not entirely dissimilar to a miniature Bill, ringing inside their heads. "Hello, testing, testing, one two, one two..."
Inside Bill's waistcoat pocket his crystal dances a little jig. "Magnificent Bill, I am restored! Once again I can communicate your commands and missives to your followers! Once more your loyal underlings will be able to hear your every whim and instruction! Rejoice, Mighty Bill! Rejoice, loyal underlings! We are restored to our former glory! Let Evil tremble wherever it lurks!"
Bill Troublefinder Friday April 12th, 2002 11:23:15 AM
"Oh, William, I'm glad you can speak again!" Bill says out loud to his psicrystal, which he extracts from his waistcoat. "That is great! Let's clear up one thing, though - none of my friends here are 'underlings,' although you are right, we share a strong loyalty to one another. They are comrades in arms, jointly dedicated to our nation, and in the service of good, and against the rising tide of evil. Each is uniquely gifted and talented - able to do things I cannot. You see, William, in the life of an adventurer, the wise hero lets not pride take over, nor blind him. Humility is an heroic virtue - but I'll bet you knew that."
He introduces the newcomer, Feng, and Morphia, to his psicrystal. "This is William - he is a psicrystal, and helps me, and all of us, a lot! William, meet Feng - a skillful fighter, a holy warrior. And this is sister Morphia, who is working to help us plan our next foray in the ongoing struggle."
And telepathically, he adds, 'I am so glad you can speak with our friends again, William.' He gives him the mental equivalent of a comradely punch in the shoulder.
K'isst Friday April 12th, 2002 3:21:53 PM
K'isst spins angrily towards William. "I am not anyone's underling!"
Then a strange look comes over her face. She falls to her knees in supplication and bows over and over.
"All Hail Bill the Mighty!"
Her face 'looks' totally serious.
William the Psicrystal Saturday April 13th, 2002 7:15:02 AM "Not underlings? The Great and Powerful Bill Troublefinder is an equal to these adventurers? Then, Great Bill, I am thrice blessed! To be part of such august company! To share in the adventures of what must surely be the adventuring band of the age! Cower, Evil! Slink back under your pitiful rock and beg forgiveness, for Champions of Justice are coming for you!"
William seems to have missed the bit about humility. Listening to K'isst's worshipful proclamations, William nudges Bill and asks "But are you sure they are not underlings? That one seems to be suitably reverential of your unmatched Valour and Power. It is just that such a mighty Hero as yourself be afforded such worship, is it not?"
Bill Troublefinder Saturday April 13th, 2002 1:41:05 PM
"All hail," Bill says, falling the short distance to his knees, "K'isst the intrepid, the daring, the impetuous!" His little arms outstretched toward her, he suggests, "Now, stand up, K'isst, and let's stop this nonsense." Rising from his knees, he holds out his hand for her (knowing he risks her tossing him over her shoulder or something).
The hobbit says to William, "Look, pomposity is NOT heroic. It is vainglorious, self-seeking, and rude. Now, William, you may not realize this, but you have been rude to my friends. They are friends, not servants. Or, if anything, we are servants of each other. We help each other out, and support one another. Each is my superior in some way." As Bill attempts to teach William in the library stacks, he enumerates some of the strengths of his friends.
"Ferrak - he is a fury in battle with his pack-mate Darkfang, and knows the ways of nature far better than I.
"Draax - he is most astute, and when he speaks, offers insight to be followed. And have you seen his skill with the longsword? I cannot touch his weapons skill, my many-faceted psicrystal.
"Renik - Resourceful, and cunning, his tongue sharper than a sword, or softer than butter, as the situation demands. His foresight helped ensure success in our recent visit to the manor.
"Tall Rond - Our leader, who wisely seeks the counsel of his companions, then decisively leads us to victory, again and again.
"Arien - Skilled in stealth and the ways of magic, he too, like you, William, is multifaceted. He has grown in stature in many ways since first we met.
"K'isst - A blending of the fierceness of the troglodytes and the beauty and many ways of the elves, her trident has felled many a foe. She is not an opponent that our enemies care to meet in battle, and she is my friend.
"Now Hobbes just joined us - but you've seen his skill against the undead, and the keenness of his mind, and how bravely he turns his back to one foe in order to help his companions in need. A cleric of Gargul, to whom all must go, when their time comes.
"And Feng, a paladin, whose unexpected help spared us more injury today. A paladin, William - repository of righteousness and courage. Talk about a hero - one of his ilk is the stuff of which heroes are made."
Bill looks at the gem in his hand. "Look around at them - heroes all. If you would honor me, William, then never disparage my friends. You are right - they all are heroic. And I again thank you, good fellow, for encouraging me, and granting me fortitude."
Feng Saturday April 13th, 2002 3:01:57 PM
Feng sits down on an empty stool and lets out a great sigh. This is the first time he can relax since he went undercover. He watches the conversation Bill is having with William with amusement. "While I was out I learned that an army is being raised for Floating City. Tax collectors are out in the streets looking to raise funds for the army. While I don't mind contributing to the cause, I'm afraid they will want more than I can spare. I doubt they realize what we are trying to do."
William the Psicrystal Saturday April 13th, 2002 5:54:38 PM "oh." says William very quietly, and quite astonishingly there is finally humility in his voice. "oh."
The crystal, though lapsed into silence still manages to convey an aura of intense shamefacedness.
Rond Sunday April 14th, 2002 10:00:17 PM
Rond snorts as Bill talks about him. Though he does smile at his friend, as he describes the various aspects of the group.
CDM Jerry Monday April 15th, 2002 2:39:07 PM
Todd, I need to activate the Asst. DM for this game for about a week while DM Donna gets her computer fixed etc.
I'll send you all the material I have tonight.
Let me know by email or phone if you cannot take the DMing chores for a week.
Bill Troublefinder d20+18=34 d20+18=31 d20+18=31 d20+18=34 d20+18=22 d20+18=20 d20+18=23 d20+18=31 d20+18=37 d20+18=36 Monday April 15th, 2002 8:42:42 PM
Bill places William back into his waistcoat, giving him a little pat.
The halfling resumes his perusal of the stacks. He puts to memory more interesting sections of the Sylvan Tomes. [Autohypnosis 34, 31, 31, 34, 22, 20, 23, 31, 37, 36.]
Ferrak Tuesday April 16th, 2002 12:53:20 AM
Relighting candles and picking up parchments that fall on the floor, Ferrak tries to stay out of the way mostly.
"Hunt well pack-mates," he says encouraging his friends on their current task.
Renik Tuesday April 16th, 2002 4:47:42 AM
Renik continues to gaze at Morphia, lost in happy contemplation.
Hobbes Tuesday April 16th, 2002 1:27:25 PM
While looking for spellcasting Clerics, Hobbes goes out for a sandwich and a Mr. Pibb.
Adm Todd Wednesday April 17th, 2002 1:25:53 AM
Okay. The update has arrived. Tues are busy days for me. I'll get something posted by weds even.
Bill Troublefinder Wednesday April 17th, 2002 3:03:45 PM
As he continues reading through the Sylvan Tomes, Bill mentions to Rond, "So, no word from Mr. M, eh? I hope he is all right. I wonder if he has any means of preventing scrying on himself. I'd like to work on that, when I have time."
K'isst Wednesday April 17th, 2002 4:03:57 PM
K'isst looks around the huge temple marvelling at this and then that. She hopes she doesn't end up somewhere she shouldn't.
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