Tiree d20+3=17 d20+9=17 d20+3=14 d20+7=11 d20+3=11 Friday March 29th, 2002 8:48:06 AM
Not entirely sure that going in is the best thing, Tiree motions to the group to stay outside. Attempting to blend into the darkness (hide 17), she moves as quietly as she can around the building looking for anything that looks out of the ordinary (Spot 14, Search 11). Not trusting her eyes to alert her to danger, she opens her ears wide as well (Listen 11). While creeping, she quietly pulls one of her returning daggers out in case of emergency.
Syr Friday March 29th, 2002 1:03:12 PM
Syr finds a wall across the street where he can prop himself against and watches Tiree's progress without being obvious.
DM Jan Saturday March 30th, 2002 2:54:16 PM
Tiree investigates the exterior of the building. There doesn't appear to be anything odd as such, except for the huge pipes carrying gases to other levels.
Maybe the only way to find out whats going on is to go inside and ask some of the workers.
Jezebella Sunday March 31st, 2002 8:42:26 AM
Jez pokes her head into the boiler room.. she says loud enough to be heard over the furnace... "Is it safe yet?"
Syr Sunday March 31st, 2002 10:31:36 PM
Seeing Jez being so straightforward, he shakes his head and murmurs, "So much for stealth." Syr levers himself away from the wall and begins walking toward the boiler house stopping when he reaches her side.
Drew Monday April 1st, 2002 10:44:13 AM
Drew waits and watches. Keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary or wrong.
Miranna Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 12:15:47 AM
Miranna waits.
DM Jan Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 12:40:57 AM
Both men hear Jez's voice above the roar of the furnace and turn around. The half orc leans on his shovel and watches quietly as the man steps forward.
"Safe? Whaddya mean?" he asks, his eyes scanning the group. The look on his face suggests he's curious, and not on the offensive.
Jezebella Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 6:56:55 AM
The dirty gypsy girl continues her bluff. "Ah jus' heard .. things. Somethin happened here? Someone.. someTHING.. was here.. spread'n disease... whas is jus' talk?"
Drew Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 10:56:14 AM
Waits....
OOC: sorry guys Im lost and waiting till I can catch up and figure out whats happining.
Flin Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 11:40:41 AM
Flin casts Detect Evil
Syr Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 2:14:25 PM
Syr stands silently by Jez and examines the inside of the boiler house through the opening.
OOC: Hope you are feeling better Jan...
DM Jan Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 1:13:16 AM
((Feeling much better now, thank you :) ))
"Oh!" exclaims the man. "You mean the murder a few days back? Ah well, there's been no trouble since. That was a funny business. Well, not 'funny' you understand - but strange." He gestures with a nod of his head toward the half orc. "Eric there took it bad - the dead one was a friend of his. Found him too - over there under the pipes, all green and rotten." The man pointed behind him. "Looked like he'd been dead for months, but we'd all seen him walking about the night before. "Funny business I'll tell you. Still. Life goes on. As for disease, well, we've been fine."
Flin detects a very slight sense of evil, perhaps a distance away.... below...
Syr gets a good look at the interior of the building. To the left are the furnaces, and on the right is a HUGE pile of trash waiting to be burned. Straight ahead - large and small pipes snake from the furnaces, going left and right, sinking into the floor, or the ceiling.
Drew Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:58:43 AM
Drew stands with Syr.
Syr d20+5=19 Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 3:58:01 PM
Syr decides to speak up after hearing the worker answer Jez's question, "How do you know it's murder if the body died of disease?"
Moving into the room, "Mind if I look at the spot where he was found?" Motioning for Drew to join him, Syr stands near the spot and looks for anything unusual. (Spot 19)
Flin Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 7:00:05 PM
Flin begins to "follow his nose" so to speak to see if he can follow the eminations of evil. If he finds a way to go "below", he then will seek out Tiree.
Miranna Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 9:59:08 PM
Clearly uncomfortable in this place, Miranna moves to join Syr and Drew.
Jezebella Thursday April 4th, 2002 6:51:21 AM
The gypsy girl continues, goading the workers. "C'mon.. There's got to be more to the story then that.. what aren't you sayin' ?"
DM Jan Thursday April 4th, 2002 10:32:57 AM
The big man looks a little perplexed at Syr's and Jez's questions, but continues with a shrug.
"Well, it was you that mentioned disease first. You see - it might have 'looked' like a disease, but me and Eric here don't think so. We told the authorities that Puul - thats the dead man - had been arguing with some holy type. He got threatened too. Funny how he turned up dead a short while later. "Nothing's been done of course, but then I suppose they've got too much going on upstairs."
He gives a sigh.
As Syr moves toward the spot, as he passes the side of the furnace, he sees that someone has painted a large 'V' on the side of it, in a mustard yellow colour.
Over by the pipes is a hatch in the floor. As Flin follows his evil 'spidey sense' - it takes him right to where Syr is standing.
Tiree Thursday April 4th, 2002 7:08:31 PM
Tiree, noticing that her family has moved inside, moves closer to the door so that she can hear what is going on inside and help if needed.
Jezebella Thursday April 4th, 2002 8:02:18 PM
Jez continues to press. "Holy type? Like who? Sounds patik'ular t' me. Cmon, dish... and we'll help ya move some of this crud int'a the burnerr. What holy type? Did ya see it?"
Drew Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:17:12 PM
Drew begins to feel his hackles rise and stands close to Syr watching over his family closely for signs of attack or betrayal.
Flin Friday April 5th, 2002 1:19:48 AM
Flin, under his breath to Syr and Drew, speaks softly.
"Something foul is down below. Something evil."
Miranna Friday April 5th, 2002 2:02:11 AM
Miranna casts 'Detect Magic' discreetly, then focuses her magical sight on the painted V and the hatch.
Syr Friday April 5th, 2002 2:28:48 AM
Syr looks at the man, "A Priest you say? It's wise for the likes of us not to mess with the Gods. I'd rather avoid any priest that did that to a person."
Syr examines the 'V' for any unusual signs. "Any idea where his holiness might be found? I will definitely stay away from there. Or how about what the fight was about?"
DM Jan Friday April 5th, 2002 3:12:09 PM
The boilerman shrugged again. "We didn't see the holy man, Puul just told us about it. He said the priest had been hanging around, although we never saw him, did we Eric?"
The half - orc shakes his head. Then the man grins at Syr, as Syr looks at the giant "V". "Ya like that? Me and Eric painted that. It stands for Valdor."
Miranna can sense a little bit of magic, over by the hatch, but - it's distant. The hatch has a few fingerprints on it, as though its been used recently.
Tiree d20+3=18 Friday April 5th, 2002 6:14:08 PM
Tiree, realizing that everyone is going to stay inside, makes her way inside.
"There you guys are! I was wondering where you had gone off to."
Seeing the group looking at a painted "V" and a hatch in the floor, she looks around (Spot 18) hoping for a bit more insight.
Syr Monday April 8th, 2002 1:55:55 AM
Syr nods in sympathy, "'Twas a nice gesture from those he called friends."
Looking at Miranna's expression he asks, "See something sister?"
Miranna Monday April 8th, 2002 2:43:59 AM
Miranna answers softly, "There is magic by the hatch - distant and faint. Ask where the hatch leads to."
Drew Monday April 8th, 2002 9:41:15 AM
Drew growls and waits....
Syr Monday April 8th, 2002 3:12:09 PM
Syr jumps slightly at Drew's growl, he nods towards the hatch, "One last question, where does that hatch lead and did Valdor go through it?"
Jezebella Monday April 8th, 2002 3:46:31 PM
Jezebella stops her questioning, and moves to the hatchway with her friends.
DM Jan Monday April 8th, 2002 9:46:26 PM
((OOC ::screeching to a halt for a second:: Woah - hang on a minute - Puul is the dead guy, Valdor is the big intimidating warrior from the Gold Dragons, who you all ~D R E A M E D~ about a couple of (game time) nights ago, remember? The big rousing speech? If I killed him off, I would be in big, big, HUGE trouble LOL. Scroll back if you don't remember. I'll edit the posts once we're all on the same page))
DM Jan Monday April 8th, 2002 10:06:22 PM
The boiler man looks over toward the hatch and says - "Puul might have gone down there, but there was no reason for him to do so - thats for the maintenance crew. There's a tunnel at the bottom of the steps and a small office at the end of it. I haven't been down there for months." He then leans forward and whispers, after pointing at his 'Valdor' graffito - "Did you hear it, too? Not many did. But we did - didn't we Eric?" The half orc nods, looking obstinate and proud.
The entering Tiree also notes that the hatch may have been used recently due to disturbed dust surrounding it.
Syr Tuesday April 9th, 2002 2:40:14 PM
"An office you say? Why don't we go down and take a look?" With a grin he looks at Drew, "Go ahead, if you can fit, then we won't have any problems."
Flin Tuesday April 9th, 2002 5:59:32 PM
Flin waits nearby, ready to talk to the boiler guys if needed to convince them to let them go through the trap door in the floor.
Tiree Tuesday April 9th, 2002 8:21:40 PM
Tiree, realizing that they need to get down there, walks over and opens (or attempts to) the hatch and begins to climb down. When she gets where she can't be seen, she takes one of her new daggers and places it between her teeth and then continues.
Miranna Tuesday April 9th, 2002 10:37:57 PM
Miranna waits quietly while the others go down. If there is no trouble, she follows.
DM Jan Wednesday April 10th, 2002 1:56:38 AM
While Syr is trying to persuade Drew to climb down the hatch, Tiree slips past, opens up the hatch and starts to climb down.
"Well, you can look down there if you like," says the man to Flin and Syr, "you're not likely to find anything, though."
From Miranna's viewpoint, it appears that Tiree is making it down there safely.
At the base of the steps, Tiree finds herself standing in about an inch of water, and a shadowy corridor leads toward a closed door about thirty feet away. Thick pipes snake above her head - a few of them seem to be emanating warmth.
Jezebella Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:02:32 AM
Jezebella looks to the others, and murmers... "We'd best stick together..."
She follows Tiree 'down the hatch'.
Miranna Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:44:27 AM
Miranna hesitates, then follows Jezebella. On the way down, she jostles her shoulder pouch to wake her weasel. Stay alert for trouble.
If it is too dark down there for the humans to see clearly, Miranna takes out her flaming ioun stone and sets it to orbit above her head.
Syr Wednesday April 10th, 2002 4:03:00 PM
Syr walks up to Drew and pats him on the back, "It's okay big fella, we all know you orcish types are a bit slow." Grinning up at Drew, he dances out of his reach before he can react.
"Why don't I show you?" After a moment, he goes down the hatch. Poking his head out, "C'mon, follow me." He beckons to the half-orc with a finger.
[OOC: It's great taking advantage of the slow posters :)]
(~DM Jan~ LOL~)
Flin Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:06:55 PM
Flin nodds to the two boilermen and heads down the shaft. Once there, he readies his crossbow in the event of danger
Tiree Thursday April 11th, 2002 1:26:23 AM
Tiree moves a bit down the way to make room for her sisters and the rest of the family as they make their way down. She takes the dagger into her right hand and motions to the others as they come down to be as quiet as possible. When walkiing, she shuffles her feet instead of lifting them out of the water and splashing them back down.
When Flin gets to the bottom she whispers to him, "Can you still see the evil I heard you talking about? Can you lead us that way? I figure that's our best bet."
DM Jan Thursday April 11th, 2002 1:47:25 AM
Miranna, Jezebella, Syr, Flin and the others make it down the steps and into the puddle covered corridor where Tiree is standing. The corridor is tall enough to accomodate Drew, but it's fairly narrow, barely allowing the others to walk two abreast. Miranna's stone helps a little with the light, but its obvious from her weasel's behaviour that it doesn't like it down here.
Directly ahead - is a closed door. Above are various pipes. Some feel warm, others are making slight gurgling sounds.
Miranna and Weasel Thursday April 11th, 2002 11:51:59 AM
"Be careful, my Weasel is uneasy," Miranna whispers to her family. "Does anybody require protection? I can cast an armor spell on someone."
If either Syr or Drew wants the spell, Miranna will cast Mage Armor from one of her scrolls (+4 AC for 2 hours). If both want it, she'll use up 2 scrolls if there is time. Otherwise, she'll use just one scroll on the first person who asks (except Plink, who should have 2 scrolls on him).
The elf will keep to the back of the group as they walk towards the door.
Tiree d20=7 d20=11 Friday April 12th, 2002 1:17:19 AM
(OOC: Jan, I'm sorry but I don't have my character sheet with me and I don't remember all my modifiers. :( )
Tiree moves up to the door and takes a good look at it all over (Search 7+?) for possible traps. Most likely finding none (based on the roll), she tries the handle of the door. If it is locked she will attempt to pick it (Open Lock 11+?).
Syr d20+5=19 Friday April 12th, 2002 4:31:25 AM
Seeing Tiree move to the door, he follows closely behind. "I'll take the lead unless someone minds since Drew seems to be shy lately."
As he moves near the front, he looks up searching for any unusual things in the pipes. (Spot 19)
Jezebella d20+5=17 Friday April 12th, 2002 7:04:01 AM
Jezebella smiles to Miranna.. "I can handle my own, thanks to you.." before she reaches into her own pouch of tricks, thumbing a bit of dried leather. She murmers some arcane words, and a breif shimmer encases her. [mage armor on herself]
She listens for anything unusual from behind the door Tiree is working on. (listen 17)
Flin Friday April 12th, 2002 6:26:16 PM
Flin stands at the ready, crossbow aimed at the door, in the event anything unexpected and unwanted bursts through.
DM Jan Friday April 12th, 2002 10:07:10 PM
Everything seems silent beyond the door, and Tiree finds it fairly easy to pick the lock and open it.
Up at the front, both Syr and Tiree see into the room. It's about 20ft x 20 ft, and is lit dully by a light on the wall. There is a wooden work bench, with a small rack on it. Papers are strewn all over the floor, which is quite dry, and there looks to be a bit of smashed glass here and there. It looks as though 'someone was doing something' in here, but left in a hurry.
The rack on the bench seems to contain something.
Flin feels a wash of evil as soon as the door is opened. Also - Miranna, Jezebella and Plink become aware of something, like a prickling in the air. At that moment, a portal opens inside the far corner of the room - and a man steps through. He is dressed in the robes of a cleric.
Tiree d20+3=8 d20+8=25 Friday April 12th, 2002 10:32:18 PM
Tiree takes a quick look around the room, hoping to get a better idea what happened or is happening (Spot 8). As the cleric walks in, her hand tightens on the dagger in hand. Unknown to her is the evil feeling, so she puts a smile on her face.
"Hello there. I didn't think there was anyone down here." (Bluff 25)
Jezebella Saturday April 13th, 2002 9:57:58 AM
A visible chill runs through the gypsy girl, as her skin goosepimples from the strange energy in the air. She draws both of her new daggers from her belt, and palms them. She keeps them ready to throw or dance with. She murmers, barely audible.. "... be careful, Tir... "
Flin Sunday April 14th, 2002 11:38:00 PM
Flin waits, finger on the trigger of his crossbow, waiting to see how the cleric will react to Tiree's greeting.
Syr Monday April 15th, 2002 1:19:13 AM
Staring at the priest Syr speaks to himself, "Right place wrong time again..."
Syr recalls the man's words up above about a priest murdering Puul and grasps the gyrspike firmly with both hands. He begins mvoing towards the stranger, "HEY! Come here often?"
Drew Monday April 15th, 2002 11:12:46 AM
....
DM Jan Monday April 15th, 2002 7:10:03 PM
The cleric seems momentarily startled at seeing Tiree and Syr in the room, and the others beyond the doorway, but he moves quickly - in his hand is a tiny piece of metal, which he waves toward Syr (casting HOLD PERSON - will save negates - if it fails, Syr is helpless for three rounds). Then he rounds on Tiree. "Hold your tongue, girl and stay back. That goes for the rest of you. Anyone moves and I'll kill you all."
He makes a dive for bench - his eyes resting on the small wooden rack, and the tiny flask held in it.
Flin Monday April 15th, 2002 9:13:53 PM
Flin flings his hand forward towards the cleric and exclaims:
"By the name of Ffloy, BE STILL!"
Flin casts Hold Person on the cleric; Save DC 15 or 16 (16 if I ever went up to 3rd level. 400 points shy. Has any experience been awarded since March 5th?)
Miranna Monday April 15th, 2002 11:10:29 PM [OOC: Can Miranna, at the back of the group, look into the room and see the man? If she can...]
Frowning at the man's spellcasting and threat, Miranna casts Grease on the floor directly under him. [Covers 10' square, Reflex save vs DC 14 to move at half speed, or slip and fall. Lasts 3 rounds.]
[If she can't...]
At the back of the group, Miranna frowns at the verbal threat coming from beyond the open door. Unable to look into the room to determine how many foes they face, she decides to answer threat with threat, and casts Ghost Sounds. The tunnel suddenly fills with the noisy footsteps of about 12 armoured humans, which rapidly approach the room and then stop. "Move it, kids, we got a job to do!" a gruff male voice, sounding suspiciously like Drew, says. It continues in a slightly raised volume, "Those in the room, surrender or be blasted to the nine hells!"
Miranna (Addendum) Monday April 15th, 2002 11:13:48 PM
[Forgot to mention save for Ghost Sounds. Will save vs DC 15 to disbelieve.]
Syr d20+3=18 d20+4=15 d20+6=25 d20+6=22 d8+4=5 d8+4=9 d20+6=10 Tuesday April 16th, 2002 3:18:24 AM
(If will save failed:)
Syr stands motionless and his eyes are darting around the room in a panic.
{Assuming Syr made the will save at 18 and Miranna's grease reflex save of 15)
Syr blinks as a tingle washes over him and then rushes at the priest. When Miranna's grease appears he moves swiftly to a sliding stop and attempts to use the sword end of the gyrpsike as a lance and skewers the priest. (attack 25, crit? with a 22: damage 14)
"Anyone seen Drew? That half-orc always seems here for a good fight."
(wow, nice set of rolls, Not sure of the modifers, I didn't attack twice for the double weapon because that seemed unusual with a charge, if so... attack 10)
Jezebella d20+6=21 d20+2=12 d4+2=3 Tuesday April 16th, 2002 7:05:17 AM
Jezebella tracks the evil priest's gaze, and his desperation to reach whatever is in that flask.. she tumbles (21) through the doorway, rolling in between him and his goal. She springs up, in a slash... missing but hopefully distracting the man.
(missed, I think... 13 with the +1 of the dagger which I forgot. 3 damage if it actually connected)
Drew Tuesday April 16th, 2002 9:03:09 AM
Using his speed he moves as fast as he can to get to the vial first, before the priest. At the same time he draws his axe and prepares to remove any more threats to his family, permanately.
Tiree d20+6=20 d6+1=6 Tuesday April 16th, 2002 11:41:05 AM
Tiree steps to the side of the door to let someone else get into the room. Not liking the way things went, and realizing that drastic measures are needed, takes aim with her returning dagger and lets fly at the cleric(att 20 dmg 6) and watches as the dagger returns to her.
DM Jan d20+2=21 2d8(2+8)+3=13 Tuesday April 16th, 2002 9:04:30 PM
Spells fire across the room - both HOLD spells fail, successfully resisted by both Syr the evil priest.
Miranna's grease spell however causes utter chaos. The evil priest slides across the room and is slammed into by Syr and the point of his gyrspike. Both of them crash hard into the bench. This in turn knocks over the rack - which sends the tiny vial flying up into the air.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" screams the evil priest.
Jezebella and Drew enter the fray. Jezebella's dagger misses. The vial is above both hers and Drew's heads. ((Both of you - reflex save DC 13 to avoid falling on the grease, if successful - another reflex save DC 12 to catch the vial.))
Flin can still feel evil - fundamental, strong, almost stomach churning.
If Miranna turns around - she will see the sight of the two Boiler men, followed by a young man she hasn't seen before, reach the bottom of the steps and come running toward the group. Their faces carry a look of concern, obviously wondering what the heck is going on down here.
Meanwhile - inside the room, Tiree's dagger whistles across and embeds itself in the priest, who howls in pain. The damage done - it slides out of the wound and returns to it's owner.
"May Marteaus eat your soul, boy," growls the priest (badly injured) to Syr, gripping him tightly. Syr suddenly feels rather ill as the priest casts INFLICT MODERATE WOUNDS (DAM 13) on him.
((OOC - Cameron, this is your cue.))
Miranna Tuesday April 16th, 2002 10:40:26 PM
Miranna does not notice the sound of footsteps behind her. Her attention is focused on the tiny vial in the air - the content of which could be either rare or dangerous. Flinging a bit of spider web into the air, she intones, "Matius colle eta!" A horizontal mass of sticky webs appears just above the heads of those in the room, reaching to the walls and anchoring on them.
[Web spell allows Reflex save, but I don't think unattended objects get a save. So the vial should fall on the webs and get stuck until rescued. Webs last 30 mins.]
Tiree d20+6=23 d6+1=3 Wednesday April 17th, 2002 12:51:15 AM
Tiree watches helpless as the priest holds Syr to him. Not wanting to hit Syr, she waits to see if the priest will release the elf before throwing her dagger again (att 23, dmg 3 if priest releases Syr).
Drew d20+8=20 d20+5=20 d12+5=12 Wednesday April 17th, 2002 10:34:59 AM
Drew dose not fall in the grease and seeing the web appear to catch the vial decides to kill the priest before he does more damage to his brother. (Dont have my character sheet with me so I estimated low hit AC 5 and 12 damage)
Turin d20+4=7 d20=4 Wednesday April 17th, 2002 3:03:43 PM
The new guy takes the scene in, then, if he has a clear way to the priest, charges straight at him (+2 to attack, -2 to AC), grabbing his spiked chain(can be done while moving) then whips his chain at the priest, missing. If he doesn't have a clear path to the priest, he moves to one side, grabbing his light crossbow(can be done while moving) and shoots it at the priest (-4 for shooting into melee), missing.
Syr (11 hp) d20+4=12 d8+4=11 d20+4=9 d20+4=10 Wednesday April 17th, 2002 3:42:27 PM
Syr cries out in pain from the priest's touch. He tries to break away from the priest (not quite sure how to roll that? I'll trust the DM :).
If successful, he wields the gyrspike and attacks. (probably missing twice) Hius momentum from the attack takes over and he falls back to the ground (reflex save 10)
Jezebella (mage armor) d20+6=17 d20+2=6 d20+2=4 Thursday April 18th, 2002 6:55:01 AM
Jezebella manages to keep her feet on the slickened floor, but is off balence enough that her slashes go wild. Her blade dance slows to accomidate the slippery mess beneith her feet.
Flin Thursday April 18th, 2002 7:12:22 AM
Flin holds his holy symbol forth towards the evil cleric and intones:
"Behold the sign of Ffloy and be sore afraid!"
Flin casts Doom, Saving Throw DC 14
Flin then sprints to Syr's side in anticipation of aiding him
DM Jan Thursday April 18th, 2002 11:38:01 AM
Miranna's web shoots into the room, and anchors the vial about 6 feet in the air above everyone's heads. Tiree's knife whistles in once more, hitting the cleric who seems to be literally trying to wring the life out of Syr. A crossbow bolt, fired by a young man stood near the door attempts to injure the priest further, but alas misses and goes DING - against the wall.
Jezebella's attempts at staying upright affect her aim, and she misses also after taking a wild swipe.
The cleric begins another incantation. All looks doomed for Syr who, although able to wriggle away from the clerics tight grip - is still in touching range. But then, Drews axe slices down, and Flin's spell cause the evil one to shriek in terror, let out a final gurgle - and then die.
The man and half orc boiler workers peer into the room. "What's going on? Everyone okay?"
Tiree d20+7=18 Thursday April 18th, 2002 3:52:27 PM
Tiree leaves the answers to the others as she begins to search the cleric and the room itself for clues and interesting objects (Search 18)
Turin Thursday April 18th, 2002 4:19:07 PM
The newcomer looks at the dead priest. "I hope I came in on the right side of this fight?"
Drew Thursday April 18th, 2002 4:33:44 PM
Holds his hand out to help his brother Syr up.
Miranna Friday April 19th, 2002 1:50:55 AM
Her eyes fixed on the webbed vial, Miranna creases her brows in a delicate frown. She answers the boiler workers without turning, "I believe we are alright. He was after that vial..." The elf does not seem to notice the stranger.
"Drew, could you hoist Polaris up to retrieve the vial, please? It may be important."
Assuming Drew and Polaris do as asked, Miranna will examine the vial minutely, drawing on her knowledge of Alchemy. If she can get no information without alchemical tests, she puts the vial in her waist pouch for later study.
[OOC: DM, if Polaris doesn't post, can we just assume she obliges? Related note: Miranna can id the unknown potions from our last heist, if somebody asks her to. She hasn't offered because the ownership of those potions is in question.
Oh, and welcome to the game, Cameron!]
Syr d8=1 d8=1 d8=2 Friday April 19th, 2002 2:56:36 AM
Taking Drew's hand he rises to a knee and stops. "Let me try something. Either I'm going crazy or my fall a day ago shook some things loose."
He stays silent for a moment and appears to be staring at nothing in particular. After a few heartbeats the injured areas take on a slightly bluish glow and seem to be regenerating very slowly (4 hp). "It looks like I need to practice a wee bit more..."
(OOC lesser body adjustment over a period of three rounds... Can I get any lower rolls, 3d8=4???)
Rising to his feet and gloving the gyrspike, he grins slightly at the newcomer, "Well, if you didn't join the right side, you are sorely outnumbered now..."
Holding out his hand for a firm handshake, he approaches the stranger and gestures at the spot the bolt hit, "Thanks for not making me a pincushion. The name is 'Syrdeth Redbow' but my family calls me Syr."
Jezebella Friday April 19th, 2002 8:05:46 AM
Jezebella, tucking her daggers back in her belt, answers the boilerworkers in her affected gutter accent. "We come down 'ere checkin it out, fer your friend. I think this be the holy type that messed him up? He called out to tha' Marteous bloke... bad news 'e is, I wager. Thats dun, now. No more badness from 'im."
Flin d8+1=9 Friday April 19th, 2002 10:09:24 AM
Flin crosses over to Syr and lays hands upon him, praying softly.
"Great Ffloy, look upon your servant with favor and send your power through me and heal that which has been hurt"
Flin casts Cure Light Wounds; Heals 9 points, which if I'm correct with my math, when added to Syr's self-healing, completely heals him from the damage the other cleric did.
Drew Friday April 19th, 2002 10:54:42 AM
Drew nods at the request to hoist Pol. up and does so, allowing her to carefuly cut the vial out of the webbing.
Hey Camreon welcome to the game...
Ill ask Kari if shes still playing or not...
BTW all we ALLWAYS re roll ones when it comes to healing...
DM Jan - Part 1 Friday April 19th, 2002 8:43:29 PM
((OOC - my apologies, but I'm gonna have to lead us down the path a little bit in order to play catch up. Something big is coming up. The AWOL issues I will address in email.))
As Polaris (using Drew as a giant stepping stone) begins the delicate task of picking the vial out of the sticky web, Tiree has a good look around the room. She quickly comes to the conclusion that whoever cleared this room out - did a good job - apart from the one single small vial they left behind. There is nothing else on the bench, or the floor - apart from a dead evil cleric. All he has is a small pouch of miscellaneous spell componants.
That 'funny feeling' Syr has had, ever since he fell and cracked his head, appears to have borne strange fruit, as he recognises the beginnings of healing himself. Well, well... And after Flin's strong prayer to Floy, he feels a whole lot better.
The boiler workers look puzzled as they are answered by Miranna and Jezebella, but then frown and nod at one another after Jezebella's last sentance. They pick up the body and carry it out, with grim looks on their faces.
Syr introduces himself to the young man, who looks like a local - another Floating City dweller - similar accent etc etc.
Meanwhile, Drew and Polaris manage to extract the vial and hand it to Miranna, and they are mighty glad to pass it on to her, as Miranna soon finds out.
This is NO ORDINARY POTION. Flin can feel it, even without touching it. It is EVIL. It exudes POWER. Enough for whoever touches it to feel nauseous, faint, ill. There's no way anyone would want to drink it in a million years. But what is it?? Whatever lies inside the vial almost looks alive.
Maybe someone else has the answers to its riddle.
DM Jan - Part 2 Friday April 19th, 2002 9:02:03 PM
As the group makes their way out of the tunnel and out of the Boiler House, they see the two boilermen throwing the corpse of the evil cleric into the furnace.
"For Puul!" growls the half orc. "And there's another one for Valdor!" announces the man. They both slap one another hard on the shoulder, and turn and give the group the thumbs up.
Outside - although the dim light doesn't exactly give this information away, it is mid-afternoon. Now what?
DM Jan - Polaris and Plink return to the Orphanage Friday April 19th, 2002 10:39:34 PM
The effects of touching the vial leave Polaris feeling really sick. Plink offers to take her back to the Orphanage to rest awhile.
((OOC - Pol, Plink - email me before posting. I'll need to re-introduce you.))
Tiree Friday April 19th, 2002 11:13:23 PM
Tiree turns to the rest of her family and the new member.
"I think it's time we call the jester. He might want to know about this."
Miranna Friday April 19th, 2002 11:20:34 PM
Miranna's ordinarily pale face becomes even paler as a wave of nausea washes over her on touching the vial. She closes her eyes momentarily and wills herself to fight the evil power exuding from the vial. Deciding quickly that it will be a BAD idea to open the vial for any sort of alchemical test, she puts it in her waist pouch and turns to the others with a wan smile.
"We need to show this to Yo-" the elf pauses on noticing the stranger, then continues in a more guarded tone, "our friend above. Let us go now, without delay."
She smiles apologetically at the young man Syr has apparently befriended. "Please excuse us, we have an appointment with a friend."
[Sorry, Cameron, but Turin will have to convince us why he should go along to a clandestine meeting.]
When the group goes above, Miranna answers the workers' thumbs up with a smile. She fixes her eyes on the half-orc for a moment, then turns to look at Drew. Ugly to behold, but how beautiful their hearts...
When they reach the secluded alley on Fence Level, Miranna will take out the tiny mask and throw it into the air, chanting, "Jester, Jester, come alive!"
DM Jan - Part 3 Saturday April 20th, 2002 1:35:09 AM
The little mask spins in the air, and then hovers. It's tiny eyes blink for a moment, and then regard the group stood below it.
"Now what?" it spits, the Jester's voice unmistakeable. "Don't you know...." The voice trails off, and the mask floats down and hovers near Miranna's pouch containing the vial for a moment. It then darts back into the air, hovering slightly above everyone's heads. For a long, long moment - it is silent. And then -
"You know, when I asked you to find out what you could, I never expected..." Again the voice trails off, but this time it sounds tense, fearful? Surely not. "What you have is beyond my knowledge. You must take this to Helena, a friend of mine." The Jester's voice rhymes off an address up on the Gold Level. Then, the mask darts over to where Turin is standing a little way away - out of earshot from the conversation. It spins around his head twice, and then darts back to the group. The Jester's voice sounds angry.
"Who is this?? Another new friend? "Take him with you, to your journey's end, "Prepare to kill if he wears the wrong hat, "With Marteaus loose, it will come to that."
"Hurry!!" hisses the Jester, and then the mask drops with a sharp *clink* to the floor.
Miranna Saturday April 20th, 2002 2:03:04 AM
Miranna picks up the mask and speaks softly to it. "I hope your friend knows what to do with the vial, Jester. I do not wish to carry it much longer." With a sigh, she drops the tiny mask back in her waist pouch. "Let us go... does anyone know that address?"
DM Jan - Part 4 - Helena's Place Saturday April 20th, 2002 2:20:40 AM
The group head up into the light of their own level, and then further up, through the Barracks level, the Merchant level, and up onto the Gold Level. The group ensure that Turin stays with them.
As they travel, they see different levels of the City preparing for a siege. Everyone seems to be doing something, boarding up windows, carting food, making weapons, practicing swordsmanship, hurrying to and fro. Here and there, more of the letter "V" have been painted in yellow on the walls, like a secret sign - a silent rallying cry.
The witch Helena lives in a tiny house just off Diamond Street on the Gold Level. As the group arrives, her door opens immediately to a heavy waft of incense. Stood there, is an attractive lady, maybe in her mid-forties, fine-boned, with a long cascade of red hair. She obviously knew the group was coming.
"Enter," she says, giving a slight shudder. She doesn't look particularly pleased to see anyone.
Inside, the house seems cozy, if perhaps a little gloomy. The incense is cloying to those with sensitive noses, but she makes no apology for it.
"Welcome to my house," Helena says with a slight bow. "I already know that you bring 'doom' along with you. I sensed it as you reached the top of the ramp. Please, lets get this over with."
The main room of the house has the curtains closed, and is lit by only 4 candles - their flickering light making everyones shadows dance on the walls. The floor is covered in rugs and cushions. Helena sits on a cushion on the center of the room, and bades everyone else sit around her in a circle. She then asks Miranna for the vial as the others look on. For the entire group, this is probably frustrating, after all, who IS this woman, how does she know the Jester? Can she be trusted? What is going on here?
Her gasp is sharp and audible, as soon as her fingers touch the vial. Helena looks visibly shaken, as did those in the group who touched it, but she seems to overcome it quickly. She holds it in front of her eyes, about 18 inches away from her face.
And for a long, awkward moment, she is silent.
Tiree d20+3=21 d20+4=16 Saturday April 20th, 2002 9:08:39 AM
Tiree decides that the best method here is watch, listen, and learn. She takes a good look around the room and at the witch (Spot 21). She also listens intently to what the witch says and how she says it (Sense motive 16).
Miranna and Weasel Saturday April 20th, 2002 10:22:11 AM
Miranna watches the witch intently, marvelling at the ease with which she seemed to overcome the power of the vial. She herself had almost fainted on physically touching it a second time, after carrying it close to her body for the whole trip...
Now that you've got rid of that bad thing, can we leave, Mistress? I can't breathe here. Her Weasel intrudes into her thoughts. Patience, Weasel, this is important. Hmm... you may go outside, or explore a bit if you want. Warn me if anyone comes.
As her Weasel scampers off, Miranna breaks the silence with her soft voice. "What is in it, Helena? Yorick asked us to bring it to you."
Drew Saturday April 20th, 2002 10:29:56 AM
Not comfortable with the amount of magic that seems to be comming from this room and from this person as well as the vial has a hard time keeping still.
DM Jan - Part 5 - The Beginnings of a Vision Saturday April 20th, 2002 1:24:05 PM
For a moment, Helena doesn't appear to have heard Miranna's question. The weasel scampers off, it's had enough in here.
Tiree, and anyone else who's paying close attention can see that the witch Helena is perhaps older than she looks at first glance. Even in the dim light, her skin seems pale, almost translucent. Her hands - narrow and bony, appear to tremble a little, and her gray eyes carry a great depth, as though they have witnessed far too much for a human mortal. They seem as grave as those borne by an ancient elf. Tiree's sense of motive seems clouded by what is emanating from the vial.
Then -
"This substance you have brought," Helena says abruptly. "It appears to have been created to wreak the utmost and grotesque undead and diseased havoc on our dear City. I have no doubt in my mind that it carries some of the living essence of the Dark God himself - Marteaus. It is an abomination." She spits as she speaks his name, then coughs weakly and continues.
"But, I see a glimmer of hope in this thing." A smile breaks her solemnity, but it is grim, and not an entirely pleasant thing to see. "I must delve further. Prepare yourselves. And please, someone calm that fidgeting half orc."
The witch closes her eyes. Something in the tiny vial begins to stir, and it begins to glow, and pulse, as though a heart beats within it. Suddenly, the air itself appears to rearrange itself above the vial, and a disc appears, hovering above it, about 2 feet wide. Extreme discomfort washes over everyone gathered here. The magic users can see this is some kind of mirror - a device to see - and that it is not a physical manifestation of what is contained the vial, despite what their gut reactions are telling them. Sights, sounds, smells, and even feelings drift from the disc, letting everyone know just what lies inside that tiny little vial. A rotting corpse. A sick, howling child. The collective wail of the dying. Skin, disfigured and cracked. The terror of knowing that it is endless, and will never stop. And beyond - the sense of someone who is reveling in all of it like a pig in a mud bath.
Non-magic users are having a tough time with their sense of reality at this point.
DM Jan - Part 6 - A Meeting with The Man Himself Saturday April 20th, 2002 3:38:49 PM
In the midst of all this, Helena begins to chuckle. What she says next suggests that she has gone beyond the visions, is delving into what lies beyond the limits of the senses, and appears to be talking to herself.
"Oh Martaeus, you fool. This creation will be your undoing. It's very nature - the fact that it preys upon the structure of natural life, leaves it vulnerable. I see how it flows - imitating that which it seeks to conquer, disguising itself from a body's defenses, before it attacks. Oh it's ingenious, admittedly - but there's something you missed. For as it reaches the stage of imitation - it becomes as vulnerable as that which it aims to destroy. "Careless my dear, so careless. Dark God of Disease, I have found a way to destroy you."
From the group's point of view, the witch looks as though she may have gone completely mad. Maybe she was always mad. Aside from trying to hold on to the contents of their stomachs, denying the physical truth of the visions, and trying not to lose their own minds, could things possibily get any worse?
Oh yes -
- for the mirror begins to change. That sense of someone, in there, enjoying all the suffering, starts to come to the fore. The dark, shadowy figure of a man appears within the dimension of the disc. Along with him comes the feeling of utter and absolute dread, and the knowledge that just one glance from this man, will mean a painful, excruciating death - in this world and the next, and the next, and the next. Self preservation is yelling run, run, run, run - and will take a lot of fighting.
Then comes the voice, deep, silky, insidious.
"My dear Helena, you're still alive? My, my - it's been such a long time."
The witches eyes flash open, full of terror. "M - Marteaus.."
"Of course, my dear. Who else did you expect, hmm? It seems you have been a clever girl. A very clever girl. I see you have obtained a part of me, like you had a part of me before. Do you really want to kill me that much? After all that we shared during my brief sojourn as a mortal? Surely not."
Helena stays silent, too frightened to speak.
"Cat got your tongue? Hmm? You should stop this nonsense. Join me, Helena. Help me forge the New World, where I will reign supreme."
The witch struggles to find her voice. "Gargul should have kept you on a tighter leash!" she growls.
"Oh him," came the reply, utterly dismissive. "He doesn't care, Helena. You are all MY children now, and I shall make you all suffer as you have never suffered before."
"No, Marteaus. You will die. I have discovered a way," Helena spits. She appears to be wavering on the edge of consciousness.
"Oh really?" The Dark Lord's voice took on a harder edge. "Do you think you will discover that which you need in time? My armies are charging toward the gates of your beloved City. And don't think for a moment the water will protect you. My followers are planning to attack from within. You will be overrun, and soon. How dare you presume to have the means of my doom. It's pathetic. It's over, and you know it. Join me - or I will destroy you."
"No!" yells the woman. "Arrogant murderer of Domi, it is you who will be destroyed."
"Very well then, witch. It will please me greatly Helena, to see you scurry around like a rat in a maze. You may hold the lock, but you still have to find the key, and your time is short."
Those feelings of dread and despair suddenly become tenfold - as what looks like an arm, shoots out of the mirror and grabs the witch by the throat. It is accompanied by sounds - the buzzing of flies, and a chorus of whispered moaning.
Helena's scream is drowned out by Marteaus's booming voice.
"I AM ALMOST UPON YOU. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. I AM RELENTLESS. I AM OMNIPOTENT. I AM THE ONLY GOD THIS WORLD AND YOU WILL EVER NEED!!"
Then the voice lowers to a whisper. "You will be marked as my own. My minions will not touch you. They will know that you must answer to me, for only I can show you what suffering truly means. Oh, and I DO mean to show you, my dear."
The shadowy shape of a face appears from the disc - it leans forward, and kisses Helena on the forehead. Then with a sharp *CRACK* - head, arm, the disc - all disappear into thin air.
The atmosphere becomes so much better that whatever the vial is giving out seems like nothing.
Helena is in a crumpled heap on the floor, twitching, as though in the midst of epilepsy. She obviously needs help.
She has dropped the vial, and it is rolling across the floor.
Jezebella Saturday April 20th, 2002 7:09:40 PM
The gypsy girl, pale and shaking, moans in distress. A brittle autumn leaf on the current of a raging river has borne less then what she and her friends have experienced just now. Fighting knots in her stomach and her own instincts, she crawls forward to catch the rolling vial.
"Mira.. Eljer.. someone help her... " She rasps from an extremely dry throat as she reaches, shudderingly to trap the vial before it cracks open against the wall.
Miranna d8+1=6 Saturday April 20th, 2002 10:06:16 PM
Miranna, her face as white as a bleached sheet, looks at Jezebella without comprehension. She closes her eyes, wishing she were unconscious, wishing all of it to be a nightmare or an illusion...
Mistress! MISTRESS! What happened? Are you alright? The worried thoughts of her Weasel rouse her from the depths of despair. Taking a deep breath, Miranna draws strength from her familiar as she has done so many times before. Yes, Weasel, thank you. Remain where you are.
The elf opens her eyes slowly and focuses on the crumpled form of Helena. She rises to go to the witch's aid... and promptly falls over. Miranna smiles weakly as she remembers the reason she had not run at Marteaus's appearance. Taking another deep breath to still her mind and focus her own will, she manages to get to Helena's side. Her shaking hand retrieves a pink potion from her waist pouch and puts it to the witch's lips... (healing 6 HP).
Turin Sunday April 21st, 2002 5:10:23 AM
Turin (presumably having introduced himself earlier, in all the speed-stuff) looks very pale, but tries to stop the vial before it clatters into something, catching it as gently as possible.
Syr Monday April 22nd, 2002 1:15:40 AM
Syr wobbles his way out of the room and the only sign that he hasn't fled is the sound of retching. After a few moments, he returns to the room with a flask of water. Helping Miranna out, he props Helena's head up and tries to get some of it into her.
In a whispered voice he says, "C'mon Helena shake it off. It sounds like the whole city needs you."
Drew d20+5=22 d12+5=9 Monday April 22nd, 2002 9:00:01 AM
Drew has stoped fidgeting and now holds his axe before him, murder in his eyes. "I have had enough of this upstart who thinks he is a god. If this woman knows of a way to destroy him then she has my axe and blood to do so. This Marteaus is FINISHED by Gargul's eye!!!!" And with that he slams the flat of his axe through a nearby empty table, adding fury to his sound.
Flin d8+1=4 Monday April 22nd, 2002 1:41:23 PM
Flin shakes himself from his daze and dashes to Helena's side. If Helena seems to have recovered, he asks what all in the group want, and need to know.
"What can we do to hasten Marteaus' doom?"
If she does not appeared to have recovered after the administration of the healing potion from Miranna, he casts Cure Light Wounds.
DM Jan Monday April 22nd, 2002 3:44:38 PM
As Jezebella and Turin scramble for the vial, Syr staggers outside for a moment to be ill, and Miranna and Flin crawl forward to aid the striken witch.
The healing potion and the spell help some, although the lady looks to have taken quite a battering, and Tiree notes that she looks closer to 80 years old right now. On her forehead is what looks like a nasty sore, and she appears to be in a daze as the group attempt to rouse her and ask questions.
Then, everyone jumps out of their skin almost, as Drew's fury - contained no longer after the horrors he saw - makes him slam his axe *WHACK!* through a table, cleaving it in two.
This appears to be enough to jump-start Helena, who clutches at those nearest with firm, bony fingers.
"We have no time to lose, young ones!" she rasps through a dry throat. "You must do two things - - you must fetch me four strands of the Myllinar Root, which grows at the bottom of the lake, and - - you must tell the Gold Dragons what you have witnessed here. This is very important, for in his stupid arrogance - MARTEAUS HIMSELF has admitted that a God can be destroyed. The fool! And perhaps if we have discovered a way - then other ways can be found also. The Gods are indeed vulnerable against a mortal. You MUST tell them this!"
For a long while she lapses into a nasty coughing fit. Jezebella and Turin feel the influence of the vial, clutching at their hearts, promising doom.
The witch Helena rediscovers her voice. "You must TRUST NO ONE! - unless they too, recieved Valdor's message from the night before. Now please, hurry - I must be left to regain my strength and more besides. Put the vial in that box and leave it here. The box will protect us from it's evil." She points to a black, velvet-covered, square box that rests in front of the drawn window curtains.
As Helena talks, the enormity of what must be done begins to sink into the group's conciousness. Everyone who has witnessed the audience with Marteaus will be profoundly affected in one way or another. All minds are not alike of course, but each one must seek it's own way of dealing with the trauma. ((Dangling carrot - XP Bonus for anyone who develops this.))
And then there is the growing list of what must be done -
- Myllinar Root - what is it? And how the heck are they going to get to the bottom of the lake?
- An urgent Message to the Gold Dragons, how will they do this?
- Turin, their new friend. Can they trust him? DID he hear Valdor's message?
- And what about Flaust, who has asked them to help out with the Orphanage defenses?
Obviously, there is no time to lose, and it looks as though Helena will be too incapacitated to help them further for the moment.
One thing was for sure - they had one heck of an incredible story to tell Polaris and Plink when they got back to the Orphanage.
Turin Monday April 22nd, 2002 5:18:09 PM
Turin grabs the vial, then curses loudly and places it on the ground so that it will not roll. He then backs up from it, shaking. When she mentions Valdor's message, he nods, still shaking a bit. He breathes in deeply, then says, "S-s-soooo... How do we get to the bottom of the lake?"
Miranna d20+9=17 d20+7=22 Tuesday April 23rd, 2002 2:43:54 AM
Miranna's eyes are focused on Drew's axe through the witch's speech. At the mention of the name MARTEAUS, the sudden sharp pain from the squeeze of Helena's bony fingers on her own slender ones causes her to wince... just once, and then the pain, Helena's voice and everything else fades into the background. Only Drew's axe remains in her vision - the axe that her half-orc brother wields with such fury and strength. In that instant, she understands she has been wrong, wrong all of her young life. Evil cannot be fought with good. Violence cannot be pacified with reason. There is only one way to fight Marteaus and his agents - with all the strength, power and resources they can muster through any means.
There is a hitherto unseen hardness in the elf's emerald eyes as she withdraws her hand from Helena's grip. "We will do all we can, Helena, and more. Do you have any potions of water breathing to aid us in our quest for Myllinar Root?"
Miranna tries to recall if she has read anything of Myllinar Root... [Knowledge (Arcana) 17, Alchemy 22]
[If Helena cannot provide them with potions of water breathing, Miranna will return to the orphanage and id all the potions of their last heist in an attempt to find one. If that fails, she asks for the party funds and heads to the Catacombs.]
Drew Tuesday April 23rd, 2002 1:07:23 PM
Drew shocked into reality by his own burst of violence looks about him. Then a look of thoughtfulness and introspection passes over him. when it is over he smiles slightly as if he finnaly understands something long hidden from him. Then he stands foreward and looks about at his family. "There is much to do and little time to do it in. Miranna there are also spells such as Free Action that would aid us, take this," he hands her his diamond pin "I am loath to part with the only gift I have ever recieved in my life but the cause is just and noble. Things must be done and quickly. The Storm Dragons have a home here, I am sure that a message could be sent to Valdor through them, we must form one and quickly. Also someone should go to Flauest and tell her what we know. There is more to Mother than we know I think, this information might be of use in her hands."
Syr Tuesday April 23rd, 2002 2:49:01 PM
Syr takes a sip of the water and rinses his mouth out thoroughly. Listening to Drew he nods in agreement, "So you think we should split up?"
Handing the pin to Miranna, "I might be one of the stronger swimmers in the house. Why don't I stay with you?" With a shiver of disgust, "Besides, does anyone else feel the need for a cleansing after Helena's conversation?"
Jezebella Tuesday April 23rd, 2002 6:31:45 PM
Jezebella moves herself to a sitting position, far away from the vial, and stares wide eyed in its direction. She occasionally makes a small whimper of distress.
Miranna (OOC) Tuesday April 23rd, 2002 9:27:56 PM [Miranna cannot take anybody's diamond pins, because all the diamond pins have been used to create the tiny mask of the Jester. Remember?]
DM Jan Wednesday April 24th, 2002 2:23:39 AM
Miranna searches her mind but finds nothing that refers to Myllinar Root. This will obviously need some investigation. A witch knows of it - what other person might?
Who would know of how to contact the Gold Dragons? As for the Lake - just how deep is it? Is it swimable? Or might some other method be needed. Questions question..... but hopefully, other people will know the answers.
Some things are immediately obvious - The vial needs putting in the box. It's now getting to late afternoon, and Flaust is expecting everyone back soon.
((OOC - I don't recommend splitting up - it will only make it easier to kill you ;) ))
Miranna d20+7=27 d20+7=17 d20+7=15 d20+7=25 d20+7=11 d20+7=19 d20+7=22 d20+7=24 d20+7=25 d20+7=16 d20+7=16 d20+7=8 d20+7=24 d20+7=17 d20+7=9 d20+7=26 d20+7=23 d20+7=25 Wednesday April 24th, 2002 5:40:17 AM
Seeing both Turin and Jezebella back away from the vial, Miranna grits her teeth and focuses her will once again before reaching for the vial. She feels an extreme reluctance to touch it a third time, especially now that she knows what the content is, but somebody needs to put it into Helena's box. She heaves a sigh of relief when that is accomplished without incident.
Unable to recall anything on Myllinar Root, Miranna asks the witch direct, "Helena, can you describe Myllinar Root to us? How will we recognize it? Are there any special precautions we need to observe when harvesting or handling it?"
Since Helena is unable to provide them with potions of water breathing, Miranna suggests that they all return to the orphanage first. "Flaust may know how to contact the Gold Dragons. And I would like to examine all the potions we got from that chest. One of those potions might be of use in our quest."
[When they get back to the orphanage, Miranna gathers up all the potions and sets to work in her little study, with Jezebella's help if she offers. Assuming Alchemy works as in the PHB, Miranna will attempt to identify the following potions at 1 gp per attempt vs DC 25:
4 dark blue potions - 1 try 6 light blue potions - 3 tries 1 orange potion - 5 tries 1 purple potion - 7 tries 2 black potions - 2 tries
Total cost: 18 gp. I think that covers all the unknown potions.]
Flin Wednesday April 24th, 2002 8:46:34 AM
After the exchange between Helena and Marteaus and Helena's comments afterwards, Flin remains quiet and very visibly distressed. Eventually, he rouses himself with a long sigh and addresses the group.
"It is late, and Flaust is expected us. Perhaps it would be best to return to the orphanage and bring Mother, Plink and Polaris up to date. Perhaps they have ideas on how to help us help Helena, help Floating City."
Flin visibly, absent-mindedly figits, something he is not prone to doing.
Drew Wednesday April 24th, 2002 10:50:18 AM
Drew shakes his head at Syrs question. I dont think that we should split up except to run the seprate errands that seem to be nessacary to the quest. The potions, or whatever we are going to need. I have no idea who to contact about the bottom of lake. I didn't even know it had a bottom.
Turin Wednesday April 24th, 2002 5:26:19 PM
Turin rubs his chin, where the very beginning of a beard is showing. "So, how do we tell the Gold Dragons about this? It's not as if they have a corner booth in the market, you know." If they go to the orphanage, he'll follow, thinking.
Jezebella Wednesday April 24th, 2002 6:49:21 PM
Jez manages to get out of her fetal position once the vial is stored away. She shivers, visibly, continueing to eye the box holding the evil. She offers no input as to how to continue thier quests.
The Voices of Gods [DM Jerry] Thursday April 25th, 2002 12:15:57 AM
Throughout The Wold, voices are heard. The Voices of Gods.
"So mother, you have truly fallen and become that which your former priests spoke against for so long: A slave to Passion!"
"No daughter, I have evolved. I have found the truth. Love hurts. Passion brings joy. I am now dedicated to forcing the Races of The Wold to realize this truth. Only the truth will let the races evolve. Only the truth will bring balance to The Wold. Today I am here to teach you this truth. You have always been my favorite daughter. You always went with your passions and used your god given abilities to force those who loved deeply to see the joy that only passion can bring.
"Now however, daughter, you have regressed and embraced the pain of deep love. You have failed. Your teachings of deep love must and will end. I have brought a strong handsome god with me. Ga'al, meet Flower, my daughter. Is she not beautiful?"
"Yes. Very."
"I have not failed. I have seen the truth. Passion brought me nothing but pain and deep love has saved me. I have learned the love of family, friends, and even learned to love you, whom I once despised. Most of all, I have learned to love the people of The Wold, from whom I once took so much."
"Flower you have learned nothing. I will teach you to evolve. You will learn passion...with Ga'al."
"Caeroldra, you are so misled. I am truly sad. I will have nothing to do with a Cult God. I leave you. However, the next time we meet, even though I love you deeply, we meet as enemies. Goodbye mother....for all time"
"Fine. Die in ignorance."
"AAIIIIEEEEEE!"
"Goodbye....daughter."
::POP::
"I AM ALEMI! Carol, what have you done?"
"You do not control me any longer, Alemi!"
"I never controlled you. I simply loved you. Now it is my duty to judge you. I find you guilty of murder. The sentence is Oblivion!"
"NOOOO AAUUUUUUUGH!"
::The sky turns pink and then red as the Goddess of Love and the Goddess of Passion are slain.::
"Ga'al. Look upon me and recognize me.
"I AM ALEMI, SUPREME OF THE GODS OF WOLD! HEAR MY WORDS AND TREMBLE!
"For crimes against the Noble Races, I hereby judge the self-named Cult Gods GUILTY and declare HOLY WAR upon them!
"Now go, Ga'al and speak my words to your cowardly brethren. The next time we meet IT WILL BE WAR!!
"May The Wold mourn the passing of the GODDESS OF LOVE.
"I go to mourn the passing of an old friend."
::...And it begins to rain.::
- - - - - - - - - -
[Clerics of Caeroldra or Flower need to make a Will save DC 14 plus your Cleric Class Level. If you succeed, you are still beset with feelings of obsessive love or the urge to give in to your desires, but are able to control them to an extent. If you fail, your DM will tell you the results and the options available to you.]
[All non-Clerics must make a Will save DC 12 plus half your Character Levels. If you succeed, you are still beset with feelings of obsessive love or the urge to give in to your desires, but are able to control them to an extent. If you fail, your DM will tell you the results and the options available to you.]
DM Jan Thursday April 25th, 2002 1:23:54 AM
Much to everyone's relief, the vial is placed in the box - - and it seems as though the constant howl of banshees is suddenly silent. Everyone can breathe again. Stomachs settle, and stop doing the 'loop the loop'.
The witch Helena attempts to explain what she can about the Myllinar Root. However she is still in a bad way. She manages to pass on the following information - It grows deep. It's upper leaves are bright blue, but it's the root that is needed. Maybe someone at the docks will know how to harvest it.
Utterly shaken, the group heads back down through the levels toward the Orphanage accompanied by Turin. Here and there, more "V" signs are appearing - on doors, on walls, carved onto the side of a passing cart.
As the group approach the orphanage they become aware of two things - 1) There are HORDES of children outside awaiting entry, some carrying bundles, others holding the hands of their smaller siblings. It appears that while their parents prepare to defend the walls - Flaust has become their temporary guardian and mother.
2)And then - - minds already torn by what they have witnessed, the group hear, and sense the bitter battle between the Goddesses of Love - Caeroldra and her daughter Flower. In their minds - they see it all, and for a long moment it blinds them to everything else.
They come around to the screams of howling,panicing, confused children, and perhaps other problems as well.......
((Roll your saves as per Jerry's post above. If you're successful, then react as per above. If you fail - type FAILED in your post, and I'll email you.))
((I'll deal with Miranna's findings on the potions in the next post.))
Turin d20=20 d20=14 Thursday April 25th, 2002 2:34:06 AM
Turin seems almost in shock as he hears the voices, then, as everyone goes into chaos, unwraps his spiked chain and looks around, ready for an enemy to strike. Two gods have fallen today, and he would have a third fall as well. Then, realizing that Marteaus is nowhere nearby and that the children must be responding as well, he replaces the chain and yells out, "Calm yourselves! You are all safe here!" (Rolling diplomacy, hoping this works). He hopes that he's right.
Syr- FAILED d20+3=11 Thursday April 25th, 2002 3:50:04 AM
On the journey back to the orphange, Syr seems lost in deep thought. Halfway through the return trip, he stops struck by a relavation, "Why in the wold should I care about all these gods talking to me? I could care less what happens to them as long as my family is safe." Looking around at his family, he smiles and grins to himself.
Seeing all the children gathered around, "Wow, it looks like we have alot more family to take care of now." With that he moves to help the children inside the orphanage.
As the children begin to panic, he kneels in their midst and tries to calm them one by one with calm words.
Miranna d20+3=23 Thursday April 25th, 2002 5:34:35 AM
Miranna stands in stunned silence, her mind trying to comprehend the deaths of the goddesses of love and passion. Does it signify the end of all love for the Wold? Will nobody love again? The elf's beautiful eyes mist with tears... tears of regret for her lost love, tears of mourning for the true love that will never come into her life...
She is roused by the howling of the panicky children... children who will grow up not knowing true love. Suddenly overwhelmed by pity for the little love-less ones, Miranna goes on her knees and gathers as many of them into her arms as she can. She holds them close to comfort them, her tears falling on their little faces and mingling with their own amid the soft rain.
[Miranna made the save, but she's a soft-hearted creature of emotion.]
Jezebella - FAILED! d20+2=6 Thursday April 25th, 2002 7:09:08 AM
Jezebella follows her friends back to the orphanage, in a daze. Her face is pale, and her normal grace seems gone as she stumbles more then once. Upon arriving to the orphanage, her gaze takes in the crowd of children blankly.. as if she cannot come to grips with the reality of the situation.
.. voices ring in her head.
.. arguments...
.. DEATH...
.. love.. past and future, rides up and becomes overwhelming...
Her eyes grow wider, and her lower lip quivers as her gaze falls on Miranna sitting with the children. She takes a hesitant step forward, and she calls softly in a thick voice.. "miranna..."
Flin d20+6=8 Thursday April 25th, 2002 11:05:40 PM
Will Save Roll Failed.
Flin, even more shaken than he had been before, looks upon the mass of children and starts to pray but stops, looking very unsure of....something. He does not continue praying but rather seems to slip into a forlorn trance...
DM Jan Friday April 26th, 2002 1:49:06 AM
The group rush forward to help out with the extra children. Drake is there, looking rather overwhelmed. For the moment, there is no sign of Flaust who appears to be inside.
The source of the children's lingering panic becomes obvious soon enough. For after the shattering death of the Gods, comes something else. It is as if all that Flower and Caeroldra represented - deep love, passion, seems to flow outward, sweeping out all other thoughts. Feelings of attraction, lust, love, passion swirl through everyone's minds, threatening to take over.
Miranna and Turin manage to get a grip of themselves, despite everyone in sight managing to look darned attractive all of a sudden.
Syr and Flin fail to fight it off, as does Jezebella who is already in a weak state of mind after to trip to Helena's. Oh, the power this feeling has.
Drake appears to be eyeing Miranna and Jezebella in a very forward manner.
((Tiree, Drew - get in here - and don't forget to make your will save, as above :) ))
Drew d20=20 Friday April 26th, 2002 9:17:48 AM
Drew looks about and sees what is happing as well as feeling it himself. However it seems that the love for his family feels stronger. He steps between Drake and his sisters. Not knowing what to do he looks for Mother and see how she is handling the situation.
DM Jan ((OOC)) Friday April 26th, 2002 1:45:17 PM
((Maybe some of this lust and passion stuff could be internalised, rather than expressed in an external manner. The best posts I've seen are when characters have grappled with their emotions in their heads, or tried to talk it through with the help of the other characters. In our roleplay we don't want to do anything that is likely to offend a fellow player, although I know you guys and gals wouldn't do that, anyway.))
Jezebella Friday April 26th, 2002 7:09:53 PM
Jezebella's pace picks up, rushing to place herself between Miranna and Drake... her face a mask of determination. When the massive (by comparison) form of Drew stands in her path suddenly, she stops short. She hovers over Miranna, seeming nervous and fretful.
Turin d20+4=17 Saturday April 27th, 2002 1:34:56 AM
Turin snarls suddenly, at all the people around him who cannot control themselves. He calls out, trying to make himself heard above the din, "Handle yourselves, before I handle you!" He looks particularly at Drake while saying this. (Trying to intimidate him, hoping it works)
Miranna Saturday April 27th, 2002 2:24:35 AM
At the sound of Jezebella's voice calling her, Miranna looks up from the children... and sees Jake eyeing her with... Rand's eyes. Oh the fiery love in those eyes! She releases the children from her arms, rises and starts to move towards Drake as in a trance, but a hulking form steps between them. With a frown, Miranna stops and looks up at the face of Drew... and wonders why she never saw him in this light before. His ugliness is nothing to his strength and his capacity for love... no, his ugliness is his own distinctive mark that makes him all the more attractive...
No! He is your brother! Her Weasel's words in her mind jolt her to sense. Her face pale, the elf shakes her head to clear it, wondering what had happened to her. She casts her eyes over her family and shudders at the look in some of those eyes... Something must be done before the situation gets out of control.
If Flaust does not appear, Miranna casts an illusion [Minor Image] of their adopted mother standing at the entrance, her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. Her voice will boom over everyone's head, "Get a grip on yourselves! For shame! This is not proper behaviour, orphans or not!" She hopes their mutual fear of Flaust's strict discipline will do the rest.
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