You Sure This Thing Is Working..? (DM Donna) Monday May 6th, 2002 6:30:52 AM
Stepping through the rainbow-colored energy results in some disorientation. (Make a Fortitude save versus DC10 or suffer from dizziness for this post.) As soon as the last party member steps through, the energy disperses.
Those with clear heads notice right away that the group has stepped into a long hallway (about 12 feet wide, 20 feet high and 60 feet long from end to end)--and that the walls, ceiling and floor are constructed of stonelike, black material. The hallway is lit up so that you can see it and yourselves--but (rather spookily) nobody can see where this light comes from.
There appear to be no visible doors in the hallway--not even at the site through which you know you all entered this place.
However, the light reveals one other feature on one of the sixty-foot-long walls: its surface is entirely covered--from floor to ceiling--with one huge mirror.
Those who are not dizzy can make a Spot check versus DC15 to notice that your reflections in the mirror don't always follow the exact movements of the party members reflected in it.
Renik (Invisible) d20+7=23 d20+5=22 d20+8=18 Monday May 6th, 2002 7:14:23 AM
Renik suffers no ill-effects as he steps through the gateway and into the hall (Fort 23). He peers about, looking for an obvious route out, and finding none of those, he hunts for secret doors and exits (Search 22). These examinations bring him to the mirror, which he examines closely for traps or secret buttons.
As he studies the mirror he notices something strange. Though he is invisible and therefore creates no reflection, there is something not quite right about the reflections cast by his companions (Spot 18).
"Hey! Did you see that!" calls Renik as one of his companions scratches their nose. "Your reflection scratched his ear instead! What's going on here?"
Though they cannot see him his companions hear the smooth "schling!" as he draws his shortword with his left hand, and (assuming no traps were detected) prods gently at the mirror surface with it. In his right hand he keeps his rapier ready, prepared for any sudden attack.
Rond d20=12 d20=7 Monday May 6th, 2002 11:05:43 AM
Rond steps through and quickly acclimizes himself to the surrounding. Quickly looking around Rond looks at the images reflected back in the mirror.
Hearing Renik's voice Rond comments, "You've seen nothing else?"
Feng d20+10=23 d20+10=13 d20+1=4 Monday May 6th, 2002 11:22:37 AM
Feng steps through the portal, unaffected by the dizziness. He rubs his horse's neck and makes sure he's okay [fort save 23 & 13]. Caught up in the walls and the lack of exits, Feng doesn't notice the strange reflection until Renik brings it up. Looking at his own reflection, Feng wonders what the mirror really does.
Bill Troublefinder (detect psionics/magic) d20+10=21 d20+3=19 Monday May 6th, 2002 12:09:36 PM
Managing to avoid too much disorientation, Bill looks around at the environs, and activates the know location power. ['You generally know where you are. This power is useful to characters who frequently travel via teleportation, gates, or via other places of existence. The power reveals general information about the character's location.'] He next determines which way is north (via know direction).
Noting the less-than-perfect reflections before them, Bill pulls out of his left pants pocket a steel mirror. He holds it up, looking through his hand-held mirror back toward the large mirror, to see what he might discern. He also, through his hand-held mirror, looks at ceiling, floor, and walls.
As he does so, if the information seems germane, he lets his friends know where they are, as revealed to him by his mental disciplines.
A thought occurs to him. He steps forward to his own image, and reaches out as though to shake hands - although, mirror images being what they are, it will likely appear his opposite's left hand is reaching out to shake his own right. He pays close attention, and sends out a missive to the image, to see if there is another being there, or just a slightly off image, with no discernable mental capacity. *'Hey, there, how are tricks?'* he asks the Bill-image.
Ferrak d20+11=20 Monday May 6th, 2002 3:43:21 PM
Not dizzy from the effects of the gate, Ferrak remains alert for trouble.
Absentmindedly scratching Darkfang behind the ears the feral gnome barks. "{Keep your nose to the wind brother, there might soon be trouble ahead.}"
Draax d20+7=8 Monday May 6th, 2002 9:28:06 PM
Draax comes through the gate and almost falls down as his head begins to spin. He takes a moment to steady himself, wondering if this teleporting thing will ever get any easier.
Darkfang d20+5=21 d20+4=21 Monday May 6th, 2002 9:43:17 PM
Darkfang follows his brother through the gate and stand ready and alert when he arrives on the other side. Noticing his reflection in the mirror the wolf quickly jumps back and shows his teeth as he growls at his image. He relaxes a little when he feels his brother's fingers behind his ear, but keeps his eyes on his reflection. "Woof, {Yes Brother, I am ready}."
K'isst (by JERRY!) d20=14 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 2:55:07 AM
K'isst steps through. She immediately begins moving down the hallway a serious look on her face.
Inside however, she is a bit queasy though. This place is strange.
Arien (by Kim) d20=6 d20=18 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 3:00:01 AM
Arien lands, feeling he is on the verge of queasiness. He forces himself not to give in to the feeling, and finds himself settling down. He himself notices his image in the mirror. Say - his image moved to change his stance just a moment after Arien himself did.
Hobbes d20+9=20 d20+5=18 d20+6=22 d20+7=15 2d4(1+3)+3=7 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 3:42:01 AM
Hobbes looks closely at the marvelous black stonework and takes out his continual light torch. The flame flickers and dances about the sheen walls and produces a strange effect at the mirror up ahead.
He looks around and gets a good sense of the location of his comrades as well as anything else that may be in the area. [Spot 18, Listen 22] With a grimace at the strangely perfect black walls he walks forward with the group, tucking his torch into his belt. The effect casts shadows of the group forward in strange ways and presents Hobbes as an even more menacing, and somewhat evil-looking, figure as it shining up to his face from below.
The party slowly examines the mirror and Hobbes stares back at the figures menacingly, adjusting his grip on his scythe to scratch his nose due as a strand of thread from his cloth headgear tickles his nose. He catches himself as at first he thinks Renik is staring at him through the mirror to accuse him of--perish the thought--picking his nose, but then realizes Renik is pointing in the opposite direction as his reflection. Confused, he looks back at himself. The Continual flame torch is resting as if in a holster on his side instead of in front. What IS going on here????
As Bill steps forward, even his feet do not match in their creep up to the mirror. Hobbes step up behind Bill, his scythe at the ready in case this strange occurrence produces unwanted guests.
[Readied action...if anything jumps out of the mirror to attack Bill/or if it attacks Bill through the mirror, I swing at it. If that happens I hit AC 15 for 7 Damage.]
Is This Thing On..? (DM Donna) Tuesday May 7th, 2002 7:08:59 AM
Renik's voiced observation causes everyone to peer into the mirror with curiosity...and caution.
Rond's reflection scowls thoughtfully back at him. Feng's image stands patting the reflection of his steed.
Bill--oddly enough--can only tell that the mirrored wall is "north"...his psychic knack for knowing where he is seems to not be working all that well...or, if it is working, it's telling him that he's in a passage--a rite of passage. Bill's reflection grins back at him and doesn't respond to the missive...yet, as with the halfling's Know Location ability, something about this scene is just not normal.
Ferrak literally feels the hackles of Darkfang rise and the gnome's wolf companion begins to growl at the other wolf in the mirror.
K'isst, Arien and Hobbes all peer closely at the mirror, noticing that Renik's observation is correct...their respective images do not move exactly as they do.
Draax--in his dizziness--stumbles and throws a hand out to steady himself...a hand that slaps up against the mirror.
"C'mon, in, people...the water's just FINE!" Draax's reflection intones in a sepulchral voice. Echoing laughter fills the hallway--and, suddenly, Renik finds that he is all alone in the doorless passage...
...everyone else is gone--and the mirrored wall has turned as black and opaque as the wall opposite it!
Each of the other Hamleteers find themselves alone in the hallway--or, at least, that's how they perceive themselves to be. Rond thinks he is alone in the hall with his reflection--now a fully fleshed out copy of the leader of the party--facing him; Bill believes he is alone in the hall with a duplicate Bill; Ferrak and Darkfang appear to be all by themselves in the hallway with their dopplegangers; etc.
Each Hamleteer (except Renik) now faces a copy of themselves (and any sidekicks they may personally have). This is now some sort of mystical one-on-one contest, because each duplicate has his or her weapon of choice in hand...and they definitely look like they intend to use it--on the original Hamleteer!
It's the party's initiative now.
Renik (Invisible) d20+5=17 d20+7=24 d20+2=8 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 12:40:26 PM
"OK, this is not good!" mutters the Rogue to himself as he taps frantically at the now-dark wall, trying to locate any sign of obvious trickery (Search 17). He checks to see what the wall is made of, that moments ago seemed to be a mirror.
"Halloo!" he calls, as loud as he is able. "Can anyone hear me?" He then listens closely for any reply or other sound (Listen 24).
Then it occurs to him that he was the only one who cast no reflection in the curious mirror. Perhaps that allowed others to pass into it somehow? Or be trapped by it? But then why did they all just vanish? Why did the mirror turn black? The thinks furiously, trying to work out what to do next (Int 8).
Feng d20+11=14 d20+11=29 d20+11=25 d8+6=11 d6=1 d8+6=9 d6=2 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 1:42:28 PM
"Righteousness." Feng's double axe burst into flame. He stepped forward spinning his axe in his hands. Whatever his double is, it cannot be good. Feng brings his axe across in a chest high slash, back across, and a spinning uppercut with the other end. [missed ac 14, hit ac 29,25 for 12 dmg and 11 dmg]
K'isst Tuesday May 7th, 2002 4:29:48 PM
K'isst moves down the hallway, impatient with looking at mirrors.
"Taking point. Moving on."
Arien d20+6=22 d4+3=6 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 6:16:28 PM
Never one to back down from a challenge, even if it was from a copy of himself Arien lunges at his double and strikes at it with his dagger. (Hit AC 22 for 6 damage.)
Bill Troublefinder d20+6=22 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 7:04:28 PM
Bill, seeing his opposite now menacing him, decides that being overly nice may not be appropriate. So he pulls from his pants (free action) a battlenet, and tosses it over his counterpart's head (ranged touch attack, AC 22 - if counterpart has identical equipment & protection to Bill, then AC vs. ranged touch is 16), and pulls out something from the other pocket. "Sorry about that, whoever you are, but I'm not the one who started aiming darts. Who are you?"
Draax Tuesday May 7th, 2002 10:09:12 PM
Draax smiles at his duplicate, readies his sword and shield, and performs a salute with his sword to his opponent. "I have no idea who you are, but I must admit that you are a good looking guy, but taking on my appearance is not going to fool me." Draax stands ready to try and 'Dodge' his opponent's attack (+1 to AC). Still smiling Draax uses his hat of disguise to change his appearance to his alter ego Steps. "See, changing ones appearance is not that hard."
Darkfang d20+5=12 d20+3=9 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 11:27:22 PM
Darkfang shows his teeth to the other wolf. He sniffs the air trying to discern the others' scents (DC 12 for scent check). The wolf steps in front of his brother as he faces off with the intruder. Darkfang jumps forward and tries to take a bite out of the other wolf. (missed AC 9)
Rond Wednesday May 8th, 2002 1:52:49 AM
Looking at his reflection Rond thinks, 'Is that really how I look to the others?' Keeping his guard up Rond calls out, " Is this really necessary? Why does every situation seem to always end in violence?"
Wanting to test and see if he really is alone Rond also calls out, "Does anyone else hear the sound of my voice?"
Hobbes Wednesday May 8th, 2002 5:41:43 AM
Hobbes, ready for this occurence keeps his scythe ready, but does not attack. Instead he backs toward the way the party was going, keeping his weapon in front of him, and goes on full defense.
"Renik? Is that you? This place wishes to confuse us with visions that are not real. Arien? Ferrak? Bill? Whoever you are I will not harm you...and I THINK you will not harm me," he says in a soothing yet commanding voice and continues backing up down the hall thirty feet.
[Hobbes has moved 30 feet further down the hall and is on total defense. His AC is now 23 as he has picked his reflection to dodge against.]
Hobbes (Part 2) d20+8=15 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 5:44:58 AM
Hobbes looks at his reflection and around it, knowing it shouldn't be there and tries to resist what his eyes are trying to make him see.
[Attempting to disbelieve as an illusion (p. 158 PHB) Made Will save DC 15.]
K'isst Wednesday May 8th, 2002 9:50:33 AM
K'isst hears the silence behind her and turns to find everyone gone. Her trident comes to a ready position and she shouts, "Where is everyone!!!"
Her voice comes back to her in an echo.
::where is everyone... everyone...one...one....one::
Suppressing a shiver, she turns to her image which seems to be threatening her.
"Ok, if you're the cause of this, make your move."
She moves her trident to a defensive stance.
Ferrak d20+10=17 Thursday May 9th, 2002 1:17:34 AM
Pulling a stone out of his pocket, Ferrak throws it at the glass of the mirror.
{Will this pool of reflection ripple? Or will it be wrecked?}
Combat Round 1 (DM Donna) d20+11=27 d20+6=13 d20+6=15 d8+6=12 d6=4 d20+14=33 d20+9=18 d8+9=10 d20+7=14 d20+10=16 d20=1 d20+3=17 d6+1=5 d20+8=19 Thursday May 9th, 2002 9:12:35 AM
Renik's watching, listening and thinking yields no clue as to what may have happened to the others. He's still alone in the black hall, and the mirrored wall is still dark.
Feng attacks his double, doing damage. The other half-orc bares his teeth and attacks with his own flaming weapon, only one of the three attempted blows actually connecting with the true paladin (for a total of 16hp damage.)
K'isst's doppleganger closes with the succinct half-elf and jabs at her with a trident identical to K'isst's own--landing one blow for 10hp damage.
Arien's clone hisses as Arien strikes true, and snarls when his attempt to do likewise with his own rapier barely misses the dexterous high elf.
As Bill tosses off his battlenet, he suddenly recalls that--since it IS an exotic weapon that he is NOT familiar with--throwing such an unusual item at...well, at himself isn't the best idea...and Bill's duplicate easily avoids the barbed net. The pseudo-halfling counters by tossing a familiar-looking pouch at Bill--but the pouch containing the tanglefoot bag, the alchemist's fire and the acid arcs too high and wide, and splatters its contents in one corner of the hallway.
"Why, Bill--don't you know yourself..?" asks his mirror-image in a slightly mocking tone. "And I beg to differ--you DID start this...merely by stepping into the passage..."
Draax and his twin dance around each other, each seeking to size the other up for an opening.
"Come on, come on..." mutters the other fighter, "How are you to be judged worthy if you don't even take a chance..?"
Rond calls out to his suddenly-missing comrades, but the only answer to his shout comes from the duplicate in his hallway:
"Of course it's necessary! You are to be judged--and only the worthy are allowed true passage. You will rejoin your party...but only those who are worthy of continuing."
"Unwilling to believe, eh, brother..?" OtherHobbes asks the original cleric, clearly baiting. "You doubted Morphia...now do you doubt your own self? Face me, then--prove yourself worthy! You no longer have your friends to fight for you. If you are a true servant to the Eye, prove it!"
Ferrak tests the wall that no longer appears to be mirrored, but the stone merely bounces off the wall. Darkfang lunges at the copywolf, his jaws missing--and finds himself chomped upon by the pseudo-Darkfang for 5hp damage. The two canines immediately engage in the distinctive dogfighting that rules wolf behavior. OtherFerrak strikes at Ferrak with a sickle that is identical to Ferrak's own--and barely misses.
Party initiative again.
Renik (Invisible) d20+2=18 d20+5=25 Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:52:50 AM
"Alone in a dark hall, with no exits, and no sign of my companions. Hmmm."
The rogue desperately tries to think of something he can do to improve his situation (int 18), but things seem pretty grim. Surely there must be some sort of secret exit from this place? He searches carefully for secret doors, or for some evidence of a magical trigger of some description (Search 25!).
Arien d20+7=27 d20+7=19 d6+1=5 d6=5 Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:55:57 AM
Arien dodges to the side when his double attacks him and ripostes savagely with his own rapier scoring a nasty hit on the double. (Crit hit damage 10 (5+5))
William the Psicrystal Thursday May 9th, 2002 12:00:52 PM "Great Gargul's Goatee!" peeps the crystal. "The one foe who could hope to trouble the Mighty Bill Troublefinder... Himself! Worry not, mighty Bill, I shall summon your follow- uh, your compatriots to your side!"
And with that the psicrystal attempts to send out a telepathic message to the other Hamleteers. "Come with a swiftness! Heroic Bill fights the ultimate opponent! Who can hear my words, and answer my call?"
Draax d20+12=32 d20+12=19 d20+7=19 d8+7=11 Thursday May 9th, 2002 4:24:12 PM
Draax continues to smile at his opponent. "So impatient, you just might really be me." The half-elf racks his brain trying to analyze his own attack and defense patterns. He pictures himself as he perform his initial attack and is surprise to find that he always begins every sword fight with the same more. Thinking that if his opponent is really a copy of himself, the duplicate may be aware of Draax's fighting style and might be waiting for it.
"I really would hate to damage such a good lucking guy, but I can see that you are determined to test my blade. Oh well, lets have at it." Draax begins to perform his normal over head chop, but pulls up short when he see his opponent begins to raise his shield. Instead of following though with his initial attack, Draax redirects his sword to come at his reflection from the side and is rewarded when he feels the sword connect (hit AC32, natural 20, no crit, 11 dmg). The fighter's celebration is short lived as he feels his return swing rebound off his opponent's shield (missed AC19).
"Nice recovery, I thought I had you there for a second. If seem that this is going to be tougher that I though." Not happy with how quickly his opponent recovered from his deception, the half-elf still smiles at his reflection as the battle-lust begins to push its way to the head of his emotions.
Darkfang d20+3=19 d6+1=7 Thursday May 9th, 2002 4:40:14 PM
Darkfang yeps as his double takes a bite out of him. Catching the other wolf before it can pull its head back Darkfang returns the favor and takes a bite of his own (AC19, 7 dgm).
Hobbes Thursday May 9th, 2002 5:57:38 PM
Hobbes frowns at the sophomoric attempt to goad him.
"If thou art truly me, then you would know that to attack someone without just cause is NOT the way of the Eye," Hobbes says smugly.
He lays his scythe against the wall beside him and raises his hands, still on full defense, "Truly to be led by the precepts of Gargul you would know when someone's time is up and when it is not. You, good sir Hobbes, if you are indeed me, you would bear arms against me."
He grins dryly, "And if you are not me and truly wish to test the mettle of an Eye of Gargul, then I would be honored to be the one to show you his ways, only if you appear to me in your true form."
Hobbes stands weaponless and firm, looking back down the hall at his opponent and thinks to himself that this is most likely the strangest site he has ever beheld.
[AC 23 still]
Ferrak d20+10=18 Friday May 10th, 2002 12:08:28 AM
Ferrak tries to slice into his mirror image but fails to connect. Shaking his head in disbelief the feral gnome snarls as gets ready for his twins counter attack.
Rond Friday May 10th, 2002 12:16:59 AM
Not wanting to be one to start the fray, Rond continues to circle and stay defensive, while he awaits the other Rond to do something. Thinking furiously around what the other Rond said Rond asks, "Are we to know how we are being judged? Is it combat that we are supposed to engage in or do we get to choose how we are judged? Who are the judges? Are they our peers, and how do we know they are our peers?
Marteaus runs amok in the Wold causing evil all around the Wold. Why don't you judge him! "
Bill Troublefinder d20+10=30 Friday May 10th, 2002 2:13:03 AM
Seeing his spittin' image NOT caught in the net, Bill now tosses that which he extracted from his pocket last round, a tanglefoot bag. His aim is absolutely dead on (nat 20, AC 30, only need AC 16 ranged touch), and now the image wears a sticky substance, which fouls his legs, perhaps his upper limbs, and helps the net stick even tighter to the duplicate halfling. [the tanglefoot goo adds in -2 on attack, -4 on Dex, need Reflex save vs DC 15 or be glued to the floor, unable to move. If that save is made, movement is half.]
"To overcome oneself is no easy matter," he comments. He extracts something from his pocket. Though appreciating William's intercession, Bill figures this is his fight to win, or lose. Or both.
Feng (16 hp dmg) d20+11=19 d20+6=25 d20+6=24 d8+6=9 d6=5 d8+6=7 d6=5 d8+6=13 d6=3 Friday May 10th, 2002 3:07:25 AM
Feng steps back and gazes at himself. Surely such a basic attack wouldn't take him down, so why did he expect it to work on a copy? Narrowing his gaze, Feng refocused on the task at hand. Spinning his axe idely in his hand, Feng says, "What are you and what have you done with my friends?" Feng doesn't give his duplicate time to answer right away. He brings his spinning axe around in a vicious assault. [hit ac 19 for 14 dmg, ac 25 for 12 dmg, and ac 24 for 16 dmg]
Combat Round 2 (DM Donna) d20+3=23 d8+5=11 d20+6=26 d20+12=21 d8+7=11 d20+4=18 d20+10=26 d6+4=6 d6=4 d20+4=20 d6+1=5 d20+10=13 d20+5=15 d6=1 d20+11=29 2d4(3+1)=4 d20+14=31 d20+9=23 d8+9=11 d8+9=15 d20+14=15 d20+9=24 d8+9=14 Friday May 10th, 2002 8:10:39 AM Explanation from Round 1: Bill's eyes go wide as he spots why FauxBill is not trapped by the battlenet--FauxBill's Ring of Blinking is activated!
Round 2:
Renik searches the entire length of the hall--there is NO way out, it seems! He finds no doors, either secret or hidden by illusion. But that makes no sense to his logic...until the rogue recalls that, while it looked like the alien black substance that makes up the other walls, the ceiling and the floor, the original mirrored wall still feels like a smooth glass surface. This, coupled with the fact that the only difference between him and the others had been that he had cast no reflection, leads Renik to wonder what would happen if he suddenly became visible..?
"You'll have to do better than THAT!" Arien's foe tells him, producing a familiar-looking potion bottle and drinking from it. Before the elf's eyes, the doppleganger's wounds heal up quite a bit. (OOC: cured of 11hp damage.) While OtherArien is doing this, however, Arien suddenly feels the sharp bite of Kiki clamping visciously into his left hand! (OOC: does 1hp damage and Arien now has a duplicate familiar attached to his hand--impossible to cast any spells that require gestures while OtherKiki is attached.)
Draax strikes at his double, and his double hits back with an identical sword (doing 11hp damage)...and saying in a mocking voice: "Look over there!" Draax must make a Willpower save versus DC15 or be Dazed for the next round.
Hobbes continues to be on the defensive, and his questions of his clone seem to annoy OtherHobbes.
"I am your only way of completing passage, Hobbes," the other cleric says impatiently, "You must either go through or be judged unworthy." With this, Hobbes2 aims a hand at Hobbes1 and fires off a bolt of Searing Light--which misses the defensive priest.
FauxFerrak swings his sickle again--and slices into Ferrak's flesh (OOC: does 6hp damage and 4hp frost damage)! Darkfang's duplicate bites the original for another 5hp damage.
"Fool! You ARE being 'tried by your peers'--I am you, and so cannot be anything BUT qualified for your rite of passage! Now--prove your worthiness..!" So saying, the fake Rond lashes out at Rond with two whistling swipes of his greatsword, both attempts falling short of the mark.
Bill finds that FauxBill is still Blinking as the tanglefoot bag sails through the temporarily-ethereal halfling. (OOC: roll a d6 to see if the bag busts open otherwise; odd result means the bag remains intact and can be retrieved later.)
"You ought to know yourself better by now, Bill Troublefinder..!" mocks FauxBill, his eyes suddenly turning silver as he manifests a sudden psionic attack! (OOC: Spellcraft/Psicraft check vs DC15 to recognize an incoming Psychic Crush...but whether or not Bill recognizes the attack, he's caught flat-footed for this round; Bill must make a Willpower save vs DC29 or suffer a temporary loss of 4 Wisdom points.)
Meanwhile, William can't find any other mind to contact besides Bill's own.
Feng's blows stagger his mirror image...but OtherFeng steps back and places his hand to his chest. (OOC: Spellcraft check versus DC15 to tell that OtherFeng is healing himself via the Laying On Hands ability that all paladins have.)
K'isst--not appreciating being jabbed at by her fake self--counter-attacks with her own trident, hitting the false troglodyte female twice (OOC: for 26hp damage!) The double hits back only once (doing 14hp damage.)
It's the party's initiative again.
Arien 3d6(2+6+6)=14 d20+12=25 Friday May 10th, 2002 8:39:15 AM
"Then I shall!" Arien snarls back at his duplicate and proceeds blast the copy with a fully powered discharge of his ring. The ghostly Ram's head blasts into the other Arien and flings him back like a rag doll. (Damage: 14(2+6+6) Opposed Strength check for the Bull Rush effect: 25)
Feng (16hp down) Friday May 10th, 2002 11:48:20 AM
Feng takes a defensive stance and looks upon his counterpart with curiosity. "You can heal with but a touch. Why are you attacking me?"
OOC: Feng is fighting defensively this round.
Renik 2d6(2+3)=5 Friday May 10th, 2002 6:59:10 PM
Well, I've tried everything else, Renik reasons, and with that, ready for anything he fades back into view, his weapons ready in an attacking posture.
Rond Saturday May 11th, 2002 12:59:29 AM
"Then if you are me, then is there any doubt to my worth?! If you doubt my worth, then you are not me, for I am sure of my worth, and that I make a difference."
Rond is highly skeptical of the thoughts and actions of this duplicate of himself and continues to only defend himself. "If you are me, then why do you fight when there is no need to fight? For if you insist to fight, then you cannot be me. Because it is the simpler things in life I enjoy. Not the taking of life, or to be in conflict with others around me."
Kiss't (Matt) d20+14=18 d8+9=12 d20+9=10 Sunday May 12th, 2002 3:32:55 AM
Kiss't looks down at her leg and sees the small spurt of blood. She grits her teeth and grunts back at the double, then raises her trident over her and brings it down hard on her foe's head. [First attack DC 18, 12 damage] She then swivels it back around and jabs it in the side but really misses wildly. [Natural 1]
Immediately reflecting on her failed attack she shouts angrily at the duplicate long and loud.
Hobbes d20+7=18 2d4(1+1)+3=5 Sunday May 12th, 2002 3:47:12 AM
"Tsk...tsk...tsk..." thinks Hobbes. "Such brashness. Such arrogance. Obviously time to teach this thing a lesson. It cannot be him, nor anything even closely related to him. Yet it's time for it to end its presence here."
Hobbes bows his head slightly to his worthier-than-thou adversary and returns his scythe to his grasp. He then growls like a madman performing a partial charge at the impatient unclergyman. [Hit AC 18, 5 Damage]
Draax (11 dmg) d20+2=19 d20+12=32 d20+12=32 d20+7=22 d8+7=9 d8+7=13 d8+7=13 Sunday May 12th, 2002 6:30:43 PM
Expecting his double to use the power of the sword, it still takes an effort to shake off the affects (will check 19). Draax laughs at his opponent, "I figured you would try that, but it still almost got me. I always wondered what happens to someone when the magic is unleashed."
The half-elf thinks that if he can anticipate his opponent's moves then he opponent can do the same to him. So the question is, how to out think himself? He smiles when the obvious answer comes to him, just do anything that you would normally not do.
Draax charges with his normal low feint, hesitates for a split second and continues on with the thrust (natural 20 crit, 22 dmg). The fighter smiles at the looks of surprise on his opponent's faces as his double anticipated a move that never came. Taking advantage of his reflection being caught off balance the half-elf scores another hit with his return swing (hit AC 22, 13 dmg) (35 total dmg).
Keeping with his cheerful mood Draax pulls his sword out of his opponent and stands ready. "You know, I did not realize how much I actually look like my father. Of course I do not remember him having such a painful look on his face as you do."
Draax waves his sword in a fashion to his opponent as if to say 'come and get it'.
Bill Troublefinder d20+13=19 d20+12=32 d100=5 d100=1 d100=8 d100=20 d100=98 d20+12=29 d20+12=18 d20+12=23 d20+12=27 d20+12=21 d4+2=5 d4+2=6 d4+2=5 Monday May 13th, 2002 12:22:15 AM
Bill recognizes the incoming psychic crush, [psicraft 19] and resists the attacking energy of his identical rival [Will save 32].
Prepared to raise a psionic defense should another attack come, Bill pulls from his left pants pocket one of his darts of the hornet, and throws it at his personal challenger. [Rolling d100, 1-50: Material; 51-100: Ethereal] Four of the five darts (5, 1, 8, 20) which emanate from the one he threw manage to find the blinking hobbit on the material plane, and of them, the first (AC 29), third (23) and fourth (27) penetrate his defenses, doing 5+6+5=16 hp damage. The last dart does not find the duplicate halfling on the material plane, so heads for the one who hurled it - missing the real Bill by a mere whisker (21)! Bill activates his own ring of blinking (if he can).
Ferrak d20+10=22 d6+4=8 d6=1 Monday May 13th, 2002 2:20:35 AM
Ferrak attacks the false Darkfang hoping to aid his brother before it is too late. (Att 22 dmg = 9)
His weapon glowing blue with magic, as 'the ice sickle' does its frosty damage.
Darkfang d20+4=13 Monday May 13th, 2002 8:05:01 AM
Darkfang tries to get another bite on his opponent, but just falls short of connecting.
Combat Round 3 (DM Donna) d20+1=17 3d8(6+4+4)=14 d20+11=13 d20+8=14 d20+11=25 d20+8=25 d20+8=27 d8+6=9 d8+6=7 d8+6=12 d20+10=26 d20+5=25 2d6(4+1)+3=8 2d6(6+3)+3=12 d20+14=22 d20+9=17 d8+9=12 d20+7=20 d4+1=2 d4=4 d20+12=32 d20+12=21 d8+7=10 d8+7=14 d8+7=15 d6=6 d20+10=23 d20+12=22 d20+12=23 d20+12=29 d20+12=22 d20+12=25 d4+2=5 d4+2=3 d4+2=5 d4+2=4 d4+2=6 d20+10=15 d20+4=8 Tuesday May 14th, 2002 7:35:16 AM
Arien's doppleganger is slammed back against the eastern wall of the hallway with a bone-crunching thud, and slides down to the foot of the wall like a limp sack of flour. Arien2 gives the original a slight smile... of approval?
"You are worthy," states the vanquished foe--and the hallway suddenly shatters like a broken mirror, leaving Arien standing in the middle of the hallway (again???) The elf turns around in place, noticing that the mirrored wall opposite him is now frosted in appearance, while the rest of the mirrored wall appears black.
Just then, Renik reappears from his invisibility. Before the rogue can do more than open his mouth to greet Arien, however, the mirrored wall where Renik stands suddenly becomes silvered again--and Renik's reflection beckons. Renik disappears from Arien's view while the briefly-brightened mirror darkens to black once more.
Renik finds himself alone in the mirrorless hall--alone with his duplicate, who immediately lunges at the rogue with his rapier, but OtherRenik's two jabs don't come close.
"You are being tested, paladin," the copy of Feng answers him readily, "The test is neither good nor evil--it simply is. You cannot avoid it... and you cannot exit until either your worthiness or unworthiness is proven through combat." So saying, the OtherFeng whirls his own flaming Orc Axe to devastating effect, striking Feng three times (for a total of 28hp damage.)
Rond's double is telling the leader of the Hamleteers pretty much the same thing: the Hamleteers must each prove themselves worthy through combat... once that is done, the worthy ones can continue forward--those who lose go back. Rond2 strikes out twice, scoring each time. (OOC: 20hp damage.)
K'isst2 attacks K'isst with savage thrusts of her barbed trident, hitting the half-trog once (12hp damage.)
OtherHobbes grimaces as the cleric of Gargul finally puts up a fight, countering Hobbes' swipe with one of his own. (OOC: hits AC20 for 5hp damage)
Duplicate Draax uses the unusual tactics of Draax to his advantage, sliding to one side and then (literally) whirling back into melee range, his blade biting deep into the original fighter. (OOC: 39hp damage total!)
FauxBill finally appears to be affected by the wily halfling psychic's tactics as the darts hit home. Staggered, the duplicate tosses his own dart at Bill, which (likewise) splits into 5 missiles--all of which hit Bill with painful accuracy! (OOC: 23hp damage total.)
Ferrak's double, concentrating on hitting at the gnome, misses when Ferrak shifts his attention from the FauxFerrak to the Dopple-Darkfang. The fake wolf continues his dogfight with Darkfang, snapping and biting at the real canine, but failing to connect.
Ferrak d20+10=30 d6+4=5 d6=6 d20+10=19 d6+4=7 Tuesday May 14th, 2002 1:39:46 PM
Afraid for his foster brother, and aware that together they are stronger, Ferrak once again swings at the fake Darkfang.
Fueled by rage, the feral gnome slices wickedly into the double, ice crackling off of the enchanted weapon.
(Att 30 dmg5+6frost, Critical hits on a 19 for 7 more for a total of 18 points of damage.)
Renik d20+7=18 d20+4=7 d20+5=11 Tuesday May 14th, 2002 4:30:42 PM
Though he is astounded at the sudden appearance and then disappearance of Arien, and then the totally unprovoked attack from someone who looks the spitting image of himself, Renik's combat skills kick in at once.
Weaving and ducking he whips in three rapid attacks, but clearly his opponent matches his skills as well as his appearance. All three miss by some considerable margin. Obviously the thought of killing himself has shaken him more than he realised. He grits his teeth and pushes such thoughts from his mind; this is a fight to be won, and won by him. This him!
He circles his double, weapons at the ready, and smiles;
"Though it pains me to have to slay such a devilishly handsome adversary, there is only room for one Renik D'Acour in the Wold!"
OOC: AC vs Renik2 is 22: 19 (no buckler) +1 (dodge) +2 (Expertise)
Draax (50 dmg) d20+12=23 d20+7=16 d8+7=12 Tuesday May 14th, 2002 6:20:42 PM
Draax coughs up blood as he barely remains standing from his opponent's last attacks. Cringing from the pain, but still displaying a look of joy as he tries to stay conscious. He wipes the blood from his lips as he smiles and laughs in-between the coughs. "Hey, no fair, that's exactly what I would have done. Oh well, it has been fun, but I am about done and do not see myself lasting much longer, one way or another it ends now."
Too hurt and exhausted to think of any clever maneuvers, Draax just swings at his double with all the strength he has left and fight his way through his double's guard (hit AC 23, 12 dmg).
Darkfang d20+4=18 Tuesday May 14th, 2002 6:50:31 PM
Taking a clue from his brother Darkfangs turns to the FauxFerrak, but just comes up short on his bite.
Feng (45 down) d20+11=17 d20+6=18 d20+6=16 Tuesday May 14th, 2002 10:44:19 PM
(OCC: that taught me to fight defensively) Pain filled every fiber of his being. Whiping the blood from his mouth on his sleeve, the rest in his gotee, Feng vowed that he wouldn't go down without a fight. Gripping his axe tightly, Feng attacked with all he had. It wasn't enough. The pain robbed much of the strength he had left. Feng falls to a knee and drops his axe onto the ground before him. "I will not fight any longer. Combat only proves who can kill better. Despite what you say only evil values death. My faith is strong and I do not fear death."
OOC: considering how the dice hate me today, I thought Feng would go out with some dignity. It appears that he will be one of the shortest characters I've ever had. The scary part is that I've had ones that were shorter.
Rond d20+10=23 2d6(1+5)+3=9 2d6(2+4)+3=9 Wednesday May 15th, 2002 12:09:38 AM
Realizing that the double in front of him is not a real double of himself, Rond focuses on the events at hand. Getting down to business and refusing to let his double get the better of him Rond slices his sword through his double and quickly turns the slice around and cuts his double a 2nd time for 18 points of damage. (used a total of two hero points.)
K'isst (Matt) (26 Damage) d20+14=34 d20+14=28 d20+9=12 d8+9=14 d8+9=11 Wednesday May 15th, 2002 2:42:19 AM
K'isst dodges aside a thrust and slams herself back into the wall behind her, just as the trident crashes into it. She shouts and ducks at another thrust but is poked in the ribs by the wicked K'isst.
She grasps her side and leaps overtop of the evil twin and lands behind giving her a quick double jab in her backside. The first connects solidly, pinning the foul thing up against the wall and pulls it out, blood gushing from the wound. She stabs again with a shriek and swings wide.
She stares at the duplicate as an lion stares at its prey before pouncing. She watches its moves, ready for more.
[Critical Hit (34, then 28, with 14+11=25 hp damage) and a miss (12)]
Hobbes (5 Damage taken) d20+7=21 2d4(3+4)+3=10 Wednesday May 15th, 2002 2:55:56 AM
Hobbes takes a slight slice on his right shoulder but tis but a scratch! He grasps the nooks of his scythe, cradling it firmly in his hands, then swings it through, golf-style cutting across his twin's front for 10 damage.
"It seems that do remember this teaching in my master's classroom," quotes Hobbes. "Never let your anger get the better of you."
Bill Troublefinder (blinking, 12 damage) d100=26 d20+4=24 d4=2 d8+5=6 d8+5=12 Wednesday May 15th, 2002 3:53:31 AM
Taking damage from three of the five darts (12 hp damage) (I think - can you verify?), blinking Bill switches tactics. At a moment when he and his rival are on the same plane (26 on d100), he sends an ego whip against him (Will save vs DC 24 + whatever psionic defense adjustment Faux Bill may raise, or DC 32 if he uses no defense), causing a temporary loss of two points of dexterity. He prepares to gulp down a potion of healing (1d8+5, reroll nat 1, heals up 12 hp damage) extracted from his right pocket. If psychically counter-attacked, Bill will raise a defense.
Arien d20+10=30 Wednesday May 15th, 2002 1:03:23 PM
Arien stands there a moment staring at the mirror, trying to figure out what to do now. He had escaped almost unscathed and was now wondering if there was anyway to help his friends. He examines the mirror closely, trying to figure out if there was a way to bring back his friends. (Knowledge:Arcana roll: 30)
Feng (45 down)-hero point reroll d20+11=20 d8+6=12 d6=6 Wednesday May 15th, 2002 6:21:05 PM
OCC: I was reminded that I have a hero point to spend. I doubt that one hit will change things but who knows. The hero point was used to reroll his first attack. [hit ac 20 for 18 dmg]
Combat Round 4 (DM Donna) d20+10=20 d6+4=9 d6=3 d20+11=14 d20+8=13 d20+10=29 d20+5=6 d20+10=11 2d6(2+4)+3=9 2d6(6+2)+3=11 d20+14=26 d20+9=13 d8+9=16 d10=8 d20+8=25 d6=5 d20+3=22 d4=1 d20+13=14 d20+8=18 d20+7=17 Thursday May 16th, 2002 7:45:07 AM
Ferrak's well-aimed blow causes the fake wolf to yelp and appear to shatter into pieces, much like a broken mirror. Darkfang's bite misses FauxFerrak, who slices at the snapping beastie with his sickle, hitting Darkfang for a total of 12 more hit points damage.
Renik2 shakes his head at the original.
"You'd think I'd have better aim!" he admonishes the rogue, counterattacking and frowning because his own fencing isn't effective, either.
OtherDraax lifts his blade to administer a coup-de-grace on his severely-wounded opponent, but Draax's short-and-sweet sword blow stops the double cold.
"You...you ARE worthy..!" Draax2 says, then he and the hallway shatter like a broken window--and Draax suddenly appears in the hallway occupied by Arien.
Arien's inspection of the darkened mirror wall is interrupted by the sudden materialization of Draax nearby. The elf notices that the mirror section opposite Draax is now frosted, just like the section when Arien defeated his own double. With his command of arcane knowledge, Arien comes to the conclusion that each of the Hamleteers have been whisked off to face their own copies inside the mirror. As soon as the original defeats their double, they reappear in the original hallway. It must be some kind of test...
Rond's foe grimaces, bringing his own greatsword up and around and striking Rond with two quick but effective blows for a total of 20hp damage.
K'isst2 continues to jab at the real half-elf, one of the blows landing for 16hp damage.
Bill eyes his clone, having taken 23hp damage from the darts last round, and launches a calculated Ego Whip against FauxBill.
Hastily selecting Thought Shield with which to defend himself, the doppleganger just barely manages to avoid losing his dexterity to the mental attack. FauxBill is physical when he elects to use Stomp against Bill in order to knock the halfling over. (Reflex save versus DC22 or be knocked prone while suffering 1hp subdual damage.)
FauxFeng reels from the true paladin's rallying attack, which causes the clone's own blows to miss.
Hobbes2 attacks Hobbes, the scythe blade whistling harmlessly past the cleric.
Rond d20+10=28 d20+10=11 d20+5=16 2d6(2+3)+3=8 2d6(2+5)+3=10 Thursday May 16th, 2002 10:12:05 AM
In what looks like a matter of who can take the more damage Rond grimaces as the fakeRond connects with his hits. Rond shifts a little in order to compensate for his injuries. As he finishes his tiny movement, he launches into two more quick hits for 18 points of damage. (no critical)
Draax 3d8(7+4+5)+1=17 Thursday May 16th, 2002 12:26:27 PM
Draax sighs in relief as his image shatters and he appears in the hallway with Arien, He leans against the wall and slowly slides to the floor. Reaching into his backpack he pulls a potion of cure serious wounds and empties the content down his throat (healed 17). As a little of his strength returns he slowly gets back to his feet. He looks over at Arien and gives him a weak smile. "Do you have any idea what is going on around here?"
Feng (45 down) d20+11=24 d20+6=19 d20+6=20 d8+6=9 d6=5 d8+6=13 d6=4 d8+6=11 d6=2 Thursday May 16th, 2002 2:12:41 PM
Feng grips his flaming axe and rises to his feet. The gods saw fit to give him one last chance. He wasn't about to waste it. Gritting his teeth, Feng blocks out all the pain and attack his dupe, letting out a mighty roar. The axe spins like a flaming whirlwind cutting into the faux feng. [hit ac 24 for 14 dmg, ac 19 for 17 dmg, and ac 20 for 13]
Darkfang (22 dmg) Thursday May 16th, 2002 2:30:03 PM
Darkfang jumps back as he see the sickle coming his way, but could not get out of the way fast enough. The wolf yeps as he take the hit and stands by his brother displaying his teeth defiantly at FauxFerrak. The wolf gives out a loud bark before falling to the floor unconscious. "Woof, {Brother}."
Darkfang's body lays at his brother's feet, but his chest can be seen moving up and down as if he was taking a nap.
Ferrak d20+3=6 d8+3=10 Thursday May 16th, 2002 3:06:39 PM
"Nooooo........."
Taking the chance, Ferrak calls upon the powers of mother Nature to heal his fallen brother. (CLW + 10hp) Sorry I rolled d20 first
When his brother struggles to his feat the feral gnome jumps onto his back and urges him back away into the hallway.
Getting ready to charge, Ferrak lets out a piercing howl.
Renik d20+9=21 d20+6=17 d6+5=9 Thursday May 16th, 2002 5:18:38 PM
"Pah! Hopeless!" scoffs the rogue as his double's blows fly wide. "Call yourself Renik D'Acour? You're not fit to shine my shoes with laughable swordsmanship like that!"
And to emphasise the point he counters with a couple of swift rapier thrusts, using his buckler to fend off ripostes. (Hit AC 21 for 9 HP if it connects).
(OOC: AC next round 23 (Expertise (2), Buckler (1) Dodge (1) Armour & Dex (19)
Arien Thursday May 16th, 2002 7:23:22 PM
"Well Draax as near as I can tell when the mirror was touched it took us all inside of it for a sort of trial by combat. I battled my reflection and suspect that you did as well. Which means our companions are battling themselves as we speak. I managed to defeat my reflection quickly and thus I escaped any serious harm. I see though that you were hurt rather badly and I worry that some might not be faring as well. I thought for a moment to shatter the mirror but I doubt that an object this magical could be broken by anything I can manage. Not to mention that there is good chance of our friends not coming back so I guess the best we can do is to sit here and wait for them." Sparing a quick glance at the mirror Arien crouches beside Draax, "You need some more healing? I'm no cleric but I do have some potions if you need them."
K'isst (Matt) (42 Damage) d20+14=18 d20+7=21 d8+9=14 d8+9=14 Friday May 17th, 2002 1:36:27 AM
Frothing with rage, blood oozing from the punctures in her arm, stomach, and legs, K'isst roars raising her trident above her head and brings it down with full force on the twin's skull, then again at its chest. She lets out a warcry and is somewhat indistinguishable from her elven heritage.
[Hit AC 18 and 21, for 14 and 14 damage, 28 total.]
Bill Troublefinder (blinking, hp -23, -1 subdual, +12, net down 12) d100=25 d20+8=21 d20+8=21 Friday May 17th, 2002 3:06:52 AM
Bill falls down (Reflex save DC 21, one short), and laughs. "Good, good. I've always been the one to do that to others." He manages to hold on to the potion of healing (voluntary reflex save 21, to make sure the vial is not broken or spilled). He now drinks it (using roll from prior post - cures 12 hp damage), and enjoys the healing effect, and rises to his feet.
Hobbes (Down 5) d20+7=21 2d4(4+1)+3=8 Friday May 17th, 2002 5:56:42 AM
Hobbes thinks very seriously about his next move. He had never actually realized how brooding and dark he looks staring at people in combat. It does give him a shudder... but he can't give in to his fears. With Gargul behind him he will prevail... and thus he swats his scythe sideways across his opposite's arm and left side. [Hit AC 21, 8 Damage]
Combat Round 5 (DM Donna) d20+10=29 d20+5=21 2d6(6+1)+3=10 2d6(6+2)+3=11 d20+10=22 d6+4=6 d6=1 d20+11=29 d20+8=25 d6+5=7 d6+5=6 d20+14=21 d20+9=18 d8+9=11 d8+9=10 d20+7=25 2d4(4+1)+1=6 d20+3=5 2d4(4+1)=5 Monday May 20th, 2002 6:32:18 AM
Rond2's great sword strikes the real ranger twice, leaving 21hp damage in its wake.
Feng--after a sudden swell of spirit--resists the urge to simply give up and strikes back at his double, the flaming orc axe making horrible wounds in the other half-orc. Strangely enough, this only causes FauxFeng to smile and bow his head.
"You are worthy!" the magical opponent admits. All around Feng appears to shatter into pieces (which disappear), and the paladin is suddenly standing in the same hallway--only Arien is a few feet away, attending a bloody Draax. The mirror opposite Feng is no longer dark, but frosted in appearance.
FauxFerrak's Ice Sickle slashes out at the mounted druid/warrior, doing a total of 7hp damage.
Renik2's rapier finds its mark twice; Renik suffers a total of 13hp damage.
K'isst's doppleganger ululates shrilly as she puts all her weight behind the two blows that connect with the original half-elf. K'isst is impaled for another 21hp damage.
The Fake Hobbes slashes back at the real priest of Gargul, scoring a hit and inflicting 6hp damage this round.
Bill gets to his feet just as FauxBill's eyes turn silver once more...and the wily halfling feels the onset of another Psychic Crush. (OOC: Willpower DC5 or suffer the loss of 5 Wisdom points.)
Rond (down 61) AC 18 now d20+6=21 d20+1=17 d6+3=5 d6=5 2d6(6+2)+3=11 Monday May 20th, 2002 8:56:23 AM
Rond hesitates for just a second after being hit in the latest round. He's never been this hurt before in any action that he's seen. His mortality comes to the forefront of his thinking as he goes into defensive mode (-4 attack +2 dodge bonus).
He's worried for his friends and their mission. Some of us have come very far, only to be defeated by themselves?! Picking up his courage and shoving it way down deep. Rond picks himself up and moves in for two more heavy attacks (21 points damage). Starting up a running dialog in his head Rond starts chanting to himself, 'I will not fall, I will not fall ......'
Feng (24 down) Monday May 20th, 2002 12:07:36 PM
Feng drops his axe and falls to his knees. An unbelievable amount of pain coursed through his body. Placing his hands on his chest, Feng healed what he could. "That was the most insane thing I have ever been through."
Bill Troublefinder d20+12=32 d100=7 d20+5=23 d4=4 Monday May 20th, 2002 12:35:07 PM
[Wow!] It takes little effort for Bill to shrug off the psychic crush, and he counters with a tit-for-tat stomp, the rainbow flash and rapid boom join with the shaking floor, causing 4 hp of subdual damage to his worthy opponent and knocking him to the ground should he fail a Reflex save vs. DC 23 (and d100=7 means they are on the same plane at the moment of attack). Bill moves right next to him, his short sword in hand, and at FauxBill's throat. "Give up yet, Mr. Troublefound?" he asks with a grin, as the identical halflings blink quickly between the material and ethereal planes.
Draax (33 down) Monday May 20th, 2002 2:17:52 PM
Draax nods his head at Arien's explanation. "Your explanation explains a lot. Actually, I thought I was a goner, but I just barely beat the other me. I hope the others are not having as hard of a time as I encountered. The last thing my double said to me is 'you are worthy.' Worthy for what is my next question, but I guess we will have to wait for that answer. Thanks for the offer of healing; if you can spare one or two potions I would appreciate it a lot."
Draax looks over at the appearance of Feng and turns back to Arien. "Maybe you should see to him first and the others may need healing, also, when they finally beat their opponents."
Darkfang Monday May 20th, 2002 2:23:40 PM
Darkfang rises as he receives his brother's healing and gets ready to charge as farrek gets on his back. "Woof, woof, woof, {I am ready when you are, we will teach this false one why the pack fights better together.}"
Ferrak (17 pts taken) d20+13=27 d6+4=6 d6=1 d6+4=7 Monday May 20th, 2002 3:10:09 PM
{Yes, brother. YES!} As the two become one, a blur of energy in motion. The feral gnome manuevers to a position where he is able to charge, then with a bark the wolf brothers are a spear in flight.
Keeping his shield high, and the sliver of his blade low, the feral pair crash into the false Ferrak. (27 spirited charge dmg = 14 pts)
Crashing to a halt, Ferrak snarls as his quarter moon blade cuts into his copy.
{Trip him brother. For the pack!}
Renik (Down 13 HP) d20+9=26 d20+6=16 d20+7=20 d6+5=11 Monday May 20th, 2002 5:25:52 PM
Renik answers like with like, powering a furious blow at his opponent (AC 26 for 11HP), and following up with to less accurate blows.
"That's better!" he grins, as the two rogues circle one another, weapons flashing.
Hobbes d20+7=15 Tuesday May 21st, 2002 5:01:00 AM
Hobbes gets cut in the shin, a particularly nasty swipe as the other's blade works its way neatly under one of the mail's plates, much like a papercut underneath a fingernail.
Hobbes bites his tongue and lets out a gasp swinging with half force and clanging off the dark Hobbes' own suit of armor doing nothing.
K'isst (Matt) (73 Down) Tuesday May 21st, 2002 5:21:25 AM
The eyes of K'isst go wide with disbelief. She recalls the accuracy at which her blows were aimed just as they were many years ago when instructed by her tribemasters and here today, the force and damage done would have killed one and a half K'issts. But something has gone wrong... and now K'isst stares down at the image of her trident, but not hers. It vibrates with a tenseness in her bloody enemy's hands. She takes hold of the wood handle lightly, grasping it in disbelief, blood running out of her mouth, the tri-pronged tip completely running through her abdomen and into the wall behind her. She begins to feel faint, a clang of her own weapon slipping to the ground is heard as she stares back at the evil force in front of her and thinks not of rage and killing, but of her home, her friends... and then... all is silent.
[K'isst did 91 points of damage during this combat which would have killed a normal K'isst, but as it seemingly did not. K'isst has now taken 73 points of damage which more than takes her down.]
Combat Round 6 (DM Donna) d20+10=19 d20+5=16 2d6(3+6)+3=12 d20+8=19 d20+10=13 d20+11=29 d20+8=28 d6+5=9 d6+5=11 d20+7=14 Tuesday May 21st, 2002 6:35:47 AM
Arien, Draax and Feng find themselves suddenly joined in the hallway by an unconscious and heavily bleeding K'isst, who happens to hear her own voice--albeit from K'isst2's mouth--say approvingly: "You are worthy!" before the darkness claims her. The mirror opposite of where she materializes lightens up, but is also frosty in appearance.
Rond2's greatsword strikes at the real ranger twice, but only one blow lands, inflicting 12hp damage.
Bill's Stomp effectively knocks FauxBill to the ground! However, Bill notices something strange and tries to puzzle out its meaning... (make a Psicraft/Spellcraft check versus DC15 to finally figure out that Bill & his copy are now completely in synch with their blinking, thus they are now always affecting each other with their attacks.) OtherBill scrambles to his feet--obviously nowhere near as gracefully as the real Bill would have.
Ferrak and Darkfang's concerted effort on the fake druid/warrior causes the FauxFerrak to miss his next blow.
Renik's doppelganger finds a chink in the dexterous rogue's defenses and manages to score twice with his own rapier, inflicting a total of 20 more hit points of damage.
"The truth hurts even more than mere physical blows, brother," the fake Hobbes tells the real cleric, "I can tell that you still don't want to face the truth--you might as well give up! You have poor judgment--you couldn't even admit that you misjudged Morphia!--and even poorer combat skills! How can you possibly hope to help The Wold in its gravest hour of need..?" Hobbes2 tries to underscore his point by slicing at Hobbes again, but the clone's taunt about poor combat skills applies to his own efforts this time around, as he misses Hobbes by a mile.
Bill Troublefinder (Synchronized blinking, down 12 hp) d20+13=24 d20+7=8 Tuesday May 21st, 2002 1:09:49 PM
The real halfling is able to discern that he and his duplicate are synchronized in their blinking (psi-/spellcraft 24). Somehow, this makes sense to him. With his sword he attempts to strike at his unsurrendered handsome adversary for subdual damage - but misses totally (nat 1).
Hobbes (11 Damage taken) d20+7=20 2d4(1+3)+3=7 Tuesday May 21st, 2002 1:19:43 PM
Hobbes takes a deep breath and refocuses his efforts, ignoring the other's attempts to distract him and diminish his spirits. He reconnects to his inner focus and studies for an opening, then strikes downward to the Faux' Hobbes shoulder, striking cleanly for 7 damage. (Total damage done: 30)
Ferrak (-17) d20+11=26 d6+4=9 d6=6 Tuesday May 21st, 2002 3:05:42 PM
Hearing the blood pounding in his head, the feral gnome strikes out again savagely. (Attk 26~dmg=15)
The quarter-moon blade of his sickle, eclipsing with magical energies, as it sinks into the druid's double.
Renik (Down 33 HP) d20+11=21 d20+9=26 d6+5=9 d6+5=11 Tuesday May 21st, 2002 4:06:01 PM
"That... hurt!" grimaces Renik, as blood trickles down his face and arm. He lashes back with his own rapier, mimicking his doppelganger almost exactly (20 HP!) with the placing of his blows. "Hope that does too, my fine friend!" he grins, though his bravado ill-conceals the pain he is suffering.
He raises his buckler, and prepares for his double's next onslaught with gritted teeth. (AC 21)
Feng (24 down) d20+5=21 Tuesday May 21st, 2002 5:49:27 PM
Seeing K'isst bleeding, possibly to death, Feng rushes over to her unconcious body. He digs through his pack and pulls out a wooden box. Opening up he starts digging through the various herbs and bandages [healer's kit]. "Hang on pretty lady. Don't you dare leave us." Feng sprinkles the various herbs into her wounds to help stop the bleeding before bandaging her wounds. "Just hold on, you'll be all right." [healing check 21, using the healer's kit gives a +2 bonus for a total of 23]
Darkfang d20+4=22 d20+1=10 d6+1=5 Tuesday May 21st, 2002 11:02:24 PM
While in close combat Darkfang takes a bite out of the FauxFerrak (hit AC 24, 5 dmg). As he locked on to a leg the wolf takes his brother's advice and attempts to trip their opponent (str check 10).
Draax (33 down) Tuesday May 21st, 2002 11:15:41 PM
Seeing the condition that K'isst appeared in Draax changes his mind on who needs the healing potion more. Looking at Arien, "Actually I think K'isst needs them more than the rest of us. I hope this does not become a pattern, with everyone showing up a little worst than the next."
Draax nods his head in appreciation to Feng for his quick thinking in saving K'isst's life.
Rond (73 points down) d20+6=20 2d6(2+5)+3=10 Wednesday May 22nd, 2002 12:16:22 AM
Feeling the sudden grip of death coming over his heart, Rond takes one final swipe at Rond2. Leaving his sword embedded in his double (10 points damage), Rond falls to the floor unconscious.
Arien d8+1=9 d8+1=9 Wednesday May 22nd, 2002 12:32:43 PM
Arien digs a potion of Cure Light Wounds out of his pack and, popping the seal with a thumb, pours it down the unconcious K'isst's throat. Arien waits a moment, studying the effect of the potion on his fallen comrade and then pours another down her throat.
(18 total hp returned.)
K'isst (Matt) (Down 55) d20+7=24 d20+3=11 d20+11=25 d20+7=9 d8+7=15 Wednesday May 22nd, 2002 6:35:10 PM
Kiss't bolts upright suddenly grabbing at both Arien and Feng, her eyes lit wild with fire. She successfully grabs Arien by the throat with her right hand but misses wildly at Feng. She grits her teeth with rage as she sits up, blood running off her nose and mouth and squeezes her grip.
Her facial features intensify, then soften as she comes into focus. Her grip immediately loosens. She looks around bewildered and woozy.
"Arien?" she asks, "Feng? What the--" She stops as she realizes what she has done then pulls Arien roughly to her and hugs him, "Forgive me, Arien."
She pulls away then looks back at Feng and then over at Draax. "Where?--" she says troubledly, "Are we the only ones left? Where are Bill and Renik?!?"
She looks back at the mirror that is only partially frosted and grits her teeth with anger. She staggers forward shouting in anger and grabs her normal trident from her back. She immediately begins pounding on the glass as hard as she can.
"Let them out! Let... them... OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUT!"
[Hit AC 26, 15 damage to the mirror with nonmagic weapon]
Feng (24 down) d20+5=19 Wednesday May 22nd, 2002 9:39:13 PM
Feng quickly grabs the end of the trident and holds it with his impressive strength [str check 19]. "M'Lady please stop. It appears that they will appear again after their battle is over. Win or lose. If you manage to damage or break the mirror they may never get out. Please sit down and rest. Too much exertion will cause your bandages to fail. Please calm down for your own good." Feng tries to gently escort K'isst away from the mirror.
K'isst (Matt) d20+5=9 Wednesday May 22nd, 2002 11:17:15 PM
In K'isst's weakened state, she is easily overpowered by Feng, only having got off the one blow on the mirror. She stands unable to move the trident from the half-orc's grasp and looks back at him intensely. With a deep pant she lets go of the trident and succumbs to gravity as the loss of blood hits her like a ton of bricks. She quickly meets the floor once again and stares back at the mirror.
Combat Round 7 (DM Donna) d20+7=23 d6+2=3 d20+7=18 d20+7=10 d20+10=27 d2=2 d6+4=5 d6=2 d20+11=19 d20+8=25 d6+5=6 Thursday May 23rd, 2002 6:19:34 AM
FauxBill laughs mockingly at the original halfling, a familiar short sword appearing in his hand.
"What a loser!" OtherBill says. "Why don't you just give up? You are less than effective. You can't help yourself, much less The Wold." To underscore his pronouncement, the doppelganger stabs at Bill, inflicting 3hp damage.
Hobbes manages to duck another heavy swing of the scythe by his own clone.
FauxFerrak manages to keep his feet in spite of the injuries done to him by the mounted druid and his wolf companion. His counterattack is directed at Darkfang, slicing at the wolf for a total of 7hp damage.
Renik's double--looking much the worse for wear as the battle continues--flicks out with his rapier once, twice...only one of the blows landing for 6hp damage.
Rond loses consciousness, bleeding profusely. As the hallway and Rond2 appear to shatter around him, he can hear "himself" say: "You are worthy!"
K'isst's attack on the mirror doesn't have any effect on it, but suddenly Rond appears on the floor a few feet away. The mirror opposite the leader of the Hamleteers is now frosted. Rond himself is covered head-to-toe with horrible wounds and blood--and he doesn't appear to be breathing.
(OOC: Rond is now in the hallway with K'isst, Feng, Draax, and Arien. Bill, Hobbes, Renik, Ferrak and Darkfang are still missing from the group.)
Arien d8+1=7 d8+1=8 Thursday May 23rd, 2002 12:08:35 PM
"Quick with the healing kit over here Feng!" Arien shouts as he scrambles over to Rond's still form. He puts his ears against Rond's chest listening for a heart beat. If he hears one Arien pulls out his remaining two potions and quickly pours them down Rond's throat.
(15hp healed total)
Ferrak d20+10=18 d20+11=18 d20+11=18 Thursday May 23rd, 2002 1:18:37 PM
Watching as his mirror image tries to slice into his brother, Ferrak attempts to guide Darkfang out of harm's way. (Ride check=18)
Communicating on a subconcious level, the feral pair resemble the two headed hounds of legend as Ferrak lashes out again at his doppleganger.
(Att+11=18) I used a hero point but I seem to need that 18 for some reason.)
Bill Troublefinder (Blinking, down 15 hp) d20+10=16 Thursday May 23rd, 2002 3:08:37 PM
Bill, unimpressed with his twin's evaluation, lets him know that he's still ready to tangle. And does so, stepping back 5 feet (allowing an AoO from FauxBill), and hitting him with a tanglefoot bag. (Ranged touch attack, 16 hits vs. Bill's RTT AC. See PH, page 114, for details of effects.) "Your counsel and perspective lack merit, fella."
OOC Comment from Matt Thursday May 23rd, 2002 3:51:15 PM
[Taking a 5 foot step does not allow an AoO].
Renik (Down 39 HP) d20+9=14 d20+7=21 d20+9=24 d6+5=10 d6+1=7 Thursday May 23rd, 2002 5:28:01 PM
Desperate to take his double down Renik goes for a last ditch, all-out attack. He knows that should the attack fail, it may very well mean his life, for he is nearly out on his feet. The only consolation is that his counterpart looks in just as bad shape.
His desperation seems to guide his blades; though his first rapier strike is too slow, his shortsword stab and follow up with his rapier are far more accurate (AC 21 for 10 HP with his rapier, AC 24 for 7 HP with shortsword).
Renik prays that his blows are enough to finish his opponent, and attempts tom dodge any incoming strikes (AC 20 including Dodge).
Darkfang d20+4=16 Thursday May 23rd, 2002 10:34:39 PM
Darkfang tries to take another nip out of their opponent, but as falls short as his brother tries to steer him out of harms way.
Draax (33 down) Thursday May 23rd, 2002 10:44:00 PM
Seeing that Arien and Feng has Rond and K'isst under control, Draax sighs and looks to the remaining mirrors waiting for the others to arrive. He looks back at Rond and hopes that no one comes through the mirror that cannot be help.
Rond (down 62) Friday May 24th, 2002 3:36:46 AM
As Arien feeds Rond 2 potions you can see some of the deeper wounds healing and that his breathing eases a little bit.
Rond is in the woods around where the monks had trained him. There is no one there and yet Rond feels at peace with the area. He wanders around the little glade and touches various parts of the beauty of growing things. Something changes, and now he can hear something calling to him. He's torn in two because he'd love to stay in the glade. Pausing for an extra second, Rond smells a flower before turning to the calling.
Hobbes (Down 11) d20+6=15 6d6(5+5+3+5+2+6)=26 Friday May 24th, 2002 4:07:04 AM
"You know," he begins as he ducks under the widely-swung scythe, "You are correct, sir. I do have poor combat skills."
He then straightens up and keeps his scythe in front of him. "But you are wrong. I know the truth and I know myself. Why else would I simply engage you in combat as it is my best chance of avoiding serious harm. And as for Morphia...she is a naive child whose actions are suspicious. Whether good or bad one must always question people's motives or else they will end up dead."
Hobbes folds his hands together and and brings from within him power, power from his grand deity, from Gargul himself.
"And I'm afraid," Hobbes says darkly, "you have made this fatal error. May Gargul deliver you. Goodbye."
Hobbes makes a quick lunge forward, not with his scythe, but with his hand, fingers extended and touches the evil manifestation of himself directly in the forehead. The power from within him channels to Hobbes' heart where it rests but an instant before shooting out through his fingertips into his enemy. The power is like a force of raw death that jolts his opponent for several seconds. When all has ended, Hobbes removes his hand from his foe and shakes his head.
"Such a pity."
[Melee touch attack hit AC 15, Domain Granted Power: Death touch (Death Domain, PHB p.163), No Save, The power is "On a successful melee touch attack, Roll 1d6 per level and score over the opponent's current hit points and opponent dies." Rolled 26. He has 19 hp left. He is allowed an attack of opportunity before dying tho.]
K'isst (Matt) (Down 46) d8+1=9 Friday May 24th, 2002 4:20:58 AM
K'isst continues to stare back at the mirror, almost a gorilla-like glare upon her face. The agony of her wounds hits her again and she grimaces at the large hole in her chest. She reaches for her blood-soaked pack and opens the latch with some difficulty. After fumbling around, her hand emerges with a vial of red liquid. She bites the stopper off the top and spits it across the floor, gulping the cool medicinal-tasting syrum.
Finishing she hurls the empty vial at the smoky section of the mirror where it crashes into several pieces. Her gaze meets that of Draax, who is quietly accessing the situation and showing concern for everyone. She crumples her brow momentarily, then digs into her pack again.
"Draax," she utters, "Take!"
She then slides another vial of red liquid across to him. "Drink!"
Feng (24 down) d20+7=23 Friday May 24th, 2002 11:52:53 AM
(OCC sorry about that)
Seeing another bloodied compatriat, Feng grabs his kit and rushes over to Rond. He hopes that he no longer needs the kit today. Once again Feng breaks out the herbs and bandages. He begins the process of treating Rond's many wounds. [healing check 23]
Combat Round 8 d20+11=14 d20=1 d20=8 d20=2 d20+7=10 Tuesday May 28th, 2002 7:53:30 AM
FauxFerrak's arm raises and lowers again, missing the wolf-riding druid/warrior by a country mile.
OtherBill is unable to avoid the entangling properties of the tanglefoot bag and looses a string of very colorful language since he'd intended to slash at the real Bill with his shortsword and clearly has fouled the attack.
Renik2--just as he pivots and steps closer for a coup de grace--finds that he's miscalculated his spin and stepped right into the expertly-wielded rapier of the original Renik. Smiling with some blood on his lips, the clone bows a bit stiffly, announcing:
"You are worthy..!"
The foe and hallway shatter into bits, and Renik finds himself still standing in the hall--only that most of the other Hamleteers are there, too. The mirror opposite the rogue is now frosted...but there are still three areas of the mirror still darkly opaque.
The appearance of Hobbes (and the sudden frosting of his area of the mirrored wall) forestalls any comments by anyone for a moment. The last thing that the cleric of Gargul remembers is using his Death Touch on the copy of himself. Hobbes2 stiffened, then cocked an eyebrow at the true priest.
"I am you, Hobbes, and believe me when I tell you that the pity lies in the fact that you were mistaken and have yet to admit to your lapse of judgement." Hobbes2 told the original. "Your inability to confess your shortcomings notwithstanding, however--you ARE worthy of continuing on. Good luck." Then Hobbes' surroundings had appeared to shatter...and now he was standing in the hallway with the rest of the party.
The rest of the party save Bill and Ferrak (and Darkfang), that is...
Renik (Down 15 HP) 3d8(3+8+8)+5=24 Tuesday May 28th, 2002 3:22:42 PM
Renik drops to one knee, panting for breath. As his lifeblood drips to the floor he thanks sweet Mittiri's twelve tiny toes that his last attack proved sufficient.
He reaches for a potion from his belt and swiftly gulps down the contents (CSW: 24HP).
Looking instantly better as the magical cure takes hold he stands and greets his companions warmyly.
"K'isst! Rond! Are we all here? Who's still missing? Did you all fight duplicates of yourselves also?" Renik is very glad indeed to be reunited with the party, but is concerned for the missing members of the team.
Draax (25 down) d8+1=8 Tuesday May 28th, 2002 5:15:20 PM
Draax takes the vial of red liquid from K'isst and drinks it (heal 8 hps). He smiles at K'isst, "Thanks, I appreciate it."
He turns his attention to newcomers as they appear in the hallway. "Welcome Hobbes and Renik, I am glad you guys made it. We are still waiting for Bill, Ferrak, and Ferrak's wolf companion. So far a few of us have been hurt pretty bad, but no one has died from this ordeal yet. Hopefully our luck will hold out."
Darkfang d20+4=14 Tuesday May 28th, 2002 7:09:51 PM
Darkfang tries to catch the FauxFerrak's leg during the false one's attack, but again the wolf bite comes up short.
Feng (24 down) Tuesday May 28th, 2002 11:39:49 PM
With Rond patched up, Feng waits for the next bloody and near corpse to arrive.
Rond (down 62) Wednesday May 29th, 2002 2:23:27 AM
After traveling down a tunnel for what seems a long time, Rond finally wakes up in the corridor. For a brief second, he doesn't realize where or what has happened. Then pain floods his consciousness as all his wounds demand attention. Groaning heavily, Rond looks over himself to see that his wounds are not currently bleeding. Hearing Draax's report as he finishes assessing himself, Rond wonders how the missing party members are faring. Working his way up to his elbows Rond looks around to assess how the others fared. (Evidently better off than himself. Few are as beat up as he is.)
Bill Troublefinder (Blinkin' like mad, down 15 hp) d20+7=26 d20+7=23 d6+2=8 d6+2=7 Wednesday May 29th, 2002 2:26:51 AM
Bill steps forward five feet to engage his stuck foe. "Tsk, tsk, such vulgarities flowing from so well-formed a mouth. Does a spring of pure water issue also bitter water?" His favorite sword slashes diagonally, catching the opposing halfling imitator at the front of the right shoulder, slicing thence downward and to his left for 15 hp of damage (Threat roll at AC 26, critical at AC 23 (fauxBill currently at ~AC 18), doing d6+2=8 plus d6+2=7 for 15 hp total).
Hobbes (Down 11) d20+5=16 2d8(3+3)+6=12 Wednesday May 29th, 2002 4:17:55 AM
Hobbes materializes, visibly annoyed.
"Of all the arrogant stupidity!" he blasts at the mirror and slams down his scythe onto the ground. (Away from anyone of course)
He turns and looks at his fellow party members, still reeling from the third helping of illogic that was just handed to him.
"If that evil creature wasn't dead already, it'd die in ten seconds in the real world!" he thinks to himself.
He then returns to the reality of the situation... of his fallen comrades lying in the hallway bleeding and his features soften a bit. He quickly spots the worst casualty at the moment: Rond.
He approaches him quickly and takes off his backpack and places it under Rond's head and begins applying makeshift bandages to Rond.
"Lie back, Rond. Your wounds are quite deep. Save your strength," says the cleric trying to recline the warrior. He starts closely examining the cuts, gashes and lacerations and judges that they indeed are quite deep. [Heal Check 16] He applies pressure and ties off certain places. With a quick glance back to the others he notices a certain trend.
"You warriors indeed got the worst of this fight. I indeed would hate to face any ONE of you in battle," Hobbes says applying a dressing to a large leg wound.
He then turns his attention to the large gash in his side and frowns. Placing a now bloodied hand upon it he makes circular gestures and barely touching it utters, "Trck'se marm gak zortan." The deep wound seals itself slowly until it is healed. The armor unfortunately is still damaged. He looks down satisfied but weary as he knows he's got a lot of work ahead of him.
[Cure Moderate Wounds 12 HP]
Hobbes (Reroll - Hero Point) 2d8(7+6)+6=19 Wednesday May 29th, 2002 4:39:43 AM
[using a Hero Point to Reroll that Cure Moderate Wounds roll which gives Rond 19 HP back instead of 12]
K'isst (Matt) (Down 42) d8+1=4 Wednesday May 29th, 2002 4:48:38 AM
K'isst nods her head to Draax, a frenzied smile on her face, then turns as the images of Renik and Hobbes appear.
"Good," she simply says and lightly slaps Renik on the arm, "You two came out well."
She dips into her pack again and pulls out another potion, rips off the top, and downs this one quickly, then sends it crashing into the wall like the last one.
"When Ferrak and Bill come back what next?"
DM Donna Wednesday May 29th, 2002 12:20:44 PM
(waiting for Ferrak's post.)
Ferrak d20+11=18 Wednesday May 29th, 2002 3:26:20 PM
(Another 18!?!)
Snarling, Ferrak continues his assault. Despite the ferocity of his blows, the feral gnome can't seem to find an opening.
"GRRRRR!"
Arien Wednesday May 29th, 2002 11:46:44 PM
"There's nothing to do now but to wait for Bill and Ferrak I suppose. I found myself easy to defeat." Arien pauses for a moment and smiles wryly, "I'm not sure whether that means I'm easy to beat up or good at doing the beating."
The Mirror Crack'd (DM Donna) Thursday May 30th, 2002 6:52:01 AM
In spite of the fact that it appears to both Ferrak and Bill (within their respective battles) that they are closer to defeat and/or death than they'd ever been before, both the gnome and the halfling continue to fight their clones.
Both original Hamleteers see their copies smile rather strangely, then both doppelgangers bow their heads.
"You are worthy!" is the last thing either Bill or Ferrak hear their other selves say before the hallways they are battling in shatter apart... and everyone is suddenly occupying the same hall--only the entire surface of the mirror on the north wall is completely frosted.
"Well met, adventurers!" booms a loud voice in rich, rounded tones. Once more the hallway shatters around you--only this time the party finds itself in the middle of a huge cavern.
The cavern is easily at least 300 feet in circumference. It has a relatively flat, sandy floor with groups of stalagmites here and there, while the walls literally sparkle with a combination of phosphorous lichens and half-buried crystals that reflect the light. The eerie illumination is actually very adequate and rather beautiful.
Approximately thirty feet in front of you is a very curious sight: another large, floating scroll (like the one in the Black Temple)--and, sitting next to it in a comfy-looking chair sized to his particular girth, is a dwarf.
Everyone in the party must roll a Historical Knowledge check versus DC15 (or simply an Intelligence check) in order to realize that this son of earth is dressed in clothing that was all the rage about three hundred years ago.
The ruddy-faced dwarf shifts in his chair, puffs heavily from his cigar and raises a large metallic tankard to you.
"Well done, too!" he speaks in the voice that you'd heard earlier. "Only twice b'fore has anyone come through the Hall of Trial... and then, they was corpses I had to hove off that-a-ways..!" The dwarf uses his cigar to indicate a grouping of large stalagmites off to your left. You don't need to roll any kind of Spot check to see that there are some unmoving arms, legs and other assorted body parts that can be seen between the rocky outcroppings.
"Now, could you all be so kind as to tell me what the date is?" the dwarf continues, puffing on his cigar again. "The year, most especially..?"
Automatically responding to his query, the dwarf harrumphs and nods.
"Ahhhh--that cinches it, then--you be th' lot I been waitin' on." he tells you. "Irontemper is my name, and I'm here to make sure that you do three things. First is t'prove you're worthy to view this Scroll of Divine History... which is what you just done by kickin' your own arses back in th' Hall." Irontemper laughs, takes another drag off the cigar and then blows several rings as he eyes your bedraggled party.
"Damn near blew it, though, din'tcha? Helluva battle, though! Loved every minute of it!" the dwarf grins. "But, now that you've proven that you're th' bunch that'll stick to their cannons when the manure hits the fanning plumes, guess you're all set to view the Scroll, then, eh..?" Irontemper utters a grunt that sounds almost like laughter, but the sound causes the large scroll to unfurl and the Hamleteers once more find themselves in the unenviable boots of...
In The Beginning (Again) (DM Donna) Thursday May 30th, 2002 7:38:30 AM
"Alemi."
You turn and face the somber countenance of your friend and comrade-in-arms, Gargul. The stoic fighter nods to you.
"Alemi, the troops are all converted. There is only we two have not made the transformation." Gargul produces two potion bottles. "I have the elixir here. All that remains..."
"...is for us to die." you say evenly. "How strange, isn't it? That, in order for The Wold to live, we must first die."
"And then undie." Gargul holds up one of the bottles, eyeing it dubiously. "But we both heard the Jericho's instructions quite clearly. Our only hope to defeat the rogue deities is battle them at Oshire House, smack in the middle of the lands of the dead--"
"--and no mortal being can enter the lands of the dead." you finish the sentence, then draw out your own dagger. "I'll go first, my friend." The blade in your trembling grip is lethal, and knowing that you have to use it in a wholly unnatural way makes you hesitate for a fraction of a second--but The Wold needs for you to take this step, and it is for love of The Wold that you plunge the weapon deep into your heart.
And you die.
And you live...sort of.
"Well, the potion works...again." Gargul says as he helps you to get up off the ground where your corpse fell. You look down and see the gaping wound where your dagger had sunk into your heart, stopping its vital beating almost immediately.
"I'm still wounded..?"
"Well, you still look wounded." Gargul says with a grimace. "You aren't alive, so the wound didn't heal, really, when the potion reanimated you...you just reinhabited the body again." The warrior frowns a bit. "You'll never know just how much this disturbs me."
"I...can guess." you tell your friend. "And...you don't have to do this, Gar...Domi and Carol and the others should be enough to--"
"Don't even think I'll let the lot of you face impossible odds without me!" Gargul chides. "We started this together--we'll end this together..." The serious man takes his own dagger and kills himself with it as you have just done. It's all you can do to not reach out and stay his hand--but the Jericho told the both of you that there was no other way.
You wonder why you are so oddly detached, however, as Gargul's body thuds lifelessly to the ground. It's almost comical, the way his eyes stare, unblinking, into the bright sky above...yet neither do you feel like laughing, either. It's as though either laughing or crying is just too much of an effort for you.
You bend over and retrieve the bottle of elixir, uncorking it and pouring the contents into the half-open mouth of one of your best friends in The Wold. For a moment, nothing happens.
Oh, no--could you have waited too long? Did the Jericho supply you with a bum bottle of elixir? Perhaps Gargul's moral aversion to tampering with the natural process of death was stronger than the magic that was supposed to reanimate his body..???
"I must remember..." Gargul says, sitting up and looking at you, "...if I ever want to be sure of killing someone in battle quickly and with as little pain as possible to use such a blow against them." He holds out a hand for you to help him to his feet. "As long as they are humanoid, that is."
"Well...we're undead now, my friend." you say factually. Gargul looks at his own unhealed wound, then nods in agreement.
"We certainly are, Alemi."
"Let's go defeat the gods who betrayed The Wold, then." you order. Gargul does something that you've seen him do only on very rare occasions: he grins.
The two of you join Domi, Caeroldra and the others who have volunteered in this impossible mission to bring to justice the rogue deities of The Wold. In spite of the staggering numbers of warriors, spellcasters and even monster races...in spite of all of you being undead...it's a battle that, by all rights, you feel should be futile--it should be impossible to win.
Yet, after Caeroldra activates the gateway to the lands of the dead, the battle is engaged. The Cult Gods utilize abilities and powers that defy comprehension, cutting down entire divisions of seasoned Elven and Dwarven troops in the blink of an eye...
...and those self-same casualties only rise up again and charge back into the fray.
The Cult Gods are alarmed and horrified--spell after spell they use against the upstart ex-worshippers from The Wold, and yet the terrible magicks do little more than briefly slow them up. The peoples of The Wold--thanks to their determination and the Jericho's help--wage a winning war against the deities that abandoned their duty to The Wold.
You and your friends triumph, and you know that The Wold will never be the same.
Back in The Cave (DM Donna) Thursday May 30th, 2002 7:46:58 AM
"So...that's the whole of the tale, then." Wulannok Irontemper says, brandishing his cigar and nodding at the large floating scroll as it rolls back up again. "Interesting. Never knew Alemi kicked Cult God butt by becoming undead. Hmmph." He puffs on the cigar, then looks at the party.
"Any questions..?"
Ferrak Thursday May 30th, 2002 2:23:10 PM
Ferrak takes a final swipe at his clone, even though it has already disappeared. "Run, rabbit run," he growls out in wolven.
When the dwarf shows up, Ferrak has no knowledge of fashion, so doesn't notice anything unusual.
Watching as the history of the world once again unfolds before him, Ferrak is respectfully quiet.
Feng Thursday May 30th, 2002 2:56:41 PM
Yet again Feng is shocked by the history of the wold. He tries to think of other alternatives, but can't. He looks over at the dwarf. "Just one, where do we find the elixirs?"
Renik d20+2=7 Thursday May 30th, 2002 5:49:44 PM
As the magic of the scroll fades Renik looks at IronTemper with awe. Though he does not recognize the ancient fashions he wears, the question about the date and familiar name are sufficient.
"You are IronTemper the Gatemaker? But surely you should be long dead? How is it that you have come to hold this secret knowledge of the Gods? What is told in this scroll defies belief, and yet I believe it..."
He gazes round at his companions, too flabberghasted to think coherently. Feng's question brings him back to reality.
"Aye, how can we too join the ranks of the unliving? For if I understand these visions correctly, we too must die if we are to fight the Dark Lord. Are we agreed?" He looks to the Hamleteers for confirmation.
Draax d20+1=8 Thursday May 30th, 2002 10:30:50 PM
Draax smiles as Bill, Ferrak and Darkfang appear alive in the hall with the others. He is a little surprised when Irontemper reveals his identity, but with everything else going on he is willing to believe him.
As he watches more of the gods' story, Draax gets the feeling that he knows what the moral of the story is. He gets a nauseating feeling in his stomach as Feng and Renik confirm his thoughts.
He thinks to himself, 'After making us fight ourselves, although I did kind of liked that, now he wants us to kill ourselves. This is just too much.' Draax tries to keep his feeling from showing on his face, but it is easy to see that he is not happy.
Darkfang Thursday May 30th, 2002 10:44:03 PM
Darkfang gets ready to attack the FauxFerrak again when the fight is stopped. He wags his tail when they appear in the hall and he recognizes the other members of the group. He takes a sit by his brother and observes what's happening.
Bill Troublefinder (down 15 hp) d20+5=17 d20+18=26 d20+18=36 d20+18=20 d20+18=34 Friday May 31st, 2002 3:57:42 AM
With the issuance of praise from his double, and the reemergence into the mirrored hall among his friends, Bill initially remains on guard, for a moment wondering whether the bloodied yet familiar forms are indeed his friends, or false copies of the same.
The voice of welcome gives him no leave to ponder that point overmuch as he looks about the cavern. Noting the stalagmites, he looks upwards as well to see if stalactites are attached to the roof of the cavern. If so, he shall take care not to walk under any, if they can be avoided. The sparkly walls are pretty, but the scroll and dwarf before the party rivets his attention.
The halfling notes the dwarf's apparel, and recalls seeing some vaguely similar clothing from a page in one finely illustrated book from his uncle's broad library (Knowledge: History, DC 17). About to interrupt Irontemper with more than one question, he defers at the telling of the scroll. (Autohypnosis, twice, for the memorization of what he sees and hears, DC 26 & 36.) He absorbs the story, watching for details and nuance of expression, voice, taking in all he can in the gestalt of the scroll's immersive retelling.
He closes his eyes briefly at the end, taking the time to integrate this new revelation into what else was learned in the bowels of the temple of Gargul. Part of him listens to his friends as they make their queries and observations.
"Renik, dwarfs live longer than men, or halflings, usually. Well met, Irontemper. No bones about it," he says, "I like your sonic keys. I'm Bill. Would love to talk with you about gateways, and teleportation, and such. Nice tobacco, there. Reminds me of something my great uncle on my mother's father's side smoked. Yes, I have a question. Once they turned undead, and did their deeds, then how'd they get back to, uh, normal? Frankly, I've never had a hankering to become undead. If it'll save the Wold, though, or have a chance to, then, I suppose I'm willing. Just want to go in with eyes wide open, if we can, that is." Bill walks about some as he talks, wishing he was not wearing boots so he could bury his toes in the sand. His boots, though handy, have taken away one accustomed point of contact with his environment.
He takes in Irontemper's features and costume, planning later to add him to his journal. (Autohypnosis 20. Hmmm - missed some details. Try again. Autohypnosis 34.)
Rond (down 43) Friday May 31st, 2002 4:48:09 AM
Seeing everyone returned to the party relatively safe, Rond breathes a sigh of relief. Just as the dwarf begins his introductions and the 'other side' of the story is told, Rond works his way to standing. Standing in awe as yet another part of the puzzle slowly comes together, Rond listens intently as the story is told. Not exactly sure what it means, Rond decides to chew on the specifics of the story later. As he listens to the other memebers of the party ask their questions, Renik's question prompts Rond to answer. "I'm not so sure we're the ones that are going to do this deed. But I'm sure this 'DragonStone' person that has talked to us might be able to judge better about that." As Rond finishes his comment, he looks to Irontemper to see what he has to say on the subject.
Back to the Future (DM Donna) Friday May 31st, 2002 7:11:02 AM
The dark-haired dwarf shrugs at Feng's questions.
"I don't do magic," he tells the half-orc, "However, if you go back to Plateau City you oughtta be able to find some stupid wizard who c'n whip up such a potion...an' let me tell ya, I do NOT envy you having to go through that." Wulannok puffs contemplatively on his cigar as Renik asks his own questions, grinning when the rogue gets done.
"Well, sonny, now that ya've asked," he says breezily, "I can tell ya this: from MY point of view, it's about three hunnerd years ago in The Wold--you guys are from the future. See, I went adventurin' in this place called Koshe-Marr, an' while I was there, I got my keister cursed by this wrinkled old hag. She hexed me so that I had to come back to Plateau City, go read a magic scroll in the secret archive room o' the Black Temple, make me an archway gate, get some spelltosser to enchant the damned thing accordin' to a tome she give me, an' then I had to travel through the gateway m'self.
"When I did that, *I* ended up here in this cave. Homey, but a little lonely. From MY point o' view, I been here almost a year. The cave takes care o' my needs--food, water, rest--and I couldn't get out until I made sure three things happened: first, that anyone traveling the gate had to prove themselves worthy. Y'all did that when you refused to give up like your dopplers in that magic Hall of Trial tried to persuade you all to do.
"Second, I had to make sure that you worthies saw the contents of this here scroll." Wulannok gestures to the now-furled floating scroll. "The last thing I'm supposed to do is answer any questions you guys have that I have any answers to. When you guys go, I can leave, too--supposed to get me back to my own time an' place. I sure hope it does." Bill's comments and questions cause the dwarf to scratch his long, full beard.
"Well, thank ya, fleetfeet," Wulannok acknowledges, "But I only forged the danged thing--it was a high-muckety magickan who did the enchantin' on it...and even then, I suspect that it weren't HIS magic, but the magic of that old crone's book that done the trick. However, I DID pick the key for the gate...heh heh heh...always loved them belchin' champeenchips..." Irontemper chuckles to himself, aglow with reminscence. Then he directs himself to the rest of Bill's inquiry.
"Ah, now, fellas, I don' know nuthin' 'bout livin' after dyin'...you should probably poke around in liberries an' such--ask one of them necro-manders as can make the potion in first place. Plateau City should still have the facillies...fakkaties...er, um...the places where you can look that stuff up. Maybe get some stupid diviner to toss some entrails or somethin'..."
Ferrak Friday May 31st, 2002 12:17:39 PM
"Woof."
Hobbes (Down 11) Friday May 31st, 2002 2:57:43 PM
Hobbes is dumbfound as the dwarf appears and plays let another mysterious scroll for them to watch. This time however, he is more stoic in his reaction, watching thoughtfully, even awefully, at the actions which transpire. He is seeing his deity, his god, the whole meaning of his life playing before him.
Forgetting he was even treating Rond in the first place, he turns to the vision, kneeling, his hands clasped together, his silver eye held tightly between his fingers.
"Oh...my..." he whispers faintly taking in this...seemingly controversial event in history. "He killed himself to free the Wold."
He remains silent when the film stops and looks thoughtfully down at his holy symbol for several seconds as the others react.
"Damocles," he says quietly, "That is what my dream meant. Domcles and Marcus' good wife weren't turned into undead...they animated themselves in order to defeat Marteus. So there may indeed be hope for your friends after all. Although this revelation distorts from the traditional view of Gargul's teachings. To come back from death is to avoid Gargul's calling. Gargul places you in the realm you are destined...but if you remain here magically after death...that's what Gargul fights against...such blasphemies. Hobbes stands and begins pacing back and forth, a frown upon his face. HOwever, doing so in his name would be considered to be following what Gargul has set AS your destined path and thus you are an instrument of his hands...and thus when your task is complete, Gargul will reward your sacrifice with the destiny chosen for you."
He folds his hands and ponders, wondering what indeed the high clerics would say, even DO, with this knowledge. Perhaps this is something best left unheard.
[Rond, I healed you 19 hp last time. DOn't forget to mark it down.]
K'isst Friday May 31st, 2002 3:00:33 PM
K'isst rushes forward to Bill and Ferrak and lays a hand on each of their shoulders.
"You two! Take too long, you did. Worry us!" she says gruffly, "Very glad you're back with us."
She scowls distrustfully at the dwarf that materializes and speaks.
"If killing self works, you try it first." she says to dwarf, "Then we will see."
Feng (24 down) Friday May 31st, 2002 3:27:56 PM
Feng isn't sure what to do. He's not slow like most of his brethren, but he's no genius either. "I do not wish such a fate, but if that's what the gods decree, then so be it. However something just occurred to me. I'm not sure if it will work, but somebody else with a better grasp of magic could confirm that. We saw the gods drink the magical potions. Would there be a way to reactivate the old magic? Marteaus killed Domi. What if we could jumpstart Domi with the magic from the potion he once took? Death is death regardless of how you died. I'm sure that we could find some powerful wizard who will donate his services to help save the world."
Renik Friday May 31st, 2002 6:44:40 PM
Thinking hard the rogue looks up at IronTemper, then says "You say we can get some sort of potion that will allow us to reanimate as thinking undead. I'll confess I've never heard of such a thing, but if you say it is possible I won't doubt you. Though I suspect such magics will be fearfully expensive."
Unconciously the rogue's hand covers his money pouch.
"But I have one question for you sir, which I suspect only you can answer. Assuming we can find the means, we are to become undead. On that I think we are agreed.
But there is more to it than that, if the scroll is to be believed. To fight the Dark Lord we will have to travel to the Land of the Dead, as the Gods did before us. My question is simply this; how?
Where is the land of the dead, and how might one travel there, even if they are undead? Do you, who seems so versed in the magics of mystic portals, have the power to transport us there? Or do you know of a way in which we might achieve this goal?"
Arien Friday May 31st, 2002 10:07:16 PM
"Well I can't say I'm thrilled about having to kill myself in order to fight Marteaus but well he has to be stopped and I suppose what can be done to stop him must be done." The elf dry washes his hands with a faint grimace as he considers becoming undead.
Draax Sunday June 2nd, 2002 5:51:52 PM
Not very happy with the idea of killing himself, Draax is relieved to know that they will have to do some research first. Draax waits for everyone to finish asking their questions and then he turns to the dwark. "OK, how do we get back?"
Answering Questions (Still) (DM Donna) Monday June 3rd, 2002 7:25:23 AM
As the questions fly fast and furious, Wulannok seems rather laid back as he smokes his stogie in a contemplative manner.
"I'll say it again," he addresses himself to Feng's queries first, "I think you're gonna have to track down some wizard who specializes in making zombies an' such if you think you have to go that route. HE will be able to answer the how's an' why's about doing that, I would think." The dwarf nods in Renik's direction.
"Yours is the question that needs answerin' the most urgent, boy," Irontemper says, "On account that it's all TOO easy to kill yerself, an' even to get that self up 'n' about again...but then gettin' that self to where you can face off with Mr. Wannabe-Deity..." Here Wulannok shakes his head and shrugs. "...I ain't got the foggiest. I said it afore, an' I'll tell ya again: I only forged the gateway, I had nothin' to do with making it magic except to give it the key to get here...an' to get back to Plateau City." The blacksmith lances K'isst with a hard look.
"An' don't be goin' on THAT way, missy..!" he tells her stiffly. "After all, killin' yerself ain't my idea--it's what YOU all be assumin' after watchin' the scroll..!" Wulannok flicks off the ash at the end of his cigar before finally answering Draax.
"Ya wanna go back to your time an' place in old Plateau City..? You just give another champeenchip belch, boy--the gate'll reactivate one more time, then. Step through it an' you're back in the city." The dwarf waves the hand with the smoking cigar in it towards one side of the cave, where you all finally notice a large arched gateway constructed of black metal forged to resemble an arch of orc bones.
Rond (down 43) (62-19 =43 I did subtract already H. :) ) Monday June 3rd, 2002 7:57:59 AM
After hearing Irontemper remind the group that what they have is just information, it doesn't have to be them. Rond speaks up, "I agree. I think this is information that this Dragonstone person probably needs. If he then decides that it is to be us that does the deed, then so be it. But I'm thinking that he may have resources that we do not."
Draax Monday June 3rd, 2002 9:50:55 AM
Draax eyes follow the dwarf's gesture towards the now visible gate. He nods his head in agreement with Rond's assessment. "You might be right Rond, the task of fighting the gods in the lands of the dead may fall to others." The queasy feeling in his stomach lets Draax know that he does not actually believe he last statement.
"I also hope that Hobbes' interpretation of his dream about Damocles is correct. It will make me feel a little better.
OK, so are we ready to get back to our time?"
GOD WAR! [CDM Jerry] Monday June 3rd, 2002 10:39:48 AM
A distant rumble is heard, causing many to look in that direction to see if a storm is building. In the distance, a darkness seems to be creeping eastward. A few minutes later, huge clouds are building and soon cover the western sky, moving east. A devil of a storm is brewing, and people scramble through the streets to reach the safety of shelter before it begins.
The storm is filled with magic as the clouds, seemingly alive, build faster than any natural storm. Soon it fills the sky, looking below for victims to pound with hail and strike with...
LIGHTNING!
Suddenly, lightning strikes! Then again! Forking into thousands of bolts, the ground is assaulted. The smell of ozone is in the air. Shortly after comes the thunder! Deafeningly loud, it causes those yet outdoors to hold their ears in pain.
Then, beginning with the places where the lightning had struck, the ground begins to crack and open.
Distantly you hear a dark deep voice. The voice of a god.
"ATTACK!"
Godly war has begun. The Cult Gods have assaulted the Godlands.
The ground begins to shake and the volcanoes of the Scab rejoice in the conflict, belching fire and smoke that can be seen for hundreds of miles. Even the monstrous Shadow Mountain blows its top in tribute to the battle's ferocity. This explosion is heard and seen throughout the peninsula and as far west as Wemic Isle.
Ferrak d8+3=9 Monday June 3rd, 2002 12:42:37 PM
Worried that some new threat will soon manifest, Ferrak examines the wounds that his brother received during there combat with themselves. Chanting in the ancient tongue of the Druids, Ferrak tries to heal Darkfang to the best of his ability. +9 HP "The balance!?!" mumbles the feral gnome as the wold shudders through yet more turmoil.
Feng Monday June 3rd, 2002 6:14:20 PM
"Do we have to go back to our time? Could we go into the past instead? Perhaps he can stops this war before it ever starts."
Renik Monday June 3rd, 2002 6:43:51 PM
Renik pulls out his bubbly ale, ready should the party choose to reactivate the gate. If this dwarf cannot help them reach the Dark Lord in the Lands of the Dead, they have some serious thinking to do...
"Valdor? Yes, good idea, he may well be able to help, and he will certainly want to hear what we have discovered.
Did anyone else hear the sound of distant thunder?"
Bill Troublefinder (down by 12 hp) Monday June 3rd, 2002 8:29:10 PM
Bill can't resist the sand, and takes off his boots as Wulannok Irontemper and his friends talk things over. He stows them in his backpack (in the bag). He continues to listen, but just enjoys feeling the sand run through his toes. "Mind if I take a closer look at that scroll there, Wulannok Irontemper?" he asks as he heads over to do so. Unless the dwarf tells him not to touch it, he looks at it carefully, and uses his psychical magic detection on it, checking out its aura, walking around it, then, ever so lightly, reaching out to touch it with his fingertip, then gently prying it open. If at any point in this experiment something happens that would serve as a clear sign that he should back off, he will choose discretion.
[How much of Jerry's post are our characters aware of? I'll post Bill's reaction, but am not sure, based upon our current location, how much of it we'd really even know about.]
Assuming he survives that experience, Bill notes the rumbling of the ground, and double checks to make sure that there are no stalactites above him that might threaten to dislodge.
"Whoa. Something big's happening. Mr. Irontemper, since our research revealed that never has there been a dwarf to have won the annual contest more than you, once everyone's satisfied, would you do us the honor of making the, uh, special sound for opening the gate? And, before we go, we'd be appreciative of any more advice you might have."
"Oh, and Ferrak, could I borrow your wand of cure light wounds for a few minutes before we go? That might help everyone get up to snuff, as it were. Kinda ragged, some of us are. Say, I'm wonderin', if some of us do end up as undead, would we want a wand of cause light wounds or somethin' similar?"
Arien Tuesday June 4th, 2002 1:09:07 AM
"Well the last time we came up against Marteaus we didn't fare so well and somehow I doubt being a walking corpse will change that all that much. So perhaps this Valdor will indeed know what to do with this. I suggest we get back to our own place soon, I suspect that events are hurtling ever faster to some great confrontation that may spell the end of the Wold, or a fate as close to it that it would make no difference to us."
Hobbes (Down 11) d20+8=22 Tuesday June 4th, 2002 4:44:24 AM
As the party is in a cave probably in another dimension, Hobbes probably does not hear nor see any of the cataclysmic events going on with the gods...and is probably better off not knowing at this point in time.
He advances and stays K'isst's hand. "Please. Sir, glad we are that you'll be freed from this curse. You have held up better than most would in this tomb, however I would guard against treating death with such folly," Hobbes says grimacing deeply into the dwarf's eyes, "For you never know when your time is next."
"Now," he says standing and wrinkling his nose, "What we need to determine is the source of this undead transferrence. I can impart what I know from my studies years ago." ...and Hobbes does so explaining all he knows on the subject. [Second good knowledge undead check. The first one was a 25 way back when and now I roll a 22.]
"Now, Good Sir Feng, if you would be so kind as to...impart some of your breakfast odor upon us through that disgusting sound from what you call your daiaphragm we'd be most appreciative to leave this place. Don't worry, Bill. The Clerics at the Black Cathedral will have healing readily available to us."
He shakes his head, "It is what we have ready for them which I fear the most."
K'isst Tuesday June 4th, 2002 4:49:41 AM
K'isst looks back at the dwarf and grumbles, "My friends almost die and you think that's funny? You lucky they are here..."
She goes back to the wall and sits down taking inventory of her weapons and putting them back in their holders. She opens her waterskin and takes a deep swig with an accompanying whispers "Ahhhh", sighs heavily and asks, "Anyone got something a bit stronger?"
The Way of The Wold (DM Donna) Tuesday June 4th, 2002 6:28:43 AM OOC: everyone in the cave will have done their comments and/or reactions to Wulannok's previous replies; THEN--suddenly--as Bill tests the scroll and pokes at it, the giant parchment flies open to its fullest size, and everyone can see and hear what is happening in The Wold as CDM Jerry's post indicates. You all see the event as it effects Plateau City. However, once the scene is played out, the scroll slams itself shut again--almost as though it was aware of the horrible news it was showing and no longer could bear to reveal it.
"GREAT ROLLING ROCKS!!!" bellows the shocked guardian of the scroll, spitting out his cigar as this newest development unfolds (literally!) before his eyes. "That looks gods-awful! I hope I'm not the one returning to that..!" Belatedly, Wulannok casts a sheepish, apologetic look over at the party.
"Ooops...sorry. Didn't mean to sound like I hoped YOU all were goin' back to that chaos." he says sincerely. "Once this gateway is activated, each of us goes to where we need to go--and, from what that wizzy-feller told me when he used that Encantatome book to magic up the archway, that don't necessarily mean that everyone here will always end up in the very same place."
Bill's senses tell him that the scroll is ancient magic of a very powerful sort.
Hobbes sifts through his knowledge about undead, coming up with the basics of his years of study: there are two basic types of undead: animated and autonomous.
Animated undead are much akin to puppets--they have no mind or will of their own (which is the reason why mind-influencing spells and psychic powers don't work on them.) Their state of mindlessness also prevents them from being able to cast spells. Zombies and skeletons are animated undead.
Autonomous undead are those whom still possess at least a fragment of their formerly-living personality. Ghasts, ghouls, spirits, mummies, liches, and vampires are amongst this type. Autonomous undead are further divided into two types: willing and unwilling. Almost all autonomous undead were initially created against their personal will, and are unwilling undead. (The sole exception to this are liches. Every known lich ever encountered has always chosen to become a lich in an effort to avoid the end of their mortality.) Unfortunately, the longer an initially unwilling undead stays in their unnatural state, the more likely they are to become seduced by their undying state of being and turn into a willing undead creature.
It is a moral trap that anyone contemplating becoming undead by choice must weigh heavily before making that decision--especially since there is no easy way to reverse the process.
Ferrak d8+1=8 d8+1=6 d8+1=7 d8+1=7 d8+1=7 d8+1=5 d8+3=10 Tuesday June 4th, 2002 12:01:33 PM
"In case there are others hunting us, maybe it would be gggood to lick some of our wounds now." Ferrak offers to the black armored priest of Gargul.
Using the wand twice on Rond, & K'isst to try and relieve what must be painful wounds, the feral gnome also uses it once on Draax and Feng, hoping to keep the pack's main fighting force up and running. (Rond+14, K'isst+14, Draax+7, and Feng+5.)
Noticing the state of his foster brother Darkfang, Ferrak once again calls upon the forces of nature to heal his brother's hurts. (Darkfang+10. That plus the healing before should bring him up to max HP-22.)
Hobbes Tuesday June 4th, 2002 1:37:34 PM
Hobbes sighs at all of the impatient wasteful healing going on around and paces, his hand behind his back, then starts into his professorly oration about the nature of undead. His tone is very tutorial, listing every detail and undead creature he knows to the rest of the group.
"And in conclusion..." he says raising a finger in the air, "we find that the most important thing to note is that we find the total truth of the complicated layered matter is...you CAN, however slim the chance may be, return from an undead state to a normal human state."
He pauses and then turns from looking smug to somewhat bewildered, "but just how that is performed, I have no idea."
Renik Tuesday June 4th, 2002 2:14:29 PM
"Very well. We have at least part of the solution then. I say we return to Plateau City, let Valdor know of our findings, see if we can find a way to reach our destination, and then use Hobbes' knowledge or that of his temple to transorm us."
He supresses an involuntary shudder, and holds out the bubbly ale.
"If Holy War has broken out amongst the Gods, our time is short, and Valdor must be informed at once. Who's up for some belching?"
The First To Go [CDM Jerry] Tuesday June 4th, 2002 3:18:58 PM
Moments later, The sky lets loose with hail and rain. The Gods are at war and the whole Wold is feeling the repercussions thereof.
Those in cities notice explosions. One temple after after another implodes, signifying the death of a god.
The first to go is Teresalia, Goddess of Poetry and Song, followed closely by Mittiri, Goddess of Nature.
Then Raven, one of the Cult Gods, meets his ultimate doom.
Then the earth writhes again with a huge aftershock and the ground buckles. Portions of the land rise and fall as Ga'al is slain along with Pantheon.
Feng (24 down) Tuesday June 4th, 2002 3:46:51 PM
As the battle rages, Feng goes a bit pale and drops to his knees. He hoped that this battle would never come. He can almost feel the battle within himself. As the three gods die, Feng winces three times, and three more stars fade on his breastplate.
Renik Tuesday June 4th, 2002 4:48:05 PM
"No! Not Blessed Mittiri!" gasps Renik, suddenly weak-kneed. "What is happening? How can this be? Can no-one stop this madness?"
Even the fall of the Dark Gods Raven and Ga'al cannot bring him solace. Mittiri, the Laughter in the Woods, is gone for all eternity! The deity his father worshipped every day of his life, the deity Renik too would have worshipped had his father not been so unjustly cut down...
Renik is profoundly shaken as his old demons are compounded by the new horrors of mass Deicide.
K'isst d100=75 Tuesday June 4th, 2002 9:04:06 PM
K'isst leaps forward as Renik uncorks the flask and grabs it from his hand (nearly taking his hand off).
"Give me that! Thanks Renik!" she says gulping the strong bubbly ale down her gullet.
She sighs contented. "I needed that."
She then hiccups once and burps loudly. [75 rolled]
"Excuse me," she says gruffly.
Darkfang Tuesday June 4th, 2002 10:34:10 PM
Darkfang wags his tail happily as he receives the healing.
Draax Tuesday June 4th, 2002 10:42:50 PM
Draax absorbs the scenes that play before his eyes. The horror of what he witnessed strengthened his resolve. He thanks Ferrak for the healing and waits for the gate to open before jumping through.
Bill Troublefinder (down by 12 hp) Wednesday June 5th, 2002 3:34:26 AM
"I wrote a poem for Teresalia, once," Bill says somewhat vacantly. "And we fought Raven. He poofed out after a while." He sighs. "Mittiri."
He sits in the sand, scooping it up in his hands, and watching the grains flow between his fingers spread easily. He repeats the process a few times. Then, again sighing, pulls his boots from out the bag in this backpack, dusts off his feet, making sure to get rid of the sand particles between his toes, and brushing the hair on top his feet. Once his boots are on, he approaches the dwarf. "Wulannok Irontemper, are you sure you won't do us the honor of repeating your championship performance? Feng, here, has a prodigious belch. In my mind I wonder just how yours would compare."
Whether the dwarf, the half-elf/trog, the half-orc, or Renik or some other open the gateway, prior to departure, Bill offers to shake the hand of their host. "May the balance of your life be noteworthy, where ever, or when ever, you go. Thank you for your help."
And Bill joins his friends as they exuent the cavern. He knows they leave treasures behind.
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