Back To Life (DM Donna)yes...the game is officially restarted now. Wednesday August 14th, 2002 7:33:02 AM
The sun glows merrily in the bright blue sky of this lovely, fresh new Wold. Most of the devestation to the population of The Wold caused by Marteaus in his quest for godhood has been restored.
The Hamleteers find themselves in Plateau City--in the building that houses their private library. They are alive and well...and quite aware that, in order to maintain the new balance of The Wold, Marteaus has been granted his desire to be a god--a god of Testing. He is directly opposed by Alemi, his equal and opposite in the group that is now known as the gods of The Wold. Where Alemi promotes health and vigor, Marteaus represents the forces of disease and decay. Opposing forces for Good and Evil...but equal in power, that The Wold may continue to turn without fearing ultimate destruction.
There is a knock on the door of the house--a note is slipped under the door. It is sealed with the symbol of Marcus and reads simply:
Come immediately. Mechina
Mechina--ah, yes...Mechina Sprocket, the gnome lady who is Marcus' assistant, and the "owner" of that new shop, The Motley Lot. The Hamleteers know that she must need them for something important, and hurry over to the cover business for the operatives of Marcus.
Once the party arrives at the shop, one of the attendants shows them to the back office where the brunette gnome's nut-brown head is bent over a ledger that she is studying with a bit of a scowl on her face. Once Mechina becomes aware of the party's presence, however, she looks up with a grimace.
"Well, it appears that the City government has finally decided on a final tally of taxes owed by this business, as well as the amount that you lot owe Plateau City." she tells you. "According to my figures here, we're going to either need for you to sell one or the other of your two remaining properties...or we're going to lose all three to the City's tax coffers!"
The shock and dismay on the fellow operatives' faces makes Mechina nod with another bitter grimace.
"Yes, regardless of the Wold-shaking events that have started us off on a new Age," the gnome comments, "Plateau City will collect their taxes! However, there IS a way for us to get the matter of this group of taxes resolved without losing any property at all--neither yours nor this business that we really need to maintain, as it IS a perfect cover...
"You need to find Marcus and bring him back here."
Bill Troublefinder Wednesday August 14th, 2002 11:35:35 AM
"Great to see you, Mechina. Isn't it great to be alive!" Bill greets the spy/business gnome. Then, as she goes over the news, he exclaims, "So, we've barely been in business for, I think, less than a month, and already we owe enough in taxes - what, four to six thousand gold pieces - to cost a building? My, my, that is a wonderful way to encourage new businesses. Overtax them in their first month. Have we even sold that much product? Of course, the taxes were figured under the interim regime." Then he sighs, "Ahh, death and taxes..."
"Find Marcus, eh? Sure!" Bill agrees, looking forward to something to do now that he is back from vacation.
Renik Wednesday August 14th, 2002 5:50:54 PM
"Agreed, we shall find him if he is alive to be found" comments the long haired rogue.
"Before all the troubles we contacted Marcus with a special coin. Draax, you carry it do you not? Now, the chaos of those last days before the... new dawn... makes accurate recolection difficult, but I seem to recall that we tried to contact him with it then, but failed. We must try again. Failing that, good Mechina, do you have any news of his whereabouts?"
He scratches his chin a moment and then his eyes brighten. "Perhaps we might aproach the High Priest of Alemi, Oratai. She was involved in our recruitment, and had close links with Marcus. Perhaps she might be able to assist us?"
Draax Wednesday August 14th, 2002 7:26:11 PM
Draax turns to Renik, "No, I do not have the coin, I believe Rond still has it, but I am not sure. I agree trying the coin would be a good starting point and if that does not give us a clue maybe one of your other suggestions will."
Ferrak Wednesday August 14th, 2002 10:33:46 PM
"Wherrre was he last? My brrother has smelled him." says Ferrak, as the feral gnome scratches Darkfang behind an ear. "We can find him."
Mechina Explains (DM Donna) Thursday August 15th, 2002 6:55:54 AM
The gnome female nods, closing the ledger and pushing it to a resting spot next to an ornate stylus-and-inkwell holder on top of her desk.
"Rond still has your Coin of Communication," she confirms, "But Marcus is maintaining silence, and so you cannot use it at the moment...
"...however, you CAN still find Marcus, because he made arrangements with me before he had to...take his brief vacation." Mechina says euphemistically. "Marcus always had this contingency plan--he was intelligent enough to have planned ahead should the occasion arise that he'd have to temporarily remove himself from the organization, you see...and, as we all know, the end of the Fourth Age forced that event." The tanned young gnome harrumphed.
"He told me that--should he ever voluntarily drop out of sight--that he would return on the first night that both moons are simultaneously new." Mechina's dark eyes glance around at each member of the party. "He said that I was to send his best operatives to rendezvous with him on midnight of that night. He is supposed to be at the northern gate of the Golden Arena at that time."
Feng Thursday August 15th, 2002 8:53:10 AM
The young and well groomed half-orc breaks his silence. "About these taxes, is there a way we can find out what they are for? I refuse to line a politicians pocket. However I believe that there is the chance the taxes are needed for a specific purpose. Perhaps some trouble that the city is keeping under wraps."
Hobbes Thursday August 15th, 2002 12:58:57 PM
From another room, the rustle of pages turning can be heard with an obvious clearing of the throat.
"Taxes are a necessity, fellows," utters a parched voice through the door as the book is heard closing, "They are but a small sacrifice to add to the greater good of such a society."
The cleric appears at the doorway to the room, a pair of half-moon spectacles on his nose which he carefully folds and places in a pouch.
"It is how the church has survived," he adds, coddling the book under his arm, "So we must rendezvous. Good. When do we leave, Miss Sprocket? I assume you want us in our...disguises."
He says this last word with just a touch of contempt.
Bill Troublefinder Thursday August 15th, 2002 2:18:34 PM
"Hmmm. I wonder if the ghosts and such still haunt Gladiator Park, after all that's happened," Bill ponders. "They seemed to like good food." He scratches his head, then says, "If there are spirits still there, perhaps we'd want to get there before dark, get set up with plenty of protections versus such incorporealities, then wait until midnight. What do you folks think?"
Concerning the taxes, Bill adds, "Well, Mechina, you said that finding Marcus may offer a third alternative to selling a building or closing up shop. I can think of a few additional alternatives, as well. By the way, do you have the figure the city is requesting? Our two adjacent buildings were 5,000 for our residence and 6,000 for the clubhouse - although we went for a time payment, so the total paid will eventually be 7,000. We paid 1,000 down, and every month 200 gold. Boy, that was - how long ago was that? Not quite a year, I think. The lab was 1,500."
Renik Thursday August 15th, 2002 6:30:22 PM
"Hobbes," grins the rogue, slapping the cleric on the back. "You are a card and no mistake! Taxes a necessity indeed! Who would have thought the heart of a comedian beat under such a dour exterior! You make me laugh my friend!" He grins mischievously at the bespectacled cleric.
"But seriously, friends, we must find a way to prevent our meagre funds from being further eroded. And if locating Marcus can aid us in that task, then let us find the man without delay! Ferrak, you are in tune with the natural Wold; when does the next double full moon fall?"
Arien Thursday August 15th, 2002 8:40:58 PM
"When are these taxes due? We might have a problem if we have to pay them before its time for Marcus to return. I would hate to have to sell the buildings after all we've done to make them home. Lets just hope that none of our or his enemies get to him before we can."
Draax Thursday August 15th, 2002 10:27:46 PM
Draax sits down as he listens to Mechina and the group. "I also wonder if the ghosts are still active. Maybe we should bring some food with us to be on the safe side."
Rond Thursday August 15th, 2002 10:45:12 PM
"Our monthly/annual taxes, are they more than what the shops are making right now? If we are pulling in more than the taxes, can we make a committment to pay over the year, or some such. Claiming that the end of the 4th age screwed up our accounting, or some such?"
More Explanations (DM Donna) Friday August 16th, 2002 3:50:47 PM
"The taxes ARE excessive and quite unfair," Mechina agrees with Feng and proceeds to address the subject that both Bill and Arien have commented on: "They're a holdover from the procedures approved by the City Council to raise money for the troops to protect Plateau City while the Dark Lord's forces were overrunning every area around us. The tax assessment has come in at unusually high rates because Baron Balentyne's recommendations on the assessment formula AND the improvements made to all three of the properties have increased their value. Plateau City charter says that, regardless of the original reason for the levy, any officially-recognized tax imposed upon any denizen or property of Plateau City MUST be paid. Only the Lord High Mayor can abate the responsibility--and only Marcus has access to Sturtavent. Thus we have to rendezvous with him and bring him safely back to our fold."
Mechina nudges the ledger towards Bill, who can read for himself the amount the tax collectors are claiming is owed for all three properties--the halfling nearly chokes at the amount!
"...and it's due in but three days." the brunette gnome adds. Ferrak's knowledge of the cycle of the moons of The Wold calculate that the next time both moons are full at roughly the same time will be a good 90 days from today.
"Now, as I said before," Mechina goes on, "Marcus should arrive at the north gate of the Golden Arena no later than midnight. Since it was the inherent evil of Marteaus that made Gladiator Park a dangerous haunt after sunset, there shouldn't be too much of a problem with the usual assortment of phantoms if you all get blessed by Brother Hobbes here before you enter the area." The temporary spymaster nods in Hobbes' direction.
"Regardless of the danger that may exist, however, you will rendezvous at the gate, and you will keep your eyes and ears peeled for someone who is complaining out loud about how dark it is. Marcus will utter the phrase: 'Only a native of The Abyss could see on a night such as this!' The counterphrase that you must use is: 'Or one without eyes.' Is that clear...?"
Renik Friday August 16th, 2002 4:56:25 PM
"As crystal, dear lady. We shall meet with our erstwhile boss tonight, and return with him here."
Turning to his companions Renik continues;
"I suggest we prepare ourselves for the night ahead. Work out a route to and from the pick up point, develop a contingency plan in case of trouble, and think on ways to ensure Marcus' safety as he travels back with us. Perhaps flight, or invisibility? Barkskin? Mage armour? Although Marteaus has been defeated I have no doubt his forces will be still at work in the city. Balentyne is still a powerful man, and I would think no friend of Marcus."
Bill Troublefinder d20+18=20 Friday August 16th, 2002 7:30:08 PM
After looking over the ledger (autohypnosis DC 20 to memorize - hmmm - he would have to spend more time looking at it to get it down cold, but at least he gets the main points), Bill looks up. "Well, I guess we are being taxed at the same rate as three well-populated castles and their lands around! Doesn't the Council fear a tax revolt by the citizens, by the merchants, at this? Bankrupt the ... where is this Balentyne now, anyhow?! Like to give him a piece of my ..." The halfling is approaching the point of huffing and puffing. Then, taking a deep breath and raising his finger in the air, he stops, and drops his hand. "Never mind."
Switching from the problem to the solution, Bill offers, "I can make him invisible, and help him to fly. There are a few charges left in my wand of levitation. I can make myself and maybe one other of us invisible. Ummm, I'm sure there's something else we can do." He scratches his head again, then notices his pants are particularly plaid today. He changes the color to a dark blue.
Feng Saturday August 17th, 2002 5:12:04 AM
Feng pulls out a rag and wipes down the surface of his double axe. Which is already sparkling clean. "Forgive my ignorance, but why is Marcus in hiding? If we provide a beneficial service to the city, why is he being sought?"
Arien Saturday August 17th, 2002 4:21:39 PM
Arien's eyes narrow at the mention of Balentyne and agrees wholeheartedly with Bill. "Well Bill I suspect that Balentyne will receive his comeuppance, even if we have to be the ones to deliver it to him. But first we must meet with Marcus and secure our base of operations before we can risk striking at the deserving Balentyne."
Draax Sunday August 18th, 2002 6:41:09 PM
Draax tries to answer Feng's question, "I guess you can say the main reason they were after Marcus was politics, he heard corrupted council members were going to try to assassinate him so he disappeared. Seeing how good Marcus was/is at his job of Spy Master it would be logical for corrupted members of the council to either try to buy him or eliminate him and I do not think Marcus can be brought. There may have been other reasons for his disappearance that I am not aware of. I think he disappeared to eliminate the ones that wanted him dead, but that is just my opinion or what I think I would have done if I was in his shoes."
Rond Sunday August 18th, 2002 10:18:42 PM
"Marcus felt that he was in danger, so he decided to disappear. For all we know he may still be in danger until things can settle down somewhat. But that's what our meeting with him should determine. I imagine that we should look for him in disguise."
Bill Troublefinder Monday August 19th, 2002 2:40:19 AM
"Feng, some of our own ears heard Balentyne and his cronies discuss the need to kill Marcus," the little psion adds to give their fairly new companion some context. "He's no fool whatsoever, despite the Baron's assessment of him as such. Balentyne is a Baron. And a moral fool. He keeps a mistress. Though I'll admit he has a reasonable amount of shrewdness. But anyone is a double fool, to my way of thinking, who worships Marteaus." Bill makes as though to spit something distasteful out of his mouth - not really spitting, but showing his distain for the one he just mentioned. "Boy, aren't I cheery today?" he asks. "Complain, complain, complain. Sorry, guys, Mechina."
Turning to the cleric of Gargul, he asks, "Well, brer Hobbes - since we know that our clever master'll arrive before midnight - you let us know the best time to give us your special blessing - then let's head to the park. Does anyone need to make a stop at the Catacombs, or such? Shall we travel in twos and threes, or all together? Or, do we wait for the blessing once we arrive?"
And to Rond, he says, "Let's first look for him in the dark. Oh, oh, you mean WE should be in disguise. Right?"
Evaluating blinkiness Meanwhile, Bill tries out his ring of blinking while in the relative safety of his house. He recalls that he had some problems with it recently, but, now that he knows that people again can teleport, desires to find out whether the void, which he touched on during the denouement to the Year of Ascension, is still there when he tries to blink. If there is a problem, he wonders how blink dogs, and displacer beasts, are faring these days.
It Was A Dark And Stormy Night*... (DM Donna)* ...okay, so there is NO storm--but it IS dark... Tuesday August 20th, 2002 5:14:21 PM
Bill's experimentation with his magic ring reveals that, yes, he still blinks, though he's darned if he can explain exactly how it's supposed to work in this new Wold.
Mechina confirms the explanation given to Feng by his fellow Hamleteers: Marcus knew that he was the target of a hit, and removed himself from the City in order to keep from being killed.
The time creeps by to the appointed hour, and the party makes its reasonable preparations for meeting with their long-absent boss at the North Gate of the Golden Arena...
(OOC: Please state your character's reasonable preparations in ONE post. If you post first and someone posts doing something that you think is nifty and you want to post again adding your own character's wish to emulate--too bad! One post per customer, period! However, if you have a suggestion for those party members who haven't posted yet, then they are free to accept the suggestion if they so choose.)
Feng Wednesday August 21st, 2002 10:55:38 AM
Something about this situation doesn't sit well with Feng. Meeting at the arena at this time of night. There would be trouble, there was no doubt in that. If Marcus got away clean then we wouldn't need to meet him. Either he knows he's being followed or suspects it. Feng grips his double axe tightly in one hand. His gaze constantly sweeps the area. He might not like being part orc, but darkvision has its advantages.
Bill Troublefinder d20+5=20 d20+3=9 Wednesday August 21st, 2002 1:19:01 PM
Bill heads out with his friends - whether with the whole group, or with a few of his companions, depending on how Rond wants to deploy - to the rendezvous site, himself invisible. As they draw near, he begins to fly. He waits in the air, next to the apex of the arch of the northern gate of the Golden Arena.
With psicrystal William, Bill informs his friends when and if he sees (Spot DC 9), hears (Listen DC 20), or otherwise senses anything germane and notable. Should he sense anything (or someone else alert him to the need), he activates elfsight, then his ability to detect psionics/magic.
Renik d20+15=27 d20+25=38 d20+17=31 d20+18=29 Wednesday August 21st, 2002 4:19:39 PM
Before leaving, Renik says,
"I have a suggestion. As soon as we rendezvous with Marcus and have established that it is indeed him (and not some impersonator or illusion) we should perform a switch; Bill makes Marcus invisible, and flies back to the safe house with him, whilst at the same moment someone (are any of you able to do this?) casts an illusion of Marcus, or transforms themselves into a copy of Marcus. If I am close when the switch is made I should be able to create a sufficient diversion to distract attention of any observers.
"Does this sound like a viable plan?
"Also, before you approach the gate, please allow me to scout the area first. I shall signal if everything looks clear."
Whatever decision is taken, Renik leaves with the party, but moves some way ahead, scouting their route. He keeps to the shadows, moving swiftly and silently through the night.
As he approaches the Northern Gate he slows, his movements becoming more cautious (Move Silent 27, Hide 38) as he attempts to scout the area for signs of hostiles (taking 10 on Listen and Spot checks, at 31 and 29 respectively).
Once he is entirely satisfied the area is safe he signals the others to move towards the rendezvous point.
Rond Wednesday August 21st, 2002 5:07:11 PM
"I'm thinking that Renik and Bill should be forward scouts for those of us that cannot move very silently. They should Scout out the area and then come back and let us know what they find. Can either of you two make some kind of animal noise? I'm looking for something that could be used to say all clear, or someone is about, or trouble.
Renik, your idea has merit. But what I'm thinking is that you and Bill stay hidden. I'll do my best to approach without being seen. Draax you Feng, and Arien approach in disguise and keep an eye out on the area. Draax, you make contact with Marcus. Make sure that he understands that the rest of the group is in the area and that we have a way to get him home without being noticed, hopefully. If Marcus thinks that he needs to go home secretly, then suggest that Marcus go to the privy behind one of the trees or some such. I'll then approach Marcus and use my hat of disguise to copy his disguise and then make him invisible if we can. Then you guys lead him off, and I'll leave the park and disappear somewhere, and catch up to you.
If there are any other ideas, let me know."
Rond will have no special preps other than to put on dark clothing and such to help with his movements through the park.
Draax Wednesday August 21st, 2002 8:45:25 PM
Draax sits as he listens to everyone's suggestions, turns to Rond to receive his orders, and then listen to any other suggestions (if any). "Sounds good to me. OK, I will make contact as soon a Marcus gives the signal. If the contact gives the wrong password or if it turns out to be a trap; I will stretch my arms over my head as if I am stretching. I am not sure how far the hidden guys will be away from us, so I figured a nonverbal signal would be best."
Draax changes to his Steps disguise before heading out.
Arien Thursday August 22nd, 2002 2:37:45 AM
"Sounds good to me, the problem is that if we see the trouble before you do, then we need a signal to warn you." Arien pauses a moment, trying to come up with a signal. "Perhaps a bird call not native to the area? I'm sure Ferrak could come up with a suitable call."
Hobbes Thursday August 22nd, 2002 3:41:34 AM
Hobbes is silent during the discussion, only wrinkling his mouth occasionally to show signs of thought. Quietly and efficiently he gathers his things and prepares to depart.
"May we who step out into the cold night," he intones as he reaches for the door leading outside, "go in the way as many have before, under your protection and guidance, Protector, Guide, and Overseer, Gargul Be with us!"
[Bless is now cast]
As the last word comes from his lips his features, his armor, his whole appearance begins to change even as he touches the door handle. As it creaks open the features solidify into that of the old beggar known as Ivan. He turns his hooded head back to the group, "Are we ready?" he eerily rasps.
Hobbes hangs back from the party, sticking close to the buildings on the way there. He nods to people he passes on the way. He silently studies doorways, hiding places, etc in case they might be watched, for his greatest fear is not the journey itself, but the reason the journey is made. For indeed if the master spy, he whom can slip in and out of the city like the wind through the mist, fears travel, then hope must be dim indeed the man.
Hobbes feels for his pouch of Ointment to make sure it is secure.
DM Donna Thursday August 22nd, 2002 6:37:28 AM
OOC: Since it can affect how this part of the adventure comes out, I will wait for posts from Kiki (Arien's familiar), Darkfang (Ferrak's companion) and William the psicrystal.
And Ferrak, too.
William the psicrystal Thursday August 22nd, 2002 10:28:58 AM 'Attend unto the vast wisdom of the great and noble Bill Troublefinder,' each person 'hears' telepathically. 'I, William, his humble psicrystal and faithful companion, can humble myself still further, and accompany our worthy leader, Ronderiadshel. Riding thence upon his shoulder, clinging by my ectoplasmic limbs, any words of warning or illumination from the mighty mental nomad, I shall relay to you. Speak aloud, and I shall hear, and then in turn tell good Bill the very words you say.'
Bill Troublefinder Thursday August 22nd, 2002 10:32:12 AM
The halfling winces at William's inflated reworking of what he told him.
Darkfang Thursday August 22nd, 2002 7:07:18 PM
Disguised as a guard dog, the wolf sits at his brothers feet waiting for the group to leave. Familiar with Marcus' scent the wolf looks forward to seeing his friend again.
Mystery Man (DM Donna) d20=20 d20=6 d20=19 Monday August 26th, 2002 6:11:28 AM
All of the caution exhibited by the Hamleteers results in a safe arrival at the site of the Golden Arena (Brother Hobbes' blessing keeps the ghosts and phantoms at bay nicely enough), and reconnoitering the area reveals nobody else in the area that anyone can see.
Midnight: Darkfang's head snaps up suddenly and the wolf immediately stands at full alert--a human man in the rough, common clothing of your average city dweller happens to walk hesitantly along the path. All of the party can hear him muttering:
"Only a native of The Abyss could see on a night such as this!"
Bill Troublefinder (Invisible, Flying) Monday August 26th, 2002 11:32:36 AM
Bill kicks in his elfsight so as to be able to see better in this dark place. He remains positioned next the apex of the archway at the north gate.
The invisible halfling considers the tone and timbre of the voice that gave the first half of the arranged signal. He gauges to see if it sounds at least somewhat like the Marcus he remembers. He waits a moment for another in the party to respond with the arranged response ('Or one without eyes'), so as not to give away his position.
Just in case it turns out this is a trap, he is on alert, ready to respond to hostile action.
Rond (hidden) Monday August 26th, 2002 7:48:22 PM
Rond watches Darkfang to see if he relaxes at all, since he saw through the last disguise.
Rond watches the shadows for fear of anyone else following or taking note of what's going on.
Darkfang Monday August 26th, 2002 9:35:38 PM
Darkfang snaps his head up quick as he catches Marcus' scent, he wags his tail and takes a step towards the common clothed individual and then quickly stops. Although Marcus' scent is coming from the individual the wolf is sure that this one is not the one that the he considers a member of its pack.
The hairs on the wolf begins to stand up as Darkfang jumps into an attacking stance and begins to growl while clearly showing his teeth. "Woof, Woof, (Not the one, he is not our brother)," the wolf says to his brother and anyone else that understands the language of the wolf.
Draax disguised as Steps d20+3=17 Monday August 26th, 2002 10:08:57 PM
Hearing the correct password, Draax smiles as he sees what he guesses to be Marcus in disguise. He move toward the individual ready to give the answering password, but just before he opens he mouth he notices Darkfang's reaction (Spot check DC 17, if needed). The half-elf raises his hands over his head as if he was stretching and gives a yawn before giving an answering password. "But only if they do not have eyes."
Draax realizes that he may alert the guy by giving the wrong password, but he also wants to see how bad the guy wants to make contact.
Feng Tuesday August 27th, 2002 4:28:40 AM
Feng watches the events unfold with an interested eye. Though not as intelligent as other species, animal instincts operate on a different level altogether. Even the best disguises can be foiled by the growl of a dog. Sometimes they just know. His right hand reaches back and unfastens his enchanted double axe. Gripping the staff Feng brings it around slowly. Just to be sure of who the mystery man is and who else may be watching from the shadows, Feng concentrates and tries to feel the particular vibe that Evil gives off.
OOC: Detect Evil
Suddenly..! (DM Donna) Tuesday August 27th, 2002 6:43:36 AM
Bill's keen ability to observe and compare tells him that the man approaching the north gate is a tall, thin human with dark hair, a neat beard and a limp--though it is impossible for the psionic to be 100% certain about how much he is seeing now is (or is not) part of a magic disguise effect.
Bill hears Darkfang's warning that this man is not Marcus, just as Draax notes and reacts to the wolf's guarded stance. Feng's spell detects no evil in the stranger, who turns and eagerly steps towards Draax.
"I've been sent to warn you that--" the man begins to tell the half-elf, then jerks to a halt, gasping and looking down at the crossbow bolt that has suddenly sprouted in the middle of his chest. He slumps to the ground at Draax's feet.
Bill--from his aerial vantage point--sees the sudden appearance of at least 2 people for every Hamleteer present. Aaaack! Formerly-invisible assassins have caught the party flatfooted!
(OOC: I'll be posting a diagram on DM Donna's Web Map Site (http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html) so that everyone can see where they are in comparison to the different positions from which the assassins emerge.)
DM Donna Wednesday August 28th, 2002 6:30:04 AM
Well, now I have a REAL problem that I'm just not 100% sure how to deal with:
My bitmap diagram of the combat round will NOT upload to my website.
I will try emailing you all the file...however, if memory serves, Matthew--who plays Hobbes--is currently without an email address, and so cannot get the map.
Please email me any of your suggestions as to how I can get Matthew a diagram of the battle site...post your PC's actions for this first round if you receive a legible map.
Walter (Feng) Wednesday August 28th, 2002 9:26:16 AM
No Map for me. I do have one question, When Feng detected Evil, did he detect any?
DM Donna: Hmmmm...I could have SWORN that I wrote it in the post...let's see...
"Bill hears Darkfang's warning that this man is not Marcus, just as Draax notes and reacts to the wolf's guarded stance. Feng's spell detects no evil in the stranger, who turns and eagerly steps towards Draax."
Looks to me like I *did* answer the question...however, if you're referring to the group of individuals who have Suddenly Appeared, well...let's just say that Feng's detection mode also "suddenly" starts tingling his spider-sense! ;D
Renik (Blessed) d20+14=31 d20+9=23 d8+6=9 d8+6=14 3d6(3+6+6)=15 3d6(2+1+3)=6 Wednesday August 28th, 2002 2:53:59 PM
Cursing silently to himself the Rogue takes aim at the nearest attacker (#1) and fires. Gods, but these guys are good! He had scoped the area carefully, and had not heard the slightest sound... (Listen 31 last post!)
Still, he remains concealed (Hide check 38 last post), and so is able to take the nearest attacker by surprise (Sneak Attack, Point Blank Shot, within 30 ft) as he unleashes his two arrows in rapid succession (hitting AC 31 and 23 for 24 and 20 HP).
As his arrows strike home he yells, "Someone get the injured man away from here FAST! And heal him!"
He glowers at the remaining two assassins facing him (#'s 2 and 3) and growls, "Just out of interest, you cowardly maggots, how much gold did it take to get you to throw away your worthless lives?"
Arien Wednesday August 28th, 2002 9:58:52 PM
With a gesture and a command Arien summons the power of his cloak and summons a Web into being around two of the assassins (13 and 14), anchoring the web in the two large trees on either side.
Steps (Draax) Wednesday August 28th, 2002 11:59:50 PM
Steps stands protectively over the mysterious stranger laying on the ground with the crossbow bolts in him. He know that the man is their best link to Marcus' whereabouts.
Darkfang Thursday August 29th, 2002 12:06:13 AM
Darkfang stands next to Ferrak, shifting positions while trying to guard every direction at the same time. The wolf waits for a command from his brother or for someone to threaten the druid before attacking.
Ferrak Thursday August 29th, 2002 12:23:44 AM
The gnome watches as the group is suddenly surrounded. The druid casts a spell that he hopes will help the party's current situation. Ferrak cast the spell ghost sound creating the illusionary sound of 12 to 16 men running towards the party from the north. From the north the group hears shouting in the common tongue, "HURRY MEN, IT WAS A TRAP. DO NOT LET ANY OF THE EVIL ONES GET AWAY ALIVE."
Bill Troublefinder (Blessed, Flying) d20+5=20 5d4(4+4+2+4+1)=15 Thursday August 29th, 2002 1:53:06 AM
Bill flies silently to a point 60' feet above the ground, not too far from the tree closest to 7, 8, and 15. At a point horizontally equidistant between assassins #7 and 8, and close to twenty feet above the height of the tip of the forty-foot tall tree (he's not directly above the tree, mind you), the halfling whispers.
His now suddenly visible eyes send forth a light wash of rainbow color. The whisper gains decibels with every foot it travels. As the cone of sound strikes the ground, as well as intersecting the bodies of those who appeared so suddenly, the whisper has become a powerful, bone-and-flesh-jarring roar. He has called to mind the lessons practiced with Professor Abulek, and pulled from within additional energy, so that the sonic damage is multiplied.
[Opponents #4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16 are within the area of effect, although, from my measurement, 16 is half in, half out, and the cone just misses the fallen messenger. (See updated emailed map - 'Suddenly-Bill's new position.bmp'.) Damage is 15*1.5=22.5, round to 23. Save vs. DC 20 for half damage. 3rd-level psychic power cone of sound,, augmented with two measures of the feat fortify power.]
A branch, shaken by the force, breaks off and falls through the tree limbs below.
Feng Thursday August 29th, 2002 5:23:12 AM
Feng turns and looks at assassins 1,2,3, and 11. He speaks one word and his axe bursts into flames. The axe spins quickly through the air coming to a sudden stop in front of the half orc. He locks his gaze on the assassins. He stretches his open palm out and motions the assassins forward with four fingers.
OOC: The purpose of the detect evil was to see if I could use smite and if there were any invisible evil around.
DM Donna: ah, ha! Well, yes--the assassins are all evil. That's the only evil in the area, as Hobbes' Blessing has edged away the lesser ghosties of the park.
Combat Round 1 (DM Donna) d20=20 d20=9 d20=15 d20=5 d20=12 d20=1 d20=18 d20=17 d20=19 d20+4=7 d20+4=10 d20+4=23 d6=2 d20+4=10 d20+4=24 d20+4=6 d6=2 d20+4=24 d20+4=22 d20+4=9 d20+4=11 d20+4=17 d6=5 d6=4 d20=2 d20=2 d20=15 d20+4=9 d20+4=21 d6=5 Thursday August 29th, 2002 8:43:08 AM
Renik's decisive attack kills Assassin #1. Feng strides forward slightly, his large build and flaming double-orc axe--as well as his confident silent challenge--causing Assassins #2, 3 and 11 to stand and stare in intimidated shock for a moment.
Arien's Web snags Assassin 14, but #13 manages to backpedal fast enough to be free of the sticky stuff--albeit on the far side of the web.
Draax guards the fallen man.
Darkfang and Ferrak stand together as the sound of reinforcements approaching from the north suddenly swamp the field of battle.
Bill's Cone of Sound engulfs and fully damages Assassins 4,5,6,7,8,9 and 15...but now he's visible. The hobbit (and the sharp-eyed Renik, should he care to glare) sees that they are appearing to cry out in pain, but no sound issues forth from any of them.
Rond and Hobbes appear to be paralyzed with shock, as neither of them are moving. (Not anything magic--just that the players didn't post.)
The assassins recover from the Hamleteers' tactics and accomplish the following:
#1 dies.
#2 attempts to hit Renik with his longsword, but misses by a country mile.
#3 has a light crossbow in hand and fires it at Feng--as does #11. The second bolt nicks Feng for 2hpd.
4, 5, and 6 rush Ferrak and Darkfang and try to attack them with longswords. #5 manages to hit Ferrak for 2hpd, while the others miss.
Assassins 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 also sport light crossbows and they all take aim at Draax and the man lying on the ground. #7 and #8 hit Draax for a total of 9hpd. The other three bolts miss both Draax and the fallen stranger.
Assassin 13 begins running around the tree, intent on engaging Arien, it seems. #14 curses up a blue streak and struggles against the Web that holds him fast, but to no avail--he remains stuck.
Assassin 16 spots that the flying Bill was likely responsible for the sonic attack and warns #15 of the floating target--and both of them take aim at Bill with crossbows. #15 misses, but #16 hits Bill for 5hpd. They begin to reload their crossbows.
Rond d20+13=21 d20+13=22 d20+10=24 d20+5=19 2d6(5+2)+3=10 2d6(6+5)+3=14 Thursday August 29th, 2002 9:34:58 AM
Moving to intercept number 4, Rond does his best to surprise the threesome on Ferrak. (HS=21 MS=22)
Striking out with his Greatsword Rond does his best to score a hit on his opponent. (AC 24, 19 dam 10 and 14)
Once his surprise attack is complete he yells out, "Take cover in the trees, do not let them use the crossbows."
Arien (Blessed, +1 on attacks) d20+8=21 5d6(5+5+3+6+4)=23 Thursday August 29th, 2002 11:32:30 AM
"Why retreat when taking them down is a much better option?" Arien yells back before falling into a spell. At the climax of the spell he raises his hand and points at 9. A small orange bead discharges from the tip of Arien's finger and streaks through the melee and straight at 9 (ranged touch attack to make sure the spell got through). The bead strikes the assassin and explodes into a fireball, also engulfing the other two crossbowmen 8 and 10. (23 damage, reflex save vs dc 20)
Bill Troublefinder (Blessed, Flying 60' up, AC 22, HP less 5) d20+6=23 5d4(2+3+3+4+1)=13 Thursday August 29th, 2002 12:04:37 PM
Pleased that he managed to soften up the opposition a bit, yet smarting from the crossbow bolt that struck him, the metamind readjusts his position in the air, almost directly above #8 (still at 60' altitude), and lets loose another cone of sound. This one catches fully within the radius of the matter-shaking energy assassins #7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15 and 16.
[Reflex save vs DC 23 (last round save should have been 21 - oops) for half damage, damage augmented by two apps of the fortify power feat, for 13*1.5=19.5, round to 20 hp damage, 10 hp if save.]
Renik (Blessed) d20+13=19 d6+5=9 Thursday August 29th, 2002 3:33:48 PM
With a ferocious grin the agile rogue sidesteps # 2's clumsy attack and draws both shortswords in one fluid, graceful movement.
"So little time left to live, my witless friend, and how do you choose to spend your final moments? In as woeful a display of swordsmanship as I have witnessed in a great many years. I feel for you, really I do."
His mocking words are accompanied by a lightning fast thrust aimed at the surly attacker's right shoulder (AC19 for 9HP).
Draax (Blessed, +1 on attacks) d20+10=25 d20+5=14 d6=6 d6=6 Friday August 30th, 2002 12:57:07 AM
Still standing over the downed stranger Draax cringes as he takes damage from the two crossbow bolts, he takes a peak at the man lying on the ground wondering if he is still alive.
Draax takes aim and fires two arrows at #12 (hitting AC 25 for 6dmg and AC 14 for 6dmg if hits)
Feng Friday August 30th, 2002 4:01:55 AM
As the first few seconds of the battle pass, Feng wonders what's really going on. The assassins had us by surprise and outnumbered by two to one. Yet their efforts are uncoordinated and sloppy. Since assassins are cowards, Feng moves forward to meet #11.
Darkfang d20+9=16 d6+5=8 d20+5=7 Friday August 30th, 2002 6:08:31 AM
Darkfang attacks assassin number 5 (hitting ac 16 for 8dmg if hit) if the wolf hits it will attempt to trip its opponent (rolled 7 for Str check).
Combat Round 2 (DM Donna) d20=19 d20=18 d20=16 d20=12 d20=16 d20=20 d20=11 d20+4=11 d20+4=19 d8=3 d20+4=9 d20+4=6 d20+4=8 d20+4=11 d20+4=17 d6=3 d20=9 d20+4=19 Friday August 30th, 2002 7:20:56 AM
Rond strikes down Assassin #4, slaying him instantly. (Ferrak is not hurt by the action.)
Arien's Fireball immediately fries Assassins 8, 9 and 10, even as Bill's second use of his Cone of Sound devastates the same area (and beyond). #7 lies dead on the ground, as does 15; numbers 12 and 16 are left standing--though just barely.
Renik's blows deal some damage to #2.
Draax's arrows cause #12 even more hurt but the assassin remains standing (albeit swaying on his feet). The prone stranger the Hamleteer is protecting is gasping and choking and just doesn't sound good.
Feng closes with #11.
Darkfang's jaws snap at air as the wily #5 assassin manages to evade the attack.
The assassins' half of the round:
#2 tries to hit Renik again, but the Hamleteer is far too agile.
#3 closes with Feng, his longsword slicing at the half-orc for 3hpd. #11's attack completely misses Feng.
Assassin 5's counterattack on Rond is pathetically wide; #6 fares no better with his attack against Darkfang.
Assassin 12 attempts to fire another crossbow bolt at Draax, but his injuries have made him too unsteady to hit his target.
Assassin 13, seeing Renik with his back to him, takes a shot at the charming rogue, who suffers 3hpd from the cowardly attack. His buddy #14 tries mightily to yank himself free of the Web once more, to no avail.
Assassin 16 targets Bill once more, but he misses.
Bill Troublefinder d20+6=16 5d4(2+4+4+1+4)=15 Friday August 30th, 2002 12:26:26 PM
The fireball caught him somewhat by surprise, as he feels the heat from it rising toward him. Bill one last time whispers, initiating yet another cone of sound. He fortifies it a little - but is just beginning to grow weary of doing the same thing, so does not put quite as much oomph into it. It catches #12 and #16 within its perimeter. The halfling thinks about what he is doing to these men, pretty much turning their flesh and organs into jelly, and feels a tinge of sorrow, or guilt. No time to sort it out now, though. Of course, they started it, with their crossbows and all...
[Damage 15*1.25=19.75, round to 20 hp. Reflex save for half damage (10 hp) vs DC 16.]
Steps (Draax) d8=8 Friday August 30th, 2002 1:48:42 PM
Seeing many of the assassins dead or severely hunting, Draax turns his attention to the dying stranger. Pulling a cure light wound potion from his pack Draax pours the content down the stranger's throat (restoring 8hp).
Darkfang (blessed +1 attack) d20+10=19 d6+5=11 d20+5=25 Friday August 30th, 2002 1:57:42 PM
Feeling the attack from assassin #6 the wolf switches its attack and tries to bite the assassin (hitting AC 19 for 11dmg). If Darkfang connects the wolf will try to trip #6 (str check 25, natural 20).
Feng d20+11=24 d20+6=17 d20+6=20 d8+6=13 d6=1 d8+6=14 d6=6 d8+6=12 d6=3 Friday August 30th, 2002 4:40:36 PM
Normally somebody with orc blood does not make a good Paladin. Too much anger and violence to follow a just path. Feng would be unique in this matter. It's times like these that all his bottled up anger get released upon an evil individual. Assassin #3 will have a few short moments to reflect on his life and how he's wasted it. Feng spins his double axe slicing into assassin #3. The assassin feels the pain from the axe and the burning agony of the would cautorizing almost instantly. [Hit AC 24 for 14, hit AC 17 for 20, and hit AC 20 for 15.]
Renik (Blessed) d20+12=26 d20+12=28 d6+5=9 3d6(2+5+4)=11 Friday August 30th, 2002 8:15:27 PM
Ignoring the sudden flaring pain of the crossbow bolt striking him in the back, Renik focuses all his energy on assassin 2.
He thrusts with his left sword, and it is only at the last possible moment that his attacker realises the blow was never intended to connect. Instead the rogue pivots suddenly on the ball of his left foot, slamming his right blade towards the would-be assassin's unprotected left flank.
(Feint (Bluff) 26, hits AC 28 for 20 HP (includes Sneak Attack damage as the feint denies the assassin his Dex nonus to AC. If the Sneak Attack fails, 9HP damage)
Ferrak (Blessed) d20+12=29 d20+7=22 2d6(1+6)+4=11 2d6(4+3)+4=11 Saturday August 31st, 2002 2:43:18 PM
The ferral gnome, his immediate target gone, turns his attention on the hoodlum attacking his brother (Assassin #6). Though it seems Darkfang is holding his own, Ferrak is swift to come to the wolf's aid.
Swinging his sickle with gusto, he wades into the attacker (AC 29 for 11 HP, AC 22 for 11 HP), with an inhuman howl. To those who understand the wolven tongue, it can roughly be translated as "The pack will feast on your bones!"
As the blade strikes home the attacker screams with a mixture of pain and horror; in the instant the wounds are inflicted they solidify into brutal gashes of ice. As the assassin backs desperately away from the wild-eyed druid the ice crystals shatter within the wounds, causing still further agony (Frost damage effect).
William the Psicrystal Saturday August 31st, 2002 2:49:38 PM
"So fall all the cowardly minions of evil who would challenge the might of the Windhorn Hamleteers!" peeps the tiny crystal, bouncing up and down on Rond's shoulder.
"Flee! Flee back to your darkling masters, there to tell of the day you were humbled by brave warriors, proud and true!"
Hobbes 2d8(7+8)+7=22 Saturday August 31st, 2002 9:14:20 PM
For a moment, something doesn't seem right. Hobbes looked around, seemingly in recognition. As if he's seen this scene before. A silent copse of trees in the distance and Hobbes sitting on a hill watching the sky, an eerie fog creeping up on the scene. When out of the mist, figures appeared, 2, no, 4, 7, 9! Rotted putrid figures with their flesh and bone revealed an eerie moan emitting from their lips. Unable to shout or even say a word he stood and threw the stone he had in his hand at one of them. It didn't react. It didn't even duck as the stone knocked its jaw loose from its skull. Then Hobbes was lifted from behind around the chest. He turns. It is his father grabbing him and running like the wind. He looked back. Those "things" still advance. The two arrive at the house and more are there. Hobbes is thrust within, pushed inside the stove, and locked inside. He sees through the cracks in the grate his father and mother closing and locking every door and window, but it does no good. The undead advance and bash their way in. The two fight them off with simple knives and chairs, but they are surrounded. The creatures strike and strike again. And again. Hobbes cries out to them as he sees his father fall. More and more creatures pile into the doorway. Hobbes pounds on the stove door trying to get out to help his parents. His mother is slashed from behind and bitten on the neck and .....
*BOOM*
The explosion of Arien's fireball breaks Hobbes daydream. He shakes his head, confused, as the players go about their daily business on the current set of ruffians. Hobbes grabs his scythe tighter and looks over to Draax. The mysterious stranger's body quivers on the ground. He ducks behind his companions and then, timing things right, he makes a dash toward the body. (Taking any hits he might invoke along the way). When he gets there he kneels over the body, completely shielding it with his own. Holding his eye symbol tightly he presses his gloved hand onto the wounds. A low gutteral tone emits from his mouth.
"Trck'se marm gak zortan! Arise and come with us! Quickly!" he says helping the man to a safe place. Hobbes makes certain to keep harm away from him, purposely blocking any shots to him.
[Cure Moderate WOunds, 22 HP on the stranger. Full Defense +7 to AC, standing between him and all bad guys he can see]
Combat Round 3 (DM Donna) d20=16 d20=17 d20+4=11 d20+4=8 d20+4=15 d20=1 Tuesday September 3rd, 2002 7:05:45 AM
The flying metamind has the satisfaction of seeing his two targets shudder and fall to the ground.
With the druid and his wolf double-teaming him, Assassin #6 is also lying on the ground, gurgling his last breath.
Feng slices and dices #3 into human sushi.
Renik's feint and sneak attack prove fatal for Assassin 2.
Draax's potion disappears down the throat of the stranger, reviving him somewhat. Draax can see he's a young man--in his early twenties at the most--with dark brown hair, a neatly-trimmed beard and green eyes that are rapidly losing their inner light of life in spite of the application of the magic potion.
Hobbes--being in full armor--is still too far away to be of help to the stranger yet...it will take one more round to reach Draax and the other man.
Assassin 5's swipe of his longsword misses Rond.
Feng's remaining foe (#11) runs at Hobbes to intercept the cleric, swinging his longsword, but missing Hobbes anyway. (Feng can take an attack of opportunity at #11 before doing any other actions in Round 4.)
Assassin 13 futilely fires at Renik, but can't accurately keep the agile rogue in his sights.
Assassin 14's latest attempt to wrestle free of the sticky Web fails.
Feng d20+13=28 d8+6=8 d6=1 Tuesday September 3rd, 2002 7:24:40 AM
Feng slashes Assassin #11 as he turns and runs. [Hit ac 28 for 9]. Looking about, most of the assassins are down, but one is hiding. Feng runs to #13.
Hobbes Tuesday September 3rd, 2002 11:57:25 AM
Hobbes ducks around the wide swing of the brute and makes his way around Draax to perform the actions listed previously.
Steps (Draax) d20+13=29 d8+7=15 Tuesday September 3rd, 2002 1:01:43 PM
Seeing the young man still struggling for his life, Draax looks around and notices Hobbes on his way with assassin #11 trying to run interference (if #11 survived Feng's attacks). Leaving his bow on the ground, the disguised half-elf pulls his sword and steps between the assassin and his friend. Draax swings at the assassin trying to kill him or at least pull his attention away from Hobbes (hit AC 29 for 15 dmg).
Darkfang d20+10=26 d6+5=8 d20+5=19 Tuesday September 3rd, 2002 1:19:37 PM
After teaming with his brother to finish off #6, the big wolf turns his attention to #5, While the assassin's attention is on Rond, Darkfang comes in low and sinks his teeth into his foe. (hits AC 26 for 8 dmg)
Rond d20+11=29 d20+11=31 d20+6=24 d20+6=22 2d6(3+4)+3=10 2d6(5+5)+3=13 2d6(2+5)+3=10 2d6(4+2)+3=9 Tuesday September 3rd, 2002 4:45:43 PM
Wanting to finish this quickly Rond darts in with two slashes of his sword. Slicking through the Bandit rather handily (both are crits for a hit) Rond does (23 and 19) 42 points of damage.
If the bandit falls down, Rond quickly steps back and takes a quick look around to see how the party is doing.
Ferrak Tuesday September 3rd, 2002 5:32:06 PM
Seeing that his lupine brother and the pack leader have matters well in hand, Ferrak turns towards assassin 13.
He growls dark words to the green, summoning the very power of nature herself.
As if in response to his clawing gestures, the tree beneath which the crossbow-wielding assassin stands begins to twist and sprout. It sends forth tendrils as thick as a man's wrist down towards the startled man, slipping over his shoulders as they attempt to bind his arms. Even as he witnesses the horrific sight of a tree come seemingly alive, the grass beneath his feet also begins to sprout at an alarming speed. In mere moments it has grown up around his ankles, weaving itself around his boots in an attempt to bind him fast.
(Entangle, DC 13)
Renik Tuesday September 3rd, 2002 5:40:27 PM
Renik rapidly scans the area for foes, seeing none within immediate range.
Instead he turns, dropping his swords as he draws his bow, aiming it squarely at the crossbowman (13).
"Yield and be spared, fight on and you shall surely join your companions in painful death!" he cries, hoping that the decimation of his compatriots, along with Ferrak's entangling plant growth and the sight of a half orc charging towards him wielding a blazing double axe will act as an impetus. It never hurts to have people to question.
"Drop your weapon! Drop it NOW, or you will be killed!"
Bill Troublefinder 5d4(2+1+4+4+4)=15 5d4(2+1+2+4+4)+6=19 d20+6=24 Wednesday September 4th, 2002 3:07:47 AM
The little guy flies over to a point about fifteen feet above the top of the tree between #13 and #14. Noting many pay attention to #13, Bill focuses on #14. This one last time, he directs a cone of sound, but at an angle, so as to avoid Arien, but catch only the webbed would-be assassin. Bill does not augment this cone - doing 15 hp damage to the man (Reflex save vs 24 for 8 hp). (Ignore 2nd roll - added +6 for what was supposed to be 1d20, not 5d4.)
[Donna - note Bill is at 55' altitude, rather than 60' as noted on the map I sent you earlier today.]
He is ready next to fly to the ground, and effect a stomp against #14, or something else appropriate, should he get out of the web and try to escape.
Combat Round 4 (DM Donna) d20=16 d20+4=18 d20=10 d20=8 Wednesday September 4th, 2002 8:42:48 AM
Feng and Draax drop Assassin #11.
Darkfang and Rond finish off Assassin 5.
Assassin 13 seems to dance out of the range of the lively plants of Ferrak's Entangle spell. When Renik issues his ultimatum, the evil fighter scoffs and takes aim at the rogue, but Renik doesn't even flinch as the bolt zooms harmlessly past his left shoulder.
The Webbed assassin--still stuck fast inside the sticky magic stuff--cannot avoid Bill's Cone of Sound, and suffers maximum damage. He continues to struggle against the confining strands, but is still imprisoned within the Web.
Hobbes reaches the stranger, but sees only the inevitability of the young man's impending appearance before the all-seeing Eye of Judgement. However, before the man departs The Wold, he does manage to rasp these words to the cleric:
"...warning...Balentyne..."
Then the poor sap gurgles his last.
Renik (Blessed) d20+14=27 d20+9=18 d8+5=6 d8+5=8 Wednesday September 4th, 2002 3:20:56 PM
"Die like the dog you are, then!" curses Renik, as he lets two arrows fly at the foolish assassin 13(AC 27 for 6 HP, AC 18 for 8 HP).
"Make sure we keep that webbed one alive!" he calls, anxious to have someone to question over this dark afair. It seems as though their contact has breathed his last, despite Hobbes' urgent ministrations.
Ferrak Wednesday September 4th, 2002 3:27:06 PM
It seems as though the battle is won. Calling to his brother to join him he moves towards the webbed assassin 14, making sure he keeps out of weapon range.
His lips curl back into a snarl as he brandishes his ice-cold sickle. "Give up, and I won't let the wolf feast on your black heart," he growls.
Darkfang Thursday September 5th, 2002 12:37:51 AM
Darkfang moves next to his brother staying just out of reach of the assassin in the web. The wolf gets into a ready to pounce stance as his shows his teeth displaying his most threatening snarl.
Steps (Draax) Thursday September 5th, 2002 1:10:46 AM
With no visible enemies in his immediate area Draax shakes his head sadly as he goes over by the dead stranger. Before picking his bow off of the ground the half-elf bends down and go through the stranger's items to see if the young man was carrying any clues on him.
Bill Troublefinder d20+3=16 d20+5=16 d20+5=13 Thursday September 5th, 2002 4:02:50 AM
Now that others attend to 13 and 14, Bill swoops down to check on the messenger. As he detects poison on the man (wisdom check 16, alchemical check 16 [ignore 3rd, accidental, roll] to try to discern type of poison), he also withdraws from his bag a neutralize poison potion. He quietly works around Draax. Should he discern the man has been poisoned, he then places a few drops where the crossbow bolt entered his body, and pours the balance down his throat.
Via William the psicrystal, Bill sends forth a telepathic message to all members of the party. "Finish off or tie up the two who are left. Search the others for clues and such.' "Hobbes - can you do anything for him?" The next round, he administers a potion of cure light wounds to the downed man. "Oh, Alemi, and Gargul, save ye this man's life, I beseech you."
Suddenly No More (DM Donna) d20=11 Thursday September 5th, 2002 7:17:49 AM
Renik's arrows end the life of the assassin they're aimed at.
Ferrak and Darkfang threaten the webbed assassin, but the man is strangely unintimidated, continuing to struggle vainly against the magic sticky stuff while grunting in Common: "...must...kill...or...die...trying..."
Draax checks out the body of the very dead stranger, finding very little on the young man: a dagger, some silver (about 15 coins) and an octagonal token of some kind. (OOC: Draax, make a Spot check versus DC15 to see that it must be a clue since there is "Elmo's Gaming Emporium" stamped into the metal.)
Bill's sword definitely detects the presence of poison in the stranger's remains...too bad that he couldn't get to the young man earlier. Hobbes can tell that this particular man's place is now in the lands of the dead--although he can also tell that this particular man's time to pass over was quite a bit earlier than it naturally would have occurred.
Hobbes Thursday September 5th, 2002 2:24:01 PM
Hobbes places a hand on Bill's shoulder and shakes his head, "Save your strength, friend. This man is beyond us. He is already in the lands of the dead," he says with a frown. "A month ago I would have thought this impossible but in a time where the gods themselves interfere with men. Either he has his own destiny in the lands of the dead or the assassin's hand is thus guided by a supreme evil force to concoct a poison that can take a breathing man from conscious and speaking to dead in 3 seconds and be completely immune to poison curatives. Either way Bill, it is beyond the ability of mortal man."
He looks around the site as the others finish off the interlopers. "Now then," he begins as he gently lifts the body of the stranger and carries it to a less visible and more comfortable place, under a tree perhaps, "I suggest we camp the night in case Marcus shows up and then return to the temple tomorrow so they can raise this poor soul." He looks around at any incredulous looks he might be receiving but replies, "It was not this boy's time. That much I am sure of. And I will fund his revival myself so you needn't worry. In the meantime, I shall build a nice fire," he says looking darkly back to the stranger, "I have some questions for our new deceased friend."
Renik d20+10=19 d6+4=5 Thursday September 5th, 2002 3:21:55 PM
Freeing his sap from his belt, Renik moves towards the struggling figure trapped in the webs and swings at him, attempting to knock the man out cold rather than kill him (AC 19 for 5 HP subdual damage).
"Try not to kill him!" he calls to his partners. "He seems to be under some sort of spell or hypnotic compulsion, but we must take him alive!"
Ferrak d8+4=9 Thursday September 5th, 2002 3:29:42 PM
Unsure of how best to deal with the thrashing assassin, Ferrak instead pulls back to ensure his brother is safe and well.
"Well fought, my brother!" he yaps cheerfully, feeling Darkfang's powerful body for signs of injury. "They were as lambs before the pack!"
If Ferrak finds that his brother is wounded he chants quietly over the wolf, a white glow emenating from his hands as the signs of battle fade and heal (casts Cure Light Wounds, healing 9 HP).
Feng Thursday September 5th, 2002 4:01:52 PM
With the battle over, Feng gathers the bodies of the assassins. As he does so, he empties their pockets and pools their possessions on the ground. Maybe they will get lucky and discover a clue of some kind.
Steps (Draax) d20+3=6 Thursday September 5th, 2002 6:43:57 PM
Draax looks at the items collected from the stranger and takes interest in the octagonal token with "Elmo's Gaming Emporium" stamped on it. Looking closely at the token Draax realizes that he does not have a clue to what it is (spot check 6). He wonders if someone else in the party might have an idea. He holds the coin up and says to any party member close to him. "Anyone has an idea of what this is?" He hands the metal to anyone that wants it.
The disguised half-elf goes over to give assistant with the assassin still caught in the web.
Bill Troublefinder d20+6=21 d20+10=22 d20+8=19 Friday September 6th, 2002 3:43:15 AM
Bill nevertheless finishes doing what he can to neutralize the poison insinuated into the poor man's body. "Thanks, Hobbes, for doing what you can. If you're planning to talk with him, or bring him back, I'm behind you on that. I just figure, if you have something like that planned, that making sure the toxin is dealt with first can only help. Shoot! I should o' kept some of the toxin, to analyze it later! Well, maybe some of 'em have some on 'em, anyways," he speculates, looking at the fallen bodies in the darkness.
"Just a minute," he says. He heads over to the webbed opponent. He goes to the far side of the webbing, then flies back up in the air. He withdraws a net from his pants pocket, and tosses it down over the top of the man (ranged touch attack, AC 21), entrapping him in the net. Following this, he pulls out a tanglefoot bag, and throws it forcefully downward, so that it bursts against the man and the net, really getting him nicely gummed up.
"All right. Somebody cut him out of the webbing - but not the net and goop." Once that is done, he wraps a silk rope around the man several times. [Use Rope 19, including +2 from silk rope.]
"Yeah, I suppose you still wanna kill us now," says the halfling to the bound man. He nods toward his friends, leaving the questioning of him to them. He returns to Draax.
"Hmmm. There's an Elmo in Windhorn Hamlet," Bill says as he takes a look at the coin Draax found. "His farm sits south of the graveyard, north of the Greensworth Plantation, and not too far from Edmond's Farm and Cobbler. Don't know about any gaming he might do. Probably a different Elmo, I suppose."
Rond Friday September 6th, 2002 4:36:51 AM
As the group finishes off the battle Rond comments to the group at large, " The comment to go into the trees had nothing to do with running away. Not knowing our foes were incompetent. Going into the trees was a way to neutralize the crossbows. I had no intention of retreating."
"I agree that we should stay here and see if there are any other messages throught the night. But having had Balentyne back into the picture, I suppose we have to go no further then to look right there. Here was working with the Marteus priest before the big hubbub. He seems to have gotten further along than we might have anticipated"
Aftermath (DM Donna) d20=15 d20=4 d20=16 d20=3 d20=2 d20=19 d20=1 d12=6 Friday September 6th, 2002 6:44:56 AM
The items taken from the stranger are glanced at by all; two or three of the party manage to recall that they have heard of Elmo's Gaming Emporium--it's a casino in the city.
Even as Bill suggests carefully cutting the only surviving assassin loose, Arien's spell reaches the end of its duration and dissolves into slightly-sticky liquid that oozes into the surrounding grass. The still-secure prisoner growls and grunts with his futile attempt to free himself.
From the assassins, Feng manages to pile up 16 crossbows, 16 small cases of bolts and 16 longswords--all in various states of repair, thanks to the various modes of attacks used on them. None of the remaining crossbow bolts appear to have anything coating them...apparently the assassins only had enough poison to use on the stranger.
Oddly enough, none of the assassins have any money or items that could possibly identify them in any way. (Even making a Spot check versus DC15 only reveals that their dark clothing is definitely "off the rack", run-of-the-mill working class duds.
Renik d20+2=19 d20+12=26 Friday September 6th, 2002 4:46:11 PM
Striding forward Renik glares into the ensnared man's eyes.
"You realise you are seconds away from bloody, toothsome death?" he says, peering at Ferrak and Darkfang, trying to suggest to the ferral druid that he play along with the ruse (Innuendo 19).
"My comrades here are not as civilised as I; they will rend you limb from limb if I allow it.
But I do not wish to see you die screaming in agony, my friend. Avoiding such a fate is a simple enough matter. All you need do is answer me some simple questions, and you may vanish into the night. If you wish it we can protect you. We care not for you or your companions; you are simply minions, tools of a greater foe.
I want to know who sent you. I want to know what your orders were, word for word. And I want to know where I can find the one who sent you.
Be under no illusion, my friend. If you do not cooperate fully, my companions here will feast upon your entrails, even as you watch. Do you understand?"
Ferrak takes some time to cotton on to Renik's plan, and looks at him blankly for a moment as the rogue explains what a pair of bloodthirsty savages he and his brother are.
Finally the penny drops, and he snarls savagely at the man in the net (intimidate 15). In guttural barks he says to Darkfang "Quick, my brother! Snarl and bare your fangs! We must make this scrawny fellow think we wish to eat him!"
Darkfang Sunday September 8th, 2002 3:58:49 PM
Darkfang gets in his most menacing attack stance and snarls while showing his sharp teeth. The big wolf stands beside its brother ready to attack the assassin if the need arises.
Steps (Draax) Sunday September 8th, 2002 4:36:49 PM
The disguised half-elf stands near the entangled assassin, but stays alert for any more visitors as he lets his eyes roam around area.
Arien Sunday September 8th, 2002 8:02:04 PM
Arien casts Detect Magic and studies the assassin to see if he has been enchanted.
Hobbes Monday September 9th, 2002 1:17:43 AM
Hobbes crosses his arms and begins mumbling, eyes fixed and point on the dead man's chest. He slowly begins walking around the body verying his chant. He slowly and gracefully extands his arms as a streaming blue light appears from them.
"Tot etu acoma", he utters and kneels over the head, his hands glowing softly and then he touches the head and presses his hands firmly over the hands and mouth. With a nod he pulls his hands away as [hopefully] he awaits for the jaw and face to move and start forming attentive patterns of speech. Looking toward Bill and Draax and the rest he indicates with a gesture that they should join him.
He then takes a step back and kindly but directly utters his questions.
"Now, son, speak... What about Balentyne were you warning us about?"
He awaits each answer before giving his next question but does not continue until the others come over.
WHen the others come over, he explains out of earshot of the corpse, "our friend is under the influence of a Speak With Dead spell. I can ask him up to three questions , one of which I have just asked. We need to figure out the other two. My thoughts are 'Who are you?', 'Who were those assassins?', and 'Where is Marcus?' but each of those might prove fruitless to ask this boy as he might not know. Anyone else have any ideas?"
Rond Monday September 9th, 2002 7:44:37 AM
Not realizing that Hobbes seems to move to his own drummer, Rond moves over to where the entangled assassin is currently being questioned. Noting that the rest of the group is currently participating or watching what is going on with the Assassin Rond decides to not interrupt Renik wih what he is doing.
Feng Monday September 9th, 2002 11:58:20 AM
After piling up the things, Feng walks over to the others. "The assassins used very plain and common equipment. No real clues as to their identity. Maybe the poison used to kill the man could tell us something."
Bill Troublefinder Tuesday September 10th, 2002 2:08:58 AM
"Perhaps not, 'Where is Marcus?' but rather, 'How might we contact Marcus?'" Bill suggests quietly to Hobbes. "I'll entrust the rest to you, good man. I have some looking about to do."
And to Feng, he explains, "Sorry, but I neutralized the poison - although someone more skilled in alchemy than I may yet learn something of it, I suppose."
Bill empowers himself to detect psionics & magic. He is specifically on the lookout for any invisible scrying little eyes or ears - anyone attempting to remotely view him and his friends. He flies in a search pattern, slowing down only should he detect something of interest in the air, along the walls, gates, ground, etc. If he can determine how the assassins arrived, as well, it is upon these things he narrows his focus.
Illusions Abound! (DM Donna) d20=20 d20=7 Tuesday September 10th, 2002 7:28:22 AM
Bill's instinct to Detect the different types of energy that may be present definitely turn up the strong auras of magic--around the living prisoner (as Arien's own Detect Magic confirms)...and around the "dead" stranger.
In fact, Bill's detection comes at the same time as Hobbes' sudden shock at seeing that the spell he's just cast--Speak With Dead--is NOT working! Together the two Hamleteers confer and simultaneously deduce that the stranger is not dead, but in a coma! Bill managed to neutralize the deadly poison before it could complete its work, but not before the stranger was out cold--and will remain out cold unless a very, very powerful counteracting magic is cast upon him.
The prisoner, meanwhile, is intimidated by Renik and Ferrak's tactics, but still feels constrained to break free of his bonds and attempt to attack them. (He still fails miserably at this task, however.) He is still quite conscious and able to answer questions put to him, though.
"I don't know where you can find the one who hired us," the lone assassin says through clenched teeth, "Horace was the one who got the gold and passed it out to us--" He nods his head towards one of the bodies (a half-elf with blackish/green hair.) "--as soon as each of us accepted the coins from him, though...it was as if we were suddenly obsessed--we HAD to kill all who came here at this time...or die...trying..."
Suddenly the man's eyes bulge unnaturally and a horrible scream is ripped from his throat. He tumbles forward and flops lifelessly to the ground, horrible black spittle foaming at his dead lips. Both Arien and Bill see the Magic aura about the assassin flare up briefly and then flicker out altogether.
Renik d20+25=37 d20+8=11 d20+7=11 Tuesday September 10th, 2002 5:13:56 PM
Renik shudders as the attacker dies an unnatural death. "There are dark forces at work here, my friends," he says as he turns from the body.
Approaching the others he says, "I suggest we get our contact to safety as quickly as possible. This kind of bodycount is sure to attract undue attention if we tary here overlong. Perhaps we can find a way to revive him, once we are returned..."
His thoughts return to Balentyne, and the party's last visit to his home. That would seem to be their next step, he ponders.
If the party decide to head back to base, Renik will fall behind, keeping to the shadows (Hide 37) and attempting to ensure they are not followed (Spot 11, Listen 11).
Ferrak Tuesday September 10th, 2002 5:17:54 PM
The Ferral gnome yaps to Darkfang;
"My brother, can you track the scent of these men back to their den?"
If Darkfang is able to track the attackers back to whence they came, Ferrak will join him, disguised as a hound.
Darkfang d20+5=18 Tuesday September 10th, 2002 10:31:13 PM
At his brother's request Darkfang sniffs around the now dead assassin and then around the area trying to find the assassin's scent on the ground that he is able to track (track 18).
Steps (Draax) d20+3=16 Tuesday September 10th, 2002 11:14:49 PM
Draax watches as the assassin suddenly dies in front of his eyes. The half-elf realizes that some type of controlling magic was involved in the assassins attacking the party and the assassin's sudden death. He wonders about the strength of the spell caster(s) involved and hopes that the party will have to confront them directly.
He does a quick search and inventory of the now dead assassin's belongings, being very careful to avoid touching the black spittle coming out of the dead man's mouth (spot check 16 if needed).
Rond Tuesday September 10th, 2002 11:51:54 PM
With the words of the dead assassin, Rond remembers some things from the group's earlier actions. "This seems to be some more work of Marteaus. I think we've seen some earlier work similar to this that is connected to this new evil. Like when that Elven father was kidnapping his little girl. I'm wondering whether we should go back and talk with the temple a little bit more and confirm whether this type of spell work is within the capabilities of a cleric of this new evil. Along with seeing if they can help out this stranger here."
Bill Troublefinder Wednesday September 11th, 2002 3:31:51 AM
Bill relays his observations to his friends. "Let's take Horace's remains with us."
After a pause he comes up to Draax, and also tugs on Feng's arm to get his attention. "Can one of you carry the fellow named Horace?" he asks, pointing to the dead half-elf with blackish/green hair. "He was apparently the intermediary between his fellow assassins and the one who hired them. He's kind o' big for me to handle, myself," explains the diminutive speaker. "But maybe someone back at the temple could get some more info outta him."
Feng Wednesday September 11th, 2002 2:02:35 PM
The burly half-orc slowly paces, taking everything in that just transpired. This isn't the first time that assassins have shown up. Feng himself infiltrated a group and helped stop them. The organization behind that attempt was far better than this one. This attack was pathetic. Even the numbers advantage didn't help their adversaries. It looked like whoever was behind this didn't know who they really were. Otherwise they would have used better personnel. What organization was new enough to not know who they were but still have the power to pull this thing off? Feng will have to find out.
Hobbes Thursday September 12th, 2002 2:44:46 AM
Hobbes quickly cleans and applies proper healing techniques to the wound after getting all the pieces of the bolt out. He places it in his pouch after removing it, then continues to heal the wound. He retrieves his extra cloak from his pack and wraps it around the stranger, then hefts him up. "I have this one. We must get him back to the temple quickly now. There's still a chance we can save him."
Back at the Black Cathedral (DM Donna) d20=7 d20=18 d20=17 d20=5 d20=19 d20=6 d20=19 Thursday September 12th, 2002 8:31:26 AM
Darkfang is pretty good about tracking...but, unfortunately, something else (a highly UNnatural something else!) is even better at circumventing the wolf's powerful abilities.
The bodies of Horace and the stranger are brought along to the new location of the Black Cathedral (it now occupies the building that used to house the worship-site for the Sisters of Disaster). The clerics there immediately see to both of them. Morphia is assigned to give you all the update on the pair:
"The strange man is in a coma," she tells you, "And we don't have an experienced enough cleric to help him out at the moment, as the patriarchs and matriarchs are in seclusion until the end of the month.
"However, Brother Hobbes," she tells Hobbes directly, "Our brethren were able to interview the assassin's spirit before he was dispatched to his ultimate destination--he says that he was hired by a hooded person whose gold blinded him to anything else except the directive to be at the Golden Arena at the appointed hour and to kill all who arrived there after speaking certain phrases... ummm... something about how dark it was tonight?... Well, anyway, other than saying that the gold he accepted had some kind of curse on it that geased him and all his comrades to accomplish that task or die in the effort, he wasn't much help. He couldn't even identify the figure, as the person was heavily robed and hooded and spoke with an extremely raspy voice."
(OOC: this IS about all the info any extended questioning would have gotten the Hamleteers anyhow, but if you have additional questions, email the DM.)
Rats! All the assassins are dead, the stranger is in a coma and will remain in one until well past the deadline for paying the taxes... and Marcus is still only-the-gods-know-where!
However, a spontaneous review of all that was done and discovered focuses once more on the one other clue that was discovered: the octagonal metal token from Elmo's Gaming Emporium.
Four of the party members seem to think that Elmo's would be a good place to start asking around about the tall, skinny stranger.
Feng Thursday September 12th, 2002 11:29:57 AM
"I'm sure that we will get attacked again. Still I think we should inquire about new players in town. Whoever is behind the attack didn't know us specifically. Otherwise the attack would have been deadlier. As you can recall I was able to listen to the planning behind one such assault. Our assassins were jokes. Not even a serious threat after their surprise wore off."
Renik Thursday September 12th, 2002 4:52:15 PM
"Agreed. But having failed this time we can be sure our hooded adversary, whoever he is, will be sending more deadly minions. We had best be on our guard.
As for this gaming token, well, Elmo's would seem like the place to start I suppose. There or Balentyne's residence again.
How about we visit the Emporium in disguise, in groups of twos or threes, purporting not to know one another? And if no clues are forthcoming there, then we pay monsiuer Balentyne another little visit."
Draax Thursday September 12th, 2002 6:22:21 PM
"I agree, Elmo's is the first place we should start and going separately in disguised groups is also an excellent idea. My question is, do we want to scout the place first or scout it as we look for the clues?"
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