Gareth (Invisible, Flying) Tuesday August 12th, 2003 7:08:39 PM
"Let's go get some mounts...". The warrior flies toward the forest looking for likely beetle candidates...
Away from the village - Dm Ian filling in Tuesday August 12th, 2003 7:30:11 PM
The party groups up, and walks out the village with Gareth flying invisible overhead.
As you walk outward throughout the day, you keep coming upon scenes of destruction throughout the area, where massive impacts and pools of acid mar the landscape and trees. Several of these places still have the dissolving remnants of torn and mangled animals, predators and prey alike.
Draconic wrath is apparently above such divisions.
Yet, the days travel goes quietly. What preparations are made to camp?
Addinein Tuesday August 12th, 2003 11:56:15 PM
As the day rolls on Addinein wonders what they can do to avoid the Dragon. "Is there anywhere that we'd be safe from this? dO we teleport back to the city for the night?"
Tericus Wednesday August 13th, 2003 10:29:17 AM
"Lets stay here." Tericus says "Who knows, maybe the beetles only come out at night."
Trusty steeds - Dm Ian filling in Wednesday August 13th, 2003 7:55:22 PM
Just before nightfall you come to the edge of the vegetation covered area around the village. Gareth, from his vantage point in the air, is the first to see paths carved into the vegetation, but soon enough, the entire group finds themselves looking through the trees at massive, squat beetles, perhaps nine to twelve feet high at the shoulder, and broad enough across the back to carry at least three or four grown humans in comfort.
Three of the beetles are face first into large bushes, munching away furiously. They don't seem to notice the party about two hundred feet away.
Gareth Wednesday August 13th, 2003 8:18:56 PM
The warrior looks on and asks through the ring "Seems like the ones we saw before...". He gets a bottle of the control stuff and flies down to one. "Aren't we supposed to get them to eat this stuff?".
Tericus Thursday August 14th, 2003 6:33:39 AM
"I think your right." Tericus tells Gareth. "You do the honors."
Addinein Thursday August 14th, 2003 8:51:25 AM You might want to apply it to what they are eating and then feed them one.
While Gareth is busy trying to feed one of these things, Addinein will keep a watch on the surrounding forest.
Jus Thursday August 14th, 2003 9:19:28 AM
Since this is the first time Jus has seen these beetles, his curiosity is peaked.
"If you need it, I'll help!" He calls to Gareth. Sitting down, Jus watches Gareth's attempts.
Corralling some steeds - Dm Ian filling in Thursday August 14th, 2003 6:24:38 PM
Gareth opens the bottle carefully, and almost immediately, the beetles stop voraciously inhaling greenery, and begin to rotate slowly seeking something. As soon as he drags a branch from a nearby bush into the jar, the beetles orient on the branch, and zip towards the branch.
Gareth thanks himself for the flight effect still running, and easily rises out of the path of the beetles. However, no maliciousness seemed to have been intended. The beetles move up to the bush and stop, their antennae circling for a moment before they stard butting their heads into the brush, rubbing around and trying to shoulder each other out of the way.
Settling on the beetles with flight would be simple, but their demonstration of speed has everyone thinking of how to hold on once mounted.
Addinein Friday August 15th, 2003 12:11:40 PM
"Do you rub this stuff on a branch, and then stick it out in front of them while you ride?"
Time passes - Dm Ian filling in Friday August 15th, 2003 6:52:20 PM
(Holding off on posting to allow others to post their activities for the beetles. Addinein, please feel free to post again if you like.)
Jus Friday August 15th, 2003 9:59:17 PM
Jus is beginning to get bored. Why does travel always have to take so long and go so slow. I wonder if Nonam would be interested in making a device that uses Teleport, but is reusable.
Gareth Monday August 18th, 2003 7:39:03 AM
The warrior feeds the doused branches to the beetles in hopes they can mount and ride. "I'd say we could ride them through the night like we did last time.".
Addinein Monday August 18th, 2003 11:00:55 AM
Once Gareth has the attention of the beetles, Addinein will try to coordinate with him in order to experiment how to approach and then ride the beetles.
First Addinein will work on just approaching the beetles and making sure that they are comfortable with him approaching. Anytime the beetles look like they are getting nervous, Addinein will back off and try again.
Once Addinein can get close enough to examine one of the beetles, he'll examine the shell and all other external parts to try to get an idea of how the party is going to ride these beasts.
Travel - Dm Ian filling in Monday August 18th, 2003 7:49:00 PM
Gareth holds the beasts attention with the paste, allowing Addenien to move up alongside, and figure out how to attach a series of ropes to steer the beetle, with verbal help from Nonam.
Once mounted, the beetles are easily controlled with the rope reigns. The group 'saddles' up on two beetles, and moves out of the area at an astounding rate of speed.
The passage across the plains happens with almost relaxing ease. From time to time, the group gets glimpses of predators in the tall grass, but apparently nothing is willing to approach, or try to chase the massive beetles.
Each day for four days, the party camps at one of the oases dotting the plains. The nights of travel are filled with violent winds and light rainfall coming down out of the north, pounding and the travelers and making flight difficult.
On the morning of the fifth day, the group comes to the edge of the western jungle that has been looming before you, shrouding the foot of the mountains you must climb, barring your way. From your vantage point coming up to them, the jungle looks a couple days across on foot.
As the group comes to the edge of the jungle, the beetles try to push towards a nearby fluffy bush, intent on feeding.
From a distance, a thunderous, hungry bass roar sounds from the depths of jungle. Whatever is it isn't close, but its huge.
Gareth Monday August 18th, 2003 9:40:41 PM
The warrior flies up and over to see what he can in the general area. He goes invisible as he does to avoid bovious detection by predators.
Addinein Tuesday August 19th, 2003 11:28:18 AM
During the first day of travel, Addinein is a little uneasy about the rate of travel these beetles have. Having lived underground for a period of time, traveling at these speeds could be dangerous, for the amount of land they are covering.
During the second day Addinein is a little bit more at ease with the pace the beetles are taking. Over the course of the day Addinein begins to wonder why the jungle doesn't seem to be impeding their progress much like when they first started. As little scenes play out while he rides, he does his best to sketch some of these scenes down.
When the group comes to the edge of the jungle, Addinein wonders whether they should let go of the beetles or not. If they could travel over the mountain at the same rate of travel, that would be great. Addinein realizes though that they might have to do it on foot anyhow. Thinking of the possible caravans that might be coming through, they have to figure out what is the best way to travel consistently across all terrains.
As Gareth goes up to investigate, Addinein helps with his own eyes from below.
Entering the jungle - DM Ian filling in Tuesday August 19th, 2003 7:30:31 PM
The beetles become a bit obstreperous when the group tries to pry them away from their bush. Even the paste doesn't seem to do much more than make them vacillate between takin direction and heading back over to the bushes to eat.
As this dance of wills goes back and forth, Gareth spies a trail leading into the jungle only a short distance away. A single pair of human bootprints from a largish sized foot leads inwards, but only goes about thirty feet before there is signs of a fight. Human blood and some sort of animal blood is everywhere, and the tracks of each leave in different angles inward to the jungle.
The interesting detail is that a small section of a tunic or surcoat lies in the middle of crushed shubbery. It bears the device of the black dragons.
Gareth (fly) Wednesday August 20th, 2003 2:04:08 AM
The warrior brings the shred to Tericus. "Is this the tunic of Byron? Can we find out if the animal got him?". He directs the others to the spot to see if they can divine what happened exactly.
Jus d20+14=22 d20+15=35 Wednesday August 20th, 2003 10:20:54 AM
Jus yells and whoops the first day of travel, enjoying the terrain whizzing by. The second day, he's still enjoying himself, but his yells become much more infrequent. By the third, he's getting bored again.
Jus begins asking about everyone's background, what they want to be when they grow up, and what happened to them when he was away (like what was that stuff Gareth gave the beetles, where he got it, and how did he know it would work).
Finally, they reach their destination. The large-animal call catches Jus off-guard, but at least it promises fun times ahead.
When they dismount and begin looking around, Jus notices the struggle with the others.
"There certainly seems to have been a fight," Jus answers Gareth's question to Tericus, "but it looks like the human walked away on his own.
Jus examines the humanoid tracks, trying to determine how hurt the person was by the footprints.
Search = 22; Wilderness Lore = 35
Nonam Wednesday August 20th, 2003 6:23:27 PM
Nonam watches over the party as they search and examine the tracks, standing atop one of the beetles.
From his vantage point he listens to the ongoing conversation.
Searching about for a clue - Dm Ian filling in Wednesday August 20th, 2003 6:35:17 PM
The fight couldn't have been more than six or seven hours ago, Jus thinks, and the man must have been badly wounded, by the amount of blood. In fact, unless some ripping effect or magical wounding was employed, Jus is surprised the human is still standing.
The beasts apparently scattered, heading off in groups of two or three. They appear to have been at least six hundred pounds each, going on two legs and possessing nimble three toed clawed feet. With the number of tracks, probably at least eight of them, maybe a little more.
The search also reveals a small smear of vile greenish powder across a low lying plant, that betrays the hidden presence of a broken glass capsule about three inches across. In appears that whatever it was went off in the center of the fight, and everything ran from that point outward.
From his vantage point above, Gareth sees the vegetation a few hundred feet away begin to shift and part. Something is coming across the concealed jungle floor, low and fast.
Gareth (Fly, Invisible) Wednesday August 20th, 2003 11:19:21 PM
The warrior sounds the warning about the interlopers. "Looks like we have company. We are going to have a fight...". He flies back down to the place where the thing is going to come out and he draws Max. "Hopefully we'll fare better than Byron...". He asks if the trackslook like Byrons and if Tericus can look for their quarry again.
Addinein Thursday August 21st, 2003 9:12:46 AM
"Then lets get over here with something to our backs. Preferably so that they have to approach us for a few hundred yards. Those of us with bows could do some work on these beasties if they choose to attack."
(ooc sorry for missed day)
Nonam Thursday August 21st, 2003 7:45:14 PM
Nonam utters an invisibility spell, winking out of sight, as the threat grows near.
Hunger, and the hunt - Dm Ian Thursday August 21st, 2003 7:49:01 PM
Leaping from the thick jungle vegetation come two legged reptiles of considerable size. Standing almost seven feet tall at the haunches, deep green scales with black undertones armor the beasts.
There are eight total, emerging from the underbrush in a loose semicircle about forty feet from the party position, and beginning to charge closer.
Most seem focused on Addenein and Jus out front, but two on the left flank start to circle with an eye on Tericus standing near the beetles.
They don't seem to notice Gareth flying above.
Addinein AC 28 Friday August 22nd, 2003 7:59:13 AM
Not too thrilled with the numbers he sees, Addinein decides that maybe diplomacy might work better.
Casting Comprehend Languages, Addinein speaks to the group of lizards, "We do not want any trouble here. I would not come any closer"
If there is no recognition of any language that he Lizards can recognize, then Addinein draws his bow and makes ready to defend himself.
Jus Friday August 22nd, 2003 6:01:58 PM
Hearing Addinein speak, and hoping it is in a friendly nature, Jus gets an idea. True they are not approaching slowly, but perhaps his actions may give them pause.
He carefully lowers his backpack, ready to pull weapons and attack, if necessary. Instead, he slowly reaches in and pulls out his Elderberry Pie. No telling what this may do, since he's never been able to determine just what magic is on this thing, but two things are possible: It could be a sign of friendship, and it could be the start of a lot of fun.
Sitting on his haunches, he pantomimes an offer of pie to the strangers, then gestures to the ground in front of him.
This may be the death of Jus, but at least he'd die with a pie in his hand (Bill Troublefinder would be so proud!).
Nonam - Dm Ian filling in Friday August 22nd, 2003 6:55:25 PM
Nonam winks back into sight in mid-cast, gesturing at the area around Jus and Addinein. Nothing apparently occurs, but a smile rests upon his lips.
Dinner fights back! - Dm Ian filling in Friday August 22nd, 2003 7:02:26 PM
The creatures sniff the air for just a moment, and then charge directly at the lead characters, scattered out in timing just a bit to apparently vary their impacts with Jus and Addinein.
Mid charge about fifteen feet from Addinein and Jus, the creatures impact an invisible wall heavily, only two narrowly escaping being thrown to the ground by the force of their charge broken.
The creatures are now clustered in a grouping about twenty feet across on the other side of a wall of force. Only the two rightmost remain standing, and the others appear to be prone and stunned.
Gareth (Fly, Invisible) d20+35=38 d10+19=22 Friday August 22nd, 2003 7:02:53 PM
The warrior lowers himself down behind the creatures and prepares to attack. If they attempt to close on the others he yells out and cuts into whichever one appears to be their leader (Hit AC 38, 22 DMG).
Addinein Friday August 22nd, 2003 8:37:28 PM
Still not sure about what he wants to do with these creatures, Addinein tries changing to Drow on the off chance they might understand him. "We really do not want to harm you. We are just passing through and wish to be left alone."
This time Addinein pays attention to if they even comprehend what language is.
Addinein will look at Jus and comment through the ring, I hope they decide to just give up and leave us around. What do you think we should do if they are more persistant?
Jus Sunday August 24th, 2003 12:53:45 AM
Jus turns and glances at Addinein. Holding up his occupied hand, Jus says, "We could eat pie!"
Reluctantly, Jus puts the pie away (it's amazing it still is in one piece after all this time).
Spying his unwritten letters -- which isn't difficult since he hasn't written his sister in ages. Or has it only been days. Things have been so hectic, Jus doesn't remember how long has past. But be assured, a letter will be written next time they get to the city. How long will that be? Of course, that assumes they won't be killed. But there is little chance of that, since it hasn't... oh... those bugs are still trying to get at us....
Anyhow, Spying his unwritten letters, Jus gets an idea and hunts around for one of the ink bottles. He pulls one out, thinking that it is around the same size as the smashed bottle they found earlier. If these creatures only get a glance of the vial, they could mistake it for the same substance.
Standing up, again reluctantly, Jus pulls out his Sun Sword and prepares to do battle.
"Oh, and thanks Nonam."
Confusion, and tactics - Dm Ian filling in Monday August 25th, 2003 8:14:03 PM
The beasts lurch to their feet, and mill about for a moment, calling in shrill bursts as they see Jus and Addenein, and can't get directly at them.
As the beasts begin to spread out and slowly test the length of the wall, Tericus moves up to Jus and Addenein, and incants a anti-life shell.
Nonam, on the other hand, seems to be waiting for something, watching the creatures.
Gareth remains invisible above the wall.
Addinein Tuesday August 26th, 2003 11:11:21 AM
Not looking forward to the end result. Addinein watches as the creatures look to see if they can get around the barrier. Knowing that they will eventually, Addinein slowly bring his bow to bear as the likelihood of getting around the barrier becomes greater and greater.
OOC: placeholder Tuesday August 26th, 2003 9:07:12 PM
Anyone able to assume control of gareth for the time being?
Milling about - Dm Ian Wednesday August 27th, 2003 6:33:31 PM
Nonam calls down from beetle, saying, "Unless there is a need for this fight, perhaps we should simply teleport into the jungle, and bypass these beasts. Thoughts?"
Tericus maintains his position, and his warding.
The beasts themselves continue to slowly fan out, and are nearing the edges of the wall, probing for weaknesses in the invisible barrier that has confused their charge. One stops, and tries to leap, impacting the wall almost twenty feet up, before falling to the greenery-covered ground with a muffled thud.
Jus (Cat's Grace: +5) d20+20=39 d4+1=5 Wednesday August 27th, 2003 9:04:13 PM
Flipping the vial in his nimble fingers, Jus considers whether the battle would be too fun to miss. Then again, these Lizard creatures appear less of evil-doers than upset at the party's tresspassing.
"Sure," Jus agrees to Nonam's suggestion. "Spot out a place ahead, then pop all of us up there."
Jus puts the ink vial away as he waits for Nonam to do what he does best. However, Jus does pull off his bow and nock an arrow -- both in case the beasts make it around the wall before they leave, and in case the teleport drops them "into the fire".
"Sorry for the waste of your Anti-life Shell, Tericus," Jus adds, noting the spell that was cast (Spellcraft roll of 39). "But it reminds me of how much we've all grown since we met."
Deciding that he may as well not waste the time (especially with all the racket they've heard ahead), Jus casts Cat's Grace to improve his defensive skills (+5 Dex).
Run through the jungle - Dm Ian filling in Thursday August 28th, 2003 7:05:24 PM
Tericus backs the group up, shielding their fallback as the reptiles begin to round the corners of the wall of force. They cautiously push ahead for a few moments, and then roar, the rest of the pack taking up the call.
The beasts charge again, devouring the intervening ground, but once again impact heavily on the invisible warding around the group. One circles and begins to menace one of the beetles, as Gareth swoops down to Nonam, and Nonam activates his ring.
The party reappears in a clearing in the jungle some distance into the thick green vegetation. As the group looks around and begins to regain their bearings and method of transport without the beetles, Jus sees a set of human footprints in the nearby loam.
Looking closer, the nearby bush bears blood, still wet.
Addinein Friday August 29th, 2003 4:37:25 AM
(sorry about missed posts. working nights for taxi for next couple of days)
Addinein does a quick sweep of the area to see if he can notice anything else about their present area.
A quick search - Dm Ian Friday August 29th, 2003 7:04:21 PM
A short distance away nearby, Addenein finds a broken walking stick as might be used by an elderly man, clearly hacked through my a single blow from an edged weapon. At this point, the single set of human footsteps is joined by a second set of probably human footsteps, and their pace picks up tempo, becoming more careless.
The curious detail, is that the two sets of footprints aren't arranged as to allow the one to strike at the other, and no other track exists in the area.
Nonam and Tericus take a moment to stop and quietly discuss their memorized spells as the search is carried out. Gareth ascends to scout, and finds that Nonam's teleport gobbled up perhaps a quarter of a mile of the distance into the jungle. Once he gets above the trees, the distant roars of reptilian predators are more audible.
It is now late afternoon.
Gareth Friday August 29th, 2003 7:19:43 PM
The warrior looks down the trail where the footprints went to see if he can locate them (since they aren't too far away). He draws Max to see if he can feel them with his telepathic ability.
Following the breadcrumbs - Dm Ian Monday September 1st, 2003 7:37:44 PM
Gareth is able to easily follow the trail from above, as the makers of the trail crashed through the underbrush with little care for subtlety.
As the trail turns into a copse, Max suddenly informs Gareth that something lies ahead that blocks its senses utterly. The copse is about sixty feet by fifty feet, an overgrown bramble of jungle vegetation that the trail seems to disappear into.
The remainder of the party trails along behind for a time, until they too can see this.
Nonam turns to the remainder of the group, and says, "There is something powerfully magical just within those trees."
Game on Hold Monday September 1st, 2003 7:42:11 PM
If you have any questions, please contact me at Ianhess@hotmail.com, or Jan. Gericko is on vacation for the remainder of the month.
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