Witch battle? (DM MikeK) Wednesday October 15th, 2003 11:33:04 AM
Xenia stands and listens.
Florin again shakes off the effect of the wand. He slams his sword into the cursed woman (W1). She gurgles, and goes down.
Angus runs. He does, in fact, get over the barrier, and is heading down the 'trail' to where everyone got off Max.
Gordo walks toward the sound of battle. He sees the hot cauldron in time to avoid it, and finds himself beside Florin and the collapsed witch (W1).
Tionel quietly wraps up the girl in his cloak, and picks her up. Xenia can make out the quiet movement on the other side of the cauldron.
A large dog shows up on Florin's right (Gordo shows up on his left). It sniffs at W1, and then tests the air.
Bralin waits.
Syr talks to Xenia, but she's already moving. The monk follows the sound of battle and finds himself behind a large dog. The front end of the dog is nosing at something on the ground.
Xenia d20+8=26 d20+8=20 d20+2=11 d6=3 d20+10=23 Wednesday October 15th, 2003 12:09:44 PM
Xenia stalks softly through the fog in the direction of the furtive noise she just heard. Her ears feel through the white mist and her eyes rove for sign of the mean old bat who would dare to mess with her friends. Her sword is poised to really give it to her and teach her a lesson she won't soon forget.
[[ Listen 26 / Spot 20 / Move Silently 23 / (If she sees something she is sure is the witch she will poke it with her sword for comic effect and, on the outside chance she should chance to hit, do minimal damage. Hit AC11 / Dmg 3) ]]
Tionel d20+8=19 Wednesday October 15th, 2003 1:26:51 PM
"Any witches left?" Tionel calls into the fog. "Search the witches for a key to the cage or something." Holding the girl, Tionel makes a quick decision (Survival 19), and walks carefully in the direction that he thinks is the door. If he meets the wall, he skirts it till he finds the door.
Florin d20+2=12 Wednesday October 15th, 2003 2:28:45 PM
Florin kneels by the dead witch and begins searching her for a key once he hears the call of his friend. If he finds it he will call out to Tionel and let him know. He also goes ahead and pulls anything else of interest from the witch, commenting to Gordo. "I'll split anything I find with the group when we get done here." He only comments so it isn't thought that he is trying to loot the body for himself.
[Search:12]
Gordo Wednesday October 15th, 2003 3:22:43 PM
Lacking any obvious foes, the big man glances down at Florin. You know, I wish we hadn't have to have killed em all. A good thumping would have likely as not done the trick, and there'd be less blood on our hands."
He watches his companions wiping blood from their weapons, and reflects that his path is his own, and it should not be forced on others. "Don't worry your head none, son, I know you wouldn't do us wrong" he grins at Turin. "Now then, where's them ghosts? Daphne? DAPHNE! You in here, lass?"
Angus Wednesday October 15th, 2003 4:34:15 PM
Angus is still moving away from the tree, but is slowing as his head clears of the fearful images of the witches. Angus stops and turns back toward the tree. "Hey I just left the battle. Enough nonsense, time to get back." Angus tell himself.
Bralin(ac 18, magic weapon-rd8, magic stone) Wednesday October 15th, 2003 9:53:21 PM
Bralin stands at the door.
"Inform me of your exit," he calls inside. "I guard the door."
Syr d20+4=15 Thursday October 16th, 2003 2:03:25 AM
Syr hears Bralin outside and calls out, "Anyone leaving should be a friend. None of these 'foes' seem to be moving."
Syr begins to carefully examine his surroundings looking for any hidden areas inside. (Search 15).
Bog Thursday October 16th, 2003 7:19:50 AM
Bog rolls his eyes at the sky and says "Attention Celestial Riding Dog I just summoned, attack W1 like you should have last round and remember that you can use your scent ability to find her if you can't see her."
(DM note -- the dog did show up next to W1. It didn't attack because Florin had just killed her)
Witch Aftermath (DM MikeK) d20+9=16 Thursday October 16th, 2003 10:29:25 AM
Tionel picks up the girl and asks about witches and keys. Xenia realizes it was the druid she had heard.
"My heroes!" exclaims a female voice from near Tionel in response to Gordo's query. "We're over here! Let us out of these awful traps!"
Gordo follows the voice, crossing paths with Tionel, who is heading out of the tree. Gordo finds a small 5'x 5' cage sitting on the floor on the west side of the tree. It is empty. On top of that cage are three box like objects. They look a lot like smaller versions of the cage, but only have four bars, one at each corner. There are three of the boxes, and each contains a smushed up ghost. Next to the cage on the floor is a small wooden chest.
"Oh my, you ARE a big one, aren't you?" coos one ghost to Gordo. "C'mon handsome. Let me out of here and claim your reward," she giggles impishly. Gordo can't identify any of the ghosts in their compacted state.
Tionel exits the tree with the unconscious girl. Bog and Bralin let him by and continue to peer into the fog filled tree.
Florin finds a wand and two potions on the witch in front of him, but no keys.
Syr starts searching the place. The fog is making it very difficult, so his pace is quite slow.
Suddenly the dog starts barking wildly on the east side of the tree (Syr is closest). It is accompanied by a small child-like voice fearfully crying "EEEEEEE! Help! BAD DOG!"
Angus starts working his way back to the tree.
Florin d20+2=14 Thursday October 16th, 2003 1:57:59 PM
Florin stands after searching the dead witch and calls out, "No keys here." When he hears te dog barking and the child's voice he calls out quickly, "Bog, make sure your dog doesn't attack but have him keep barking so I might beable to make my way to te child in this fog."
(Listen:14, tries to determine the direction the child and dog is at. I'll be making the post for Gordo later today)
Angus (Mage Armor) Thursday October 16th, 2003 3:53:09 PM
Angus mutters to himself under his breath. "It was a fear spell you idiot."
Angus starts running back to where he left the battle, not knowing the condition of his friends, but hoping all of the witches are dead or subdued.
Xenia d20+8=23 d20+8=21 d20+10=20 d20+2=11 Thursday October 16th, 2003 4:16:01 PM
"Hey guys," the half-elven girl sings out to her companions. "I'm pretty sure there's one more of them in here."
And she thinks she knows where she is. She hones in on the doggie noises. Her sword is gripped in a sweaty hand as she goes silent and casts about in the fog again with eye and ear.
[[ Listen 23 / Spot 21 / Move Silent 20 / If she finds the witch she shouts out "OVER HERE!" and takes a swish at her. ]]
Bralin(ac 18, magic weapon-rd9, magic stone) Thursday October 16th, 2003 4:32:53 PM
"I hear you Syr," Bralin answers, "but I stand ready anyway."
When Xenia claims there may be another, he tries to remember how many there were to begin with.
"Who killed a witch?" he calls, "And how many were there at the beginning?"
Tionel Thursday October 16th, 2003 4:34:07 PM
"Wait, Xenia... that doesn't sound like a witch. There are other prisoners in here. Everyone, just keep calm and the mist should go away in a bit." Tionel sets the girl down and asks Bralin, "Could you stay here and watch the girl? I'll go inside and help get the other prisoners." He proceeds back inside and slowly makes his way through the mist towards the cage where the ghosts were.
Gordo (ADM Justin) Thursday October 16th, 2003 4:50:51 PM
Gordo hears the childs screams and calls out, "I agrre, that doesn't sound like a witch." Gordo tries to help search the area for any remaining threat.
[OOC: Short and to the point but hope it's good enough]
Bog Friday October 17th, 2003 5:33:12 AM
"Youz guyz, don' be fooled by dat! Tis prolly da wich makin kiddie-lahk voyses. Whatsa gwin on in dere??? Hay doggy attak any wich yoo find!"
Bog steps off to the side about 15 ft from the door diagonally and readies an action to cast Grease under the feet of any witch he sees come out the front door. (And yes Bog saw what the witches looked like)
Syr Friday October 17th, 2003 11:31:50 AM
Syr stops searching and immediately moves to the sound of the dog barking. Fearing more witches he approaches cautiously.
In the Fog (DM MikeK) d20+1=17 d6+5=9 Friday October 17th, 2003 2:48:07 PM
Gordo, Xenia, Syr, Florin and converge on the barking dog and the hysterical voice.
They find the dog attacking a small boy, about 8 or 9 years old. The boy has a three legged stool that he's using in an attempt to keep the pooch at bay.
It doesn't work.
As the four horrified warriors look on, the dog slips under the stool and rips out the throat of the boy.
Horror soon turns to bafflement as the boy's form shifts into one of the witches. The dead witch lies at the quartet's feet as the dog blinks out of existance.
Meanwhile, Tionel has worked himself over to the ghosts.
"Hey! Let us out already!" yells Daphne. "No need to run Big Guy (Gordo), I don't bite!"
Bralin stands over the small girl. Angus runs back.
Xenia Friday October 17th, 2003 3:51:07 PM
Blood sprays and figure of the boy slides to the earth to become one of the old ladies. She lays there still and unmoving. A pool, black in the dim visibility of the fog, widens around the old lady's face. Xenia's eyes go wide with horror. Her sword drops from nerveless hands to clatter upon the ground. Her breath comes in short shallow hiccups.
"fram and framble," the words come out as a plea. "You killed her. YOU KILLED HER," she wails and turns to stumble blindly out into the fog. A marriage between guilt and dread coats the world now, and she is tainted, unclean. It knots her insides in icy water and she sweats from cold dark skin.
Stumbling about, Xenia trips in the fog, and when she raises her head, there is one of the soldiers. For the first time she notices that he is not simply passed out. He has a gaping bloody tear in his chest and his eyes stare empty and lifeless. A soft pathetic mewing begins on the half elf's trembling lips, and with jerky scrambling motions she retreats across the floor until, fetching up against a wall, she curls into a ball and sobs.
Florin Friday October 17th, 2003 5:28:50 PM
Florin growls abit as his anger burns bright and suddenly and moves foreward, kicking the witch's body hard, "How dare you, using the form of a child to try to save yourself." Florin's anger still burns in him and his hand even shakes abit and the knuckles of his hand grow white that grips his longsword's handle. His mind burns at the thoughts of how this witch is so much like his father, using something innocent to possibly survive.
Florin turns on his heel and walks to the door or makes his way to it if the fog is still in the room, calling the Bralin if it is also, "I'm coming to the door friend Bralin." His words are edged with barely held back anger at this past and thoughts.
Gordo (ADM Justin) Friday October 17th, 2003 5:31:20 PM
Gordo sighs when he sees yet another witch killed and comments once more to himself, "Another shot of capturing a second witch lost." With that said he kneels and checks the witch to see if he can find a key, "Anyone find that key?" He smiles to himself thinking of the ghost and what she said to him.
Angus Friday October 17th, 2003 9:31:26 PM
Angus puts his he down and makes the best possible speed. Up and over the barrier. The tree is looming large, but the distance is not closing fast enough.
Angus growls in frustration with himself.
Tionel Saturday October 18th, 2003 3:11:39 AM
"Lady-ghosts, did you happen to see how they unlocked your cages with these bars?" Tionel is loath to touch them, given that they might be trapped. Then, he hears the sobbing. Xenia is crying against the wall. The reason is quite obviously stated by her, and the elf sighs and turns his attention inwards. Humans are always so worried about death, he ponders, mostly because they only live for such a short time as it is. "Gordo, fiddle with these until you free the poor ghosts." When he finds the poor girl, he kneels down beside her in the mist and gently puts an arm on her shoulder. "Hey there now. Yes, they're dead. And yes, it is a horrible thing that someone had to die...but they attacked me first, they were breaking the laws of any sane society, and probably committing atrocities to these poor girls. They would not surrender when we found them. By our ideals we are justified, and we can only hope we did the right thing. "That said, it's all right to feel bad about this. I feel horrible that we had to fight at all. That is what makes the difference between us and them. Respect for life." Tionel pats her awkwardly. "So please, feel free to cry, to curse. just don't start blaming yourself. We did the right thing." Tionel feels vaguely better himself after his little speech to her. (I'm assuming time passes by till the mist clears for this extended action)
Xenia Saturday October 18th, 2003 12:45:23 PM
Harsh words ride on the half-elf's lips as she turns to bite the hand upon her shoulder with pointed canines of accusation. Words like "Murderer." For surely they are all now murderers, killers of someone's father, someone's daughter, someone's love.
And, perhaps it's because it's Tionel. Or, perhaps it's because deep within the blanket of her shock his words ring true. His words are quite possibly the same words that her father would say to her, his hand as well gently upon her shoulder. Words to feed her the bitter enriching medicine of the real world.
Xenia looks up into Tionel's eyes, trying to put on a brave face. But her lip quivers and she buries herself in his shoulder and cries.
This time, however, she cries tears of healing.
Bog Sunday October 19th, 2003 1:39:16 PM
Bog frowns at Xenia, "Wah wot'd ya expact 's ta do."
He calls out to the sky "Goooood dawg!"
Then he turns around and grins, "Hay Ti'nel! Yer frend 's still ot har."
He goes over to the fighter he tied up and sits beside him. "Heya frend. How's ya doin? Don' worry we don' wanna hurt ya. An' now dat da wiches 'r dead yoo don' hafta do any evil thins no mor. Ya can com wit os if'n you wanna even."
Bralin Monday October 20th, 2003 8:11:21 AM
Bralin continues to stand watch over the small girl, checking her frequently to make sure SHE doesn't turn into a witch either.
He shares a look of confusion with Bog over Xenia's outburst. OF COURSE we killed them. Thats the nature of battle. The dwarf shakes his head.
Aftermath (DM MikeK) Monday October 20th, 2003 10:42:35 AM
(OOC -- Since he didn't specify, I'm assuming Syr was using lethal force)
While Tionel consoles Xenia, and others go about their business, the fog stays in the tree.
In fact, it's a full 40 minutes later before the cloud bank dissipates and people can actually see things again.
Other than the first guard (F1), everyone is dead.
A search of the interior of the tree turns up a chest of gems, a ring, a vial of ointment, 4 potions, the Wand of Color Spray, two Everburning Torches, and a crystal vial containing a red, viscous liquid.
Daphne answers Tionel, "I don't know how they did it. I got hit with the red stuff and don't remember anything after that except waking up in here." The other two ghosts tell the same story.
The guard looks fearfully at Bog, trying to decipher the elf's speech. He seems to have caught part of it. He starts begging fervently, "Don't leave me here in these forsaken woods. Please. I'll go with you. Anywhere you want. Just don't leave me here alone."
Just as everything starts clearing up, a man dressed in rich robes suddenly appears in the center of the tree. He smiles, takes the crystal vial in his leather glove, bows grandly to Tionel, and disappears, leaving a playing card of the Jack of Diamonds in his wake.
The girl at Bralin's feet remains unconscious (and still a girl), throughout it all.
Angus gets back to the tree without incident. He does recall that he did not see Max during his, uh, jog.
Gordo (ADM Justin) d20+3=9 d20+2=3 Monday October 20th, 2003 10:53:24 AM
Gordo moves back over to where the cages and ghosts are located and looks over one of the containers before picking one up to try and open it. He will keep messing with it till he gets it open hopefully or inless something happens.
Gordo stops for a moment when the man shows up and vanishes with the vial andl eaves the card behind, "Theres a man who needs manners, stealing and not even giving us his name."
[Spot:9 Str:3 Lowest rolls yet.)
Xenia d20+9=10 d20+10=18 Monday October 20th, 2003 11:12:14 AM
Xenia finally looks up from Tionel's shoulder. In a very quiet and subdued voice she says a single word, "Sorry." Then she hugs him in thanks and with a determined set to her mouth, she sets about being useful.
She walks red eyed over to the cages. She quietly watches Gordo for a moment and then begins examining one of the other small cages.
After quick search through red rimmed eyes, she begins applying her experience with locks to the problem. She squints her eyes and pulls one corner of her mouth up with concentration.
[[ Search 10 (ouch), Open Lock 20 (oop, sorry, 20 with the MW Thieves Kit ]]
Florin d20+6=20 Monday October 20th, 2003 11:16:44 AM
Florin stands at the entrance of the tree and glances back in time to see the man appear, take something and then disappear. He frowns and his anger and his thoughts still swirl when he comments, "Suppose he had something to do with this." Florin has yet to sheath his sword as he stands outside to get his anger in check.
After a few more moments outside he finally sheaths his longsword and begins to walk back in, his eyes still showing his anger at what the witch did to try and save herself and how it reminded him of his childhood but he does seem to have everything else in check. He looks towards Xania and feels a spike of hurt for her also, knowing they defended themselves and they had to stop these people or they would of caused more harm, but he says nothing other then give her a sincere look when she looks his direction.
Getting down to buisness, Florin now pulls off his helmet and brushes back his long black hair. Noticing the pain from the area he was hit he calls out to the others, "I hope we have time for me to treat my wound, I have to get this armor off." With that said Florin will go about the task of getting his breastplate off and gets out his healers kit so he can doctor his wound, while doing so he turns his back to the others. Being curtious to Xania and shy since he has never been in any state of undress infront of a lady so it is abit embarassing for him to have his tunic off.
[Heal check: 20]
Bralin d8+1=2 d8+1=7 Monday October 20th, 2003 11:33:55 AM
"Paladin, we have wands for healing," Bralin points out.
He gets out his wand and gives Florin a shot. Annoyed at the first fizzle, he does it again. Heal 2 and 7 hp.
Tionel Monday October 20th, 2003 12:34:31 PM
The elf nods his head at Xenia's apology. Humans are so interesting! He wonders why she apologized for doing something natural.
Tionel smiles and shakes his head, picking up the card. "Jack, huh? I wouldn't call him one of the bad guys. Maybe one of those characters in an opera who keeps on messing with the story..." He slips the card into his playing deck for now.
Tionel absently speaks while walking over to the ghost cage, "Gordo, is that human girl the one related to those brats who got us into the turtle mess? I'm afraid I don't quite know her on sight." He looks closely at the ghost's cages, and says to them, "I apologize ladies, if any undue harm comes." (Are there levers or anything that comes with them? If there are, I'm going to fiddle with them...if there aren't, Tionel will let Xenia do it. If Xenia can't do it, how heavy and big are the cages? Can one person carry one, or does it take two? Or is it impossible to carry?) "Don't forget to check the chest, Xenia...I'm afraid I'm not good with locks. And it might be cursed or trapped, you never know with these sorts of beings."
Tionel wanders back over to the door. "Don't worry about the guards, fellows. I believe he's the one I have under a charm spell. Search him for weapons, then untie him." He speaks directly to the fighter, "You'll be far safer sticking with us as we get out of the woods than running into them blindly, as I'm sure you must know after having travelled through them once."
In short, Tionel blathers quite a bit, but it's spread out as he wanders to and fro, so it seems a bit less.
Xenia d20+9=25 d20+10=15 Monday October 20th, 2003 1:57:43 PM
[[ OOC: If we're not in round by round actions now ... ]]
After puzzling the ghost cage, Xenia moves to the chest. She's warmed up now. Warmed up is good. She looks this sucker over good. Chests are more commonly trapped. Much more commonly than cages, certainly and her father would have given her the "very disappointed" look if she hadn't looked it over good.
She rubs her hands together. Now comes the lock.
[[ Search 25 / Take 20 on the lock. Don't forget to add +2 for the Thieves Kit. ]]
Syr d20+4=6 Monday October 20th, 2003 2:26:34 PM
Frowning ast the sudden appearance of the Jack, "ARGH! not these guys AGAIN!!. They never tell you anything, only leave more mysteries."
Seeing bloodshed is nothing new to Syr and he shakes his head in pity as Xenia moves away sobbing. Finding the chest of gems, he moves over to the half-elf, hoping to distract her, "Xenia, any idea what these are worth?" (I assume that the chest is open since it was listed as a chest of gems). Syr drops the gem chest in front of her.
Turning around he calls out "Angus.... Angus..." Seeing the mage he grins wickedly and says, "There you are, I thought you ran off again... Do you mind taking a look at these things and seeing what they do?" He points to the potions and the ring. "Anyone want to pick up the rest of this stuff?" Anything not claimed he puts in his pouches for the party to divvy up later.
With a wink at the Bralin, "Save the wand from me, I'm not in dire need... yet." Being far more practical, he sits down next to a witch's corpse and tears strips from her robes to bandage his cuts.
As Tionel inspects the cages he moves near. Trying the direct approach, he uses his strength to try and lift the cage testing it's weight. "Anything that can hold you guys must be something special." (str 6, following Gordo's fine example)
(Unless specified, Syr always uses lethal force)
Bog Monday October 20th, 2003 4:11:44 PM
Bog smiles at F1 and pats him lightly on the shoulder.
"Don' worry fren'. Ya kin com wit us. Hey! We kin mebbe ev'n find yas a job at da bar. Tis a gret plehs!"
Out of the corner of his eye he sees a man appear inside the tree and jerks his head and stares wide-eyed fumbling for his words. He rushes to the doorway hand pointed, but the man disappears before he totally gets there. "Noooo! Gerdo! DOn' let 'im gooooooooo! Das da guy dat wot stol awaaaaaaye Drew!!!!!!!!!"
Angus Monday October 20th, 2003 11:32:29 PM
Angus busts back into the room ready for anything and quickly call out into the fog. "Is everyone alright!!"
After assessing the sitution as no longer hositle Angus apologizes to each member of the group for falling under the control of the witches fear spell. "I am sooo sorry for running away, I will do better next time. I am sooo glad that no one was permanently injuryed, besides my pride."
Angus is particularly interested in Syr's tale of the mystical card player. "Please Syr, tell me more of this Jack of Diamond. Is he someone to be Fearful of or warry of or friendly with?"
At Syr's request Angus casts detect magic and surveys the room and also his new companions.
More Aftermath (DM MikeK) Tuesday October 21st, 2003 8:40:26 AM
There is only one chest. Xenia easily pops the standard lock and finds it contains both gems and gold. There are 50 gems, all of the same size, type, and cut. There are also 2000 gold pieces.
The ghost boxes don't make much sense at all. They are 1' cubes, with panel on the top and bottom, and four bars, one at each corner. The rest is completely open. Anyone could pass their hand through the foot wide opening, but the ghosts can't get out. Each box weighs about 10 lbs, and are easily lifted.
Angus determines the ring, vial of ointment, 4 potions, Wand of Color Spray, two Everburning Torches, and the ghost boxes radiate magic.
The guard smiles hopefully at Bog, and waits to see what happens next.
The girl does match the general description of Luna, Torl's missing friend. She remains unconscious.
Xenia d20+2=20 d20+9=29 Tuesday October 21st, 2003 10:14:00 AM
The lock is large and clumsy and the half elf opens it almost by feel. A tiny smile dimples the sides of her mouth at the gold and jewels inside and she feels a bit better. She holds one up to the light. She's seen a few gems in her time, but she's never really been on the fencing end of things.
The cages are a different matter. "Do you think that might hurt them?" she asks as she watches both Syr and Gordo struggle with the small boxes. "I can't get them open, but maybe we can take them with us and find someone who can," she suggests.
She considers the brief glance she had of the man who popped in on them. "Maybe the Jack guy," she says more to the room than to anybody in particular.
Angus comes running in the door. She smiles and waves at him with eyes still red and a bit puffy.
And, before she sets back to things, she walks tentatively over to the Paladin of Domi. "Uh, Florin, can I talk to you about some things? I mean, maybe later. I'm not feeling so good about, well, some things. And, well, I mean, I'm thinking maybe Domi can help me straighten this all out. Ok?"
Then, the half elven girl takes in the entire room, trying her best to edit the corpses out of her picture and then sets about a thorough search of the interior of the tree.
[[ Appraise 20 / Search 29 ]]
Gordo (ADM Justin) Tuesday October 21st, 2003 1:55:43 PM
Gordo grunts and looks to Syr before shaking his head, "These things are made to darn solid. I think we're going to have to take them back with us." Gordo looks at the boxes and looks for Daphne, "Don't worry good las, we will get you free soon, just hang on alittle longer."
Florin Tuesday October 21st, 2003 1:59:32 PM
Florin looks to Xania and nods to her, gently patting her shoulder, "I'll listen to you when we have time Xania, no worries. I also will need to see my temple where I trained." Florin smiles at her, the anger still in his eyes at his own thoughts but also the hint of it turned at himself since he had done so well all this time to forget about his childhood.
Florin looks to Bralin and smiles to him, "Sorry friend, I didn't want to waste the charges and it looks like the battle is over for now. Someone better ask the ghosts how they got here with the witches, we need a way off this island and we lost are ride so the forest might attack us every step out."
Tionel Tuesday October 21st, 2003 2:13:09 PM
The elf says a short, defunct prayer over the witches and fighters' corpses, leaving them to the elements in the hope that nature will continue on in its circle of life and death. Then, he wanders to the door of the tree. "Everyone gathered up all the treasure?" (Gordo and Florin hopefully take the bulk of it, the rest is divided evenly among us?) "Well, now it's just a matter of finding our way back through the forest. Let's go see if Max is present...if not, it's going to be a long, hard walk. Perhaps we can follow his tracks and catch up..." Not wanting to waste any more time, the elf waits for the group patiently but persistently by the door.
Bralin d20+6=7 Tuesday October 21st, 2003 3:37:32 PM
The dwarf stows his wand at the words of Florin and Syr. "There are always more wands," he replies.
He tries to help Xenia in her identification of the stones, but sweat drips into his eyes, and he's not much use at all. (Aid Another, appraise check - 7, nat 1)
Disgusted with himself, Bralin offers to help carry anything that needs carrying.
Syr d20+9=10 Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 1:40:20 AM
Giving the guard a harsh stare (Intimidate=natural 1), he is disappointed to see the guard unaffected. Failing miserably, he turns to the incomprehensible mage, "Bog, why don't you ask your friend to carry ... Luna, is that her name?
Syr moves his gazeto the cubes and then toward the pile of loot and back. Muttering to himself, "When in doubt, just try it out." Impulsively, Syr takes the ring and slips it on then taps the cage and the ghosts with the ring. Assuming nothing happens he then takes the vial and spreads a drop on his glove and touches the ghost with that finger looking for a reaction.
Hearing Florin's words his mood darkens, "Maybe just maybe, the forest wants to be rid of us and won't impede our way out?"
Angus Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 2:03:23 AM
Angus is relieved that he can help the group since he is still upset with himself for leaving the fight.
""When I was out on my jog I noticed that Max was missing. Our way out of the forest may be more difficult. Any suggestions? Do you just want to follow Max's path to where we originally found him. I am ready to be rid of this forest, no offence Tionel, but I want a hot meal a bath and a bed for the night."
Angus surveys the tree/room and looks to the group. " Do we kept this structure intact? Or do we leave it for future witches of maybe the Jack?"
More Aftermath (DM MikeK) Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 11:24:34 AM
Xenia estimates each of the 50 gems to be worth 10 gp.
The guard, Talen, who is no longer stinky or tied up, picks up the unconscious Luna and dutifully follows Bog around.
Syr tries both the ring and the ointment from the vial on the cages, but nothing happens.
Bralin, Gordo, and Florin divide up loot and cages and start carrying them.
When the party crosses over the barrier, the ghosts suddenly find they can escape the boxes. All three exit immediately. Two disappear. The third, a extraordinarily attractive and well built woman ghost, bestows kisses all around. "My heroes!" she gushes, planting an extra kiss on Tionel and Gordo.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view), none of the group can feel the ghost busses. Daphne is totally insubstantial.
"I must tell Happy I'm OK" she breathes. "Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back."
Daphne also disappears.
Max is nowhere in sight, and has a good hour lead on the group. His trail continues on in the last direction you all were moving.
Roll Survival check DC 17 to know which way the coast is.
Florin Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 11:59:44 AM
Florin looks about and then to the others, "Well, it would be rude not to wait and see what Daphne can do for us. She can move about much more feely then we can. Should we wait?"
Gordo (ADM Justin) Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 12:02:19 PM
Gordo walks out and grins widely when he gets the kiss from the ghost even though he can't feel it. He does wait for the others to make a decision on rather they should continue moveing or wait for Daphne.
(OOC:I didn't know what really to have Gordo do so sorry for leaving him so undecisive.)
Xenia d20+2=18 Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 12:36:06 PM
Xenia's not sure what the dwarf is trying to do, but it looks helpful. "These things don't look like they're worth that much, Bralin" she says. "But there are a lot of them. Maybe 500 gold for the bunch." And then she leaves the chest to him to search the tree. The inside of the tree looks pretty tree-like. And after her search Xenia is pretty familiar with tree-ness. Kind of interesting, but not very useful. So, with one last sad look at the bodies lying on the floor, she follows the rest out.
She smiles back at Florin and makes a mental note to talk to him later. To make sure she sees it, she sticks it to her mental fridge. To Angus's suggestion she simply points. "The coast is that way," she says.
The red-headed girl shies away as the ghosts swirl out of their cages and one of them plants a big kiss in the middle of her face.
"Eew!" she sputters. "That was Daphne?" "Peh," she feels like spitting, but that wouldn't be a lady-like thing to do. Instead, she looks sheepishly around at the others. "Yeah, ok. Fan club was a dumb idea."
Her eyes follow the guard walking placidly behind Bog, and finally, she walks up and introduces herself. "Hi, my name's Xenia. Sorry about your friends. Um, I was wondering if you could tell me how you got to be working for those witches. And, I mean, were they, like, evil or anything? Or mean or something like that?"
[[ Survival 18 ]]
Tionel d20+9=14 d20+10=15 Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 1:44:21 PM
"Hmmm. I think you're right, Xenia... What can you tell us about the witches and their little projects, friend? Now, please remember, we're not interested in turning you in or anything, just in getting back to the city now. After all is said and done, we should let bygones be bygones, I believe." He smiles at the guard, trying to sound as friendly as he can. (Unfortunately, his survival doesn't tell him anything about the direction of the coast...but he isn't really thinking about that so it makes sense.)
Bralin d20+3=11 Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 3:31:24 PM
Bralin mutely accepts the affection of the ghost, and watches her disappear.
"I say wait," he answers Florin.
Survival - 11
Bog Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 4:11:10 PM
Bog frowns and strokes his chin to Talen, "'ey! 'ow'd you do that wot? 'ow'd ya git outa dose ropes. Dat sure is a neet trick. Um. I tink we havve a little prollem. We fergot where we park'd ar bug."
Bog looks over Talen up and down. "'ey, mate. You got a name? Mine's Bog. Hop ya don mine me askin bot yoo got eny udder weppons? Jes a precashun bot we can't tek any chances. If'n we nid ta fite something we'll give ya somethin but fer now I'll need to tek anythin you might have."
Bog will gently bat down the guards belt and boots, shirt and any other area that might hide a weapon and removes anything he finds.
"Soooo, 'ow'd ya get mix'd op wit' dose wiches?"
Syr Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 11:55:32 PM
The elf grins at Xenia's fan club comment and then moves over to Bralin. "Once we get moving, do you mind getting the other end of this chest. It's a bit heavy for just one. Most of these folks are a bit too tall to carry it level with me."
His attention turned toward the guard, "I'm real curious why anyone would want to kidnap a ghost. It's not like they were about to be ransomed..."
Angus d6=2 d20=14 Thursday October 23rd, 2003 12:26:15 AM
Angus is excited about the attention from Daphne. "Lets wait for Daphne to come back, looking forward to talking with her in more depth... interesting girl."
At Xenia's comment about the lake Angus ponders, walks about and finally agrees even though he is not quite sure. "Xenia I believe you are correct. My question is If the turtle is not there how do we get back the floating city?"
Angus call over to Bog. "Ask your new friend if he know if there are any more of his witch friends about?"
(rolled d6 by mistake)
Bog Thursday October 23rd, 2003 2:58:28 AM
"Wy don' ya ask 'im yerself? Ye gots a mowth n' he's got'm eers."
Xenia Thursday October 23rd, 2003 9:14:52 AM
Already somewhat emotionally frayed, Xenia turns on Bog, "Whyncha ... "
Then she bites back whatever comment might have been coming next and turns to the guard. "I'm sorry our little conversation has turned into a search and question. Maybe we can talk later. I'd like to ask you some stuff. Maybe get to know you. Sorry."
And she walks off, not really sure to do with herself right now.
Daphne returns (DM MikeK) Thursday October 23rd, 2003 10:37:07 AM
(I'd assumed somebody untied the guard)
The former guard looks hesitantly around as everyone asks their questions. The man, still in pain from Angus' Magic Missile attack (way back at the beginning of the battle), seems to be wondering when the group is going to get around to eating him.
"My name is Talen," he says in a low voice. "The coven hired us as guards back at the Float and brought us here. There was only the three of them. They paid us to keep the jungle back from the tree and mind our own business. Not sure what they wanted the ghosts for. Looked like they was testing that weird red stuff, you know, seeing what it could do."
And then, Daphne is in front of the group. "OOOOO, there are my heroes!" she gushes.
"I saw the Overlord!" she announces happily, "and told her all about you. She asked if you needed healing or other help, and is sending a turtle barge to help cross the water."
Her face falls, "But it seems like an awfully hard walk. The coast is that way (she points in the same direction Xenia thought). Can you go through that? Or do you need to follow the paths?"
A look of determination crosses her face. "I can help. I really can."
Xenia Thursday October 23rd, 2003 12:56:27 PM
Xenia eyes the ghost maiden with a dubious look. But, what the shizbek, eh? Dumb as it may be, it's what she came for.
"Hi, Daphne. My name's Xenia," she introduces herself. He sits on the ground, kind of weary and wraps her arms around her knees. "You mean, you really don't remember what it was like to be alive? We can't just walk through that stuff like you can. If you can help that would be great. I don't see how, though," the half-elven girl says, resting her chin down on the top of her knees and closing her eyes.
Then she lifts her head and looks up at the translucent woman, "What's an Overlord," she asks.
Gordo (ADM Justin) Thursday October 23rd, 2003 1:19:32 PM
Gordo grins at the appearenace of Daphne and her news and looks to the others, "Lets follow the fair lass. No matter what we have to reach the shore." With that Gordo prepares to go.
[Forgot to mention in earlier posts, Gordo will help carry any of the treasure found.]
Florin Thursday October 23rd, 2003 1:23:56 PM
Florin looks to Xania when she about comments to Bog but says nothing, understanding the young lady is still getting over her earlier shock. When Daphne shows up he also brightens up more and nods before looking to the others, "Well, we came out here to save Daphne so I say we just follow her."
Florin thinks for a moment and nods, "Since we will be following Daphne I will take point if you like, Bralin as our healer should stay towards the middle of the group I think." Florin looks to the others, stopping his comments on traveling arrangement so he doesn't step on anyones toes.
Bralin Thursday October 23rd, 2003 3:01:05 PM
The dwarf responds to Xenia, "I believe the Overlord rules Floating City."
His face darkens slightly at Florin's suggestion. "I am a warrior, with some skill at healing. But, I will stay in the middle of the company."
He turns to the ghost. "We must traverse the paths."
Tionel Thursday October 23rd, 2003 5:04:35 PM
As usual, the ghost somewhat makes Tionel uncomfortable, but he pushes it down. "Uh, thanks Daphne. I'm glad we helped you out of this mess. We'll get going in a bit, could you help us along if we get lost and perhaps scare any monstrous plants away?" Tionel hopes the ghost can help them. When they're ready to leave, he goes back in and makes sure to take some of the red stuff. If it doesn't come with its own container, he puts some in a waterskin. He's very careful not to touch it...and suspects its blood of some kind. (Gross!)
Bog Friday October 24th, 2003 3:53:20 AM
Bog hmmms. "Woll, dat's fine den, Tolin! Wilcom to da travelin group. We gonna go back on a t'rtel." Bog chuckles at this as he sees Talen is a little nervous still. "'ere ov som wine. It's god stoff n'll com ya don." He hands Talen a little skin from his pack that has some wine in it.
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