DM Mikey Friday October 3rd, 2003 1:52:12 AM
{Testing}
DM Mikey - The Mudgrounds Friday October 3rd, 2003 2:29:12 AM
{YOu have all just received the rules from the gnome, argued with him, then you all set out to decide what to do. Some wandered off, others pondered, some pontificated, some even philosophized. Most of the previous posts count. Then you all started paying attention to your environment, which, surely, needs a clear description.}
This is a construction site devoted to those participants in the Great Race. But it seems more like a circus or a festival going on. One stage with a band dominates the area, and several bards occasionally mount it to launch into a musical exploration that ranges from the good (elven poetry, halfling pipes), to the bad (dwarven drinking songs, twanging of raucous strings), to the ugly (that's when the fruit starts flying).
Large pavillions, tents, and ramshackle wooden structures are the norm in this area. The only permanent structures seem to be the well-entrenched inns that service all year, now stocked with interested patrons. Each group is assigned an area that is roped off and roughly 100 by 50 feet. This is for building, horses, and all the other necessary equipment. Right now, your area is a plain old dirt plot roped off from the rest of the carnival. As a result, few people seem interested. Instead, they wander over to the other stalls.
Gnomish Brigade: Several very excited gnomes man an area filled with equipment. One walking by is liable to hear confusing things, like, "oil slick? Too liable to certain contusions in the container's fragility, besides we find the gravel and dirt roads are simply abyssmal for such attempted tomfoolery." In any case, the area certainly is impressive enough. One of the gnomes spends the majority of her time preening and grooming her mules. They're very small and muscular, and don't look as if they could go too fast. Meanwhile, two gnomes are arguing as they hammer and saw on various wooden parts while another gnome wanders through the market, apologizing profusely as he repeatedly mistakenly runs into people in his dazed rush.
Halfling Hellions: These halflings have put up a large tent several feet behind the rope, obfuscating their encampment. You occasionally hear the sounds of construction behind, as well as various neighing. A big sign says, "Tresspassers will be trashed." You notice that they keep an eye on you when they approach, and point and mumble to each other.
Lotto's Irrisistable Berserkers: Each of these individuals looks rugged and experienced, with a mountain-man or perhaps tribesman cast to them. You'd think the name would come, perhaps, because several are dashingly handsome? No! They number four half-orcs and two humans. They seem very eager to race, and their wagon, which is almost done. It seems to be very well designed for speed and maneuverability. Most of the money was probably spent on the horses, the wheels, and the frame. It doesn't look necesarrily the strongest, and you don't detect any magic on it.
Mystical Racers: This group has a rather average designed carriage, with its money spread out among all of its frame and make rather equally. You notice, surprisingly, that there are no horses. Two elves are arguing with six humans sitting around the carriage.
Minotaur Express: A huge vehicle, it seems like a giant version of the other carriages. Very tough looking horses stand by to pull it. It could almost be a seige tower.
You are surprised when you return from your short little tours (Barnum excluded) that you have a visitor, or perhaps, a guest, or...a servant? A little, rather obese gnome who looks somewhat related to the previous gnome sits in the dirt of your stall, waiting and looking bored. Without waiting for you to ask him who he is, he introduces himself, not getting up, saying, "Hoi, Oi'm Azuraz. Oi'm sipposta go oe'r tha rules for ya." He doesn't sound very enthusiastic.
"Wall, ya have fiv' days ta build yer wagons. 'at's 'nough ta take any cart and upperit, y'know, or ta jis buil' it from scratch." (I'll explain how each of these works below.)
"Uh...tha ru'es...wall, we's nounce tha ru'es tha firs die o' tha comp'tishun, but oi spose ya'll needta knew 'em now, huh? Wall, anythin' goes durin' each leg, but...wall, they's these checkpoins 'ere ya afta go throo, lil breaks or whatevers, roight? And ya canna fight 'em 'thers at these points, neithers. Ye get a nigh's rest, magic'ly provid'd, 'tis a loong jinny."
The gnome with the peculiar accents picks at his tooth and wiggles it, then glances at you. "Whotcher lookin' at?"
{I am going to go about creating the rules for wagonmaking. Next post I will give them, then we can spend a few posts deciding firmly on what each person likes. I hope you find this interesting...just think of it as Chocobo Races. Not entirely necessary to the plot, but hey, you just have to get that damned Blue Chocobo.}
Sly Foxx Friday October 3rd, 2003 8:13:20 AM
Sly pours Ilsidur a cup of klaw and sit on the ground to help him with the straps on his armor. They listens to the rules from this little gnome, Sly a little confused,ask "Traveling with all of you, I have learn a lot of languages,But this Gnome has me confused?? Can anyone tell me what he said?? There friend Ilsidor, your all buckled up."
Azuraz Friday October 3rd, 2003 2:17:27 PM
The gnome bristles at Sly's comment. "Ay! Oi spoke poifect C'mon. Wotcher say?"
Sly Foxx Saturday October 4th, 2003 2:46:47 AM
Sly turn at the sound of the voice and sure enough there stands the little Gnome(with his his little hand on his hips)"What did you say?? you speak What?? Hey Guys! Ever hear of C'mon??"
Azuraz (DM Mikey) Saturday October 4th, 2003 5:12:44 PM
The gnome hops up to his feet and puts his hands in boxing position, facing Syr. "Ay! Ya wanna fight, ya lil oily-faced warped hedge-born knickerbocker illbred reeking rump-fed loggerheaded guts-griping half-faced foot-licker, lout, pigeon-head, toad-spotted puttock!" He actually speaks better Common when enraged. He stands ready to box. (But looks rather wimpy.)
Barnum Berrybrawn d20+11=23 Saturday October 4th, 2003 7:26:19 PM
Barnum, still sitting on the chest, waves his hand through the air. "I believe I can handle this, my friend Sly."
Barnum clears his throat and speaks, trying to emulate the Gnome's accent, "Oi! Quite wight, it'll do ye noooo good to be pickin' fights with me friends he-ya. Ya see here, me friends are good peoples, but they the adventrin class, bad C'mon accents the adventrin class gots. We all friends he-ya though, maybe we be splittin' some ale later, wight? And-a, if ya'd be so inclined, I'd send a piece a gold or more yer way if ye gave me a little, whatyacallit, inside information dat could help us with this race, ya see." (Diplomacy check, 23)
Azuraz (DM Mikey) Sunday October 5th, 2003 12:51:50 PM
The fat little fella grins, displaying a rather broken set of teeth, and pats Barnum on the shoulder. "Yer a good un, y'ar. Talkin' like me dear ol' mum..." He sniffles and rubs his huge nose with a handkerchief. "Wall, I don' need yer money, but later, afer ye lose, wall, I'll buy us sem drinks." He looks around, then whispers, "Ah'll tall yer two thin's. One: yer shoul' brin' some too's, with yer, for hazards or whanot. And, 'nother, watch out for 'em 'alflings! They's cheats they's does."
(Still coming up with rules for the coach race...sorry. I'm a bit of a perfectionist. :P)
Savin Monday October 6th, 2003 1:18:14 AM
Savin will keep examining the horseflesh and wait to hear about the different enchantments that have been cast on the horses
Shiraz Monday October 6th, 2003 8:41:07 AM
Shiraz pulls most of his load from the warehouse to tthe campsite in time to here the gnomes peculiar speech. Shiraz's face breaks into a gentle smile as the gnome finishes speaking and turns to him, bowing the minotaur begins to speak in clear perfect gnomish, "How are you little brother?" Shiraz asks,"Can you tell us of any who help design wagons and will be willing to help us build one? My friends are anxious to have there stolen friends returned." Shiraz finishes waiting on teh gnomes reply.
Peerimus d20+18=32 d20+9=12 d20+4=9 Monday October 6th, 2003 9:40:59 AM
Peerimus continues on towards the halfling, seeing the rope [Survival check 32] and knowing precisely what it is for, he ignores it and continues approaching. His eyes sharp and searching for others in hiding and for any discreet moves on the part of the mischevious man. [Spot 12 Listen 9]
DM Mikey Monday October 6th, 2003 1:38:31 PM
[Peerimus: A bit of confusion...Are you walking up to the halfling tent? Azuraz is a gnome, right?]
Peerimus Clarification Monday October 6th, 2003 2:14:41 PM
Last I knew, Peerimus was just outside of town off the road by a stream when I spotted a halfling back on the trail fiddling with something. No mention of a tent anywhere in sight. If i am actually in town and wandering towards the halfling camp than scratch the post and pont Peerimus to our home base so to speak.
You must spend a base 5000 gp, for what would be considered an excellent cart by normal standards. Four strong, good horses, a decent wooden make, and a pretty standard design all around. But remember, these are like the NASCAR coaches of the world. A coach like that wouldn't last ten seconds in this race. So, there are four categories to spend money in: Speed (Type of animal, basically) Durability (Material of cart) Weapons (No need for explanation) Framework (Design, space, maneuverability, comfort)
Once you spread your 95,000 gp among the four categories, you're halfway done. Then, you have to decide how this money is reflected in the actual coach. (It can be just as amusing to imagine the finished cart, then decide how much that would cost in terms of money). For example, I spent 5,000 gp in speed. Well, this is still no slug of a car, but it's not too fantastic either. So, maybe it's a team of really fantastic horses, all well-bred runners. At 10,000, you're going beyond human possibilities. If I spent 20,000 gp, maybe they're not horses, but something like a team of tigers or dire wolves. If I spent 30,000 gp, how about dire horses? Or maybe horses that are magically enchanted with horseshoes of speed? Giant slugs? Monstrous ostrich? Celestial lions? At 30,000 it starts getting pretty fantastic, and by 50,000 you have stuff like phantom steeds that phase the cart through material. 80,000 would be a team of quicklings who pick up the wagon and carry it off at 600 miles per hour. Remember the basic rules: No teleporting or flying (or phasing through other planes or other variants).
Durability: Pretty easy to think of. Though you already have a wooden material, spending more gives you reinforced and stronger wood. About 10,000 and you start getting darkwood. With more, you get special blends of elven ironwood. More than that and you start getting dwarven steel mesh. Spending 5000 can give you protection from one of the five elements (fire, lightning, cold, acid, or sonic attacks), which can be handy. Spending more money can give it magical protection of many sorts.
Weapons: Just go wild here. Ballista, catapults, turrets with rapid-fire reloading crossbows with oil of impact tips... Don't go by book prices, just be reasonable and state what you want, or how much you want to spend, and we'll find a solution.
Framework: This is very important in certain basic ways. If you have a high stat in any of the other fields, you probably want a decent framework. For one, it is how maneuverable your wagon is. If your cart goes insanely fast (a high speed), it needs to be able to turn and take corners, or else you're in trouble. If your cart is carrying lots of weapons, it needs a lot of cargo space or else it will be slowed down immensely. And finally, having a very durable coach, you need a good design or it doesn't help very much at all.
So, now some examples that you find ideas for at the local wagon-dealers:
Type I: An all-around excellent cart. Speed: 30,000 gp. (A team of well-trained enlarged horses with horseshoes of speed) Durability: 20,000 gp. (Very tough darkwood meshed with mithril) Weapons: 25,000 gp. (A ballista that fires flaming quarrels, does 6d6 +1d6 flame damage, two mounted wands of magic missile (3rd level), crossbow turrets, caltrops, ten skins of oil. Battering ram, does 8d6 going full speed) Framework: 20,000 gp. (Despite the weaponry, has good space, divided into the "coach" and the top deck, very good wheels that cross over difficult terrain at three-fourths speed rather than ½, good turn radius.)
Type II: A speeder-type cart. Speed: 60,000 gp. (Racing lizards like those from Jurrassic Park, but on magical boosters). Durability: 10,000 gp. (A standard darkwood frame) Weapons: 5,000 gp. (Just in case, there's a top-mounted heavy crossbow that shoots sonic arrows) Framework: 20,000 gp. (able to turn at an excellent rate (not too great when going full speed), handles rough ground at about ½ speed, but doesn't stumble to a halt.)
Type III: A powerful vehicle, but also just another way to see the numbers as this is very close to Type I. (This looks similar to what the human/half-orc team is using) Speed: 25,000 gp. (Wooly mammoths that are incredibly tough, fast, and mean looking.) Durability: 20,000 gp. (Made of elven ironwood, has thick plated sides). Weapons: 30,000 gp. (Catapult which does 10d6 aimed to the front, light ballista which does 3d6 on a turret, grappling hooks, several other weapons). Framework: 20,000 gp. (Really able to take that rough terrain well with its huge wheels and the mammoths, not as good at taking the turns, though. Not designed for comfort either.)
Type IV: A fleet chariot of elven valkyrie-type idea. Speed: 35,000 gp. (Racing slugs) Durability: 5,000 gp. (Not too strong, made of wood with some iron mesh, it's a chariot). Weapons: 20,000 gp. (Elven archers armed with bows, a few surprises like wands of ice wall) Framework: 35,000 gp. (This is where it excels. Goes over any terrain at full speed, dodges in and out of dense areas without a will, controls the slugs with a telepathic link.)
As you can see, the numbers really don't matter so much as the ideas behind what you want, and besides...this isn't going to be a numbers-crunching game.
Anyways, the basic idea is to come up with a cool picture in mind for what you guys want to ride, what sort of focus you have, if you want weapons what type, and how tough it will be.
DM Mikey d20+23=25 d20+23=29 Monday October 6th, 2003 3:15:23 PM
Peerimus approaches the halfling, who sees him, and the halfling darts into the underbrush with the silence of a leaf falling. If Peerimus chases after him, he quickly loses track of him; not because the halfling's going too fast, but because he's somehow vanished, or maybe hiding, extremely well. The rope was obviously some sort of trap for a wagon coming by...
Peerimus Monday October 6th, 2003 4:50:02 PM
The druid does not feel like a game of chase, so as the halfilng bolts he merely watches him. Peerimus will, however wander over and take the rope. Never kow when more rope will be handy
With rope in tow and some possible pertinent information for teh group on what might be going throught the minds of the competition, Peerimus shifts back to an eagle and heads for teh others
Barnum Berrybrawn Monday October 6th, 2003 5:38:44 PM
"Bring tools, and watch out for the Halflings. Fair enough..." Barnum says, pausing slightly at the word 'Halflings', as if it was insulting to him and all Halflings.
"Regardless, I'd say the most important part of the race will be the beginning, when we are close to the competition. We need a..." Barnum starts, he thinks for a moment, and chooses his words thoughtfully, "Wagon of mass destruction. Using some kind of exceptionally powerful, and probably exceptionally expensive, form of magic, we could blast each of their carts back to the first age, quickly, and efficiently. After that, we drive off with respectable speed, leaving our competition in the dust." Barnum finishes, a bit proud.
Ilsidur Tuesday October 7th, 2003 12:19:44 AM
"Speed, durability, offense and strength. Well, I 've always been an offensive type of person, and I heard once about a turtle that beat a rabbit in a race by being slow and steady. At the same time, I don't think that we want to go too slow, and lose sight of the competition. For offence, I suggest a turret with a couple of disintegration wands, fortified with spell penetration. I expect it will be difficult to pull a wagon missing a wheel, or an axle, or such.
DM Mikey Tuesday October 7th, 2003 12:22:58 AM
[Sad to say, disintegration wands don't exist on the wand list... They'd probably be more than 50,000 gp each if they did. But that was definitely an interesting idea!]
Ilsidur Tuesday October 7th, 2003 12:30:17 AM
"I have just been informed by the rules committee that disintegrate wands are not available. So, what about 50 or so disintegrate scrolls, and Sly or Barnum can poke their heads out of turrets, and cast the spell as necessary?"
DM Mikey Tuesday October 7th, 2003 1:59:54 AM
[Okay, what I meant wasn't that you couldn't get disintigrate wands, I just had to think out how you'd have a turret of disintigration...If I started handing out disintigrate scrolls as part of the 100,000 GP, then you could just cart them off from the wagon and use them on people in other adventures. Bad idea! It's all supposed to be built into the wagon...How about a compromise? How about a turreted magical device that shoots a ray of disintegration, much like a wand? You'd still have to make a ranged touch attack (fighting against their Framework), and when it struck, it would do 20d6 damage to the target if it hits a human, or the equivalent in non-living matter. A 10 foot cube is about right for most "regular" materials. Simple wood would be destroyed by this. Remember, these NASCAR wagons are able to take a bit more of a kick though. Those with more stability (read, more gp spent on Durability) would get an actual saving throw to avoid absolute disintegration, and might only blow up parts of that. Since a fireball-shooter costs about 18,000 and this is about twice as powerful, it'd probably be about 30,000 gp for the mounted rayshooter of disintegration. Does this sound reasonable?}
Trace d20+16=36 d20+6=25 Tuesday October 7th, 2003 2:40:35 AM
Trace continues to walk about the camp sights out of sight and not makeing sound or leaving tracks. Trace still has on the ring of invisabilty (hide check ontop of the ring 25) As he moves about looking and listening to the other groups he tries to stay silent (36 silent moves) He also has the spell (move with out trace cast upon him) to cover his tracks.
(ooc: do we still get to spend money out of our pocket to help improve the wagon and such? I also think we should spend plenty on protection, speed and manuverabilty. Weapons? are we not able to cast our own spells or use our own weapons while on the wagon? Dose the weapons have to be a turrant or attached to the wagon?)
Sly Foxx Tuesday October 7th, 2003 7:21:12 AM
"I too want a good fast wagon, but fron the look of these racers, they are not bound by honor. I bet there's going to be a little bit of cheating going on. We, Shiraz and I brough along some shields. I herd some where that they polish their shild to a mirror reflextion and won the war." Sly put a finger to his fuzz face and continues,"If we could polish these shield to a high polish and hang them around the wagon. That would deflek their magic? What do you think?" Sly smiles at them.
Shiraz Tuesday October 7th, 2003 9:14:26 AM
Shiraz looks at Azuraz and waits his answer, gettin gnothing Shiraz fights the momentary look of sadness that quickly passes over his face and turns to the party members. "I think that while speed is important that the two areas we need to focus on are durability and weapons," Shiraz states with earnest, "If we focus on those two areas then we can be assured of stoping attacks against us and stopping others from beating us."
Peerimus Tuesday October 7th, 2003 11:37:13 AM
A great golden eagle soars into the camp and moments later Peerimus morphs into his human form. "Sly is correct." Peerimus drops the rope. "I discovered a Halfling rigging a trap across the road just outside of town."
The druid sits down and has a bite to eat, nothing extravagant, merely some berries and water while the wagon discussion continues.
As the conversation turns to weaponry and such Peerimus inputs "I think Shiraz is on the right track with Durability and instead of ways to destroy the wagons what if we were to hinder them by adjusting the landscape through and over which they had to move? Use the wind, rain, sleet, rock and tree to prevent passage. Or perhaps the cloak of darkness to hide the way?" Peerimus looks about his head slightly cocked to one side as the conversation continues well into the evening hours.
Azuraz Tuesday October 7th, 2003 12:33:47 PM
Azuraz was idly thinking, and as Shiraz stops paying attention to him, taps him on the shoulder with a bit of a hop. (Well, probably on the wrist). "Ay, oi daknew un or two agendeelahs. Lahssee, they's this geeman, Barnallaby, e's a roight croicker, e makes em for fun, e does. At an' golems. An they's Iistvaan," he says the name with a distinct cast, "'e knew un or two thin', im an is workers. E's a Gleric, too. An', let's see, 'ars this crazy lil fren' o' min, oes by nah appallashun on particular, e lakes ta blow things up a bit, y'know? Crazy lil gnome bro. Roight, that elp ya, g'vner?" he pats the minotaur on the shoulder with a bit of a jump, and then says, "Oi built up a thoirst, if ya don' min."
DM Mikey Tuesday October 7th, 2003 12:36:50 PM
[Yes, you can spend personal money on the carts, too. :) And I like your brainstormings. We have a few days to design the cart, so no rush.]
Barnum Berrybrawn d20+2=13 Tuesday October 7th, 2003 7:49:21 PM
Barnum's eyebrows seem to jump to the top of his head, when he hears Peerimus's talk of a trap in the road. "We'd best be careful then, I'd suppose the sneakiest of them could throw a good dose of magical sleeping dust on us and have us out for the day, giving them a head start, which actually seems like not such of a bad idea, if not unsportmanslike..."
Upon hearing Azuraz's request for a drink, Barnum pours a cup of water and, with a wave of his fingers and a word or two that sound like Dwarven, at least to anyone who didn't speak the language, turns it into something at least tasting remarkably like Dwarven Rum. He passes it to the gnome. (Cast Prestidigitation)
"All this talk of cheating and deceit makes me curious..." With a few more hand waves and a few more words, Barnum casts Detect Magic. He then looks around the area, making a Scry check in the meantime.
Scry Check: 13 That's assuming a scry check only uses your intelligence bonus, which I think it does, but I'm not sure.
Savin Wednesday October 8th, 2003 10:59:23 AM
Savin gets tired of waiting at the horse dealers and heads back to the camp. When he arrives he will be filled in on all the rules and then will give his two copper pieces worth.
I have a couple of suggestions. I think we need someone to scout the trail. Tough to prepare for the race if we don't know the route. We might have to cross a river and a heavy armored wagon will have a problem.
The second thing we need to think about is protecting our mounts. I know Peerimus wouldn't allow us to attack other's mounts but our competition won't have the same scruples.
Along these lines, I have thought of a few things. Protection from arrows seems a good choice as does stone skin and other protections. We could also enhance our mounts with haste spells, growth spells and such. We also need to pick mounts. I still like the idea of centaurs...yeah they will be expensive but they are intelligent and could fight back if necessary.
DM Mikey Wednesday October 8th, 2003 11:38:06 AM
[Centaurs could be quite neat. I'd say they'd cost about 10,000...you could get faster versions for more. They could have bows with arrows, or chuck javelins... I'd say to spend some on maneuverability as an advantage, too, since you don't have to give them too many orders, and they tend to try to dodge too. Pretty interesting choice! (One I hadn't thought of to be honest)]
Trace Wednesday October 8th, 2003 1:17:47 PM
(ooc: hey dm. am i getting any results from my spying?)
DM Mikey - 00Trace Wednesday October 8th, 2003 3:29:10 PM
[Strangely amusing notice to Trace: It's actually very hard to sneak invisibly and silently around in this crowd. Why? Because it is a crowd! Being invisible, even small, nobody notices you, and you are the subject of repeated stumbles, twists, and near-collisions, followed by curses, confusion, or just plain pain as the kid cries for his scraped knee.] [Anyways, none of the groups seem to notice your approach to the edge of the ropes. But crossing beyond into their turf presents you with several challenges: [The halflings have a huge tent covering theirs; do you wish to try to lift a flap and sneak inside?] [As you venture near the Mystical Riders area, you notice a few wards on the insides of their roped off area. Alarm spell or worse? It seems strangely open to inspection, perhaps they just wish to avoid sabotage.] [The berserkers have, of all things, a circle of salt surrounding their wagon-in-the-making. They're very careful not to disturb it. It could just be primitive superstition; it could be a spell of some sorty. Do you wish to disturb it or cross the line?] [The Minotaurs don't perceive you. You notice, however, their mounts in their stable area, huge three-headed wolves that look quite fearsome, start getting impatient and sniffing the air as you get near.] [Entering the gnome area is dangerous in itself. You're liable to step into a cloud of steam, trip on dirt-covered tools, be plowed into by rushing gnomes, or whatnot.] [But the more important question is, what do you wish to find out? A lot of the obvious facts can be found without "spying", I assume by spying you're looking for specific things. Present a few ideas, and if the rest of the group wants to aid with what they'd be looking for, I'll answer those questions as well. If you want to do sabotage or anything sneaky, let me know as well.]
Peerimus Wednesday October 8th, 2003 4:53:33 PM
"Targeting the mounts would depend on what the mount was, but in general I would be opposed to harming them yes. Thinking in a different direction. What about a land craft that sailed? The money saved on 'mounts' could be diverted elsewhere." Peerimus continues as he has the groups attention. "I was thinking Floating Disk could lift the wagon, a sail or two propelled by constant magic wind and use force effect spells for first line protection and more conventional second line. A sort of Ablative armor system."
"Also a response system like counter spells for things like anti magic fields or disintegrates and dispells. Figurines of power as backups in case the sail system fails."
"What do you think?"
Barnum Berrybrawn Wednesday October 8th, 2003 5:34:23 PM
Barnum grins at some of Peerimus's ideas, and feels as if he should slap himself for not coming up with them first. "I think the floating disc idea is great, perhaps we could affix some item to the bottom that would permanantely cast Tenser's Floating Disc, albeit a very powerful version of it. Though, I don't know if that would be considered 'flying', it would definitely reduce the problem of traveling over rough terrain. Eh... Azuraz! D y'ken floatin a two 'r t'ree feet affa the ground'd be 'gainst a rules?"
Azuraz Wednesday October 8th, 2003 10:13:40 PM
"Oi dunno," the gnome admits while thinking, scratching his chin, and taking another sip of his drink. He looks at it. "Ay! Oi mahgt be daft, but 's lost is taste, or sum such." After a second or so peering at it, he looks to Barnum and grins. "Oooo, oi ken. Yer joke, is good. Tastes like drink, but is i? No. Oi could be eaten san' or all oi knows. Nah, oi want the real thing, ichell lasts long 'en moi tongue." He returns his attention to the question posed to him. "Problem is, if e floatet, a push'ed make 'im fly back, roight? Sam'as makes 'im easy to pull makes 'im easy to push, roight? Un cap'pult shot and ya'd be dasht clear to the Floating City, ya'would. Still, if 'em centaurs or some'in heavy was pullin', you might not. Oi dunno. But floating, ey, that's okay, so longs'is not too high up."
DM Mikey Wednesday October 8th, 2003 10:17:00 PM
[Schematically, floating dics would probably be a Framework cost. You could carry lots more cargo for the more powerful discs, it definitely adds to the ease of travel, but maneuverability-wise it might be not as great, since you depend mainly on what's pulling. It's a neat design idea...like a hovercraft!]
Shiraz Wednesday October 8th, 2003 10:21:33 PM
Shiraz smiles at Azuraz speaks the accent makes his head swim and the huge taur can barely keep up with the small gnomes speech. "What about those..you know summoned or ..no phantom steeds, maybe a wagon with those so they can 't be targeted then have the floating disk incase we hit a trap we can just go over it?"
Ilsidur Wednesday October 8th, 2003 11:36:24 PM
"Hey, I understand that golems are immune to all spells, except specific spells. What about using golems to pull the cart? I don't think it would be very fast, but they would be nigh on indestructible, except for physical damage, and I figure we should be able to ward off any of that, with our own 'physical' abilities". He taps his waraxe, and winks.
Azuraz (DM Mikey) Thursday October 9th, 2003 12:53:34 AM
"'as roight! Golems is good, an' my frien', 'e makes all sorts..slow uns, fast uns, small uns, big uns, humans, beasties, dragons, all kin's. E useta make them wax sculpchas, and brawns, and golt ev'n." Azuraz volunteers a trip to his friend Barnallaby, who apparently makes golems of all types, or if you wish, to his cleric friend, who has quite a variety of animals and coach experience. Then there's his mysterious explosive mage friend, who probably could supply you with most magic spells. {Basically...Barnallaby can supply you wish most expensive/high end magical constructs that you might imagine, along with excellent combinations of magical frames and/or designs, like the floating disc idea. Iistvaan, a cleric of Ffloy, has a wonderful variety of magical creatures that he breeds, builds caravans and coaches often for the rich. He also can weave in magical protections and such. And if you want anything to do with weapons, especially magical ones, then there's the mysterious mage friend of Azuraz, an avoided, eccentric gnome who builds weapons of mass destruction for fun. (He can supply the disintegration weapons, fireball wands, cold/ice wands, basically anything magical that attacks).} {If you want to roleplay with any of these characters, ask. They all have vibrant personalities and many suggestions on what to employ in a cart.}
Sly Foxx Thursday October 9th, 2003 7:39:58 AM
"All these good ideas, I vote for all of them!! But I cannot understand what this little fellow is saying. Thank goodness we have Barnum with us" Sly scratches his chin and chuckles.
Peerimus Thursday October 9th, 2003 10:12:44 AM
The well tanned and highly sinewed man nods as Azuraz speaks of the possible issues with the sailing craft. "I'm a bit simplistic in ideas, but how would we be targeted by offensive weaponry if no one could see us? An Invisible cloak could wrap the wagon. We could have an illusionary double trail us by 50' and then create a rather vast fog bank behind us that will spread out and slow the competition. All we weould need to do is get in the lead in the first place. At that point other terrain effects can be deposited behind us. Plant growth, Grease, Web, Trees, even walls of stone and iron."
Shiraz Thursday October 9th, 2003 12:57:29 PM
Shiraz stands and streches, "all this talk is making me dizzy, perhaps we should go to one of Azuraz's friends and talk to them get an idea of what we can do because the possibilities are endless." Shiraz turns and pats Peerimus on the shoulder and bends down so he can whisper in the mans ear, "sorry." Shiraz turns and looks at the cart he and Sly brought, "Perhaps we can use some of this or sell it for what we can use."
Barnum Thursday October 9th, 2003 7:53:19 PM
"Eh... So many great ideas, we have here, so... I agree with Shiraz, we might as well see a professional and see what's feasible and what's not, and we should see if they have any ideas to assist us. I suppose we should see Barnallaby first, just to get our basic frame down, and then put on the more specialized things, like weapons, afterwards."
DM Mikey Friday October 10th, 2003 5:52:46 AM
(My apologies: Thursday's post will be incorporated in Friday's post. Mainly because it is too late to post for Thursday, and I only just finished my work.]
Sly Foxx Friday October 10th, 2003 8:17:40 AM
"There are more good ideas here then there's grain of sand on the beach. Any one of these plans will work for us. All we have to do now is to pick one and go do it!" Sly said with a big smile.
Peerimus Friday October 10th, 2003 11:12:49 AM
"I'll stay with our funds and think at one other should remain as well."
As Shiraz leans down the druid meets his eyes and nods at the big taur. "I as well."
As his fellows move off, Peerimus looks about himself and the rather open patch of ground he stands. "Could someone purchase a pavillion style tent or the like. Some privacy might do us good."
DM Mikey - Barnallaby's Friday October 10th, 2003 4:12:02 PM
Azuraz wanders along the mudgrounds, and leads you off to the east of it. At the edge of the mudgrounds, he motions a carriage over and hops in after revealing that he's an official of Mudgrounds with a badge, drawing a nod from the carriage driver. He explains that this road leads directly towards a town off in the distance, perhaps a few hours walk. As you begin to walk, fruit trees, farms, and small cottages line the way. It's rather serene, especially after leaving the noise of the festival-like mudgrounds. Barnallaby's is about a ten minute walk along the way. You see a well-traveled dirt path leading to a large two story house with a terrace and fine walls. Many well-designed marble statues line the path leading along. A fountain dominates the central courtyard, a fantastic masterpiece consisting of several nubile delectable mermaids playing a variety of musical sea instruments. (Shell-flutes, bone harps, and such). As you approach, you make out a welcoming party. A very stout and stern looking female dwarf in stiff-looking clean clothes stands next to a well-dressed patient-looking half-elf in the racial equivalent of his fifties with an air of elegance, both waiting at the entrance with several nondescript servants standing by. The half-elf, obviously the more gracious of the pair, steps forward down the steps as you exit the carriage. "Greetings. Welcome to Barnallaby's, our fine establishment of skilled artisans. Azuraz, it is a pleasure to meet you again, and I hope your father is doing well?" Azuraz nods, and smiles slightly as the half-elf steps forward, shaking hands with everyone. "I know that you are the most recent group to join into the carriage ride, and can tell that you have an air of experience in these sorts of escapades. Well, 'adventuring' as we used to call it." He chuckles. "I used to be a fellow just like you, till I had to settle down from marriage. Maybe later we can swap some stories over some wine or beer. "Oh, my name is Zat, and this fine dwarf, my partner artisan, is Marzipan. We are the chief artisans, and have a number of apprentices training and working under us. We make all sorts of furniture, carriages, coaches, and other sorts of items for those who wish the more fantastic than the norm. I'm sure Azuraz has told you, that we use a variety of craft designs from all nations, employing dwarven metallurgy, elvish architecture, halfling simplicity, and gnomish complexity in varying doses, depending mainly upon the customer's desire. We also specialize in golems and self-propelled automatons, a particular field of study that Marzipan almost certainly is one of the current experts on." Marzipan blushes at this compliment slightly. "I'm sure if you'd like to see those later on, you can. "In the meantime, can I offer you a drink while we answer any questions you have? Would you please come inside, and have a seat in the lounge?" Azuraz looks to you guys, the nods. Everyone sits inside the lounge, which is well-furnished and has wonderful artwork. The couches are strangely designed, looking quite delicate but extremely plush and comfortable besides being sturdy enough for a minotaur to sit in. Servants wander in, asking what sort of drink you'd like.
Sly Foxx Friday October 10th, 2003 7:38:01 PM
One look at the people in frount of him and he knows that they are Merchants andonly intrested in making a big profit from them. One though makes Sly even madder is his Luke, But he must calm down or they will get no where. "Yes! I'm would like a Green Gnomish, please" Suprising the rest of the party, Because that's one drink in the Wold that Sly cannot handle.
Barnum Berrybrawn Sunday October 12th, 2003 8:09:40 PM
"Amazing, simply amazing!" Barnum says, a phrase that he repeats to himself as he walks about, looking at the various pieces of artwork. When he finally sits down, he is surprised to see servants coming to him to ask him what he would like to drink. "Mr. Zat, this is the way to live!"
Grinning somewhat mischieviously at Sly's request, Barnum looks up at one of the servants, "I'll have a Green Gnomish also, if you would."
Savin Sunday October 12th, 2003 10:17:09 PM
Savin follows along and takes in the sights. "I have a question. If we have a totally magic wagon and someone hits us with a dispel magic spell....What happens? I think we should use a combination of creatures with magic protections. Go with offensive and defensive upgrades. Basically be balanced. This is really a test of our abilities, not the magic we buy."
Trace d20+6=8 d20+6=8 Monday October 13th, 2003 4:57:39 AM
Trace walks in and sits down on one of the fine couches and whispers into Sly's ear, "Youll be only having one of those tonight little brother. You need to keep you head about ya no matter the mood your in. You need to rember we still dont know our enemy here."
When Trace is asked what he would like, "Well I would like some spiced tea and if you can find some, some smoked cheddar. It has been ages since I had some. In fact it was the last time we were in Hook City that I had the pleasure of cheese.
Trace ask aloud, "Have you made any of these racing carriages before and if so how did it fare in the race?" As he listens, Trace absently runs his hand through his hair. Without makeing much attention to it he has found a fat tick and begins to pull at it trying to take the head with it as not to leave it in the skin (concentration roll to remove tick two attacks).
Shiraz Monday October 13th, 2003 9:05:21 AM
Shiraz follows the others only noticing the statues in passing as they walk up to the house. "No thanks I am not thirsty at this moment," Shiraz says pleasantly. "However I have the same question, Have you ever had a wagon in a race like this and how did you fare?"
Peerimus Monday October 13th, 2003 9:45:42 AM
Peerimus attempts the best he can at making the roped off section more suitable. realizing he really has nothing with which to do that he flags someone down, hands over some coin and promises more upon their return. "I would like some firewood, an assortment of berries the more the merrier, a shovel, 500' of twine, 8 stakes and some grass seed."
DM Mikey Monday October 13th, 2003 1:25:26 PM
"Uh...Okay." The guy looks at a complete loss how to fulfill Peerimus request. He looks around, and wanders off. Every few minutes, he comes back, with some of what Peerimus required: First it's a couple of stakes, then some grass seed and some strawberries, then a shovel, then a bunch of twine, then more twine, then he finds out how much twine and gets even more twine, then some wood, and so on. All in all, it takes him a while, but he tries as hard as he can for an unskilled random guy. Meanwhile, Zat smiles and drinks are served, people are seated. "Yes, the carriage we designed two years ago won. You're very right about making an all-around carriage, sir.. It's not the weapons, or the material you make of it alone that determines whether it will win, but in general just how good the pilots are, and how all-purpose their vehicle is. A well-rounded out carriage is what is best. A totally magical vehicle can be quite easily nullified by a simple dispel magic. That's why the mage's vehicle, pardon me, the Mystical team, lost last year. Entering an area where magic was thrown into randomness..." He chuckles. "If you'd like to see some of our designs, we'll show you." Should you all wish, he presents a tour of the carriages. Most of them are not the 100,000 gp type, but being made for nobles or stored for future sales, and there aren't that many actually held here. All are extremely sturdy looking, and it's obvious that the dwarven mithril/darkwood combination is much tougher than the other forms people have come up with. They also have a fantastic stables of magnificent horses of varying types, even dire horses and horses you've never heard of. As far as weapons go, they have very effective non-magical variety. They mention that they can have them enchanted if you wish.
(Carriage-making wise: Speed: These guys can supply you with horses, horseshoes of speed, but nothing too fantastic. Durability: These guys can make the most durable coaches, due to dwarven adamantite/mithril and such. Weapons: These guys don't have very much access to weapons other than catapults, ballistas, oil, anything nonmagical. On the plus sides, being non-magical, they're still really effective and powerful. Design: Though they can be creative, they don't have access to much mystical stuff. They're very good at making carriages, though.)
Once the tour is done of all the coaches and such, and you have been offered drinks, Azuraz mumbles out of earshot of the hosts that he can take you to Iistvaan if you want...
Peerimus Monday October 13th, 2003 2:18:59 PM
Peerimus thanks him heartedly everytime he returns and hands him some gold as well. Between the visits Peerimus sets down to some good old fashioned labor of planting and sculpting himself a garden area. At the edge of the roped section is where all seeds of the various berries go. Fire pit in the center, a few accent bushes here and there. He digs a good sized hole, using the dirt removed to elevate other sections of the plot and also digs a winding channel through the area. On one of the return trips Peerimus asks for some canvas as well. The canvas linse the hole and channel and when complete Peerimus fills it with 14 gallons of water. The rest will wait til morning Peerimus builds and lights the fire and then stretches out on the ground by the chest as evening falls. His mind drifting to the vision of what the area will look like by mid morning of the next day.
Barnum Monday October 13th, 2003 5:11:28 PM
Barnum glances curiously at Peerimus, wondering what sort of thing the druid is working on. He examines some of the carraiges, and is impressed by their workmanship, "Nothing like the wagon my Pop used to drive, that's for sure."
When Barnum receives his Green Gnomish, he lights it aflame, and before gulping it down, glances over to Sly Foxx, "You first, friend."
Sly Foxx Monday October 13th, 2003 5:51:54 PM
"ho k" sly slurs his words and walks around stagering here and there, sometimes he fall down, crawl under the wagons, the reapears on the other side. Stagering to the rest of the group he wispers 'I think the fastest wagon is the one made of Dwarf Wood. I think that it will serve us best. Now for horse flesh." Sly stagers to Barnum,"a Lil Bud bud budie! wow is your nomeish, Good huh?" but is barnum snell Sly breath, he will see that Sly is just putting on a good show.
Ilsidur Tuesday October 14th, 2003 1:19:05 AM
"Well, Mr. Zat, it seems that you are the one that we want to buy our carraige from. Can you build us a good one, with the frame and the structure that we need, out of this dwarven mithril/darkwood, for say, 40,000 gp? [OOC: I figure that this leaves us 60,000 gp for the golems and the weapons.] Also, for that price, you could throw in some spare parts, if we should happen to run into any mishaps along the way. I don't think any of us are drivers, at least I'm not, so should we hire a driver? Also, I don't think any of us are mechanicians, so should we hire someone to travel with us, to carry out any necessary repairs?"
Ilsidur turns to the party and says, "I still like the idea of using golems of some sort as the 'pullers'. Maybe we can purchase some normal weapons from Mr. Zat, and get them enchanted elsewhere. Also, why don't we try to purchase a mounted wand of disintegration with only about 10 charges, which should make the cost less prohibitive, but still be enough to remove wheels, and harnesses, as well as any physical blocks that we might run into. What do you think?"
Trace Tuesday October 14th, 2003 4:11:20 AM
"I agree with the carriage and even more so about the mounted wand. Not sure about the golems though. Maybe some dire horses and protect them somehow."
Trace drinks the last of his tea and gets up to meet one of the servants. I need a bucket of water.......colder the better.
Trace recives the bucket of water and douces Sly with it, "Come on man! Get your head in the game. I dont want to take any chances on looseing my Radiant or even your Luke. I know your having a bad day but so am I. Getting trashed and looseing your head right now will only make the situation worse." Trace tries to pick up Sly and straighten his outfit and hold him up. Just take a look a Peerimus, he is doing what he can to keep focus at the task at hand. I suggest that you do the same thing."
Trace turns to Zat, "How much for a four horse team of dire horses to pull our wagon, and for curosity, how much for a same number team of golems about average size to pull the wagon as well. This way we can figure what will be the best way to go aobut getting across the finish line?"
Trace ask for another spiced tea while he waits for the answers.
Shiraz Tuesday October 14th, 2003 9:03:29 AM
Shiraz looks at Sly and sighs remembering the one and only time he ever decided to tie one on. Chuckling softly the huge taur walks over to the half elf,"Come little one we need your advice. Islidur I agree on the durability of the coach being important for sure but golems to pull? I am not sure about that."
DM Mikey - A new face Tuesday October 14th, 2003 5:45:23 PM
Zat sits down at the table and ponders. "Well, a coach made entirely out of dwarven mithril... One of our best coaches of that type would cost around 40,000 (OOC: That's 20,000 on durability, 20,000 on design). We don't quite have weaponry of that type," he admits, "But we do have some horses, both the golem type and the regular type." As far as pricing goes, a team of four Dire Horses turn out to be about 20,000 gold, and they're huge and very fast, about as fast as horses with horseshoes of speed and quite tougher to boot. Golem horses of about the same speed are even tougher, nigh impossible to destroy without a determined magical weapon, and cost about 40,000 gold pieces.
Meanwhile, Peerimus goes about cleaning the campsite diligently. The man who has been helping him gather the items wanders back occasionally, and seems to find what Peerimus is doing to be interesting.
Finally, he asks, "Oh, are you the new team that's competing?" He shyly asks, looking somewhat hopeful. Examining him, Peerimus realizes that the man is a rather plain-faced priest of Ffloy. Actually, the only dashing his looks do is against rocks. He would have a good face, if it fit together properly, but none of its parts seem to match. His blonde hair does not go well with his dark brown eyes, and his narrower nose serves only to accent his pudgy cheeks. This pudginess is continued in the rest of his body. He isn't fat, but there is ample blubber separating his skin from his muscle. He does have an air of experience, perhaps that of a person who has trained a lot of his life and seen some combat. But that can be overlooked quite easily.
{OOC: This is the introduction of a new player to the group: Everyone meet Brett. Brett, check your email for info on motives and such :) )
Sly Foxx Wednesday October 15th, 2003 8:50:20 AM
Sly turn to face(with his killer breath) Trace, "Big Brother! I'm am not drunk, I'm mad. Nothing tast any good, I cannot sleep but two hours every night. I just hate waiting wondering what is happening to Luke. Before you throw any more water on me and you owe me some clothing. Don't you ever wonder about your Radiant or your beautiful horse? or are they only animals to you?? I'm sorry I didn't mean to say that. Buy what ever you want I'm going back to camp." With this said Sly (who's a little unsteady on his feet)Will turn to leave but bumps into Shiraz first "Opps! Sorry!"
Shiraz Wednesday October 15th, 2003 8:50:35 AM
"How much were we given to spend? I don't remember." Shiraz shakes his head clearly embarassed to forget such a thing.
Peerimus Wednesday October 15th, 2003 11:45:37 AM
"Competeing?" He repeats the question back as he stops digging and looks up. Peerimus cocks his head sidelong and looks the speaker over noticing that it is the man who has been kind enough to one, not write him off as a lunatic and two find what he's been asking for is still there.
"Yes, yes I am" comes the answer with rapid nods. "Sun is getting low and I suppose I am done here for now."
Peerimus tosses the shovel aside and starts the fire. popping down uncerimoniously beside it and throwing his hair back with the whip of his head.
To the man still standing there he gestures to the ground next to him. "Thank you for your assistance, please sit and have supper with me. I am Peerimus, Child of the Wold and this is my friend..." He trails off and his face drops slightly. Quicly recovering he continues, "Please sit join me friend."
DM MIkey Wednesday October 15th, 2003 1:45:06 PM
[To help some characters, there are currently two scenes sorta going on: Peerimus back at the Mudgrounds, and the rset of the group in the palace of Barnallaby and co.]
Uther Wednesday October 15th, 2003 2:19:30 PM
The man sits down, uncomfortable with being close to Peerimus. "I... I am Uther, a cleric." Uther's mind raced for what to say next. "A Cleric of FFloy, that is. Ummm... I've been asking around, but everyone says no. Does your team need a new person? A animal handler, perhaps? I could... that is, I ... ummm ... I know something about animals."
Uther stopped. Why did talking with other people have to be so difficult? Why couldn't it be much easier, like reading or taking care of hurt animals? He was trying to ask to join the team, but will Peerimus understand that? Sweating was starting to roll down Uther's face. Finally, he blurted out, "I would like to join your group." Sighing, and glad to have gotten that out, he wiped a thin stream of sweat off of his face.
DM Mikey Wednesday October 15th, 2003 7:18:59 PM
Peerimus meets the shy new man back at the campsite. Meanwhile, Zat shakes his head at the behavior of the others. "Perhaps you should think about how much you wish to spend over the night? It is getting dark, and I assume that you want to discuss about things amongst yourselves." (And you have the option of returning to camp for a night. You have a few more days before the race, so don't worry.)
Savin Wednesday October 15th, 2003 7:42:45 PM
Savin looks at the the choices and says, "I think we need to assign tactics and roles to each individual according to their strengths. Some things to think about...Who will drive the wagon? Who will back him up if he is killed or thrown. Who will be incharge of defense and offense. We might want to think of defensive measures like fire control and such.
I really think we need to stop pondering and start making some decisions. I would also like to get some more information on the actual route. Will we be going up mountains or through rivers and such."
Savin will turn to the artisans and ask, "Do you have any ideas of the route? Are they always the same? What kind of challenges can we expect?"
Barnum Berrybrawn Wednesday October 15th, 2003 8:28:55 PM
Barnum looks over at Savin, and nods furiously, "Righto..." He then turns back to look at his empty glass, "Stronger than I remember. But then, I don't remember much from the last time I had any of these..."
"Eh... We've got time so... We should see some other people before making any final decisions... On the wagon. Your ideas are good, though, Mr. Zat. I like 'em... Nice and sturdy... Good and strong... Right as rain... Eh... That was 100,000 gold we had to spend, by the way, Shiraz. Eh..." Barnum waves at a servant, "A glass of water, please. My mouth's still burning..."
Trace Thursday October 16th, 2003 4:04:14 AM
Trace recoils a bit at Sly's questions on his feelings for Radaint and Shadow. He pushes the thought of snapping back but lets Sly go and sleep it off without further word.
Turning to Savin, "You seem to have a good foresight into this feild, please continue the ideas and draw out a battle plan and the rest of us will add to what you seem to be compileing. Think of the best ways that we can make this happen and we will go from there. I have to admit, I dont really have much of a clue at the moment on how to move forward. This is such a diffrent challange that I have faced before that it has me stumped."
Trace thanks Zat and makes his way back to the camp site to sleep for the night. He makes arrangments with the others for a One man watch over the group to be taken in four shifts that why everyone shall get plenty of rest.
Sly Foxx Thursday October 16th, 2003 9:52:11 AM
Sly bumps into Shiraz, and the look in the minotaur's eyes was enough to realize that they all went through these past years together. Sly turn back to Trace, "I'm sorry about what I just said, big Brother. I' must be the human blood in me. I had to do something, I cannot stand for the animals to be caged up. So I tried to get drunk, it didn't work. Just got a head ache." Sly will return to camp with the rest of them.
Peerimus Thursday October 16th, 2003 10:30:41 AM
Covered in dirt and sweat Peerimus sits with a childish smile on his face as the man fumbles for the what he thinks are the right words. Curious how most people do that he thinks.
At the mention of the man's name, Peerimus clasps his hands together, elbows pointing away from each other in front of his chest and nods. "An honor to meet you Uther of FFloy."
Peerimus hands him a skin of water and offers, by pointing at it, some sliced cheese and fruit. Regardless if Uther takes any or not, after a bite himself Peerimus continues as he stokes the fire and despite the blatant question of joining, steers the conversation in a different direction. Hopefully to put him more at ease and draw out his truer self.
"An animal carer you say. I myself have a deep love for them. They are so simple to be with. No expectations, no prejudices, yet they can see your soul and know you in a moment"
"You have my curiosity friend, what is the greatest animal you have had the pleasure of accompanying?"
"I myself would not use the word accompanying for I was surely not accompanying it, but I was IN it's company."
Continuing his own story, "It was some years ago and I was hunting far west of here at the time when I saw him. He was majestic and I was awed to the point of paralyzation. For you see, I had rounded a tree and begun to climb a small hillock when cresting its rise through the dense foliage was as great and large a tiger as I had or have ever seen. It's fur was a thick and coarse orange striped with Black and yellow. Armor like bone plating was across its eye bridge and fangs like short swords jutted from its upper jaw. So there I was on all fours, spear in hand and not but a deerskin on my back, 50' from him. Our eyes met as he moved suredly down and towards me and as he passed our heads turned to continue the meeting. Then he was gone into the underbrush behind me. I don't think I thought of moving for almost an hour." Here Peerimus smiles and takes a deep cleansing breath, his body getting caught in the memory. Then shaking the vision away with a laugh, "That was a great day friend."
Uther Thursday October 16th, 2003 2:41:13 PM
Uther nodded as the man welcomed him. He accepted Peerimus's water, but declined on the food. He watched the man stroke the fire, and pulled out some wrapped beef cubes, only one day old. "For dinner. My offering, I guess." Uther hoped his hands weren't too noticably trembling as he set the beef by the cheese and fruit.
Uther's eyes widened as Peerimus told of his encounter with the tiger. 'What a man is this?,' he thought, trying to come up with a response. Somehow, he knew, saying, "I took care of mules and horses" would never suffice. Finally, he remembered an encounter he had in the woods.
"Ummm... the thing I remember most was, when I was praying in the woods one day years ago, a small bird, barely a baby, fell near me. He could not fly, not with a broken wing, so I prayed for him to be healed. Now, whenever I go in those woods, he manages to find me. He ... ummm... he is a robin. Nowhere near a tiger, but a friend of mine, I guess."
Uther sighed, knowing he would not be accepted here, either. This man, Peerimus, was trying to let him down easy, it seemed. Uther almost said something again about joining, but found the words caught in his mouth. Instead, he took a drink of water to hide his faltering mouth.
DM Mikey Thursday October 16th, 2003 4:37:44 PM
Sly and the rest come back to the mudgrounds to find Peerimus's mighty efforts during their absence have made quite a change to their area. Also, they see the stranger sitting down, taking a sip of water and chatting with Peerimus. [Feel free to talk and make preparations for sleep, let me know the watch order as well. Also, make Uther feel at home, 'cause he's our newest member. :) And not a spy from the halflings. I swear!]
Peerimus Thursday October 16th, 2003 5:28:18 PM
Peerimus is very attentive to the story Uther tells and smiles at the outcome. "Healing a Spring Caller with prayer is no minor task friend, you should carry that story with pride. Add that the Spring Caller seeks you out and I am glad to be in your presence friend."
Peerimus sees the rest of the group arriving and standing he introduces him, "Friends, please watch your step i have been doing a little gardening and planting, tomorrow we shall see if I remebered correctly how."
Turning and gesturing warmly at Uther he continues, "This is Uther of FFloy and newest member of our race team. He is excellent with animals and a healer. Uther these are my friends, Savin, Sly Foxx, Sir Thomas, Trace, Barnum Berrybrawn, Shiraz and Ilsidur."
Peerimus scoops up the beef Uther produced and hands it to Savin, "If you would be so kind as to work your meal making magic my friend."
Sly Foxx Thursday October 16th, 2003 6:14:29 PM
Sly tell Shiraz, "My head is almost clear now, Thank you for taking care of me, even with my foolish temper." Sly toward Uther at the mention of his name. Uther can see that Sly is a half elf, about 17(in human years) he has pointy ears, green eyes and the hight of an elf. But the hair is a dark blond with red streaks in it. Sly is wearing a hat that's pointed (like Robin Hood), it has a phesant tail feather on itand on the side he has a gold Holly pin. Sly is wearind a mithril shirt for armor, a pair of green pants with about three or four Seals running (in a line) down the side of his pants and his boots almost look nornal but if you look closely he does not leave any tracks when walking about. Sly will put his hands together, bow and tell him "Hello! I'm Sly Foxx" then takes his gloves off, approches Uther to shake hands with him, "Good To Meet you, (Sly smiles) the way I fight I could use another Cleric!." Sly turn to the rest of the group "OK! Let's eat I'm Hungry! we can make some plans while we eat."
Barnum Berrybrawn Thursday October 16th, 2003 7:55:19 PM
"Hello there, and well met, good sir Uther! I am Barnum Berrybrawn, master arcanist, and temporary companion of the Children of Chaos." Barnum is exquisitely dressed, perhaps overly so. He wears shiny black boots, well tailored brown pants, a fine white shirt, and a brilliant red cloak. Somehow, looking at the cloak makes you seem to like him a bit more. Upon close inspection, his clothes are unusually absent of any stains, whatsoever.
Shiraz Thursday October 16th, 2003 10:46:23 PM
"My pleasure little one," Shiraz shrugs his shoulders being so big the littel move almost seesm comical,"after all we are family and thats what family does." Shiraz slowly walks back to the campsite ignoring the stares from the cityfolk not used to see ing his kind often and daydreaming of warm summer nights and catching fireflies with his brother when they were older. "Oh huh? Uther? Thats an interesting name. Mine is Shiraz, no last name just Shiraz. I am the bull headed guy around here." Shiraz says the last with a straight face and then slowly like the sun braking over the plains a smile erupts on to his normally stoic face. "No really I am a bit stubborn just ask Peerimus here he just had to endure it then Islidur as well." Shriaz extends his hand," Well met Uther what can we do for you?"
Ilsidur Friday October 17th, 2003 1:11:44 AM
Ilsidur, a stocky dwarf (is there any other kind?) dressed in dull black metal armour, approaches the new arrival, and says, "Good to meet you, Uther of Ffloy. My name is Ilsidur Wayfinder, one of the Children of Chaos, as our rag-tag group is sometimes called. I am a cleric as well, although I worship all the gods of the Wold, calling on their powers as need be. So, you say you know how to drive a wagon, do you? Well, that is very timely, since we are in need of a driver of sorts, for this race that we seem to have been shanghaied into."
"We are trying to decide how to outfit the wagon. We have a significant fund to build the wagon, and are struggling with the best type of creatures to pull it. Do you have any ideas?"
Uther Friday October 17th, 2003 8:49:48 AM
Uther was taken aback by the almost instant acceptance by these Children of Chaos. Elation shot through him, as he realized he had been accepted, at least as a temporary companion. He shook the offered hand from Sly, and nodded to the others as they introduced themselves.
"Well... ummm, I guess you all know my name. Answering your questions as best I can, I do have some small skill with animals. I... umm, I could drive the wagon, but I've heard of drivers being hurt in these races. I hope there is a back-up driver? Anyway... ummm, as far as creatures to... well, that... the creatures pulling the wagon, I mean, I assume a dragon is out of the question? Right, well, I'd guess that dire horses would be best, from what I've heard around this place."
[OOC: Just a couple of things about my character. When he talks, I'm trying to capture his halting way of talking. Imagine Shatner in Star Trek, and you'll nail it; there's pauses where there shouldn't be, and it always seems strained. This is because he is not comfortable being social. I'm sorry, but if he ever gets annoying, just tell me, and I'll see what I can do.]
DM Mikey Friday October 17th, 2003 3:59:29 PM
Everyone settles down to a nice meal. Over it, you talk about the options you want to set for your car. In the morning, you guys make your decisions, albeit with some more discussion... (I'm going to give a list of what you guys want, and see what sort of responses you give back: Durability A: 10,000 (Darkwood), B: 15,000 (Darkwood/steel), C: 20,000 (Darkwood/Mithril), D: 25,000 (Enchanted darkwood/Mithril). Design: You've pretty much decided 20,000, so here's the choices. A: Hovercarriage, mounted on floating discs. B: Stretch-limo type, huge and fast, good at going over terrain, able to turn invisible. C: Spacious cabin, plush seats, good tires, a basic design but pumped up. Weapons: (Give me a figure here, guys. And tell me what y'all want.) Speed: A) Dire Horses =, B)Enchanted regular horses, C) Magical beasts of some other kind (Name it and you can have it...but they'll only go as fast as you spend on them.))
[Well, give your character's choices...]
Savin Friday October 17th, 2003 11:41:48 PM
Savin introduces himself to the new cleric. "Glad to have you with us. You want to drive the wagon. That would be good."
To the others he says, "Ok I have been giving this some thought. I think we can load our cart up with some non magical tricks to help us out. Here are some ideas that I have come up with. A barrel full of caltrops will slow many different kinds of animals down. Not sure they would be great against a hoof but think they would work. They are nice because they are non-lethal.
The second idea is barrels of oil. Now we could set this on fire. Doubt it would be real effective, most of the teams should have protections against it but still might slow someone down at a crucial stage.
Another idea is nets. If we could shoot nets over the other wagons mounts, it would slow them down as well.
If we spend our money on some non magical tricks, we can save some gold. These savings could be used on scrolls for our spell users. Several scrolls of dig or any of the walls would be helpful. Defensively spells like dispel magic, haste, illusions, and such could get us out of binds.
Again I want to stress, this is a test of us and our character. Not the wagons. Focus in on our abilities and we will be triumphant."
The young monk realizes that he has been talking for a long time and suddenly gets red in the face and sits down. "Sorry didn't mean to get preachy"
Sly Foxx Saturday October 18th, 2003 3:38:21 PM
Sly gets his food and tell Savin, " that's a very good idea, and Uther Has a more than a handfull of good ideas. I like them better than the one I can come up with."
Sly takes his plate and sit next to Trace, "Tell me Big Brother, have you forgiven me yet. I'm really sorry you know."
Barnum Berrybrawn Sunday October 19th, 2003 9:34:13 PM
"Hum... I still like the floating carraige idea. I also think the horses, or whatever beasts of burden, should be enchanted in some manner so that they can run for all day and all night without becoming tired. I'd say we should also get ourselves some Rings of Sustenance, so that we need not be bogged down at night by the neccessity of sleep. And as for non-magical weapons... Imagine a tanglefoot bag, however, one large enough to entangle an entire wagon. Or... Something like that. I'm sleepy."
DM Mikey Monday October 20th, 2003 2:38:11 PM
You have a nice sleep that night, and nobody notices anything untowards... The next day is extremely busy. With some basic ideas you start the construction of your carriage in your tented space. Several hours are spent arguing over the design and finalizing results. But it's mainly work as carriages carrying timber and meshed iron come, and you guys assist in carrying them inside your tent, where a team of workers begins going at it. Any help you guys offer is much appreciated. (I still need everyone to decide on the basic frame, and to give the okay on the dire horses. Other than that, it seems pretty set. I will make up a list including everyone's demands, and we will see the carriage done in a bit.)
Barnum Monday October 20th, 2003 8:56:50 PM
Alright, I vote for the 20,000 GP frame, mounted on the floating disc, with the dire horses. More specific ideas when that's finished with, I suppose.
Sly Foxx Tuesday October 21st, 2003 5:22:51 AM
Sly after rising will not put his armor on after his daily groming, He'll stay bear chested. After breakfast he tells the others "I don't care what kind of wagon we have, I just want to help build it. I'll let the rest of you make the choice." With a cup of klaw in hand, Sly seem to be looking into the far horizon.
Savin Tuesday October 21st, 2003 8:14:25 AM
Savin agrees to the frame and dire horses. He starts looking into weapondry to help arm the wagon. He will also go look for oil, caltrops, and nets.
Shiraz Tuesday October 21st, 2003 9:38:09 AM
Shiraz nods,"I guess Dire horses do seem to be the best, and a durable well constructed coach. Savin I also agree that the best theing we could do is use both magical and nonmagical defenses and attacks for our wagon."
Uther Tuesday October 21st, 2003 2:19:35 PM
Uther is impressive, even a little overwhelmed at the activities going on. Feeling a little left out, he chipped in. "When the ... ummm ... dire horses show up, I take them and get ... get aquainted. Ok?"
DM Mikey Tuesday October 21st, 2003 2:25:04 PM
The next few days are a whirr of activity. Carpenters and artisans all set to work in your hut. The third day, four half-orcs stop by and stare at the tent curiously. They pass back and forth a flask and chuckle at the work being done. "Hey, what's that you're building in there? A heap of trash? You know, I could help you if you want!" The drunken half-orc that says this grabs the shoulder of a craftsman walking towards your tent carrying some darkwood. The craftsman blinks and turns to look at him, then the half-orc takes the wood from him and pushes the youth to the ground with incredible ease. He's obviously quite strong. None of the half-orcs are armed or baring weapons, but two have daggers at their sides (as is pretty standard). The half-orc chuckles at his own strength and the surprised stare of the craftsman. "These craftsmen are such wimps."
Trace(Ted) Tuesday October 21st, 2003 2:56:38 PM
Trouble in paradise?
I need two weeks off. In attempt to apease other parties in my household I am takeing a brake for two weeks. Sorry for leaving the group hanging. I hope that someone can cover Trace for me?
Sly Foxx Tuesday October 21st, 2003 3:50:22 PM
Sly is carring some grease bucket and a bucket of pegs to the tent when he see that the orks are doing to their workers. "Hey! Shiraz! Want to come with me to help pick up our craftsman off the ground? Some nice big drunken Orcs sort of trip him." Sly will go to the craftman to see if he's alright, "Take it easy our Monk and a friend of mine will be here in a moment."
Savin Tuesday October 21st, 2003 4:05:51 PM
Savin hears the comotion and sticks his head out the tent where he is working on maps. He sighs and stands up and jogs over. He will haul the artisan up to his feet and say, "Why don't you go into the tent."
Savin will look at the half orcs and then over his shoulder. "Are you crazy?" he will ask them. "Your gonna get Shiraz upset!" Savin's voice will rise an octave. "Wow you must be very brave. Challenging Shiraz that way. He has slain vampires and even defeated a red dragon. I suppose 4 against 1 is even odds for him but do you really want all those broken bones? If you are in the race, how will you steer you wagon with your arms and legs in splints?" Savin will spin around and look at the tent real quick and then look back. "I would get out of here real quick. I think I hear him coming.
You better give me that piece of wood. If Shiraz thinks you are stealing from him, he will go berserk again. He leveled a tavern last time he went berserk. Here give it to me."
Savin will be prepared to dodge the wood if the swing it at him
Peerimus Tuesday October 21st, 2003 5:38:39 PM
Having cast several Plant growts to enhance the berry bushes and grass of the area Peerimus is feeling quite pleased with himself. He also adds another 14 gallons of water to his small pond and trenchery flow. ahh quite nice work
To the designs and horses Peerimus nods and smiles, seemingly quite happy about the prospect of being able to be near to the large beasts soon.
Hearing the commotion, the druid quickly moves outside to see what is going on. Seeing Savin and Sly he will fold his arms across his chest and merely be another presecne of deternce nearby.
Ilsidur Tuesday October 21st, 2003 7:32:21 PM
[OOC Sorry folks, but Greg's computer is down for the count - he will resume posting in a couple of days]
Shiraz d20-2=17 Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 5:31:19 AM
Shiraz walks out of the tent, slowing down as he hears Savins words. The huge taur manages to put the ugliest scowl on his face as he rounds the corner hoping to scare the crud out of the interloping orcs<Intemidate DC 17>.
DM Mikey - The Half-Orcs Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 2:01:03 PM
"Uhh..." the half-orc looks unsure, then sees Shiraz coming. The Taur is quite big and tough looking. "i'm not afraid. Hey, guys..." he looks around and realizes his guys wandered off. "Uhhh..." he drops the wood and says, "Yeah, just you wait!" and turns heading away after his buds. The carpenter rubs his shoulder and says some thanks to Savin.
(Can you give me who's on watch that night, and the order? I'll assume there's 4 watches, each two hours long.)
Sly Foxx Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 2:31:39 PM
"I may not be able to predick the Futer, BUT my nose tell that there's trouble in the wind!!" Sly said as he look at the orc disapearing into the mass of people. "I only need four hours of sleep any way, I'll take second watch."
Trace(Ceil) Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 2:36:32 PM
"Alright little brother, I'll take second watch too." Trace also looking down the roar, " I wonder if bear is still alive? Hey! Ilsadore! didn't you cut his head off when those cleric came around for the body?"
Peerimus d20+17=27 Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 2:58:57 PM
Peerimus watches the man run off and metally notes the threat. "Deception and thievery in teh night will most likely be the cowards course."
Peerimus offers last watch, "I always enjoy the first rays of Light no matter the land they strike upon, if no one minds of course."
At teh start of his watch the druid will shift into an eagle and take up residence on top of the main tent pole. [Spot 27]
Barnum Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 8:59:28 PM
"I'll take the first watch. Late to bed and late to rise, makes a man happy and hungry for pies!"
Savin Wednesday October 22nd, 2003 10:24:42 PM
Savin grins as he watches the half-orcs retreat. He will notice Shiraz coming up and walk over to him and say, "My master always said the strongest muscle is the mind." He will pat the minotaur on the arm and head back into the tent.
"I will take the second shift. I can function well on interruptted sleep."
Shiraz Thursday October 23rd, 2003 8:37:17 AM
"I am not much good in helping design nor build this contraption," Shiraz says with a sigh, "I will stay up for the second and third watches and sleep for the first and last. I can always catch a nap during the day." Shiraz turns and smiles at Savin,"Your master sounds much like my father but he was a peaceful man, a cleric of Imod in fact."
DM Mikey Thursday October 23rd, 2003 5:24:05 PM
(Of course nothing happens that night. It is during the third watch that nothing happens, and those on watch, give me a spot and listen roll. Subtract 5 on the spot, due to nighttime conditions, to notice the nothing that is not happening... ^_^)
Peerimus Thursday October 23rd, 2003 10:33:04 PM
The druid is found at dawns light sitting on the newly grown grass and watching the first days rays fall about him. A look of peace and joy that has not been on his face for some days. On this day, he places deep blue lines running at sharp angles from just outside of his eyes to the corner of his mouth, three on each side, one on top of the other. From the top of his forhead straight to the tip of his nose, a two finger wide black stripe is placed.
His ritual over he walks the site and tenderly waters and converses with the flora now growing spritely about before joining the others for breakfast.
"I was thinking last night while observing the nothing that was happening," he begins, "that two versatile wepons to mount to the rear would be a pair of Solid Fog wands. Creating a large bank that not only happers movement but sight as well. Even the keen eyes of elves, dwarves and magic."
Trace(Ceil) d20+9=21 d20+9=25 Friday October 24th, 2003 8:43:32 AM
OOC:Spot 21 and Listen 25
Trace sit in back of the tent, all the time on guard. But nothing happen, He's a little bit disappointed.
Sly Foxx d20+1=21 d20+1=15 Friday October 24th, 2003 8:48:54 AM
OOC:Spots 21 and Listen 15
Sly sit in a tree, watching with his low light vision, and trying very hard to hear if Luke is barking. there's a lot of barking dogs around but none that sound like Luke.
Barnum Friday October 24th, 2003 12:46:16 PM
Barnum is awakened by the shining sun of midmorning. His eyes twinge slightly, he gains consciousness, he knows he is awake, but refuses to accept it. He lies there a few minutes, trying to go back into the comforting world of sleep, alas, the day beckons. Barnum opens his eyes.
Barnum groggily marches over to breakfast with the others, and sits down on the ground cross-legged, he begins to speak with a yawn, "Solid fog... Interesting idea, as long as we can get in front of the competition."
DM Mikey Friday October 24th, 2003 4:39:38 PM
[Woah, woah there neighbors!] [Heh, my last post was...er...supposed to be interpreted as funny. Sorry if the point didn't get across; SOMETHING happens at that point in the night, during the third watch, something that can be spotted and noticed and reacted to. I said nothing happens that night, especially during the third watch, and required spot and listen checks. Of course if I said something happened and required checks, then it would be obvious something did happen, even if you guys failed your checks and didn't notice anything and slept through it. Kapeesh? I understand my postings are somewhat confusing at times... Rewind to that night!]
During the third watch that night as he sits on watch, Trace swears that he hears the sound of creaking wood coming from their wagon. Sly doesn't seem to have heard it, though...
But looking into the darkness, both glimpse brief shadows moving around in their tent. They can't see very well, though...
Peerimus Friday October 24th, 2003 5:10:56 PM
Sorry for starting that domino chain.
The Druid sleeps peacefully.
Shiraz d20-5=3 d20-5=10 Friday October 24th, 2003 10:57:41 PM
Shiraz walks around a bit during the night staying close to the campfire to stay warm but notices nothing during his two watches espically the third watch.
DM Mikey Saturday October 25th, 2003 3:10:56 AM
Let me revise/make the Friday post more interesting and clearer:
During the third watch, Trace's sharp hearing pulls him out of a lulling boredom when he hears the faint creaking of wood and a strange sort of wet scraping sound.
Looking around in the darkness of their area and the flickering flames of the fireplace, they can barely make out a large form moving through their area with surprising litheness for something its size...
Trace(Ceil) Saturday October 25th, 2003 9:49:27 AM
Trace is just leaning agaist tree, when he hears a faint sounds? Like creaking of wood(ever so lightly)? Followed by a very light scramping sound? Also a strange wet scraping sound? "Hmm! better check on this." Trace tiptoes Slooly around the tent. He then goes to the tree where Sly is on watch and whispers, "Little Brother! are you awake did you see any thing go by here? Look over there!" There a shadow of a large form moving along over there." Trace points to the trees and the road. "We have to tell the rest of the party about this."
Sly Foxx Saturday October 25th, 2003 10:01:21 AM
Sly is up a tree reading up on some spells, when Trace(who is now under the tree)ask him if he heard any noise just now? "No! Big Brother, But look over there!" Sly points to the shadow of a large form moving through their area. "Hmm! suprising light on it's feet for something that size??" Sly climb down from the tree, and as everybody rises for the daily chores. Trace and Sly tell them what they heard ans saw just before dawn>
Savin Sunday October 26th, 2003 2:38:29 PM
Unless asked to do anything else, Savin will keep working on his nets and caltrops. When he notices Peerimus's activities, he will ask, "What is with the face paint?"
Ilsidur Sunday October 26th, 2003 5:05:22 PM
[OOC: Sorry about the lack of posting. Some evil worm/virus got ahold of my computer, but it seems to be OK now.]
Ilsidur sleeps soundly, dreaming of home.
Barnum Monday October 27th, 2003 4:52:04 PM
"Someone sneaking around... Eh?" If no one was attacked the night before, or anything incredibly obvious like that, Barnum will go and check on the beginnings of the team's wagon. If no sabotage is obvious after a close inspection, he casts Detect Magic and examines it that way.
Peerimus d20+12=24 Monday October 27th, 2003 6:19:40 PM
OoC Assuming we have backed slightly to the 3rd watch of the night and Trace means wake folks up by "We have to tell the rest of the party about this."
Peerimus is roused and tries to shake his head clear as quick as he can and shifts into a Cheetah peering hard at the figure snooping through the site. [Spot with Low Light vision 24]
DM Mikey d20+27=40 Monday October 27th, 2003 8:25:35 PM
- During the 3rd Watch Still -
Sly and Trace query each other on the sound. Still, the others sleep, as they did not give out too much of a warning call. Then they see the shape suddenly dart out towards the campground followed by the rattle of chains. They can make out the form of a fantastically large cat with big eyes and a puffy mane. A chain trails after it but ends after about ten feet, perhaps a leash of some sort? It stops by the embers of the fire and bends its head to sniff at some of the remains of dinner. It is alarmingly close to sniffing at one or two sleeping characters. (Savin and Barnum.)
DM Mikey Monday October 27th, 2003 10:21:10 PM
(Brett, our newest player, apparently got seriously bonked on the head. Imagine that his character, Uther, is cleaning out his home and preparing to go off to adventure at the time of this scene. :) )
Savin d20+8=24 Monday October 27th, 2003 11:03:59 PM
Savin is sleeping peacefully when something wakens him. He opens his eyes to see a huge lion of some kind not very far away sniffing around the camp. He tenses his body to get ready for action but decides to stay where he is for now.
Shiraz d20=1 d20=1 Monday October 27th, 2003 11:14:10 PM
Shiraz doesnt even notice as Sly and Trace wander off to investigate the long day of working and designing causing the taur to do little more than walk around in circles acting like he is watching. <Spot and Liste both Natural 1's>
Ilsidur Tuesday October 28th, 2003 12:10:02 AM
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...
Trace(Ceil) Tuesday October 28th, 2003 9:47:30 AM
"That's the bigist cat I ever seen! Looks hungry too! Little Brother, Do you have any trail mix with you? Your always hungry." ask Trace. He wonders where does the trail of that chain leads from??
Sly Foxx Tuesday October 28th, 2003 9:55:15 AM
"What do you mean I'm always hungry! Take that back, Big Brother. Hmmm! Come to think of it, I'm scared and hungry. Yes I have some trail mix, but it's in my back pack and that up the tree." Sly will go up the tree and throw some trail mix at the lion. (Next round I think, I cannot do all this in one round)
DM Mikey Tuesday October 28th, 2003 6:42:38 PM
The dire lion sniffs at something, then licks up the remains of last nights dinner. Smelling something else, it wanders over to Savin's bunk...it looms dangerously close, and its eyes seem to glow in the darkness...he can see huge fangs that can consume a halfling in one bite. Then some trail mix peppers him. He hops up slightly, and looks around. It doesn't exactly seem appetizing him, at least as appetizing as fresh meat does.
Barnum d20+6=9 d4+1=2 Tuesday October 28th, 2003 10:14:58 PM
Barnum wiggles his eyebrows, feeling some kind of hot air blowing on his forehead. He opens his eyes and looks up, seeing nothing more but a fierce dire lion. "A... A..." He holds back a scream. Instinctively, though certainly not logically, Barnum pulls out his Everburning Torch and tosses it at the lion's feet. As quick as he can, he casts Pyrotechnics on the torch, turning it into a loud, bright flash of fireworks, probably waking the others up. The dazzle from the spell is incredibly bright, especially against the darkness of the night. It's so bright, in fact, that save for a Will Save against DC 16, anyone within 120 feet of the thing is blinded for 1d4+1 rounds.
Barnum didn't have the foresight to even close his eyes to block out his own spell (blinded for 2 rounds). He stumbles backwards, yelling "Get away! Get away!" at the dire lion, hoping that the fireworks would scare the beast. Barnum falls on the ground and covers his head with his cloak.
Peerimus Tuesday October 28th, 2003 10:27:28 PM
The druid remains blissfully asleep
Ilsidur Wednesday October 29th, 2003 1:38:56 AM
Ilsidur sits upright, and blinks the sleep out of his eyes. Looking around the camp, he spots the bright torch, and the huge lion. "What in the name of Balathax's black beard is going on?" He grabs his axe and his shield and stands up, ready to act if the lion appears to be dangerous.
Savin d20+8=23 Wednesday October 29th, 2003 2:46:52 AM
Savin watches the antics of the halfling and is able to turn his head and not be blinded when the spell goes off. He will leap to his feat and rush over to the blind halfling and say, "It's Savin. Don't struggle!" He will scoop him up and try to get him out of the danger area.
Trace(Ceil) Wednesday October 29th, 2003 7:10:12 AM
Trace (with a knotch Bow)Sleeks over to where Peerimus is sleeping,BUT there's nobody there, just an empty blanket. Trace is a little mad and kicks at the blanket, "Peerimus! Peerimus! Where are you? We need you to speak to that lion."
Sly Foxx d20+7=9 d4+1=2 Wednesday October 29th, 2003 7:34:39 AM
Sly is up a tree with a bow in hand(that's how he get the Trail Mix to the Cat), He looking for another piece meat, "I wish I had a dead dire mouse roght about now to feed that Cat." The the fire works goes off, Sly had just look up to aim the meat at the lion. Sly is blind( 9) for ( 2) rounds. "Yeow! my eyes!"
Uther(Ceil) Wednesday October 29th, 2003 7:38:14 AM
Uther Sleep peacefully inside the tenth, behind a bail of hay. Not even snoring.
Shiraz Wednesday October 29th, 2003 8:43:53 AM
Shiraz snaps to as Barnum's spell goes off causing the taur to see teh biggest lion he has ever seen,"What in the name of Imods Hammer is that doing here?" Shiraz mutters drawing both swords and moving to cut the lion off from the rest of the camp.
DM Mikey d20+7=15 Wednesday October 29th, 2003 1:52:33 PM
The fireworks achieve the correct result in the massive feline, combined with Barnum's frantic yelling. The cat is absolutely terrified, and it hisses as it rears back, its fur standing on end. Its eyes go wide and it yowls as the fireworks blind its luminescent nightvision into nothing. The dire creature lithely turns around and dashes as fast as it can in the other direction...unfortunately it goes about five feet then meets your wagon under construction head on.
Normally, when three tons of angry blind cat meets a wooden structure it crumbles like a building made of toothpicks being hit by a bulldozer. In this case, it's a combination of dwarven meshed steel and direwood, so, there's only the painful ringing sound of the lion's head meeting the structure. And the sound of heavy tearing as the lion dizzily swats the unknown scratching post into the darkness with a powerful swing. Most of your wagon goes rolling off into a nearby tent selling boots.
Though somewhat stunned and a bit off balance, mewling and growling in both terror and anger, it turns once more and dashes in the opposite direction, back towards the blinding explosion that it can no longer really see.
(All of this takes place in about 6 seconds. Actions?)
Peerimus d20+11=28 Wednesday October 29th, 2003 3:00:33 PM
The young man snaps out of his slumber as the comotion about him heightens to yelling, small explosions of light and a distictive feline yowl. He whispers a quick prayer in an ancient and secret language, "Father Wold awaken my heart." Standing and looking about for the cat he calls out [via Speak with Animals spell] "My friend, it is all right. No one here will hurt you."
If possible Peerimus will close with the great cat, speaking softly about sitting on the grass for a nice chat and some water to drink. [Handle animal 28]
Barnum Wednesday October 29th, 2003 7:15:56 PM
"Thank you Savin, I'll be alright in a moment, I think. Eh... What was that noise?" Barnum is lost in a dark world, gripping onto Savin's arm.
Ilsidur Thursday October 30th, 2003 1:02:03 AM
Ilsidur stands back and watches the druid try to control the huge cat. He readies his axe, just in case, and whispers, "Peerimus, if there is anything I can do to help, let me know. I think that this is just an escaped cat, and not meant to be a threat directed at us."
Sly Foxx Thursday October 30th, 2003 6:09:05 AM
Sly is blinded by the fire works, He has a bow in hand and a arrow in his mouth, But he cannot use his weapon. SO! sly fumble for a cookie in his back pack, while waiting for his sight to come back.
Trace(Ceil) Thursday October 30th, 2003 6:14:06 AM
Trace is at the ready in case Peerimus cannot control that lion. He stands a few yards away and aim at the lion, but holds his arrow. (He will not fire in this round.)
Uther(Ceil) Thursday October 30th, 2003 6:20:05 AM
Uther sleep throught all the yelling and fire works, He is really tired.
OOC: DM Mikey I don't have Uther's file, so I cannot do justice for him, I'll post for him untill he get better and can post for himself.
DM Mikey Thursday October 30th, 2003 6:59:06 AM
Peerimus speaks very soothingly to the cat, and for a second, it turns its head towards the friendly voice. Then, suddenly, a rock flies from the darkness and pelts the poor lion right on the nose! You guys can tell that it came from outside your campsite. Perhaps it was a sling shot or something. In any case, the blinded lion turns to the left and springs high and forward. It jumps over ten feet into the air over Barnum and Savin and beyond and begins to run away as fast as it can from the campsite. (Barnum, Savin, make Reflex saves DC 18 or be caught by the whipping chains and given the ride of your life!)
Shiraz Thursday October 30th, 2003 9:53:45 AM
Shiraz watches in awe as the large cat demolishes the hard work on their racing wagon,"My goodness," the taur whispers blinking as the cat turns and bounds over Savin.
Savin d20+9=28 Thursday October 30th, 2003 1:00:06 PM
Savin gracefully rolls away from the lion and sprints into the direction that the sling bullet came from.
Trace(Ceil) d20+14=17 d20+13=24 d4+4=7 d4+4=6 Thursday October 30th, 2003 6:21:58 PM
"Little Brother! what's the mater with you? Shoot your arrow over there", and Trace points the way to where to stone came from.
Trace wii shoot his arrow in that direction.
#1 arrow - ac 17 #2 arrow - ac 24
Damages (if any) 7&6
Sly Foxx Thursday October 30th, 2003 6:24:30 PM
"I'm Blind! Big Brother, I'm Blind! All I see is white light."
Uther(ceil) Thursday October 30th, 2003 6:31:08 PM
Uther wakes with all the noise going on, Sits up and to his suprize the wagon is in shambles. He gets up, runs out of the tent. Yelling as he tell the others in the group, "Ttthhhee... wagggg...onn, ssmaaash...bro...bro...kkken!" he points to the tent.
Peerimus Thursday October 30th, 2003 7:00:39 PM
The druids head whips over his shoulder looking into the darkness for the coward, but as arrows fly from Trace's bow he makes a different decision and runs after the great cat. As he moves he calls back, "I'm going to try and calm him down. I can't let him run loose, he's not safe." With that, the druid disappears into the darkness.
Barnum d20+6=15 d20+12=27 Thursday October 30th, 2003 8:53:25 PM
Barnum furiously rubs his eyes, but his sight still fails to return to him. He hears a mighty lion's roar, a rattling of chains, and a pounding of massive paws against the ground, coming towards him. In all this, a chain wraps around the Halfling's body, pulling him with incredible speed after the lion. He yells, terrified, as you would if the same thing happened to you.
Barnum's body thuds, bouncing against the ground, and into the air, against the ground and into the air, over and over again. Trying to ignore all this, which would be a mighty feat indeed, Barnum draws all his consciousness inward, focusing on his magic. He tries, as he well as he can, to cast Gaseous Form on himself. (Concentration check, 27)
Ilsidur (flying) Friday October 31st, 2003 12:33:32 AM
Ilsidur quickly casts fly on himself, and heads off after the huge lion with the halfling in tow. [OOC: Cast fly on self, speed of 90'] The dwarf shouts, "Hold on Barnum, I'm coming as fast as I can!"
When (if) Ilsidur reaches the halfling at the end of the chain (assuming Barnum is still attached), Ilsidur will try to grab hold of him, and cast dimension door, removing the halfling from the binding chains.
LOG ON