Xenia(AC17-Dodge/HP23) d20+9=20 d6+2=5 2d6(4+2)=6 d20+3=17 d6=2 Thursday February 19th, 2004 8:34:45 PM
The invisible half-elven rogue scrambles up the side of the underground pool and onto the ledge. With enemies on both sides, she gives herself enough room to avoid provoking an attack, and then lets loose with her sling loaded with one of Bralin's magic stones at the man to her right.
The spell breaks with the attack and Xenia snaps into visibility again. But, before the stunned Anvil Hearts gather their wits, she snaps the fingers of her right hand. The sling vanishes and in it's place appears a short sword. She makes a small adjustment towards the same man and strikes.
[[ ROLLS ]] Climb 10 - Rolled previously vs #7 Hit AC20 / Damage 5+6Sneak=11 -Sling/Magic Stone vs #7 Hit AC17 / Damage 2 -Sword [[ EndROLLS ]]
Syr (AC 18) d20+7=24 d20+7=19 d8+5=12 d8+5=13 d20+9=14 Friday February 20th, 2004 4:02:56 AM
Hearing Xenia's words and tired of waiting for Angus to use his spell the small figure seizes the moment and travels to the north edge of the map. Seeing figure number 6 he climbs out of the water (climb 14) to the left of that figure and drops into an attack postion.
Taking two ferocious swings at #6, the elf lashes out at his kid's enemies. (Attack 24,19, damage 12,13) Connecting twice, he is gratified to see pain on his opponent's face.
Tionel Friday February 20th, 2004 5:00:37 AM
The elf takes it cautiously. Emerging from the shallow end, he says out to the enemies in a convincing, challenging voice, "I suggest that you surrender, else my friends will obviously end your lives. If you are wise, you will heed my words of wisdom: lay down your arms and your lives will be spared." Unlike the other members of his group, he doesn't attack though.
(And really...why are we attacking? Because they're members of a gang...that we're currently helping? Because they're in the wrong place at the wrong time? I'm afraid I don't understand your guys motives. As far as I can tell, they haven't done anything to us that lets us rush in, swords drawn, and attack them while they're not ready, not by any law of a civilized society or moral code of conduct.)
Angus d4+1=3 d4+1=2 Friday February 20th, 2004 8:05:00 AM
OOC - Sorry for the delay. I was called away for work and could not post.
Angus is upset with his inactivity, but moves to the shallow end of the pool, but does not exit the pool. Angus stays in the vicinity of Tionel.
Angus points the wand of color spray at the largest concentration of gang members he can effect with the want and not hit any friendlies and then activates the wand. "Take that for threatening little children!"
Angus will see the effect the wand has. If it is effecting the gang members he will activate it again at another group of gang members. If it does not appear to be effecting them he will magic missle the bow carrying brute for 5 damage.
Party Actions - Round One (ADM/Al) d20+2=18 d20+2=16 d20+1=16 d20+10=25 d10+4=10 Friday February 20th, 2004 8:58:02 AM
Florin charges through the water and surges up to the stone ledge that surrounds the pool. He strikes out and sends along gash up her side(Hit AC25/10dmg), only surprised to find that his opponent is a short, not unattractive blonde woman with a cold hard look of steel. He thrusts again and his weapon rips into her spilling blood.
[[ OoC: I'm assuming by Rush you mean Charge, Justin. ]]
Bralin leaps from the pool in a spray of water. The dwarf's axe flashes through the air and a frail dark haired man with a pencil mustachio screams out "Emilio!" as blood sprays from a gaping wound in his chest. Bralin's back swing let's open the man's bowls and the air is filled with a sick liquid stench. The man drops straight downward and moves no more.
Xenia pulls herself out of the water and moves to the cave wall. There, the sling whirls, sending a glowing stone at the head of an evil looking character with slitted eyes and a scar running down the side of his face. The stone takes him fully in the temple and he staggers. Only by force of will does he remain upright. The red-headed rogue's follow up with her short sword puts a long thin line of red across his arm as he raises it to protect himself.
Syrdeth slides out of the water to the left of a medium sized blonde woman. A jaunty smirk rides her lips as she speaks to the taller olive skinned woman next to her. The elf's blows land before she has time to react. She takes the punches like a rag doll and drops to the stone floor of the ledge, the smirk still playing through sightless eyes.
Tionel walks out of the shallow end with calming reasoned words on his lips.
Angus comes up behind Tionel only to find that use of the Color Spray wand would be more effective if he moved somewhat to the left. He positions himself waist deep in water off Florin's left and triggers the spell. He catches three within the cone of colors. All of them however (1, 2, 8) seem to shake it off. Streaks of light fly from the sorcerer's fingertips next and crash into the hulking bow weilder.
Anvil Heart Response - Round One (ADM/Al) d20+6=16 d20+5=24 d6+3=6 d20+12=25 d6+3=7 2d6(4+4)=8 2d6(1+5)+3=9 d20+5=13 d20+5=17 d20+5=17 d6+1=4 Friday February 20th, 2004 9:17:38 AM
Coming out of the impressive cone of magic colors to see two already fallen and a third bloody and reeling, the blonde woman (1) holds up her hands.
"Wait, wait! Everybody stop!"
Ignoring the call, however, a dark haired well muscled man (3) faces down Bralin. He glares at the dwarf with a mix of horror and unreasoning fury. "My name is Emilio Martinsheen. You killed my brother. Prepare to die," he says, before launching himself at the dwarf.
"Flash it," the blonde woman curses at this change of plans. "Richardo, the skank. Byton, the pig sticker. Davido, lets kill us an elf," she says before drawing her sword and attacking Tionel.
Emilio (4) moves five feet to engage Bralin and draws a short sword. He takes a cut at the dwarf's head, murder in his eyes. "For Charlito," he cries and strikes, his weapon glancing harmlessly off of Bralin's armor.
Davido (7) bleeding and unsteady on his feet as he is, heeds his bosses words. He draws a short sword and adjusts to flank Tionel. Despite his injuries, his strike is true. (HitAC24/6dmg)
The blonde woman draws a wicked looking short sword and attacks Tionel as well from her flanking position. (Hit AC25/7dmg+8SneakDmg=15)
Richardo (8) a man, darkly handsome in a cheep corner tavern sort of way, moves along the edge towards Xenia, a leer of anticipation on his face. He draws his sword and closes. He also draws AoO from Tionel, though he doesn't look too worried as the elf is not only otherwise engaged, but he's also unarmed. "After this, I will have you, little one," he says, before thrusting out with his sword. Xenia easily moves, avoiding the point. (Hit AC13)
The tall olive skinned warrior woman (5) attacks Syrdeth in silence. The sound of her blade leaving it's sheath are her words to him. She swings. And Syrdeth moves deftly out of the way, the blade whistling within a hairs breath of the elf's face as he simply moves to avoid it. (Hit AC17)
The tall massively built Byton (2), an arrow already nocked and ready, simply withdraws five feet and fires point blank at Florin. (HitAC17/4dmg) Then he drops the bow and pulls a short sword.
[[ OoC: Everyone please post their AC, current HP, and any spell effects in the Name area. ]]
Bralin (ac 18, power attack[3]) d20+6=15 d10+7=14 Friday February 20th, 2004 1:59:34 PM
Bralin ignores the battle but for Emilio.
"I am Bralin Stoneminder, of Clan Corregan," he replies to the man. After all, it is right that he knows who has killed him.
The dwarf moves to end the fight in one blow, and puts his weight into a massive overhand swing of his axe.
[Hit ac15 for 14hp dam]
Xenia(AC17-Dodge/HP23) d20+3=23 d20+3=12 d6=1 Friday February 20th, 2004 2:32:02 PM
"Tionel!" the red-headed rogue sceams as the urban druid takes two serious wounds. Ignoring her attacker, she steps to the water's edge and strikes at the scarred man once again (#7).
[[ Hit AC23/CritThreat - AC12/NoCrit // Damage 1 ]]
Florin-HP:40-AC:15 (No Shield) d20+8=23 d10+4=5 Friday February 20th, 2004 5:34:47 PM
Florin sighs abit at Tionel's comment and decides to have a talk with the man after combat since Florin thinks even he should of known a fight would break out with the anvil hearts after what has happened recently and that nothing any of them could do could really stop it.
Florin calls out to Syr as Florin moves towards Byton (2) and stabs at Byton with his glaive, "Syr, knock one of these people out, I like to get some info from one of these people."
(Can hit AC:23 Damage:5)
Tionel (AC 14, 18/39 hp) d20+3=8 d20+6=18 d3=3 d20+6=9 d20+6=21 d20+6=26 d8=5 d20+6=8 Saturday February 21st, 2004 7:10:15 AM
"Ow!" With a flash of realization, Tionel realizes he's trapped, and that these are the sorts of thugs who wouldn't deal with them. Brutes, really...except for their leader, who has ordered the attack. "So be it!" He takes a wild swing at the guy passing by, but misses by a mile.
Summoning his will and resolve, he chants and barely holds his head... Suddenly, three more allies splash out of the water, making weird growling noises as they waddle on shore almost awkwardly. One crocodile goes for the man attacking Tionel, but its tail slaps against empty stone. Another moves in after the tail, its teeth seeking the flesh of the man. They bite in (AC 21, 1d8+6=5+6=11 damage) and the gator promptly tugs the man backwards into the water (Improved Grapple, pulls the man in with grapple check of 26 (nat 20)). The third lizard growls and bears in on the lady with reptilian malice in its cold eyes, but its awkward climb on shore makes its teeth merely gnash at boot and get no farther.
Angus AC 10 HP 13 d4+1=3 d4+1=4 Saturday February 21st, 2004 10:45:49 AM
Angus is does not like being outnumbered, but seeing Tionel's alligators makes him happy. Even happier now that they have left the water as Angus is not leaving the temporary safety of the pool.
Seeing the blond women strike Tionel a cruel blow Angus unleashes two magic missles that slam into her torso (Damage 7).
Angus yells "Orphan haters! Arsonists!"
Syr (AC 18 HP 47) d20+7=10 d20+7=17 d8+5=8 Monday February 23rd, 2004 1:01:09 AM
Those watching the elf see a huge difference between the constant smile and the almost mad expression over his face. It is apparent that a good fight brings out a different side of him. Hearing the paladin, Syr shouts out "Aye, Aye, Captain!" With a grin on his face, he nods to the woman in front of him (#5) and whispers, "What he said, ok just the last part...." pointing at Emilio.
Taking a catious swipe, he misses badly however a followup kick catches her (Att 10,17 damage 8, subdual).
Party Actions - Round Two (ADM/Al) Monday February 23rd, 2004 7:53:56 AM
Bralin's axe powers through armor, and a wet meaty thwack is followed by an explosion of flesh and bone. The red red splash of blood scatters as though in panicked flight from the scene of catastrophe. The man's left arm hangs useless, but his eyes still burn with a hatred bordering insanity.
Xenia steps in with a slash at her gravely wounded opponent. Her blade parts armor and draws a shallow line of red across his side. The pain of this slight wound, however, is enough to send him over the edge, and he falls into the shallow water without a sound.
Florin stands his ground and stabs across the ten foot distance between himself and the massive Byton Ashtor. The blade of his glaive slices upwards, laying open the man's forehead. A broad flap of skin and hair hangs to the side of his face, momentarily exposing the white of his skull to the open air before blood rushes to cover it in red.
[[ OoC: BTW, Florin, you took 4hp damage from Byton's arrow last round. Please update your HP for me. ]]
Tionel chants and moves his hands and the urban druid calls forth three crocodiles to the fight.
[[ Sorry about misleading you with the AoO there, Mikey. ]]
One scaly defender (a) lashes out, it's tail lashing through the air where only moments before Xenia's opponent was standing. The second croc (b) lunges in a spray of water, and the unconscious scar-faced man dies in it's jaws. As crocs are wont to do, it drags it's prey into deeper waters. The third water lizard scrambles onto the rocky ledge and snaps at the blonde haired leader, jaws closing on air.
Angus stays waist deep in the pool. With words and a gesture, streaks of light flash from his hand, striking sparks of burning light from the blonde leader.
Syrdeth takes a quick double jab at the olive skined woman and she reels as his second punch connects solidly with her jaw.
[[ Syrdeth: Roll Search vs DC20 ]]
[[ OoC: Sorry, forgot about the Unconsciousness before death. Revised below. ]]
Anvil Heart Response - Round Two (ADM/Al) d20+6=24 d6+4=9 Monday February 23rd, 2004 8:00:02 AM
Anvil Heart Response - Round Two (ADM/Al)
Three down, badly wounded, and now, badly out numbered, the blonde woman assesses the situation through cold pale blue eyes.
"Flash it. We're out of here, people," she orders in a calm commanding voice. "Everyone on me. That's everyone, Emilio."
Before she goes, however, she takes a good look at each of the these surprise attackers. She gazes at each with her intense blue eyes, burning each face into her memory. And she leaves the adventurers with these words,
"If you're from the city, you're dead. You don't know who you just messed with. You're dead. You're families are dead. Everything you know and love is dead, dead, dead. That's a promise."
And then she retreats up a tunnel to the north.
[[ Everyone Withdraw/Double Move, except ... ]]
With murder in his eyes, Emilio stands his ground. "You keeled heem dwarf. You keeled heem. Now you die."
The dark haired brother of the downed Anvil Heart seems not to feel his greivous wounds as he throws himself at Bralin bent on revenge. This time he connects drawing blood from the dwarf. (Hit AC 24 / Damage 9hp)
[[ OoC: Florin, you get AoO against Richardo as he flees along the wall to join the Anvil Heart Group. AND, combat has not ended folks. We are still in combat rounds. ]]
[[ OoC: Important! If you wish to pursue, then I'll need you to post your speeds. Please post them with your AC & HP. Remember to include Armor Check penalties. ]]
Bralin (ac 20, hp36/45, experitse[2]) d20+7=21 d10+4=7 Monday February 23rd, 2004 8:13:13 AM
Adrenalin pumping freely now, Bralin says nothing as the weapon pierces his flesh. He's dealt with berserkers before. Its just a matter of waiting for help.
The dwarf assumes a slightly more defensive stance. As expected, the berserker has opened his own defense.
Bralin's axe flashes toward his enemy's bad side.
[hit ac 21 for 7 hp damage]
Angus d4+1=3 d4+1=5 Monday February 23rd, 2004 9:11:15 AM
Angus is not happy with the Blonde womens words, thinking of his newly adopted orphans. Thinking to himself, we better take care of them now or we are sending Gordo an awfull surprise.
Angus is contemplating leaving the pool now that a croc has reentered, but it seems busy with its death roll.
Angus unleashes two magic missles at the blonde tormenter (8 damage). Angus yells "Take that Miss Nasty! Syr do not let her escape, remember Gordo!"
Florin-AC:15-HP:38/40-Speed:20ft d20+8=14 d10+4=8 Monday February 23rd, 2004 1:10:14 PM
Florin frowns at the woman's words and calls out as she runs and spins his glaive to attack Richardo. (AC:14 Damage:8)
Florin also calls out, "Anyone got a spell to slow or stop them? We can't let them excape."
Florin will take chase as soon as he can.
Xenia(AC17-Dodge/HP23/Speed30) Monday February 23rd, 2004 1:33:57 PM
"Die, my pitutie," the dark half-elf mutters under her breath as she sprints after the fleeing Anvil Hearts.
With a snap of her fingers the short sword is gone, to be replaced by her sling again. She grips her left hand tighter feeling the hard reassuring presence of Bralin's two remaining magic stones.
"I'm on it," she calls back, tearing into the tunnel.
[[ Double move 60ft. ]]
Syr (AC 18 HP 47, base of 50) d20+4=8 Tuesday February 24th, 2004 3:13:27 AM
Syr spends an agonizing moment looking at his opponent and then takes off with a burst of speed after the leader. "You are outnumbered, surrender and you'll live!" Without waiting for an answer he moves after the leader. (Attack of Opp for #8 or no attack if she surrenders). Seeing Angus hit her with a couple of missiles, he gives a loud whoop. Knowing he is the only one with a good chance of overtaking her he sprints at full speed. (Failed spot check)
Tionel Tuesday February 24th, 2004 11:30:25 AM
Realizing he's unarmed and virtually offense-less (is that a word?), the elf sighs and stares at the action. Questions of morality run through his head...did they deserve to be attacked? They did, he thinks to himself, remembering their threats, but I don't like the consequences. We might have been able to talk our way past them...or maybe not...nothing's written in stone... But then, looking at the guy who yelled at bralin for killing his brother, Tionel can't help but feel morose for their actions. I don't know if I can hang around with these guys, he thinks, looking at his pack pursuing the enemies with whoops and cries.
The Party: Giving Chase - Round Three (ADM/Al) Tuesday February 24th, 2004 12:15:06 PM
Bralin's cool eye spots an opening and his axe strikes again at his enraged opponent's side. The axe shatters ribs, piercing soft internal organs and sending the man to the floor where his blood mingles with that of his felled brother.
Angus gestures and begins the words that will send streaks of light at the leader of this Anvil Heart crew, but she vanishes into the dark depths of the cave before he can finish.
With the longer reach of his weapon, Florin takes the opportunity presented by a fleeing Anvil Heart to turn a flick of his blade into a gaping wound from the area of the man, Richardo's kidneys up across his back to his shoulder. Injured, and trailing blood, the man still flees, trailing after the rest of his crew, and Florin splashes onto land in pursuit.
The tunnel that the Anvil Hearts have fled into is dark, but Florin soon sees the light of day in the distance. He makes it only half way through the tunnel. He is still in the dark.
Xenia quickly passes Florin and bursts out into the bright light of day to find herself hot on the heels of the Anvil Hearts. Just outside the mouth of the tunnel, in fact, she's she finds that she's not five feet from the nearest one (Ricardo-8) and 15 feet from the farthest (Byton-2).
Syrdeth takes off after the fleeing Anvil Hearts He comes in ten feet behind Xenia, just barely outside of the mouth of the tunnel.
Tionel stands, wounded, on the stone ledge looking off into the dark of the tunnel up which three of his comrades have run in chase. His eyes are troubled reflecting his doubt.
The mouth of the tunnel decamps onto an area of rough stone scree that rises behind them to form the large outcropping of rock that the party had seen from the boat. Some 20 feet from the opening of the tunnel lies the dark wall of the Crying Woods. A break in the vegetation reveals the head of a narrow trail. Byton, in the lead, is just entering it.
[[ OoC: The dark of the tunnel and now the twisting of the trail will prevent a flat out run. But these are humans. They seem unencumbered. With a Double Move to flee ... Well, I'll leave the math to you. ]]
Anvil Hearts: Turning on the Pursuers - Round Three (ADM/Al) d20+10=20 d6+3=7 d20+8=26 d6+4=9 d20+3=5 d20+1=14 Tuesday February 24th, 2004 12:16:41 PM
Almost to the tree line, the blonde leader stops in mid flight, and takes a look over her shoulder. She calls out the single word, "Catapult," and each of the Anvil Hearts, almost as one turns and moves in on Xenia.
The leader, with a sneer, comes in first with a vicious cut drawing blood that spills down the front of the half-elven rogue's dark armor. (Hit AC20/Dmg7)
The rogue's body jerks as the hulking Byton swings his short sword, also scoring a hit. (Hit AC26/Dmg9)
Richardo and the olive skinned woman both swing as well, but in the heat of the moment, both swords find only air. (Hit AC5 and AC14)
Syr (AC 18/17 HP 47, base move 50) d20+9=22 d8+5=12 Tuesday February 24th, 2004 12:59:39 PM
Seeing Xenia's plight, he doesn't hesitate and leaps at the leader trying to wipe that sneer from her face. He leap lands a kick to her shoulder (charge attack 22, damage 12). Dropping to the ground gracefully, Syr strikes a defensive pose. Guarding Xenia's left side he says, "Finish off Ricardo, that'll even the odds."
Bralin (ac 18, hp36/45) Tuesday February 24th, 2004 1:29:34 PM
Bralin doesn't give either one of his fallen opponents a second thought.
Hoping that someone leaves some kind of trail, he plunges into the tunnel as fast as his dwarven legs can carry him. I hate running
[Double move, 40 ft (base is 20)]
Florin-AC:15-HP:38-Speed20 Tuesday February 24th, 2004 1:34:35 PM
Florin continues moveing after the anvil heart gang and to hopefully help his friends. He calls back to Tionel, "I'll tend to your wounds when I get back Tionel"
If he makes it outside to see Xenia in a bad fight he hits the seal of imporved evasion, "Hang on Xenia." He hopes the seal will help Xenia out if even alittle. He also if he can, stabs his glaive into the ground and will try to get his bow which is attached to his backpack, thinking he would be better off using it if he can get a clear shot.
If Florin sees that he won't beable to get a clear shot then he will still stab his glaive into the ground and pulls his longsword and large steel shield.
Angus AC 10 HP 13 d20=12 Tuesday February 24th, 2004 2:12:00 PM
OOC - Accidental D20 roll. Al was I able to save the magic missle (first level spell)from last round or is it lost. Could I have sent them at another gang member instead, which Angus would have if he could. Could Angus at the very least have gotten out of the pool last round if there were no magic missle targets?
Angus gets out of the pool and gives chase with all speed possible. Angus will attempt to maintain a safe distance from any whirling blades of the gang members (Keep a safe distance from combat or keep group members in front of him).
Angus yells after Xenia, Syr, and Florin. "I'm coming!"
Xenia(AC17-Dodge/ HP7/23 /Speed30) d20+11=18 Tuesday February 24th, 2004 2:18:33 PM
Rather than attack, rather than retreat, the red-headed rogue, instead makes a tumbling dive between the two less intimidating Anvil Hearts, the olive skinned woman and the one named Ricardo. (Dodge against the woman if it comes to AoO.) Tucking into a roll, she comes to her feet and runs to the head of the trail.
[[ If she makes her tumble roll or if she survives the AoO ... ]]
With a snap of her fingers a short sword seems to grow from out of her right hand. She turns, small feet planted wide, a grim figure covered in blood.
"If you want to leave," she says, chest heaving, "you have to come through me."
[[ Tumble 18 ]]
The Party: Outside the Tunnel - Round Four (ADM/Al) d20+5=13 d20+3=19 d6+1=2 Wednesday February 25th, 2004 1:10:25 PM
Syrdeth comes to Xenia's rescue, his kick connects and spins the Anvil Heart leader in a full circle almost paralyzing the left side of her body. He advises the half-elven rogue with wise council.
Meanwhile Bralin hustles out the dark tunnel on the heels of the Anvil Hearts and his following companions. He emerges into the sunlight just inside the mouth of the tunnel. Ten feet away, Syrdeth and Xenia are faced with the four remaining Anvil Hearts, Xenia bleeding from an unknown number of wounds.
Florin proceeding at a more cautions rate then the dwarf, emerges beside Bralin to the same scene. He stabs glaive into the ground, and reaches back, drawing forth his bow.
[[ OoC: Angus, they were gone before you could even start your spell, so 1) The spell never happened, you still have it. 2) I'll give you a Move Action for last round. ]]
Angus, having moved cautionsly next to Florin, now emerges from the tunnel and takes up a position to the left of the mouth of the tunnel, 10 feet way from the current conflict.
Xenia, rashly ignoring her companion's sage wisdom dives between Richardo and the olive skinned woman. They both take a swipe at her as she rolls by. (AC13 & AC19/Dmg2)
Tionel remains within the cavern with the dead and dying. All is quiet save for the flicker of the torches and the heavy breathing of the summoned crocs.
Anvil Hearts: Just Too Much - Round Four (ADM/Al) Wednesday February 25th, 2004 1:13:35 PM
Dazed and wracked with the pain of several bad wounds, the Anvil Heart leader reconsiders her move. And then the rest of the adventurers emerge from the tunnel and make up her mind for her.
"Richardo," she she orders and indicates Xenia with a jerk of her head.
"Byton, you take point. Vamanos," she calls.
The massive Byton leads the charge into the woods, bulling by Xenia and simply absorbing anything she has to throw at him. Richardo looks at Xenia. He looks at Syrdeth and the others who have emerged from the tunnel. "Fegeddit," he says with a high pitched quaver of fear in his voice. "Fegeddit! Wait for me." And he runs past Xenia, disapparing around a bend in the trail in pursuit of his comrades, as fast as his wounds will allow.
[[ Once again, Double Move for the Anvil Hearts.]]
[[ NOTE: (Important) If you do not specify a Double Move, I will not give you a Double Move. ]]
Xenia(AC17-Dodge/ HP23 /Speed30) d20+3=21 d6=3 3d8(8+4+6)+3=21 Wednesday February 25th, 2004 1:34:12 PM
Bloody and staggering, the rogue readies herself as the Anvil Hearts come her way. With sword before her, she warns off first one then the other letting them slip by up the trail until only the one named Richardo is left. As he tries to pass, she takes the opportunity and swings a cut at him.
She hits another of the seals that line her thigh and a potion appears between the fingers of her left hand. Xenia's wounds close up as she downs the potion. The flame-headed half-elf tags another seal on her leg and then takes off after the Anvil Hearts.
[[ ACTIONS ]] AoO vs. Richardo - (Hit AC 21 for 3 Dmg) Seal: Seal of Helping Hand - Fetches single item from possessions Drink Potion CSW - Standard Action - Cure 21HP Seal: Seal of Quickness In Action - Allows one extra Move Action Double Move 60ft [[ EndACTIONS ]]
Florin-AC:15-HP:38-Speed20 d20+4=10 d8=7 Wednesday February 25th, 2004 2:13:56 PM
Florin frowns and will move abit, hoping to get a clear shot at the retreating anvil heart gang and will take a shot if he thinks he can hit one, "Dang it, we can't let them get away. Tionel is injured also enough that he should be healed...Bralin I know you don't like running so would you like to fall back and see about Tionel while we move ahead and try to get the last of them?"
(Can hit AC:10 Damage:7 as if I hit though.)
Afterwards Florin will sigh and decides to make use of his sword instead since his glaive will not be a good choice in the forest, let alone his bow.
Florin will take the time to switch to his sword and shield before running after the anvil heart gang, relying and hoping one of the others can slow them up till he gets there.
Syr (AC 18/17 HP 47, base move 50) d20+8=28 d20+8=11 d8+5=12 d20+9=12 d8+5=7 Wednesday February 25th, 2004 2:45:52 PM
When Xenia dives between the 'catapult' and gets hit, he lets out a gasp of worry, "What ARE you doing?"
As the leader moves to flee Syr gets in a quick punch to the back of her head (AoO 28, no crit, damage 12). Knowing that if any members of the gang escape that his orphanage will be threatened, he tears after then fleeing group again (double move).
The fact that most of the group is being left behind never even crosses the elf's mind as he is singly focused on pursuit. Easily catching up, he makes a charge at the rearmost one (Attack 12, damage 7)
Angus d4+1=3 d4+1=4 Wednesday February 25th, 2004 3:09:27 PM
Angus will attempt another magic missle spell if an opponent presents itself, prefering in order, female leader, Byton , Ricardo, and the last unnamed gang memeber. Missle 7 dam.
If the spell is not possible he will make a double move and follow everyone, but not outpace Syr.
Angus calls out "Go get them Syr! Slow'em down!"
Bralin Wednesday February 25th, 2004 4:46:27 PM
The dwarf considers pointing out the druid is perfectly capable of healing himself.
But, Florin IS battle leader. And Bralin really doesn't feel like running after a beaten enemy.
He nods at Florin and disappears back into the comforting caverns, making his way back to Tionel.
OoC - ADM Al to Syrdeth Wednesday February 25th, 2004 8:06:04 PM
Disengaging from combat with a Double Move, also called a Withdraw (pg 143 PHB) does not provoke an AoO. Also, charging requires movement in a straight line. The trail is way too crooked for a charge. So you get no attack against any of them this round.
What is possible at this point is to overtake and pass them. You have plenty of speed for that. You have enough speed, in fact, to travel 30 feet beyond them and thus stay just beyond their range for the start of their round. They get no AoO against you as you pass, as they are moving and have no footing.
If you see this before tomorrow you can change your move. The things disallowed are so major that you should consider something different. If you don't respond before tomorrow, I'll take what I see as the best option for your objective, which is stopping the Anvil Hearts and is also the action I've outlined in the paragraph above.
Tionel (AC 14, 18/39 hp) Thursday February 26th, 2004 1:15:48 AM
The thin elf shakes his head. "I will be fine, I assure you." Instead, he wonders why the gang is here... this is so fishy! The druids told them to come here, and the gang is here... though he trusts the druids due to their occupation and beliefs, he can't help but suspect something is going on that involves them working with or against the anvil heart gang...
Syr Thursday February 26th, 2004 3:04:34 AM
ok, I understand. Let's have the Syrdeth pass the Hearts and block until the remainder catch up.
The Party: Chase Through The Crying Woods (ADM/Al) Thursday February 26th, 2004 7:13:46 AM
As each member of the party enters The Crying Woods, they are instantly assaulted by the same feeling of dark oppression that they had experienced on their previous trip. A generalized malevolence hangs palpable on the air. Something here hates, and preys, and wants them gone. And each member of the party feels it down to the bone. A particularly eloquent bard once described it as moving through liquid threat.
The trail is narrow, with room for barely two to walk abreast. It twists and turns, through dense brush and around the boles of trees. This is not a place where walking would come easy, let along running.
Xenia, feeling as good as new, tears down the after the Anvil Hearts as fast as she can move. Syrdeth, however, soon overtakes her. Darting up the path beyond. He moves like a breeze whistling through the underbrush and soon flies past the fleeing Anvil Hearts, leaving them with startled looks as he passes.
The Anvil Hearts had rounded the bend in the trail too quickly for either Florin or Angus to get off a shot at them. Angus lights out up the trail after Xenia and Syrdeth. Florin drops his bow and draws a long sword before proceeding up the trail at a more cautious pace than the others.
Bralin turns back through the tunnel on his way back to Tionel. Tionel, for his part, foregoes medical attention and instead turns his thoughts towards more investigative pursuits. Why would the Anvil Hearts be here in this very spot Why here, the very place to which they had been sent?
1 - AC18 - Badly Injured 2 - AC14 - Injured 3 - AC12 - Unconscious -3 4 - AC13 - Dead -10 5 - AC15 - Injured (subdual) 6 - AC15 - Dead 7 - AC15 - Dead 8 - AC12 - Almost Dead
Anvil Hearts: Trapped (ADM/Al) d8+1=6 Thursday February 26th, 2004 7:21:06 AM
Now boxed in, the Anvil Heart leader gathers her group. "Back to back," she says, and the group forms a square with the leader and Byton facing up the trail toward Syrdeth and the olive skinned woman and Richardo facing down towards Xenia. Richardo is reeling on his feet and looks as though he is ready to drop at any moment.
"Make them come to us," the blonde says. "I've got a little surprise."
Syrdeth stands some 30 feet up the trail from the defensive square. Xenia is 10 feet down trail. Angus is 10 feet further down from Xenia. And Florin is just entering the head of the trail some 50 feet away from the beseiged Anvil Hearts.
Suddenly, the leader reaches to the pouch at her belt. She brings her hand to her mouth. Byton does likewise. The large man's wounds begin to heal, while the leader simply vanishes into thin air.
[[ OoC: Tionel, are you going to move around the cave? Or ponder the question from where you're at? ]]
Angus AC 10 HP 13 d20+10=12 d20+10=16 d4+1=5 d4+1=5 Thursday February 26th, 2004 9:53:02 AM
Angus is frustrated at the benificial magic just cast (spellcraft 12 for the cure and 16 for the dissapearance), but did not catch enough enough of it to find out what it was.
Angus curses "#&@%$" at the turn of events and casts a magic missle at Byton for 10 damage.
Angus call out to Florin "We need the fighters forward now!"
Angus will not move forward and will infact take a 5 foot step back to make room for Florin.
Angus will cast defensivly if necessary
Bralin d20+5=25 d20+2=16 Thursday February 26th, 2004 10:32:35 AM
Bralin enters the cavern to take a look at Tionel.
The druid appears conscious. "Should ye not heal yourself?" the dwarf asks.
Taking a look about the cave, he thinks of another question. "Your benefactors said the bowl was here, correct? Have ye found it? Or another passage?"
Getting a 'no' answer will send Bralin searching for the bowl or a passage or anything else unusual.
[Spot 25 nat20! Search 16]
Xenia(AC17-Dodge/ HP23 /Speed30) d20+9=21 d20+8=22 d6+1=7 Thursday February 26th, 2004 11:01:17 AM
A red-gold eyebrow raises ever so slightly on Xenia's dark brow as the Anvil Heart leader vanishes. Cautiously she backs away, listening carefully for a step on the soft earth of the trail, the rustle of cloth against dark green vegetation, anything.
As she reaches five feet, she stops. With a snap of her fingers the short sword is gone, replaced again by her sling. Loading the second of Bralin's stones, she whips the strip of leather into a dark whirring disk and lets fly at the one named Richardo.
Tionel (AC 14, 24/39 hp) d8+5=6 Thursday February 26th, 2004 12:06:37 PM
"Oh, right." Tionel grins and casts a cure light wounds spell upon himself. (6 hp!) He also spends his time looking around the cave...where is that 'source of magic', anyways? He assumes his teammates can take care of themselves.
Tionel d8+5=7 Thursday February 26th, 2004 2:31:06 PM
(Woohoo! 7 instead of 6!)
Florin-AC:17-HP:36/40-Speed20 d20+9=16 d8+4=6 Thursday February 26th, 2004 3:59:13 PM
Florin will move in on the gorup if he can and also pulls his medium steel shield from his back.
Florin will attack one of the gang if he can pull his shield and get close enough without using up one full round. (Can hit AC:16 Damage:6)
Florin also calls out to Syr and the others, "I have an idea of something that will help us with the invisible one. Just give me a few moments before you do anything next."
Syr (AC 18/17 HP 47, base move 50) d20+4=21 d20+8=19 Friday February 27th, 2004 3:28:57 AM
The elf starts forward and then comes to a halt well away from the Anvil Hearts as Florin calls out to him. Crouching defensively, he looks for anuy indication of an invisible foe. (Spot 21, Listen 19)
The Party: Face Off In The Shadow Of The Crying Woods - Round Six (ADM/Al) Friday February 27th, 2004 6:08:29 AM
The trail is more or less straight in this area, but the ground is very uneven. A charge would be impossible in these conditions. Two walls of thick daunting vegetation rise up on both sides of the trail, leaving your two groups to face off in a dark and narrow canyon. The Crying Woods is here. It knows. You can feel it. You can see that the Anvil Hearts feel it too. And, you can see that they are afraid.
Streaks of light fly from the fingertips of the sorcerer's hand and large Byton can be seen to arch his back, teeth clenched in pain. From his vantage point it had been clear to Angus that the man and his leader had taken some sort of potions. From the effects, it was not hard for him to deduce that one granted invisibility and the other was of a curative nature.
Xenia listens momentarily, but hears no sounds of stealthy movement from the group up the trail. Her sling bullet flies true, striking the man, Richardo, on the temple, felling him like a pole-axed cow.
Florin slips his shield on his arm and then moves 20 more feet up the trail. He rounds a bend in the trail to the sight of one Anvil Heart down and only two others visible. He was sure there had been four. He cries out to Syrdeth. Syr, for his part, neither hears nor sees anything that might indicate movement from the area in which the Anvil Heart leader had been standing.
Xenia is 15 feet down trail from the Anvil Hearts. Angus is at 20 feet away, and Florin at 30. Up trail is Syrdeth just outside the 30 foot range of the Anvil Hearts.
+++++++++++
Back in the cave, Tionel calls upon the powers of the natural world and draws healing to him. Even before his wounds begin to knit themselves back together, however, he is moving about the cave in an investigative frame of mind. The crocodiles lie motionless, like so much more stone against the floor of the cave.
Bralin returns, and he too begins to look around. His attention is immediately drawn to one particular area of the cave wall. It's a small section near the spot where Syrdeth had downed the other blonde Anvil Heart woman. An area of the cave wall that, to his stone-wise eye, appears subtly misaligned.
Anvil Hearts: Caged And ... - Round Six (ADM/Al) d100=4 d100=85 d100=39 d100=63 d100=66 d100=74 d100=29 d100=88 d20+5=10 d20+5=10 d20+5=23 d20+5=13 d20+7=8 Friday February 27th, 2004 6:40:17 AM
Looks like three against four now. Both Syrdeth and Xenia hear whispering from the Anvil Heart group, then they begin moving up the trail as one. Moving with a steady guarded rate, they work their way toward the elven monk. The fallen Richardo is left behind and their formation shifts. The olive haired woman and the large Byton now stand shoulder to shoulder. The sound of the groups movement masks any sounds that the invisible leader might be making. You now have no idea where she might be.
The Anvil Hearts move no more than ten feet up the trail, when, suddenly, you see each of their faces contract in fear. And then you hear it as well. After the last time, it's a sound you will not soon forget: The whipping sound of vines cutting the air.
One drops down next to Byton with a plop.
The body of the fallen Richardo is jerked suddenly up into the air. If he were conscious, you know he would be screaming.
Another vine falls from above and lands next to Angus. Limp, with a cold undead feel, it grazes his cheek before whipping into animation, questing for his life.
Yet another settles coils around the Paladin of Domi. But the weight for size of prey is, perhaps, not in this plant's primitive vegetable brain. As it whips upward to carry Florin into the air above, it's grip slips, leaving the paladin standing untouched.
The last strikes like a snake at Xenia. Were it not for the rogue's uncanny knack for sensing danger, she would not have had the wit to dodge.
Syrdeth is now 20 feet up trail from the Anvil Hearts, unmolested by vines. The leader's position is unknown. Xenia is 25 feet down trail from the Anvil Hearts engaged in combat with a vine. Angus is 30 feet from the Anvil Hearts with a vine on his tail. Florin is 40 feet down trail from the Anvil Hearts with a vine about to strike him as well.
[[ ooo, you guys rolled so incredibly lucky. ]]
Vines are AC 15
Bralin d20+4=18 Friday February 27th, 2004 10:26:53 AM Hmmmmmm
Mysteries in the stone. Bralin's face actually forms the semblance of a smile.
Softly, his large hands trace the outline in the rock, as he tries to decipher its secret.
[Search 18, took +2 bonus for working with stone]
Angus d4+1=5 d4+1=4 d20+6=17 Friday February 27th, 2004 12:50:42 PM
Angus is very concerned after his last bout with the vines and directs a two magic missles at the vine attacking him (damage 9).
Angus will call out for Tionel and Bralin. "Tionel and Bralin there is still combat to be fought in the light of day. Assistance would be appreciated..."
The dark half-elf's panic meter comes close to hitting the red-line. Her sling goes back into her belt, and, with a snap of her fingers the short sword appears again.
"AAAAAAAARRRRRRAAAAAHH!" She takes a swing at the swaying vine, just barely clipping it.
[[ Hit AC15 / 2 dmg ]]
Tionel (AC 14, 25/39 hp) Friday February 27th, 2004 6:47:16 PM
Hearing his name called, Tionel suddenly worries about his friends...particularly that rather high-pitched scream! (Angus, not Xenia. ;) j/k) He moves to the guy lying on the ground that appears to be still alive, if dying. (Guy #3 or #8, whoever is on the way or within five feet) With a soft touch, he stops the man from dying. (Cure minor wounds; 1 hp to stop the bleeding, but the guy will still be unconscious.) Then, he moves as much as he can towards the group. (If he had to use a 30' movement to get to the guy, then he moves 5' towards the group, if the wounded guy was within 5', he moves now his full 30'.)
(PS: He dismisses his crocodiles, and they disappear)
Florin-AC:17-HP:36/40-Speed20 d20+9=12 d8+4=5 d20+1=18 Friday February 27th, 2004 10:18:48 PM
Florin frowns as the vine attacks him and looks up the trail a moment before calling out, "look for the leader, if you spot her do something to mark her for the others." After saying that he taps the seal of true seeing he has that should allow everyone to see anything invisible to such for 1 round. Florin also glances once for the leader of the anvil hearts <spot:18>.
Afterwards Florin snaps his long sword at the vine attacking him, "stupid jungles/forests anyway, Tionel, you better hurry friend and bring Bralin also, his axe may be of use! vine attacks once more!" (Can hit AC:12 Damage:5)
(OOC:Everyone has true seeing for one round do to the seal of true seeing Florin just used.)
Syr d20+17=21 Saturday February 28th, 2004 2:45:37 PM
Syr sees the vines felling the Anvil Hearts and grunts, "Isn't this where I came in last time?" With a quick sigh of relief that he isn't being attacked, he tries to pinpoint the source of the vines. If he does so then he moves further away to prevent from being attacked even if it further down the trail.
Calling out to the remaining gang, "It'll be your death to stay there." Looking straight at the leader, he says, "Quickly, talk about your purpose in the cave or chose between me and the vines. I am sure we can come to some arrangement?" (Diplomacy 21)
The Party: Attack of the Killer Begonias - Round Seven (ADM/Al) Saturday February 28th, 2004 3:15:38 PM
The stalwarts from the Floating City all but abandon their attack on the fleeing Anvil Hearts as the wrath of the Crying Woods rains down from the green around them.
Angus has every reason to fear these deadly denizens of the dark woods. Yet he manages to keep his head in the face of the assault, letting loose with another barrage of magic missiles that crisps his opponent quite nicely. The vine blackens and writhes, and yet still comes on after him again.
Xenia screams out her hatred, and the tip of her sword comes away with green drops of dripping sap. But the vine is far from daunted and returns for another pass.
Florin tags a Seal, and, up the trail, the Anvil Heart leader winks into existence. Now positioned on the down side of the trail from Byton and the olive skinned woman, her gaze moves wildly around as she attempts to factor the threat potentials from both the unknown group of adventurers and the Crying Woods into one coherent plan.
Florin's swings an almost casual backhand chop at the attacking vine, cutting only air as the vine dodges easily. He cries out to Tionel, but there is at least one wall of dense vegetation and a wall of rock between them. Who knows whether the urban elf has heard or not?
Syrdeth casts about for the source of the vines, but in the towering walls of vegetation, one green plant looks like any other. The leader of the Anvil hearts snaps her gaze toward the monk as he addresses her. Her eyes widen as she realizes that Syr is looking directly at her. Doubt clouds her visage.
++++++++++++++++++
Meanwhile, Tionel's sensitive ears pick up distant sounds. Sounds of screaming, perhaps. Despite the doubts they trigger, he skirts the edge of the pool to examine one of the fallen Anvil Hearts. Finding him alive, he speaks words of magic and halts the man's slide into death.
Nearing the section of wall, Bralin finds an ever so subtle difference in the grain of the stone. Examining the subtle shift more closely reveals a near imperceptible seam. Stepping back and tracing the seam with a careful and focused eye, reveals a hidden door. The craftsmanship is exceptional. Were he not a dwarf, versed in the ways of stone, he might have passed off the resemblance to a door as some coincidental quirk of nature. But he knows better, and his eyes and hands move across the wall in search of the mechanism that he knows must be there. The catch or trigger that will swing the door wide and reveal what is within.
Anvil Hearts: Oh No, Not Again! Not Again! - Round Seven (ADM/Al) d100=65 d100=57 d100=92 d20+5=23 d20+5=22 d20+5=9 d6+3=7 d6+3=9 d20+5=9 d20+5=11 d20+5=18 d20+5=18 d6+3=8 d6+3=9 Saturday February 28th, 2004 3:50:54 PM
More vines begin dropping from above. One targets the Anvil Heart leader, falling in a decending arch and clipping her hard across the shoulder, and almost driving her to the ground.
Another drops with all of it's weight onto the olive skinned woman who falls to the ground, unconscious from the impact.
Yet another plops down right next to Syrdeth. It shudders as it shakes off it's dormancy.
The vine next to Byton gives a shudder, yet fails to raise itself.
The vine swaying near Angus swings like a club, connecting with the mage with a bruising strike. (Hit AC11/ 8 dmg)
Florin's vine strikes like a snake, connecting solidly with the paladin in a bruising body blow. (Hit AC18 / 9 dmg)
Xenia's vine whips into a circle around her, and she is barely able to duck as it tightens it's deadly lasso.
Battered and bloody, the Anvil Heart leader now stands wide eyed with panic. The creeping vegetation looks to have held a special kind of terror for all of them. It had been almost palpable in their eyes. Finally, she breaks. Leaving the fallen woman in the trail where she lies, the leader flees down the trail towards Xenia, Angus, Florin, and the way out of the Crying Woods.
"Boss, ... follow ... turtle? ... " calls Byton in an uncharacteristically lost voice, as he pelts down the trail after her back in the direction of the lake.
The Anvil Heart group with their Double Move withdraw elicits no AoO from their current opponents. They do, however, from opponents who's space they pass through in their flight.
[[ Xenia and Florin, you get an AoO against the Anvil Heart of your choice. Angus, you're unarmed, sorry. The leader is a target too, courtesy of Florin's Seal. ]]
Xenia(AC17-Dodge/ HP23 /Speed30) d20+3=14 Sunday February 29th, 2004 2:15:59 PM
Everything's happening all at once, franjit. More vines dropping out of the trees. Angus looks hit bad. The Anvil Hearts charging at her.
Xenia takes a swipe at the Anvil Heart leader, more from defensive reflex than anything else. The swing goes wide, but to her surprise, both Anvil Hearts charge right on by.
"Angus, lets get out of here," she shouts and runs back down the trail tugging at him to move along with her. "We can't fight the whole franging forest."
[[ Double Move 60ft should take her out of the woods. ]]
Syr (AC 18/17 HP 47, base move 50) d20+11=26 Monday March 1st, 2004 2:18:44 AM
Syr jumps at the vine dropping down beside him. He assumed that he was out of danger from the looping plant. Deciding that the safety of the cave is the best place for him, he sprints back the direction from which he came.
If any vines try to intercept him, he dives and rolls as a last measure (Tumble 26).
Florin-AC:17-HP:27/40-Speed20 d20+9=23 d8+4=6 Monday March 1st, 2004 3:47:32 AM
Florin frowns when the anvil heart leader and come running, he ignores the painful blow from the vine and swings his longsword at the leader of the anvil heart gang since she will probably be the hardest to hit later.
Florin otherwise tries to run as quick as he can after hitting the leader to get out of the forest, he can feel the area the vine hit him aching but is glad it was only a clubbing blow.
(Can hit AC:23 Damage:6)
Bralin Monday March 1st, 2004 11:36:58 AM
If Tionel says something, Bralin will run out of the cave to help his comrades (double move - 40' total).
Otherwise, he'll continue to inspect the fascinating door for the opening mechanism.
Angus Monday March 1st, 2004 11:38:31 AM
Angus has had enough of the forest and the attacking string beans. "I'm out of here" Angus moves after Xenia and follows the bobbing red pony tail. "Come on Florin lets go get the bad guys"
Angus makes a double move not caring that he has no weapon out. What use is a daggar against gaint string beans.....and evil gang members he thinks.
Angus give out one final yell "We are after them, everyone give chase!"
Tionel Tuesday March 2nd, 2004 2:43:41 AM
The elf frowns, hearing the faint echo of voices...perhaps this was more of a trap? "Bralin, it seems the fighting continues. Let us return shortly." He lets Bralin head with his full movement on out, and follows him. If they walk into their friends in a trap, Tionel knows he'd be better in reserve, especially in his current still-wounded state.
The Party: Run Away! - Round Eight (ADM/Al) Tuesday March 2nd, 2004 7:45:17 AM
Following the Anvil Heart's lead, Xenia begins the general retreat.
Florin, before making his strategic withdraw, takes a swing at the blonde Anvil Heart leader as she runs past in panic. The long sword catches her solidly in the hip, letting a spray of blood over the paladin's shield and armor. The woman collapses from shock and drops where she stands, once again becoming visible to all.
All of our intrepid adventurers make it out of the forest and into the 20 foot wide space of no-man's-land between the Crying Woods and the cave. Florin, just barely.
Exiting The Woods is like stepping into a pool of clear spring water on a hot sweltering day. The aura of hate and malevolence lifts and each person feels their soul that much lighter.
++++++++++++++++++
Tionel and Bralin rush out of the cave to investigate the screams. They emerge from the mouth of the tunnel just as everyone, including the largest of the Anvil Hearts, comes stumbling from the Crying Woods. In the distance, at the point where the trail bends and disappears, a lone vine hangs swaying in menace.
Anvil Hearts: Oh No, Not Again! Not Again! - Round Eight (ADM/Al) Tuesday March 2nd, 2004 7:49:43 AM
The massive beetle browed Byton clears the Crying Woods and stops for a moment to gather his breath and sob with relief. Now that he is safely out, he spares a backward glance at that dreaded forest.
"BOSS!" the cry of horror rips from his throat as he spots a swatch of golden blonde hair on the ground beneath a swaying vine, just at the bend of the trail beyond. Heedless of all else, he charges back into the murk of the malevolent forest. Reaching the unconscious Anvil Heart leader, he hefts her up onto his shoulder, and there he stands, the tip of his sword between himself and the vine.
1 - AC18 - Unconscious -2 2 - AC14 - Injured 3 - AC12 - Unconscious -4/Stable 4 - AC13 - Dead 5 - AC15 - Dead 6 - AC15 - Dead 7 - AC15 - Dead 8 - AC12 - Dead
Angus d4+1=3 d4+1=3 Tuesday March 2nd, 2004 8:22:56 AM
Angus looks savagely at the large gang memeber. "Drop you sword and surrender or become food for the forest you....." Angus trails off obviously upset with the situation.
If the sword is not dropped immediatley Angus will cast a magic missle at the lug and attempt to drop him (damage 6).
Florin-AC:17-HP:27/40-Speed20 Tuesday March 2nd, 2004 1:21:40 PM
Florin frowns at what he sees before him and looks at the rest before speaking and making a move, "Every hold your ground and be ready."
With that said Florin moves quickly back into the forest, staying a small distance from the large anvil heart, "Get you butt out of the forest now! If you get out then I'll stop your leaders bleeding. Of course if you make a move to excape though I will have no problem in dropping you." Florin will keep his shield at ready to try to take any vine blow off of it.
Syr Tuesday March 2nd, 2004 2:06:44 PM
Seeing that Florin is hurt. The elf moves in front of him to welcome the last of the Anvil Hearts back into the cave. "Florin, see to yourself before wasting any magics on those that threaten children."
Bralin (ac18) Tuesday March 2nd, 2004 2:08:01 PM
Taking in the scene, Bralin comes to a stop at the mouth of the cave, blocking the entrance.
The dwarf plants his feet, unlimbers his axe, and fixes his expressionless gaze on the large gang member.
Nobody is going into the cave without going through Bralin first.
[Ready action]
Xenia(AC17-Dodge/ HP23 /Speed30) Tuesday March 2nd, 2004 3:44:41 PM
Xenia frowns as she watches Florin go back into the woods after the Anvil Heart. With a click of her fingers the sword goes away. She pulls her sling and readies Bralin's last magic stone. If a vine attacks Florin, it will get the thing up it's planty kiester.
[[ Ready Action ]]
The Party: Compassion - Round Nine (ADM/Al) Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 12:49:54 PM
Faced with killer vines, Byton does not drop his sword, and streaks of light leave the tips of Angus's fingers striking the Anvil Heart brute with the smell of frying skin. The big man grimaces and his eyes grow wide. The sound that issues from his mouth resembles the growl of a bear more than anything that might come from a human throat.
As Florin approaches up the trail with his offer of healing and limited clemency, it is unclear as to whether the man even hears the paladin's words through the pain and apparent rage.
Syrdeth cautions Florin against waste.
Bralin and Xenia ready for different contingencies.
Tionel stands behind Bralin watching the stand off. He reaches up and puts a hand to the back of his head and considers the moral ramifications of the situation.
Anvil Hearts: The wages of Sin - Round Nine (ADM/Al) d20+5=10 d20+7=8 d100=82 d20+5=16 d20+7=9 d20+8=19 d6+3=5 d4=3 Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 12:50:20 PM
The whipping vine flails around the beleaguered Anvil Heart. It fails to find purchase as Byton just barely slips to the side (Mele touch 11 / Grapple 8 )
A second vine drops from the trees and lands next to Florin. It shoots up to wrap him in it's coils.
Xenia, sling ready and waiting for just such a contingency, lets loose a sling bullet. It flies true, and the vine quakes under the impact. (Hit AC19 / 5 dmg)
The ropy carnivore settles about Florin's body and attempts to lift him into the air. (Mele touch 16 / Beat Grapple 9 w/STR or DEX or be pulled in the air, one arm and both legs pinned.)
Byton hesitates momentarily as a vine settles about the arms and legs of the paladin of Domi. But the sinuous sway of his own vine seems to turn the tide for him. He runs. Emerging from the trail, he veers right only to find himself trapped, as the dark wall of the Crying Woods meets the steep slope of the rock outcropping.
1 - AC18 - Unconscious -3 2 - AC14 - Near Death 3 - AC12 - Unconscious -4/Stable 4 - AC13 - Dead 5 - AC15 - Dead 6 - AC15 - Dead 7 - AC15 - Dead 8 - AC12 - Dead
Syr Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 2:31:33 PM
Seeing the vines wrapped around Florin, he leaves the cave once again. Syr attempts to help Florin extricate himself from the vines by pulling on them to free the paladin (Aid Another). "Will you get back INTO the cave where we know it's safe?"
"Framblation," Xenia swears. She dips into a front pouch and pulls one of her own sling bullets. Before letting fly, she stabs a finger in the direction of the large Anvil Heart.
"You. Stay." She says, a very mean and serious look on her face.
Then the leather strap whirls and she lets go a shot at the vine attacking Florin. (Hit AC19 / Damage 3 )
Bralin (ac18) Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 4:57:11 PM
Bralin stays where he is, denying the cave entrance to the large Anvil Heart.
"You must surrender," the dwarf grates. "Or you must meet me."
Bralin readies his axe. [Ready action]
Florin-AC:17-HP:27/40 d20+4=8 Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 5:05:19 PM
Florin frowns as he is jerked into the air and growls in flusteration as he looses his longsword which slides towards Syr.
Seeing his companions worry he calls out to them, "Get yourselves to the cave and see to the brute and their leader, I'll be there in a moment. Tionel, stablize their leader..we need info and who better then their leader." Florin seems less worried then maybe he should be but figures he should beable to over power the stupid vine yet.
Angus d4+1=5 d4+1=2 Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 5:18:40 PM
Angus takes aim at the string beans holding Florin and lets loose a pair of magic missles.
"Take that vile vegatables!"
Angus then looks to help Tionel stabilize the gang memebers
Tionel (AC 14, 24/39 hp) d20+9=13 d20+10=21 Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 9:16:50 PM
Tionel sighs and reaches into the pouch, crushing wet herbs beneath his fingers as he begins to chant... (Charm person, cast at the last standing Anvil Heart man, DC 14 to save against) Looking directly at the Anvil Heart man, he completes the spell, then moves towards the man, unarmed, and with a non-threatening pose. "I understand how you feel...frightened, angry, in pain, and hopeless. Please, I do not wish more violence upon your person, or your leader." He will say more, but this is only about the first six seconds (a round of combat). (Tionel also tries to, with a look, see if the vine plant is the same as the ones before, Knowledge; nature 13) (Tionel tries to make his words as soothing and calming as possible, diplomacy of 21)
The Unforgiven - Round Ten (ADM/Al) d20+4=12 d20+5=15 d20+5=10 d20+2=15 Wednesday March 3rd, 2004 10:42:18 PM
Syrdeth grabs Florin's hand as the paladin is lifted up into the air. He heaves, and provides just enough slippage for the his friend to break the vine's grip and throw off the coils. (I rolled your STR check on the Aid Other, Syr. You rolled 12, and Aid Other is usually vs a DC10.)
It's prey plucked from it's grasp, the vine jerks up into the air. Then, before it can turn for another attack, it is struck twice, once by Xenia's sling bullet and again by streaks of blinding energy from Angus's hands. Blackened and badly wounded, still it moves to attack Florin again. Whip-like, it lashes out at Florin's head, but the blow is deflected upwards as the paladin fends it off with a bat of his shield. (Hit AC15)
Anvil Heart no longer on the menu, the other vine darts to wrap Syrdeth in it's crushing grip. The coils of vine reach for the monk, but are far too slow, and Syr easily steps away from it's grasping touch. (Melee Touch AC10)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Elsewhere, the hulking Anvil Heart stands off to the side. His short sword is in hand, his feet braced wide apart. His breath comes heavy, blood drips from multiple wounds, and from his direction, comes the smell of charred flesh.
Bralin stands guard over the tunnel, while Tionel calmly weaves a spell. The Anvil Heart shakes his large square head as the magic fills his mind. His eyes, blood-shot-red, narrow with suspicion. (Will Save 15) The muscles in his jaw jump and quiver with tension. And then a tear rolls from the corner of his eye and down his nose.
"Please help." His dull voice pleads to Tionel. "She's dying." He stands rock still. His knuckles where he grips the sword are a bloodless white.
1 - AC18 - Unconscious -4 2 - AC14 - Near Death 3 - AC12 - Unconscious -4/Stable 4 - AC13 - Dead 5 - AC15 - Dead 6 - AC15 - Dead 7 - AC15 - Dead 8 - AC12 - Dead
Florin-AC:17-HP:27/40 d20+7=23 Thursday March 4th, 2004 12:34:55 AM
Florin moves back down the trail as quick as he can, grabbing his sword and sheathing it on the way and thanks Syr for his help along with Angus and Xenia, "Thank you for your help. I'm afraid as leader I couldn't allow this man to throw away his life since he is defending someone. I hope you Syr will understand that since you know I'm a paladin of Domi and bound by honor."
Florin also looks at the last remaining anvil heart and speaks gently now also (Diplomany 23), "Sir, my friend knows more of the healing arts then I do, allow him to see to your leader and let me look to your wounds. You have my word as a paladin of Domi that none here will harm you without good reason. I simply wish some information from you."
Florin motions for Bralin to lower his weapon as to not seem threatening and looks to Syr whispering, "The man showed honor in going back to help his leader, try not to show anger for now friend. Revenge has it's course and it's time, I think for now that time should be delayed alittle."
Tionel (AC 14, 24/39 hp) d8+5=12 Thursday March 4th, 2004 2:10:12 AM
Moving forward, the elf places a gentle hand upon the woman while his other hand rubs wet ivy between his fingers... Healing power flows into the woman. (12 hp restored) He keeps his hand gently but firmly on her shoulder, so that she doesn't try to do anything stupid. Looking up, his voice soft, "Allow me to aid you next...you're wounded as well."
Syr Thursday March 4th, 2004 4:14:21 AM
The elf moves into the cave but not before picking up Florin's sword. When Florin speaks up before healing the woman, his rage is obvious, "PROTECTING SOMEONE? Mercenaries get paid to protect people, does that make them good? Thieves protect each other, does that make it right? How can you possibly justify caring for this creature before our own needs. I didn't see him hurrying out there to free you from the vine?" Still fuming, "I will NEVER aide those that threaten the orphanage!" He glares at the two wounded foes.
When Tionel heals her, he again snarls, "The least you could do is get them to tell us why they were here before we send them on their way, whole, with smiles on our faces." The short elf looks rather comical with a frown on his face, arms crossed, and glaring at the two figures.
Xenia Thursday March 4th, 2004 8:46:04 AM
Always a sucker for the down-trodden, Xenia bites her dark lower lip in consternation.
"C'mon," she says, taking Syrdeth's arm and pulling him toward Florin. She grabs Florin's arm as well and distracts him gently from his negotiations. "Um, guys, I'm not sure 'Right' or 'Revenge' are going to be the problem here. I mean, these are Anvil Hearts, right? I mean, if we let them go, they've gotta go back and report, right? And they can't lie. If I know anything about these groups it's that. These two can't just quit, go run off and hide. It would be like cutting off their own arm."
"And, like, the Anvil Hearts know us. If we let them go, you think Jonas is not gonna to hear 'bout this? And, you heard what the blonde ... " Xenia hesitates and then chooses another word, "woman said. 'Everyone we know is gonna die.' I mean, Hello. Clue time."
The dark half-elf sighs with frustration. "You're a paladin, Florin. And, I guess, what I'm saying is, just don't make any promises that you can't keep."
Bralin Thursday March 4th, 2004 9:24:52 AM
At Florin's command, Bralin lowers (but does not stow) his axe. He continues to keep a close eye on the large man, though.
"He retains his weapon," the dwarf points out to the paladin.
The talk of right, wrong, revenge, and retribution goes right over Bralin's head. They had a fight, the other side lost, and as soon as Bryton puts down that sword, its over.
"The battle is ours," he says to Syr and Xenia. "They are beaten, and surrendered. Surely now we must present them to the authorities, and then return to our mission."
The warrior continues logically, "We cannot leave them behind us. We cannot drive them before us. We cannot kill them. We must take them back."
Angus Thursday March 4th, 2004 10:19:37 AM
Angus is not happy with Florin promise he may not be able to keep, but is heartened to hear Syr's and Xenia's responses.
Angus comments "Be careful who you make promises with as I am sure Domi does not like children threatened and neither do I."
Angus looks to Tionel "Do you have any additional curative spells that may help your travel mates." Angus is obviously concerned about his and the groups injuries.
"That one" ANgus points to the women on the ground. "Has gotten better than she deserves already!"
Live and Let Die (ADM/Al) Thursday March 4th, 2004 12:08:59 PM
*** [[ COMBAT ROUNDS END HERE ]] ***
The Anvil Heart's eyes move from Tionel to Florin. At first, he shies away as Tionel approaches, less from any attempt to dodge, than, almost, an attempt to protect his face from blows which he knows he has no choice but to endure. His whole demeanor, however, relaxes as he sees healing flow instead from the elven druid to the woman on his shoulder.
He lowers her to the ground. His knees almost buckle at one point, but with gritted teeth, he lowers his leader gently to the scatter of stone scree.
The woman's eyes flutter, then open. Her arm rises, and, for a moment, she lies blinking in the light of day. Then she sees the faces around her. "Flash," is her only comment, and her face grows cold and hard.
[[ If you need healing, you might post your HP so that those party members who can do something about it will know. ]]
Florin-AC:17-HP:39/40 Thursday March 4th, 2004 2:04:26 PM
Florin frowns when the leader of the anvil heart group speaks but says nothing as he looks to Syr and Xenia and takes his long sword back from Syr nodding and thanks before speaking, "I understand your anger and we aren't letting them go. We will put them before the authorities of the Floating City. If nothing else I will leave them in custody of the temple of Domi till we return from this mission and then persue the correct course of action. I refuse to harm either one of them inless I have no other choice."
Florin looks to Syr and speaks gently to his friend, "These ones here are only pawns to do as the leader wants....strike off a enemies arm and it can still get more to come get you. We shall seek out the head of the problem once this is finished and I will aid you in that Syr."
Florin uses his lay on hands to heal himself of 12 points of damage and speaks to the Tionel, "Tionel, find out what they were doing here and also where their turtle barge is. After we get the info I will take them back to the Floating City. All we will have to do is make sure their hands are tied and tie their legs so they won't beable to run to fast and I will get them to the Floating City and come back to aid you further in this mission. I have some potions if anyone is injured and in need of healing."
Inless someone speaks up Florin steps away from the group and paces abit, wondering how this could of been handled better and hoping he hasn't just caused a rift in the group by his comments earlier or this time. He sighs to himself alittle and guesses all leaders make messups but truely wonders if he didn't just make a bigger one then needed.
Xenia Thursday March 4th, 2004 2:46:22 PM
"Um," Xenia shoots a hesitant look at both Florin and Bralin. "What are we going to take them in for? Standing around in a cave? You ever try and take me in for that, I'd scream like a cat."
She takes Florin's arm and pulls him to the side. Her whisper is quiet but intense. "When my dad sent me out into the world, he said the most important thing I should learn, was to take care of my own. And now, for the first time, I think I understand what he means by that. What it really takes to do that. I don't think this is a matter of anger, Florin. It's a matter of survival. It's a matter of protecting our own."
"I don't think we have any choice. We have to kill 'em."
Angus 5/13 hp d4+1=5 d4+1=5 Thursday March 4th, 2004 10:18:27 PM
Angus seems determined and is fuming slightly. ANgus moves over to FLorin and Xenia. "Florin you do not have to kill them. I agree with Xenia. We can extract information, but they can not live and the female still seems beligerant."
ANgus takes a step away from Florin and Xenia lines up the two enemy combatants and fires a magic missle at each. " For Gordo and the children."
ANgus then waits for the reaction from the group. " I will have have enemies walking freely to take up arms against me and those i call friend."
Tionel (AC 14, 24/39 hp) Friday March 5th, 2004 12:27:34 AM
Tionel listens to his friends get a bit wild, accuse each other, and so on. He looks at the woman, at Syr, at the guy giving in, then back to Xenia, and finally at Angus as the man throws the magic missiles at the two. He thinks, opens his mouth, and nothing comes out. He retreats from the others to the cave entrance...looking at everyone, his eyes very wide and surprised.
Syr Friday March 5th, 2004 2:46:06 AM
Syr listens to Florin's logic and frowns a bit more, still dubious. When Xenia points out that we can't have them arrested he fixes the pair with a glare. Finally, as Angus uses his magic on them, he jumps, staring at Angus in shock. Muttering to himself, "Who knew such a weak mage could harbor such brutal practicality." He turns to Angus afterward and reaches out a hand hesitantly but then pulls it back, nervously.
Bralin Friday March 5th, 2004 8:25:01 AM Stone's Blood!
Bralin moves instantly. The dwarf positions himself between the Hearts and the rest of the party. Turning his back on the Hearts, he faces Angus. His face is just as cold as the mage's.
"This battle is finished. The foe has submitted. I will allow no more attacks."
His eyes flick to Syr and Xenia to indicate, they too are under the dwarf's scrutiny.
"We must return them to the authorities. If they be as evil as ye claim, they surely desire them."
Gray Shades of Innocence - Extra Post (ADM/Al) Friday March 5th, 2004 11:40:46 AM
Both Anvil Hearts scream as bright light burns their flesh. The large one, though clearly on his last legs, growls and heaves himself to his feet. Short sword gripped like a club, he moves toward the sorcerer, and then falls to the ground, with his leaders arms wrapped around his legs.
The Anvil Heart leader leaps onto her lieutenant's back, pinning him down, her mouth close to his ear. "No, Byton. No. We can't win this. We can't win this, and we're not going to try. You've done good. You've carried us this far. But now's the time to follow my lead, ok? Ok?" The move is quick, and it may have been a trick of the light, but it just might have been a kiss that the Anvil Heart leader places against the side of her hulking minion's face. She reaches out for his hand that still clutches the sword. She takes it by the wrist and gently shakes it.
"Time to let go of this now. Come on. You don't need it anymore. Time for this is past. That's it. Let it go." The sword falls from Byton's hand and the blonde woman helps him to his feet. She looks up into his eyes and gives him a small nod of confidence and approval, before turning to the enemies arrayed around her.
"I'm sorry, but we're not going anywhere with you. We've done nothing wrong, and you have no authority. If anybody should be taken to the authorities, it's you. You attacked us. You come from nowhere and atack us. Without provocation. You killed my men."
"We're leaving now, Byton. We're going to walk out of here. If they want to kill us, they can. But we'll leave this world knowing who the real evil criminals are." She turns and looks defiantly at her foes, and then walks with a steady tread to the tunnel.
Florin-AC:17-HP:39/40 Friday March 5th, 2004 2:05:32 PM
Florin frowns and speaks quickly, glancing at Angus, "Bralin is right, this fight is over and there is no more honor in killing these people now then there is in Jonas wanting to harm the children at the orphange. If we kill them then we are no better then Jonas."
When Florin sees the leader and Bryton move on he speaks up, "Before you go tell me why you were here. We may of attacked you first but if you know what has happened between us and your leader then you will understand that much. I agreed to spare you lives also so I think asking for why you were here is not to much to ask."
Florin thinks a moment and thinks of the dead anvil heart members and sighs, "You are in no shape to move bodies also so I will help you load them atleast. They deserve a proper burial atleast since they did go down fighting. I will say that you should warn Jonas, touch the orphange and there is no force in the Wold to stop me or these people from hunting him down. If you truely think you are on the side of good then you should also be wondering why you sided with a man who would threaten to burn down a orphange and kill innocent people."
Florin looks to Xenia, Syr and Angus, "If Bralin and Tionel like we will help these 2 with the bodies of their friends and then we can continue....afterwards we can continue on our mission as we promised. If you decide these 2 should be killed then you do it with the knowledge that I'm against it and I think you should find a new leader if you decide to kill them and if this is to be our way."
Florin glances over at Tionel now and speaks gently to him, "I'm sorry for what has happened here Tionel, I thought there was no choice but to attack at the beginning since they out numbered us and figured they would try to stop us from our mission. These two are defeated however now and deserve to leave without any farther harm. If we are concerned about the orphanage then we should return and come back to finish this later."
(OOC: I know some people can take things personally so I hope no one takes my post here wrong since I'm just playing out my character's personality.)
Xenia Friday March 5th, 2004 3:24:36 PM
Xenia's eyes narrow, and she marches to stand before the tunnel entrance, hands on hips, baring the Anvil Hearts from entering.
"I don't know what you were doing here, whether it was good or bad, or whether letting you go is a mistake or not. But I do know that when I came up out of the water for a look around, you told him to kill me," the dark half-elf says with two stabs of her finger.
"He was going to shoot me with an arrow. Now I know that doesn't mean that we're right and you're wrong. But it sure as frangford means you don't get to wear that jack of high-and-mighty that you've been putting on. And I'm flashed if I'm going to let you walk out of here making my friends feel that this is all their fault."
"Yup, that's right sister, I can see you trying to talk your way out of this. My friends might be too much the gentleman to see what you're doing, but, I'll tell ya, I'm not falling for it. You're not gonna leave us here with your flash-load of guilt, and you're gonna sit right there where you are until you've answered all of our questions too. Like, how the framblation you got all the way out here. You got it?"
"Either that, or I'm gonna sock you one so hard, it's gonna make your eyes spin around in your head." And Xenia balls her hand into a small gloved fist and shakes it under the nose of the Anvil Heart leader.
Angus Friday March 5th, 2004 8:21:30 PM
Angus looks at the female gang member and then to Florin. "United we stand..... She is right. We attacked without provocation. I tried to subdue them with the wand of color spray. It was you and Bralin that spilled blood and killed them. I agree we may not be better than Jonas if we kill them, but at least we will be alive and so will the orphans and Gordo. I am just attempting to finish what you started."
Angus takes a breath to cool his hot face. "Remember Florin, IF we take them to the authorities it leaves our control. I am for maintaining the situation under our control. They could buy off the council and never pay for their crimes. I do not trust the my fate or the fate of my friends or those I chose to protect to outsiders. You may have faith in the law, but I have much less."
Angus looks to Xenia and Syr. "We should vote as a group if they live or die, but IF we vote that they live we can never let them go back to the Floating city again. If we vote to finish what we started, we need to get what information we can from them, but I doubt that is possible now, except from those uncouncious in the cave."
Angus now directs his attention to Bralin and Florin "If they are free in the Floating City, we including Gordo will have to be on our guard for assassin's until wither we or the Anvil Heart gang are all destroyed. Not a difficult choice in my book."
Bralin Friday March 5th, 2004 8:25:22 PM
The dwarf shoots up an eyebrow when Florin agrees to let them go. Not what he would have done. But, he's not the leader.
The other eyebrow shoots up when Xenia tries to bar the cave. He hopes he appeared more imposing when he did it.
Passing Florin, the dwarf whispers, "a secret passageway rests in yon cavern." He thinks a moment, and adds in a normal tone, "Would not they have arrived on yon turtle that guards the lake entrance?"
Nevertheless, Florin asked the Heart for an answer. Bralin joins Xenia in blocking the cave. He does put away his axe, though.
Tionel Saturday March 6th, 2004 2:27:37 PM
Tionel leans against the side of the cavern wall and seems to be in a pondering sort of mood. He softly hums to himself, his eyes going blank as he seems to be lost in thought.
Syr Sunday March 7th, 2004 7:23:01 PM
Relaxing slightly, he leans up against the wall. His breath and blood gradually slow down and he begins to consider the situation more rationally.
Addressing the leader, "I get rather excited in the heat of the moment. The only reason we are here now if because of Jonas' threats. There is no way that I'll feel an ounce of remorse for this fight." His eyes narrow to hard slits, "However, that doesn't necessarily mean I'm prepared to execute you."
Addressing Angus, "Flor is right." Syr emits a small sigh, "We have to let them go. I'm not quite prepared for anything else."
Turning to the woman, "Here is a simple question, do you have a name? Even if we decide to let you go, I would want some assurances that the kids will be safe." His small frame suddenly becomes very tense, "I'd want to know your name if something does happen to the orphange."
Pleading the Case (ADM/Al) d20+10=26 Sunday March 7th, 2004 10:16:06 PM
The Anvil Heart leader stops and turns as Florin mentions the name "Jonas." She looks on with a completely opaque and neutral expression until the paladin finishes speaking.
Her look is equally unreadable as Xenia moves to block her path and accosts both her and Byton with an accusing finger. She does no more than return the angry gaze of the half elven rogue with cool blue eyes.
When it is Angus's turn, she looks contemplative as the sorcerer proposes to place the fate of their lives to a group vote.
The dwarf, then adds his girth to the slip of a girl a the mouth of the tunnel, and makes a very astute guess.
Finally, the elven monk speaks his piece, asking for her name.
Three in the tunnel, three out. Her eye travels to each of the six, ending on the paladin. Her gaze lingers on him, taking his measure. Then, the stoic mask of her face breaks into a broad infectious grin, and she turns to the half-elf standing next to her.
"So, it was you in the water, eh? Who would have guessed. All we saw was a shimmering ripple. And after all the creatures that had been chomping after our butts today, it was shoot first and ask questions later. Ask your friend there about 'getting excited,'" she says with a wave of her hand at Syrdeth. "I'm sure he understands."
"I'm sure you understand too," she says, directing this last toward the paladin. "You look like the kind of man who understands leadership. How important it is to bring your men home in one piece. To their homes. And their families. To tell you the truth, we had lost two already before you ... Well, lets just say, the Crying Woods didn't like us too well."
"And it seems that you know Jonas. Well, I won't lie to you. We're his crew. Never heard of you, though. So, if you've got some fry with him ... well, I guess there's nothing stopping you taking it out on us. Or, I guess you might be fearing for someone else. What? He threatening orphans now? And one, 'Gordo' too I presume," she says raising a questioning eyebrow at the thin sorcerer.
She turns to Syrdeth. "If you're asking, my name's Johnson. Specialty Johnson. Not that it'll do you any good. I'd like to tell you that I could help you out. I'd like to give you your assurances." She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "You have no idea how much I'd like to give you your assurances. But," and she tips her head, looking askance at Xenia, "You can ask her how much assurance I can give. We have our oaths and we're bound by them. Beyond that, we have our place in the organization, and we don't step out of it. So, if you're looking to come at me for something Jonas is going to do, you might as well kill me now. I've got no say over what he does. All I have, and all I can say, is that I sympathize with you."
"I feel the weight of your burden," she says to Florin.
"I understand the fire of your outrage," she says with passion to Angus.
"I too have had to bear the threat to those I love," she says reaching out to Syrdeth with her light blue eyes.
And, finally turning to Bralin, Xenia and Tionel in the mouth of the tunnel, "So, if, after your vote or decision or whatever, you still feel that you are compelled to put us to death ... Then, at least you can do it in the knowledge, that we understand the dire nature of your feelings.
Angus Monday March 8th, 2004 9:59:16 AM
Angus speaks to Johnson in a much more even tone. "Well choosen words. I say we have several questions to ask prior to our vote. The answers to which will influence my vote significantly." Angus takes a deep breath.
"What were you doing in the cave and in the crying woods? Who are the Anvil Heart's and what is there purpose and standing in the Floating City? Who is Jonas and is he of higher rank than you in the gang? Who is the leader of the Anvil Heart's? How do you think you can go home once in the cave? Who are your companions with you alive and dead? What assurances do we have of our, the orphans and Gordo saftey if we let you or or turn you over the the authorities? Also, how many gang members are there and how do we contact them if we want to discuss anything?"
Angus looks around to the other group memebers. "Anything to add to my questions?"
Syr Monday March 8th, 2004 11:55:26 AM
Syr shakes his head at Angus, "There is no need for a vote in my eyes. Our vote was taken when we elected Florin." He nods at the still dripping paladin. "Any vote we have would be for a new leader."
To Florin, "It's your call, I hope we are doing the right thing."
Smilling softly at Angus, "However, the wiz kid here does bring up some excellent questions which I would like the answer to?" The monk continues to lean casually against the wall.
Xenia d20+1=19 Monday March 8th, 2004 12:35:55 PM
"Florin, can I talk to you for a second," Xenia asks, tugging at the paladin's arm.
"I don't know if she's lying or not. But I do know that she's probably telling us all of the truths that she can come up with that will work in her favor. And I bet there's a whole lot that she's not saying."
"But even aside from that, if we let them go, then Jonas will know that we know about whatever he's doing out here. I don't know what it is, but maybe, just knowing about it would be enough to put the orphanage in danger, you know? And, even if it isn't something important. If it makes him mad enough ... well, you know."
"I know you don't want to kill them. But, if there's any way we can just, you know, tie them up for a while."
Suddenly Xenia brightens and she looks up into Florin's face with an idea shining in her green eyes. "What if Bralin's right. What if they did come by turtle. And what if we took their turtle when we left, huh? That would take them a good long time to get back. We could even leave them some food or something if you're worried. How about that, huh?"
[[ Whoa, check out that Sense Motive 19 ]]
Tionel d8+1=5 d8+1=9 d8+1=6 d8+1=4 d8+1=3 d20+10=21 Monday March 8th, 2004 3:37:17 PM
Drawing forth a slim birch stick, Tionel moves forward from person to person. First, to Bralin, touching him (healing for 5), then to Angus (healing for 9), then himself (healing for 6). Next, with a sign of inoffensiveness, slowly touches the leader, and then her companion (healing for 5 and 9 respectively). He says, softly, "Another of your companions lies inside; I bound his wounds before he passed away." Continuing in that gentle voice, he says, "We were told there'd be danger here, and pretty much expected a fight. So, your attack prematurely launched my own companions' battle plan. Perhaps neither of us are at a fault. So, tell us why you were here, and perhaps we may find out if someone has been using us for pawns."
(I want to hear their reason why they were here...and after they give it, Tionel will say this long speech.)
Then, taking a breath, he slowly exhales, and continues on a course that he knows most will find exasperating and unexpected, but comes from his heart. "And finally, I ask this. Why be part of such a group, serving such a man as Jonas? As long as there are people like him, there will be situations like this, and people like them," (points to the corpses) "will suffer. You obviously know this, and consider what you face when you return. Perhaps you even will be killed by this Jonas, merely for what he has done to us. "Perhaps we can atone for our mistake, and you can make up this loss. "We do not like Jonas, and he has threatened to be a personal pain to us. And we do not want a gang ruled by a person such as him to be in our fair city. "So, return with us to the Floating City, and take us to Jonas. We will face off with him, and deal with our problems directly. Instead of causing the suffering of others, it will be something between our group and him. You need not involve yourselves or the other members of the trash gang, except those who would follow his evil ways." Tionel finishes and considers his own speech, then adds, "You see, we really don't want to hurt innocents or get people involved. Surely you do not wish that either. If Jonas wishes to fight us, I say that we should meet him head on, and not risk any more lives besides those who wish to fight." (Diplomacy 21)
Florin Monday March 8th, 2004 7:39:17 PM
Florin looks to Johnson and thinks of what she has said, even after Xenia pulls him to the side and he sighs still thinking before turning to look at Johnson and speaks to her, "I would like to hear your answers and also simply ask, if Jonas was dead what would you do? would you seek a better life?" Florins eyes glint now like steel as he thinks and whispers to Xenia, "I plan to have them lead us to Jonas and then we will do our best to kill him...one that is done these people will be free of him and so will we."
Florin looks to Syr and nods to him, "I'm sorry for such harsh words my friend Syr and I will stay as leader if you ask for such."
Florin closes his eyes for a moment and then speaks once more to Johnson and her friend, "I do plan to get rid of Jonas, he uses people and forces people into things, the Wold needs no man or woman like that and I will see to him not being able to do it ever again and believe all among this group agrees with that." Florin's eyes soften as they regard the pair, "I do wish to know what you wish of your fallen companions? They fell in duty and deserve to either be buried or taken back to the city so I wish to know which."
Bralin Monday March 8th, 2004 9:31:15 PM
Bralin nods silently to Tionel as the druid heals him.
The situation is rapidly degenerating into talking, again.
The dwarf waits for Florin to give a course of action. In the meantime, he continues to block the cave entrance, keeping an eye on Specialty.
There will be no surprise attacks today.
Questions Answered (ADM/Al) Monday March 8th, 2004 10:17:54 PM
Specialty Johnson pushes a strand of blond hair back off her face and tucks it behind one ear. She touches her pale forehead and comes away with a sheen of perspiration. Despite being clear of the humid miasma of the Crying Woods, the area where the group holds court is well within the eye of the mid-afternoon sun, and the loose rock scree upon which they stand retains the heat.
"You want to know why we're here. Not much harm there, I'd think. At least no more than's been done already. In the cave, on the bodies of some of my men, you'll find some waterproof sacks. Inside, you'll find some large white flowers. We were sent out here to collect them. Why? I have no flashin' idea."
"And let me explain something to all of you by way of answering some of your questions. I can tell by the look of you that none of you has a real gut understanding of what it's like to grow up on Trash Level. Even your roguee bint there doesn't have the look in her eye. We've got so little that when you get a mother's love, you look for a way to sell it. And when you fight and claw your way into a group that will protect and stand by you, that'll put you above the trash in the Trash, when you find a group that will take you from a grubbing worm and make you a human being, then you stick by it. Sure, everyone swears an oath. But it goes deeper than words. But, at the risk of my own neck, I'd say that by your looks and by your words, none of you really understands that."
Specialty locks her pale blue eyes with Florin's and explains the hard facts of life. "You think about life on Trash Level, paladin. You look at what a group like the Anvil Hearts means to people on Trash, and you tell me what would happen if Jonas died. You think it's going to dry up and blow away? Everything becomes happy roses? All free?"
"All free to starve. Everybody uses everybody else. And with the best intentions. Even you, paladin."
"Nah. If Jonas died, someone would step into his place. Maybe me. Maybe someone else. Even if the Anvil Hearts all blew away. Another group would rise to fill it's place. It's the way.
"Does that answer your question?" she says to Tionel with a rhetorical directness. "And does that tell you why I'm not telling you anything about our organization or how you can find us?" she says to Angus. "You don't find us. We find you."
"Now, your dwarf's figured out the turtle. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out that if I were at Jonas' level I wouldn't be out here in the flashin' Crying Woods. And, though I like my neck with my head still on it, I tell you now, that's all I'm prepared to say you lot. You don't get anything more."
"I thank you for the offer of burial. But we're all prepared to rot where we stand on Trash Level. It happens so often. Do what you feel your conscience demands." She folds her arms then, and goes silent.
Angus d20+2=14 Tuesday March 9th, 2004 8:56:22 AM
Angus listens to Johnson's words and attempts to sense any alterior motives (sense motive 14).
Angus turns to Tionel after being cured. "Thank you I feel much better. We have to talk about cureing enemies as a group before actually doing it."
Angus turns to Florin "Not what I wanted to hear. If we let them go they will hunt us down as a group. We have no idea how large their organization is and it is doubtful that they will give you an honorable opportunity to kill Jonas. We can take down a portion of the organization, just by holding them him as Xenia suggested. If we let them go or give them to the authorities we are in for a world of hurt and not just to us."
Angus takes a breath and continues "Florin, I am in no shape spell wise to start a battle with a superior foe as Jonas and his cronies. Also, what Johnson is saying is that she still has allegence for the Anvil Heart gang that you can not shake. We free them and they will stab us in the back. Ask Tionel about that one. We choose this fight. We let them go and they choose the next one."
Angus looks to each group member and Johnson for rebuttal.
Bralin Tuesday March 9th, 2004 12:02:27 PM
The mage is becoming irritating.
Bralin moves away from the cave entrance, forming a united front with Florin.
"This battle is ended," he announces to his own group. "Our leader is merciful and grants the vanquished leave to retire, on condition they answer his queries. His condition is met. No further discussion is required."
The dwarf takes in everyone but Florin and Syr with his gaze. "We will take reasonable precautions, but living in fear of what might be is impractical."
Xenia Tuesday March 9th, 2004 1:06:54 PM ROUGEE BINT!!! Xenia is fuming. In her mind, she can just so see herself walking over to that mouthy self-confident piece and punching her right in the nose.
Instead, she looks daggers at her, and smiles prettily. "And make them leave their stuff too, Florin. Spoils of war. They should be ok on the way back home. And it will keep them out of mischief."
"C'mon, Angus," she says, pulling on the sorcerer's arm. "We're not going to get anything else from them."
"Though, I bet if we prove that we can hurt 'em hard enough, it'll make them think twice about messing us around," she says in a voice loud enough for all to hear. "Makes it not worth the resources, right honey?" she says, smiling again at the Anvil Heart. "Knowing which dog to leave lie. All part of protecting your own, right? It's the way." And Xenia's grin broadens, showing her gleaming white teeth.
Florin Tuesday March 9th, 2004 3:25:05 PM
Florin thinks and nods before looking to the others, "Johnson, the kids at the orphanage are getting a shot at a better life as you are as a member of the Anvil Hearts. I think a leader should beable to find better ways to help people who need it as you and the others of the trash level want and clearly need."
Florin pulls a small piece of cloth from a pouch at his waist and qipes a small amount of blood from the wound he recieved from the arrow earlier, "Those kids deserve a chance, leave them out of this. I lead this group against you so any problems Jonas has should be taken up with the leader of the group." Florin tosses the now lightly bloodied cloth with the Jadenth crest printed on it to Johnson, "Give this to Jonas, tell him I will meet him in 2 days at the Giggling Ghost to speak of this matter. The leader of a group holds responsability for all actions taken. As leader I will meet Jonas in two days at noon and the Giggling Ghost. I will come alone, no tricks."
Florin glances to the others and motions with his hand for no comments to be made right now on his actions. Florin figures that Jonas will wait on any actions atleast out of curiousity on what Florin may wish to say or do at the GG. After this Florin nods at Xenia's words, "I doubt you will have any problems and to ensure nothing else happens to us I do ask that you leave your weapons and armor here, this will ensure you will not lay in wait and try attacking us when we finish here. An Johnson, I pray you do whatever you have to to get Jonas to atleast wait and meet me before he does anything rash. Remember also that if you become leader of the Anvil Heart one day that there is always a better way to help those who need it and make yourselves better then the place you lived in."
Angus Tuesday March 9th, 2004 4:35:24 PM
At Xenia's suggestion Angus casts dectect magic and scans the two Anvil Heart gang members.
Syr Wednesday March 10th, 2004 4:46:09 AM
Syr comes off the wall and places a hand on Florin's soldier. Whispering softly and with a grin he speaks with the paladin, "Well said for a leader. However, we are a family first. Where you go and risks that you take are all of ours. I appreciate how you handled the children. Hopefully, that will remain enough."
The elf steadfastly ignores the paid of Anvil Hearts and moves back deeper in the cave.
Execution of Sentence (ADM/Al) Wednesday March 10th, 2004 7:35:11 AM
True to her word, Specialty Johnson says nothing more. Her expression is flat and unreadable. Watching her face, Angus gets no sense at all, of either thought or emotion. Behind her poker face, she is effectively a blank slate.
When the mage weaves his hands and casts a spell, both rogues light up. Both of their pouches and various bits of their armor and clothing hold an edge of cold fire from the mage's spell. Even in the bright sunlight they glow. They begin stripping down. At Angus' prompting, they describe each object as they lay them upon the rocky ground. When finished, a small pile of armor, clothing and weapons lies before the group.
Xenia frowns at the pile. "Wait a minute," she says. She gazes into the Crying Woods from the head of the trail. With a dash, she sprints to the bend in the trail, picks up an object and then dashes back. It's the leader's short sword, and she throws it on the pile.
On Florin's orders, the group "escorts" the two back into the cave. Specialty Johnson looks at the six arrayed around her. She holds Florin's bloodied hanky up in two fingers as though presenting evidence in court. Then she tucks it into her boot.
The rogues wade into the pool, and take several quick shallow breaths, hyperventilating. A final deep breath and then they sink below the surface of the water. You assume that they swim with competence through the dark tunnel to the other side.
[[ OoC: Here's a catalog of the items. (so far) ]]
MW Studded Leather MW Buckler *2 MW Short Sword MW shortbow w/ 20 arrows Cloak (magic) Studded Leather (magic) Short Sword (magic) Potion w/ green stopper Potion w/ blue stopper *2 455 gp
*Al - I edited the specific magic items. The group won't know that yet -- MikeK
**Mike - Ok. I figured as long as they had the rogues there, it made sense for the group to force them to divulge what each item was. But I, it's your show, baby. You da man.
Angus Wednesday March 10th, 2004 9:25:47 AM
Angus is happy to see the gang members leave even if it is under their own power.
Angus call out to Johnson before she and Bryton slip below the water. "I trust that we will never see you again"
Angus turns to the group "Well I guess that went as well as could be expected. I truely do hope that we do not ever see them again and if we do it us under a method of our own choosing."
Angus looks over the magic items "Does not look like much I will be able to use, but some of you should get some nice stuff."
Florin Wednesday March 10th, 2004 10:13:26 AM
Florin watches the two anvil hearts leave and sighs deeply before speaking, "Anyone see dark shapes in the water or did they truely leave?"
Once Florin knows as close for sure as possible he speaks quickly, "We'll finish this and get back to town. I have some preperations before meeting Jonas. As I said I will go alone but...I need all of you near and ready. I have a plan I will go over when we return to town. If this works we will have Jonas in the open and not have to charge a rats nest to get him." Florin smiles and looks to Syr, "I'm breaking my word of honor by actually having everyone be ready for a attack but this is the only way I see of possibly getting Jonas easily and on our terms. We'll speak more once we return from this job."
Tionel d8+1=5 d8+1=7 Wednesday March 10th, 2004 10:51:42 AM
Tionel also heals the last guy that was still alive that he'd prevented from dying (After disarming him), so three Anvil Hearts leave, not two. Other than that, he doesn't say much as the others start going through the loot. Instead, he casts a "Detect Magic" himself, and begins going over the cavern. Where is that bloody 'magical thing' we're supposed to find, he wonders to himself...
Bralin d20+4=22 Wednesday March 10th, 2004 4:09:29 PM
The dwarf impassively watches the trio of Hearts leave.
He nods to Florin regarding the plan once they get back, and then quickly returns to the task at hand.
He steps purposefully to the secret door and again looks for the mechanism to open it. [Search 22]
"There is a door here," he announces as he works, "Most excellently wrought." Bralin traces the outline out for any who come over to help search for the doorbell.
Xenia d20+10=27 d20+10=15 Wednesday March 10th, 2004 4:37:38 PM
The Anvil Hearts disappear under the water in a trio of concentric ripples, and Xenia sticks a pink tongue out in their direction in a wet raspberry. Still fuming, she spends some time searching the remaining three bodies for what they might have.
Secret Door! The half-elven rogue's head pops up, and her present task is all but forgotten. "Where? Where?" she asks, rushing over to Bralin. "Wow. You see that?" she says, squinting to see the outline of the door. "Wonder how hit opens?" She helps Bralin search for the opening mechanism.
[[ Search/Bodies 27 ]] [[ Search/Door 15 ]]
Syr d20+4=24 Thursday March 11th, 2004 5:27:33 AM
The monk watches the trio leave and shrugs his shoulders, "Well, we beat them once.... we will just have to do it again."
Hearing Bralin's comments about a secret door he walks over to the wall and looks for a trigger (Search 24). He spends the next few minutes twisting, turning, and proding any unusual rocks on the wall or the floor.
Angus d20+7=10 Thursday March 11th, 2004 8:49:02 AM
Angus appears to have calmed down and is in a much better mood now that the gang has left. Angus moves over to Xenia to assist in the seach with the assistance of his detect magic.
"Xenia, I will scan for magic on the dead while you search."
Once the search is complete Angus will walk over to the door. The door seems boreing so Angus takes our his silver flute sits down and begins to play. (Perform 10)
"Not my best effort. Should have put the flute in the waterproof bag." Angus now takes time to clean his flute while the rest of the group works on the stone door.
Open Sesame (DM MikeK) Thursday March 11th, 2004 9:23:05 AM
Florin and Angus carefully watch the cavern pool. All remains quiet on the water's surface. Apparently, The Anvil Hearts are not returning. At least, not yet.
Xenia sets to searching the three bodies lying on the cavern floor. Each former Heart wore leather armor and carried a short sword. The swords are in reasonable, but not quality, condition. The armor is in decent condition, except for the recently created gashes in them. They are also not masterwork. Purses on the three total up to another 60 gp.
Tionel casts DETECT MAGIC and slowly circles the cavern. Nothing of interest jumps out at the druid.
Xenia, Syr and Bralin huddle around the secret door, trying to get it open. Bralin and Syr find the sneaky little outcropping at the same time. Their hands meet as both move to push on the switch.
Silently, the door appears in the wall, and swings outward. Behind it is a carved corridor. Both the door and the hallway behind it are oval in shape, generally about 7' high, and wide enough to allow a single person passage. The dimensions are not even, appearing to follow the contours of an existing crack in the rock. It slopes up at a fairly steep angle, but still climbable. After ascending about 20', the darkened passageway veers left, out of view of the trio gazing up it. The floor of the passageway seems to have been crafted to be slightly rough, so as to allow good footing. Layers of dust cover the floor.
An intelligence check DC 12 will show the passageway (and door) are expertly crafted. A craft(stoneworking) check DC 25, will show its not of dwarven make, but may be better.
Everyone please roll a Spot check.
Xenia d20+2=18 d20+10=25 d20+9=16 d20+9=26 Thursday March 11th, 2004 9:58:24 AM Now how in framble heaven did I miss that? the half-elven rogue pouts as both of her comrades find the secret door switch. Hmph. More concentration, Xenia. Less enthusiasm.
"Um, let me take a look at this passage way first." Already absorbed in this fascinating little niche in the wall, Xenia speaks the words half to herself. This stuff is good.
In the flickering torchlight, Xenia squats in the doorway examining the floor, walls and ceiling of the passageway. Her gloved thumb brushes at her lower lip as her eyes move. Occasionally, she breaks off her search and lifts her head to glance about like a deer raising it's head from the grass. She pricks up her ears and her low light vision roves the torchlit gloom. Then she returns to her search. She has companions to watch her back now, but the habits of a solo rogue die hard.
Florin Thursday March 11th, 2004 3:59:39 PM
Florin allows the much keener of sigh and knowledgeable on being careful look now that the door is open and he glances to Bralin, "I hate to say it my friend but you are probably going to be more comfortable in there so if you don't mind you may lead yet again. I can help pack some of this stuff or we better do something to hide it for the moment."
Florin grins thinking of the hiding comment and speaks to Tionel, "Tionel, your knowledge of the woods and everything would allow you to hide this treasure easier outside wouldn't it? we could pick it up on the way out."
Tionel d20+7=13 Thursday March 11th, 2004 6:04:43 PM
The elf hums to himself speculatively, and sighs, glancing to the dead bodies. Then he looks to the secret passageway. With his magical vision still on, he scans down the passageway for anything of interest.
Syr d20+8=15 Friday March 12th, 2004 5:25:39 AM
As the doorway slides open, the elf drops to a crouch. He remains at Xenia's side as she examines the floor but doesn't advance until she gives the all clear.
Angus d20+3=11 Friday March 12th, 2004 8:10:28 AM
After cleaning his silver flute, Angus get up and moves over to the group by the stone door, taking very little interest in it. Angus still has on his detect magic, but is not being that observant (spot 11) as he is being carefull to put his flute back in its case.
"So what did we find guys and gals anything fun or interesting?"
Bralin d20+5=17 d20+12=21 d20+2=9 Friday March 12th, 2004 8:21:24 AM
[Spot 17] [Craft 21] [Int 9]
Withdrawing his hand quickly from the accidental touch with Syr, the dwarf shoots him a look. But Syr has already moved on, so Bralin gazes up the passageway to see if he can find anything.
He actually cracks a smile at Florin's comment. "Much more comfortable," he remarks.
Like Syr, Bralin waits for Xenia to give the all clear before proceeding.
All Clear (DM MikeK) Friday March 12th, 2004 8:45:16 AM
Xenia carefully examines the visible part of the passageway. It hasn't been used in a long time, and its expertly constructed. Other than that, its just a plain ol' tunnel.
The rest of the party waits for the rogue's signal to proceed. Neither Tionel nor Angus find any signs of magic in the tunnel.
Xenia Friday March 12th, 2004 3:09:04 PM
Xenia nods quietly to herself and then swivels on the balls of her feet to face those behind her.
"Looks clear. From the dust on the floor, doesn't look like anyone's been through here for a long time." She takes her haversack out of the waterproof bag and fits her arms through the straps.
"Who you sending in, Florin? Me? Syr?"
Florin Friday March 12th, 2004 11:59:59 PM
Florin smiles and motions for Bralin to lead the way as he looks to the others, thinking to himself before speaking, "Bralin leads us through the tunnel and I'll take up the rear just incase something happens to come up behind us."
Florin glances to the pool where the anvil hearts had left through and sighs abit as he thinks to himself and wishes there was a way to set up a warning of some type. Florin snaps his fingers and looks to Xenia real quick, "can you set up something to give us warning is something comes behind us? I have some rope and maybe Angus can make it invisible." Florin thinks for abit on this.
Xenia Saturday March 13th, 2004 9:32:24 AM
The dark rogue's face drops into a small frown of concentration as she considers the items in her haversack and what she might be able to rig. Finally, she sighs.
"I could maybe rig something, Florin," she says, apology in her tone, "but it would be very easy to spot. And it wouldn't give us any warning if we moved too far away from the door."
"I've heard of a stone that you could stick to the door. It sets off an alarm that you can hear from a long ways off when someone touches the door. But they're too expensive for me to be carrying around with me now."
"Sorry, Florin. If you're worried about someone sneaking up on us," and she indicates the pool with her head, "the best I can suggest right now is for one of us to keep their eyes and ears peeled toward the back of the group. Which," Xenia continues, "means Syr, I suppose."
Then, Xenia falls into line behind Bralin.
Bralin Saturday March 13th, 2004 9:41:14 AM
Nodding to Florin, the dwarf pulls out his axe and enters the tunnel.
Syr Monday March 15th, 2004 7:08:40 AM
Syr shrugs his shoulders, unworried. "I don't think they'll be back anytime soon. I think she wants to go talk to Jonas first." The elf marvels at how silently Xenia can move when she wants to and follows her into the tunnel.
Company! (DM MikeK) Monday March 15th, 2004 8:59:13 AM
Xenia's rogish instincts are proving to be right on.
As she gives the pool a last glance, two figures surface before her eyes. At first sight, they both appear to be human males. Their equipment is bundled up in water proof sacks. They are both of slender build.
The taller one, about 6' in height, carries a bow and wears two sword sheathes at his waist. The other man, 3-4" shorter than his companion, is armed with a longsword.
No isignia is immediately apparent on either man.
Both men look to the three bodies lying on the far ledge, and then see the party.
----- [ooc - Bob and Matt, you're on]
Angus Monday March 15th, 2004 9:05:56 AM
Angus seems very alarmed. "More creatures from the lagoon!" Angus yells to the group in and by the door.
Angus readies a magic missle spell but does not cast it, instead waiting for his groups and the recomers reaction.
Angus backs away from the pool at the same time. There has been too much combat for his likes today anyway.
Xenia d20+11=16 d20+10=18 Monday March 15th, 2004 9:52:03 AM
Without a word, Xenia reaches up to tap Bralin on the shoulder. She places a finger to her lips in a warning of silence, and then jerks a thumb in the direction of the cave and pool outside the tunnel door.
The dark rogue flattens herself against the side of the door, a move which provides more concealment for herself, while, at the same time, allowing passage for Bralin as well.
[[ Move Silently 16 / Hide 18 ]]
Bralin Monday March 15th, 2004 11:48:48 AM
The black armored dwarf swiftly turns, strides past Xenia, and emerges back in the cavern.
Dwarven Waraxe in hand, he waits for the strangers to exit the pool.
"State your purpose," Bralin demands bluntly.
Florin Monday March 15th, 2004 2:03:27 PM
(OOC:I don't remember rather I stated it in earlier posts, did Florin retrieve his bow and glaive outside or should I consider them already pickedup again?)
Florin sighs when he sees the two people emerge from the pool and readies his longsword as he watches the pair, "As my dwarven friend said, what are you doing here? I see no emblem of the anvil heart on you but that doesn't mean you may not be a enemy." Florin is careful and watches the two while waiting an answer.
Once this issue is resolved and if Florin hadn't picked up his glaive and bow outside then he will go do that real quick and return.
Wynn Brightsong Monday March 15th, 2004 5:37:26 PM
Wynn emerges from the water and looks about the cavern. Three corpses catch his immediate attention and his hand reaches for his longsword. When the challenge is issued from behind him, he shifts his focus to the group on the shore.
"Creatures indeed!" Wynn moves his hand away from the hilt of his sword and takes another step towards the shore. The water is now below his waist. "I am Wynn" the half-elf says. "I do not know what an 'Anvil Heart' is, nor do I know if you are my enemies. Your actions will decide that." Wynn takes a meaningful look back over his shoulder to the three corpses. "Friends of yours?" he asks with an impudent smile. Wynn puts his sack on the shore and wipes the water from his face. "My companion and I have come in search of one Bralin Stoneminder of the Clan Corregan. Do any of you know him?"
Lang Madchel Monday March 15th, 2004 7:36:11 PM
Lang's awe of the water-breathing potion is quickly subdued as he sees the dead bodies in the cavern and the group of people challenging Wynn and him.
Lang will move towards dry land along with Wynn. Once there he will set down his water-proof sacks and his bow. Lang will position himself next to Wynn and will remain silent, waiting to see the group's response to his associate's question.
Tionel Tuesday March 16th, 2004 1:32:48 AM
Tionel, still quiet, silently watches these others, and carefully moves to the rear of the group. He mutters something very softly to himself and then sighs.
Syr Tuesday March 16th, 2004 5:12:58 AM
The elf's ears pick up and he calls out to the strangers, "Bralin, you say? That might be our long-winded friend here." He nods his head toward the dwarf. "And who might you be?"
Feeling out process (DM MikeK) Tuesday March 16th, 2004 8:15:19 AM
The conversation continues.
Bralin Tuesday March 16th, 2004 8:20:59 AM
The dwarf's eyebrows go up at the formal pronouncement of his name and clan. Ignoring the crack about the bodies, he stows his axe, and approaches Wynn.
"I am Bralin Stoneminder, of the Clan Corregan," he announces. He stands waiting for Wynn to do/say whatever it is he came all this way to do.
Angus Tuesday March 16th, 2004 9:11:45 AM
Angus looks slightly exasperated. "I thought this was a secret cave. Who does not know about it."
Cracking a smile he looks to the two new wet adventurers "You two must be great trackers to track Bralin and us over and under the water, or you have very good information. Please explain yourselves?"
ANswering Wynn "Those three departed are or were of the Anvil Heart association. Not a healthy profession. I turst you two have choose a different line of work or affiliation...." Angus leaves the question hanging.
Wynn Brightsong Tuesday March 16th, 2004 6:13:24 PM
"It is not difficult to track a man when you know where to look", Wynn replies to Angus. "Tarketh of the Alder Circle gave us directions"
The half-elf searches inside his vest and retrieves a small granite disk, some 3" in diameter and 2" thick. He hands it to the dwarf.
"Bralin Stomeminder, I have been sent by the Clan Corregan to find you and send you home. Your Chief has perished in an avalanche and all clan members must be present to select his successor. You will know my words to be true by this stone which does not lie."
Wynn takes a single step back, and then speaks to the group as a whole, "I owe the Clan Corregan a life debt and at their pleasure assume Bralin's own life pledge."
Xenia Tuesday March 16th, 2004 6:56:05 PM
Xenia steps out into the doorway of the tunnel as the guy who's called himself Wynn says stuff about stones, and life pledges, and Bralin going home.
"What? What? What does that mean?" she asks, green eyes wide in her dark face. Spying the newcomers, she's immediately kind of embarrassed, her orange red hair is tied back into it's usual ponytail, but it's still wet and all from their earlier trip underwater and up through the tunnel into the pool.
"Your not going anywhere, are you Bralin? I was just getting to like you."
Lang Madchel Tuesday March 16th, 2004 8:46:04 PM
After Wynn has spoken, Lang will step forward and say to the group of people in front of him, "I am Lang Madchel. I have been working for the Circle of the Alder for the past year. The Anvil Heart association is not a group that I am familiar with. Tarketh of the Circle of Alder has sent me along with Wynn, to assist your group on its mission in this cavern".
Lang will then step back, gather up his possessions, get them sorted onto his person and get ready to move with the group out of the cavern.
Florin Tuesday March 16th, 2004 9:40:52 PM
Florin looks to Bralin and looks down a moment thinking of his family and knowing his own father is still alive but yet lost to him he sort of understands what is said.
Florin steps up by Bralin and places a hand on his friends shoulder, "My deep sympathy over your loss my friend. I will pray to Domi for you and your father." Florin then looks to Wynn and Lang and sighs abit to himself before offering his hand to one and then the other to help them out of the pool of water while his other hand still holds his large steel shield with the symbol of Domi shown on it, "MY name is Florin Jadenth a commoner of the Floating City. Let me help you out of the pool and I am sorry for such a less then warm welcoming. I fear you will find out more about the Anvil Heart then you are ready for in a short time." Doubts anyone will comment on him being actual noble by birth since Florin refuses that part of his life.
Florin also looks to Xenia and smiles saddly to her, "If you can carry some or all the stuff we gathered from our battles then please do. Also this is a matter Bralin must attend. Everyone but me and those who maybe have no parents or don't like their parent would attend a funeral or for a dwarf what they do as the rites." Florin smirks only slightly and whispers to himself more then anyone, "I would dance on my fathers grave if he died."
Hello, Goodbye (DM MikeK) Wednesday March 17th, 2004 10:42:47 AM
Bralin silently accepts the disk from Wynn and stares at it a moment. Covering it with both hands, he makes some kind of movement, and the disk splits in two. On each piece, intricate runes are carved in the stone. The dwarf looks them over, sighs, and turns to Florin.
"Tis not my sire who died. Yet, I have been summoned and must depart."
The dwarf reaches into his pack and withdraws four vials, which he hands to the paladin. One is the ointment of healing (Keoghtem's Ointment -- 3 applications), and the other three are healing potions (Cure Light Wounds).
"I held these for the group. They are yours."
Bralin gives Florin a handclasp, pulls him closer, and says in a low voice, "Ye lead well. Trust yourself, and ye shall continue."
The dwarf works around a circle, silently shaking hands with the rest of the group, and asks Tionel for a shot from the Water Breathing wand.
Finally, he turns to the newcomers.
"Wynn," he announces, "know ye that I have pledged my arm to this company for 5 times 100 days, and have served but 20. The charge is now yours."
With that, Bralin Stoneminder walks into the pool, sinks beneath the surface, and disappears.
Leaving the group standing in a torch lit cavern next to the opening of a very dark tunnel. Oh, and Florin's weapons are outside.
[Wynn and Lang - make a Spot check please]
Angus d20+7=10 Wednesday March 17th, 2004 11:30:49 AM
Angus is caught off guard as he always wants friendly warriors around him. "You are leaving us Bralin?" Angus takes his hand and says in dwarvish "Long life and may earth be steady under you feet for all of your days." Switching back to common. "Bralin, I time together was not long, but I wish to call you friend. Good luck in you travels and your task at hand. I am sure your clan will benifit from your wisdom as our small group has. THis is not good bye, but till we meet again." Angus takes Bralins sturdy hand in his frail one and shakes it with as much strenght as he can muster.
Angus moves off and takes out his silver flute while everyone says there goodbyes. Angus is racking his brain for a dwarvish traveling tune. (Perform 10) Not Angus's best effort, but then again he does not know any dwarven traveling tunes that start in the water, so he is making it up as he goes.
Xenia Wednesday March 17th, 2004 11:44:56 AM
Xenia's dark lips pull into a pout as Bralin starts talking about leaving. I mean, sure, he's kind of cranky, and he doesn't talk a lot. But, he's kind of cute. And he's steady, and he's sensible, and, in this way, he reminds her of her father.
When he comes to her for goodbyes, her eyes get kind of watery, and she kneels in front of him, wrapping him in a big hug. "G'bye, Bralin. Don't, don't forget to, like, you know, get rest and drink plenty of liquids," she says quietly to the dwarf. Then she stands aside and watches until he disappears beneath the dark surface of the water.
Xenia is quiet after Bralin's departure. She looks at the two newcomers with interest, but says nothing. Following Florin's request, she goes to where they stashed the Anvil Heart gear and fits as much as she can into the dimensional voids of her haversack.
Florin Wednesday March 17th, 2004 1:40:42 PM
Florin takes what Bralin says with a respectful nod and looks to the others now as he heads out of the cave long enough to grab his glaive and bow, putting them both up before coming back into the cave and looks to the rest of the group once more. Deciding it is best to finish this matter so he can make plans of what to do with up comming events he speaks gently, "With Bralin gone we have few now I think with night vision. If no others can scan ahead well then I will lead us through the tunnel and hopefully we will find the item we seek shortly."
Florin glances to Wynn and Lang unfortunetly not knowing these two well yet so he smiles abit, "I hope neither of you mind my request of you being in the middle of the group. I do not know either of you yet or your combat capabilities." Florin hopes that the two new people will understand his comment considering for now Florin is still acting leader of the party, he just hopes his decisions will be good ones and hopes that the latest ones are good ones.
Xenia Wednesday March 17th, 2004 2:40:40 PM
"Um, Florin, maybe we should just have Angus make us a light," Xenia suggests.
"We can even hide it a bit at the end of the line. Me and Syr and Tionel can see pretty far with just a tiny bit of light."
Wynn Brightsong d20+6=21 Wednesday March 17th, 2004 6:48:00 PM
Wynn waits for Bralin to say his goodbyes and when the dwarf tells him of his life pledge he accepts it with a nod of his head. "I would ask a favor of thee" the half-elf replies, "my family does not know my fate. They may believe me dead after the loss of our ship. Please get word to them at the Brightsong Trading Co. in Magpie Crossing". Wynn removes a gold earring in the shape of a musical clef and places it in Bralin's hand, "it was a gift from my mother and she will know it."
Wynn watches Bralin disappear into the water before scanning his surroundings [Spot=21].
"The middle of the pack is acceptable to me. I am proficient with sword and bow, and I can cast a few simple spells." His comments are directed to the large man with the black pony tail and the symbol of Domi.
Wynn shoulders his pack after stowing the waterproof sack that had protected it. He inspects his longsword before sheathing it and restrings his bow. The bard acknowledges the group around him, offering his hand to each in turn. He lingers momentarily when greeting the dark-skinned half-elf, his eyes hold hers for a moment, a smile graces his lips.
Angus Wednesday March 17th, 2004 9:07:50 PM
Angus ears perk up. "Xenia you need a light!"
Angus pulls his never used daggar and cast a light cantrip on it and hands it to Xenia very dramatically
Lang Madchel d20+5=11 Wednesday March 17th, 2004 9:57:54 PM
Lang will step to one side and silently look around the cavern (Spot = 11) and watch as the group says goodbye to their companion Bralin. As Bralin sinks into the depths of the pool, he will remember his own sad farewells from his family as he went off to find his place in the Wold.
When Florin addresses Lang and Wynn he will step forward and say, "I too have some skill with sword and bow. And if the need arises I also have the ability to track. A position in the middle of the group will be good as I will be able to provide cover fire with my bow".
Lang will finish gathering his gear, checking for any possible water damage. He will then string his bow. As Lang takes his spot in the middle of the group, he will shake hands and greet everyone.
Tionel d20+2=12 d20+2=14 Thursday March 18th, 2004 1:22:11 AM
The normally quite outspoken and cheerful elf seems locked into a quiet reservedness.
Syr Thursday March 18th, 2004 4:23:31 AM
The elf snaps out of his revere and clasps Bralin warmly before he leaves. After he is gone he walks over to Tionel, "Do ya think you should have used that wand thing? I'm not quite sure how he is supposed to swim to the surface with all that armor and a short amount of air?" Grinning he nudges the other elf, "You okay? I've never known you to be silent.... especially around strangers."
After waiting for an answer he moves to the newcomers, with plenty of energy, he holds out a hand, "I'm Syrdeth but most call me Syr. If you have half the honor of Bralin, you two should be alright."
Tionel Thursday March 18th, 2004 8:26:32 AM
Tionel ponders that perhaps it would teach the dwarf a lesson in humility to swim without the wands effects, to see how it felt to suffer needlessly at the whims of others, and then feels bad for wishing that pain upon another...he taps the dwarf with the wand, saying the word to activate it, and letting him begone, not replying to Syr's comment.
Waiting for the Go (DM Mike) Thursday March 18th, 2004 9:24:13 AM
Wynn gives a final request to Bralin, who nods in acknowledgement before he disappears.
Most of the group discusses strategy while Tionel harbors some doubts.
The tunnel beckons. The newcomers can see it is wide enough for just one person at a time as it climbs into the gloom.
[Need marching order, and who's holding a light]
Xenia Thursday March 18th, 2004 10:20:48 AM
"Hi, um, my name's, uh ... uh, Alexandria. Uh, Alexandria Merryman Next," the half-elven girl stammers as the bard meets her eyes. "But, but, call me Xenia. I mean, too. I mean, everyone calls me Xenia." If her skin weren't so dark, her face would probably be as red as her hair.
She extends a gloved hand to Lang as well. "Hi, my name's Xenia," she says, much more in control of herself now.
Xenia grins at the glowing dagger that Angus hands her. "Neat trick. Somebody else want to hold this, though? I don't need to hold it to see, and I'd rather not be lit up like a festival lantern."
"I think either me or Syr should go first. But, if you're bound and determined, Florin," she says touching the paladin's arm, "you should have me, or Syr or Tionel behind you. We see better in the dark."
[[ OoC: Not in character for Xenia to say this sort of thing, so I'll OoC. How about Xenia or Syrdeth first with Florin second wielding his glaive for extra reach. Don't know about the middle, but either Xenia or Syr on the end to watch the party's back. Maybe someone good with a bow second to the end to work in concert with the rear guard. [[ How tall is the tunnel, Mike? Tall enough for a certain girl rogue to climb over, say a six foot paladin?
DM MikeK says, roughly 7ft. Florin would have to crouch or go prone. Tunnel has at least one twist, you can't see beyond that]]
Angus Thursday March 18th, 2004 10:43:46 AM
Angus yawns "Marching order. Put me in the middle. I want to be surrounded by friendly warriors. I can hold my daggar, but will drop it if it comes to combat. Can't have the daggar slow me down."
Angus waits for everyone else to get ready as he already is.
OOC: How much spacing between group memebers? Also, did the tunnel twist and turn or was it straight?
Wynn Thursday March 18th, 2004 6:51:00 PM
"Xenia it shall be then", Wynn releases her hand and takes up position next to her. "I wish I had asked Bralin what the nature of this quest is" the half-elf thinks to himself.
Lang Madchel Thursday March 18th, 2004 8:43:50 PM
Lang will say to Xenia, "I will hold the dagger if you would like and take a position near the back of the group. I am capable of fighting with it along with one of my short swords. If need be, I can drop it and use my bow instead. Plus my vision in the dark is poor so I do not mind having the light near me".
"Florin" asks Lang, "Do you mind telling Wynn and I what we should be looking for? Tarketh did not supply us with that much information".
Lang will then take a spot in front of who ever decides to go last in the line.
Florin Thursday March 18th, 2004 11:24:57 PM
After retrieving his bow an glaive he listens to what is commented on by Xenia and nods. keeping his sword and shield ready instead though.
Florin glances to Lang and Wynn and smiles, "The druids believe there is some source of magic down here that will get rid of the poinsonous flowers growing on the trash level of the Floating City. We are hunting for this item in return for them to move a sea monster and it's eggs from the flood lock of the trash level. Since the mother sea monster was guarding it's eggs we though it best to find a peaceful way around the issue."
Florin thinks of the members of the group and nods before speaking, "Okay, Xenia is more agile and her skills may come in handy in the front so Xenia will lead, I'll go next Angus behind me with your light please..the rest should be Tionel, Lang, Wynn and Syr. If this formation is okay then we should get moving." Florin smiles to Xenia and taps her shoulder gently after his comment on her skills, hoping his gentle nudge about her skills will help her in agreeing if not just get a smile from her.
Xenia d20+10=12 d20+9=12 d20+9=24 Friday March 19th, 2004 12:33:20 AM
Xenia smiles and nods at Florin. She starts into the tunnel and then suddenly turns.
"The Flowers!" she shouts excitedly. "That Anvil Heart. She said they were here to collect flowers. Maybe that's how they're getting into the Trash Level. The Anvil Hearts are bringing them in. And, and, maybe some of them, some of them, you know, escape and go wild."
...
"Can flowers escape?" Still puzzling the question, Xenia turns and enters the tunnel, her eyes and ears alert for danger.
[[ Search(Traps) 12 / Spot 12 / Listen 24 ]]
Syr Friday March 19th, 2004 10:09:21 AM
Syr smiles at the marching order and falls into line in the tunnel. Still a bit unsure of the newcomers, he keeps a wary eye on them from his position in the rear.
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