Combat Round 2 - DM Donna d20=11 d20+12=27 d10+5=9 d6=5 d20+6=10 d20+6=18 d20+6=19 d20+6=17 d20+6=15 d20+12=29 d6+5=7 d20+6=13 d20+2=18 d20+6=9 d20+2=16 d20+6=24 d20+2=10 d6+2=3 Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 8:24:24 AM
Gunther damages his opponent.
Ingrge hears a mirthless, mocking laugh and sees his fireball do naught but engulf the trees that the unseen spellcaster used for cover.
"Oh, my--it looks like that hurt." the familiar-looking human says mockingly--completely unharmed by the spell. Ingrge recognizes the face of the man as well as his distinctive robes: it is Holdrin, Cleric of Caeroldra and a member of the Hands of Love. "Not a very loving way to treat your precious forest, is it, elf?" Holdrin withdraws backwards, into the unburned forest, giving the elven weapon mage an irritatingly jaunty wave as he goes.
Athalorn's spell summons five black bears from within the Culverwood--whom converge on the spot that the arrogant cleric is withdrawing into. Ingrge registers the sound of a yelp of surprise and several bear growls/roars.
Figment is steps away from the outer fringes of the aftermath of Ingrge's Fireball spell when he is halted in a most unpleasant manner: a slimy, clawed, invisible hand tightly wrapped around his throat.
"Give Gargul the regards from the Abyss...!" hisses a voice softly in Draconic as the hand squeezes tightly, the spoken words releasing a fetid stench that would ordinarily make Figment gag--IF he were able to breathe. Figment suffers 7hpd and must make a Strength check versus DC21 to break his equally invisible foe's grip.
Lian's tumble has him pop up to his feet, wisely using the cover of the forest to his advantage, but he can clearly see to the north of his position burning trees and a familiar-looking human in a Hands of Love robe surrounded by black bears clawing at him, as well as Ambusher #6 to the south. #6 is turning and aiming his bow at K'Nara, who is engaging #5.
Brother Bert's spell detects overwhelming evil quite close by, and as the doughty dwarven cleric advances towards it, he catches a sound and a smell--the sound being that of a mocking sort of hiss (Bert doesn't speak Draconic, so he can't recognize it as such,) and the smell being the foul odor of a seven-day-old corpse rotting in jungle heat.
Milo manages to tag his opponent and Olana appears close by to back the halfling up. (Although she didn't get to SEE it herself, the arrows Olana fired didn't seem to do any damage to the revealed Cleric of Caeroldra.)
Falin's arrows strike true.
K'Nara--drawing her sword and leaping at Ambusher #5 as she screams "Lucia!!!" The Flaming Sword smacks into the man, doing a total of 14hpd.
Ambusher #1 curses out loud: "The stupid wizard went invisible!!!" Then he aims his arrows at Brother Bert, missing both times.
Ambusher #2--bleeding heavily--returns Falin's fire, but his archery skills are lacking this time around.
Ambusher #3 drops his bow and draws a short sword, his eye firmly fixed on Milo.
Ambusher #4 drops his bow and draws a long sword, preparing to do battle with Gunther.
Ambusher #5 drops his bow and also gets out a long sword, arming himself against the tall dancing swordswoman in front of him.
Ambusher #6 aims at K'Nara, since Figment is no longer visible to him: one of his arrows grazes K'Nara for 3hpd.
K'Nara now has 98 out of 101hp.
"Use the forest for cover..!" K'Nara shouts as she keeps her eye on #5. "Get out of the clearing!"
Gunther (AC20, HP 64/64) d20+15=18 d20+10=27 d12+7=18 d6=1 d12+7=12 d6=5 Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 9:19:17 AM
Nodding at the wisdom of K'nara's words, Gunther takes a 5 foot step into the forest before unleashing a full attack on his opponent. It takes a little while to get used to the unusual heft of the bulky weapon, as is evident in Gunther's attack (AC 18 for 19, AC27 for 17). Still, Gunther is pleasantly surprised by the raw power of the weapon as it slices toward #4. He smiles at his opponent. "Sometimes love is tough."
Athalorn (AC 17 HP 77/77) d20+19=28 Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 10:15:50 AM
(ooc: Donna - are you rolling for the black bears? Or do you want me to?)
Athalorn screeches in horror when he sees some trees burst into flame at Ingrge's spell. He can't think how to stop the fires, so instead, rising slightly to get a look at over the area looking for the creature at position #1. He calls forth the power of the forest once again to his mind (cast call lightning storm).
Lian 43/47 hps(AC 25, flat footed AC 25, Touch AC 25) d20+16=35 d20+20=22 d20+8=12 d20+4=24 Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 5:55:59 PM
(Elixer of Hiding 1 hour)
As much as he'd like to get his hands on Holdrin, #6 looks closer, so he leaves Holdrin's fate up to Ingrge. The mage will shut up that arrogant prude.
The elf concentrates and heals himself (Standard Action).[Heals 18]
The monk moves just under the profile of the brush, South toward #6 (Move Action).[Hide 35, Move Silently 22, Spot 12, Search 24]
Brother Bertram [Sub Jay B] (AC 19, 73hps) Detect Evil Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 6:10:04 PM
The dwarf concentrates on the position of the evil above him. He tries to pin down the target and distance above without actually looking up.
Figment (57/63 HP, Invisible) d20+1=6 d20+7=23 d4+2=4 Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 6:44:22 PM
With a thought the mage releases his Invisibility spell so his compatriots can see his dilemma after he miserably fails to break the grip. He draws out his daggar and begins to saw on the wrist of his attacker (Hit 23, 4 DMG).
Milo d20+16=31 d20+16=18 d20+11=18 d4+2=4 d4+2=3 d4+2=3 5d6(2+2+5+4+3)=16 5d6(5+5+4+1+6)=21 5d6(6+1+5+6+3)=21 Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 7:58:16 PM
A grim look on his face, Milo steps 5 feet around assailant number 3, and waits for Olana to do the same, taking up a flanking position. He then cuts loose with his tiny sword, and it becomes a blur of death. (OOC: Hit AC 31, 18, and 18 for 20 hps, 24 hps, and 24 hps respectively).
Ingrge d20+13=32 d20+13=25 d20+13=28 12d6(4+3+3+5+3+5+6+5+4+4+3+5)=50 Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 9:28:32 PM
Seeing Figment's plight, Ingrge sends three scorching rays directly into his opponent AC 32, 25 & 28 for 50 points of damage - No Save
Olana d20+12=25 d20+7=26 d8+3=10 d8+1=4 Thursday November 4th, 2004 12:42:51 AM
Pulling her longsword and flanking Milo, Olana brings it to bear on Bad Nasty #3.
AC 27(incl flank) and AC 26 for 10 and 4 DAM
"This is ridiculous," she hisses. "Is the entire Emerald Kingdom after our hides?"
Combat Round 3 - DM Donna d20+6=14 d20+6=13 d20+15=35 d20+15=24 d10+6=12 d10+6=14 d6=3 d20+6=14 d20+6=24 d20+6=9 d20+6=17 d20+6=20 d20+6=11 d20+6=10 d20+6=15 d20+6=11 d20+6=25 d20+6=26 d20+2=3 d20+6=24 d20+2=13 d6+2=3 d6+2=7 d20+6=24 d20+2=6 d8+4=7 d20+6=22 d20+6=12 d20+2=4 Thursday November 4th, 2004 2:47:29 PM
Gunther's attack is partially successful, but #4 is still standing.
Athalorn and Glannath can feel and smell the build-up of ozone in the air.
Lian finds himself within strike range of #6.
Bert is pretty sure that the evil-smelling Evil is about in front of him--the sudden appearance of Figment dangling almost a foot off the ground seems to confirm that there's an Invisible, Stinky Evil in front of him.
Between Milo and Olana, there is a bloody pile of flesh and bone that used to be a Hands of Love flunkey.
Ingrge's Scorching Rays strike at the likeliest place where the Invisible Stinky Evil must be standing...yet all that happens is that Bert seems to think that the Stinky part diminishes briefly and (now that there are three Talons aware of an Invisible Stinky Evil) sibilant laughter is heard, along with a rather cold and frightening assurance in the Draconic language: "I'm not impressed..."
*Something invisible has your mule-headed wizard by the throat!!!* Lucia's mental voice warns K'Nara, who looks over her shoulder in time to see Ingrge's Rays strike nothing.
"Where..?" K'Nara demands, wishing she could see it--then, suddenly, her hazel eyes open wide...because now she CAN see it: a tall, gaunt, rotten-looking humanoid whose head was adorned with a pair of black horns that curved back away from its face--a face that had a pair of cruel, glittering eyes and a mouth (fully half of the space on the face) full of long sharp teeth.
Though it opens her to a couple of Attacks of Opportunity from #5 (which both miss), the human bladesinger charges back across the clearing, whirling Lucia to deadly effect (OOC: a crit hit that deals 26hpd and 3hp fire damage.)
NOTE: The Invisible Stinky Evil is still invisible--K'Nara's using See Invisibility via her sword to be able to see what had Figment in a death grip.
The black bears still surround Holdrin and each of them try to maul the handsome but evil cleric--but none of their claws seem to be able to penetrate the colorful light that shields the man. (OOC: I'm rolling for the bears.)
Ambushers #1 and #2--true to the shouted orders of Holdrin--target the now-visible Figment and let fly four arrows. Though only two of them strike the wizard, they deal a total of 10hpd.
#4 strikes back at Gunther, one blow (AC24) striking for 7hpd.
#5--now that K'Nara has chosen to fight the Unseen Assailant--comes to the aid of #6 and strikes once at Lian, missing the monk by a mile.
#6 takes a five-foot-step back and fires his arrows at Figment just as his fellow ambushers did, only the chaos of the battlefield ruins his aim and Figment remains unscathed...this time.
Holdrin--unharmed by the persistent wildlife that surrounds him--shouts in Draconic: "Well? Does he have it???"
The Invisible, Stinky Evil growls back in the same tongue: "I detected no artifact upon him...in fact--there seems to be no such aura here at all." The voice sounds sorely aggrieved to have suffered a physical attack instead of laughing off magic ones.
"Then begone--leave these fools!" Holdrin yells once more in Draconic, and then mutters something with a gesture. (All those with that handy-dandy Spellcraft skill make a check versus DC17 to tell that Holdrin is casting Word of Recall.)
Holdrin disappears...as does the Invisible, Stinky Evil from K'Nara's sight and from both Brother Bertram's and Figment's range of smell.
Gunther (AC20, HP 57/64) d20+15=35 d20+15=18 d20+10=13 d12+7=10 d6=5 Thursday November 4th, 2004 4:54:21 PM
Focusing entirely on his opponent, Gunther once more wages a full attack, bringing the gigantic axe down in two slices. His first strike hammers home (AC35/18...prob. not a crit for 15) while his second attack bounces uselessly off the man's armor (AC13). Gunther grins a feral grin at the man, waiting for his attack.
Lian 43/47 hps(AC 25, flat footed AC 25, Touch AC 25) d20+13=20 d20+13=32 d20+10=27 2d6(1+1)+2=4 2d6(2+6)+2=10 2d6(1+3)+2=6 Thursday November 4th, 2004 5:34:45 PM
(Dodge vs #6, AC 26) The monk notices #5 step up and take some bad swing. The graceful monk stands straight up and starts pummeling #5 with blow after blow.(AC 20(stunning attack), 32(stunning attack) and 27 for 4, 10 and 6 damage... stunning attack DC 19 fort) "Here are my Fists of Love you moron." Says the smiling monk.
Brother Bertram [Sub Jay B] (AC 19, 73hps) Detect Evil d20+11=31 d20+11=22 d10+5=9 d10+5=12 d6=3 d6=1 d6=1 d6=1 Thursday November 4th, 2004 6:13:05 PM
"Bah!" Says the dwarf in disgust as he swings around and sees three fronts of combat.
He moves toward #1 and swings his axe once. (AC 31(crit threat 22) for 9 (21 if crit), if #1 is chaotic he takes 6 more damage)
OOC: Donna, Mark still has the feat Ambidexterity on his sheet. Shouldn't that get changed?
Milo d20+18=25 5d6(4+1+4+3+4)=16 d4+2=5 Thursday November 4th, 2004 8:18:48 PM
Milo's grin is feral, "Let them come Olana, I'm ready." With that the halfling charges into a flanking position opposite Gunther, and jabs the big man's assailant in the back, twisting the blade. (OOC: Hit AC 25 for 21 hit points damage.)
Olana (69/69 AC 20) Friday November 5th, 2004 12:27:28 AM
Stalking toward assailant #2, she's unaware of the recall and if this particular creature will disappear, too.
"Don't run!" she growls at #2. "There are questions we'll be needing answers to."
Athalorn 5d6(3+3+6+2+2)=16 Friday November 5th, 2004 5:25:00 AM
Athalorn focuses on the spell in his mind, and brings a bolt of lightning to the point where #2 is standing. (16 damage)
Athalorn 5d6(3+3+6+2+2)=16 Friday November 5th, 2004 5:25:19 AM
Athalorn focuses on the spell in his mind, and brings a bolt of lightning to the point where #2 is standing. (16 damage)
DM Donna Friday November 5th, 2004 8:15:49 AM
ooc: there are a few people who need to post.
Glannath Friday November 5th, 2004 11:37:26 AM
The great eagle wheels around in a circle, his eyes on the lookout for threats to his companion.
Falin d20+22=23 d20+17=26 d8+3=9 Friday November 5th, 2004 12:21:20 PM
Falin draws and fires at #2 again.
(Rolled a natural 1 on the first roll and hit AC 26 with the second as long as I didn't shoot myself with the botch.)
(Damage 9 points)
(OCC: sorry. None of my posts here yesterday would post.)
Figment Friday November 5th, 2004 4:57:49 PM
The mage falls to the ground gasping for breath - knowing he now has a cleric to track down and kill at some point. So much for being merciful to evil...
Combat Round 4 -- DM Donna d100=23 d20+5=7 d20+6=25 d20+6=12 d20+15=31 d10+5=13 d6=6 d20+6=12 d20+6=26 d20+6=25 d6+3=4 d6+3=9 d20+6=13 d20+6=9 Sunday November 7th, 2004 12:53:36 PM
Brother Bertram's blows do not connect--because he finds himself fumbling with his weapon and it slips from his grasp.
#1 drops his bow and pulls out a long sword, calling the dwarf's parentage into question in the dwarf's own language.
Between Athalorn's lightning and Falin's arrow, Olana's threat falls on deaf ears, as #2 falls to the ground.
Between Gunther and Milo, #4 is effectively killed.
Lian's opponent (#5) resists the stunning effect the first time the monk hits him, but not the second, so he cannot strike back this round.
K'Nara--after glancing down to make sure that Figment isn't seriously hurt (and he isn't, thank goodness!)--leaps at #6, swinging her fiery blade at the archer even as he tries to aim at the prone wizard on the clearing floor. She connects, doing 13hpd and 6hp fire damage. Her opponent drops his bow and reaches for his long sword, pulling it from its scabbard.
The five black bears, smelling that Holdrin and the Invisible Stinky Evil are gone, split up and run at #1 and #5 respectively.
Two of the bears claw at #1, doing 13hpd total.
Bears "d" and "e" try to claw #5, but both miss.
Milo Sunday November 7th, 2004 1:11:00 PM
Milo takes a double move, moving forty feet across the clearing to challenge assailant 2. His look of grim determination is broken only when he quickly turns his head toward Olana long enough for a playful wink.
Lian 43/47 hps(AC 25, flat footed AC 25, Touch AC 25) d20+13=31 d20+13=15 d20+10=26 2d6(6+5)+2=13 2d6(2+1)+2=5 2d6(4+5)+2=11 Sunday November 7th, 2004 6:33:54 PM
(Dodge vs #6, AC 26) (2 of 10 stunning attacks used)
Lian strikes out at the stunned and teetering #5. (AC 31, 15 and 26, for 13, 5 and 11 damage) [Just a helpful reminder: Stunned critters take -2 to their AC and lose Dex to AC]
"K'Nara my friend, should we attempt to keep one alive?"
Brother Bertram [Sub Jay B] (AC 19, 73hps) Detect Evil d20+11=23 d10+5=11 d6=1 d6=5 Sunday November 7th, 2004 6:41:31 PM
(OOC: Why did Bertram lose grip on his ax? The attack was a natural 20 against an archer, and missed entirely?)
The dwarf curses back and grips his ax twice as hard as before so not to drop it. With the bears flanking, he takes a swing. (AC 25 +flank, for 11 damage, 17 if chaotic)
DM's OOC: hmmmm...why, indeed? This is the second time this has happened in battle, if memory serves. How odd.
Gunther (AC20, HP 57/64) d20+17=25 d12+7=16 d6=6 Monday November 8th, 2004 12:32:58 AM
Disappointed that his opponent was dropped so easily, Gunther decides to lend a helping hand to K'nara. He quickly and easily spans the 20 feet dividing him from #6 and moves into flanking position. Then, once more he brings his axe hammering down. (AC25 for 22dam)
Combat Over -- DM Donna d20+11=27 d10+5=15 d6=4 d20+6=13 d20+6=15 d20+6=26 d20+6=13 d20+6=26 d20+6=21 d20+6=17 d20+6=24 d20+6=24 d6+3=7 d6+3=7 d6+3=9 d6+3=5 d6+3=5 Monday November 8th, 2004 6:44:16 AM
OOC: I should have removed #4 from the map I circulated...sorry about the confusion.
IC:
Lian's attacks put #5 down for the count.
Even as the monk asks about intentionally keeping one of the prisoners alive, Gunther's and then K'Nara's blows end the life of #6.
"Um...I think yours is still breathing, Lian..?" K'Nara more asks than tells the elf.
Brother Bertram dropped his weapon last round and can be pulling out a new one or picking up the one he dropped this round, but cannot be swinging a weapon at anyone for this last round.
No matter, though...the bears assisting the cleric with Bad Guy #1 succeed in mauling the man to death when their claws rend him for another 33hpd total. (Ouch!)
Similarly (unfortunately) the bears by Lian's downed opponent shred him to pieces as well.
However...Olana and Milo stand next to a relatively-intact ambusher...he just MIGHT still be breathing...
Olana d20+13=19 Monday November 8th, 2004 12:51:26 PM
'A live one," Olana says to Milo with a grin. Quickly she attempts to stabilize their captive.
((Heal check DC 19))
While doing so, she calls out - "Figment! You okay?"
Athalorn Monday November 8th, 2004 2:03:26 PM
In eagle for, the druid drops the lightning spell from his mind, and with a screech of command orders the bears to halt their attacks. He lands on the forest floor, and turns back into human form. Instantly, he runs to the forest that was damaged by fire, hoping to quench any remaining flames.
Brother Bertram [Sub Jay B] (AC 19, 73hps) Monday November 8th, 2004 6:37:30 PM
A very confused and upset dwarf just looks at his ax on the ground. "What happened?" He tries to figure if it was some sort of spell effect or if he's just getting old. He looks at his friends, "Um, I'm not usually one to complain here, but I was wholley ineffective this combat because something had caused me to drop my ax." The dwarf is confused and looks back down at his ax.
Lian 43/47 hps(AC 25, flat footed AC 25, Touch AC 25) Monday November 8th, 2004 6:41:33 PM
The monk cringes at the bears tear into the man. "Uh, nevermind." He walks over to K'Nara. "The bears just made short work of mine."
Then he hears something about Bertram dropping his ax and moves to him. "Well, perhaps your haft has loosened." The monk attempts to pick up the ax, which looks quite funny since the monk isn't often seen with a bladed weapon.
(OOC: Donna, let me know if Lian drops it or if something bad happens. ;))
Ingrge Monday November 8th, 2004 8:09:17 PM
Hmm, well that was interesting. It seems that The HOL are interested in the serpent star as well. I expect that won't be the last we see of them.
Gunther d20+1=9 Monday November 8th, 2004 10:09:09 PM
Cleaning the blood from the blades of his sword, Gunther looks anxiously into the forest, searching for his kitty (Spot=9). His mind races as he searches the surrounding undergrowth. Tinges of fear wrap their tentacles throughout his limbs. Perhaps she is hurt...or worse...perhaps she has decided to leave...
When he returns to the camp, Gunther sighs. Turning to K'nara, his face is contorted with conflicting emotions. "I tink I heard dat von of de attackers is alive... Vould you like me to interrogate him for you? I know of a few techniques dat are very handy for extracting information from unvilling people."
Milo d20+1=10 Monday November 8th, 2004 10:55:18 PM
Milo kneels down to assist Olana with stabilizing their former attacker in the hope that they might glean some information from him. (OOC: Rolled a 10 to successfully assist Olana in the Heal check. This gives Olana a +2 bringing her result up to 21.)
Bertram Tuesday November 9th, 2004 5:16:13 AM
The dwarf leaves the elf hanging with the ax and rushes over to see if Olana needs help with the HoL. If need be, the cleric will pop off a CLW into the man.
Lian Tuesday November 9th, 2004 5:59:37 AM
"Bertram, this things heavy. Come on!" The monk waits a minute, then hefts the chunk of metal over to Bertram.
Falin Tuesday November 9th, 2004 6:00:34 AM
(OCC: Sorry abuot the intermitent post I have been in my own little world oblivious to the passage of time.)
Snapping out of his little world Falin reacts to the comment about having someone to ask questions to.
"You know a most effective way to iterrogate a prisoner is to bring out some greek fire, sand, and a fileting knife...."
Falin trails off with that last statement with a slight smile crossing his face.
Ve Haff Vays of Making You Talk -- DM Donna d20+1=15 Tuesday November 9th, 2004 7:01:24 AM
Though heavy and unwieldy to the monk, Lian suffers no ill consequences when he picks up and hands Bertram back his axe.
Olana, Milo and Bertram's attention to the HOL lackey pays off in that the man is healed a bit (OOC: count the CLW as healing the max HPs allowed for the spell) and regains consciousness.
"Well, Gunther," K'Nara says to the beastmaster, "If you're really that eager to speak to him, kindly ask our 'guest' why the HOL attacked us and what they hoped to get out of it. Falin can help you if he wishes to..." The grin she aims the prisoner's way is NOT nice at all.
Gunther's concern about the pretty black kitty he'd failed to notice had been preoccupied earlier is allayed when the large feline comes out of the forest...dragging a corpse of another human (at least, it's human-sized) and bearing the logo of the HOL on its body. The she-cat drops the body proudly at Gunther's feet as though to say see? You can all eat now that I've gotten dinner again!
Anyone making a Spot check better than DC10 can tell that what's left of this HOL body is dressed in rather camouflaged clothing and was likely the point-man for the ambush. K'Nara has made her check with a total of 15.
"The elf-haters snuck up on us from behind." K'Nara points out in a sour voice. "Great--now we have to look out for the thieves ahead of us and the-gods-only-know-HOW-many others behind us!" Then her hazel eyes fall on the recovering Figment, who appears to be mostly unhurt.
"What in the 666 Layers of the Abyss were you thinking, Figment???" she suddenly demands of the spellcaster. "What happened to your usual 'fly out of harm's way' tactic? That...that...thing nearly squeezed the life out of you!!!"
Anyone who is nominally paying attention to K'Nara's outburst may choose to roll a Sense Motive check versus DC20. This IS a purely voluntary roll--it isn't necessary, but it may or may not prove interesting to the PC. I'll email those who succeed with the roll as to what they sense.
Figment Tuesday November 9th, 2004 7:54:16 AM
Nodding to Olana that he's OK he tries to answer K'Nara through compressed throat. "Actually, I could only cast one spell and I chose invisibility first. I was trying to put my eyes on the cleric before casting fly. Then I could blast him. Looks to me like the HOL want the lantern too - and they are now ahead of us in the pursuit. We are in a 3 way race now. Seems like showing mercy to evil was not wise. We should have killed him when we had the chance in Fae. I will not miss another chance again if it presents itself.".
Athalorn Tuesday November 9th, 2004 1:15:04 PM
The druid ignores all others, although he commands the balck bears to wander into the edges of the forest, in order that they may keep a look out for any stragglers.
Instead, the druid smothers any remaining flames with his cloak, and calls on the power of the Culverwood to aid him restore the plants in the area (ooc: Cast Plant Growth on the damaged area)
Gunther d20+12=13 d20+1=16 d20=20 d20+1=7 Tuesday November 9th, 2004 2:38:37 PM
Gunther's mile wide smile at the panther should leave no doubt in her mind as to how proud his is of her. Reaching out, Gunther attempts to rub her ears (Handle Animal=nat. 1). Instead, he gets a good swat on his hand. Blood trickles down from four minor scrap. Gunther, however, just chuckles at the behavior. "Vell, I suppose dat vas my own fault. You come to Gunther on your own time, eh?"
Nodding at K'nara, Gunther grabs up the mauled corpse and drags it over to the surviving Hand of Love. As the man regains consciousness, Gunther shoves the mauled corpse in his face (Spot=16). "Time to rise and shine. My friends and I vant answers and ve vant dem now! You tell me vhat I vant to know and maybe I'll let you live... You don't, and vell... dis is de best possible death dat you vill die." (Intimidate=20) Gunther allows a brief pause for his threats to sink in to the man's imagination, and then he begins his interrogation. "Vhy vere you following us? Vat did you vant? How many oders of dere are you? Who do you report to?" As he questions the man, Gunther looks to K'nara to see if there is any further information that she might desire (Sense Motive=7).
Milo Tuesday November 9th, 2004 8:38:12 PM
Looking down at the prisoner, Milo's look of serious determination never fades, but is intensified as it becomes one of crazed annoyance. Twirling his short sword, it becomes a blur in his hand, "You will speak vermin, or I'll see about re-circumcizing you... And I... mean... NOW." The halfling's voice intensifies even as it grows quiet.
Glannath Tuesday November 9th, 2004 10:57:12 PM
Glannath is circling above, his keen eyes on the ground. Fire usually brought out small prey, scampering for safety, and he was feeling a bit peckish.
Olana d20=13 d20=5 Tuesday November 9th, 2004 11:01:24 PM
Olana stands back out of the way, letting Milo and Gunther do the intimidation thing. Distracted, her eyes drift off toward the forest and the fire. If the situation still looks a bit precarious, she'll go help Athalorn.
(Missed that last check)
Ingrge d20+2=8 Tuesday November 9th, 2004 11:15:59 PM
Ingrge seems t think K'nara is being her normal self and notices nothing funny. "Aye Figment, they probably are but if you include the ones who have it I count it a four way struggle."
Finishing Business -- DM Donna d20+2=12 d20=17 Wednesday November 10th, 2004 6:57:12 AM
Athalorn's efforts to repair the fire damage are rather successful--fortunately for the Culverwood, the forest in this area is very green (wet) and the fire didn't spread, although it did damage its direct strike area. The druid's use of his magic, however, minimizes the damage.
The black bears that had been summoned by Athalorn's earlier spell aid him by pawing at the ground and using the loosened earth to help smother odd bits of flame on the undergrowth here and there. What is left of the fire is soon out.
After hearing Figment's actually rather logical explanation, K'Nara looks visibly relieved, then she digs something out of her backpack, kneeling and handing the bottle she's unearthed to the wizard, muttering something that sounds like "neither will I..." to Figment's ears.
"Here--it's a Cure potion..." the female fighter explains, "...if you can swallow it, it should help with your throat..." K'Nara scowls, obviously recalling the sight of the slimy, creepy creature strangling Figment. (OOC: it's a CLW potion. Roll 1d8+3 to find out how much it helps Figment.)
Getting to her feet, K'Nara speaks the word to turn off the still-flaming Lucia and sheathes the sword as she turns to Gunther, Falin and Milo. Gunther's feline friend slinks off into the shadows once more.
The single prisoner wilts under Gunther's questioning (his opposing check is only 12 to Gunther's 20), and definitely looks VERY nervous, babbling in his efforts to answer after Milo reinforces the orc-raised warrior's interrogation with his own "offer".
"We were supposed to get Caeroldra's Heart from you...everybody came along on this except the wizard...Holdrin is in charge--he's the one that summoned the demon..." All during his enlightening speech, the man can't help but glance at the panther-mangled body of his late colleague.
"...'Caeroldra's Heart'..?" K'Nara echoes, puzzled. Then--after thinking about it for a moment (OOC: made an Int check vs. DC15) the chestnut-haired bladesinger asks: "Do you mean that artifact--the one Parnoth calls the Serpent Star?"
"It's Caeroldra's Heart!" the man insists forcefully, then eyes Milo and that sword, adding in a less insistent tone: "Holdrin says it's really Caeroldra's Heart and it belongs in the Temple of Caeroldra, may all know her love..."
K'Nara arches an eyebrow Figment and Ingrge's way. Caeroldra's Heart..?
Figment d8+3=9 d20+23=37 Wednesday November 10th, 2004 7:21:43 AM
The mage drinks the potion and is fully healed. Clearing his throat he says "That's better...". Flipping through his memory files he tries to recall anything he can about Caeroldra's Heart (Arcana DC 37) - and he tries not to kill the ingrate for spewing bile about her love. At least for now.
Lian Wednesday November 10th, 2004 7:27:15 AM
"It's a Great Artifact, everyone wants it, of course it'll have a half dozen names."
Bertram [Sub Jay B] d20+7=22 Wednesday November 10th, 2004 7:30:52 AM
(Knowledge Religion 22)
Does the name Caeroldra's Heart ring any bells?
The dwarf take the ax from the elf. "Thanks."
Gunther Wednesday November 10th, 2004 8:19:29 AM
Satisfied for now with the man's answers Gunther allows a pause in the interrogation while he turns to the others, leaving the man under the capable watch of Milo. Moving in close to K'nara, Gunther wipes his bloody hands as he converses with her in whispers. "I tink he is telling de truth. Is dere anyting else you vish to know from him? Vat do you vant to do vith him ven ve are done? It looks like dese "Hands of Love" are de unreasonable type. Vould ve be making a mistake if ve allowed him to live?" All out of clever questions of his own to ask the zealot, Gunther waits for K'nara's orders.
Athalorn Wednesday November 10th, 2004 10:10:15 AM
The druid - not one for politics, only for helping his friends and the forest - continues working with the bears to replenish the forest. His plant growth spell should sustain the area for months to come. Pleased, he walks back to the others, assuming he will be filled in on the details when the group has decided what is going on and what to do.
Milo Wednesday November 10th, 2004 9:49:35 PM
"So... do we kill him, or let him go? I'm for lettin' the worm go... with little except his clothes for protection of course." Milo snarls at the HOL'er.
Falin Wednesday November 10th, 2004 10:12:44 PM
Falin turns to K'Nara, "I have been gone for a while so tell me who this cleric is and what the organization is. This does not sound of love to me."
"One more thing. I know we are looking for this lantern, but what does it do? What can it do for us?," Falin looks agitated. "I thought that in returning to the Wold I could relax and since I came back we are constantly bombarded because of this lantern."
In a sudden bought of rage he turns to the captive, "Hands of LOVE?!?!?! LOVE?!?!?!?!? What the hell does love got to do with this? How can you justify killing people for love?"
Olana Thursday November 11th, 2004 2:10:24 AM
Olana frowns as their captive starts going on about affairs of the heart. "What would you know about that, you twit," she says quietly, glancing his way.
Lian's comment spikes her interest. "That could well be true. Or - perhaps there's a few of these things."
Decisions, Decisions -- DM Donna Thursday November 11th, 2004 6:21:15 AM
Bertram vaguely recalls that there is a rule within the code of conduct for the Hands of Love that requires them to ever be on the lookout for "the Heart of Caeroldra", and--if they ever find it--to return it to the Temple and guard it with their very souls (and lives.)
Figment's recollections from previous library forays on unrelated subjects include a bit more: a few hundred years ago, a priestess of Caeroldra returned from a sabbatical with a glowing magical lantern, dying as she gave it to her fellow clerics. Her last words were an exortation to never have the lantern leave the safety of the Temple. Opening the lantern revealed a glowing, heart-shaped jewel within. Thus was "Caeroldra's Heart" declared to be a genuine gift from the goddess herself and immediately ensconced within the Temple.
Caeroldra's Heart was stolen from the Hands Of Love and recovered two or three times over the next two centuries, before finally disappearing from the Temple for good about three hundred years ago or so...at least, it had until now.
"I guess it shouldn't surprise us that it has several different names," K'Nara agrees with Lian, "The stupid thing has been around for, what..? At least a millenium."
The female fighter clues Athalorn in on what is happening with their prisoner and what's occured with him so far, then she remembers to thank the druid for attending to the damaged forest.
"Since we've run out of questions for this one to answer," K'Nara says to Gunther (addressing Milo and Falin as well), "I am more than half inclined to put him out of our misery...however, he's a prisoner, so that wouldn't be right to do that now." Her fair brow puckers in thought for a moment. "If I remember correctly, there's a village near here...I think we can prevail upon the natives to house our guest there until we come back." K'Nara leers at the HOL lackey.
"What do you say to accepting some good, old-fashioned elven hospitality, eh?" she asks him mockingly. The man looks like he'd rather have Milo run him through.
Lian Thursday November 11th, 2004 7:13:05 AM
"I suppose our next question is... from whom did the silly priestess steal this jewel from to begin with?" He glares at the HoL.
The monk thinks a moment, "Wait, I've been reading this book of Domi's exploits and there was mention of an artifact known as the 'Heart of Domi'... Could this also be this artifact?"
Figment 5d4(1+4+3+4+1)+4=17 Thursday November 11th, 2004 7:13:39 AM
The mage tells the others of his knowledge of the Lantern. And when there is talk of letting this animal live he blasts him with a Magic Missile (17 DMG). Defiantly he stands and scowls knowing the warrior woman's tendency to not like her leadership challenged. "I don't know where your heads are, people. This animal - and that's what he is - shot us in the BACK! And would again if he had the chance. He'd also kill more elves or anyone else who stood in the way of 'the love' he shares with his god. It's like turning a rabid dog loose in an area where there are lots of small children. Maybe it doesn't kill immediately - but it will. I won't be responsible for the death of elves - or refrain from avenging the death of other elves because I was afraid to act. I just saved elven lives and I'm sure they thank me would for it when faced with living or being shot in the back. Look at what we got for showing mercy to the HOL cleric! Never again will I show mercy to the HOL - never! This is not an 'honorable' war. We are under no obligations to show mercy or spare lives of evil doers for its kill or be killed. And if you don't have the stomach for it, I do! And if I see any other of those 'people' around here I will kill them for who they are. I will not wait for them to attack me. That's insane because they will.".
Bertram [Sub Jay B] Thursday November 11th, 2004 7:15:16 AM
Seems the monk has shocked the dwarf again. His jaw sinks at the mention of Domi's Heart.
Athalorn Thursday November 11th, 2004 10:37:33 AM
The druid watches Figment's outburst with disdain. "I think that the elves would not thank us if we brought trouble to their village, and trouble will surely follow this one." He turns to Figment, speaking candidly. "Killing him in cold blood, Figment? You are as devoid of moral as these beasts themselves," indicating the prisoner. "Let the forest take the lives of our prisoners. Loose in the great wood, they are as dead, and will feed her strength."
Milo Thursday November 11th, 2004 8:22:57 PM
Looking around to everyone except Figment, "Anybody got some rope? I'll have him tied up proper before we're off to handin' him over to the elves." Milo still keeps one eye on the prisoner.
Figment Thursday November 11th, 2004 9:17:22 PM
The mage retorts to the druid "Your moral compass seems so very disoriented. It would have been an act of evil to let him live. I don't relish killing of ANY kind. But we made a commitment to protect this forest and its denizens. Letting him live is a direct violation of that commitment - and aids Parnoth in the process. You should not take oaths you have no stomach to keep. And though you may not wish to hear it now, I thank you for restoring the forest. Perhaps we at least can agree on that.".
Bertram Friday November 12th, 2004 1:19:08 AM
Bertram offers up some silk rope to the halfling. "I'll like it back when your done." The dwarf smiles.
Lian Friday November 12th, 2004 1:22:03 AM
"Just break his kneecaps, that'll keep this one in line." The elf sneers at the HoL.
The elf takes K'Nara off to one side and speaks quietly. "Are you sure it's safe leaving this one with the elves. The clergy might be watching him as we speak and they might attack the village to get him back."
Olana Friday November 12th, 2004 3:04:01 AM
The elf sighs. "We have to be practical. If he'll be a danger to our mission or the elves we seek to leave him with, then he has to go. "I'm not sure letting him loose in the forest is a more humane thing to do, either. We all know what it's like, when Culverwood has a mind to be a life-taker."
What IS Evil..? -- DM Donna Friday November 12th, 2004 7:04:41 AM
When all the different information is shared amongst the Talons, it is clear that the artifact in the shape of a magic lantern is very obviously more than old enough to be known by several names, highly dependent upon whom is naming the object.
Figment's spell ends the question of what to do with the prisoner--the man is definitely dead.
K'Nara's hazel eyes pierce the apparently unrepentant wizard, but then she closes them briefly with a sigh--looking, for a brief moment, as though her years of living have doubled on her. When she opens her eyes again, though, there is a look of compassion and sadness.
"Figment..." the auburn-tressed young woman attempts to explain, "...as bad as this man may have been, you have taken away any chance he had to learn the error of his ways. I agree mostly with your philosophy: Evil must be destroyed...but you don't always have to kill it to destroy it." She looked down at the lifeless lackey, frowning. "I've heard that many of these so-called 'Soldiers of Love' have been taken by the Temple--or sometimes even sold or just plain given to it by desperate parents--when they are but young children. They are indoctrinated early and filled with that lovely brand of 'truth' that the Hands of Love hold so very dear...if this was the case with THIS particular person, he truly didn't know better--and will now never know better because he's dead." Once more, the leader of the Talons sighs.
"We need to get that artifact back." she says firmly. "We have to be on the lookout not only for it, but also now for possible attacks from three different potential enemies. I don't have time to debate the best way to handle Evil people. IF we have the magic left to do so, let's pile the bodies together, zap them into ash, get some rest and then get on with our mission."
K'Nara immediately sets about to do this--she does not make eye contact with Figment while she does so, however.
Lian Friday November 12th, 2004 8:30:55 AM
The monk looks at the mage as he's chastized by K'Nara. After the red head is through, the elf walks up to Figment. "Fig, while I don't think there can be good without evil, I agree that what you did here was for the benefit of the mission."
Bertram [Sub Jay B] Friday November 12th, 2004 8:34:50 AM
The dwarf just holds the rope, almost in shock at what the mage did.
Figment Friday November 12th, 2004 8:41:02 AM
The mage sighs a bit as well, and helps with the morbid job. He blasts them with a firball once the pyre is ready - and makes sure its a good one. The mage stands a bit subdued and mentions one last thing on the subject. "There is a major demon who walks the Wold because we showed mercy to evil. How many innocent lives will be on our heads for that error in judgement? We must not fail to take out the cleric and his minions. We are responsible.". He mounts Jux and ensues the chase as they go.
Athalorn Saturday November 13th, 2004 4:02:38 AM
The druid stares Figment in the eye at the retort, emotionless. "My compass is true, and I know my values. You are clearly misguided, wizard, and have lost what respect you may have had from me. As for the forest, then be sure it was not for your thanks I did that." He speaks no more to Figment, and as they leave he takes to the skies once more as an Eagle, joining Glannath. For the first time since joining the Talons, he is unsure where to place his trust.
Figment Saturday November 13th, 2004 7:18:22 AM
The mage grimly nods, thanking Lian for his support.
As the young druid flies off he simply shakes his head. "You would pass the responsibility of ending that man's life on to the forest instead of having the resolve to do it yourself? That's cowardice - and has no honor at all. At least have the courage to do the dirty work yourself.".
Falin Saturday November 13th, 2004 7:50:51 AM
"Figment, I feel what you have done was the right thing to do. It is not our place to bring undo harm to others and that is what would have happened by allowing him to live." Falin turns,"K'Nara, although I do feel that people are worth a second chance we have neither the time or the resources at our disposal at this time to do anything about it. Maybe after we are done with this little swaray we can look at rehabilitation for these brainwashed souls, but until then HOL might as well stand for Hand Occupied Landfill as long as they stand between us and the one item that can end Parnoth." At the end there is a rage that burns in Falins eyes. Then as quickly as it appeared it is gone.
Lucia Saturday November 13th, 2004 7:59:12 AM I can not believe the drama you breathing types go through for us non breathing types. I certainly hope this lantern is worth all of the trouble. I will have to work harder in the future to look for badies before we get caught.
Gunther Saturday November 13th, 2004 9:31:37 PM
The large warrior stands for several long moments with his jaw wide open...completely taken aback at Figment's actions. Like a spectator in a tennis match, his head bounces back and forth between K'nara and Figment...and then Figment and Athalorn as words are exchanged. Then finally, he manages to close his mouth, muttering something about "Glad he didn't know me a few years ago..." under his breath as he takes up a position far from Figment.
Ingrge Sunday November 14th, 2004 1:34:53 PM
Helping with things as they are needed, Ingrge gives a nod to Figment as emotions get more than a bit raw.
Stopping a moment before they take off, he turns and while looking extremely uncomfortable, addresses the entire group.
"Most of you know I am not a very verbose person, but before we go on, I feel we need to clear the air of a few things as there seems to be more and more dissention within our ranks than we have ever seen. I attribute this to no one, two ore any number of people, but to the situations we have been finding ourselves in of late. Many of us have a history with some of our foes that others have no understanding of. So I will take a quick moment to try and explain some of it.
For those of you who do not know, The Hands of Love and their ilk are a power hungry group of psychotically passionate clerics who came to the conclusion that they could and should use love as a tool of power to control those who didn't understand their loves until they did. They will and have done anything to anyone in order to further their purposes all in the name of love and Caeroldra. They are direct and violent; using coercion, fear abduction, punishment, torture and death to impose their beliefs and commands.
When we first came across Holdrin, he had taken over a local village and had killed most of the adults and was indoctrinating all the youth and orphans of this town through the use of torture. We saved the town and it is flourishing at this time, or was. At that time we let Holdrin alive. We later came across more of his work as we were leaving to go to Fae Skiemeir in the form of a young elven male who had their symbol carved into his chest along with many other wounds that indicated he had been tortured for hours, before being allowed to die. Again we left Holdrin alive once we caught up with him. And here we find him, yet again, back in the Emerald Kingdom continuing his evil ways. I will not let another Titania occur again if it takes my last breath to stop it and Holdrin.
There was much less evil in that abomination of a Dragon construct that we fought to recover the artifact, than there is in Holdrin and the HOL, and yet we killed that pitiful beast without any hesitation or compunction.
Why in the name of Domi and all that is good should we spare even one of these HOL from the fate which they have been so lovingly dealing out to our people? They have made their choices time and time again. Their victims have not.
I understand however, that there is another side to our problems. Those of us who have been together longer, know and usually understand how we think and why. Perhaps some of us have become too hardened and no longer look for that very slim sliver of good that might be found in one of our foes. Maybe that is wrong, but we are still alive when perchance we might not be.
However "we" do not know, at least very well, where our newest compatriots draw their strength, direction, and guidance from. This is something that "we" need to remedy if we are going to continue as a group.
However, new or old, there two things we all agreed upon. Those were that we are bound together to defend the Emerald Kingdom and its peoples, whatever their form, and that we would defend and support each other.
If that is no longer the case, then any who no longer believes in these two things should leave now and no hard feelings will be held against you."
Figment Sunday November 14th, 2004 7:33:03 PM
The mage chooses to be silent as Ingrge makes his speech opting to listen to the others.
Milo Monday November 15th, 2004 12:52:02 AM
Milo considers Ingrge's words very seriously, then speaks, very seriously, "Dear friend, for that is what I consider you Ingrge, I do protect the Emerald Kingdom, with my body, my heart, and my soul. I do support this group as a whole. However, if we are to go on wantonly killing any who oppose us, who are also helpless as this poor soul was, we show that we are no better than the scum we defend this great kingdom from. I for one hope that some day I can claim dragon status. As an example of this, I defer to the paragon of all that is good in the Gold Dragons, whom we fought beside not so long ago in a terrible war. Valdor would not have killed this man, and so I say any who would do so, show themselves as evil, and I oppose evil in all its forms." Milo pitches Bertram's rope back to him with a grateful nod, though he holds his gaze steady upon any who would meet it.
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