DM George Thursday January 20th, 2005 10:21:06 PM
The group celebrates as their friend is returned to them. They ponder what a dragon is and how to find it.
Many of the Bloodpack have never even heard of the magical beast.
A wind comes from the east, kicking up the troll smell and it isn't good. Now that the stress of battle is over, the group takes stock of their situation. Do they want to stay here or move on?
Jake Friday January 21st, 2005 2:29:18 AM
Getting up, Jake pipes up excitedly, reverting almost to a more childish voice, "Aww, Trellus, ya never listened to old Nary and his stories, didja!? Ah know all about dragons from him. He told me a buncha stories about dragons, and all sorts of monsters." Realizing he sounds a bit weird, Jake gets a bit gruffer and more serious. "That is... Dragons are big, scaly lizards. Really big, like the size of ships. They gather huuuuuuge piles of treasures, like, everything. They can do all sorts of neat tricks, like breathe stuff, and cast magic, and change into rabbits, and turn invisible, and fly around. They eat just about everything, including dwarves, trees, anything they can shove in their mouth, but as they get older they prefer virgin creatures. Ummm...they live in big old rock mountains. They can speak every language, and can read your mind, and do anything they want to your thoughts if you ain't careful. Lessee... no magic can touch 'em, and only guys on horses with big old spears got a chance, but usually they gotta charge in and then go hand to hand with the big old thing. Every story I know of 'em they guard some entrance or something, too."
Tishe' Friday January 21st, 2005 1:47:09 PM
"If that is all true, I certainly hope that this bronze is a good creature like Valdor says most metallic dragons are." says the small mage fervently.
"But first, perhaps we should move from this area. And maybe find any lost dwarves that had gotten away from the trolls?" Her eyes looks around worriedly, hoping that some of the little folk were able to get away.
She stands, holding her staff. Keeping close to the big minotaur, she waits for the leaders to decide what to do.
Trellus Friday January 21st, 2005 2:21:01 PM
Taking a good whiff of the surrounding area, Trellus nods rapidly at Tishe's suggestion.
"Truly. Let's weave, dudes. We'll see if we can find some dwarves, then worry about this dragon."
The cleric grandly motions for Flea, Anuk, and Gry to start moving, and he falls into the middle of the group. Thinking.
Mostly about dragons. Sure, Jake is always happy to impart his knowledge - Trellus grins to himself - which mostly is totally bright (Guys on horses with spears. C'mon.) Still, Tishe' is weaving the same pick. The blond haired man walks with his pack, wondering what kind of pattern they're all working on.
Gilan Friday January 21st, 2005 8:29:36 PM
Gilan wrinkles his nose at the smell and then has to roll his eyes at Jake. Some of what he said may have a basis in fact, but a lot of it is not.
With a nod to the rest he smiles a little. "Moving out maybe a good idea." He wrinkles his nose again. "This smell is awful." He is ready to move out and look for dwarves, if there are any alive. Then they must look for a dragon and he swallows hard.
Flea d20+8=24 d20+12=32 d20+10=21 Friday January 21st, 2005 11:20:00 PM
"I was just joking back there," laughs Flea. "I studied dragons a bit. They're kind of like the drake we helped a while ago. I even learned a few words, so I can talk to them in their own language."*
Catching the cleric's signal, Flea says, "south then? I seem to remember bronze dragons like it warm." The rogue will lead the way, and report any interesting findings to the party. She keeps a particular look out for anything that might tell her that the pack are not the only intelligent beings in the area.
Spot=24 Search=32 Listen=21
*Flea knows draconic, go figure!
DM George Travels Sunday January 23rd, 2005 2:00:38 AM
The Pack travels in a southern direction for about a week. They hunt along the way and are astounded on how easily they can find fresh water.
Around every bend is a new adventure in fauna and wildlife. They see deer, rabbit and even a black bear from a distance. Wildflowers and towering trees become everday occurances and the pack seems to be getting used to their new surroundings.
The campfires at night are enjoyable as the group feels a new closeness that can only be brought about from sharing danger together and the joy of overcoming obstacles.
The group finds no more dwarf sign and begin to wonder if the dwarves they found battling the trolls were from the same group liberated from the formian. The continual scan of the sky only reveals birds and clouds, but not a hint of dragon.
Not all is fun and games though. Strange insects seem to love feasting on there skins. The occassional rain storm soaks them to the skin and leaves them cold and shivering in the mountain air.
Their new cat seems to find mischief as it assualted a strange looking creature and was rewarded by being sprayed with a horrible smelling spray. The entire pack is revolted by the smell which just won't go away.
The pack falls across a path that makes travelling easier. Close inspection reveals it has been used recently by several different sizes of humanoids. One small, one large but the rest normal sized. The tracks look fresh and heading in the same direction the group is going.
Jake Sunday January 23rd, 2005 1:41:12 PM
The trip along the way... Jake, of course, takes opportunity to cheer up the rest of the group through some jokes. For one, he seems to be cultivating what he'll say to the dragon if he has to fight it... STuff like, "You know, you seem to be draggin' along there, bud." "For a member of a majestic, wise race of ancient beings, you sure smell bad and look a bit chunky, if you know what ah mean." "Looks ta me like this lizard ain't no wizard." He tries to get to know Mac and Tishe, asking where they're from, what they used to do before coming to the plains, and also some fun practical questions, like what their favorite color is, what their parents were like, what their favorite food is... One day, Mac wakes up and his cat is cuddled to him particularly close for warmth. Why? Well, his hair seems to be mostly shaved off. Some of the smell is gone, though... (Jake once did the same to Grymash, getting him really drunk and then having the half-orc barbarian wake up shaven and slumped in the communal pool) When Flea and Tishe take the moment to go bathing, they discover to their horror their clothes have mysteriously vanished. Back at camp, of course, they are found in their packs, miraculously. Trellus seems to develop weird feet, though that's only appreciable in hindsight, of course. Every day, his feet seem to be getting bigger, and bigger, 'cause his shoe just seems to be getting tighter on him just slightly. It's almost imperceptible. Then, suddenly, it goes back to normal. Perhaps the best time for Jake is when he gets to experiment with his cooking. Having brought a heap of spices with him from the Plains, he experiments with all the new foods in the area. He quickly overcomes his distaste for eating non-insect meat, and perfects the art of marinating. (I imagine for some reason that Plains food has something like guacamole but in grass form...so something like carne asada venison or rollo pollo rabbit is made...) In any case, his food is generally spicy and challenging to the taste buds, and he seems to enjoy it immensely. Perhaps it's a sort of challenge to him, to eat his food without wimping out, while others, even Trellus and Anuk, who should be used to his food, seem to gasp for breath and quickly reach for the bread, fruit, or wine to die down the taste. That day, as they're traveling along, Jake listens to the description of the tracks...then grins. "Hey, Anuk, you sure we're going in a straight line? Ah mean, those tracks sound a lot like us..."
Tishe' Sunday January 23rd, 2005 4:42:22 PM
A week is an amazing time to learn many things, and Tishe' loves to learn more about thier surroundings and Mother Wold. With the recent experience with Gargul (Thank you!), the small mage can easily believe the validity of the divine Mother.
Each night, the brown haired woman weaves a set of magical alarms around thier camp to sound at the arrival of any large sized being or greater that breaks the perimeter of the camp. [Extended Alarm for 10 hours]
Tishe' accepts Jake's invitation to talk and is more than happy to tell the pack about Hook City, the great town on the north border of the Sargrass Plains. "I grew up with my parents and two elder sisters in a weaving household", she tells them. "My mother was from Rattledam, and my Da was a wandering merchant. It was a happy surprise when I was found with the magical gift; wizards are much respected in Hook City you know."
Never being a girl that others gawked at, Tishe' is mildly irritated at misplacing her clothes, but thinks nothing of walking into camp starkers to get a fresh change.
Sitting in the mornings with her spellbook and horned toad, she keeps her mind full of spells to help the pack.
The sage and buff clothed mage nods seriously at Jake's thoughts, for there is something to his observation, but she waits for Trellus to make a decision.
Flea Monday January 24th, 2005 12:32:30 AM
Each morning, before breaking camp, Flea packs and unpacks her belongings, making a mental inventory of her possessions, and fretting at the lack of civilization. The gnome hopes their path leads to a sizable town, one with a franchise of the famous Catacombs in order that she might be able to do a little shopping. She invites Anuk and Mac to participate in some playful sparing, in order to keep her sword arm in shape, and her reflexes sharp. Flea will ask Trellus and Gilan if she can examine the healing wands in order to be familiar with them. If the need arises, she wants to be able to back up the party.
Flea is glad for the unfussy female companionship of Tishe'. She teases the mage about her mini-taur admirer. The rogue tries to learn if the tight lipped woman fancies any of the Bloodpack guys. Definitely one to hold a grudge, Flea waits for a quiet night when the pack is sitting around the campfire, to cast Ghost Sound. She recreates, as best she can, the voice of the dryad calling to her "Jakey".
Jake's way with spices results in a bit of gastric distress for Flea. Unable to sleep, she sits up with those on guard. She will try to talk with Grymash, to learn a little more about his relationship with the god of life and death.
Flea practices some of the draconic phrases she learned from her mentor in order to be prepared should the party actually come upon a real live one. She mentally kicks herself for not paying more attention to her lessons, but they really didn't seem important at the time.
Trellus Monday January 24th, 2005 11:14:38 AM
Trellus walks with his packmates, like them marvelling at the abundance of plants, animals, and especially fresh water. It takes several days before the young man stops taking three steps away from each newly discoverd water source.
Over time, he also has some long talks with Anuk, renewing their bond.
Its not until day three that the cleric figures out why his feet keep hurting. And it is not long thereafter, when Jake is brushing aside a branch, that a large quantity of water suddenly inundates the elf. A good 14 gallons, in fact. [Create Water spell]
Trellus' shoes are soon back to normal size.
The food remains adventuresome, though.
Upon falling upon the new path, Trellus checks with Anuk to make sure they aren't going in circles. He doesn't think so - Mac and Gry make pretty distinctive tracks - but Anuk would know better.
Once they've confirmed the prints belong to somebody else, the cleric waves everyone in the direction they lead. "Maybe we can find somebody after all," he comments.
Gilan d20+14=26 d20+12=24 d20+7=10 d20+7=25 Monday January 24th, 2005 1:21:20 PM
Gilan is enjoying all the time that he is getting to spend outside. The new sights and sounds that he encounters brings him to a single thought, that maybe he should buy a journal of his own.
Strangely he seems to escape Jake's little practical jokes, though the last time it happened he left something suitable in his bed. Rolling over on a porcupine in the middle of the night is not something someone wants to repeat he is sure. The food is a different story and he does find himsef drinking a little more water lately as Jake uses the spices.
The sudden appearance of a garbage trail leads him to suspect that they are following something, well not really following but going in the same direction. "Remember the last time with the racoons...we have been leaving nothing behind or out." He looks to Anuk and moves around the area himself looking for sign and the like to try and help the group out. When he finally is done he will compare notes with Anuk to see if they both came up with the same things or maybe help each other out.
[survival 26] [knowledge(nature) 24:for identifying tracks or the like] [listen 10 and spot 25]
Spells to Come.
Tishe' [Second Post] Monday January 24th, 2005 1:47:47 PM
The brown eyed mage loves the female companionship that Flea brings to the campfires. Two women who are equal with the males because of the skills they bring, and not due to any 'fairer sex' myth. However, she smiles in denial of 'fancying' any of her pack members.
"Each are like the brothers I have never had. Trellus, Anuk, and Mac are as stalwart and steadfast as a stone wall. Grymash has surprising gentleness and wisdom behind his crude facade. Jake's humor keeps everyone remembering the lighter side of things. Gilan is an amazing font of knowledge of Mother Wold; I'm learning so much from him!" Her eyes glow, whether from talking about the druid or his knowledge it is hard to tell.
When it comes to teasing about Larri, the small mage becomes flustered. The experience has been too new to have a male (any male!) adore her. Blatant advances she can handle, but this... All the average looking woman can do is blush.
Mac Monday January 24th, 2005 5:53:17 PM
"It's okay Galea - it will grow back..."
Mac shares tales of his upbringing and family in Heranmar, his time working in the family forge, his working as a weaponsmith and part time armourer for the Heranmar militia, or Polismen as they were known in the region, before becoming a polisman himself. Those paying attention to Mac talking about his family note a curiosity: He speaks of his great-grandparents with reverence bordering on awe, and it is clear that the wanderings that led him to the Sargrass were inspired by their adventures. He speaks of their son [his grandfather] and his wife, with the reverence of one who has been taught to respect his elders. He speaks of their sons [his father and two uncles] and each of their wives [his mother and aunts], and their sons [his cousins, brothers and himself], over half of whom have taken wives. In past discussions Mac has mentioned his extended family are the only Minotaurs around Heranmar... For every tale Mac has about his journeys, he has half-a-dozen or more about his great-grandparents. {OOC: Given most of the players are American, imagine some stories that 3rd and 4th generation Americans whose predecessors fled Europe seeking life in the new world might tell, and you would be beginning to get the idea.} Mac spars with Flea, but with the head of the axe covered and bound. Despite Flea's devastating sneak attack, the early bouts are at quarter speed, progressing to half speed near the end of the week. It is clear Mac is holding back, but if pressed he just replies "I donnae know - some'n's just wrong." For most of the time Mac revels in being alive, being with his new family (including Galea) and generally trying to come to grips with what's just happened... a week ago.
Anuk d20+10=30 d20+10=14 d20+12=26 Monday January 24th, 2005 10:24:12 PM
It's a good week for Anuk. When the pack isn't traveling, he spars playfully with Flea, listens attentively to and asks questions of Tishe' and Mac as they weave about their homes and their past, and he begins to feel a renewed sense of trust and companionship with Trellus. When they are traveling, his sharp eyes and ears are attuned to changes in the surroundings...as much to take in the beauty of this place as to watch for danger. (spot 30 - natural 20!, listen 14)
Jake's joking brings Anuk's toothy grin out often, but Jake's spicy food is another story. Anuk puts on his best game face while eating, though it's always with plenty of water. "Shady eatin, Jake. *gulp*...*glug, glug, glug*". He wipes a litte water across his brow as well, both to cool off and to hide the fact that he's sweating so much.
Looking for a bit of playful payback, the next time Jake disappears behind a tree to "talk to an elf about a horse", Anuk makes sure everyone's a good distance away and then casts entangle on the area.
On the day that they encounter the tracks, Anuk peers down closely at them. "I'm not sure these are ours," he says to Gilan, Jake, and Trellus. "Lemme look a bit closer..."
(survival/track - 26)
DM George Monday January 24th, 2005 11:07:19 PM
Annuk easily tells that the tracks they are following aren't the Bloodpacks. The pack has to many members to it for the tracks to be theirs. These tracks look to have 5 or 6 members to them.
The pack crests a hill and can see clearly for several hundred yards around them. They look down and see a group of adventures ahead of them around 75 yards away. They will see a human male, dressed in chain, a female human, without armor or apparent weapons dressed in traveling clothes. A large ogre dressed in platemail with a huge sword, a slight looking humanoid with a cloak pulled over its head, and a 7' tall humanoid dressed in leather. They also see a young looking elf who has a chain dangle from his neck and being led by the first human.
The humanoid notices the pack and points at them saying something to his friends. They all look up and then starting running into the trees and are lost from sight.
Grymash Monday January 24th, 2005 11:28:38 PM
Grymash is silent and somewhat withdrawn. He relives every second he spent with his god. Wonders how he could have done better. He walks along, occasionally mumbling to himself.
Trellus (AC 20, Prot from Fire) Tuesday January 25th, 2005 11:09:00 AM
Trellus takes in the exchange down below with a growing frown. "That looks kinda bright, don't it?" he asks rhetorically.
"Nuk, Flea - see if you can find those dudes. Everyone else, let's get off this road. Stay shuttlecocked."
The cleric gives the ranger and rogue a little lead time, using the interval to cast a protective spell on himself. [Protection from Energy (Fire)]
"Let's weave," he tells the rest of the pack.
He leads the group off the trail, heading to the same side the other group went. Flea and Anuk are given a slight lead, and Trellus waves the rest following into two lines -Jake, Gry, Mac up front, followed by Tishe, Trellus, and Gilan.
Tishe' Tuesday January 25th, 2005 4:48:55 PM
The small woman rubs her hands against her beige trousers and moves off the path. Once hidden from casual observation, she strings her crossbow and knocks a bolt. Following the front three, she prepares to backup whatever may come.
Flea (Hasted) d20+23=33 d20+12=13 d20+8=25 d20+10=18 Tuesday January 25th, 2005 7:36:02 PM
Flea uses all of her skills to move quickly, but inconspicuously in a line designed to intersect the run-away pack. Having activated her special boots*, she checks to see that Anuk is keeping pace. If they spot the group they are seeking, she will remain hidden and try to learn of their plans.
Hide=33 Search=13 Spot=25 Listen=18
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 1/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Anuk d20+11=22 d20+12=25 d20+10=29 d20+10=24 Tuesday January 25th, 2005 9:56:55 PM
With a nod to Trellus, Anuk moves out with Flea, keeping a quiet pace with the little gnome. "First sign of anything and I think we oughtta head right back to tell Trellus," he whispers to the rogue.
Anuk peers ahead into the woods and watches for signs of a trail on the ground, looking for clues about the strangers.
Hide 22, Track 25, Spot 29, Listen 24
DM George d20+13=31 d20+13=21 Tuesday January 25th, 2005 10:27:08 PM
The others stay behind as Anuk and Flea try to move forward together. They scoot from tree to tree move quickly. They seem to hide themselves very well but they don't seem to concerned with moving quietly and step on several twigs and leaves as they move forward. (OOC Guys you guys forgot about moving silently?)
They come upon a clearing and only see one individual in it. It is a female, who is looking in their direction and leaning against a large boulder. She is weaving some grass together as she says, "Who are you and why are you following us?" She adds with a smirk, "You might as well show yourselves...a herd of cattle would make less noise."
The woman is around 50 away from Anuk and Flea who are 50' ahead of the others.
From a distance behind her, you here a muffled voice yell something uninteligable.
Gilan d20+7=14 d20+7=12 Tuesday January 25th, 2005 11:26:47 PM
Gilan looks around to the rest of the group and sighs. As the two scouts move out he looks to those that remain and shakes his head. "Should we not be moving out to follow." He looks around at all of the surrounding and then thinking to what he saw earlier. "I have a bad feeling that we are in trouble here...Anuk and Flea possibly more than us." He starts to move out in that general direction, with out without the others.
[spot 14 and listen 12]
Flea (Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Trap Sense +2) d20+5=20 d20+12=18 d20+8=17 d20+10=22 Tuesday January 25th, 2005 11:59:08 PM "Shhhh! 'Nuk, stay hidden and cover me...she doesn't know how many we are!" whispers the gnome.
Flea steps into the clearing to face the woman, and answers brightly, "why, Lady, it is only me in these woods! I have run away from my group to see if you are real or a mirage! My pack, I think you spotted us earlier, and I have been lost in these woods, and we haven't seen anyone in ages!" (Bluff=20) Flea keeps her hands palm out, a little out from her body, in a sign of peace.
Dispite her friendly demeanour, the rogue is no fool. All of her senses are on alert as she stays primed to evade a trap.
Search=18 Spot=17 Listen=22
Grymash d20+5=20 d20+2=4 Wednesday January 26th, 2005 12:00:56 AM
Grymash breaks his silence and whispers back to Trellus. "Uhh, whut goin' on ahead? Do yooz hears dat?!"
(Listen 20, Spot 4)
Jake Wednesday January 26th, 2005 2:11:24 AM
Jake draws his sword and readies his shield, just in case a fight is coming up. Most situations like this seem to of late have drawn into a big fight... And they're way off in the middle of nowhere now...
Trellus (ac 20, prot vs fire) d20+8=22 d20+8=25 Wednesday January 26th, 2005 10:36:01 AM
Trellus nods, agreeing with both Gilan and Gry. The blond haired man indicates for Gry and the rest to keep following after Flea and Anuk. "Don't get too far ahead of me," he quietly cautions the faster moving half-orc.
The shuttlecocked cleric moves steadily forward [double move - 40'], keeping his eyes and ears open, looking for signs of the other group.
Listen - 22 Spot - 25
Anuk (AC 21) d20+8=18 d20+10=19 d20+10=22 d20+11=29 Wednesday January 26th, 2005 11:26:50 AM Careful, litte friend, thinks Anuk as the tiny rogue steps into the clearing. Remaining hidden in the bushes, Anuk QUIETLY draws an arrow, nocks it, and trains it on the stranger, alert for any sign of danger. As he watches the woman, he strains to make out the sound in the distance.
(move quietly 18, spot 19, listen 22, hide 29)
TIshe' d20+3=23 d20+3=17 Wednesday January 26th, 2005 3:45:19 PM
Tishe' pushes a stray wavy brown lock of hair away from her face and continues to follow Jake through the woods, crossbow in hand.
"Wart", she says quietly, "watch my back, sweetie, we don't know if these strangers have black or white hands."
Spot: nat 20 Listen: 17
Mac d20+5=17 d20+1=4 d20+3=15 Wednesday January 26th, 2005 5:25:34 PM
Maintaining pace with the main of the Pack, Mac tries to blend in a little more.
Spot:17, Listen:4, Move Silently:15
Grymash d20+3=15 d20+3=10 d20+5=23 d20+2=14 Wednesday January 26th, 2005 7:36:51 PM
The barbarian takes his mighty bow and draws an arrow. He moves forward slowly (half movement 20ft. Double movement 40') He does his best to keep quiet and hidden. He continues to listen and keep his eyes peeled.
(Move Silently 15, Hide 10, Listen 23, Spot 14)
Gilan Wednesday January 26th, 2005 10:16:50 PM
Gilan looks around at the group as they begin to prepare for the worse. He cannot blame them and he is curious as to what is going on. Was that girl a prisoner, captive or just a lure to get them off guard.
Moving over to keep pace with Trellus he shakes his head. "A trap maybe?" He looks to Mac and taps the big guy. "If things go bad I will hit you with a barkskin spell first as you will most likely move to melee." He glances to Gry as he strings his bow and smiles. "I will get you next with the barkskin spell...as you seem ready to fire off that giant bow of yours." Looking back to Trellus he shakes his head again. "Anyone else you think may benefit before they join battle totally?"
DM George Wednesday January 26th, 2005 10:57:27 PM
Flea tries to bluff the strange lady as the Bloodpack moves forward to support her and prepares for battle.
"You lie little one. We saw your group crest the hill. Now you are coming forward to spy on us. I don't appreciate that. We are not looking to make new friends. Go now in peace but if you follow me and my friends again, know you will find blood...your own."
The woman starts backing away towards the treeline but keeps her eyes on Flea and the surrounding woods.
Flea and Anuk easily hear a muffled yell of someone in distress.
Flea d20+12=32 d20+8=27 Thursday January 27th, 2005 9:21:32 AM
The gnome doesn't move. She keeps her hands away from her weapons, and observes the strange woman, wondering how she was able to see through the rogue's ruse.
Flea knows her ranger friend has her back. She hopes the rest of the pack are close behind.
The gnome doesn't say a word, but scans the clearing quickly to see if she can pick up any information, before her eyes return to watch the suspicious female. (Search=32 (nat. 20!), Spot=27)
What would Trellus do? thinks the gnome. She struggles to keep a serious face as despite the precariousness of her situation the thought of what Jake might do crosses her mind.
Trellus (ac 20, prot vs fire) d20+8=11 d20+8=13 Thursday January 27th, 2005 9:37:10 AM
Trellus nods at Gilan, but doesn't say anything. From the way the cleric is peering through the woodline, its obvious he's concerned about somebody moving around the group as well.
With a wave of his hand, he encourages the pack to keep moving forward. He stays 10' behind Gry while continuing to head toward Flea and Anuk. [Double move - 40']
Listen - 11 Spot - 13
Tishe' d20+3=13 d20+3=11 Thursday January 27th, 2005 12:46:40 PM
Maintaining her hold on her crossbow, the small woman tries to keep her eyes and ears open while she keeps up with Trellus.
Spot: 13 Listen: 11 Double Move 40 feet
Grymash d20+5=22 d20+2=10 Thursday January 27th, 2005 7:47:08 PM
Grymash tried his best to be quiet as they advanced, but since no one else was doing so, he saw no need to continue. The barbarian wonders, "Whut would Gry do?" He quickly recalls, "Oh yeah, Gry knows!" He stomps forward, toward Flea and 'Nuk, having little to no regard for anything in his path (including Thumper!). He moves forward until he breaks into the clearing (total double movement 80ft). As he does, his tree-sized bow is lowered slightly in order to not appear so threatening. But not too low, if you know what Gry means.
(If he sees the woman) "Flea, who dat be?" Grymash turns to the stranger, "Who be yooz?" His ear perks up. "Whut be dat?"
(Listen 22, Spot 10)
Mac d20+5=7 d20+1=10 Thursday January 27th, 2005 7:55:40 PM
"Thanks Gilan."
Mac maintains pace with the group, though possibly not with Gry. this should be a surprise for them he thinks to himself Gry playing the diplomat!
Spot:7 Listen:10 ::sigh::
Anuk (AC 21) d20+8=11 d20+10=27 d20+10=27 d20+11=29 Thursday January 27th, 2005 9:28:08 PM
Anuk remains hidden and tries to remain quiet -- he will not leave until Flea can leave safely.
His arrow remains trained on the woman and he watches and listens for signs of the woman's companions.
(move quietly 11, spot 27, listen 27, hide 29)
Gilan d20+7=21 d20+7=25 Thursday January 27th, 2005 9:40:23 PM
Gilan moves on with the rest, keeping his ears and eyes peeled for trouble. He acknowledges Trellus's nod with one of his own as he can tell the cleric is worried.
He lets Gry go on ahead of them figuring that he can catch him if needed. With a smile and nod to Mac he lets the big man know that he heard him. Otherwise he is keeping an eye out for Flea as well. Worry creases his face for his litte sister...as it does for all his pack.
DM George d20+16=17 Thursday January 27th, 2005 10:45:40 PM
The lady keeps moving back and says, "Stay away from us. You have been warned." She slips away into the trees moving very gracefully and with poise.
The group hears several crashes and a gutteral yell. Through the trees, the elven boy can be seen running towards the pack. He looks behind him and suddenly is jerked from his feet onto his pack. He yells out "Help!" in common but is quickly dragged back out of sight.
This occured across the clearing but around 15 yards to the left of the lady who was talking to Flea.The elf was around 20' into the woods but still visible. The lady looks to be trying to hide behind a tree but see can be seen easily by most of the pack.
The pack has moved up and rejoined Flea and Anuk. Grymash has joined Flea out in the open but the others have stayed more discretely in the woods.
Jake (AC 23, hp 52/52) Friday January 28th, 2005 1:00:28 AM
"This has gotta be a trap, guys. Trellus, let me set it off, so that the rest of ya can take care of whatever it is. Ah can take whatever they throw at me."
When Trellus gives his permission, Jake then moves forward into the woods, chasing after the elven boy. He gets as close as he can, trying to get a better view and hopefully closing in on whatever's grabbing the boy. But if Trellus does not, Jake merely keeps his position in the pack or follows his pack leader's advice...
Gilan Friday January 28th, 2005 12:31:07 PM
Gilan glances to Jake as he makes the offer to set off this trap. Though he realizes that it will be dangerous he knows that this maybe their only option. He moves forward to get near Jake and lays his hand upon his shoulder. "Vara tel seldarine." He nods to Trellus and then grasps Jakes shoulder more firmly. "I have boosted his protection as best I can...we can also cover him with missile fire pretty well." He waits to see if Trellus will agree to this little plan.
Tishe' (AC 16 (20); HP 37/37) Friday January 28th, 2005 1:32:19 PM
The brown-haired mage keeps pace with Trellus (move up to 30') and pauses to give herself some more protection, weaving the pattern for a magical shield.
"Looks like we're weaving a fight." she comments to no one in particular. The deadly crossbow never wavers from the other side of the clearing.
Spells Shield: [50 rounds] +4 AC tower shield
Trellus (ac 20, prot vs fire, owls wisdom[1]) Friday January 28th, 2005 4:13:44 PM
"No need, Jake," Trellus responds wryly. "I'm pretty sure Gry'll take care of that part."
The young man quickly looks left and right. His mouth sets as he realizes it will simply take too long to go around this clearing. There's nothing for it but to blast on through.
"OK dudes, let's get across this thing quick!" he calls out. "Gry, get that lady as fast as you can." Trellus pauses long enough to cast another spell on himself [Owls Wisdom] and starts hurrying across the field. [20' move]
Mac d20+5=7 Friday January 28th, 2005 5:29:06 PM
The taur keeps pace with Gilan, who he hopes is keeping up with Trellus. With expectations of a trap, Mac is looking for individuals that are lying in wait or posing a threat.
Spot:7
...of course, the trees are quite lovely this time of year...
Flea (Hasted, AC19+1, +4 vs Giants/HP 41, Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Trap Sense +2 ) d20+13=24 d20+12=26 d20+8=21 Friday January 28th, 2005 9:17:22 PM
Flea tastes the bile rise in her throat when she sees the elven youngster yanked off his feet. She runs pel-mel (up to 2x normal speed of 20 ft.) across the clearing, tumbling past the lithe female (Tumble=24) in an attempt to get behind her. The small female keeps her eyes peeled for any others from the foreign pack (Search=26, Spot=21) as she rises, pulling her hooked hammer from her belt. From her flanking position she watches her companions rush forward through the clearing.
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 2/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Grymash d20+11=29 d20+6=26 d20+6=12 d8+6=12 d8+6=14 d8+6=7 d8+6=10 Friday January 28th, 2005 10:04:18 PM
Grymash snarls menacingly when Trellus says, "Get the lady!" His bow instantly rises and off goes one of his large arrows. As soon as the first arrow cuts through the air and lands with a thud, a second one quickly follows.
(full round attack. 1st arrow, HitAC: 29. Damage 12. 2nd arrow, HitAC: 26 crit threat, 12 crit hit [a miss, im sure]. Damage 14. Total Damage: 26. If a critical: 43 damage.)
Anuk (AC 21, HP 34) - Dodge (AC 22 vs woman) Friday January 28th, 2005 11:32:41 PM
Springing from his hiding place, Anuk races with Flea across the clearing, stowing his bow and drawing his longsword as he goes. Whoever these people are, they clearly intend to harm the youngster. He stops short of the woman, flanking her with Flea.
"Let the lad go," he snarls.
DM George Combat round 1 d20+16=22 3d6(5+6+1)+18=30 d20+14=20 d20+9=18 d20+11=23 d10+5=15 4d4(1+3+4+1)+4=13 Saturday January 29th, 2005 12:58:55 AM
The clearing is an oval in shape deepest at the middle where the main group is. Here it is around 70' deep. The clearing extends around 200' wide and slowly gets more narrow towards the end.
I will try and make a map this weekend but this is how I see the groups. Flea and Anuk raced across the clearing. Flea is in the lead with Anuk not far behind.
Grymash was about 20' into the clearing when he takes his shots. Trellus, Mac, Jake, Gilan and Tishe are all slowly moving into the clearing and are about 10' after this round.
Jake offers to spring any traps but only can watch open mouthed as the littlest member of the Bloodpack races across the clearing to confront the strange lady.
He looks back as he feels a touch on his arm as Gilan casts a spell on him raising his AC.
Tishe casts a protective spell and moves up into the clearing staying with the main group.
Trellus casts a spell as he too moves up.
Mac is to stunned by Flea's brash behavior to notice much detail but that oak tree over there is just beautiful in this light.
Grymash takes careful aim but Flea jumps into his sights just as he is about to shoot. He pulls the shot up and just misses the lady. He notices that she has some cover from the trees and carefully plans his next shot. He hits here for 12 points of damage (ooc The lady got a +4 due to Flea and +4 for cover)
Anuk charges into a mess as he is suddenly hit with a huge sword. A large ogre armed with a very large great sword becomes visible around 8' away from him. The ogre follows up with two savage strokes but Anuk is able to avoid both of them. Anuk take 30 points of damage and is feeling decidedly unwell. He knows if he takes one more hit from this brute, he will be pleading his case in front of Gargul.
The lady turns towards Flea and smiles an evil smile even though she was hit with one of Grymashes arrows. She dances forward incredibly fast and kicks Flea in the chest for 15 points of damage.
Mac is struck by four missiles coming from the woods to the left. They zoom in on an angle and do 13 points of damage.
Trellus (ac20, prot vs fire, owls wisdom) Saturday January 29th, 2005 12:29:06 PM
Trellus sighs, wondering when the gods are going to stop forcing the pack to attack prepared defenders.
Looking about, his mind rapidly goes over the situation. Anuk and Flea are engaged with the lady and the ogre on the far side of the clearing. Just to their left is where the chained elf got yanked back by another dude (treadle #3). To the left of that, a mage (treadle #4) just shot a spell across the formation to nail Mac. Gry is 50' from the combatants, and everyone else is about 60' away.
Treadle #5 is still unaccounted for.
Trellus starts barking orders.
"Nuk! Drop back!" "Gry - help Flea!" "Jake and Tishe - the ogre." "Gil - wrap up that wizard!" "Mac, stay with me."
The cleric sprints across the clearing, pulling out his healing wand as he runs.
[Run - 60' move. Trellus will not outrun either Gry or Jake. He expects to end up linked up with Anuk, some 5 feet behind a battle line of Jake and Gry and whatever Tishe does.]
Gilan [HP: 57/57, AC: 18] d20+7=10 d20+7=26 Saturday January 29th, 2005 3:57:09 PM
Gilan lays his hand upon Mac's shoulder and says a few quick words. "Vara tel seldarine." He smiles as his spell goes off and increases Mac's defense even higher.
He then takes off at a run in the direction of the missiles that were fired upon Mac. "On it Trellus." He quickly goes through the spells that he has left to use in a magic fight. He does his best to hear or spot the mage as he moves along.
Anuk (AC 21, HP 4) - Dodge (AC 22 vs ogre), rapid shot, point blank shot Saturday January 29th, 2005 5:38:31 PM "Unngghhh..." Anuk feels the bite of the ogre's blade as it slashes through him. The sudden spray of blood gets in his eyes as he turns to face the huge assailant. Suddenly, he wishes he had Gry's ability to lose himself in a rage. Instead, he feels fear welling up inside him.
Somewhere behind him he hears the voice of Trellus. Gotta remain focused, he thinks to himself. If I run, he's gonna tear me apart. In a split-second, he makes his decision - a quick step backwards to get himself outside of the ogre's reach (5' step back). As he does so, he drops his longsword to the ground, draws his bow and fires two arrows into the hulking creature.
Anuk OOC d20+10=17 d8+4=9 d20+10=16 d8+4=8 Saturday January 29th, 2005 5:41:38 PM
(OOC: accidently hit submit before rolling. 1st arrow hits AC 17 for 9pts, 2nd arrow hits AC 16 for 8 pts. *sigh*)
Jake (AC 25, 23 due to charging, hp 52/52, barksin +3 (but wearing an amulet of natural armor +1)) d20+9=23 d10+10=16 d6=5 Saturday January 29th, 2005 10:14:22 PM
Time ta follow the plan, Jake thinks to himself. Wish that Flea had done so, he sighs. Gathering his energy, he yells menacingly, "Face me, ya mudfaced dunglicker!", charging straight at the ogre who just clubbed his bud 'nuk. He hacks into the thing with full force, swinging with all of his strength behind his sharp steel. (The ogre might get off his attack before I charge in. I don't think Jake got his new armor yet...if he did, his AC will be a whopping 32 with the barksin. But if he didn't he's a bit more vulnerable... Power attack at full +5, which I found was on my character sheet btw George, hit AC 23, did 16 damage on this first attack plus 5 freezing damage)
Flea (Hasted, AC19+1, +4 vs Giants/HP26/ 41) d20+13=14 d20+10=18 d20+10=15 d6+1=2 3d6(4+3+5)=12 d6+1=4 3d6(6+4+6)=16 Saturday January 29th, 2005 11:18:13 PM
Flea's eyes cross as the woman kicks her in the chest, and momentarily winds her. The gnome stumbles past the lithe female in an attempt to get behind her.(Tumble=14) Gathering her wits about her, she strikes out with her gnomish hammer once (Hit AC 18, for 2 pts dmg, +12 Sneak Attack dmg) then a second time (Hit AC 15 for 4 pts dmg, +16 Sneak Attack dmg).
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 3/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Tishe' (AC 16 (20); HP 37/37) Sunday January 30th, 2005 8:58:51 AM
The violence of the trap sprung on the Bloodpack gives Tishe' a moments pause, but then Trellus' clear orders rings out.
"Shuttlecocked!" she answers the cleric's instructions.
The first pick is to take that monster off his feet. Jake is close, and Anuk nearby, so the small mage has to target the ogre carefully. Her hands rise and her voice weaves a spell while she casts a handful of ground mica into the air.
Suddenly, centered five feet behind the ogre, a cloud of golden particles surrounds the beast, getting into its eyes and trying to blind the beast. (Will Save DC 17 {10+4[int]+2[sp lvl]+1[sp focus]} or blind for spell length [5 rounds]
Spells Shield: [49 rounds] +4 AC tower shield Glitterdust: [5 rounds] 10 foot radius, -40 Hide, blinded DC 17
Mac [AC:21, HP:62/75] Sunday January 30th, 2005 5:28:59 PM
The taur keeps easy pace with Trellus (60' - double move) with greataxe at the ready.
Grymash (ac18, hp81) d20+13=32 d8+19=26 Sunday January 30th, 2005 11:37:22 PM
Grymash growls as Flea goes charging off in front of him. "Flea think she Gry again," thinks the barbarian to himself. He drops his bow (free action) and charges toward the "lady" who just kicked Flea. His speed is swift and daunting. Along the way, he draws his double axe. With one wild and deadly stroke, he brings death upon his victim.
(Charge+2hit/-2ac. Max movement 80'. Powerattack+5, +10 twohanded. HitAC: 32. Damage: 26.
DM George combat round 2 d20+15=35 d20+15=19 3d6(3+3+5)+18=29 d20+11=14 d20+2=15 d100=30 d20+14=22 d20+21=29 d20+21=36 d20+16=22 d100=80 d100=39 d100=22 3d6(4+1+2)+10=17 3d6(1+1+2)+10=14 d20+15=19 d20+15=34 d20+15=25 d20+9=21 d20+15=17 d20+15=35 d20+15=26 d20+9=10 d8+8=14 d8+8=14 d8+8=9 d4+8=11 d4+8=10 7d6(2+5+4+1+4+6+1)=23 Monday January 31st, 2005 5:51:02 PM
Trellus barks several orders and moves up with a double move to support Anuk careful not to get into range of the Ogre and his huge sword.
Gilan goes to cast Barkskin on Mac but Mac doesn't wait around for the spell to be cast doing a double movement to stay with Trellus. (Gilan can cast the spell on himself or save it and take a double movement instead. Let me know which.)
Anuk steps back and hastily tries to shoot the Ogre but misses with both shots. Still he is out of range of the lethal sword being at 13 feet.
Jake charges forward to his friends aid. He comes within the Ogre's range for an AOO and the ogre swings at him connecting and doing 29 points of damage. Jake is staggered but swings back and does 16 points to the ogre.
Flea tries to tumble past the mean looking lady but fails. The lady takes a swing at her with an AOO but misses. Flea swings twice but because she failed her tumble, she doesn't get her flanking bonus and missed with both swings.
Tishe casts her spell on the ogre. Unfortunately she affects Jake with it as well and Jake must make a saving throw as well. (OOC Since Jake is in combat range with the ogre, I gave Tishe a 50% chance to effect him too and she did)
The Ogre blinks his eyes several times and screams in anger and rage. He seems to swell up as he does and even looks more intimidating but he obviously can't see his opponents.
Grymash was around 50' away from Flea and the evil lady Flea is fighting. He drops his bow and draws his axe but can't swing this round. He will be able to next round.
There turn:
Katrina tumbles away from Flea and Grymash and gets up and runs. She is incredibly fast and move 60' in one turn, disappearing into the thick woods.
The Ogre slashes around with his sword slashing into Jake twice doing 31 points of damage. Jake falls to the ground, glittering but pumping blood at -8. (I don't see where blinded creatures get minuses to hit. I gave Jake a concealment bonus but it didn't help. If anyone can enlighten me where some minuses are, I will take them into consideration.)
Grymash roars in surprise when he is attacked by a whirlwind of swords, expertly swung by a man who materializes beside him. He is armed with longsword and dagger. (I gave Grymash his normal ac of 20 because he couldn't charge last round) Grymash gets hit 3 times 2 of them being critical hits. One critical hit does 28 points of damage, the second sword strike does 9 and the dagger hit that was critical does 21. Grymash takes 58 points of damage.
Gilan is looking for the wizard and sees a dark skinned elf standing by a tree. His attention is brought to the elf when a lightning bolt leaps from his fingers and hits Gilan for 23 points of damage 12 points if reflex save of dc 16 is made.
Carla to DM George Monday January 31st, 2005 7:19:50 PM
With all respect, I don't feel capable of posting wisely for Flea during this combat without a map.
Stephen ooc Monday January 31st, 2005 7:28:45 PM
Again, as I have said before and have posted page number and verse from the book, one can draw their weapon along with their move action as long as they have a +1 Attack bonus or greater. Page 142 in the players handbook, in the section called "Draw or Sheathe a Weapon." I quote: "If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you may draw a weapon as a free action combined with a regular move."
Second, in a charge you can double your movement and get off a single melee attack. You get a +2 to hit, and a -2 to AC. Its all on Page 154. Grymash can charge up to 80 feet and get off an attack. If the "lady" has an AC 32 or less, Grymash does hit and deals full damage as stated in my post.
Third. From the last round. Flea would have had to attack the Lady first before you apply penalties to ranged attacks on the target. Flea had only moved into position and not attack the lady in the last round. Both arrows should have hit.
Gilan [HP: 45/57, AC: 21] {barkskin} d20+6=18 7d6(2+4+2+4+3+1+1)=17 7d6(5+6+4+4+3+6+1)=29 Monday January 31st, 2005 9:18:19 PM
Last Round
Gilan slips the spell onto himself as he moves, seeing as Mac moved sooner than he had expected.
This Round
Gilan feels the lightning pass over his body and he shudders with the feeling, but it brings some amount of pleasure more than pain. He even laughs at the mage for a few seconds as his natural abilities allow him to shrug off most of the damage. He nods to the mage as he flicks his wrist in his direction as he speaks. "Pelekta yassen runya!" He grins even wider as his spell finishes.
A sudden gout of flames slams down upon the mage with devastating effect upon the area. When the smoke clears what will be left for the druid to deal with, that is his one question now.
[reflex 18] [flame strike - 29 damage, DC 19 for half, used HP]
George Monday January 31st, 2005 11:53:06 PM
Hey folks,
I realize with the frustration of some of the players lashing out both here and the DM board that I am not doing the job you need to have a good time.
I feel it is time for another to step forward and take over the DMing of this game. Mike you can stay. I will go.
Stephen, I have to admit that your post hurt me deeply. Yes I am not the rules guru that you are. I freely admit it. Still I post everyday, more than I can say for some of you and give it my best effort. I didn't need your nasty and hateful post. Good luck with you next DM
The Battle Ends [CDM Jerry] Tuesday February 1st, 2005 4:50:30 AM
Suddenly overhead there is the sound of wings. Huge powerful wings. Looking up, you see the incredible form of a dragon. Goldish bronze in color, it ROARS!
The ogre, seeing the huge beast, screams like a baby without it's momma!
OOOOHHHHEEEEEIIIIIHHHHH!
Immediately it runs. The party gets several attacks of opportunity upon it as it leaves injuring it further. Squealing in pain it doubles it's effort to escape the FEAR!
Jumping off a nearby short cliff it impales itself upon a sharp upturned stump of a tree, broken off from recent lightning.
It is dead.
The dragon wheels and with a popping sound, disappears.
[Don't read alot into all this folks. I'm simply ending the combat. ADM Carla will now take over the game for the moment. George has resigned for now. Trust that I am working on things.]
Temp ADM Carla Tuesday February 1st, 2005 7:53:21 AM
The Whump...whump...whump... of great wings beats the air and waves of warmth and humidity wash over the party. For a brief moment it is as if you are not alone with your thoughts. There is the sensation of a hand brushing back a curtain, the fog lifting from the ground in the morning as the sun shines through. There is the sensation of an intelligent curiousity, and then the sensation is gone as the beast wheels through the air a second time.
The human sword brandishing male, the female monk, and 7ft. tall humanoid dressed in leather run through the forest and disappear, abandoning their captive.
The young looking elf, a chain still dangling from his neck stands alone on the edge of the forest and turns towards the pack, his eyes shining with excitement. "Naa lle ele ya?"*
*Did you see that?
Flea Tuesday February 1st, 2005 8:01:12 AM
Flea rocks back on her heels as the dragon soars overhead. The sensation of a gentle probe into her mind causes her to resist at first, but as she feels no fear, she relaxes, and then it is gone.
Looking about the clearing she briefly notices the young elf, but then her eyes are rivetted by the gruesome sight of the bleeding fighter and she screams.
"Jake!"
Trellus 4d8(3+8+8+5)+7=31 Tuesday February 1st, 2005 10:50:08 AM
Trellus stares open mouthed at the form of the retreating dragon. That was REALLY big- is about all his mind can come up with.
Flea's cry brings the young man out of his reverie. In two quick steps, he is beside the fighter and laying his hands upon him.
[Cure Critical Wounds on Jake - 31 hp healed. (cast over Inflict Critical)]
Anuk (HP 20) 2d8(2+8)+6=16 Tuesday February 1st, 2005 12:29:48 PM
Anuk can barely contain himself at the sight of the dragon and the retreating enemies. A real dragon! he thinks. What a magnificent creature!. However, all that comes out of his mouth is "Shady."
He watches Trellus working over Jake's body and realizes he's still losing blood himself. He sinks to his knees, takes a moment to gather his strength, and then fishes through his pack, eventually producing a vial of liquid which he opens and drains into his throat. (potion of cure moderate wounds - heals 16 hp).
Feeling his strength returning and watching his wounds knit, he turns to Gilan. Holding another vial he says, "You look a little singed, Gil. Need this?" If Gilan (or anyone) needs it, he offers a potion of Cure Light Wounds, or will cast Cure Moderate Wounds from the ioun stone.
Tishe' Tuesday February 1st, 2005 3:56:28 PM
Readying another spell, the weaving dies on Tishe's lips as the clearing is swept by the wind of the magnificent reptile's passage. Standing in awe (and a little fear) the small woman watches breathlessly as the dragon flies about and disappears.
Moving slowly as if coming out of a trance, she tucks an errant brown tress behind her ear and moves to retrieve her crossbow then see if she can help with Flea.
"And Valdor wants us to track down something like that?" she wonders aloud when she comes near the lady-gnome.
Mac (HP:62/75) d20+5=20 Tuesday February 1st, 2005 4:05:37 PM
Mac ignores his wounds as he watches the dragon in more than a little awe. He hears the elf's words and though he does not understand them, he agrees with the sentiment. With a burst of speed he gets as near as he can to the point the dragon 'popped' away. "We have to find that dragon again. I cannot ignore the debt." Spot:20
Gilan [HP: 48/57, AC: 21] {barkskin} d8+1=3 Tuesday February 1st, 2005 6:48:10 PM
Gilan looks to Anuk as he offers up the potion and just shakes his head as he holds out his hand. The shadow that had passed over them earlier had unnerved him to say the least. He drinks the potion without choking, somehow, even with his trembling hand.
Looking to Trellus he shakes his head and swallows again. "And we agreed to hunt one of those down?" He looks again to the sky and shakes his head. "Wold Mother preserve us."
Grymash d20+10=18 d8+21=26 2d8(6+1)+3=10 2d8(6+2)+3=11 d8=6 d8+3=8 d8+3=8 Tuesday February 1st, 2005 9:42:37 PM
The barbarian takes a wild final swing at the human (the one fighting with the two weapons) as he makes a run for it. Grymash nashes his teeth and growls at the coward and prepares to chase the treadle down. The sudden rush of wind and a shadow from above draws his attention instead. He eyes grow wide at the sight of the flying lizard. He pulls off his helmet and casts it aside to get a better look. He's totally confused and dumbfounded. He's never seen anything like that in all his life. Except for the giant birds of the Sargrass. When Nuk calls it a dragon, Grymash totally loses it. "Wha!! DA DAT BE WHAT?! YOOZ SAYS DRAGON! DAT BE UH DRAGON?! DAT BIG BEATER UP THERES ... UH DRAGON! DAT HALF-HUMAN VOIDOR SENT PACK AFTER DAT!? BRIGHT BURNIN' SKY BEATERS OF of uh, err ... PIGGIE DUUMMPPSS!!"
Grymash paces back and forth cursing in orc. Stopping only momentarily to point at the sky and growl and spit. His frustration gets the best of him and he sits down on a log to catch his breath and calm down. After a short moment, a calmer Grymash says, "Gry say ta Voidor dat Gry will rip dat dragon apart wit me own hands. How Gry gonna do dat?" He sighs and casts two cure moderate wounds spells on himself.
(Rerolled the 1 on my cure moderate roll, house rule. Healed Gry for 26 points.)
Still injured from the short battle, Grymash decides to spontaneously cast two cure light wound spells. (Healed 16 more points) Grymash feels much better but his wounds are still not completely healed. He sighs again. He wonders if this is one of his tests from Gargul. Just days ago the half-orc could command the dead back to the living and now he cant even heal himself completely. He tries not to let that bother him but his expression reveals his disappointment.
Temp ADM Carla Tuesday February 1st, 2005 10:47:12 PM
"Vedui! Mae govannen!"* calls the elven lad. He continues to speak in his language, using his hands to make his points as he waves first in the direction of the run-away outlaws, and then into the sky where the bronze dragon had suddenly appeared and then just as suddenly disappeared. (Those who understand elvish Highlight to display spoiler: {understand that he doesn't remember what happened to him, but woke up in the care of those who ran away. He had the collar on his neck with the chain attached. The woman with the group said they were transporting him to his new master. })
The youth isn't much younger than those in the pack, maybe a little closer to Trellus' sister Jenny's age. He is dressed in very well made clothes of fine fabrics in subtle colours as well as a padded leather vest. He doesn't appear to carry any weapons. His hair is cut to shoulder length with bangs that are a little long, but do not hide his green eyes.
As the boy carries on, the pack members tend to themselves and each other, and the healing process commences. The impact of their promise to Valdor unsettles some.
*Greetings! Well met!
Flea Tuesday February 1st, 2005 11:07:17 PM
Flea turns away from the males, and gingerly lifts her shirt to show Tishe' her bruised chest and side. "I heard a crack when she kicked me, and it is hard to breath. Can you mend broken ribs?" asks the gnome hopefully.
As the elf chatters on, Flea asks the curly haired mage, "do you know what he's going on about?"
Jake Tuesday February 1st, 2005 11:37:57 PM
Jake wakes up from Trellus' touch and gets up quickly, somewhat ashamedly from falling down so suddenly. "Battles over already?" he asks Trell, then looks around puzzled by the lack of carnage or bodies. Then, hearing the others talk of the dragon and stuff, he sighs. "Shucks, ah missed seein' it..."
Grymash d8+3=10 Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 2:02:50 AM
Grymash turns to Flea, just now realizing she is injured. "Flea, Gry got one mores feel good magik in me. Comes here an Gry gives it to ya."
(Cast Cure Light Wounds: 10 points of curing.)
Grymash then whispers in Flea's ear, "Do Flea knows whut pointy ears over theres be talkin' 'bout?"
Trellus d8+5=11 d8+5=8 2d8(1+1)+7=9 2d8(8+1)+7=16 d8=3 4d8(5+6+1+7)+7=26 d8=6 Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 10:26:09 AM
Trellus keeps healing his friends. As he does so, he calls out to the elf in the lad's tongue.
"Please wait young one. I attend my friends, and then we may talk." Ignoring his own advice, the young man continues speaking. "Do you know how to return to your people?"
Meanwhile, the blond cleric of Domi makes with the healing: He casts a healing spell on Flea [CLW (over Bane) - 11 hp healed]. Another on Gilan [CLW (over Bless) - 8 hp healed]. Another on Grymash [CMW (over Silence) - 18 hp healed (rerolled a bunch of ones)]. And another on Jake [CCW (over Spell Immunity) - 31 hp healed].
And he hands Mac a potion [CMW (CL3)].
"Anybody else?" he asks with a grin.
Tishe' Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 1:06:56 PM
The small woman spreads her hands at Flea's question, and is very happy Grymash and Trellus come to her aid. "I've got a potion, but I think we should save those for dire circumstances." She shrugs again. "Never know when we'll have an opportunity to get more."
With the dragon and enemy gone, the brown-haired girl focuses on the most interesting thing in the clearing: the elf. Not understanding the language, she stands near the conversation absolutely facinated at the musical language between the elf and Trellus.
"Why was he a prisoner? Does he know where is home is? If we brought him there, would he be able to help us?" The questions pour out as curiosity brims over her brown eyes.
Gilan [HP: 56/57, AC: 21] {barkskin} 2d8(2+5)+7=14 Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 1:14:30 PM
Gilan justs continues to shake his head until Trellus comes over and hits him with some healing. "Thanks Trell...did we really agree to hunt that thing...I guess we did at that." He seems to be rambling a bit as he moves over to stop Mac from taking the potion. "My magic is easier to replace and that potions easier to use in combat." He lays his hand on the minotuars arm and starts his own chant. "Poika tuulo kshapsae mod." Looking to Mac he smiles. "If you need more than I have one more spell."
Mac (HP:75/75) Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 3:48:45 PM
Mac thank Trellus for the potion, but doesn't get it unstoppered before he is thanking Gilan for the healing. "Thank ye, noo - tha' were plenty. So wha' are we do'n' 'bout the dragon?"
Anuk (HP 20/34) d20+10=24 Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 7:53:34 PM
Anuk's ears perk up at the elf's words. It's been many years since he heard the language, and even then it was more book learning than really used. But it was always beautiful to hear it spoken well.
As everyone gathers together, Anuk approaches the boy and says in halting elvish, "I'm Anuk. What is your name?" While they speak, he looks the collar over to see if it can be easily removed. (spot? 24)
Temp ADM Carla Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 9:26:57 PM
Those with the innate gift of healing tend to the wounded. (OOC: Please keep all potions intact during this transition period) As hurts are healed, and the adrenaline rush of combat recedes, the pack starts to ask questions.
Tishe', Flea, and Gry wonder at the strange elf-boy. Jake, Gilan, and Mac ponder the logistics of snagging a dragon. Trellus' and Anuk occupy themselves with the boy.
As Trellus' translates for the party, Anuk introduces himself to the lad and makes some discreet enquiries. The boy's green eyes cloud for a moment, and then he hangs his head mumbling something in elvish. Those who are familiar with the language understand that the kid can't remember much, not even his name. He thinks he was struck with something, and winces when he touches a sore spot at the back of his head. When he woke up he had the collar around his neck. Suddenly the darkness lifts from his eyes as he remembers something, and brushing the shaggy bangs back from his face, he smiles lopsidedly. Pointing at the ranger he says, "Ah-nuk" then, thumping his own chest, he adds, "Shaai-dee!"
The lock that attaches the chain to the collar is quite simple (DC 20) but the collar is another matter. It is an apparently seamless band of metal fitting close to the boy's neck. There are etchings and something that looks like runes inscribed all over its surface.*
*(OOC: Please post languages known by the character if s/he is going to attempt to read the collar.)
Jake Thursday February 3rd, 2005 4:25:55 AM
Jake grins at the elven boy. "Yeah, he's nukky allright. I'm Jake, and that's Trell." He examines the locks, appearing to do so with great pontification, but really has no clue what they say.
Trellus Thursday February 3rd, 2005 12:33:48 PM
Trellus happily takes back the CMW potion. "For next time then," he grins.
The elfin boy is likable enough. "Dude wants us to call him 'Shady'?" he asks with a laugh. "That could be confusing."
The cleric peers at the collar [langs - elf, orc]. "Looks like writing," he comments. If he can't read it, he'll ask "Anybody make sense of this?" Trellus casts DETECT MAGIC and gives the collar the once over. If its magical, he'll try READ MAGIC to see if that clears up the markings.
"Flea - can you do anything about this chain and collar?" he asks the nimble rogue.
Breaking back into elfin, he asks Shady, "Do you remember anything about your home? Where it is? How to get there?"
Tishe' d20+13=14 Thursday February 3rd, 2005 3:44:12 PM
The small woman keeps out of the immediate activity around the elven boy, not wanting to crowd anyone. Seeing Trellus perform a spell, she becomes suddenly interested in a hopping insect among the grass and doesn't hear the debate on the collar (Spellcraft: nat 1!)
Flea d20+13=28 Thursday February 3rd, 2005 5:58:29 PM
Flea smiles broadly when Trellus' calls upon her to help out with the chain and collar. She takes out her tool-kits, all three of them. Squinting at the mechanism where the chain is attached to the collar, she decides to use the special tools (masterwork). The lock is easily picked. (Open Lock=28)
The collar is another matter. The rogue will study the markings on the metal to see if there is anything to learn about it. (Languages: Draconic, Dwarven, Gnome, Orc)
Gilan [HP: 56/57, AC: 21] {barkskin} Thursday February 3rd, 2005 6:41:17 PM
Gilan listens to what the boy has to say but does not reveal that he can personally understand him. He looks on as the rest of the group go about thier business with the elf lad and the collar.
If given a chance though he will move in close enough to at least get a look at the collar. He will take a look at the writing on it but is sure that he will not know any of it.
Mac Thursday February 3rd, 2005 10:15:20 PM
Mac takes a look at the ring around the elf's neck - his family tradition of smithing making it somewhat relevant. [speak: Common, Minotaur, Tauric, Dwarven]
Grymash Thursday February 3rd, 2005 11:11:48 PM
Grymash watches Flea work with the collar and chain. He's never seen her perform this task before. Gry finds it fascinating. "Ya know Flea, if ya has troubles wit da lock, Gry gots me double axe! Gry sure ya can hack it off da elf. If Flea wants ta use its."
Temp ADM Carla Friday February 4th, 2005 12:25:56 AM
Jake makes introductions and the youth ducks his head in acknowledgement. Hooking a thumb at his chest, he repeats, "Shady". Trellus can tell the collar is magic, all right, but he can't read the inscription. Neither can Gilan, or Mac, although the taur recognizes that he who created it was a very fine craftsman.
The lad looks at Grymash in trepidation as the half-orc thrusts his great axe at the rogue picking the lock. The chain falls to the ground, but the gnome is unable to find a way to prise open the collar. She can however read the inscription on the collar. It is Draconic.
Remove not this hasp of steel, Or die before the morn. Teeth and claws you will feel, If this advice you scorn.
The elf retrieves the chain from the ground, and holding the bulk of it in one hand strings out a length in the other. With measured flicks of his wrist he starts to whirl the chain in a small circle. It grows larger as he feeds more chain from one hand through the other. The whipping chain starts to make a whistling sound in the air, and then the whirling circle slows down, and stops. The youth picks up the chain smiling at the barbarian, and wraps it loosely around his waist.
The boy's face crumples when the cleric asks about his home. He informs the man that he doesn't remember where his home is, but he does remember the route the kidnappers took, and can backtrack. He points in the direction of the mountains from whence the pack has come...the opposite of the direction in which the group was heading.
Flea Friday February 4th, 2005 12:30:30 AM
With a worried look on her face, Flea will translate the inscription for the pack. She will keep her voice low, and speak in Common, since the kid doesn't seem to understand that language.
Jake Friday February 4th, 2005 1:12:19 AM
Jake watches the kid whirling the chain and grins. "Shady, allright. Ya know, we ain't headed in his direction right now...but maybe he can tag alon' with us a while, till we get a-done with that draggin, then we'll help him return to his land. Well, Trell?" Jake then explains to the kid what he said in elvish, though he finds it hard to copy his drawl over to that unfamiliar tongue.
Anuk d20+12=17 Friday February 4th, 2005 10:37:57 AM
Anuk smiles at the boy as he listens to Flea read the inscription. Turning to face the pack and replying in Common, he says, "You know, when that dragon was here a few minutes back, all I could think to say was 'shady'." He turns for a moment to grin at the boy again at the mention of his name. "You suppose Shady here overheard me and he's trying to tell us something about himself? He seems like a nice enough kid, but that collar makes me a little nervous."
As the discussion goes on, Anuk spends a little time looking in the direction that Shady indicated, seeing if he can make out the trail of the kidnappers. (track 17) Looking the area over he finds Gilan and asks, "What do you think? Anything worth following here?"
(languages - elven, common)
Tishe' Friday February 4th, 2005 12:36:21 PM
The brown-eyed mage soberly listens to Flea relate the inscription.
"Try this weave", she tells the others, "what if Shady is under the protection of the Dragon we're supposed to find? Dying with teeth and claw and written in draconic sounds like a Dragon pick."
"So if we help Shady back to where he came from, we'll find the Dragon and ask her to be nice!"
Her face falls. "And if she doesn't, I don't know how we'll twist her thread..."
Trellus Friday February 4th, 2005 3:24:58 PM
Trellus leans in close to Grymash. "Dude," he whispers confidentially, "if you whack the collar, your axe will go through the elf too. Could be messy. And bright for the elf."
Concealing a grin, the young man turns to think on Jake's idea. His mouth sets. Babysitting Shady like Jake wants seems sunbaked.
He nods at Tishe's comment.
"I think she's right," he says. "Shady here is the only thing we've found in days web and weft with dragons. I say he gets to steer."
Gilan [HP: 56/57, AC: 21] {barkskin} d20+14=27 d20+5=15 d20+12=15 d20+15=28 Friday February 4th, 2005 5:41:48 PM
Gilan glances to Anuk and nods his head in understanding. "I will have a look...though you know more of what to look for." He slips around the area to find any other tracks that he can find. He also looks for traces of dragon as well.
He thinks back to what Flea said about the collar as he slips around the area. As he thinks he has an idea. As he moves back to the rest he slips up to Trellus and whispers in his ear. "I had a thought...what if this lad is really a young dragon, transformed." He looks to the elf lad and shakes his head with another thought. "That would explain a good dragon going mad." He also ponders the idea of amnesia that the boy may have. "His lack of memory could also be something called dragon's bane...I hear it does strange things to dragon and dragonkin."
Spells Memorized 0th(6): create water, detect magic, mending(2), read magic(2) 1st(6): entangle, pass without trace, speak with animals(2), produce flames(2) 2nd(4): barkskin(3)**, bull's strength 3rd(3): call lightning, cure moderate wounds(2)* 4th(2): dispel magic, flame strike * used spell
Mac Friday February 4th, 2005 6:12:49 PM
"Back up into the mountains... okay..." Mac take the moment to wet and grind some dried meat/rations for Galea.
Grymash Friday February 4th, 2005 11:07:48 PM
Grymash answers Trellus, "Pluzzt! Gry wuz'nt gonna swing it dat hard. Gry knows better thun dat."
The barbarian looks at the chain belt the elf boy gave him. At first he thinks its shady, then his eyes go wide in terror. He vigorously pats himself down, making sure all his body parts are the right ones for his gender. Grymash sighs with relief. All is good! The embarrassed half-orc forces a big smile and says, "Gry say thanks for belt ... good belt!"
Jake Saturday February 5th, 2005 1:07:54 PM
"Well, whatever ya guys think... ah really don't know what ta do, ah was jus' thinkin', he don't seem so bad or nuttin'. It'd be kinda nice, havin' a short stalk aroun' named Shady." Jake shakes the kids hand and shows him to the others in the pack, and sees how he speaks elvish. "Ah'll be the Slim Shady, he'll be Kid Shady...we'll have Gry be the Big Shady..."
Jake Saturday February 5th, 2005 10:22:09 PM
(Just a note to our new DM; I placed an order in the catacombs recently and since we were almost simultaneously thrust into an encounter I haven't received the goods yet in character. I dunno at what point I'm supposed to receive them; if it's between adventurers or after encounters, but that's up to you. Thanks)
(OOC: Looking into this. Will try to have an answer this week.-Temp ADM Carla)
Temp ADM Carla Sunday February 6th, 2005 6:08:53 PM
The Bloodpack muses over the meaning of the collar and the cryptic inscription warning against it's removal. Theories are advanced regarding the nature of the rescued youth. Anuk wonders if the boy might somehow be linked to dragons, while Tishe' speculates he might be a dragon's ward, and Gilan suggests he might be an actual dragon transformed.
Grymash proposes a solution that would free the collar from the boy, but has his energies directed elsewhere by Trellus' admonition and the boy's display with his makeshift weapon. (OOC: The youth wrapped the chain around his own waist, not that of Grymash. Sorry for any confusion.)
Anuk and Gilan have no trouble locating the tracks of the group that attacked them. By backtracking the ranger and druid can see they meander individually through the forest, then regroup in a place not far from where the Bloodpack first spotted the other party. Just as the elf had said, they lead back towards the mountains from whence the pack has descended, and continue in a northerly direction.
At the sight of Mac feeding his kitten, 'Shady' grins widely, and hunkers down reaching out a hand to pet the small beast. He looks at Mac and asks, "Aa amin tyava aiea?"*
The sun is directly overhead, and the day is half spent.
*May I touch the little one?
(OOC: There remains a moratorium on purchases in the Catacombs until the DM instructs otherwise. Appears there aren't any franchises in The Scab)
Mac d20+1=14 Sunday February 6th, 2005 6:58:33 PM
Sense Motive:14 Looking up, Mac catches the last part of Shady's question (pitch going up at end of words?), and given he doesn't appear to want to eat Galea, he beckons the elf-lad closer. Galea is now standing on Mac's closed left fingers, eating the chewy paste out of the depression in his palm. "Galea." he says in common to the lad.
Tishe' Monday February 7th, 2005 3:05:34 PM
The brown haired mage nods at the wise words of Gilan, they very well could be right. "If Shady is under some drug, time will help get it out of his system."
She shruge her shoulders and settles her backpack, and prepares to leave in whatever direction Trellus suggests.
Trellus [Temp SteveK] Monday February 7th, 2005 3:13:44 PM
The blonde cleric sees just about everyone is ready, and glances at the sun moving across the sky.
"Dudes, let's get walking. We can help Shady and us by going back to where the elf dude's from. Don't want to hang around here for the white hands to come back, either."
"Jake, you stay with Shady. Flea out front. 'Nuk, watch our backtrail for those beaters and if you can obscure our trail...?"
Smiling at the 'pack, Trellus shakes out into line near Shady to get any information while moving.
Gilan {barkskin} Monday February 7th, 2005 6:45:47 PM
Gilan looks to Trellus as he starts to give orders and then smiles. "I can do you one better there Trell." He gathers all those near him that he can and closes his eyes as he communes with Mother Wold. At last he opens his eyes and starts to speak as he moves around to touch each person. "Quella tuulo elea." with a last smile he looks around at those that most likely feel no different. "This will allow some of us to leave no traces as we move along."
Spells Memorized 0th(6): create water, detect magic, mending(2), read magic(2) 1st(6): entangle, pass without trace, speak with animals(2), produce flames(2) 2nd(4): barkskin(3)**, bull's strength 3rd(3): call lightning, cure moderate wounds(2)* 4th(2): dispel magic, flame strike * used spell
Anuk d20+12=23 Monday February 7th, 2005 7:12:29 PM
Anuk feels Gilan's spell move through him and then presses forward, still awed by what magic can do. "No footprints...nothing...glad I'm not trying to track us." He focuses on the task of following the trail of the other party.
(track 23)
Jake Tuesday February 8th, 2005 12:31:31 AM
"Allright, Trell," Jake grins. "Hey, Shady, sella tann-me..." ---translated: "Hey Shady, Hang out by my side." (Jake's elvish is a bit weird, since he never really studied his verbs well.) "Essell sudemain thello benn, Shady? Nosestrada thello the Plains...san bellam ess beullantrell ress, nenochs, ent sule messer cannts." -"So, where do you lounge in, Shady? We're packguardians of this area called the Plains... Totally beautiful with grassystuffs all over, no trees like here at all." Jake basically tries to get a few things outta the kid...really quite silly, fun chatter; where the kid's from, what his parents are up to in life, whether or not he can use a sword like jake's, isn't jake's sword nifty, did he know jake had beaten like ten guys with his sword, or that his sword has the ability to freezify things, which is better; pie or cake, what his favorite song is, and so on. Jake tries to keep up the elven kid in some good chatter and buddy up with him.
Flea (Pass Without a Trace) d20+13=19 d20+12=15 d20+8=17 d20+10=22 Tuesday February 8th, 2005 1:36:28 AM
Flea sets out to scout ahead, but before she does, she accepts the gift of magic from Gilan. The gnome sticks pretty close to Anuk as he follows the tracks made by the group that had taken the boy.
Move Silently=19 Search=15 Spot=17 listen=22
Temp ADM Carla Tuesday February 8th, 2005 1:43:01 AM
Mac senses only a natural attraction for the tiny creature as the youth gently strokes the soft fur of the fuzz ball. (Mac and Tishe', Listen DC 10 to Highlight to display spoiler: { hear the lad speak to Galea not in the musical language he had spoken earlier, but in a quiet throaty guttural sounding language. })
When Trellus establishes the marching order, the boy bows politely to Mac, and then takes the place he is directed to. He looks expectantly at the dark haired druid as Gilan moves through the pack casting his spell. With the magic cast upon most of the party, they will be virtually untraceable as they make their way back into the mountains.
Walking beside the lanky fighter, Shady, listens to what he has to say, looking appropriately impressed when Jake tells him about his sword, and jaws on about his adventures. Unfortunately the boy doesn't seem to remember much about his past. As he converses openly in elvish, those who understand the language pick up that he thinks he lives somewhere back in the mountains in a temperate valley dominated by a deep blue lake. He seems to remember a tune his mother would sing to him, but can't remember the words. He doesn't have a clue what cake and pie are.
With no need for him to obscure the party's tracks, Anuk backtracks over the trail made by the party that had held the young elf captive. Flea scouts, but doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary.
Tishe' d20+3=22 d20+3=21 Tuesday February 8th, 2005 1:24:35 PM
The small mage is near enough that she hear the elvish boy speak to the cat (Listen: 22) and her eyes open in surprise, then narrow in speculation. Whatever thoughts she has she keeps to herself, but during the afternoon's march, she keeps watching the elf for, well, for anything (Spot:21).
Trellus [Temp SteveK] Tuesday February 8th, 2005 1:26:12 PM
"Dude" and Trellus smacks himself lightly in the forehead with his heel. "I shoulda remembered your picks."
The rest of the afternoon, Trellus enjoys some good work and great company.
Mac d20+5=7 d20+1=10 Tuesday February 8th, 2005 4:42:14 PM
[Spot:7, Listen:10]
Falling into the travelling order, the taur tries to keep one eye on Shady whilst keeping the other on the surroundings. Eventually, when Galea is on his should he softly asks (in common) "What did the boy say to you? Hmm?", not expecting an answer but paying more attention to the kitten than where he is putting his own feet.
Gilan{barkskin} Tuesday February 8th, 2005 7:14:13 PM
Gilan follows along with the rest of the group. He keeps his eyes and ears open for signs of trouble.
He pats Trell on the back and laughs lightly. "Hey...it is my specialty." He knows that Trell knows his own strengths better than he knows the rest of the group. It is that way with all of them and that is to be expected
Spells Memorized 0th(6): create water, detect magic, mending(2), read magic(2) 1st(6): entangle, pass without trace, speak with animals(2), produce flames(2) 2nd(4): barkskin(3)**, bull's strength 3rd(3): call lightning, cure moderate wounds(2)* 4th(2): dispel magic, flame strike * used spell
Flea Tuesday February 8th, 2005 7:28:07 PM
All the while keeping a vigilant eye on their route, Flea wonders where the party are going to end up and what they're going to get themselves into.
"'Nuk?" she asks the ranger, "ever want to go back? Home? Your real home?"
Anuk d20+10=16 d20+10=29 d20+12=29 Tuesday February 8th, 2005 11:10:18 PM
"Home?..." Anuk pauses. "You must have read my mind, Flea. Talking with Shady brought back a lot of memories. My father used to teach me elven--he wanted me to learn spells...I was never very good at it, though." He tugs absent-mindedly at the fingers of his worn leather glove as he speaks. "For a long time after I left, I never wanted to see Floating City again. But now...I dunno. It doesn't sound so bad anymore. Maybe someday..."
They continue the trek forward and after a while Anuk asks, "How 'bout you, Flea. Got any roots you wanna return to?"
(listen 16, spot 29, track 29)
Jake Wednesday February 9th, 2005 1:31:45 AM
Jake tries to explain what cake and pie is, but gives up somewhere along the way. He wonders at the lake, saying he's only seen a river once, and some pool, never a lake. And he tries a few songs, whistling a tune or so, trying to catch the song the kid likes. He explains what the kid said to Mac, and then starts telling the kid some fun stuff about the others. Like, how Grymash tried to climb down a rope that he was holding. Or, how Grymash put on this belt they found and turned into a woman...and so on.
Temp ADM Carla Wednesday February 9th, 2005 8:05:14 AM
The party makes their way through the woods without incident. After conferring with Tishe' (who clues in right away) and Galea, Mac understands that the elf was talking to the cat in its own throaty purring language. Although they don't understand the 'words' they recognize that the lad can speak with animals. (OOC: Sorry for the obscure hint. My bad.) Mac can also sense that his little fuzzy friend does not fear the kid.
Flea and Anuk keep the party on track and talk of home. Trellus and Gilan relax secure in the knowledge that they've done their duty to the pack. Jake continues to gab with Shady, who looks back over his shoulder at the half-orc drawing up in the rear.
After several long hours of eventless travel, the shadows start to lengthen as the sun moves across the sky. Shady makes a sign to Jake and asks him if he's got anything to eat.
Trellus [temp SteveK] Wednesday February 9th, 2005 1:42:50 PM
The blonde cleric looks around as the shadows lengthen. "Hey, Grymash and 'nuk. Pick a good spot for us to rest. Let's weave a fire and some grub!"
Trellus gets busy at the campsite by getting a good sweat on and gathering wood.
During the evening, he makes sure to get Gilan and Tishe' alone at some point. "Since Shady is still here, perhaps we can find out more about his collar or past if you have some special spells to study in the morning."
Tishe' d20=16 Wednesday February 9th, 2005 1:48:45 PM
The mage takes off her pack with relief at the campsite. Tying her wavy brown hair into a tail, she helps make the dinner tonight. (16 to cook dinner or assist another)
Listening to Trellus, Tishe' nods and plans. "An identify spell may find more about the collar. I'll cast a Detect Magic on the collar to see what kind of dweomer it contains."
The next morning, Tishe' will study Identify instead of her glitterdust spell.
Grymash d20+8=28 Wednesday February 9th, 2005 7:34:10 PM
Grymash growls a little bit at Jake for recalling things he wish everyone would forget. He almost had!
The barbarian looks for a good place for the night. A nice small clearing where they can put up their tents and build a good campfire, but secluded enough to not draw unwanted attention. (Survival 28, nat. 20! woot!)
Satisfied with what he found, Grymash looks to his pack for approval. Then a question begins to gel in his brain pan as he begins to think about what to have for dinner. "Uhh, has nobody asked da elf if der be towns nearbys?" He normally wouldnt be concerned but his keg of green gnomish is getting low.
Flea Wednesday February 9th, 2005 10:18:16 PM
Flea shrugs her shoulders in response to Anuk's question. "I kinda' like it at Gilan's place back in Rattledam. It would be great if it wasn't for the beater monks, and the Black Pack," she says, adding, "but I don't like that there isn't any singing or story-telling, you know, bards?"
When a site for a camp is picked out, Flea will help by gathering lots of deadwood for the fire. She secretly hopes Jake won't be doing the cooking, and is glad to see that Tishe' is hovering around, looking ready to help.
Gilan{barkskin} d20+7=25 d20+7=11 Wednesday February 9th, 2005 11:20:29 PM
Gilan spends his time watching the surrounding area and taking in the new plants/animals that he is seeing. With a look to the sky he shakes his head knowing that they will stop before long. When they do finally stop he drops his pack lightly on the ground and then meets up with Trell and Tishe'. "I believe that I may have a spell to help out...you will have to let me do some thinking on it." It is easy to see that the druid is tired but he still pitches in to help out around the camp.
That night as everyone sits to eat, he brings out his pack and opens it. Looking to each of his packmates a smile breaks out across his face. "I have something for each of you...something for Giving Day, but I missed it with all the excitement." He makes his way around to all of the packmembers and hands them a wooden box.
Spells Memorized 0th(6): create water, detect magic, mending(2), read magic(2) 1st(6): entangle, pass without trace, speak with animals(2), produce flames(2) 2nd(4): barkskin(3)**, bull's strength 3rd(3): call lightning, cure moderate wounds(2)* 4th(2): dispel magic, flame strike * used spell
Each box is a foot long, five inches wide and four inches deep. It is made of black cherry with a removable top that fits on solid. On the top of each is the persons name carved in common and sylvan.
Anuk d20+12=26 Thursday February 10th, 2005 12:00:12 AM
Once a suitable campsite is found, Anuk heads out into the forest, looking for edible roots, plants, and critters (survival 26). Returning with his catch, he tries his hand at a stew, but finally asks Jake, "uhh...mind lending a hand here?" He hopes the half-elf doesn't remember the little jokes played on him over the last week.
Munching dinner happily, he tells Flea, "It's true...the monks sure are a sober bunch. Honestly, I think having to deal with Jake over the last few years has done 'em a world of good. I even saw Brother Riscus smile once when he thought no one was looking."
When Gilan presents his gift, Anuk is quite touched. "Thank you, Gilan," he says and tentatively opens the lid.
Jake Thursday February 10th, 2005 12:18:41 AM
Jake pats Shady and says he'll whip up some food in a jiffy...or whatever the equivalent is in Elvish. He looks around Grymash's choice of a campsite and seems pretty satisfied, studying it more for the possibility of a fight than anything else. "ah'll get ready with the cookin'!" he announces, probably to some consternation. But he doesn't seem to notice, or takes a secret glea in it... While the others get wood and stuff, he takes out his good ol' cooking pan and begins preparing some of those greens they've been finding along the way that are pretty good... he gives the elvish boy a knife and has him peel a few of those orange root things of their coarse outer skin and cut them up. After boiling up some water, he tosses in the carrots, some meat, and the vegetables. He sets it in the kettle to slowly cook and produce a stew that he's pretty sure won't get any complaints. But unable to really stay complacent with just that, he also begins to fry up some sticks of crumb-covered meat with those little spicy grasses over the fire directly, occasionally dipping it into the remaining juices in the pan for flavor. Then, he suddenly is presented with the gift. He takes it and grins, patting good ol' Gil on the shoulder. "Hey, a box...." In reality, he has no clue what to do with it...but he's sure he'll find something. This time around, his food is rather good; the stew is excellent and fulfilling, probably some of Jake's finest. While the sticks of pepped up meat, which he calls Rapke's Delight, are fiery, crunchy, and juicy, they do need something not there to cool the taste down. (Like some dip or bread) Jake asks the elf if he saw any villages or anything while they eat, and then tells the others his response. Then, Jake gets out some cards and plays a few hands of solitaire on the grass, relaxed and content...
Grymash d20+8=14 Thursday February 10th, 2005 12:36:04 AM "Ohh, Gry want gooey spider kabobs. Gry no have dat for long ago! But no make them too much spicy dis time." Grymash begins to look around for some juicy spiders.
(Survival 14)
Tishe' d20+3=12 d20+3=5 Thursday February 10th, 2005 3:59:45 PM
Helping with the cooking, Tishe' tries to see which grasses Jake uses for the hefty taste sensations (Spot: 12) "They certainly are a bright tapestry across the mouth!" she tells the warrior while reaching for a new mug of sweet water.
At the gift from Gilan, the small woman beams with pleasure and immediatly studies the box for an opening catch to see what is inside. (Search: 5)
Temp ADM Carla Thursday February 10th, 2005 5:40:17 PM
Grymash does a wonderful job locating a clearing at the base of a rock wall. A narrow trickle of fresh spring water trails down the face of the rock creating a clear pool in a small natural basin. While the barbarian searches for spiders, Anuk locates some wild tubers and onions, ripe berries, and catches couple of conies.
Camp is established and Trellus and Flea gather armloads of deadwood sufficient to keep a campfire going all night.
The young elf tries to make himself useful, but the pack get the impression he's not likely been in a situation where he's had to fend for himself. The youth becomes quite animated when the ranger returns with his harvest, but when he spots the dead rabbits, his eyes well up with tears, and he turns away.
As folks dig in to the victuals, Shady picks out a few vegetables, then pushes the remains of his stew away, looking like he might get sick. He hangs around the spring and drinks a lot of water, and later eats a few berries.
As the night stars make their appearance in the sky, the youth moves closer to the group and joins them around the campfire.
Mac d20-1=0 Thursday February 10th, 2005 9:35:29 PM
"Thanks Gilan!" Mac examines the box {the craftsmanship, etc} and after some consideration (and a goodly portion of dinner) he sets about getting the gem, platinum pieces and as many gold pieces into the box as he can - expecting to still have a good deal of gold amongst his silver and copper in the pouch.
He talks away the pre-watch evening and hums an old tauric tune from his childhood [Perfomance:0, nat.1], but guaging the reaction of others he falls quiet, and plays a game with Galea and Shady if he's interested.
Flea d20+8=24 Thursday February 10th, 2005 10:45:22 PM
"Did you make it?" asks the rogue, when Gilan presents her with the cherry-wood box. The gnome's eyes shine with pleasure, as she gently turns the box this way and that, examining the fine craftsmanship. When the druid moves off, Flea will take out her two spare sets of theives tools, her remaining opals, and the platinum and gold coins, and fit them neatly in the box.
As she rifles through her pack she comes across two slightly crumpled scrolls* in one of the secret pockets on the side of her pack. Slapping her forhead in remembrance, she brings the rolled parchment over to Tishe'. "I totally forgot I had these. I had meant to give them to you earlier," she says apologetically.
Noticing the elf doesn't seem to like the stew, (Spot=24) Flea offers him a small sack from her trail rations containing a mixture of nuts and dried fruit.
*(OOC: The scrolls are Mage Armour.)
Jake d20+8=22 d20+5=23 d20+5=15 Thursday February 10th, 2005 10:51:01 PM
Jake picks up Mac's song, humming it, grinning at the minotaur. His joking voice carries the tune surprisingly well for a bit, and he adds just a little bit, then stops humming, turning his attention carelessly back to the cards. "Ah know there's a queen behind one of these piles..." Jake offers to take the usual middle watch, since his sharp half-elven eyes can usually catch shifting shadows pretty shadily. (During the night, Jake will concentrate on his fine ears, but also keep watch, too. Listen 23, Spot 15)
DM MikeK Friday February 11th, 2005 11:51:23 AM
Watch order and spot/listen checks please.
Trellus d20+8=15 d20+8=19 Friday February 11th, 2005 1:37:58 PM
Trellus beams as Gilan hands him the box.
"Shady!" he remarks happily, before hastily telling Shady, "No, not you. This." The young man eagerly opens it to see what's inside.
As people are bedding down, Trellus offers up shifts. "How 'bout Tishe and Mac, Jake and Me, Gry an Gilan, and Anuk and Flea?"
With that, the cleric removes his gear and hits the sack.
[Listen 15 Spot 19]
Mac d20+5=13 d20+1=2 Friday February 11th, 2005 3:50:52 PM
Mac does a double take as Jake briefly runs with the tune. "How do you know that?"
Mac settles in for the watch with Tishe, and they speak of things barely above a murmur as the opportunities permit. Spot:13, Listen:2{Nat.1} Galea curls up near Mac's left ear and proceeds to purr well beyond her lung capacity.
OOC: Adding the Lotto won bow to Mac's list of pending items.
Tishe' d20+3=6 d20+3=23 d20+3=20 d20+6=23 d20+6=16 Friday February 11th, 2005 3:54:45 PM
The small woman nods at Trellus' watch suggestion, first watch suits her fine.
She uses the watch time to talk quietly with Mac and study the box to try and open it. (Search: 6)
She is much better at looking at the surrounding countryside (Spot: nat 20, Listen: 20) along with her horned lizard, Wart (assist other: 23, 16)
Gilan d20+7=26 d20+7=26 Friday February 11th, 2005 7:16:34 PM
Gilan is happy to see that his gifts went over so well. With a nod to Flea he speaks. "One of my spells and then some carving that I am proud of." He slips off to get his gear ready for the night and nods when his watch is mentioned. "That watch will work out just fine with me." He eats some of the stew as he listens to those around him.
His watch time is spent in silent comtemplation as he leans against one of the many trees. He smiles at Grymash as he sits some ways away.
[listen 26 and spot 26]
Spells Memorized 0th(6): 1st(6): 2nd(4): 3rd(3): 4th(2): * used spell
The boxes open easily but the lid will not fall off if turned upside down. The lid is almost seemlessly hidden with the rest of the wood of the box. They are currently empty of any contents.
Sorry for no post yesterday...have a sinus and ear cold. With the medicines I was in no condition to do much of anything yesterday. :)
Anuk d20+10=30 d20+10=25 Friday February 11th, 2005 8:57:27 PM
Anuk sits examining his new box. "Gilan, this will be perfect for holding pens and inks. I'm hoping to find paper to start a new journal if we ever find some civilization here. Thank you again."
Before settling in for the night, Anuk approaches Shady. He brings out his best elvish and says, "I am sorry about dinner...I didn't realize the coney's would be a problem. If you'll let me know what you like to eat, I'll see what I can find next time." He hesitates for a moment then asks, "Were the rabbits friends of yours?" Inside, Anuk wonders if he may have somehow harmed a special companion of Shady's in finding food for the pack.
Early the following morning, following a solid rest, Anuk wakes and joins Flea for the final watch.
(spot 30 (nat 20!), listen 25)
Flea (second post) d20+8=14 d20+10=30 Friday February 11th, 2005 11:34:27 PM
Knowing she has to be up early in the morning for her shift at watch, Flea makes a comfortable nest with her bedroll and Cloak of Comfort. She falls asleep to the sounds of Mac and Jake making a little night music.
Flea is surprisingly quiet during her watch. She stares into the low flames of the campfire, and doesn't see much past the circle of the camp (Spot=14), but no sound escapes her slightly pointed ears (listen=30, nat. 20!)
Tishe' Saturday February 12th, 2005 4:18:27 AM
{OOPS} And Tishe' is delighted at the gift of scrolls from Flea. "Thank you, sweetie! I can use these to help a little before a battle!"
Bumps in the Night (DM MikeK) Saturday February 12th, 2005 10:38:14 AM
Shady gratefully takes the rations from Flea, and looks at Anuk with sad eyes. "They are not friends. But.." The elf struggles to find the words. "They were living things," he says with empathy.
Everyone thanks Gilan for his generosity. Soon, each falls into their accustomed camp routine.
That night, the first three watches are without incident. However, on the last watch, both ranger and rogue start at the same moment.
Flea sees nothing, but her ears pick up noises - a slightly misplaced footfall, the soft brush on cloth on vegetation. Anuk hears nothing, but his eyes spot a shadow crossing a small patch of moonlight, a branch moving slightly out of place.
Something, possibly two somethings, is very carefully circling around open face of the campsite. Both adventurers wonder at their luck to pick it out, for it is moving far too quietly and carefully to be an animal. It is about 60' into the woodline, moving parallel to the camp.
Flea(AC19, 41 HP, Low Light Vision) d20+12=32 d20+8=27 d20+13=32 Saturday February 12th, 2005 11:31:16 AM
When her ears tell her something is out there, Flea's head jerks up and she scans the spot where she thought she heard the sound (Search=32, nat. 20! and Spot=27, big rolls!)
Figuring that whatever is out there can see her by the campfire, she remains at her station, but hisses out a warning, "Bloodpack! We are not alone!" hoping that those near her will wake up.
Ever so quietly (Move Silently=32) she reaches for her hammer.
Tishe' (AC 16, HP 37) Sunday February 13th, 2005 1:52:14 PM
Tishe' sleeps through Flea's hurried whisper, but Wart awakens, and the horned lizard climbs onto his wizard and nudges her cheek until her eyes open.
"Bouncing Insect says to wake up, the clutch is not alone." Wart informs Tishe'.
Tishe' is now wide awake. (No alarm, so nothing attacking right now, she thinks, therefore I should be subtle.) Trying to maintain some secrecy, she turns over as if in her sleep to see where Flea is looking, readying to spring into action if the need arises.
Gilan d20+7=15 Sunday February 13th, 2005 5:52:11 PM
Gilan shifts in his sleep and looks up at the sky with half open eyes. It had been nearing his time to get up anyways to commune with the Wold Mother.
He continues to keep up the act of sleeping as he listens to what is going on around him.
[listen 15]
Spells Memorized 0th(6): 1st(6): 2nd(4): 3rd(3): 4th(2): * used spell
Mac d20+5=14 d20+1=2 Sunday February 13th, 2005 8:20:47 PM
With as little motion as possible Mac looks out into the near forest. Spot:14(Darkvision 60') Listen:2 (Nat. 1 AGAIN!)
Anuk d20+10=15 d20+10=11 d20+8=28 d20+11=13 Sunday February 13th, 2005 9:55:06 PM
Anuk sees the sudden movement, but remains motionless for a moment, hoping not to give away the fact that he has seen something. Suddenly yawning and stretching his arms, he turns to Flea with a wink and says, "Well, 'bout time for me to turn in. I'll wake Jake for his watch."
He rises and shuffles toward the sleeping packmembers as if to wake the half-elf, but somewhere along the way he disappears into the shadows (hide 28 - nat 20!).
From his hiding place he tries to get a bead on who or what he may have seen earlier, but the night noises and the sudden change in light make it difficult for him to make anything out (listen 15, spot 11 - nat 1 :-(
Remaining hidden, he draws his bow, but accidently drops a couple of arrows that clatter to the ground (move silently 13). He picks up an arrow and nocks it, chiding himself and hoping he hasn't given away his position.
Jake d20+8=13 Sunday February 13th, 2005 10:26:13 PM
Waking hearing the hiss, what with his keen breed ears, Jake comes to without a snort. He reaches out and grips his sword in its sheath next to his bedroll, and concentrates on his hearing for anything to happen. (Pick up an item, as an action if I can for this premature round) (Listen roll of 13)
Trellus d20+8=11 Monday February 14th, 2005 9:05:00 AM
The cleric's eyes pop open. He could have sworn he heard someone say something, but he's not sure.
Trellus remains motionless, trying to figure out what is happening.
Spotted (DM MikeK) d20+12=30 d20+12=22 d20=11 d20=5 Monday February 14th, 2005 9:23:09 AM
Concentrating hard, Flea scans the leafy forest. In a few moments, she finds she can pick out the curved shape of a cloaked head. The figure strides easily, if somewhat noisily, through the underbrush. As the gnome reaches for her weapon, she sees it is not approaching any closer.
Anuk tries to be casual as he starts walking toward Jake before ducking low and semi-steathily moving to a hopefully unseen position. After some difficulty with his arrows, the ranger hurriedly scans the woodline with drawn bow.
The rest of the pack silently wakes. Hands slowly move for nearby weapons, and eyes watch Flea for any signal.
As soon as Anuk ducks into the underbrush and starts messing with his bow, Flea sees the figure freeze. Moments pass, with nothing but heartbeats filling the silence.
The noises resume, and everyone can hear the figure moving away from the campsite. Leaves and twigs crunch as it pulls back. Both Flea and Mac can just make out the retreating shape, now some 90' from the campsite and fading into the darkness. Anuk, unfortunately, cannot make it out, and has no target to fire at.
[DM Note -- except for Anuk and Flea, I'm assuming everyone is not wearing armor.]
Tishe' Monday February 14th, 2005 3:42:41 PM
One hand on her dagger, and another on Wart, Tishe' thinks about spells and wishes she had cast Alarm tonight.
Flea Monday February 14th, 2005 5:32:27 PM
Flea watches the figure disappear into the gloom of the forest, thinking it might not be wise to follow on her own or with the pack unprepared.
"Whoever it is knows we're out here now," says the gnome pointing out the direction taken by the cloaked and hooded figure. She tells the party as many details as she can remember about the appearance of the figure. Flea then points at the pack's new ward, and in common says, "I wonder if that is someone looking for Shady, over here?"
Grymash d20+5=9 Monday February 14th, 2005 7:27:13 PM
Grymash remains partially asleep by the fire. A watchful eye is always weary of possible dangers. The barbarian appears peaceful and docile, but unbeknownst to most, this half-orc sleeps with deadly bedfellows. Grymash's bedtime dagger, Stabby, is aways in his tight, slumbering clutches, ready to strike like a uhh ... err dagger!
(listen 9)
Gilan d20+7=19 d20+7=11 Monday February 14th, 2005 7:39:19 PM
Gilan rolls up and out of his bedroll and looks around. "This maybe trouble." He shakes his head as he slips his hands down to pull up his armor, he starts to put it on.
He glances around at the rest of the group as he shakes his head. "Seems that we may have to be more careful in the future."
[listen 19 and spot 11]
Spells Memorized 0th(6): 1st(6): 2nd(4): 3rd(3): 4th(2): * used spell
Anuk d20+8=17 d20+10=18 d20+10=16 d20+12=17 Monday February 14th, 2005 11:28:31 PM
Anuk moves into the firelight from his hiding place. "Sorry about the noise...I was hoping we might surprise our friend in the woods. I'll see what I can find out about him. Or her...Or it."
Anuk quietly moves out to where he first noticed the stranger, looking for prints and clues as to who or what it might have been, and what direction it left in. He does not move more than 60' from camp.
(move silently 17, spot 18, listen 16, track 17)
Jake Tuesday February 15th, 2005 2:55:57 AM
Someone in the darkness...moving after them...now moving away... The others seem to have stopped, and rationality tells Jake that staying put may be the best course. There is no real danger, and it could be a trap. Still, he gets up, shield ready, sword drawn, wearing merely some cotton undershorts with little shiny sword-badges sewn into it. It's very chilly, so he also grabs his cloak and pulls it about himself. (Plus, those shorts are embarassing.)
Trellus Tuesday February 15th, 2005 8:10:10 AM
Like Gilan, Trellus pulls off his bedroll, yawns, and starts pulling on his armor as he watches Anuk look for tracks.
"We're gonna have to weave cold camps for a while," he says, annoyed with his own decision.
The young man rubs a hand over his short blond hair and gets a look at Jake.
"Dude," he remarks. "Nice pants."
Daybreak (DM MikeK) Tuesday February 15th, 2005 9:30:31 AM
Anuk tries to find the intruder's trail, but is thwarted by the darkness. The ranger looks up at the lightening sky. It will be dawn in about an hour, he can try again then.
Given that the day is practically upon them, many of the pack start to rouse themselves. However, some, including Shady, seem determined to get those last few moments of shuteye.
---
Time passes, and the sun gradually makes its appearance in the East. Nothing else bothers the pack in the meantime.
Shady gets up, practices swinging his chain around some more, and looks around to see who's doing something interesting. Right now, that's Anuk, who is carefully searching the ground at the camp's perimeter. The elf tramps through the vegetation to join him. "What are you doing?" he asks politely in elvish.
Anuk -- Survival (Track) DC 17 -- Highlight to display spoiler: { The ranger finds one set of humanoid prints. They approach from the northeast, stop about 60' from the camp, move southward along the perimeter, and then move away -- again toward the northeast.}
Tishe' Tuesday February 15th, 2005 4:04:39 PM
False dawn sees the brown-haired mage stretching and settling down to munch a cold roll while studying her spellbook. Two spells she studies are
After breakfast, she casts Detect Magic and studies the collar. Then, she crushes two pearls in some wine. Drinking, she touches the collar to Identify its properties and history.
Wart, the horned lizard, looks unblinkingly on.
Gilan Tuesday February 15th, 2005 5:10:29 PM
Gilan finishes donning his armor and slips off to the side for a few private moments. He settles on the ground to commune with his mistress. He smiles as he listens to the sounds of nature around him.
After what may seem like hours to most, he stands and makes his way back to the camp. He steps up to Trellus and shakes his head. "I have no spells that will help with the collar...I am sorry." He looks to Tishe' and smiles as she seems to be ahead of the game in that department. "I think that is more your area and the mages."
Grymash Tuesday February 15th, 2005 8:01:02 PM
Grymash wakes completely after everyone starts making noise. He sighs when he notices that he sliced another small hole in his blanket. He holds Stabby up to his face and chews it out. "Gry tells yooz not ta dooz dat no mores. Augh!"
He looks around and notices everyone all tense and nervous. "Whut wrong?"
Anuk Wednesday February 16th, 2005 12:42:41 AM
Anuk rises from studying the tracks on the ground. Still looking at them he tells Shady in elvish "Something came by early this morning to get a closer look at us." He points the tracks out to the elf. "See, it came from that direction, kinda made it's way around the camp, then went back where it came from. Don't know what it was, but it certainly walks on two legs. If it didn't want to see us, we need to be wary. It might be scouting us and looking to see if we've got any weak points." He looks Shady in the eye seriously, then breaks out in a grin. "Luckily, we don't have any weak points," he laughs. Inside, though, he's still a little nervous about the tracks.
When he and Shady return to camp, he reports his findings to Trellus and Flea. "It's humanoid, but I'm not sure what it was. It came in from the northeast, checked us out out for a bit, then followed it's thread back the way it came. Only one set of tracks...could be a scout."
Flea Wednesday February 16th, 2005 3:09:53 AM
Flea nods when Anuk shares his information. "That's the direction we're heading in, right?" she says, adding, "it seemed to move pretty fast."
Without much ado, the gnome breaks camp, packing what needs to be stashed away, and generally getting ready to hit the road. Her stomach rumbles, and she secretly hopes Jake won't be making breakfast.
Trellus d20+8=10 Wednesday February 16th, 2005 8:04:40 AM
Like the other spellcasters, Trellus spends the early morning hour receiving his daily allotment of divine spells.
Rising from his out of the way place near the rock wall, he greets Anuk and Flea with a grin. The grin fades as he hears about the visitor. "We're gonna hafta be more shuttlecocked," he responds to the gnome. "You and Anuk should scout out ahead, but stay together. Jake, you take rear guard when we move. And Mac, you and kitty stay in the middle with Shady."
Partially out of interest, and partially to delay eating whatever Jake is calling breakfast, the young man moves over to Tishe. He waits impatiently while she goes through the spells. He tries to get an idea of what she's doing, but is too distracted by the weird frog to pay proper attention [Spellcraft 10].
So what is this thing? (DM MikeK) Wednesday February 16th, 2005 9:49:46 AM
Shady is attentive and curious as Anuk shows him the tracks. The elf compares his footprint to the one the ranger points out (it smaller), and retraces the path several times. Eventually, he tires of the game and ends up next to Mac, playing with the cat.
Tishe and Trellus go over to inspect the boy's collar. As the cleric looks on, Tishe' casts a DETECT MAGIC spell and concentrates intently. The collar radiates an aura of strong abjuration. Following that spell, the sorceress crushes a pearl and casts IDENTIFY.
The collar has been magically fortified so as not to break. It also magically shrinks to maintain a tight fit even if the wearer becomes smaller. It takes a password, which Tishe' recognizes as the draconic word for "Freedom", to make the collar expand. Otherwise, there is no provision for the collar to expand if the wearer gets larger.
While all this is going on, the rest of the pack readies themselves for the day. By the time Tishe has completed her detections, it is mid-morning.
Mac Wednesday February 16th, 2005 3:57:50 PM
Mac and Shady tire Galea out and Mac puts her to bed at the top of his pack. When all are readied (he helps those as want some) he takes up a near rearguard position in the party order.
Tishe' Wednesday February 16th, 2005 4:52:12 PM
Tishe's brown eyes sparkle at the answers and mysteries revealed from her spells. She tells the others about the collar and prepares to move out.
"I can weave Shady's collar open right now, but should we do it? If he's the dragon, or even a dragon, removing the collar should bring a lot of gratitude. If Shady is the servant of a dragon, removing the collar may bring vengeance."
Her buff colored horned toad nudges her hand from his satchel and looks at her with its large eyes. And Tishe's eyes soften.
"I think we should open that collar now. Anyone who will collar another being is a big bully!"
Anuk Wednesday February 16th, 2005 7:14:13 PM
After reporting to Trellus and Flea, Anuk finds a few moments to wander off by himself and meditate.
(prepares entangle)
Flea d20+2=18 Wednesday February 16th, 2005 7:58:36 PM
Remove not this hasp of steel, Or die before the morn. Teeth and claws you will feel, If this advice you scorn.
Flea remembers the draconic words inscribed upon the collar, and reminds Tishe'. Tugging open a buckle of her own leather shadow armor so that it is not so tight around her neck, she volunteers, "I'm not happy that Shady here has to wear that collar either, but we're not leading him around by a chain attached to it, and he doesn't look like he is in any immediate distress."
Flea rolls her eyes, "I'm more worried about our night visitor. Maybe someone looking for the kid. I think we should try to hide him, maybe with a disguise? He looks about Jake's height, eh?"
If the party is in agreement about disguising Shady, Flea will help, possibly by loaning the kid her Cloak of Comfort (Disguise=18, Aid Another?)
Jake Wednesday February 16th, 2005 9:18:39 PM
"Ah think we should let him go..." Jake says from where he is, finishing up his little meal stewy rabbit goodness.. Even he is loath to experiment with food that early in the morning. "No real reason not ta...ah mean, comeon, 'Trell, he may be a bit funny, but he's just a kid. Hey, Shady!" (still in Common) "Tell me," Jake smiles, "who your buddies are... Bloodpack, right? Right." Jake gives the elven boy a hair tussel and grins, then turns his attention to some exercises that he does every morning...y'know, stuff ta make the chicks all gasp and oo and ah.
Gilan Wednesday February 16th, 2005 10:15:34 PM
Gilan shakes his head as he listens to the pack talk. "It would not be a wise idea to do either at this point." He had also thought of the warning on the color and was not really ready for that thought. "He is better off with us than he is by himself...at least this way we can protect him." Silently he thinks also that they can keep an eye on him as well.
Moving over to stand by Trellus he leans in close and whispers in his ear. "You have heard of lycos, I would suspect...or werewolves and thier like." He looks to Shady and shivers some as his thoughts take shape in his head. "That collar may suppress his needs to kill and turn." He glances to the rest and waits to see what Trell has to say. Speaking back up so that all the pack can hear him, knowing that some will know of what he speaks. "My Master that tought me the druid ways always said....'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' and that is sound advice." He does not want to offend anyone but he will not endanger the pack for those less naive and not sure of what that warning could mean. He hopes to be safer than sorrier.
Trellus Thursday February 17th, 2005 8:22:32 AM
The young man lips make a thin line as he thinks about Shady being trapped, but he's forced to agree with Gilan and Flea.
"Just like the gem," he says, half out loud. Trellus' eyes pop open. "Oh Light, I don't have that spell!"
"OK, dudes. Let's leave the collar on today. Tomorrow I'll get the right spell to ask Domi--Like I did with the gem. That should tell us."
To Flea he grins and bows. "Disguise away."
Moving Out (DM MikeK) d20+12=15 d20+17=34 Thursday February 17th, 2005 10:07:39 AM
Several members of the group have a quiet discussion about what to do with Shady's collar. So far, it remains on the elf.
Flea loans Shady the use of her Cloak of Comfort, and goes about trying to disguise him as well. Part of this involves dirt, and Shady happily darkens the color of his face and hair with any material the rogue provides. What a great game! He stands there, beaming happily. "Pak Shai-dee!" he chirps in response to Jake.
Eventually, the group breaks camp and heads back up the trail toward the mountains. [marching order?] Shady moves about, hanging mostly with Mac (well, the cat anyway) and Jake.
The day passes as the trail gradually climbs through rolling hills. The trees bordering the trail gradually make way to evergreens. The high branches seem to have an effect on the ground vegetation, as nothing but brown needles cover the forest floor.
Everyone please make a Spot check DC 15 -- Highlight to display spoiler: { As the trail passes under a low rock cliff rising 20' to the right, a cloak covered humanoid head is spotted looking down upon the party. The head quickly pulls back from the cliff's edge.} and a Listen check DC 34 -- Highlight to display spoiler: { As the trail passes under a low rock cliff rising 20' to the right, movement is heard from above. It sounds as if something is quickly running away from the cliff edge to the northeast (same direction as the party's movement).}
Tishe' d20+3=23 d20+3=23 Thursday February 17th, 2005 12:19:53 PM
The small mage doesn't like the decision to keep the collar on Shady, and a stubborn pout crosses her face. This is followed by a surprised look, for Tishe' realizes that with her knowledge she can pop the collar by uttering the command word. And she can do it right now!
But no, (comes the resolution on her face) she is part of the Pack, and she will abide by the decisions.
To take her mind off the collar, Tishe' moves ahead of Mac and Shady, and keeps an eye on the surrounding wilderness
Spot: nat 20
Listen: nat 20 (wow!)
As the party passes under a low cliff to the right, Tishe's head swiftly moves to the cliff top and she gasps.
She grabs the nearest packmate by the arm. "There was a cloaked person looking at us from the cliff-top! I think we're getting close to Shady's home."
Flea (Hasted) d20+8=28 d20+10=29 d20+13=21 d20+12=29 Thursday February 17th, 2005 1:30:35 PM
The rogue takes her usual place, scouting up ahead of the pack with her ranger pal. As the trail passes under a low rock cliff rising on their right, she spots (Spot-28, nat 20!) a cloak covered humanoid head looking down upon the party. She grabs Anuk by the arm, and raising a finger to her lips to signal him to be quiet, she points to the head at the cliff's edge. When the head disappears, she clicks her heels and quickly takes a path through the forest. The pine needles littering the ground muffle her footsteps. (Move Silently=21) Hearing nothing but her heartbeat, (Listen=29) the gnome peers through the gloom of the shadowy forest (Search=29) for clues to what might be trailing them.
(*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 1/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Mac d20+5=13 d20+1=20 Thursday February 17th, 2005 3:48:39 PM
[Spot:13, Listen:20]
Mac maintains a steady pace - hearing a good deal of the local sounds but oblivious to the specifics ahead.
Gilan d20+7=20 d20+7=27 Thursday February 17th, 2005 7:43:37 PM
As he travels along near the middle of the group he keeps his eyes and ears open for signs of trouble. He also spots the thing on the cliff and narrows his eyes as he takes a better look around. "That does not bode well...maybe." He looks to the rest of the group as some move off to scout.
"Remember to stay near me some of you so that I can armor you for battle...Gry especially if you will be seeing your rage." He goes over his spells in his head as he moves along slowly with the group. "Keep an eye out for traps of all kind."
Grymash d20+5=6 d20+2=18 Thursday February 17th, 2005 9:20:40 PM
Grymash takes Gilan's advice. However, the barbarian isnt himself today. He has the sweats and he holds his gut. He is seen taking frequient little trips into the overgrowth. Maybe those spiders from the night before weren't as good as the ones from back home.
(Listen 6, Spot 18)
Anuk d20+10=24 d20+10=29 d20+12=14 d20+8=19 Thursday February 17th, 2005 9:58:33 PM
"I see him," Anuk whispers to Flea. When the cloaked figure disappears, Anuk follows the little gnome into the forest, but sees and hears little to clue him into the identity of the stranger.
Anuk Thursday February 17th, 2005 9:59:49 PM
(OOC: whoops, that should read "Move Silently 19 :-S)
Jake d20+5=12 Friday February 18th, 2005 1:00:21 AM
Jake doesn't catch sight of the guy, probably 'cause he's busy in teaching Shady many well-kept secrets passed from generation to generation: of how to belch out interesting songs, how to make farting sounds through one's armpit, the art of spitting, and a dozen other interesting things that the poor kid probably hasn't had anybody teach him. Silly elves. This stuff is USEFUL. "Someone watching us...? Cloaked, too, huh? Hey, do ya think it was a woman?" Jake has a sorta sixth sense about these things...at least he hopes he does.
Trellus d20+8=26 d20+8=14 Friday February 18th, 2005 7:57:57 AM
Listen 26 Spot 14
Trellus is too busy watching Jake and wondering how he's going to explain this to Shady's family to notice anything.
But Flea and Anuk taking off gets his full attention. "Careful!" he hisses to them as they depart. "Jake, stick close to Shady. Keep shuttlecocked."
She looks familiar (DM MikeK) Friday February 18th, 2005 11:50:29 AM
Flea activates her boots. With a burst of speed, she races ahead of the group, dashing into the forest once she passes the end of the low hill. Anuk hurries to keep up, while the rest of the Bloodpack braces for what may come.
The little rogue enters the woodline. Her feet pad silently on the brown needles and soft loam of the earth, while her eyes pierce the half light of the wood. She sees movement. Some 50 to 60 yards ahead of her, a human female races away to the northeast, parallel to the footpath the pack is using. The woman is fast, really fast. Unaware or unconcerned with pursuit, she quickly disappears behind the trees.
Flea recognizes her. It's the lady from the clearing. The one with the hands and feet that hit like hammers. The chances of the rogue catching the lady are slim. Anuk is some 60' behind the rogue, and approaching quickly. He can't see anything but Flea.
The rest of the group, still beside the cliff wall, see nothing at all.
Mac d20+5=21 d20+1=5 Friday February 18th, 2005 5:39:34 PM
The taur start paying more attention to his surroundings, but only he knows he is on the look-out for a lion. [Spot:21, Listen:5] As he slows up, he drift back down the party order to nearer Gilan.
Flea (Hasted) Friday February 18th, 2005 6:35:43 PM
Flea runs back towards the pack as fast as her boots allow her. "It's them!" she cries as she runs by the ranger. "We've got to tell the others!"
No longer sensing any need for stealth, Flea calls to the pack as soon as they are within view. "It's them! The ones the dragon chased away! The ones that had Shady!"
(*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 2/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Gilan Friday February 18th, 2005 11:13:39 PM
Looking in every direction as Flea comes running back he shakes his head. "We know that at least one is dead...but that still leaves that large ogre one." He looks to the group and waits to see what the battle plan will end up being.
Jake Saturday February 19th, 2005 12:59:33 AM
Jake will hesitantly, but soothingly, try to talk to Shady about what's happening...after all, ya can't leave the poor kid completely in the dark. He comradely puts his hand on the elf's shoulder and explains to him, (e) "Those fellows who had you earlier? It seems they're following us. But don't worry, you're like one of the pack now... we won't let them elfnap you again. Not as long as Trell's in charge. 'sides, 'tain't nobody can take the pack down." Jake turns his attention to Flea as she gets back. "So, was ah right, it was a woman, huh? Ah swear, ah've got a sense about these things."
Tishe' Monday February 21st, 2005 10:49:54 AM
"This pattern is looking bad", worries Tishe', "I think we need to be ready for the next few hours."
With that, she takes one of the Mage Armor spells Flea just gave her and casts it on Mac. "You keep healthy this time, sweetie."
The small woman smiles at Jake's confidence about women, but it doesn't stop her from double checking the loaded bolt in her crossbow and readying for anything.
"Perhaps we should stay away from cliffs and other ambush sites?" she suggests. "And maybe Shady can tell us more about the folk who had him captive?"
Spells Mage Armor [5 hours] +4 AC to Mac (doesn't stack)
Trellus Monday February 21st, 2005 2:46:00 PM
This sounds sunbaked. Trellus wishes he felt as confident as Jake is. Tishe' is right, though. The pack is likely to get jumped up there, again.
Getting the story from Flea, he ponders.
"Maybe if we followed the lady instead of weaving down this trail, we might twist their plans," he muses. "Nuk, can you and Flea follow where the lady went?"
The cleric plans for Flea and Anuk to track the lady, with the rest of the group 60-90' back or so. That ought to keep things quiet enough so the two scouts can find those treadles without getting spotted this time.
Now What? (DM MikeK) Monday February 21st, 2005 9:15:35 PM
Flea quickly returns, a startled Anuk in her wake, and relays her discovery. The fact that one or more of Shady's captors is nearby generates some intense planning by the Bloodpack.
At Tishe's suggestion, Jake asks Shady if he remembers more about his captors.
Out of nowhere, a cool breeze passes down the trail, bringing with it the fragrance of wildflowers in full bloom. None of the pack have noticed any flowers hereabouts. Shady looks blankly at Jake and replies, but not in Elven. The language is lyrical, musical. [Anyone who knows Sylvan -- Highlight to display spoiler: {"Nature senses her own"}]
The breeze passes. Shady blinks his eyes and passes his hand in front of his face, as if brushing away a cobweb. As if the last minute or so didn't happen, he answers Jake, in elven, that he doesn't rememeber much about his captors.
[DM Note - The pack knows the ogre is dead. The other four ran off.]
Gilan Monday February 21st, 2005 9:56:30 PM
Gilan looks to Shady as he comments and his eyes narrow. When the young lad seems to come as if out of a trance he looks at the boy closer. "That is a strange thing to say." He looks to the others as he tries to ponder exactly what those words could mean and then shakes his head in defeat. "Nature senses her own??" With another start he shakes his head and returns to what he knows and that is the score against them so far.
With a look to Trellus he smiles slightly. "The ogre died remember...so that leaves us with the female and that mage...who I have a score to settle." His smile turns more wicked as he cannot help but wonder exactly how that last encounter would have turned out.
Grymash Monday February 21st, 2005 10:13:40 PM
Grymash rises up from being down on one knee. The spasms in his gut hit him with sharp pains and nausia. Drool and mucus flow from his snout and mouth. He spits and snorts to clear them. Doing his best to purge the sickness from him. After clearing this throat, the barbarian mumbles, "Wha .. wha wuz dat yooz say? Wha be dat?!"
Flea d20+23=30 d20+10=18 d20+13=27 d20+12=19 d20+8=19 Monday February 21st, 2005 10:47:12 PM
The rogue shrugs her shoulders when the youth goes all mystic, and starts talking in another language she doesn't understand.
"You want us to follow that white-handed witch?" asks Flea incredulously when Trellus suggests she and Anuk scout out the speedy human female. Shaking her head, a habit she's picked up from Gilan, Flea hustles after the ranger muttering something about, "eating grass."
Anuk d20+10=25 d20+10=24 d20+8=16 d20+12=18 d20+11=29 Monday February 21st, 2005 11:54:07 PM
Anuk returns several seconds behind Flea. Huffing and puffing, he listens as Trellus offers up his plan. "Sounds shady...you got it, Trellus," he gasps. Then he turns back in the direction from which he just arrived. Touching the rogue on the shoulder he grins and says, "Little slower this time, huh Flea? Some of us haven't got the legs on us you've got."
Jake Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 2:25:05 AM
(e) "Little guy, you confuse me," Jake shakes his head at Shady. Turning back to common, he explains Shady as not remembering, then asks Trellus, "Hey, Gry looks a bit green... perhaps you can do something for him? Also, Gilan, do you know what's going on? I'm a bit confused by all this nature actin' up..."
Trellus d20+8=15 Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 10:44:20 AM
Trellus' head swivels from Shady to Gilan and back again. "Dude," he replies to the druid, "if you don't know what he's weaving, the rest of ain't got a chance."
Gilan's remarks about the number of treadles left sparks a memory. "There were five," he points out. "The lady, the ogre, the mage, the dude with the swords, and whoever was holding on to Shady."
Flea's reaction is puzzling. Lot of twisted stuff going on here. "Why not sneak up on them instead of letting them sneak up on us?" he asks the air as Flea and Anuk set off.
The young man takes the moment available to give Gry a once-over [Heal 15] "You OK Gry?" He looks at Jake. "Probably something from breakfast," he teases lightly.
Once Flea and Anuk have gotten a decent 90' lead, Trellus leads the pack after them. "Mac first, then me and Gry, Gilan and Tishe, and Jake and Shady. Mac, stay close enough so you can reach them in a hurry."
Tishe' d20+13=24 d20+2=18 d20+2=9 Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 3:07:47 PM
The small woman tucks a stray hair behind her ear. "Nature senses her own? What language was Shady weaving? And that smell of blooms is too much of a coincidence. I wonder if there was magic?" (Spellcraft: 24, Know: Nature: 18)
"Gry, sweetie, if you can find some mint leaves, they can settle your stomach. At least that is what my mother always said."
Whatever the answer is, it will have to wait, for the pack is moving out. Tishe' takes her place to the right of Gilan, and scans the woods to the right while they move out.
(Spot: 9)
Gilan d20+7=13 d20+7=16 Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 5:54:29 PM
Gilan moves out with the rest of the group as he ponders what he just heard. Turning his head slightly to Tishe' he shakes his head. "It was sylvan...the forest language...but as to the meaning..." His only finishing reply is a shake of his head as he is not sure. "I think the flower scent along with the phrase was an omen of sorts....or a portent of things to come." He looks to the small mage and smiles slightly as he shakes his head again.
He lets his mind slip back to the things at hand as he moves along though. He figures that he will have time to figure this out later. It is clear that he is still trying to figure out the portent than anything else.
Daffodil Hill (DM MikeK) d20+13=27 d20+13=25 d20+15=23 Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 8:37:17 PM
Anuk and Flea take off, shortly followed by the rest of the group.
The rogue leads the ranger to where she last saw the lady, and Anuk is able to pick up her track in the soft loam fairly easily. The chase is on.
Mac finds he can't let the two out front more than 60' before he loses them among the trunks of the many pine trees. The minotaur closes the distance, with the rest of the group fanned out behind him.
The trail doesn't go more than a few hundred feet before veering left and making back toward the game trail. Anuk sees it leads straight up another small hill overlooking the trail. The top of the hill is bathed in bright sunlight and inexplicably covered in daffodils.
From the center of those daffodils, on the top of the hill, two voices break out in startled conversation. Anuk can't make out the words, but he can tell something is up there.
No one else hears or sees anything.
And then, Anuk hits a hidden twig. It snaps.
On top of the hill, a female voice hisses "Shhhh!"
And then, movement. Something is descending the hill. The ranger can hear the scrape of feet on the flowers as the unseen whatever comes southeast down the hill to a position just west of he and Flea.
The rogue, despite Anuk's obvious interest in the west, sees and hears nothing.
Jake notes that Shady is looking around curiously, but sensibly making as little noise as possible.
Grymash d20+2=18 d20+5=21 Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 12:02:59 AM
Grymash feels his stomach twisting and churning with great discomfort. Those around him can easily hear his gut moan and squeal. "Uh oh!!" mumbles the barbarian as his eyes go wide with panic. He turns his head, away from his packmates, and up comes a spewing vomitous mass. After a series of spitting and clearing his throat, Grymash turns back to his pack with a disgustingly drool-filled smile and says, "Gry feelin' betters now ... Whoooh!!"
He takes his double axe in both hands and starts off after the rogue up the trail, staying in the formation Trellus suggested. After his little evacuation, his stomach quiets down and he is able to move ahead quietly as possible.
(Spot 18, Listen 21)
Jake Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 1:30:08 AM
Jake keeps pretty quiet, waiting for Nukky and the Flea to get back to their group. He puts a finger to his lips, motioning to Shady to be quiet. He draws his sword and shield as quietly as he ca...
Anuk (AC 21, HP 34) d20+10=28 d20+10=21 d20+8=15 d20+11=18 Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 2:35:54 PM
Anuk freezes at the sound of the voices. Getting Flea's attention, he motions toward the hilltop with his gloved hand, hoping she might see something he can't.
When the twig snaps he curses under his breath and draws his bow immediately. As quickly and quietly as he can he disappears behind a pine tree, but tries to keep a good view of the area from which he hears the sounds.
Spot 28 Listen 21 Move Silently 15 Hide 18
Tishe' d20+2=16 d20+2=3 d20+2=11 Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 3:09:57 PM
Still moving behind Mac and beside Gilan, the small woman keeps trying to move as silently as possible and watching the woods to the right.
Move Silently: 16 Spot: nat 1 Listen: 11
Trellus d20+8=10 d20+8=13 d20-4=-2 Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 3:54:44 PM
The cleric keeps moving forward, hoping his idea isn't gonna get them all creamed...again.
His breastplate clanks with every step.
[Listen 10, Spot 13, Move Silently -2]
Gilan d20+7=14 d20+7=9 Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 4:55:05 PM
[listen 13 and spot 16]
Gilan looks around and smiles at the change in surroundings. This will be just fine as far as he is concerned. Turning his head slightly to look at Tishe' he speaks. "Let Trell know what I just did." He hands a potion to Mac before he makes any other moves. "Barkskin and my only one...use it well." As he walks his body slowly begins to melt until he is once again in his wasp form. He takes off at a faster pace now and buzzes right by Trellus's ear. If it was possible for a wasp to laugh he would be doing just that. He silently wonders if he should be flying alittle higher so that his view is not blocked so much, but the flowers are pretty and smell good.
[listen 14 and spot 9]
[barkskin potion is one of my old ones and caster level is 6th]
Flea d20+23=39 d20+10=28 d20+13=26 d20+12=23 d20+8=16 Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 6:01:03 PM
Flea takes in Anuk's move and cautiously heads up the incline towards the yellow flowers. She tries to stay out of sight as she makes her way from tree to tree. She will try to catch the attention of the other Bloodpack members and after first holding a finger to her lips in the universal sign of silence, she will point out the direction of anything of significance.
Company (DM MikeK) Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 10:31:08 PM
Anuk frantically tries to get somebody to understand the group is not alone. Flea tries to get Trellus to stop sounding like a walking forge to pay attention, before turning and heading very stealthily up the hill. The others are too far away to pick up the ranger's signals.
Gilan goes wasp and buzzes towards the flowers on the hilltop.
The rest of the Bloodpack continue to advance upon the stationary Anuk. They are nearly upon the duo before Mac finally stops, and the rest with him. Except for Shady. The young elf has stopped, and is sitting cross legged on the ground, with his back resting against a nice pine. He is playing with three pinecones, laying them in a row over and over and over again -- horizontal, vertical, diagonal -- he arranges and rearranges the row of three pinecones.
A voice pierces the forest. The voice of the lady. "They're behind us!" she cries. Both Anuk and Flea could swear the woman must be within 30' of them - Anuk to the west, Flea to the southwest - but neither see her.
Gilan sees the flowers on top of the hill flatten, as if someone was stomping around on them. "Where?" A male voice hisses in reply from the hilltop, practically in front of the druid/wasp, but unseen. Footprints form in the flowers, indicating slow movement in the direction of the party.
Flea hears the man on the hilltop. In fact, it sounds as if something is come right at her and is nearly on top of her. She also hears movement of something approaching around the north end of the hill, and another something approaching from the south end. The gnome is convinced all four sounds are close enough that she should see whatever is making them, but nothing but empty forest, and daffodils loom before her.
Mac, Grymash, Trellus, Tishe, and Jake hear only the "They're behind us!" cry of a woman. They place it somewhere around 30' -- 40' to their northwest.
Jake d20+5=22 Thursday February 24th, 2005 1:35:15 AM
"What's going on...?" Jake asks confusedly. "They're over there!" He moves towards the sound of the voice, using his shield to push the area ahead of himself, just in case it hits anything. He's trying to go by sound, to the source of the woman's talking. (Listen, DC 22)
Anuk (AC 21, HP 34) d20+2=8 d20+2=5 d20+2=7 d20+2=14 Thursday February 24th, 2005 2:49:42 PM
As the sounds and voices get louder, Anuk points his bow this way and that, searching for a target.
Light!...Can't hit what I can't see! he thinks in frustration.
Then, he recalls the ioun stone. Quickly, he lowers his bow and draws the stone out of his cloak. Concentrating on the area around Flea, he mutters a few short words of incantation then hopes for the best.
(Casts Dispel Magic - area dispel: 8, 5, 7, 14
Not certain if multiple spells are active in the area, so I made 4 checks in total (effect described below). Sadly, my rolls are, of course, abysmally low *sigh*)
Area Dispel: When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell affects everything within a 20-foot radius. For each creature within the area that is the subject of one or more spells, you make a dispel check against the spell with the highest caster level. If that check fails, you make dispel checks against progressively weaker spells until you dispel one spell (which discharges the dispel magic spell so far as that target is concerned) or until you fail all your checks. The creature's magic items are not affected. For each object within the area that is the target of one or more spells, you make dispel checks as with creatures. Magic items are not affected by an area dispel. For each ongoing area or effect spell whose point of origin is within the area of the dispel magic spell, you can make a dispel check to dispel the spell. For each ongoing spell whose area overlaps that of the dispel magic spell, you can make a dispel check to end the effect, but only within the overlapping area.
Tishe' (AC 16, HP 37/37) d20+13=17 d20+3=16 d20+5=20 Thursday February 24th, 2005 2:57:55 PM
The small mage thinks why voices would come from the air (Spellcraft: 17), and quickly determines a possible answer. "They're all invisible! Remember how the ogre appeared out of nowhere?"
Tishe' moves 30 feet towards the flower-covered hill and looks for tell-tale movement through the white and yellow blooms (Spot: 16) Identifying what she thinks is movement, the brown-haired Tishe' weaves her hands in a complicated pattern, casting an area Dispel Magic (Dispel Check: 20)
Flea (AC 19, 41 HP) d20+12=25 d20+8=17 Thursday February 24th, 2005 5:34:37 PM
When folks decide to let loose with their magical effects, Flea tries to stay out of the way and backs up. Instead of looking up and around, she looks at the ground in front of her to see if she can spot a pattern of depressed flowers or grass which might indicate someone is nearby. She unconsciously reaches for her hooked hammer and prepares to defend herself.
Search=25 Spot=17
Trellus (Prayer[1]) Thursday February 24th, 2005 7:51:30 PM
Trellus walks forward, keeping pace on Tishe's right side. When she casts her spell, he does likewise. The Bloodpack immediately feels the inspiring power of Domi flow into them.
"Get ready, dudes," he growls.
[Prayer - +1 Atk, damage, saves, and skill checks w/in 40' of caster. -1 to enemy for same.]
Gilan d20+7=18 d20+7=15 Thursday February 24th, 2005 7:54:27 PM
Gilan buzzes off to the side of the mashing grass and lands on one of the flowers nearby. He watches the grass and flowers to get an idea of the person's location. He buzzes and wiggles his antennae as he casts a spell of his own.
Grymash (ac22, hp81, prot. from evil, blind fight feat) d20+2=10 d20+5=13 Thursday February 24th, 2005 8:51:17 PM
Grymash hears the words "invisible" and remembers how those treadles just appeared out of no where. This time he knows and is ready for the beaters. He keeps his senses wide open, waiting for them to strike. The barbarian can feel them getting closer. He mutters a few words of power and calls upon himself protection from his god. (Casting Protection from Evil)
Grymash humms a continuous deep moan as he concentrates on his prey. Anticipating their every movement*.
(*Blind Fight feat: Gry doesnt lose his dex, nor does his attackers receive any bonus for being invisible with melee attacks. Gry also gets to reroll hit/miss chances.)
Visibility (DM MikeK) d20+10=29 d20+10=19 d20+5=17 d10+5=15 d10+5=8 d10+5=7 Thursday February 24th, 2005 9:05:52 PM
Jake pushes forward, seeking the lady he hears speaking.
Flea backs up to Anuk, searching the ground in front of her for any sign of an approaching enemy.
Trellus moves forward and casts a spell to strengthen his friends.
Gilan moves to the side and casts a spell.
Grymash casts a spell and waits, senses alert.
Anuk and Tishe both cast Dispel Magics. Anuk's spell is ineffective. Tishe's spell succeeds in spectacular fashion. Around the hill, three figures pop into existence. On the north side, the man with the two swords -- on the east side, virtually underneath Gilan, the hooded mage -- and on the southeast side, a bugbear dressed in leather armor and wielding a Morningstar appears before Jake.
The three suddenly visible attackers react immediately to the new situation.
The mage (S) casts a spell, sending a bolt of electricity at Anuk. [Lightning Bolt -- Reflex DC 16 or 7d6 hp damage]
The bugbear (C) casts a spell, and Jake feels his limbs getting heavy. [Hold Person -- Will DC 14 or can't move]
Two swords (R) advances on Anuk, and is quite surprised to find Flea standing there in the way. [Flea gets an AoO]
Trellus lets out a yelp as he's pummeled by an unseen opponent. The lady (L) appears just as she's finishing off a nice roundhouse kick into the cleric's jaw. [hit ac 29 for 15 hp hit ac 19 for 8 hp hit ac 17 for 7 hp]
Flea (AC 19, 41 HP-Bless) d20+8=16 d6+2=6 d20+14=26 d20+8=22 d6+2=8 Thursday February 24th, 2005 11:07:56 PM
Flea swings her hammer at the fellow in front of her (Hit AC 16, for 6 dmg) before tumbling (Tumble=26) past him into a position directly behind him and opposite Anuk. The rogue swings her hammer again (Hit AC 22, for 8 dmg).
"Lets squeeze 'im good, 'nuk," calls the rogue.
Notes: -Bless from Trellus -Anuk gets +2 flanking bonus if he steps 5ft. into square vacated by Flea
Jake (AC 23, hp 50/50, prayer) d20+2=13 d20+11=28 d10=5 d6=6 Thursday February 24th, 2005 11:55:50 PM
Jake feels his limbs become leaden. His eyes close halfway and he wavers on his feet, whobbling as the world is suddenly so heavy. it is only that divine pulse of energy filling him that barely keeps back the force of the bugbear's spell. (That +1 to my check saved me! Whew!) Suddenly his eyes snap open, and he smiles at the --whatever the thing is. Not a gnoll, or an orc. Must be something else. "Nice try, wormface!" he cheerfully announces, then swings himself into action. He decides not to test his luck with wild swings, but this time aim carefully, jabbing forward with his sword precisely at just below his midsection, at around his belt where the leather armor ends. (Hit AC 29, with the prayer bonus. Did 13 slashing damage and 6 freezing damage)
Tishe' (AC 16, HP 37/37) d20+5=22 d8+11=14 Friday February 25th, 2005 12:39:54 AM
Tishe's first thought is to take out the mage, but the appearance of the weaponless fighter beating on Trellus is more important.
She raises her hands and weaves a golden pattern flanking the enemy assaulting Trellus. And her favorite bison appears and attacks.
The bison immediately tries to gore the monk (Ac 22, Dam 14)
Spells Augmented Summon; Celestial Bison [5 rounds] AC 13 HP 45 A +5 D d8+11 (Darkvision, Resist Cold/Electricity/Acid: 5, Damage Reduction 5/magic, Smite Evil 1/day +4 damage, Spell Resistance 9)
Grymash (ac20, hp81, prot. from evil, prayer, blind fight feat) d20+2=14 d20+12=28 d100=89 d100=39 d8+20=26 Friday February 25th, 2005 2:36:16 AM
The barbarian sees combatants suddenly appear. He then sees Trellus' head getting whipped around like a bag full of dirty undies. Trellus' face takes on a distorted, mushy pulp-like appearance. (Wisdom 14) His blood was pretty, but no one does that to Trellus and lives to brag about it!! Judging from which direction the attacks are coming from, Grymash charges forward and unleashes his own attack at the invisible beater.
Trellus (AC 20, hp 44/59, Prayer[2], Spir Wpn [1]) d20+10=18 d8+3=10 Friday February 25th, 2005 10:31:03 AM Prayer: +1 bonus to atk, dam, saves, and checks if within 40' of Trellus.
The woman's first blow catches Trellus right in the nose. "Ow!!" Instinctively ducking, the cleric lucks out, deflecting the next two off of his helm.
Still, he's very happy to see a bison on one side and especially Gry on the other. He happily takes the opportunity to get out of punching range. The young man backs up a step, and then peals around Grymash toward Anuk.
Trellus pauses a second to weave a spell toward the only unoccupied opponent. A glowing warhammer appears above the shrouded mage, and slams down upon him.
[Spirtual Weapon - atk ac18 for 10 hp damage]
Anuk (AC 21, HP 7, Prayer, Dodge) d20+9=12 7d6(5+1+5+3+5+5+4)=28 d20+11=21 d8+1=8 Friday February 25th, 2005 11:52:08 AM
Anuk is startled by the sudden appearance of so many figures. He tries to get a bearing on where to direct his attention when he is suddenly blasted by a bolt of electricity. (reflex 12, 27 hp dmg (-1 for Trellus' bless)). His teeth clench and he muscles sieze, causing him to painfully grip his bow, then drop it to the ground as the bolt of energy dissapates.
"OWWWWW!!" Smoke rises from his hair and clothes and the air around him smells vaguely of barbeque. Luckily, his glove protects his hand from his now electrically-heated longsword. He draws it, steps into the area just vacated by Flea, and meets Two-Swords head on.
Hits AC 21 (+2 flanking, +1 Prayer) for 8pts (+1 prayer) Anuk's AC is 22 vs 2-swords - Dodge
Gilan(HP: 57/57 ; AC: 18) [prayer, waspform] 7d6(2+4+4+2+4+1+1)=18 Friday February 25th, 2005 1:34:56 PM
Gilan smiles in his wasp form, well actually buzzes happily as he is being ignored. Then again who would worry about a single wasp when they have Gry out there.
He wiggles his antennae again and buzzes lightly from the flower with a growing sense of purpose. A column of divine fire slams down on the spot that the mage is standing at.
[flame strike: Ref DC 19, 18 damage] [call lightning: 6min 50sec, Ref DC 18, 7/7bolts]
Battle Royale - rd1 (DM MikeK) d20+10=18 d20+9=16 d20+12=23 d8+5=12 d20+10=13 d20+10=27 d20+5=9 d10+4=11 d20+9=28 d8+5=11 Friday February 25th, 2005 8:32:46 PM
Flea swings her hammer at Two Swords. He flicks the weapon away with his longsword. She dives between his legs, and comes up swinging. He flicks the hammer away again.
Anuk follows the gnome, driving his sword at the man. He almost effortlessly deflects blow away with the dagger in his off hand.
[Two Swords is actually armed with one longsword and a dagger. His AC is 24]
Jake fights off the effect of the spell, and steps into the bugbear. His sword flicks out and draws a red line across the beast's belly, eliciting a hiss of pain.
[Bugbear is AC 20]
Tishe summons a bison. It appears next to the startled monk and rips into her shoulder with its horn. Grymash also arrives next to the beleaguered cleric, and rips into the suddenly defensive woman. She barely manages to turn in time to avoid a fatal blow. But the half orc barbarian should be quite satisfied at the splashing blood all over the place.
[Monk is AC 18]
Trellus looks to pull around Gry and starts for Anuk. The lady takes a swing at him as he goes, but misses. [AoO - hit ac 18] His glowing hammer crashes down on the mage with a solid "thunk".
[Mage is AC 14]
Gilan casts a spell. The druid notices a very odd effect. Instead of the normal pillar of fire, the spell comes down as a row of three smaller columns. The result looks about as expected though. The fire catches the mage full force, blasting the cowl off his head.
The stunned, smoking mage looks over at Gilan. Without his cowl up, the druid can see he has elfin features, but his skin is the color of night. Understanding crosses the features of the white haired mage, as he figures out the large wasp isn't what it seems.
[Gilan can only turn into a Small or Medium animal. So this wasp is about two and half feet long.]
Two Swords gives Flea a superior grin. "Nice move," he allows. The man steps to the side to keep his opponents generally in front of him, and slashes at the wounded ranger with his longsword. [5' step -- no AoO] [Attack Anuk -- hit AC23 for 12 hp damage]
The bloodied monk is not smiling. She's not happy at all. Frantically, she launches a frenzy of chops into Grymash. One lands, ringing the half-orc's head like a bell. [atks 13, 27, 9. 11 hp damage + Fort save DC 17 or stunned]
The bugbear is also cranky. He unleashes a huge swing with his Morningstar at Jake. It connects hard as well. As it does, Jake feels a strange tingling sensation in his brain. [hit ac 28 for 11 hp damage + Will Save DC 15 or roll d100 (1-50 is bad)]
The drow mage casts a spell, and disappears. The glowing hammer, deviod of a visible target, returns to Trellus and hovers over his shoulder.
Mac (AC:20, HP:75/75, Large) d20+13=30 3d6(4+5+5)+11=25 Saturday February 26th, 2005 2:27:48 AM
...Lion...?
...Sweetie...?!
The taur paces 25' north(? - up the map!) and 5' NE, building up a swing, pulling up behind and left of Anuk, and striking hard at the ranger bothering Flea and Anuk.
Attack hits AC:30 for 25 damage.
"So, what have I missed? Let me know who needs support!"
OOC: My apologies to the pack, I've had a [insert colourful colloquialism here] of a week. Back on track!
Tishe' (AC 16, HP 37/37) d20+5=18 d8+11=15 Saturday February 26th, 2005 4:51:33 PM
The golden bison bellows in triumph and continues its attack into the monk. The horns are lowered and barely get through the agile woman's defenses (AC 18), but the horns score deeply (Dam 15). Figuring the monk is done for, the summoned creature moves to assist Jake.
Tishe' is pleased with the way the battle is going so far. Jake and the bison are on dog-boy; Mac, Anuk, and Flea are teaming up on two-swords; and ... where is the mage?
Looking at where the mage was standing, she doesn't see any flower movement, and so raises her hands and weaves a spell. A pinch of ground mica is tossed in the air, and a cloud of golden sparkling dust strikes around where the mage had been standing.
Spells Augmented Summon; Celestial Bison [4 rounds] AC 13 HP 45 A +5 D d8+11 (Darkvision, Resist Cold/Electricity/Acid: 5, Damage Reduction 5/magic, Smite Evil 1/day +4 damage, Spell Resistance 9) Glitterdust; [5 rounds] Will DC 17 or blind in 10 foot radius; -40 Hide
DM addendum Saturday February 26th, 2005 10:09:08 PM
NOTE - The monk didn't drop, and therefore, the bison stays on the monk. Jake is still on his own.
Jake (AC 23, hp 39/50, prayer) d20+2=7 d100=75 d20+11=31 d20+11=25 d10=6 d10=6 d6=5 Sunday February 27th, 2005 8:44:18 AM
Even with the holy energy infusing him, Jake feels that unnerving feeling of helplessness as the swinging flail of his opponent strikes him and infuses him with blindness. (I assume that's the effect from the descriptioN) Suddenly the world has become dark, and though it's just a barrier in his mind, Jake just can't overcome it. Dang these magicians! "Ah can't see!" he yells out frustratedly, hoping his packmates will realize his situation and help him shortly. Trusting his instincts, he feints towards the left just slightly, then instead moves to the right, swinging his sword at where the ugly guy's side should be if he moves as Jake predicts. Not only is Jake satisfied to feel his sword thunk into something, but he's startled to realize that he somehow pierced straight through the seams of his opponents' armor! (rolled the 75 on the blindness attack, nat 20 crit, confirmed against AC 25) (Did 6+7+6+7+1=27 damage plus 5 cold damage to the guy) Jake is impressed by his luck so far...but wonders what he'll do after he defeats this ugly guy. It'll be weird running around blind...
Another DM Addendum Sunday February 27th, 2005 9:27:01 AM You know what they say about people who assume...
Jake is not blind. As far as he can tell, the tingling sensation had no effect whatsoever.
Anuk (HP -5, unconscious) Sunday February 27th, 2005 7:18:21 PM
Anuk's sense of confidence is briefly shattered by Two-Sword's easy deflection of his attack. It disappears altogether along with everything else as Two-Sword's longsword pierces the young ranger.
Anuk's knees buckle and he crumples silently to the ground, bleeding profusely.
Gilan(HP: 57/57 ; AC: 20) [prayer, waspform] Sunday February 27th, 2005 9:54:05 PM
Gilan buzzes loudly as he gets a little annoyed. Well he figured that a wasp his size would not be able to stay out of it for long. Still he had hoped for a little bit more of a reprieve.
He slips up into the air and once again casts a spell into the area that the mage had been in. He tries to place it so that only the mage will be caught, maybe some of the other enemies but not his friends.
[call lightning: 6min 40sec, Ref DC 18, 7/7bolts] [entangle: 7min 00sec, Str DC 20 or Escape Artist DC 20 to break free, Ref DC 18 or be caught, can move half speed if successful]
Flea(AC19 (20 while Hasted) Bless, 41 HP) d20+14=26 d20+10=28 d20+10=30 d20+10=22 d20+10=16 d6+2=8 d6+2=7 3d6(5+3+6)=14 3d6(3+2+3)=8 Sunday February 27th, 2005 10:14:43 PM
Flea sees Anuk fall to the ground and calls out his name, before launching a furious retaliatory strike on 'Two Swords'. The gnome moves at a frenzied pace, sliding into a flanking position across from Mac. [Tumble=26 if req'd]. From her position behind the enemy she strikes a series of blows with her hammer. [Hit AC=28, AC 30 (22 to confirm critical - fail), and AC=16 for total of 37 dmg].
(*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 3/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Trellus (AC 20, hp 44/59, Prayer[3], Spir Wpn [2]) 3d8(2+3+5)+5=15 Sunday February 27th, 2005 11:07:16 PM Prayer: +1 bonus to atk, dam, saves, and checks if within 40' of Trellus.
Trellus was already heading Anuk's way, and seeing his friend fall doesn't make him want to slow down any.
The cleric ducks in front of the incoming minotaur, and crosses to the southeast side of the ranger. He pulls out his wand as he hurries to Anuk's side.
Trellus taps Anuk quickly. "No worries, dude. I got you"
[Cure Serious Wounds - 15 hp healed]
Grymash (ac22, hp70, prot. from evil, prayer) d20+15=17 d20+10=24 d20+5=21 d8+20=26 d8+20=27 Monday February 28th, 2005 2:01:04 AM
Delighted by the spray of monky blood. Grymash begins to swing again when a flurry of blows slam into his face. The attack whips his head to the left and dazes the barbarian for a second. (Fort save 17, barely got it! Im glad I didnt roll a 1.) His head slow turns back to face the female monk. If eyes were daggers, she would already be dead. "DAT ALL YOOZ GOT, PIGGIE?! NOT GUTE ENOUGH! AUUGGGHHH!"
Grymash unleashes his own series of slashing attacks with his double axe.
(Full Attack. PowerAttack+5, two-handed+10. HitAC: 24 and 21. Damage: 26+27=53 points of damage.)
Battle royale? - rd 2 (DM MikeK) d20+9=26 d20+6=8 Monday February 28th, 2005 9:09:46 AM
Mac shakes off a very weird daydream in which his kitty, and her two sisters, play follow the leader through a large patch of incredibly green clover. Noticing there's a fight, the minotaur takes several long strides and slams into Two Swords. Mac's weapon rips a huge gash in the stunned ranger.
The summoned bison attacks the monk, wounding her badly. Meanwhile, its summoner looks to see if she can spot signs of the invisible mage. However, the intervening trees and the difference in elevation prove too difficult to overcome. Tishe doesn't know if the man moved or not. Nevertheless, she pops off a spell encasing an area in sparkly lights. The spell effect comes uncomfortably close to Gilan, but doesn't reveal the mage.
Jake shakes off the whatever it was, and rips open the bugbear's shield arm and shoulder muscle.
Anuk collapses into unconsciousness.
Gilan hovers into the air and wiggles his antennae. The forest explodes into energetic life. In a circle some 80' in diameter, weeds, flowers, grasses, and even small shrubs erupt through the needle covered forest floor like speeded up Plains Grass. Even a portion of the hard packed game trail disappears within a frenzied, lashing, explosion of plant life. The druid's aim is good, as both Flea and Jake watch a wall of green matter rise up within a few feet of them.
The bugbear is caught up in the grasping grasses, but manages to sidestep the entangling vegetation.
Flea takes a step to line up Two Swords. The gnome finds herself right beside the crazy acting plant growth, but maintains her concentration. She slams her hammer into the man's knees, which buckle under the blow.
Trellus steps around Mac, and hits Anuk with a healing spell.
Grymash clears the ringing in his ears, and launches a furious assault upon the doomed monk. By the time his axe stops swinging, his opponent is barely recognizable and very, very dead.
Bleeding and limping, and now isolated against four of the Bloodpack, Two Swords makes a run for it. He avoids as many blows as he can, and only Flea gets the opportunity to hit him as he pelts northward. If she doesn't bring him down, he is soon hidden by the intervening trees. [Flea AoO. 6 hp drops him.]
The bugbear also tries to run, but the plant wall forces him to try and slip past Jake as he does. If Jake doesn't bring him down, the monster disappears into the trees to the west. [Jake AoO. 6 hp drops him]
Anuk (AC 21, HP 10, Prayer, Point-blank-shot) d20+8=11 Monday February 28th, 2005 3:03:20 PM
Anuk blinks rapidly, fighting his way back to consciousness. Feeling disoriented he looks up at the figure of Trellus. Realizing what's happened, he smiles weakly and says, "Thanks, Trel. I'm feeling much shadier."
Then he remembers who it is that put him on the ground in the first place. He scrambles to his knees and reaches for his dropped bow.
"Where'd he go?!" he yells and then he spots Two-Swords in retreat. Still kneeling, Anuk fires off an arrow, but it goes wildly off course and thuds into the trunk of a nearby pine.
(Hits AC11, -4 firing into melee)
Gilan(HP: 57/57 ; AC: 20) [prayer, waspform] 3d6(3+4+1)=8 Monday February 28th, 2005 5:07:29 PM
Gilan is taken by the unexpected results of his spell and nearly falls into his own entangle spell. He looks around and shakes his little wasp head. He had hoped to see the wizard but it appears that he might have gotten away.
If he spots either of the retreating forms of the other two from his aeriel position then he will call upon the powers of lightning to blast one of them.
[call lightning: 6min 30sec, Ref DC 18 for half, 6/7bolts, 8 damage] [entangle: 6min 50sec, Str DC 20 or Escape Artist DC 20 to break free, Ref DC 18 or be caught, can move half speed if successful]
Flea (AC 19, 41 HP-Prayer) d20+8=24 d6+2=4 Monday February 28th, 2005 6:42:24 PM
Flea swipes at the escaping swordsman, hitting him again with her hammer. [Hit AC 24 for 4 HP damage]
Tishe' (AC 16, HP 37/37) - Sub/Al d20+3=18 Monday February 28th, 2005 8:13:03 PM "Oh piggy." Tishe' curses under her breath as no mage appears outlined in golden glitter.
"At least we know where he's not," she shouts.
The golden bison, now bereft of its reason for being on this plane casts about for enemies to attack. Its nostrils flair as it scents the air for opponents, prepared to make off in pursuit at the slightest wiff. (Scent: if the wizard is within 30 feet, head in that direction.) Lacking no clear scent, it wanders to the west around the hill in dogged pursuit of it knows not what.
Tishe' lifts her eyes to the trees upon the hill. "I wonder ... " she muses. (Spot 18)
Spells Augmented Summon; Celestial Bison [3 rounds] AC 13 HP 45 A +5 D d8+11 (Darkvision, Resist Cold/Electricity/Acid: 5, Damage Reduction 5/magic, Smite Evil 1/day +4 damage, Spell Resistance 9) Glitterdust; [5 rounds] Will DC 17 or blind in 10 foot radius; -40 Hide
Jake d20+11=12 d20+5=9 Monday February 28th, 2005 11:01:36 PM
Jake takes a parting slash at the ugly guy, and nearly drops his sword as it awkwardly thunks into one of those wooden rising things. So the creature escapes. Jake turns to his companions and they all look okay... Gilan's that prairie-pig sized slug, Anuk's down but hopefully they've all got that covered, the others seem okay. But...where's their little elf friend? He looks around for Shady. (Spot 9)
Mac Tuesday March 1st, 2005 5:51:40 AM
"Okay - what has just happened?!" snorts the taur. "Do we pursue?"
Trellus (AC 20, hp 44/59, Prayer[4], Spir Wpn [3]) 3d8(1+3+1)+5=10 d8=7 d8=8 Tuesday March 1st, 2005 8:29:23 AM Prayer: +1 bonus to atk, dam, saves, and checks if within 40' of Trellus.
Trellus shifts a bit as Anuk scrambles for his bow, but doesn't leave his friends side. The dude is still smoking.
The cleric taps Anuk once more while calling out loudly, "Gilan! You wove the grass pick, right?" Cause otherwise, we got another problem, he finishes silently.
[CSW on Anuk - 23 hp healed.]
And then there were none (DM MikeK) d20=13 Tuesday March 1st, 2005 9:21:51 AM
Flea thwacks Two Swords as he passes. The man grunts in pain, but moves on.
Anuk scrambles to grab his bow and get a little payback, but by the time he does, Two Swords is gone.
Jake misses the bugbear, and can only watch in frustration as the creature seemingly escapes.
Gilan watches his entangle spell go nuts. The area of effect is nothing but a twisting, ever moving green mass. Maybe the mage is trapped, and maybe he isn't. There could be a giant rapke trapped in there, and the druid might not know it. Looking about, the large wasp notices the bugbear making a run for it. A quick wiggle brings an electrical bolt down upon it. Just before hitting the bugbear, the lightning bolt (like the flame strike spell) splits, forming a tine of three bolts which strike with a "Kaboom". The bugbear falls by the game trail.
Tishe looks into the trees, seeing nothing. The bison stands near the corpse of the monk. He bends down to get a hunk of grass and chews contendedly.
Mac asks for some clarification. Trellus heals Anuk. Gry gloats over his victory.
Jake looks around for Shady. He doesn't see the young elf. Neither does anybody else.
Situation - bugbear and monk down, Two Swords ran off, mage unknown.
Anuk (AC 21, HP 33 - prayer) d20+11=21 d20+11=29 d20+13=29 Tuesday March 1st, 2005 3:16:07 PM
Anuk's strength returns and his wounds knit as Trellus hits him with another healing spell. "Thanks again, Trellus."
He takes a minute to check in with Flea to make sure she's okay. "Everything shady, Flea? You all right? I...uh...kinda blacked out there for a bit," he says sheepishly.
When the pack realizes that Shady is gone, Anuk immediately begins to look for the elf's trail. If he finds anything, he brings it to everyone's attention.
Listen 21 Spot 29 Survival (track) 29
(added +1 to all rolls due to prayer spell)
Gilan(HP: 57/57 ; AC: 18) [prayer] Tuesday March 1st, 2005 5:12:43 PM
Gilan flies over and lands by Trellus as he changes back into his human form. He looks to the great writhing wall of vegetation and shakes his head. "Err...yeah, that was me...but as to what is going on..." He just shrugs at the unknown effects of his spells and lets out a breathe. "That is strange and I am just glad that it did not get anyone else."
Glancing around to see what the others are doing he shakes his head again. "Did you see my lightning and flamestrike...it split into three separate bolts." He purses his lips and shudders as he knows that something is amiss. "You think the mage is in that mess somewhere?" He looks again to the wall of vegetation and laughs lightly, though it is forced.
[call lightning: 6min 20sec, Ref DC 18 for half, 6/7bolts, 8 damage] [entangle: 6min 40sec, Str DC 20 or Escape Artist DC 20 to break free, Ref DC 18 or be caught, can move half speed if successful]
Flea d20+12=16 d20+8=23 d20+10=22 Tuesday March 1st, 2005 6:37:04 PM
Flea sticks her hammer through her belt, then answers her friend, "I'm okay 'Nuk. You?"
Looking around (Search=16, Spot=23) she tries to locate the party's ward. "Last time I saw Shady, he was playing with some pine cones. In some sort of a trance, it seemed," she volunteers, a worried look on her face.
Cupping her hands to her mouth, she calls out, "Shaaaa-deeee, oh, Shaaaa-dee!" Then listens (Listen=22) for a response.
Grymash Tuesday March 1st, 2005 7:37:58 PM
The half-orc continues to gloat. "Yeah Piggie! Dat whut ya git when ya mess wit da Bloodpack. Stupid, Stupid Piggie. Yooz grass is mine now, Piggie! Gry's an Gargul's!" He spits on her pieces parts and turns to face the pack. "Is pack ok? Weez show thems who da beaters are!!"
Trellus Tuesday March 1st, 2005 9:03:00 PM
The cleric looks from Gilan to the crazy plant growth. "Light, Gilan," he responds with a wry chuckle. "Half of Rattledam could be in there."
Trellus joins in the general hunt for Shady, but not before reminding Flea to come back afterwards and check out the lady and bugbear for goodies.
Tishe' (AC 16, HP 37/37) - Sub/Al Tuesday March 1st, 2005 9:30:11 PM
Tishe' stalks toward the bison and looks up into the cow eyes with her fists planted on hips.
"A lot of help you are." With a wave of her hand, she dismisses the celestial animal. "Go home. You did well. For a while."
Then, scratching her head, she looks around and calls out to her fellow druid. "What do you make of this?"
Jake d100=24 d100=7 d100=11 d100=77 d100=62 d100=38 d100=93 d100=30 d100=67 Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 1:47:23 AM
Jake stares off into space for a good while, seeming thoughtful. Then he looks to the others. "Hey guys, Shady's gone!" He tells them...though they've just noticed (in fact, he almost says this simultaneously with Flea's calling for the kid). He scratches his head. "So, we won pretty good there, didn't we? Ah took care of that ---" He pauses,... "---ugly guy pretty easily. Could use a little toucha---" He stops, mid-sentence, then continues after a bit, "---healing from you, Trellus."
Mac Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 7:38:22 AM
The taur shakes his head, removes his backpack and checks on Galea
Nice pinecone (DM MikeK) Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 9:54:13 AM
The Bloodpack goes about tying up some loose ends.
Mac checks on Galea, and finds the kitten is purring contently in his pack. Tishe dismisses the bison. Trellus heals Anuk. Gry gloats. Gilan wonders what happened with his spells.
Jake is acting kinda weird.
Eventually, everyone goes on a Shady hunt. After a few minutes of searching, during which Jake alternates between actively participating and just standing there, they find the boy. He is still sitting by his tree, having never charged forward with the rest of the group. It looks like Shady has been very busy playing in the dirt. For a good ten feet all around him, the collared elf has been placing objects in a row of three - three rocks, three pinecones, three flowers, three piles of squirrel poop -- repeated seemingly endlessly around the forest floor. As the group approaches, Shady looks up somewhat blankly and again spouts a phrase in that sing song language he used once before.
Gilan swears he just said "Don't forget your coat," in Sylvan.
Shady's eyes regain their focus, and he looks around in some confusion at his handiwork before looking at Jake quizzically. (In elfin) "What is happening here?".
A check of the bugbear and monk reveals the following gear:
Monk -- 350gp, 8 potions and a curious necklace with 3 pearl like balls attached to it. The balls appear to be detachable. On the monk's arm is a tattoo of strange looking symbol. [Knowledge (History) DC 15 to id as High Woldian] [Spellcraft DC 18 to id as Brahmah Tattoo]
Bugbear -- 275 gp, leather armor, an exceptionally well made pair of soft boots, an exceptionally well made cloak, a morningstar, a ring, and 3 potions
Tishe' - Sub/Al d20+13=20 Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 4:52:05 PM
"Sweetie, you've been playing triplicate out under this tree while we've been fighting and *you* ask what's going on?"
Tishe' just shrugs and walks over to where the bugbear and the monk are being examined. She casts Detect Magic and plays the cone over everything, reading their auras. (Spellcraft 20)
Raising an eye at the markings on the Monk's arm. "That tattoo," she says, "is divine magic."
Gilan(HP: 57/57 ; AC: 18) [prayer] d20+2=4 Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 7:13:41 PM
Gilan looks to the settling of three that are set out before the group and shakes his head. "An omen...like the one that he spoke earlier." He tries his best to think of what this could mean but is distracted by Shady's next words.
He runs them over in his head a few times to make sure that he got them right. "Don't forget your coat?" He looks to the rest of the group and shrugs as he thinks again. "That was sylvan again and I would say that we are going someplace cold." He looks to Shady and holds out his hand to help him up. Speaking in elven he smiles to Shady. "Come on Shady...we may need to move on along and I hope you were having fun." His smile broadens as he wishes that he could go back to those times and just have some fun and not worry about life and death.
[call lightning: 6min 10sec, Ref DC 18 for half, 6/7bolts, 8 damage] [entangle: 6min 30sec, Str DC 20 or Escape Artist DC 20 to break free, Ref DC 18 or be caught, can move half speed if successful]
Trellus Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 10:18:23 PM
Trellus' eyes watch Jake play Red Light-Green Light for a while, then briefly scan Shady's nature display, flick over to Gilan, and then take in the warm spring day enveloping the forest.
"Dude," he sighs in exasperation, "None of that makes any sense at all."
In an attempt to grasp something a tad more tangible, the cleric walks up to Tishe'. He silently watches her examination of the hard won equipment, waiting for her verdict.
Flea d20+12=24 d20+8=17 d20+9=20 d20+2=21 Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 10:21:54 PM
When Gilan translates for the boy, Flea moves in front of the elf, and reaches her hands up to grab his tunic as best she can. "And don't you forget to bring my cloak!" she admonishes. Letting go of the lad, she wraps the Cloak of Comfort more tightly around him, and then smiles, hoping she didn't scare him, but also hoping that he takes good care of her stuff.
Satisfied that she got her message across, Flea follows Tishe' over to inspect the bodies of the fallen. (Search=24, Spot=17). She casts an appraising eye (Appraise=20) over the gear and other items. The rogue pays special attention to the cloak and boots on the bugbear, comparing them to her own Boots of Speed and Cloak of Comfort.
These might fit Grymash, and if they're anything like mine... she smiles at the thought.
"I could sniff the potions, and maybe taste them," she volunteers looking up at Tishe', "but lets see if there are any labels first."
(OOC: Flea is familiar with Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Gnome, and Orc. She has +2 Alchemy, and I rolled 21. She will sniff one of the 3 potions from the bugbear, if there are no labels.)
Jake d100=94 d100=29 d100=55 d100=11 d100=73 Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 11:47:28 PM
"Ah'm not wearing any of that 'till if'n we get 'em washed, y'know? Smells like cow ta me." Jake shakes his head at the corpse of the bugbear, then looks to the others. He shakes his head at the elven boy, amused. (elven) "Whatcha got there, a game, Shady?" Then...he stops again, staring at nothing for a good little bit. After a bit, he glances around. "Say, uh, guys, is something weird going on?" Jake, by the way, has no gear for cold weather whatsoever, a fact that he's complained about these last few nights as they get into a more temperate area. It's okay as long as one has a nice blanket wrapped around one, but Jake hardly has anything like that. He walks over to the body of one of the guys and midway halts for a good while. Then he continues as though nothing happened and examines the body, curiously.
Anuk Thursday March 3rd, 2005 12:24:25 AM
While everyone starts looking in on Shady and the fresh corpses, Anuk takes a moment to rest.
He smiles as he watches the activity of his friends, and he reflects on how many times his packmates have nearly died recently.
Nearly? he thinks. He realizes that one of them did die. Mac has been to the underworld and back.
Determining to make good on his promise to get to know Mac better, he approaches the minotaur during a quiet moment.
"Say, Mac...tell me a little about that weapon of yours," he says with a grin.
Mac Thursday March 3rd, 2005 7:53:06 AM
The taur lightly scratches at the kitten's tummy, and the stretch and purr is a good sign. He drops the flap of the pack back over lightly for shade for Galea. In response to Anuk's question he takes a knee and brings the large greataxe around to show. "It's my greet-grandfather's axe. There are more stories about where it came from than I could possible remember. Now, you would be hard pressed to find 24lbs of adamantine from head to haft. One side is covered in etchings and knotwork and the plain side is mine to fill..."
Treasure Hunting (DM MikeK) Thursday March 3rd, 2005 11:44:41 AM
Back at the assembled loot, Tishe casts a spell and inspects the pieces. There's a lot of magic:
2 potions w/ grey stopper -- Faint Divination potion w/ dark green stopper -- Faint Transmutation 3 potions w/ blue stopper - Moderate Conjuration potion w/ black stopper -- Faint Abjuration potion w/ light green stopper -- Faint Transmutation potion w/ red stopper -- Faint Illusion Necklace -- Faint Transmutaion
Flea does some comparison shopping, and finds that neither the cloak nor the boots resemble items currently owned by the Pack. None of the potions are labeled. They are color coded with different colored stoppers. She tries out one of the blue stoppered potions from the bugbear. It is a clear blue liquid with an odor and taste reminiscent of almond. The rogue knows these are the characteristics of healing potions.
Shady can't remember making any of the pine cone arrangements, and is seriously confused by the whole thing. He wordlessly allows himself to be wrapped up by Flea, and led off by Gilan. The collared elf can't take his eyes of the antics of Jake.
The Bloodpack fighter is acting very oddly. He's fine for a minute or so, then just stops for a minute or so, then continues on with whatever he was doing as if the intervening empty time never occurred.
Tishe' - Sub/Al Thursday March 3rd, 2005 4:01:17 PM
Tishe' describes her findings to the others.
"The armor and the morningstar are obvious. But it will be difficult to have an exact idea of what they do unless we have them identified."
"Then," she smiles at the others, "there's always the direct approach."
Taking up the cloak, she throws it over her shoulders. "Hope it isn't cursed." Illusion, hmmm. She wills herself displaced.
Flea d20+2=21 d20+2=13 d20+2=5 d20+2=3 d20+2=16 d20+2=19 d20+2=14 Thursday March 3rd, 2005 5:54:12 PM
Hunkering down over the potions, Flea lets her curiousity get the better of her. "These ones are for Curing she calls, waving the blue stoppered vials around with a big grin." Setting those ones aside, she picks up the white stoppered one. Carefully removing the stopper she sniffs at it, then dips a finger in and tastes it. The gnome will call out her findings (smell, taste, Alchemy Check=21) in case someone else might be able to identify them.
She will continue with her experimentation to learn as much as she can about the various potions, assuming that if the enemy were prepared to consume them, they likely had some benefit.
The rogue is so engrossed with her task, she is oblivious to Jake's strange behavior.
Grymash Thursday March 3rd, 2005 6:03:10 PM "Ohhh, boots! Yeah, theze boots of Gry's are gettin' worn down," in response to Flea's statement. "Do ya knows whut all dis stuff be magiked or whut?"
Grymash looks down at all the stuff the girl had on and is a little reluctant to touch it. He isnt sure if she was a real girl or a victim of gender bending magic.
Gilan(HP: 57/57 ; AC: 18) [prayer] d20+7=25 d20+7=16 Thursday March 3rd, 2005 7:59:57 PM
Gilan wanders over to stand by Tishe' and Trellus as the look over the treasure. "Well...got anything good there?" He smiles as he looks to Shady and shakes his head. Contemplating what was said by Shady he makes a decision to get some endure elements spells for the next few days.
Looking around at the rest of the group he notices Jake and wrinkles his brow, he nudges Trellus. "I think we may have a problem with Jake...he pauses for a few seconds once in awhile, but does not seem to remember it." Looking to Trellus again he makes another suggestion. "I think Tishe' should have a few of my identify scrolls left...you think we should try?"
[listen 25 and spot 16]
[call lightning: 6min 00sec, Ref DC 18 for half, 6/7bolts, 8 damage] [entangle: 6min 20sec, Str DC 20 or Escape Artist DC 20 to break free, Ref DC 18 or be caught, can move half speed if successful]
Jake d100=35 d100=12 d100=77 d100=79 Friday March 4th, 2005 1:15:22 AM
Jake doesn't seem to take offense at Gilan's comment...instead, he stares fixedly at the corpse for a bit. Then he looks over the treasure. "Dang, we've scored out again. Ah should probably refrain from accepting any treasure...ah'm just about broke after that last trip to them cat combs. Uh...Tishe, ya shouldn't try on magic items. Ah mean, Grimmy can tell y'all why."
Trellus Friday March 4th, 2005 9:41:48 AM
"Let's see if we can figure some out, and then we can go to the Identify spells," Trellus answers Gilan.
Observing Jake, the cleric nods at the druid's words. Something is sunbaked with his friend.
He approaches the fighter. "Dude, you shady?" he asks. "You're acting pretty bright with this starting and stopping pick. Anything happen in the fight?
How 'bout you remove all you magic stuff so I can check you out?"
What's This Stuff? (DM MikeK) Friday March 4th, 2005 10:12:04 AM
Tishe throws on the cloak, and mentally tries to displace herself. Nothing seems to happen, although those watching her notice she seems to blend into the surroundings more than without the cloak.
Flea checks out all the potions, calling out their characteristics. [Gry -- Int check 10 to remember the characteristics of the potion with the dark green stopper match the Haste potion currently in his possession]
None of the other potions are familiar to any of the Bloodpack.
Stopper Color - Clear/Opaque - Color - Odor - Taste - Feel Red - Cloudy - Yellow - Peach - Peach - None Light Green - Opaque - White - None - None - Floating Sensation Dark Green - Clear - Orange -Orange - Orange - Tingling in arms and legs White - Clear - Clear - Lemon - Lemon - Tingling in feet Black - Opaque - Yellow - None - None - Lightness of body Grey - Opaque - Yellow -Ginger - Bitter(slight) - Dry Mouth
Gry thinks about putting on the boots. Past experience makes him reluctant.
Trellus and Gilan discuss Jake.
Shady watches curiously as the group messes with the equipment. The elf bends down, picks up the ring, and tries to mimic what Tishe is doing.
Mac (would be an illegal second post if the first one had appeared!) Friday March 4th, 2005 10:17:17 PM
Mac continues to talk about the axe and his family with Anuk whilst assisting with the trial and error identification of the items.
Tishe' - Sub/Al d20+13=31 d20+13=20 d20+13=32 d20+13=25 d20+13=22 d20+13=27 Saturday March 5th, 2005 9:16:06 AM
Tishe' glances down at herself. "Well, that's interesting. Flea, Sweetie, this might help you creeping about."
Then the plain and practical woman sets her mind to the potions. Flea's description of the white stoppered potion rings a bell.
"Shady, don't play with that. It may turn you into a woman. Or a cockroach. Or three cockroaches."
Knowledge Arcana to ID the Potions from Flea's descriptions:
31 Red - Cloudy - Yellow - Peach - Peach - None 20 Light Green - Opaque - White - None - None - Floating Sensation 32 Dark Green - Clear - Orange -Orange - Orange - Tingling in arms and legs 25 White - Clear - Clear - Lemon - Lemon - Tingling in feet 22 Black - Opaque - Yellow - None - None - Lightness of body 27 Grey - Opaque - Yellow -Ginger - Bitter(slight) - Dry Mouth
TTYTT, I know what the white stoppered potion is. But that's knowledge from a different character in a different game.
Jake d100=46 d100=92 d100=22 Saturday March 5th, 2005 9:30:03 AM
Jake stares pointedly at Trellus. For a good minute or so. If his young friend moves or waves his hand, the fighter doesn't seem to deviate from staring in the same direction. Then he shakes his head. "Ah feel fine. But if ya want, here." He takes off his ring, an amulet, and his sword, and puts them down. Then, he waits, staring over at Shady for the others to do their thing.
Trellus Saturday March 5th, 2005 11:31:39 AM
Trellus shares a look with Gilan. "The dude is warped," he agrees with the druid. He flashes a quick grin. "I mean, even more so than usual."
With Jake, sometimes its kinda hard to tell.
Once the fighter has removed his magic stuff, Trellus casts a DETECT MAGIC spell and concentrates intently on his friend.
If that comes up empty, he gives Jake a thorough physical. [Take 10 on a Heal check - 18]
Gilan d20+5=8 Sunday March 6th, 2005 1:20:24 AM
Gilan nods to Trellus as he speaks. "Yeah, even for Jake that is odd." He looks over to the others as they continue with the loot. Turning back as Trellus gives Jake a physical he lends a hand as best as he can.
[aid other: check versus 10 to add a +2 to Trellus's Heal check; rolled an 8]
[call lightning: 5min 50sec, Ref DC 18 for half, 6/7bolts, 8 damage] [entangle: 6min 10sec, Str DC 20 or Escape Artist DC 20 to break free, Ref DC 18 or be caught, can move half speed if successful]
Flea Sunday March 6th, 2005 3:35:23 AM
The rogue rubs her nose. All the stange sensations have her feeling a little ill, although she likes the floaty feeling the the white stoppered potion gives her.
"Gry! Mac!" she calls, "you guys have taken potions before. What do you make of these?" Flea repeats her findings.
"Let 'Nuk try the cloak," the answers Tishe. "He might need help hiding more than me."*
*(OOC: Flea has +23 to hide, due in part to +2 Shadow Armor)
Jake Monday March 7th, 2005 1:46:02 AM
"Whatchoo say, Trellus??"
(Try saying that line out loud...)
"Nothing's wrong with me...y'all are acting real weird, tho, like, under a spell or sumfin," jake complains while he's being examined by Trellus. And if he has to go through the further physical examination, he starts yammerin' typical Jakerisms.
OOC - ADM MikeS Monday March 7th, 2005 11:12:20 AM
(Just an update -- MikeK is gone for the week and I'll be DMing in his place for a few days. Unfortunately, due to server problem at my webhost I don't have access to my email this morning and so don't have the notes Mike sent to me. As soon as it's resolved, I'll do the DM post for the day. I'll try to keep to Mike's schedule of at least 24 hours between posts once that happens.
Sorry for the slowdown--I'll post as soon as I'm fully informed :-)
Anuk Monday March 7th, 2005 3:16:11 PM
Anuk listens to Mac, engrossed in the tales of his family and lands. "It must've really been a different place in your land than the Plains. Was it much like this place?" Anuk asks, indicating the forest around him.
At the mention of his name, he looks up at Flea and sees her with the cloak. "Shady idea, Flea...I'd love to use this...thank you," he says, trying it on over his regular garb. "You've always been better'n me at disappearing...maybe this'll help me play a little catchup," he says with a smile.
ADM MikeS Monday March 7th, 2005 3:35:32 PM
While Mac and Anuk talk, Gilan and Trellus look over Jake. Trellus' binds Jake's wounds and the fighter seems okay except for his sudden starts and stops. However, Trellus' detect magic spell reveals a strong aura about the half-elf. The poor guy appears to have been cursed.
Tishe' and Flea take a closer look at the goodies leftover from the fight. Tishe' spends several minutes going over the vials, checking them again for color, consistency, and flavor then comparing her results with memories of her training. After a bit, she is certain that she knows what most of them are -- all but two, in fact.
Tishe' identifies the following: Tongues - 2 potions w/ grey stopper CSW - 3 potions w/ blue stopper Non Detection - potion w/ black stopper Displacement - potion w/ red stopper Jump - potion w/ white stopper CMW - 2 potions w/ blue stopper
The identity of the green stoppered potions remains a mystery to her.
While the pack is busy with healings and identifications, the mass of plants brought out by Gilan's entangle spell begins to return to it's normal state. All appears as before, with the exception of a white, flat object lying on the ground in the middle of what had been the spell's area, about 40' away from Tishe' and Flea. It's light color stands out easily against the dark greens and browns of the forest.
Mac d20+2=15 d20+2=6 d20+2=12 d20+2=8 d20+2=16 d20+2=20 d20+2=6 Monday March 7th, 2005 3:36:37 PM
"Aye Flea!" Mac recalls as best he can the potions he has drunk (Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Enlarge Person, Cure Light, Cure Moderate, Fly), and those he is carrying (Cure Serious and two awaiting introduction to the game: Reduce Person and Remove Curse).
[ADM MikeS: For Recalling purposes I've made 7 Int checks for Mac.]
Grymash d20-2=14 Monday March 7th, 2005 7:16:09 PM
(Int check?! Gry?! Ok. 14, woot!)
Grymash looks at the green potion and a spark finally pops in his head. "Hey! Dat magik water looks like dis one!" The barbarian reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out the potion that similar in color and smell. "Dis be uh Make Swift & Speedy magik water. Gry thinks dat be da same. Takes a look, Flea."
Then Grymash gets up the courage to try on the boots. He clicks them together and tries several command words. "Make Gry speedy! Run! Shady fast! Flea, whut be da magik words ta get these boots ta workin'?" The half-orc takes a few strides around the pack to see if he's any faster.
Trellus (Subbed by Mikey) Monday March 7th, 2005 7:53:54 PM
"Looks like a good haul. Pack, Jake seems a little warped under the sun. If we continue, he'll just slow us down. It might go away, but I think I might have a spell for getting rid of it... Perhaps we should stop for the night and try to get rid of the magic in the morning." The bloodpack's leader looks to his fellows for confirmation, then eyes the bodies. "Perhaps not *here*, I mean, but not too far ahead. Next time, Gil, you keep an eye on Shady, we don't want him disappearing in one of those trances again. He could get in trouble."
Jake d100=78 d100=71 d100=87 Monday March 7th, 2005 7:56:20 PM
Jake looks absolutely stricken when finding out he's cursed. His tanned skin goes very pale, and he looks a bit off for a second. "Ah'm not gonna turn into a gal, am ah?" Upon finding out he's not, Jake breathes several sighs of relief. "Well, then, let'sall getta movin'. Hey, Shady," he switches over to elven, and asks the kid if he saw him taking on that bugbear with the mace. He very enthusiastically repeats the fight, trying to get Mac or Gry to take the part of the bugbear...about hafl the time, though, he suddenly freezes in place, mid-swing. Kinda ruins the reinactment.
Flea d20+12=24 d20+8=23 Monday March 7th, 2005 8:32:31 PM
"Shady Gry!" Flea laughs as the great half-orc dances around in the bugbear's boots. "Nah! They're not like my special boots, but Tishe' did say they're magiked." Flea scratches her head, then rubs her nose. "Try jumping around," she finally says.
When she catches sight of the white, flat object lying on the ground, Flea carefully makes her way over to check it out. (Search=24, Spot=23)
Tishe' - Sub/Al d4+1=2 d4+1=3 d4+1=3 Monday March 7th, 2005 8:51:49 PM
"Careful, Flea. We still don't know where that wizard went."
Tishe' follows Flea, though tending to the opposite side. She readies a spell that just may work to break a spellcaster's concentration.
OoC: Ready Magic Missile. Trigger: See the wizard casting a spell. 8hp damage.
Gilan d20+7=10 d20+7=19 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 1:11:26 AM
Gilan nods in understanding. "Great, Jake has a curse." With a slight smile he looks to Jake, staring for a few minutes and shakes his head. "Does he seem to be getting a little bit of a girlish figure there?" He turns to check out what Flea and Tishe' are off to before he totally cracks up.
He will move over to look at the white thing that they are looking at. He does keep his eyes open for others things as well. That wizard is still not accounted for and that does bother him.
Anuk Tuesday March 8th, 2005 3:08:05 PM
Anuk plays with the cloak for a while, trying it on and seeing if anyone else can spot him.
"Seems like a nice cloak...not enough pockets though...hafta fix that. It's got a hood...should be a good way to keep shady in the heat."
ADM MikeS Tuesday March 8th, 2005 3:25:51 PM
Mac looks the remaining potions over and realizes that one of them, the one with the light green stopper, is the same as his Fly potion. Gry's sudden flash of insight correctly identifies the potion of haste in the vial with the dark green stopper.
As Gry moves around the the packmembers, no one notices any improvement in the big guy's speed, but everyone notices that he's not making nearly as much noise as usual. Anuk inspects the new cloak, noticing that it blends well with his surroundings, and Jake is relieved to find out that his curse is not going to turn him into Janet.
While Trellus' makes plans for the pack to move on before making camp, Flea, Tishe' and Gilan move cautiously into the clearing toward the white object. No sign of the absent mage can be detected, but a closer inspection of the object reveals it to be a bleached, flattened piece of bark, about 9 inches square, covered on one side with runes and inscriptions.
Shady, meanwhile, waits patiently for the pack. He hums idly to himself and plays with a small beetle of some kind that has crawled out of the grass and on to his hand. When he tires of that he stands, yawns, and stretches. As he does so, his stomach growls loudly, and he rubs it, a hungry look covering his face.
Gilan d20+7=8 d20+7=10 d20+2=5 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 7:20:29 PM
Gilan looks to Gry and smiles. "You seem to be making less noise Gry and that cloak...I think I have heard of that kind before." He pours through what little he can remember of cloaks with that type of property(int 5), but remembers nothing.
Gilan moves a little close to the white disk and looks at the runes upon it. He tries to read it if it is in a language that he knows. He looks to Tishe' and Flea as they are next to him. "Any ideas what it could say?" He glances around a litte as he motions Trellus over.
Flea Tuesday March 8th, 2005 10:23:58 PM
Flea studies the runes to see if they are a language she knows.*
"Lets push off, and find a good place to make camp," announces the rogue. "Gry, can you find us something to cook up for dinner? I'm almost out of rations." Flea opens up one of her last packages of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds. After taking a handful, she hands the package to the party's young ward.
*Flea knows Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Gnome, and Orc.
Tishe' - Sub/Al d20+10=26 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 10:42:14 PM
"How odd, Gilian," Tishe' studies not only the runes and inscriptions, but the material itself, "written on a piece of *bark*. She gives her fellow druid a significant look.
"Look familiar to you, Flea?" Regardless of the language, it must have a pattern. Tishe' sets her mind to sussing it out. (Decipher Script 26)
Languages: Common, Draconic, High Woldian, Celestial, Druidic
Trellus Wednesday March 9th, 2005 12:38:54 AM
The blond cleric moves up to join the others at the white post. His eyes still infused with the spell, he looks over the pillar for any traces of magic. (Detect magic still up I believe?) If he sees anything, he makes note, trying to stare long enough to identify the school as well. "Strange. The mage could have dropped it...or it could be a trap. Flea, can you check for that sort of thing?"
Jake d100=99 d100=52 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 12:41:08 AM
Jake goes on over to Shady. In elven, he asks the kid, "Hungry, huh? Come along, little bro, we'll get some food in you in a bit. What sort of things do you usually eat, anyways?"
Mac Wednesday March 9th, 2005 7:57:08 AM
Caution to the wind, Mac peers over Tishe' and Flea to see if he recognises the rune.
*Mac knows Common, Minotaur, Tauric, and Dwarven.
Anuk Wednesday March 9th, 2005 4:16:56 PM
Anuk joins everyone standing near the piece of bark. "What is that?" he asks, echoing the question of the moment. He bends down for a closer look to see if he can make out any of the writing.
(languages common, elven)
ADM MikeS Wednesday March 9th, 2005 4:17:27 PM
(OOC: Sorry if my previous description wasn't clear. The white object is not a pillar, but rather a flattened piece of bark, much like a sheet of paper.)
Tishe', Flea, Gilan, Trellus, Anuk, and Mac all gather 'round the white piece of bark, curious as to it's identity. Trellus can tell that this is a magical object - much like a scroll - and Anuk sees that large portions of the inscription are written in Elvish, though he can't make a lot of sense of it.
Tishe' gets down to work studying the writing and after a while she determines that it is a spell allowing someone to be able to see in near darkness, like the elves do (identified scroll of elven sight).
Flea joins Shady, Gry, and Jake. The elf gratefully accepts Flea's offer of a snack, and munches the food greedily. But afterwards he tells Jake that he's still hungry. "Are there more of the delicious fruits the small woman gave to me?" he asks hopefully in Elvish. "If not, could I help you look for some?"
The sun is getting low. It will be night soon.
Grymash d20+8=22 d20+2=4 d20+5=6 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 7:06:56 PM
Becoming aware of the boots magical effects, the barbarian leaves them on, grabs his composite bow and treks off a little ways looking for the packs next meal. He is so concentrated on finding some food, Grymash seems completely oblvious to the rest of the world.
(Survival: 22, Spot: 4, Listen: 6)
Gilan d20+14=21 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 9:32:59 PM
Gilan can make no sense of the writing on the piece of bark. He looks to the rest of the group and just shrugs as he moves off to the side and has a look around. He has the slight feeling that not all is right with nature. His spells from earlier had been amplified or even out of control. With a last shake of his head he steps into the wooded area that surrounds the area to look for berries, nuts and other edibles(survival 21).
Tishe' - Sub/Al Wednesday March 9th, 2005 9:41:11 PM
"It's a spell," Tishe' says. "And as far as I can tell, it allows sight in near darkness. In the same way that elves can. How convenient."
"I'll need to copy this into a spell book at the first opportunity." She reaches out to lift the square of bark, then pulls back at Trellus' warning. "Well yes, Flea. I don't suppose such things just find themselves lying around like this." Tishe' steps back to allow Flea to do her thing.
Flea (AC 19, 41 HP, +2 Trap Sense) d20+12=18 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 10:19:25 PM
Flea starts when Trellus' calls to her to recon the area for traps. The pack had been out in the wilds so long, the rogue's senses for that sort of thing had become dulled.
Gingerly the rogue makes her way around the strange scroll and the area previously enchanted by Tishe'. (Detect Traps=18)
Jake d100=60 d100=50 d100=21 Thursday March 10th, 2005 1:50:34 AM
"Well, if ye're lookin' for more of them things, follow Gil around. That guy knows his slugs from his snails, allright." Then Jake takes a while to just stare in place...
Trellus (Subbed by mikey) Thursday March 10th, 2005 1:51:40 AM
"Hmmm. Who do you think would leave this sort of thing lying about? I mean, it's not the regular sort of thing those guys would be carrying, is it? Well, we won't find out by staying around here. Let's move on a bit, then set up camp. Anuk and Flea are in the lead again."
Mac Thursday March 10th, 2005 8:33:30 AM
Falling back into the more common party moving order, Mac's footfalls return to the beat of the old song he'd sung the night before (Was it only last night!?!).
Anuk d12=8 d20+10=12 d20+10=11 d20+12=16 Thursday March 10th, 2005 10:43:32 AM
As the march begins, Anuk spends a few minutes with Mac, listening to his song. "Nice tune...mind if I join in?"
He opens his mouth to sing, but what comes out could hardly be called singing. To everyone but Anuk it is apparent that he wouldn't know a tune if it came up and bit him. He squawks out a few random notes, oblivious to the aural distress of everyone nearby.
"Hmm...the bass notes are a little low for me, Mac. I'll keep working on it. Maybe tomorrow we could work out a duet?" he suggests.
Soon he joins Flea near the front of the march. "Shady night, eh? I have to say, if we ever get back to the Plains I'm going to miss this kind of weather."
As they march, he keeps an eye out for a suitable campsite for the pack, but the tune from Mac keeps going through his mind, and his continued "humming" keeps him from noticing most of the night sights and noises.
(spot 12, listen 11 (nat 1), survival 16 - d12 roll was a mis-click)
ADM MikeS Thursday March 10th, 2005 11:06:01 AM
(OOC: Since everyone has already responded to yesterday's post, I'm posting a little earlier today. DM MikeK should be back in the saddle tomorrow.)
Gry and Gilan forage for a bit, gathering enough grubs, roots, and other food for the pack's evening meal. When Shady sees the bounty, he smiles broadly, clearly looking forward to a full stomach. Gry is pleased with how quiet his new boots make him. (+2 boots of elven kind)
Flea carefully goes over the bark and it's surrounding area, finally announcing that it seems to be free of danger. Tishe' tentatively reaches for the sheet, and when she picks it up she is relieved to find that nothing out of the ordinary happens. She is able to store it away for adding to her spellbook later.
As the march toward the mountains begins, the pack moves slowly, waiting from time to time for Jake to finish another one of his "pauses". It's also noisy as Anuk tries to add "harmony" to Mac's song. Just as darkness falls, Anuk and Flea tell Trellus they have found a clearing that will provide a suitable campsite for the night.
(Need watch order for the night.)
Tishe' - Sub/Al Thursday March 10th, 2005 3:52:25 PM
A quiet camp after a day's march.
Tishe' removes the white bark from her pack and settles on a soft piece of ground to study the spell. After a cursory review of the spell as a whole, she explores each stanza, it's meaning within the whole, how it adds to the whole, how it weaves with the whole.
Later would come a study of each individual word in much the same way. And then, even later, a study of the spell's place within the universal play of arcane forces.
When Tishe' lifts her head from the bark the light is low. Her eyes burn with fatigue. And a familiar ache rests at the back of her neck.
"If you don't mind," Tishe' yawns and stretches, "I'll rest now and take last watch in the morning."
Mac d20+5=17 d20+1=6 Thursday March 10th, 2005 7:07:19 PM
Mac speaks up, "Okay, how 'bout the reverse watch to last time: Anuk an' Flea, Gry an' Gilan, Jake an' Trellus, and Tishe an' m'self?"
The taur ensures Galea is fed and tended to, getting in some play and pounce time, which everyone is welcome to join in on.
[Spot:17, Listen:6]
Gilan d20+7=17 d20+7=21 Thursday March 10th, 2005 8:17:28 PM
Gilan is happy with his bounty that he found and pulls out the old red sash that he got in a trade during the last Giving Day. He packs away part of the goodies in it and hands it to Shady, as he speaks in elvish to him. "Eat a little as you go if you are hungry...but I will need that sash back when it is empty." He smiles to the elf kid and moves out with the group.
When they finally reach the area that is indicated for sleep he smiles and sets up his own stuff for the night. "That watch sounds ok to me...you don't mind standing a watch with me do you Gry?" He snacks on some of the nuts and berries that he found earlier, adding in a little bread and water.
Anuk d20+10=20 d20+10=14 d3=3 Thursday March 10th, 2005 11:19:01 PM
"Sound good to me, Mac. I'm still feelin' awake, so first watch suits me fine."
Anuk eats from Gilan and Gry's catch, finding the sweet berries of this land to be quite tasty. "Hey, Jake...think we ought to pack some of these away? Might taste good mixed in with a little Glass Grass back home."
When it's time for his watch with Flea, Anuk settles in to a comfortable spot where he can see just outside the firelight. "That was nice, giving Shady some of your food," he tells the gnome. "You've got a good heart, Flea."
If things get a little boring during the watch, Anuk plays a game of "Rock, Scroll, Knife" with Flea to pass the time. "Rock breaks knife, knife cuts scroll, and scroll wraps rock." He tells her. He counts to three with her and then displays his pointer finger. "Knife!" he calls out.
(rock = 1, scroll=2, and knife=3 on a d3. I got a three :-)
(Listen 20, Spot 14)
Trellus (Subbed by Mikey) Friday March 11th, 2005 1:11:48 AM
"Sounds like a good idea to me. A bit of variety never hurt anyone. Someone make sure Shady knows not to wander off, especially." The sandy haired cleric goes about preparing himself for sleep and his devotions.
Jake Friday March 11th, 2005 1:13:37 AM
Jake eyes the berries. "Yeah, they're good...a bit sweet... ah dunno, wine takes those special grapes we got once in a while from traders, y'know? But let's try 'em a little..." Jake doesn't know...not much can beat glass grass, in his opinion. He goes on watch, letting Shady know about not to wander and all the rules, and the dangers of getting away from camp.
Flea d20+10=21 d20+12=24 d20+8=19 Friday March 11th, 2005 4:01:00 AM
During the watch, Flea wonders about the folks that got away. She keeps her eyes and ears open for anything unusual. But is glad to turn in when her shift is over. It has been a long day.
Listen=21 Search=24 Spot=19
Dawn (DM MikeK) Friday March 11th, 2005 6:02:12 PM
The party beds down. The weather is brisk. The sky is clear. It is obvious the group will be climbing into higher and colder elevations tomorrow. Pine scents waft silently down from tall conifers, and a peaceful darkness slides over the camp. Out in the woods, a soft "whoo, whoo" calls out. Otherwise, all is calm and peaceful. It is a quiet, content feeling, and the Bloodpack cannot help but feel they've done a good job this day.
The dual moons that hang over the Wold seem particularly bright. It is easy to imagine them as two eyes of a giant, smiling, benevolent face.
Morning creeps up on the heroes, the night having passed undisturbed.
Shady wakes up, and immediately his hand goes to the cruel collar that still encircles his neck.
During their devotions, both Gilan and Trellus find another spell offered to them. Interestingly, it is the same one Tishe found on the bark. Tishe, Gilan, Trellus: Elf Vision -- Highlight to display spoiler: { Elven Vision
Transmutation Level: Cleric 1, Druid 1, Bard 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 1, Witch 1 Components: V,S,F Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: 10 min/level Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless) Spell Resistance: Yes
The spell grants the spellcaster elven sight. The caster gains low light vision. In addition, he receives a +2 bonus to Spot and Search, and can automatically check for secret doors when he passes within 5 feet of one. These bonuses are similar to the elven ability and does not stack with natural elven sight. }
Gilan d20+7=23 d20+7=24 Friday March 11th, 2005 7:46:17 PM
Gilan is up early for his morning devotions to Mother Wold. He is surprised to find that a new spell has been opened to him by the powers of nature.
As he goes about his normal morning he takes time to get a bite to eat and try to figure out this turn of events. "A new spell...hmmmm." He cannot believe it really. After all how long has it been since any druid recieved a new spell.
[listen 23 and spot 24]
Spells Memorized 0th(6): 1st(6): 2nd(5): 3rd(3): 4th(2): * used spell
Grymash d20+8=24 d20+6=12 d20+6=12 d20+6=24 d20+6=9 Saturday March 12th, 2005 5:12:56 PM
During the nite, Grymash replies to Gilan, "Why yooz think Gry not like sitin' up wit ya? Yooz Gry's shady buddy." Grymash gives Gilan a playful push on his shoulder.
In the morning, Grymash gets up before most of his pack and goes out looking for some fresh eggs. He hasnt seen any of the sightless birds from the Sargrass in this land, but he figures the birds that are here have tasty eggs as well.
(Survival: 24, Climb: 12, 12, 24, 9. If necessary, to climb trees.)
Tishe' - Sub/Al Saturday March 12th, 2005 7:57:53 PM
Tishe' wakens to the monochrome world of the false dawn and sits in watch with Mac.
This forest. Such a different world. She can feel it even through the darkness. Many a prayer to the Wold come to mind as Tishe' sits through her watch.
And, when the dawn comes. There is study. Tishe's nose is in her spell book even as she breaks her fast.
Day's Spells
Divine Spells:(DC 10+1+lvl) (bonus spells (1-1st) Orisons (3): Resistance, Resistance, Guidance 1st Level (1+1): Produce Flame, Faerie Fire
Anuk Sunday March 13th, 2005 5:19:54 PM
After the uneventful watch with Flea, Anuk falls quickly into a deep sleep. He wakes in the morning slowly and comfortably, lazily drifting into the day.
"Amazing how cool the mornings are here, isn't it," he tells Gilan while eating the delicious eggs Gry brings back. "It's like swimming in Rattledam pool without getting wet."
When he finds a few minutes to himself, he spends a little time in meditation, preparing for whatever the day may bring.
(prepares entangle)
Mac Sunday March 13th, 2005 7:47:15 PM
The taur completes his watch, but remains still and silent watching the dawn... until Galea gets up and goes for a short walk to do what kittens have to do of a morning. "Are we going up into snow lands, Shady?" he asks, aware that most of the pack aren't familiar with snow that stays around, and that his own clothing isn't suited to it.
Jake Sunday March 13th, 2005 10:53:45 PM
Jake is still a bit off in the morning... (That's a weird question, but, when he sleeps, does he sleep in the times when the curse activates? Luckily, he isn't a wizard, so he won't be fatigued by it...) He probably wasn't good at keeping watch either. And when snow is mentioned, he either doesn't display an action or he's still paralyzed... "Uh...what is snow?" he asks, trying not to look too dumb. "It's like..ice stuff, right? Only not as hard?" He doesn't have any snow or winter clothes, and really not much knowledge at all that will help them in this case...
Trellus (Subbed by Mikey) Sunday March 13th, 2005 11:02:00 PM
In the morning, observing that Jake is still within the effects of that strange spell, Trellus goes about preparing a different spell than usual. After that, he goes over to explain to the pack's joker about what he's about to do, but seeing Jake paralyzed, he just goes ahead and casts 'Remove Curse'. he waits to see what the reaction will be. Afterwards, he gets the pack together and assumes the same marching order as usual. (I assume, btw, that's Flea or Anuk in the front of the group, then the group itself, which will probably be Mac and Gry in the front, Trellus and Tishe next rank, Jake and Shady following, and Gilan and Flea/Anuk (whoever isn't guiding at the time) in the back. If anyone wants to change anything, suggest it in the next post and make it so. We're probably not all clumped together, but comfortably following each other, a la fellowship of the ring scene).
"Let's keep a sharp lookout on the sky, for that one who escaped, and any other weird pieces of bark..."
Flea d20+10=25 d20+12=22 d20+8=9 Monday March 14th, 2005 9:00:02 AM
Flea is slow moving the next morning. The combats, long hikes, and strange foods area wearing a bit on the gnome and she wakes up grumpy. After breakfast, she packs up camp along with the pack. When talk turns to the weather and concerns over the cold, she glances at Shady and the cloak he is wearing. "That cloak will keep the wearer comfortable in all weather conditions, so we don't have to worry about Shady," volunteers Flea as she buttons her leather jacket up to her neck.
Listen=25 Search=22 Spot=9
The Falls (DM MikeK) Monday March 14th, 2005 1:19:02 PM
Morning dawns, bright and clear. It promises to be another glorious day.
Trellus, Gilan, Anuk, and Tishe go about preparing their morning spells.
Mac asks Shady about snow, generating some confusion among the Rattledam contingent. The young elf looks at him in confusion until Jake translates the question into Elven. Absently fingering his collar, Shady thinks for several long moments before shaking his head. "No, its not that cold" he tells the elven fighter. Trellus, Jake, Grymash, Gilan, and Tishe' have no clue. Flea and Anuk will have to decide whether they have any experience with colder climates or not.
Figuring there's gotta be some eggs around somewhere, Grymash purposefully meanders through the area. It occurs to the half orc that perhaps eggs could be found in the tall trees. He scurries up a couple and finds his guess to be correct. The long branches are not as strong as a good rope, but Gry is able to collect quite a few multicolored treasures. Gry -- Int check DC 12 to avoid climbing too far out on a branch that can't support his weight. Failure means an ignoble trip to the forest floor -- d6 damage
Regardless of how they are acquired, eggs are yummy.
After breakfast, Trellus casts a Remove Curse on Jake. The elf stops exhibiting his peculiar behavior, and is back to normal.
Gear is packed, and the Bloodpack starts up the mountain trail. As Shady predicted, the weather doesn't change much (call it high 60's -- uh Fahrenheit ). About mid-morning, the party finds themselves next to a swift moving mountain stream. A few hours later, they come upon a sight none have seen before. The woods stops at the base of a granite wall, soaring upwards some 150'. Water careens off the top of the precipice, falling downward in a solid stream, and splashing in a continuous roar into a small clear lake at the group's feet.
Shady points to the top of the waterfall. "That way," he says.
The granite wall is not completely sheer. Flea's sharp eyes can pick out abundant handholds. However, there is no convenient ledge to rest upon. A climber is going to have to go all the way up before s/he reaches safety. (Climb DC 17)
Trellus Monday March 14th, 2005 4:11:07 PM
Trellus grins at Jake as his friend walks around for several minutes without that annoying stopping. "Shady," he notes to no one in particular.
While walking with the group, he muses on the unusual addition of a new spell Domi offered him. He never had just one additional offered before, and this one didn't seem all that great. "Why would He want me to see like an elf?" he muses aloud.
The waterfall is totally shady. "Light," the cleric breathes in admiration.
Looking at Shady for confirmation that the Pack has got to scale that thing reminds Trellus of the collar.
"Flea, can you check that thing out?" he asks while waving at the cliff. "I need an hour or so to ask Domi about taking off Shady's collar."
With that, the young man pulls out his holy symbol, finds a quiet place, and starts casting his spell [Divination]. The Pack may recall that last time he did this, it took a while.
Tishe' - Sub/Al Monday March 14th, 2005 5:00:49 PM
Tishe' approaches the towering fall of water. So much water that it roars like thunder. So much water that it throws itself up into the air. The water fills the air. How long had it been since she'd seen such abundance? A touch to her face reveals a dampness not entirely from the mist of the falls.
Wiping her face with the cloth of her sleeves, Tishe' turns back to her companions.
"Do we have enough rope?" she asks? "If we do, I might be able to conjure a friend willing to fly one or two up to the top of this cliff. From there, they could fasten the rope and drop it down."
Gilan d20+7=19 d20+7=26 Monday March 14th, 2005 8:42:44 PM
Gilan takes his time to look over the waterfall as they stop. It is breathe taking and a marvel of nature. He silently thanks Mother Wold for this gift and then looking up at the higest part that Shady says they need to climb. "I can get up there easily and I have one spider climb spell as well."
He waits to see what the rest of the pack has to say. He nods as rope is mentioned. "I have fifty feet of it myself." Looking to Trell he waits for him to find out something for the collar problem.
Grymash d20-2=-1 d6=6 Tuesday March 15th, 2005 12:16:21 AM
(Int check?! Oh, ok. -1. sigh!)
CRACK!
"Uh oh!"
SNAP!
"AAUUUGGHHH!!!"
THWACCKK!
"UUUUFFF!!"
WHAACCKK!
"DOOHHH!!!"
THUUDD!!
"auuurrggghhh!"
Grymash lays motionless on the ground, still holding onto the branch he was on. He tries is best to fill his lungs with air. At least enough to say, "Gryy ... gotss, uhh, breakfast!" Later he ponders if that is how the first meal of the day got its name.
(6 points damage)
Jake Tuesday March 15th, 2005 6:31:02 AM
It takes a while for the fighter to realize that the magic's gone. He keeps expecting it to suddenly reemerge, and to notice things are different again. Suddenly, Grymash falls down...the first thign is panic, as Jake rushes over to the half-orc, but then, two steps later, as the half-orc begins to groan, he starts chuckling. He doesn't say anything at first, but the ribbing begins over breakfast. "Ah don't wanna *egg* y'all on, Grymash, ah was wonderin' 'bout our *trip* so far, if ya enjoyed our little *break* from Rattledam. Ah mean, we haven't *fallen* outta favor, and ah don't wanna *branch* off here, what with yer *wooden* disposition, it's sometimes takes a bit of a knock ta get anythin' outta ya." A while later, having mentioned all the other puns he can, Jake is ready to go over to the waterfall. It is perhaps the most beautiful thing he's seen outside of Rattledam, and he can't help but wander up to it and stick out his hat in it...watch the play of water over it, mesmerized...
Flea d20=16 d20=15 d20=18 d20=1 Tuesday March 15th, 2005 9:05:31 AM
"Sure thing!" answers Flea in response to Trellus' request, "I'll be down in a bit."
Flea drops her pack at the base of the granite wall and takes a few steps back. After a cursory examination of the surface, she is satisfied there are sufficient handholds for her needs. After a few stretches to warm her muscles, the gnome climbs about 10 ft. up, then jumps down.
Climb=16 plus modified Jump=15 plus modifier
Grymash's recent attempt at tree climbing still fresh in her mind, the rogue returns to her pack to report. "I suggest we plan this one out very carefully and use all our resources to get up to the top. It's not as easy as it looks.
The rogue returns to an examination of the rock wall to see if there is any other way up.
Search=18 plus modified Spot=nat 1
(OOC: Doh! Posting from work and don't have my PC sheet. DM, please be so kind as to add Flea's modifiers?!?!)
Anuk d20+8=17 Tuesday March 15th, 2005 11:01:43 AM
The falls are awe-inspiring. Anuk stares upward into the heavens, trying to get a clear view of the top of the cliff. The edge of the cliff, outlined by sky, gives him a sense of vertigo and he looks down to the ground again.
"Should be a fun climb," he mumbles. At Tishe's suggestion, Anuk pulls off his pack and begins fumbling through it, sorthing through the bits and pieces he's collected during the pack's adventures. Finally, he brings up a length of rope. "Here's another fifty feet," he says. "Looks like we'll need a couple more of these."
He digs back into his pack and comes up with a small kit containing bandages and a few ointments. He gets up and walks over to Grymash. "Thanks for breakfast, Gry," he says has he works to patch up a few of the half-orc's battle-wo--uh, breakfast wounds.
(heal 17)
Tishe' (Second Post)(SteveK) Tuesday March 15th, 2005 1:25:17 PM
While her pack moves in thier various directions, the small woman stares in rapt amazement at the cascading water from the stone far above. She finds herself surprisingly standing next to the quiet ranger.
"It is like the Hook River coming straight down." And perhaps a minute later, "By Mother Wold, the beautiful power of it all!" She barely breathes taking it all in.
Divination (DM MikeK) Tuesday March 15th, 2005 4:45:50 PM 50 xp to Grymash for making the DM bust out laughing at work.
While some of the group prepare for the climb ahead, and others simply admire the incredible view, Trellus prays to Domi for guidance. The last time the cleric cast this spell, he sat quietly for nearly an hour before telling everyone the answer. This time is quite different.
In only a few moments, the young man stands bolt upright. His arms are pinned to his side, his fists are clenched tightly, and he blankly stares upward. He speaks, loudly, but in a voice not his own -- a voice deep and powerful and old, very old.
Tooth and claw confined by band Will not turn on freedom's hand
Three will merge into one ring Nature rises to greet the king
Guard the portal in icy rift The children find the wedding gift
As the echoes fade from these last words, the waterfall stops. It looks almost as if the water is suffering from Jake's curse, as an arc of unmoving crystal descends to the quiet lake. [Mac will recognize that its frozen over]
Trellus' eyes snap awake. His spell is over.
After five minutes, the ice shatters, and the waterfall resumes.
Gilan d20+7=22 d20+7=23 Tuesday March 15th, 2005 8:23:14 PM
Gilan looks to Trell as he starts talking in an voice not his own. He takes a step close so that he can get a good listen to what is said. He looks around at the others and shakes his head. "Seems that we are getting into something big." He waits for Trell to finish and then moves over to stand near him.
"Well Trell, from what you said I think that we can let Shady go." He looks to Shady and nods his head in his direction, then speaks in elvish. "I am sorry for pressing to keep you in that collar Shady...please forgive me." He gives a bow to Shady as he waits to see what the others will do.
Grymash d20-2=6 d20+2=13 Wednesday March 16th, 2005 12:45:52 AM
Grymash's head hurts. A familiar feeling. Happens way too often. It aggrivates the half-orc to no end. He finally gets up and spits at the tree for dropping him. His first inclination is to take his axe the chop the darn thing down. He quickly grabs his axe to do so. But a sudden dizziness holds him back. "The tree will probably only fall on me anyway," and the idea of the added pain just doesnt sound too appealing. It's just a stupid tree after all!
Jake's attempt at humor is completely lost on the barbarian. He doesn't get it (Int check 6). Grymash feels better after a little patching up and the prize of eggs for breakfast. They taste differently from the ones back home, but they're still good!
Later down the trail and at the base of the big rocky mountain, Grymash takes in the size and scope of everything. When the waterfall freezes, Gry doesn't know what to think. "Whut happen ta da fallin' water?! Water be hard like rock?! Whut magik be dis?" The whole event sets off alarms with Grymash. His eyes dart all about trying to find the source of the disturbance.
(Spot 13)
Jake Wednesday March 16th, 2005 2:49:31 AM
Having been watching and playing with the water, Jake is shocked when suddenly, the water does that weird hard thing right over his hat! He tugs it, gently, and then the spell ends and he's tugging it again and splashing water over himself. Shaking his hat and cursing, he turns to Trellus. "Hey, watch out with your magic there, Trell..." He thinks over the words. He realizes a few things, but keeps them to himself. Instead, the fighter decides to joke, "Doesn't sound like any womin in that riddle...hey, Trell, ya think ya can cast it again?"
Flea Wednesday March 16th, 2005 8:59:40 AM
Making her way back to the pack, Flea picks up her gear. She stops suddenly, watching slack-jawed as the strange voice comes from Trellus' mouth.
Flea knows about freezing water. Ice and snow. Back home at least a quarter of the year the family burrow is covered with the stuff. Thank goodness she had so many brothers and sisters. They always made quick work of clearing the path in front of the burrow. Mother always had hot chocolate and cookies for them when the job was done.
Flea closes in with the others and listens to what folks have to say.
Anuk Wednesday March 16th, 2005 10:35:08 AM
Trellus' incantation and his sudden distantness bring back some of Anuk's old feelings about magic. It's hard to trust something that can change your friends on a moment's notice.
When the waterfall changes to ice, Anuk is astounded. He's known of snow and ice before, but he spent so much time near his home city and locked up studying dusty books that he never actually saw it before. He holds some in his hands, feeling how cold and jagged it is -- like an enchanted blade of some kind -- when the spell ends and it turns to water in his hand.
Later, when the spell is done, Anuk tells Trellus, "You know, I like it when magic helps people and stuff--healing and stuff like that--but when it takes someone over I...well...it's just not shady, you know?" After a moment he asks, "You doin' okay after goin' through that?"
As the pack discusses Shady's collar predicament, Anuk asks aloud, "Did we ever figure out how to get that thing off of the kid?"
Trellus Wednesday March 16th, 2005 10:38:56 AM
Trellus blinks several times, gathering his wits.
"Whoa," his remarks intelligently. "What was that?"
Jake breaks the tension a bit with his request to cast it again. "Are you totally sunbaked?" Trellus cries, voice rising in anger. "It ain't supposed to work....." the cleric's voice trails off as he starts to suspect the elf wasn't serious. "Uh, no" he finishes lamely.
"OK, Gilan's right. I think we can take off the collar," he says, although the 'Tooth and Claw' part is a bit bothersome. "Tishe said she knew the password."
"But what's the rest of all that? Who's the King? Shady? And what's the Wedding Gift? And what's 'Icy' mean?" Flinging out a hand at the waterfall, he adds, "and what's the pick with that?"
Rounding on Shady, Trellus asks, "Is all this, this, this stuff NORMAL around here?!?"
After he settles down a bit, Anuk asks him if he's OK. The cleric nods. To the ranger's comments regarding the brightness of magic that just takes a dude over, he nods again. "Totally" he replies. "This bites grass."
Tishe' d20+13=19 Wednesday March 16th, 2005 1:57:55 PM
The young woman whips her head around, divination spells don't do that! (Spellcraft: 19), she watches for a moment then rushes to Trellus. Knowing better than to interrupt, she waits until the cleric moves again, and then moves to steady him.
Only after the blond man is OK does his words penetrate her worry. Turning to look at Shady, the brown eyes flash with triumph. A finger points at the elf's collar and she growls in a voice that should come out of a much larger, reptilian creature. (Freedom in Draconic)
Mac d20+2=3 d20+13=30 Wednesday March 16th, 2005 3:59:02 PM
Mac slips off his backpack as he stands agog at the waternotfall, totally failing [Int check: nat.1] to take into consideration what might be happening upstream where the fluence of water is meeting a wall of ice. Enthralled, he steps out slowly onto the frozen river, expecting the ice to be thin, at least too thin to support his bulk. But it takes his weight without sound or sign of strain, so he sets about examining the scattering shards and solid column of ice - even taking to it with his axe to see how solid it is. He hears Trellus and the subsequent conversation, and everything is great.
...for 5 minutes. The ice suddenly returns to liquid and Mac's exclamation as he is dunked is drowned out by the return of the roar of the waterfall. [Swim check: 30] A short distance downstream Mac hauls his very cold and wet self onto the bank, and gathers his breath and composure before returning to the removal.
Presenting... (DM MikeK) Wednesday March 16th, 2005 4:40:00 PM
The friends discuss what happened to Trellus, and come to few conclusions but one. Its time to take off the collar.
Tishe growl/spits a phrase, and the collar expands. And keeps right on expanding until it ends up a 5' diameter circlet lying at Shady's feet.
The young elf rubs his neck and beams at the group. "Shai-dee!" he cries.
Despite the expectations of a few of our heroes, the small elf boy remains a small elf boy.
The frozen waterfall unfreezes, making for a very wet minotaur. Mac clambers onshore, and the Bloodpack is right back where they started -- at the bottom of a 150' cliff they all need to get to the top of.
Gilan's eyes pick out a patch of whiteness to his left. The young druid takes a couple steps, bends down, and comes up with a piece of white bark. Written on it is a divine spell that is becoming awfully familiar -- Elf Vision.
Gilan d20+7=8 d20+7=22 Wednesday March 16th, 2005 8:22:16 PM
Gilan looks to the piece of bark that he finds on the ground and picks it up with a start. "You think someone is trying to tell me something?" He laughs lightly as he does not seem to notice anything else.
He does finally look up to find Shady free of his collar and absolutely beaming about it. He smiles and speak in elvish. "Feel better Shady?" He looks back to the waterfall and then shakes his head. "You do of course realize that we will not get up this thing like this...right." He pulls out his own fifty foot of rope and drops it on the ground. "Now who would best make use of my spider spell?" He waits for the group to make a decision.
Jake Thursday March 17th, 2005 1:36:59 AM
Jake looks at the circlet and rolls it up. Is it made of gold? What sort of metal? Is it valuable? He doesn't know anything about this sorta thing... "Hey, Flea?? This thing worth anything? Ah mean, it must be magical too...let's keep it!" And so the fighter takes it as his personal quest to lug the thing along. He'll tie a rope around it, and when they climb to the top lug it up...roll it along up and down hills, carry it over bad terrain, and so on. He refuses not to. Inwardly, he imagines himself finding a sleeping, evil dragon and slipping this on it...
Flea Thursday March 17th, 2005 9:07:11 AM
Flea drops her pack and fishes around inside it until her hand lands on the coil of silk rope. "Lets do like last time," she says, "you know, someone gets the spell, and climbs up with the rope. The rest can climb up the rope, and those who have spells can climb or fly along beside in case..." her eyes slide over to Grymash..."there is a problem."
Flea looks at Gilan's rope and adds, "we need at least one more, and if we had a forth, I could tie knots in it to make climbing easier."
Flea locates the elf playing with the large hoop. "Jakey?" she asks, "can you find out if Shady knows anything about climbing?" The rogue looks at the 5 ft circlet, and grins, "reminds me of a game I used to play as a kid. We'd put a hoop like that around our waist and go like this." Flea moves her knees and rotates her hips keeping her upper body in one place. "We'd try to keep the hoop going around and a around."
She watches to see if Jake will give it a try, wondering what would happen to the fighter if the ring should suddenly shrink.
Tishe' d20+13=19 Thursday March 17th, 2005 1:39:30 PM
The brown haired woman also offers her memorized Spider Climb spell. "I and Gilan can bespell Mac and Grymash and I can Enlarge them. They would be able to carry each one of us up the face without the need of ropes at all!"
"Oh, and Jake sweetie," she turns to the elvish fighter, "perhaps I can look at the ring and find the word to shrink it again..."
Tishe' looks carefully at the golden ring to find a activation word (Spellcraft: 19)
Anuk Thursday March 17th, 2005 3:12:18 PM
Anuk chuckles at the sight of Mac swimming around in the stream. He offers a hand to the minotaur as he emerges from the stream, though he's not much help due to their size difference.
"Is Galea okay after that swim?" he asks with a smile.
Standing with the pack as they weigh their options, Anuk agrees with Tishe. "I think we'll get up there more quickly and in one piece if we can piggyback on Mac and Mr. Mountainback."
Mac Thursday March 17th, 2005 3:41:26 PM
"Thanks Anuk. It's not that bad once you're in! Galea should still be in the pack." he says nodding to where it sits nearer the rest of the pack. He heads over, picks it up and checks in on Galea.
"Sure! What do I need to know about the Spider climb spell Tishe'?"
Trellus Thursday March 17th, 2005 4:31:41 PM
Refocusing on the task at hand, Trellus pulls out his own rope and hands it to Mac.
"Let's cast it on Mac and let him go up with all the ropes. Then everyone go up however they can. I can walk up on the air, so I'll follow whoever's climbing, just in case."
Getting out the climbing shoes (DM MikeK) Thursday March 17th, 2005 4:34:09 PM
Discussions abound regarding the plan to get up.
Shady merely shrugs when asked about climbing. "I can't remember if I've climbed before," he answers sheepishly.
Tishe cannot find a way to shrink the very wide collar.
Grymash Thursday March 17th, 2005 9:47:35 PM "Whut ever da pack thinks, Gry have ropes in da backsack. Gry got one, twos, threes ropes. Gots climbin' hook too. If ya can make Gry big an spidery, dat be shady."
Gilan d20+7=22 d20+7=16 Thursday March 17th, 2005 10:48:26 PM
Gilan looks to Mac and nods his head as he moves over to stand by him. He gently lays his hand upon the big guy and casts his spider climb spell upon him. "Naar cam." He looks to the others and then to the waterfall. "Mac can now scale the wall as a spider."
He leaves his rope for the others to make use of and then changes into the form of a wasp. He is soon zipping around enjoying his time in a form that can fly.
Jake Friday March 18th, 2005 2:47:01 AM
Suddenly asked by the two girls of the party questions, Jake immediately becomes his confident, enthusiastic self. Though he must tell them Shady doesn't have the ability, he does try out Flea's game. It turns out to be kinda fun...except this hoop is way heavy and falls down easily. After a bit of tries, he feels aches in parts that usually don't ache... And he immediately realizes it's another great exercise option. The circlespin! It will be a good exercise, as long as they carry this circlet along. "Okay...Gil and Mac, up at the top. First you can pull up Gry, Flea and Tishe...Then, we'll send up Shady, tieing the rope around him to secure him, and after that, we'll all come up. Uh...ah've never been good at knots...anyone here wanna make little knots so we can climb up easier? Or tie up Shady so he won't fall?" Jake explains to Shady that they'll climb up the thing...he tells him that they'll have a rope to climb up, and he, Jake, will be right under the elf, ready to catch him. And, they can tie a knot around him so he won't fall so long as Mac remains strong...
Jake runs a hand along his half-elven ears..pondering. Then he starts taking off his armor, and securing everything but his sword into his pack. Luckily, he's practiced climbing at home as a kid, on just about anything around.
Tishe' d20+2=13 d20+2=16 d20+2=3 Friday March 18th, 2005 5:54:20 AM
Her eyes frown as the short woman fails to find any way to shrink the collar.
Turning back to the cliff and her companions, she sees the plans are already afoot to climb the cliff. She takes a small thing out of her spell pouches and weaves a simple spell. "Here sweetie," she tells Grymash, "swallow this and you can climb like a spider." She hands the cleric of Gargul a small wriggling arachnid.
Then with four of them flying or walking up, Tishe' waits with Jake, Shady, Flea, and Anuk for the ropes to be ready.
She idly toys with the white bark that has the arcane spell on it. "This elven sight spell is soon all around. I wonder if the scrolls are a trail to follow." She glances at Anuk and Flea, but shakes her head. "If so, it wouldn't be divinely inspired from the gods and from Mother Wold."
When the rope is ready, she looks for Trellus airwalking behind her, then she carefully if uncertainly climbs up the rope. (Climb: 13, 16, nat1! oh no!)
Trellus (Air Walk) Friday March 18th, 2005 11:21:26 AM
Trellus finds the sight of Jake wiggling around like a prarie pig to be hilarious.
Shaking his head at the crazy elf, he finally gets around to casting a spell on himself. [Air Walk]
The cleric traverses back and forth up the cliff, keeping as close to the climbers as he can.
Anuk d20+3=15 d20+3=9 d20+3=21 Friday March 18th, 2005 4:51:34 PM
Anuk looks up the side of the cliff as the rope is lowered down to him. "Well, here goes nothin'..." he says. He grabs hold of the bottom and begins to make his way up.
(climb 15, 9 (yeesh), and 21)
Mountain Climber (DM MikeK) d2=1 Friday March 18th, 2005 7:29:32 PM
Grymash and Mac are enhanced with climbing spells and start the ascent. Massive shoulders ripple as the two find the going so easy it soon becomes a race. Mac reaches the top only a few moments before the half-orc.
Each take the time to survey their surroundings before messing with any ropes. They are in a mountain valley. The land is covered in short, green grass with blossoms of white and yellow dotting the countryside. The small stream flows down the middle.
Neither warrior can find a threat, and they set to work getting the others up the cliff. It takes awhile, especially given Jake's insistance on hauling the golden hula hoop up with him. But, by the end of the afternoon, everyone is up, safe and sound.
Shady points up the valley. "We came from that way," he says (in elven). "I don't think its too far."
But, it is getting on supper time. So the Bloodpack settles down to rest from the climb and get some grub. It's looking like a very peaceful evening is descending on the Wold.
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