Anuk d20+13=28 Saturday April 16th, 2005 3:27:45 PM
Anuk climbs down from the back of the dragon, a little disappointed that the ride is over. He tells Grandma, "Thank you for sailing us through the air...I can't tell you how much I love that feeling."
When the dragon leaves, Anuk joins Tishe' and inspects the net. "Nicely woven...this is good work," he says as he runs the cords through his thumb and fingers. "Mind if I give it a shot?" He takes the net a little further out into the shallows, trying his luck at catching a few fish. (survival 28)
ADM MikeS Saturday April 16th, 2005 3:56:34 PM
(OOC: Sorry about the delayed DM post. I will not post again until Monday evening so that everyone has time to respond.)
The stars begin to appear in the cloudless evening sky as a warm breeze comes up from from the south. The chirps and chatters of many strange birds and beasts can be heard coming from the nearby jungle, but no creatures come near enough to be seen.
Grymash, Tishe', Gilan and Anuk do their best to gather food for the pack, but in this strange environment and the fading light what is food and what is not is hard to discern. They are able to gather a few small fish and Gilan locates some leaves and roots that seem edible. Cooked over Flea's fire, the meal is meager but tasty. And the strange drink that Jake finds in the plentiful round brown things washes it down nicely.
The evening has changed to night, and as the darkness increases, the chatters and squawks from the trees increase, too. The dragons have still not returned.
(If everyone decides to set up camp, I'll need a watch order)
Tishe' Saturday April 16th, 2005 5:06:45 PM
Reading by firelight is not her idea of a good time, so Tishe' finds her bedroll early. She expects to be woken for the last watch of the night like normal...
Flea d20+10=13 d20+12=29 d20+8=17 Saturday April 16th, 2005 8:34:49 PM
Not requiring as much sleep as the magic folk, Flea will accept any duty assigned, including the middle watch. Huddling under her cloak, she keeps a sharp watch.
Listen=13 Search=29 Spot=17
Mac d20+5=14 d20+1=21 Saturday April 16th, 2005 11:09:55 PM
Mac keeps the first watch company until Galea settles down after dinner, looking forward to the early rousing for the last watch. [Spot:14, Listen:21 (Nat 20!)]
Grymash d8+24=29 d8+24=31 d8+24=27 d8+24=30 Sunday April 17th, 2005 4:13:07 AM
Grymash is restless. He worries about Grand Maw and the others. So he goes a little ways off to bring back wood for the fire. Prehaps try and make a brighter fire for the dragons to see. He takes a couple of minutes to look for a suitable tree (take20 on Survival check 29). After finding a good candidate, takes his newly acquired adamantine double axe and lines up his shot (automatic hit on inanimate objects). The steely blade easily hacks off huge chunks of the soft wood (adamantine ignors an object's hardness).
(PowerAttack+7, twohanded +14. Automatic hit. Damage: 29, 31, 27, 30 = 117. Enough damage to chop through 11 inches of wood [10hitpoints per inch according to PHB pg166])
The big halforc picks up the tree and balances it over his shoulder. He then carries it back to camp (his max load is 700 lb). He plops the tree down next to camp. He then chops the tree into logs. It doesnt take much time, his new axe slices through the wood like warm piggie jelly. Then he notices at the top of the tree a score of those brown round things like what Jake had found. "Shady!"
After the fire starts roaring Grymash sits down and begins to relax. All his nervious energy he had was spent on the work he just completed. He now has no problem falling asleep. Until its time for his turn to watch, which is usually the last watch.
Jake Sunday April 17th, 2005 3:57:22 PM
Jake's stomach gets queasy after the weird foods, and Jake opens a secret skin of glass grass he's been saving and takes a few gulps to help steady his stomach. Much better. He recorks it and hides it in his pack again...eyeing a strange belt hidden in the same area with amusement. "Ah'll take the middle watch, 'cause ah've got them elfie-eyes an' all," he announces companionably to his friends. He stops by to scritch Galea teasingly behind the ear and grins in amusement as she begins to bat at his finger.. He plays with the little kitten, enjoying it trying to gnaw on his knuckles. Then he goes over to sit on the beach, staring across the big blue. So much water. "Hey guys, look at the sunset!" he announces, pointing across the water... (I'll assume, since we're traveling southeast, that the sun's setting on our side of the island). The myriad of colors reflected on water is unlike a Plains setting, unlike anything he's ever seen.
Afterwards, Jake decides to go for a little swim again. He probably doesn't get too much sleep that night, as exotic as this locale is, and as wired up as he is.
Trellus Sunday April 17th, 2005 4:03:28 PM
The sandy-haired cleric of Domi makes a tour of the beach, looking for anything weird. He eyes this strange forest with amazement and joins Grymash in a little tour of it. Now that night is settling in, he sits down near the fire, and comments, "Good. It sounds like we'll have three watches... Each person sleeps two, stays up one. Since there's seven of us, let's have Anuk join Mac and Tishe on the first watch, Flea and Jake will take the second, and Grymash and I have the final one." Trellus makes sure he will have time to get a full sleep to have time to make his devotions to Domi.
Jake and Trellus (Mikey) d20+8=14 d20+8=16 d20+6=9 d20+6=12 Sunday April 17th, 2005 4:08:50 PM
(Subbing for Trellus, I realized I hadn't rolled watch/listen for either of them.)
Gilan d20+8=28 d20+8=10 Monday April 18th, 2005 3:53:02 PM
Gilan shrugs from the spot that he is sitting at as the comments about watches are set up. It appears as though he will get a full nights rest as he was assigned no watch.
A little bit of horror fills him as Gry comes back with the tree and he winces in pain. With a silent prayer to the Wold Mother he asks her not to visit her vengeance upon the big man. He will make his way over to the tree to see if it has any seeds upon it of it's type.
Not knowing why he gets some sleep that night but wakes every once in awhile. He gives it up to the strangness of the place and being far from home or maybe it is that stir in nature that is doing it to him. Something comes and he feels that it may not be what they are looking for, but may pull the Wold together and apart at the same time. Strange throughts and dreams for sure.
[listen 28 and spot 10]
Mike - Tryning to get my Catacombs transaction completed but am waiting on a reply from JayB. Not sure if my armor thing is slowing it down or what but do you want me to send you a character sheet without my purchases for now??
Anuk d20+11=18 d20+11=24 Monday April 18th, 2005 7:30:17 PM
"First watch...gotcha," Anuk tells Trellus. He stays up late with Mac and Tishe', talking about his home in Rattledam and even a little of his life before he came to the Plains. Stoking the campfire with a bit of the wood Gry brought back, he tells his companions, "I used to think that someday I'd go back home...thought maybe I had something to prove. But..after being away from Rattledam for a while I guess maybe I don't have much to prove after all. It feels like my thread is woven tightly in with the pack now...I guess I just don't feel like I used to." He looks up from the fire suddenly. "Whoa...sorry 'bout going on all sunbaked there...sometimes I just ramble, y'know?"
Throughout the conversation, he keeps eyes and ears open to anything new or strange. (spot 18, listen 24)
ADM MikeS Monday April 18th, 2005 7:49:00 PM
The brilliant sunset is admired by all as the sun disappears below the watery horizon. Grymash hews easily through the great tree, and is quite the sight stalking out of the jungle with the huge piece of lumber atop his shoulder. Gilan's inspection of the tree yields no immediate clues as to how it reproduces, but he does suspect that the hard, brown fruits containing the milky drink may have something to do with it.
The warm breeze from the south continues throughout the night and the pack members alternate sleeping and taking watch. The time passes uneventfully except for a moment during the second watch. For a moment, the constant noise from the animals hidden by the trees goes silent. Then, Flea and Jake are alarmed to hear a low rumble followed by a shifting of the ground. The sky glows red briefly, and a cloud can be seen drifting upward into the night sky from the top of the mountain at the center of the island. This is followed by many, many birds suddenly and noisily taking flight. Soon, the chatter resumes. No more movement occurs through the night.
Near the end of the third watch Grymash and Trellus hear the familiar *thwoomp* of dragon wings in the distance. It gets louder, and then the forms of Grandma and Maurantaous appear above the treeline. They land quickly on the beach and Grandma transforms into her human shape. She rushes to Grymash, a worried look in her eye and anxiety in her voice.
"Please, tell me that Glimmer has returned to you already."
Anuk Tuesday April 19th, 2005 1:06:28 PM
Anuk wakes from his sleep with a start when he hears the voice of Grandma talking to Grymash. He had been dreaming of flying on the dragons, and it takes a moment to orient himself.
He springs to his feet and joins Gry, Trellus, Grandma and Maurantaous. "What's going on? Where's Shady?" he asks.
Trellus Tuesday April 19th, 2005 3:09:01 PM
Trellus sits, contemplating the rolling waves and breeze filled beach. Its all totally relaxing.
At least until the two dragons show up.
"No," he replies. "He went with you. He didn't come back here." Reflexively, the cleric looks around, trying to spot Shady.
Tishe' Tuesday April 19th, 2005 3:40:25 PM
Missing all the excitement in the night, the mage pulls her wavy hair into a ponytail for her morning meditations. The arrival of two worried dragons puts the thought of her spellbook right out of her mind.
She also shakes her head after quickly looking around. "Shady isn't here, Great One. When did he separate from you last night?" She worriedly thinks of her spells, but none she knows can find a lost dragon.
Flea Tuesday April 19th, 2005 4:50:59 PM
"Uh, wasn't he with you?" responds Flea brilliantly, when a worried 'grandma' asks after Shady.
The gnome siddles up to Gilan and tugs at his sleeve. "You don't think they'll leave us here if they go off looking for the dude, do you?" she whispers, a worried look on her face.
(OOC: DM MikeK, CC transactions wrapped up, and PC sheet just about ready.)
Jake Tuesday April 19th, 2005 5:02:45 PM
Jake wakes up to see the two dragons back, in the dark, and hops up quickly drawing his sword...He stops, looking somewhat embarassed at his combat reaction. "Ah haven't seen Shady...but ah did notice some weird ground-shakin's. Ah've never seen such magic power." (On the plains, I imagine earthquakes have never happened...) "Ya know, the kid's curious. Ya sure he didn't go check out that big ol mountain thing there? He likes mountains, ya know." Jake points at the volcano.
Gilan Tuesday April 19th, 2005 6:48:02 PM
Gilan wakes up with a start and shakes the sleep from his body. He rubs his eyes as he looks to the two dragons and yawns.
When Grandma changes and runs to Grymash, inquiring about Shady he is suddenly very awake. He glances around and does not see the half-dragon anywhere and groans. Great now Shady is missing and they have no idea where they are let alone where he is at.
Standing he slowly moves around to gather his gear and look to the east to see how soon the sun will rise. "Do we wait long enough for those of use that need to...to go through our morning prayers and communion?" He is worried about Shady but knows that he will be of little help without a full load of spells.
Ignore part of this post if the sun is already starting to rise or has risen. Gilan would have been up with the rising sun, going through his morning commune with Mother Wold.
Search Party (DM MikeK) Tuesday April 19th, 2005 8:53:56 PM
Grandma's face becomes even more worried as the Bloodpack answers that Glimmer is not around.
"We must find him!" she cries. Maurantaous moves in to comfort her, and she stands rigidly. Head lowered, she stares hard at a point near her feet, boring a hole into the sand.
"He would not have gone far," she declares emphatically. "Not after the last time. He has to be on the island."
"Or just offshore," her comrade adds. At this she starts, as if having just thought of something. "Yes," she agrees. Turning to Grymash, she explains. "We bronze dragons adore a good swim."
She looks at Jake, whom she still assumes is leader. "We will search the water. You must search the land. We will meet back here at sundown." A quick nod to Maurantaous, and they are both sprinting down the beach, turning dragon form, and swooping into sky.
The Bloodpack turn as one to face the teeming jungle island, and the sun peaks over the eastern horizon, bathing all in a pink glow. Even a casual inspection will reveal several game trails leading into the island's interior. Additionally, a small river empties into the sea only a half mile or so up the shore.
Grymash - Will Save DC 10. If failed,Highlight to display spoiler: { the half orc hears a small voice in his head. It sounds vaguely feminine, and far off. The voice squeaks pleadingly "Release me!"}
OOC - Once you've completed your catacombs transactions, please send me your sheet.
Grymash d20+6=18 Tuesday April 19th, 2005 9:08:02 PM
Grymash nodds with Flea's question about the whereabouts of the young dragon. He thought Glitter was with them. Though he tries to be comforting, even though he's never played that part before.
Then the suggestion of a swim! "In all dat water!!" (Will save 18) "Gry can go for swim, jus no far out. Let Gry take off da armor." The half-orc walks back to camp to deposit his armor and gear. He strips down to his loincloth, except for his favorite dagger, which he ties to his blood red sash.
Jake d20+11=13 Wednesday April 20th, 2005 5:31:45 AM
"Grym! Come on, we're supposed ta search the island, not tha water!" Jake chides his friend. "Still, ah wouldn't mind takin' a bit of a mornin' swim before we go in that jungle. Might as well." Jake's already dressed in just his skivvies, so he just hops into the water and takes a refreshing morning swim. As dawn breaks he hops out. Since Rattledam, he hasn't really 'grown out' like Grymash. He still doesn't stand even five and a half feet tall. But where before he was wiry and slim, now he's just solid lean muscle. (Like Rocky IV.) He has gained a little, and firmed up quite a bit. (+1 to strength, and probably +1 to Con when I hit 8th level). He's even more of an eyefull for the ladies. Jake heads back to shore and unpacks his stuff, asking Trellus for some help with his new full plate armor. Buckle after buckle, breastplate, greaves, gauntlets, shield, swordbelt, dagger in boot, bow on back, cloak trailing after him, Jake looks down at all of the stuff he's carrying around. "Shucks.. few weeks ago'n ah'd never 'magine ah'd have so much stuff ah'd be carrying." He combs his hair with a fancy brush and admires himself in a little mirror. I look like one of them real knights, he thinks to himself admiringly. He puts on his brand new fedora over the hair stylishly, and alltogether can't help but feel all dressed up in brand new everything. He tugs on his heavy backpack, filled with rope, flasks, clothes, and all the stuff you'd need to survive in the plains. Finally, the half-elf gets over himself and begins to move towards the forest. You'd expect with all the stuff he's carrying and the armor he's in, he'd be noisy, but no. He moves with such care and practice from watching the Flea sneak about, and his fine elven boots muffle his feet enough so that he isn't a walking marching band.
"We should zig-zag through the jungle, heading for that mountain we saw. Lahk ah said, Shady likes mountains, and maybe he saw something he wanted while he was floating around it. Or...there could be weirdoes on this island. Huh. Uh, Flea, or Tishe or Mac, you guys know what sorta stuff lives here? I mean, it's surrounded by water, so it's gotta be like, um, something that lives in water, like a lizard, right? I mean, we didn't see any boats or villages, so we know there can't be any people around...right?"
Mac d20+1=21 Wednesday April 20th, 2005 6:46:06 AM The mountain... yes. he growls. Prob'ly no people, but maybe something else. Don't be worried about leavin' tracks - if he gets back here we want him to be able to find us eas'ly. he says as he packs and gears up. Mac feels there is something odd but hasn't put his finger on it yet.[Sense motive: 21, nat.20]
Trellus (Magic Vestment) Wednesday April 20th, 2005 9:12:19 AM
Like Gilan, Trellus is worried about Shady, but senses the need to attend his morning rituals. "Go ahead and weave in the water," he tells Grymash. "I gotta pray first anyway."
The cleric finds a spot, and prays to Domi for strength and protection over the coming day. When he's done, he gets up and looks over at Jake putting on all that steel.
"Dude, you're gonna be baked when we get home," he points out uncertainly.
Like everyone else, Trellus has got some new toys. His shield now matches his breastplate. Both sport an upright warhammer emblazoned in gold upon a circle of silver in their centers. Pulling out a small rod, the cleric casts a spell on the shield. [Magic Vestment (extended): +2 on the shield for 16 hours.]
Once he's geared up, the blond man looks around at his friends to make sure their ready. They are. "Shady. OK, Mac, keep an eye on our back. Flea, Anuk, let's weave."
Trellus falls in behind Flea, Anuk, Gry and Jake, letting the rest of the Bloodpack fall in behind him.
Tishe' Wednesday April 20th, 2005 4:39:57 PM
After her meditations and spellbook research, Tishe' is ready to join the search party.
"I've seen the ocean, but I don't know everything about the animals that live there." she tells Jake. "I think we would be best to look at the mountain anyways." She looks eagerly at the glowing top, anticipating finding new information.
She also prepares by casting her divine spell, Elven Sight, and holding her new magical rod casts Mage Armor (Extended)
Gilan Wednesday April 20th, 2005 6:35:16 PM
Gilan sets up near the waters edge and goes through his morning ritual of communion with the Wold. The sun rises over the ocean and touches his face, much like a kind mother. He smiles as he nods his head and stands slowly.
As he walks back to the group he smiles again and shoulders his pack. "I am ready now...sorry for the wait." He looks to the jungle that lays before them and the mountain beyond. "It seems the mountain would be the best bet and it will be hard to track Shady if he was flying."
The good news is, we found him ... (DM MikeK) Wednesday April 20th, 2005 9:33:49 PM
Having prepared themselves for the day, the heroes plunge into the verdant jungle. Flea and Anuk choose a game trail that seems to be heading toward the glowing mountain.
The jungle is alive with brightly colored flowers. Reds, yellows, oranges, and purples decorate the green canopy. Curiously, every bloom appears in triplets - three red flowers, three orange flowers, three purple flowers. Triplets are everywhere. Three brightly colored birds flutter past. The small lizards break from three bare rocks and take cover at the group's approach. Reminders abound that some momentous event is still out there.
The mountain is a lot further away than anyone supposed. The trail is broken up by tree roots and streams and an occasional clearing. About mid-afternoon, Flea is just entering one of these clearings when she spots movement on the far side.
Entering the north end of the oval, 90' opening are three large humanoid figures. They look like hunched over humans, except they're a good 10-12' tall. Each deeply tanned giant wears little more than a loincloth, has a bag draped over a shoulder, and carries a large club in one hand. Two carry a long pole between them, and the third walks behind.
A familiar looking dragon is lashed to the pole. He hangs below it, bound to the pole by his forelegs and hindlegs. He is not moving.
The giants are walking casually, heading straight for the very trail the Bloodpack is using. As of yet, the have not seen Flea. The leader is about 75' away.
Anuk is 10' behind Flea. Gry is 30' behind Anuk, with Jake, Trellus, Tishe, Gilan, and Mac trailing along at 5' intervals.
Only Flea, and now Anuk have spotted the giants.
Flea (AC 20, 47 HP, +4 Dodge vs Giants, Tears of the Dragon) d20+23=42 d20+14=23 d20+13=16 d20+9=18 d20+11=31 Wednesday April 20th, 2005 11:42:33 PM
Flea steps off the trail and tries to blend into the vegetation (Hide=42). Lowering her head to the gem embedded in her chest she whispers, "three big guys have got Shady. I'm going to hide and wait for them to pass me by, then come at 'em from behind." The rogue is nearly breathless with excitement, but she continues to whisper into the gem, "hide in the bushes, then let's take them by surprise so they don't hurt the little dude. I'll let you know when the last one goes by."
The rogue will remain very quiet (Move Silently=23) careful not to miss any details as the seconds tick by. (Search=16, Spot=18, Listen=31)
Ever so slowly she draws her retro-fitted gnome hooked hammer.
(OOC: Sorry for missed post. Good news is, I got my updated PC sheet in, and Flea has some new toys!)
Mac d20+3=14 Thursday April 21st, 2005 3:02:29 AM Hide? How am I supposed to... he thinks as he tries to hide, but he doesn't feel very convinced about his cover. [Hide:14] To Gilan he quietly says, I cannot attack them out of the bushes - it doesn't sit well. But I can make a noisy stand further down the path. That way they are looking at me an' no' at you. He then moves back down the path some 30' and awaits the arrival of the big guys with shady.
Jake d20=12 Thursday April 21st, 2005 4:07:16 AM
Shady's captured!? Jake touches his heartstone and...well, sends out an impulse of anger, really, not much thought. Let's get them!!! is the main impulse behind it. Flea wants to wait for them, though, so Jake moves into the woods as silent as ever...but not really able to hide very well in his armor. All of his focus from Flea so far has been on learning how to move quietly like the little one. He sends another thought to the others.. Gil, Tishe, can ya make me invisible like the Flea . He depends more upon the shrubbery to disguise himself. With a quiet shnick, his sword slips out, and he straps on his shield. Sitting there, he concentrates...and sweats. Man, this armor and gear weighs a lot... (Move Silently, 12 total what with my -13 from all the stuff he carries.)
Trellus (ac23, magic vestment, prayer[1/8]) d20-3=11 Thursday April 21st, 2005 11:54:25 AM HIDE?!? Trellus thinks increduluously. Flea is gettin sunbaked.
Mentally shrugging, the cleric crashes into the underbrush and tries to conceal himself. For his very first attempt, he doesn't do too poorly. [Hide 11]
Squatting amongst the trees, he casts a spell to help in the coming battle.
PRAYER - +1 to hit, damage, and saves if within 40' of Trellus. -1 to enemies for same
Gilan [HP: 66/66 , AC: 17] {} d20+2=16 Thursday April 21st, 2005 2:23:00 PM
Gilan looks to Mac as he slips into the undegrowth (hide 16) with the rest of the group. "Ok, but wait a second." He lays a hand upon Mac and casts a spell upon him, speaking in a low whisper. "Vara tel seldarine." He watches the retreating form of Mac as he goes back down the path a ways and shakes his head.
Laying a hand over the gem on his chest he thinks to the whole group. {"We are going to have to time this perfect...Mac went back down the path...he cannot attack from ambush."} There is no accusations in his words as he says this. He knows that the minotaur race are a proud and honorable one and not given to dirty tactics very often.
He lays his pack and shield upon the ground at his feet. He breathes lightly as he calms himself and smiles. Oh yes, he has a new bag of tricks to play and he intends to try one out right now.
Barkskin - 80min 00sec, +3 to Armor
Tishe' (AC 19 [mage armor] HP 37/37) d20+2=13 Thursday April 21st, 2005 3:44:32 PM
Tishe' is startled at the message through the gem; she had nearly forgotten about the Tears of the Dragon! But it doesn't stop the brown-haired mage from reacting swiftly. Moving up to Jake she hands him a potion. "Invisibility", she explains.
And then she moves into the undergrowth and tries to find large plants or trees. It is unnecesary to see the enemies because Flea will tell her when to come out, so even being completely covered is OK. (Hide: 13)
She touches her gem and sends a message, "At Flea's mark, I'll hit the last one with a web spell if I can."
Anuk d20+12=18 d20+9=13 d20+11=15 d20+11=18 Thursday April 21st, 2005 4:09:06 PM
Anuk stops short when he sees the giant humanoids with Shady. He puts his hand up to signal Gry to stop when Flea sends her message. Touching the gem embedded in his own chest he thinks Almost forgot about this. Gotta remember that this is better'n hand signals.
He disappears into the bushes on the side of the trail opposite Flea and whispers through the gem, "Whaddya think? Shall you and I take on the last one as he passes or should we wait and both get behind the group? I'm thinking we let 'em all get between us and the rest of the pack."
He quietly draws his bow and watches the procession, hoping that Shady is okay.
(Hide 18, Move Silently 13, Spot 15, Listen 18)
Jake (Add-on) Thursday April 21st, 2005 5:17:15 PM
Instead of heading into the bush, Jake merely takes a swig of the potion and moves off the path slightly, then holds still. In plain view, if they can see invisible, but if not...
Grymash (ac24, hp94/94, protect from evil, prayer) d20+3=10 Thursday April 21st, 2005 7:39:14 PM
Grymash darts into the overgrowth and hunkers down as best as he can. (hide 10) From his hiding place, he casts Protection from Evil on himself.
Jungle Ambush - PC Actions (DM MikeK) Thursday April 21st, 2005 9:13:36 PM DM Note on those Tears -- You can whisper a message that one other person can hear. You have to point to that person. You can only do this three times a day. Please designate whom you are speaking to in future posts.
Flea steps silently into the underbrush and uses her Tear to quickly whisper a plan to Anuk. The ranger sends his own Tear message back to Gry, who waves at the rest of the Bloodpack to hide.
The barbarian crouches down in the leaves and casts a protective spell on himself.
Mac can't justify springing out of bushes into a combat. The minotaur lets Gilan know, and backs off a few dozen paces down the trail. He is plainly in sight.
Jake quickly grasps the situation, and sends out a pulse of anger that all the Bloodpack feels. He sends a Tear Message to Tishe, asking for a bit of magical help. The sorceress hands the elven fighter a potion. He drinks it, and disappears.
Trellus crashes into the underbrush, and casts a spell, imbuing his comrades with the guiding hand of Domi.
Gilan taps Mac with a barkskin spell, hardening the taur's skin. The druid fades into the calming jungle.
more coming...
Jungle Ambush - NPC actions (DM MikeK) d20+3=19 d20+3=18 d20+3=13 d20+6=23 Thursday April 21st, 2005 9:28:20 PM
Somebody was too noisy, because the leader suddenly stops. "Whazzat?" the leader grunts. He pauses, looking and listening. His companions just stop and wait.
Not seeing anything, but still not quite satisfied, the leader waves his little troupe forward. He advances cautiously to the trail head, and is beside Flea and Anuk when he spots the waiting minotaur.
"Dessert!" he cries happily.
The leader (g1) readies his greatclub and advances on Mac, while the other two giants let go of the stick. Shady slams to the ground, emitting a loud "Whoof!" when he hits.
Then, they follow their boss. G2 gets even with Flea and Anuk when he happens to glance into the trees, right where Trellus is vainly attempting to hide.
"Hey! 'nother one!" he calls. G2 tromps into the jungle, intent on bagging some nice cleric.
Grymash (ac22, hp110/110, rage, protect from evil, prayer) d20+14=34 d20+14=22 d20+9=26 d8+24=29 d8+24=25 d8+24=31 d8+24=29 Thursday April 21st, 2005 10:06:39 PM "YOOZ NO EATIN' GRY'S LIL' BUDDY!! AUUGGHH!" roars the halforc. Rage takes over and he swings into the giant as it makes a play for Trellus. His new adamantine double axe has its first taste of blood... and it likes it!
(Full Attack. Powerattack+5, twohanded+10. HitAC: 34threat, 22crit, 26. Damage: 29, (25+31crit), 29 = Possible 114 damage. If he crit, then the giant must make a Fort save DC 15 or die instantly from massive damage. Wow, thats a great first attack with a new weapon!)
Stephen: post revision Thursday April 21st, 2005 10:16:00 PM
ooc: OK, I make a revision to my post after seeing the game map. Grymash cant get off all his attacks because the giant is too far away. Instead he will charge at Trellus' attacker and get off one attack. Possible 85 points of damage. If he did crit, the giant must do the Fort save 15 or die.
Flea (AC 20/24 vs Giants, 47 HP) d20+14=30 d20+10=17 d6+2=7 4d6(4+5+1+6)=16 Thursday April 21st, 2005 11:31:08 PM
Flea slides in behind the last giant (G3) tumbling (Tumble=30) if required to get past him and taking up a position opposite Anuk. The gnome strikes out with the bludgeoning end of her hooked hammer, aiming for the tendons and sinew behind the creature's knee (hit AC 17 for 7 dmg, 16 sneak attack dmg).
Jake (AC 27, no longer invisible) d20+12=30 d10+5=6 d6=5 d6=4 d6=1 Friday April 22nd, 2005 2:42:24 AM
(Note to Gry and all; beware, since they're giants, they probably provoke attacks of opportunity unless you tumble like Flea or have reach like Mac) Looks like the battle's begun, Jake thinks to himself as Gry goes tearing off into the guy. The half-orc obviously doesn't need any help, Jake thinks to himself. Then again, it'll probably be best to help him finish off that guy if it's still standing. If the second giant is still up after Gry's gruesome hack, Jake deftly moves in. Being invisible, he doesn't have to worry about an itinerant swing. However, he probably can't get into flanking opposite Gry, what with the bush obscuring his movement. Standing on the giant's left side, just south of him, Jake suddenly becomes visible when he slashes low, cutting into delicate organs in the giant's belly, or at least trying to... (Hit AC 30. Did 6 hacking damage, 5 freezing, 5 sneak attack, 16 total damage.)
Mac (????) d20+9=27 3d6(3+2+1)+21=27 d20+4=18 3d6(6+6+1)+21=34 Friday April 22nd, 2005 7:37:55 AM Dessert am I? he snorts at the giant as he takes one good sized step towards him (5' on the diagonal) and swings his axe across, around and down upon him. ------- Full Attack, Power Attack(-6/+12) Attack 1: d20+9= AC27 for 27 damage Attack 2: d20+4= AC18 for 34 damage ------- <OOC> My situation is unusual, so let me explain. As some of you would already be aware I have lost my PHv3.5. No clue where it might be. My computer no longer runs windows so until my tech.sup. friend decides to respond to the message I left him on Monday I don't have access to Mac's character sheet - making the above rolls etc educated guesswork. Apologies for any mistakes I make. Could DMMikeK please send the updated Mac sheet back to me?</OOC>
Convergence (DM MikeK) Friday April 22nd, 2005 9:05:47 AM
The battle is joined!
And then, all feel a sudden chill as a the heretofore constant southward warming breeze changes direction and temperate. From the south, all cool breeze stirs the warm late afternoon air. Birds of the nearby trees break into cacophony of song, then silence. Everyone in the party not totally engaged in battle can pick up faint strains of some ethereal music. While the two engaged giants continue to attack, G3 actually stops in the middle of the clearing, cocking his head to pick out the sounds.
Jake does not get off his attack. He is stopped midstride (and still invisible) by the tune and the words only he can hear.
Jake - Highlight to display spoiler: { It is time! The invitation to join the dream-song and raise the sleeping king!
Starless night will cover day, the veiling of the sun, Dark sleep broken, here comes the one!
No more will you wander, on dark journey of dreams. The woods have awoken, the power of living things!
Our love for this land is deeper than the deepest sea. The bonds are sundered, and we will have our king!
Jacob, you are compelled to sing and vote. Yea or Nay?}
From the tied up form that is Shady, a strong tenor voice arises in melodious song. It joins the etheral voices, falling into tune with the joyous melody. Those who speak elven understand he is agreeing with something, although (other than Jake) no one knows what question was asked.
Trellus (ac23, magic vestment, prayer[2/8], spirtual wpn[1/8]) d20+14=15 Friday April 22nd, 2005 10:18:14 AM PRAYER - +1 to hit, damage, and saves if within 40' of Trellus. -1 to enemies for same
Trellus' ears register the singing, and his mind files it away to wonder about later. Because at this very moment, a 10' tall giant is bearing down on him. And that tends to get one's attention.
Fortunately, Gry comes to the rescue. The cleric exhales in relief. Gry is such a shady weaver sometimes.
The half-orc seems to have g2 under control. Light, that dude hits hard!
So, Trellus backs away (due south) about 10' to get out of the way, and turns to help Mac. A twist of his hands and a quick incantation, and Domi's Hammer appears above G1.
The weapon slams down. [Spiritual Weapon. Atk ac15 nat 1]
Anuk [AC 21 (ac22vsG3-Dodge), HP 43, Prayer, Point Blank Shot] d20+13=26 d20+8=18 d8+5=6 d8+5=8 Friday April 22nd, 2005 11:17:13 AM
Anuk rises from his hiding place as Flea attacks the giant. The music is distracting, but he is careful to ignore it, not wanting to lose his concentration. Taking careful aim at the hulking figure (G3), he lets two arrows fly into it's chest.
(Hits AC 26 for 6pts, AC 18 for 8 pts)
Tishe' (AC 19 [mage armor] HP 37/37) Friday April 22nd, 2005 3:29:16 PM
The sounds of battle arrive and Tishe' bursts from her concealment to see where the giants are. Looking around, she focuses where she told Flea she would.
The mage's hands raise and she begins to weave voice and hand into a tapestry of tiny strands that rapidly expand and anchor themselves in the trees around the last giant. And soon, the huge man is in danger of being ensnared by a conjured web! (DC Reflex 17)
Spells mage armor [extended] [I'm assuming 3 hours left if the afternoon] Web [50 minutes] 20 foot radius
Gilan [HP: 66/66 , AC: 17] {prayer} d20+11=22 d20+6=26 d20+6=26 d4+2=5 d4+2=3 d4+2=3 Friday April 22nd, 2005 5:01:28 PM
Gilan is able to ingnore the song but files it away to ask about later. He quickly decides to make a risky move and sends a pair of sling bullets at the giant that is heading in Mac's direction. He is hoping that it will at least give Mac some distraction time and allow him to get in some good shots.
[hit: 22/26(crit26) and damage: 5/3(crit6)]
Barkskin - 79min 50sec, +3 to Armor
DM Note Friday April 22nd, 2005 9:04:43 PM
OOC - Graham - apologies for not being more detailed. The Convergence post was an interruption, not the start of the next round.
I deleted your last post, as the combat round hadn't turned over yet.
Jungle Ambush - rd 2 (DM MikeK) d20+15=19 d20+12=22 d20+3=6 d20+15=27 d20+10=18 2d8(2+1)+9=12 d20+15=31 d20+9=24 2d8(2+5)+9=16 2d8(5+1)+9=15 d20+7=25 Friday April 22nd, 2005 10:01:16 PM
Synopsis -- (Work with me, here) The Bloodpack has been bound for home for many, many days. Grandma and Maurantaous have bourne the heroes across and endless expanse of ocean, stopping at secluded island after secluded island each night. Sights that were marvelous have become mind-numbingly boring. But, at this last stop, their young charge has disappeared.
A search effort was quickly organized, and the Bloodpack headed toward an odd glowing mountain. But, there trek was interrupted by the sight of three giants and the captured Glimmer. The pack attacked, and battle was joined....
DM NOTE -- Giants are AC 20
Shady continues to sing with the melody.
Grymash roars a feral challenge, bursts out of his hiding place, and launches himself at G2. The grinning giant turns, and swings at the approaching half-orc. Fortunately for Gry, the giant badly misjudged his speed. The club misses. Gry does not. His blade bites deeply into the stunned giant, ripping a huge hole in his side. Blood spatters for a dozen feet from the force of the blow.
Flea rolls in behind the distracted G3. She attempts to thwack him in the back of the knee, but he shifts at the last minute, taking the blow on his well muscled thigh for little effect.
In the middle of the trail, a little ways removed from g2, Jake's voice rises to join the song. He doesn't sing that badly really, although the sound of a disembodied voice in the middle of the trail at this particular point in time is a bit disconcerting. [Jake is still invisible]
Mac takes one step toward G1, and rips off a large hunk of an upraised arm with the first blow of his axe. The canny opponent is able to avoid the second blow.
Trellus steps away from G2, and tries to help out on G1. But the glowing weapon totally misses the giant.
Anuk rises from his hiding place, and launches two arrows at G3. The first draws blood. The second ricochets off thick skin.
Tishe fires a spell at G3. A sticky mass soon engulfs the giant. It threatens to engulf Flea as well. [Flea -- Reflex DC 17. If successful, you can move within the web by 5' for every 5 full points that the check result exceeds 10] The giant is totally encased in the gooey mess.
Gilan fires sling stones at G1. Shoulda named the druid David, cause both stones bonk off the giant's noggin, causing him to growl in pain.
[DM NOTE - Mac and Flea are currently outside of the range of Trellus' prayer spell and get no bonus]
G1 ignores the glowing hammer and flying stones, and gets to work on the real battle. The great club swings hard at Mac. The first blow is crushing, the second misses. [Hit ac 27 and ac 18. 12 hp damage]
G2, hissing in agony, launches an assault on Grymash. Both blows crash heavily into the half-orc. [Hit ac 31 and ac 24 for (16 + 15) = 31 hp damage]
G3 bellows in anger. The giant twists and turns and stomps, ripping himself free of the stickly webbing. [DM Note - G3 has cover from all but Flea, and if she moves, he'll have cover from her. Effective AC 24]
Awakening Saturday April 23rd, 2005 2:58:27 AM The Wold stirs....
A breeze springs up, seemingly from out of nowhere. On the Sargass Plains, the unending grasses begin to move and toss, and the rapkes pace, restless and uneasy. In the Windbourne Hills, horses whinny and break into a run for no reason. In the tunnels beneath Dirt City, sewer rats begin to flee their hiding places, running into well-traveled corridors while the people wonder what it all could mean. And in the Emerald Kingdom, the anticipation is very nearly palpable as the animals awaken and the trees stir in the wind.
Something is coming.
The Wold seems to hold its collective breath as the Sleeper stretches, turns, sighs...and awakens. Eyes the color of the sea blink and focus as the Sleeper regards the Wold around him. The expanse of New Elanna, the great bulk of Shadow Mountain, the mysteries of the Southern Continent, even the wonder that is Floating City--all of these are known to the Sleeper in a heartbeat. A frown of concentration crosses his face, then a satisfied smile as he begins to know what must be done.
The Sleeper takes a breath and stretches out his hand...
All -- Listen check DC 4. Off to the south, as if way off in the distance, there is a distinctive deep "thump". (Like a really large firework)
Jake Saturday April 23rd, 2005 3:18:34 AM
Unlike the others, Jake falls into the song. He does not know how to sing well, though his voice is okay...
Starless night will cover day, the veiling of the sun, Dark sleep broken, here comes the one!
No more will you wander, on dark journey of dreams. The woods have awoken, the power of living things!
Our love for this land is deeper than the deepest sea. The bonds are sundered, and we will have our king...
Jake pictures in his mind the hand outstretched, and his soul stretches towards it...in the middle of the path, invisible luckily, Jake falls to his knees and drops his weapons, supplicating to the image in his mind.
Tishe' (AC 19 [mage armor] HP 37/37) d20+2=11 d20+2=18 Saturday April 23rd, 2005 6:09:20 PM
[OOC: I'm really bad and never told anyone that I'm going on vacation Sunday through Thursday. :( Could someone PLEASE play Tishe' so she can help during the battle?]
The brown-haired mage hears the crack of large fireworks [Listen: 11] and it distracts her for a second. "What was that?" She looks around wildly [Spot: 18], but all she sees is the giant easily ripping away her webbing and Flea perhaps caught. Not the scenario she had in mind!
She raises her magic about her again, this time weaving with a pinch of mica, and aims her spell just above the giant in the ruined web. A 20 foot glittering cloud appears, getting in eyes and making it impossible to see. [Will DC 17 or blind for duration, otherwise blind for while in cloud]
Mikey Saturday April 23rd, 2005 6:45:42 PM
[Sure, I will take over Tishe. Since Jake is outta the fight and all, we'll need the help. Email a character sheet to me, at mikey_powell@hotmail.com, with what sorta things you'd think you'd cast as well.]
Mac (AC: 21+Gilan's Barkskin in which case less one for the Amulet of Nat.Armour, HP: 63/75 - stand-up slog fest) d20+14=33 3d6(4+6+4)+11=25 d20+14=30 6d6(3+3+1+2+6+6)+22=43 d20+9=23 3d6(2+3+4)+11=20 d20+8=22 d8+5=10 Saturday April 23rd, 2005 6:54:15 PM
Keeping his feet after the giant's club struck true, Mac continues his war of attrition. Full Attack Axe @+14 hits AC:33 for 25 damage. Crit. check hits AC:30 for an extra 43, making 68 damage from the attack - potentially warranting the Massive Damage Save? Axe @+9 hits AC:23 for 20 damage Horn @+8 gores AC:22 for 10 damage
Grymash (ac22, hp110/79, rage, protect from evil, prayer) d20+14=28 d20+9=21 d8+24=29 d8+24=31 Saturday April 23rd, 2005 7:15:30 PM
Grymash is knocked left and right from the giants bludgeoning attacks. He hit hard! Really hard! He normally doesn't feel pain when he rages. It usually only makes him meaner. For a brief moment he felt the earth move. His vision blurred. He shakes off the buzz of the attack. A massive spray of blood in the face, from the giants wounds, was all he needed. Look for blood, follow with axe, repeat. "AAUUUGGHHH!!" He hears nothing of a boom, only the beating of his enemies heart, which he has hopes to silence.
(Powerattack+5/+10. Fullattack. HitAC: 28,21. Damage: 29+31=60 points of damage.)
Flea (AC21/25 vs Giants , HP 47, Hasted) d20+9=19 d20+9=18 d20+9=25 d6+2=7 d20+1=20 d6+2=7 4d6(6+2+6+1)=15 4d6(6+2+3+2)=13 Sunday April 24th, 2005 7:37:58 PM
Flea manages to avoid Tishe's web, ducking neatly between the sticky strands[Reflex=19]. She then manages to fight off the effects of a second spell [Will=20]. As the Giant struggles to free himself from the web and fight the effects of the Glitterdust, the rogue activates her boots of speed and lashes out at her opponent. [Hit AC=25 for 7 dmg]
[OOC if the giant is blinded, Flea may have also struck with her first attempt Hit AC=18 for 7 dmg (giant loses dex bonus?) and she may also get sneak attack damage on both blows (additional 15+13 HP)for a grand total of 42 HP]
Trellus (ac23, magic vestment, prayer[3/8], spirtual wpn[2/8]) d20+8=17 d20+14=15 d20+9=24 d8+3=8 Sunday April 24th, 2005 7:48:49 PM PRAYER - +1 to hit, damage, and saves if within 40' of Trellus. -1 to enemies for same
Trellus cringes inwardly as Mac and Gry hack and slash. Light, those two dudes are nasty.
He hears the popping sound, but like the music, he pushes it out of his mind. Jake is being totally sunbaked though. What is with the singing?
Mac and Gry are getting hurt, and the blonde cleric is forced to make a choice. Figuring Gry can survive just about anything, Trellus heads for the minotaur, taking care to keep out of the giant's long reach.
The Hammer of Domi swings some more. [atk g1 - hit ac15 (nat 1) and ac 24 for 8 hp damage]
Anuk [AC 21 (ac22vsG3-Dodge), HP 43, Prayer, Point Blank Shot] d20+11=16 d20+13=31 d20+13=14 d20+8=21 d8+5=12 d8+5=12 Monday April 25th, 2005 1:06:57 AM What's that sound? Anuk thinks, hearing the popping noise in the distance. (listen 16) The question leaves his mind as quickly as it arrived...Flea suddenly disappears in a sticky mass of web.
Not certains of where she is, but able to make out the chest, head, and shoulders of the giant above the gooey mess, Anuk lets two more arrows fly.
(Hits AC 31 for 12 pts, AC 21 for 12 pts -- ignore second +13 roll as 2nd attack was only +8, not +13)
Gilan [HP: 66/66 , AC: 17] {prayer} d20+11=21 d20+6=13 d4+2=5 d4+2=6 Monday April 25th, 2005 6:46:21 PM
Gilan takes no note of the pop or any other sound as he continues to pelt the giant with rocks. He shakes his head and wonders what real good such a tiny weapon can do.
He shrugs as he sends another pair of stones at the giant's back and head. He then moves five feet closer to the giant, while keeping an eye upon Mac.
[hit: 21/13 and damage: 5/6]
Barkskin - 79min 40sec, +3 to Armor
Jungle Ambush (DM MikeK) d20+4=14 Tuesday April 26th, 2005 8:17:08 AM OOC - Apologies all for the missed post. A hectic day yesterday.
Jake sings, and joy fills his heart. The Sleeper awakes! Shady too, sings. His muffled voice emerges in complicated melody from his tied up form lying in the middle of the clearing.
Some wonder at the booming noise that came from the south. Others are far too busy to worry about it.
Tishe blinks at the noise, and at the unintended victim of her spell. She tries again. G3's hands fly to his face as he struggles to see.
Mac turns his full focus on G1. Axe and horn rip into the giant.
Grymash recovers his wits quickly after getting knocked around by G2. With another roar he rips at the giant once, and again. Two more gaping holes appear in the giant's side. He cannot recover from the fatal blows, and collapses to the jungle floor.
Flea dodges around strands of sticky webbing, and continues the risky tactic of melee with a giant. Her first swing misses, but her second strikes true.
Trellus makes his way toward Mac. His spell strikes out at G1, thumping him soundly on the skull. Combined with Mac's ferocious attack, the hammerblow is too much. G1 topples over.
Anuk sends another arrow into G3.
Gilan prepares to fire another stone at G1, but there is no need.
G3 comes down with a serious case of mortality. Blinded and alone, the giant wheels about and stumbles away from the sounds of combat. [Flea get AoO]
Pursuit of G3 is interrputed as the voices of Jake and Shady cry out in joyous accord. The Sleeper is awake! The Fey King has come!
The entire avian population of the island calls out at once and launches itself skyward. Birds of every imaginable color and size swoop and bank and roll in unison in the skies over the island. Every tree and plant blooms, a joyous panorama of violet and indigo and teal and crimson.
Nature joins the elves, rejoicing in the dawn of a new age.
A flash.
Nearly felt rather than seen. A flash in the southern horizon.
The very clouds flee from it, a semicircle of cloud racing away from an unseen point over the horizon. The clouds pass over the top of the island, bringing with them the sound of a single, echoing bass beat of a large drum.
BOOOOOM
The sound is felt more than heard, a vibration that rattles one's very bones. With the sound comes a slight movement in the land itself. Trees sway and pebbles dance on the trail, and then stop.
As one, the birds wheel and flee northward, escaping the noise.
Silence.
Jake Tuesday April 26th, 2005 12:27:02 PM
Jake gives a spontaneous, "YEEEEeeehaaaa!" and excitedly gets up and throws his hat far off... his brand new hat. But he doesn't notice. He's too excited. "We did it! Right!?" And suddenly he notices that the fight's all over. "Man, ah missed another fight? Hey, Shady!" Ignoring the giant who is still tottering around blindly, Jake gathers his sword and shield, then hurries over to the tied up dragon and begins to cut him loose. He speaks to him soothingly in elven as he does so...
Gilan [HP: 66/66 , AC: 17] {prayer} Tuesday April 26th, 2005 4:43:24 PM
Gilan looks around to the two fallen giants and then to the one making it's escape. He calls out not really caring one way or the other. "Anyone in need of healing?" He pulls out the wand he has as he asks.
Then there is the flash and boom from the south and he turns in that direction. "Now what was that all about?". He looks to Jake as he speaks and shakes his head. "How is he Jake?" He listens for anyone to speak up about healing as he waits to see what will happen next.
Looking back to the corpses of the two giants he has an idea. "You think they have anything of interest on them?" He looks to Trellus as he is the closest and then to the giant getting away. "Want we should finish him...it seems kind of unfair though...now." He will help in searching the giants and then look to the retreating one again with another idea. "I could follow him."
Barkskin - 79min 30sec, +3 to Armor
Trellus 4d8(6+6+5+5)+7=29 Tuesday April 26th, 2005 8:54:56 PM
When the nearest giants drop, Trellus gives Mac and Gry a very fast visual, and changes direction.
The cleric heads for Grymash, pulling out his new wand on the way. Reaching his half-orc friend, he taps him with the healing wand. "Its shady, Gry," he tells the barbarian in a soft soothing voice. "It's just Trellus coming with the feel good stick."
Based on what he just did to that giant, Trellus is eager to avoid any possibility of mistaken identity.
[CCW - heal 29 hp]
The blond man turns and the flash, sound, and vibration. The third giant is forgotten. "Uh, Jake?" he asks uncertainly pointing at the clouds. "Is that supposed to happen?"
Mac (HP:63/75) Wednesday April 27th, 2005 8:24:15 AM
As Trellus tends Gry Mac calls up the slope to his Packmates. If we willnae pursue the other one, then p'r'aps we should get us all back to the beach. Grandma should see we have Shaidee back away from the trees.
anuk OOC Wednesday April 27th, 2005 10:30:34 AM
As the third giant departs, Anuk springs toward the remains the sticky mass. "Flea? You in there? Everything shady?" he calls out as he tries to dig through the remains of Tishe's webbing to locate his friend.
The flash and rumble, combined with the sudden departure of all the birds gives him pause. "I've never been to a place like this island before, but I don't think that's...uh...normal. I'm with Mac...I think we ought to get back to the beach."
Gilan d20+2=17 d20+8=18 Wednesday April 27th, 2005 1:07:45 PM
Gilan does not bother with the last giant and since noone is interested he begins to search over the closest of the two giants with as much care as he can.
He only looks up at the rumbling and his eyes narrow. "That does not sound good and I have the feeling that Mother Wold is protesting or maybe rejoicing." Still he will move to the other giant to search it as well, gathering up anything of note on them.
[search 17 and spot 18]
Barkskin - 79min 20sec, +3 to Armor
Flea Wednesday April 27th, 2005 6:25:01 PM
The rogue wipes the bludgeoning end of her hammer with the end of the crimson sash tied about her waist. "Well, that was fun!" she says grinning up at Anuk, non-plused by his look of concern. Looking around at her companions, she enquires brightly, "what's next?" and then the earth moves.
The calm before...more calm (DM MikeK) Wednesday April 27th, 2005 7:56:35 PM
Jake rejoices at the arrival of the Fey King. He ignores the trembling of earth or the fluttering in the sky.
Gilan looks around for anyone to heal, but Trellus beats him to the only seriously wounded member of the Bloodpack, Grymash.
The druid wonders at nature's reactions, but is able to check out contents of each giant bag. Among the large, round rocks, half eaten pigs, and coconuts, Gilan recovers a wand, a ceramic vial, a wooden scroll case, 4 pearls, and 90 pp.
Anuk goes digging into the webbing in a frantic effort to find Flea, but the rogue is just fine.
Mac suggests getting back to the beach. Others agree.
The silence IS somewhat unsettling. Not a bird, not an insect, no sound at all escapes from the inhabitants of the island.
The last blinded giant uses the opportunity to escape northward.
The rope encased form of Shady still lies in the clearing, attached to the pole. His voice cries out in speech of the elves, Highlight to display spoiler: {"Jake? Can you get me out?"}
Grymash (ac24, hp89/94, protect from evil, prayer) d20+2=17 Wednesday April 27th, 2005 8:24:51 PM
(sorry for not posting, got in late last night.)
Grymash hacks off the head of the fallen giant for good measure. He roars in celebration as its blood sprays into the air. He spins to face the next victim and has his bloodied axe ready to strike! (wisdom 17) However the soft voice and a face that seems familiar halts his axe in mid-swing. "Trellus ... uhhhh, ohhh, Gry almost ... yooz ok? Ya need Gry ta cures any hurtin'? At that point the barbarian realizes that it is him who is injured and accepts his friends healing touch.
Grymash then hears Shady. He doesnt know what he said but even a half-orc could figure it out. He runs over to the tied dragon and begins cutting ropes with a dagger.
Jake Thursday April 28th, 2005 2:57:51 AM
Even as Grymash arrives, Jake finishes cutting free the dragon. He tries to pick up the dragon, and grunts with effort. He chatters in elvish to calm the young dragon, "Ugh...you're too heavy to pick up in this form, Shady. I'd say you've been consuming too many dragon deserts." Jake helps the dragon get onto his legs but keeps a hand settled down on his shoulder. "Just relax. If you try to move too much at first, you'll feel like you're on fire. Once, the black pack tied me up as a joke and left me in a hut for a whole day...when I was freed, I tried jumping for joy, but it didn't work out at all. Just stay still and let Trellus or Gil heal you." While he's talking, Jake motions for Trellus and Gil to come over and check the poor dragon for wounds.
Tishe' d20+5=8 Thursday April 28th, 2005 4:57:59 PM
"That boom..." the mage shakes her head out of her reverie and dismisses the Web spell, allowing everyone to be done with the sticky stuff.
She then turns to help the newest member of the 'pack, and helps untie Shady.
"I'm not sure what all this noise was (Knowledge: Nature 8), but perhaps we should find the other dragons and be ready to go just in case?"
Anuk Thursday April 28th, 2005 7:09:37 PM
Anuk joins the others near the young dragon. Using his elvish, he asks Shady, "Everything all right? Did the giants hurt you?"
The quiet jungle creeps into Anuk's bones. "This doesn't feel right. Is there anyway we can contact Grandma?"
Trellus Thursday April 28th, 2005 9:15:39 PM
The blond man looks around. Everybody's shady. Shady's shady. Gilan's got some shady stuff.
Now might be a good time to leave.
"C'mon dudes. Let's weave back to the beach. Quickly."
Trellus starts back at a fast walk.
Shady is shady (DM MikeK) Thursday April 28th, 2005 9:19:57 PM
Shady seems fine, once he's untied. He shifts into elf form. "I just lied down on some rocks for a little rest, and when I woke up, there I was," he explains to Jake in elven.
And then in common - "Not shaidee"
The young dragon/elf looks fine.
"I'll get Grandma," he tells Jake. And then, he's a dragon, leaping into the sky.
The pack starts thinking about getting back to the beach.
Gilan d20+6=25 Thursday April 28th, 2005 10:17:12 PM
Gilan is quick to gather up the stuff that he has found on the giants. He then hurries back to his pack and shield to get ready to head back to the beach. "It seems we may want to get out of here soon." He glances to the others but does head for Shady to check on him.
He will then head back to the group with the utmost haste, well he does not run.
[heal 25]
Barkskin - 79min 10sec, +3 to Armor
Flea d20+13=22 d20+9=15 d20+11=14 Thursday April 28th, 2005 11:52:16 PM
Flea tucks her hammer through the sash at her waist and heads back in the direction from which they came. As usual, she scouts ahead...just in case...her eyes peeled for traps and such. She doesn't do the best of jobs, being a little unnerved by the trembling of the ground.
Search=22 Spot=15 Listen=14
Jake Friday April 29th, 2005 1:46:28 AM
"Well, I guess we'd better go. Ah kinda wanted to see why that mountain was all rumbling lahk Grymash's belly." Jake looks at the smoky mountain curiously, but joins the others in getting ready to go back.
Grymash Friday April 29th, 2005 3:18:17 AM "Gry's belly no rumble! Oh, oohh ... huh, it do be rumblin'!! Gry hungry!" Grymash darts off with his pack, down to the beach.
Anuk d20+9=17 d20+11=26 d20+11=21 Friday April 29th, 2005 10:35:36 AM
Anuk heads down the trail after Flea, keeping a lookout for whatever else might be living on this island. "If there are giants here, there's probably more. Don't wanna get into something sunbaked before we get back to the beach." He tries to keep things quiet, painfully aware that in the silence that surrounds them, all of the pack's movements will sound that much louder.
move silently 17 spot 26 listen 21
Tishe' d20+3=14 Friday April 29th, 2005 11:00:45 AM
Unsteady on her feet and wondering when the next unusual event will happen, the plain-faced woman quickly moves with the others back down the path and towards the beach. She keeps a good hold on her crossbow and watches the forest for signs of danger. (spot: 14)
Spells Mage Armor [3 hours]
Trellus d20+8=20 d20+8=18 Friday April 29th, 2005 5:10:32 PM
Trellus hastens back to the beach with the others. Like them, he's veteran enough to pay attention as he moves.
listen 20 spot 18
Mac d20+5=9 d20+1=13 Friday April 29th, 2005 6:22:17 PM
As he heads back to the beach Mac thinks aloud, 'Tis a small island. Maybe there were only three giants here. P'r'aps not...
spot:9, listen:13
Garden Lunch (DM MikeK) Saturday April 30th, 2005 11:32:55 AM
The Bloodpack hurries back to the beach. As the time passes, normality seems to return to the island. The birds flock back. The insects and animals resume their calls. The warm south wind again flows across trees and grasses.
The heroes emerge into the open beach. Grandma, Mauratanous, and Shady, all in dragon form, are lying off to the group's left. All three are alert, and it doesn't take long to determine why. Off to the right, the beach seems to have been converted to a garden. Yesterday, it was sand. Today, its a good acre of fully grown (and blooming) fruit trees, melons, and berries of endless variety.
The veritable bonanza has attracted many critters. Small mammals, insects, birds, and monkeys have fallen upon the garden and are gorging themselves on the food.
The three dragons continue to watch. Plainly, they are considering whether to start the buffet now, or wait to see if something a bit meatier shows up.
Tishe' d20+13=30 d20+5=19 Saturday April 30th, 2005 4:37:15 PM
Moving onto the, the beach? Tishe' stops in confusion and curiosity. Her inquisitiveness gets the better of her, and the small woman quickly moves towards the Garden, touching leaves and fruit, wondering at how this bounty could have arrived at the beach. (Spellcraft: 30. Know Nature: 19)
Spells Mage Armor [1 hour]
Mac d20+1=18 Sunday May 1st, 2005 6:13:08 PM
Somewhere high on the shore Mac takes a seat. As he wonders about the Garden he looks back to their dragon friends, and gets their intentions. There'd still be at least one giant up the hill... He wonders if giants are on a dragon's menu. He's heared all sort of tales about dragons, and is still trying to determine what was truth and what was fanciful. Taking some time he get of the backpack and lets Galea out of her newly bought comfortable travelling case for a chance to roam around before having something to eat.
Gilan Monday May 2nd, 2005 12:30:26 AM
Gilan stops as he gets out on the beach a ways and stares at the growth. He shakes his head and even rubs his eyes to see if it is a figment of his imagination, but it is still there.
Watching the animals he tries to check them out at a distance, not only for type but also for sickness as they eat. "Nature seems to be..." He shrugs as he cannot find a word for it, though he does wonder if this is magical in anyway.
Barkskin - 79min 00sec, +3 to Armor
Jake Monday May 2nd, 2005 7:40:08 AM
"-a bit sunbaked?" Jake finishes for Gilan, looking at the buffet going on. Weird. "Uh...well, ah suppose one of us should try it out, see if it's poison or somethin'..." Jake reaches out, grabs a thing, and takes a chomp from it. He makes a face, looks at the thing he took a chomp of, unpeels back a layer, and then takes a little bite of the interior. "Hmmm...okay, I suppose."
Anuk d20+11=13 d20+10=28 Monday May 2nd, 2005 11:04:48 AM
Anuk does a double-take, looking up and down the beach to verify that this is indeed the place they had come from. (spot 13) Despite his final conclusion that this must be the same beach, he still has a hard time wrapping his head around the idea.
On the other hand, food is food, and this stuff looks tasty. He finds a tree containing a roundish fruit with a thin red skin that looks tempting. He takes a small bite and discovers it is crunchy and sweet. Juice running down his chin, he devours nearly the whole thing, until only the center core of it is left -- all stem and seeds.
Anuk's big grin spreads across his face as an idea suddenly forms. He waits until Jake's back is turned, then with a flick of his wrist he tosses the pulpy remains of the fruit, hitting the half-elf square between the shoulder blades. (hits ac 28)
"You're it!" he says with a chuckle.
Flea Monday May 2nd, 2005 6:53:59 PM
Flea selects one of her daggers and spends some time dissecting interesting fruits. She will take a taste of each one, before moving on to a new one, being somewhat wasteful in the process of experimentation.
Trellus Monday May 2nd, 2005 7:57:40 PM
The cleric looks about the garden. Jake is right. Sunbaked just about covers it.
He wonders for a moment if perhaps its a trap of some kind, but his friends are already sampling the goods.
Smiling wryly, the blond man takes a seat next to Mac. With a sidelong glance at the kitten, he idly pulls a wand out of his pack. If somebody starts gagging and turning shady colors, he's ready.
[Neutralize Poison wand]
This little pig went to market (DM MikeK) Monday May 2nd, 2005 8:45:16 PM
While Mac and Trellus take a seat, and Grymash just stands there trying to get his tiny brain wrapped around the concept of an instantaneous garden, the rest of the Bloodpack decide to join the smaller animals in sampling the fare.
The dragons' heads drop to the ground in dismay. With their friends in the garden, their ability to sow some widespread destruction on the area is severely curtailed.
Mac pulls the cat out of the bag, and she responds by purring fiercely and walking against his knee in a tight figure eight. Up and back, up and back Galea passes, rubbing her head against the taur. This keeps up for almost 5 minutes, until the kitten spies movement in the garden. Lots of movement. Including that of some delightfully bite sized grasshoppers. Crouching low, the feline slowly stalks her prey.
From the far side of the garden, loud grunting noises break up the cacophony of bird and beast. Monkeys scramble to the trees, while birds and insects rouse into the sky to settle down again in another corner of the garden. Flea, who is farthest out into the food filled area, is the first to catch a glimpse of four enormous creatures. They look a lot like those things Mac called 'pigs' back at the farmhouse. Except these are hairier, uglier, meaner looking, and a whole lot bigger. These things are 6 or 7' at the shoulder, and longer than the giants were tall. Using long, sharp tusks, the quartet of super-pigs is slowly but surely eating a path through the garden.
Naturally, they're heading straight for the Bloodpack's resting spot.
Jake d20+8=13 d20+3=16 Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 1:18:43 AM
Jake laughs and tosses a juicy, soft half of a tangerine back (AC 13), probably missing, but follows it up with the other half and a direct hit! (AC 16) Then he catches sight of the superpigs. "Yipe!" he gasps and runs as fast as he can away from the garden, terrified of the monstrous tusked things.
Gilan Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 1:55:11 AM
Gilan watches some of the group wander out into the garden and start to eat. He shakes his head as that was not really a good idea at the time. He was just checking out the plants and animals as a whole. After a bit he wanders back to those still seated and takes out a book to look over, smiling. "I hope that this is not a poison garden?" He looks to Trellus and his ready wand with a shake of his head.
Barkskin - 78min 50sec, +3 to Armor
Anuk Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 10:47:42 AM
Anuk manages to dodge Jake's first tangerine, but the second gets him with a satisfying *splat*. Laughing, he looks around for more fruit to throw when he spies the giant creatures.
Anuk quickly backs out of the garden. "If these things are just eating, they'll probably leave us alone as long as we stay away from the food." Unless, of course, we are the food he thinks. He pulls out his bow and nocks an arrow, but tries to keep the point down and unthreatening until absolutely needed.
Tishe' (AC 19, HP 37/37) Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 3:08:22 PM
Seeing (and feeling through the 'Tears') that the fruit is not harmful to her friends, the mage/druid happily eats some of the wonderful bounty. Not being able to read humans well, the woeful dragons are right over her head.
The appearance of the "Giant Pigs!", shouts Tishe', "they must be picks from the giant's farm. Do giants have farms?" She shakes her head. "Since we've eaten, let's pull back and let Glimmer's Family have lunch."
She moves back towards Trellus and Mac, preparing to defend the 'pack.
Spells Mage Armor [1 hour]
Mac Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 5:27:42 PM
There is something pleasing about watching a kitten chasing grasshoppers. By the same token there is something less than pleasing about the betusked quartet approaching. Dragon fodder! Cover me while I get Galea out of there! The taur then dashes over to gather up the pouncing Galea before this playground turns into an indiscriminate feeding ground.
This scene isnt right. It holds him still for several rounds before it dawns on him. It must be a trap of some kind. It reminds him of some of the traps he's left behind to catch food. He sees the dragons hiding over to the left and decides to trot on over to where they are hiding. He squats down next to Grand Maw. He whispers in her ear, "Do thems big piggies be supper?"
Trellus Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 8:37:10 PM "I hope that this is not a poison garden?" Gilan asks with a smile.
Trellus grins back. "Don't look like it," he replies. As Anuk and Jake escalate the fruit war, the cleric lies back in the sand, hands behind his head.
"Sure is peaceful right here," he remarks.
No sooner has he uttered the words than his friends in the garden are beating a hasty retreat. "Light," he growls. Trellus quickly stands, stowing his wand. This might call for something else.
Wee Wee Wee, all the way home (DM MikeK) d20+8=13 d20+8=11 d20+8=25 d20+8=24 Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 9:01:11 PM
Mac rescues Galea and joins the rest of the Bloodpack in fleeing the gardan and taking up a defensive position.
The four super-pigs continue munching their way through the garden. Eventually, they spot the heroes, and turn in unison toward them, grunting threateningly.
Grandma sighs heavily. Actually, we don't like red meat much she tells Grymash. But we can help, I think
A nod to Maurautanous, and the two enormous dragon burst from the rocks. The pigs squeal in terror as the immense reptiles crash down in front of them. Each dragon emits a cone of some kind of gas cloud.
Immediately, all four pigs turn tail and dash back into the jungle. So do the birds. So do the mammals. So do the grasshoppers and all but the most immobile of insects.
In fact, there are extremely few volunteers willing to stand their ground in the face of Grandma and Maurautanous.
Having cleared the garden, the two return to the rocks. The garden is ready for the plundering. Any type of fruit or berry is available, as much as one can carry.
Nothing else bothers the group as night settles in.
Tishe' Wednesday May 4th, 2005 7:05:15 AM
"That bronze dragon breath sure is a handy pick." comments the brown-haired girl.
Joining with Gilan, she moves back through the garden, picking fruits for the night and slightly less ripe ones for the days ahead. "There is no telling how little food we will have at the next island," she explains, "it's probably a good idea to bring some unripened fruit with us."
She takes her usual 'first-watch' and settles for the night.
Gilan 2d4(3+1)=4 2d4(1+3)=4 2d4(3+1)=4 Wednesday May 4th, 2005 3:14:24 PM
Gilan shakes his head and smiles as the dragons help them in avoiding another fight. He looks to Tishe' as she mentions the idea of food for the longrun and nods. "You maybe right, but there is an easier way." He moves through the garden only picking berries but has to test them to see if they are harmful or not.
Having, hopefully, gotten a large amount of edible berries he lays them out on the sand before him. "I have access to spells that will help out in keeping them fresh and most useful." He pulls out the rod that he has newly aquired and uses it to enhance his three spells.
Flea d20+14=17 Wednesday May 4th, 2005 6:37:03 PM
Flea backs off slowly, and carefully (Move Silently=17) when the giant pigs move in. When the dragons chase them off, she resumes her exploration of the natural feast. This time she stays closer to her pack, Gry and MAc in particular.
Anuk Wednesday May 4th, 2005 6:42:17 PM
Anuk breathes a sigh of relief as the giant pigs turn tail and run back into the jungle. He returns his arrow to his quiver and slings his bow across his back. While everyone returns to the fruit, he talks to Grandma.
"Thank you for helping us. May I ask how you did that? I had thought that your attack would kill everything in its path, but instead everything survived but ran away."
After talking with Grandma, Anuk happily settles in to collecting fruit for whatever journies might lie ahead. He experiments with wrapping the fruit in cloth and placing the package inside his magic quiver and testing to see if it can be retrieved as easily as his arrows. If it works, he tells the rest of the pack "I can store food in here if anyone's tired of carrying it."
Later that night, he volunteers for a middle watch.
Trellus Wednesday May 4th, 2005 10:20:23 PM
Trellus watches open-mouthed as the dragons drive off the monster pigs.
"Oh, that was totally waxed," he comments. "Truly"
The cleric still isn't too sure about this foreign food, and decides to stick with what he's got.
Trellus takes the late shift.
The journey continues (DM MikeK) Wednesday May 4th, 2005 10:31:26 PM
To Anuk, Grandma replies, Its a gas and an arcane spell combined together. We Bronzes don't like to kill if its not needed.
The Bloodpack gathers some extra food, and Gilan uses his recently acquired rod to preserve the goodberries further.
The night passes without incident. It is cool and clear and peaceful.
In the morning, they are off again. For several more days, the group journeys southward, flying by day and sleeping by night. Each island they stop at is teeming with ripened fruit and game. No one is hurting for food of any type. It as if the group is moving from one paradise to another to another to another.
The only damper on anyone's mood is a dark cloud that hangs on the southern horizon. It is black and ugly and it doesn't move. And since the dragons keep flying toward it, it is beginning to look like that cloud is dominating the landscape of their final destination.
[Spot and Listen checks please]
Mac d20+5=16 d20+1=17 Thursday May 5th, 2005 7:40:54 AM
[Spot:16, Listen:17]
During one of the evenings in amongst the nearly routine island hopping by Bronze Dragon, Mac asks Maurautanous, How many days are we from the Plains, and how many days in which direction would Heranmar and the Taur Isles be? Thinking not only of the place that he is beginning to call home, but both the journey he has taken to get there, and the journey he will one day need to take.
One morning Mac sits 'witness' to Trellus' prayers to Domi. After that is done and a long solemn silence, he speaks at barely above a murmur. There is a matter of a debt that I believe I owe to The Pack, the information owed to Valdor, and what I would like done if my life is permenantly taken from my body...
Tishe' Thursday May 5th, 2005 8:36:16 AM
The brown-haired woman stares grimly at the dark cloud on the horizon. "I hope that the Plains are not hurt by all we have seen." A wild thought goes through her mind. "What if these gardens of fruit are all over the Sargrass? Wouldn't that hurt the balance of the land?" She frets on and off about the possibility.
Until Mac gives her something else to think about. "We need to contact Valdor and tell him of the dragons!" she cries. "But, we're now many, many days from the Northern Continent. I know no magical pick to communicate that far."
With the closeness of the black cloud, Tishe' keeps her rain cloak about her. "Black clouds herald rain, after all." she says to no one in particular.
Jake d20+8=16 d20+8=24 Thursday May 5th, 2005 6:48:23 PM
"Rain? I would love to see that..." In his mind, Jake sees an image of an ocean...in the sky! Falling down on people, in little drops at a time. Having never seen an actual rainstorm before, he simply can't imagine it. "Why're they so dark, anyways? I mean, I never understood what clouds are. I'd only heard about them a little." He peers at the 'clouds', wonderingly. (Listen 16, Spot 24)
Trellus Thursday May 5th, 2005 7:50:33 PM
The cleric turns from his prayers one morning and sees Mac standing there. Trellus waits. This may be important, and can't be rushed.
Mac says something, but the young blond man can't make it out.
"Uh dude? Are you shady?" he asks quietly.
Gilan d20+8=28 d20+8=11 Thursday May 5th, 2005 10:00:57 PM
Gilan each morning goes through his morning prayers. This morning he moves back to the group, absently munching on one of his berries for breakfast. "Anyone want a berry...it will make you feel as if you have eat a full meal." He smiles to his fellow pack members.
He is often lost in thought these days. Mostly pondering the many things that he has seen and the question that was posed to him by Granma.
[Listen 28(natural 20) and Spot 11]
Tishe' (2nd Post) d20+3=12 d20+3=10 Friday May 6th, 2005 1:13:57 AM
While worrying about everything else, the small woman looks around at nothing in particular.
Spot: 12 Listen: 10
Mac (illegal 2nd post - conversation & no actions) Friday May 6th, 2005 3:11:45 AM
The taur nods. Shady... yes. Mostly. No. It is many things. He draws a long, deep breath - much like a long sigh in reverse. Heranmar - where I grew up - is right on the coast. I've seen storms that whips up the seas. But tha's somethin' else again. he says, staring straight out into the night black clouds. It bodes not at all well. And that's just one thing. He sits quietly and listens.
Anuk d20+11=18 d20+11=15 Friday May 6th, 2005 10:41:46 AM
Anuk spends his mornings a little lazily, as usual. He takes short walks after their rests, thinking and meditating (prepares entangle and jump each day).
Anuk accepts Gilan's offer of a berry "Delicious. Thank you, Gilan," he says as he savors the treat. Munching the treat and looking out on the dark cloud, he asks the druid, "Any ideas on what's happening out there? I hope that's not the Plains under that shadow."
Flea d20+9=18 d20+11=24 Friday May 6th, 2005 1:45:56 PM
Flea walks along the edge of the water on the beach of the latest island paradise. Her magic boots dangle from one hand as she combs the beach for interesting trinkets that might have been washed up by the sea. From time to time she looks towards the darkness on the horizon, her senses alert for danger. She remains quiet, keeping her own counsel.
Spot=18 Listen=24
ADM MikeS - Friday May 6th, 2005 7:05:22 PM
(ooc: MikeK has had a lot of extra work to do recently and asked that I step in for a few days.)
"We are still far from the place you call the Plains," Maurautanous tells Mac, "it will still be several days' journey if all goes well. However, we are nearly at the sea's end. We will soon be flying over land which is dangerous. There will be many days where we must travel after dark so as to avoid the gaze of those who would seek to harm us. As for Heranmar and the Taur Isles, my travels have not taken me there before...I am sorry to tell you I do not know how far they are or in which direction they lie."
The dark cloud on the southern horizon grows larger as the dragons approach, causing many of the pack members to wonder what it could be or might mean. Jake's keen eyes are the first to see that the dark mass is actually both a black cloud and a great mass of land shadowed underneath it. This is no island you're approaching, but something much larger -- perhaps even a continent . The black land and cloud soon stretch from one end of the horizon to the other. However, where you expect to see the sandy beaches and greenery found on the islands you have visited, there appears only to be a single mass of dark gray. Even the waters of the sea become murky and gray the closer you get to land. The air begins to stink of sulphur. Occasionally both Gilan and Flea hear distant rumbles -- was that thunder?
The dragons begin their descent and eventually land on a beach. Once you are at sea level, you realize that the gray mass you saw from the sky is actually a layer of dark ash covering everything as far as you can see. The stuff is nearly an inch thick on the sand of the beach, and it makes the water that washes up on shore black and grimy. Occasionally, flakes of ash continue to drift down from the black cloud. You can also see that whatever has caused the plentiful fruit trees to appear on the islands is also affecting this place -- underneath the layer of gray ash are more of the fruit-laden plants. Food, it appears, will not be a problem.
Grandma speaks to the pack. "We have reached the northernmost part of the continent where your home lies. The Plains are still many days' journey south of here. We will rest for a few days...the constant travel has been wearying. Glimmer, Maurautanous, and I will scout ahead. I do not know the source of all this ash and I wish to find out where it comes from before we travel further."
Once again the three dragons take to the skies and are quickly lost from sight in the gray twilight that surrounds you. It is difficult to tell what time of day it is, but your travel was the longest flight so far. It will soon be time to make camp. As before, the shoreline appears to be lined with trees marking the edge of a dense jungle.
Tishe' d20+5=17 d20+3=11 Saturday May 7th, 2005 3:23:23 AM
Many times since leaving the Plains has Tishe' been amazed; forests, mountains, Gargul, dragons, the endless seas attesting to how large the Wold actually is... it boggles the mind. And now a land of ash and gray, but with lush plants and fruit underneath. How has this come about?
Resting the day through, she thinks she has come up with an answer. "The only time I've seen ash at all is in the fire. With this much ash, that would be an enormous fire; and pretty recent if it hasn't hurt the plants below." (Know: Nature: 17) "Gilan, we should make sure the ash hasn't hurt the plants here before anyone eats the fruits."
As she helps Gilan (Survival assisting: 11) assess the fruits, she idly twirls a wavy lock of brown hair in an unconscious gesture and her brown eyes are alight with learning new things.
Jake Saturday May 7th, 2005 2:22:26 PM
"Hey, this ain't water!" Jake angrily hollers. "Goshdarnanframbulatins! Ah wanted ta see a rainstorm 'fore we up'n got back ta the plains. 'stead, we got dust here. Like that beach, all of it was sand..." He mumbles a few annoyances, picking up and sifting through some of the ashes. The lanky half-elf looks over at Flea, thinking about what she's said. He tries to wonder over the few times there'd be fires in the plains...what with the lack of water, he'd always wondered what would happen, and never really learned from the elders how they dealt with them.
Gilan d20+17=19 d20+18=27 d20+14=33 d20+8=28 d20+8=14 Saturday May 7th, 2005 8:57:50 PM
Gilan moves over to stand by Tishe' and nods in understanding. "Yes...if this is what I think it is the food maybe nonedible." He is quick to check everything out, taking bites but not swallowing of the nearest fruits and berries.
He takes the time to point out many things that he notices to Tishe' as he moves along. As he scoops up a handful of the soot that litters the ground he smells it and then gingerly tastes it. "Volcanic...I think." If the berries are ok then he will pick some more so that he can use his goodberry spell upon them.
[b]DM - How many days are suppose to have passed already. Trying to keep track of my goodberries and make more. :)
Graham Saturday May 7th, 2005 9:15:40 PM
2nd test post - please ignore again Sunday 11:16
Flea d20+13=29 d20+9=28 d20+11=28 Sunday May 8th, 2005 7:51:45 PM
Flea wears a troubled look on her face. She isn't too keen on the dragons just taking off without some sort of an agenda regarding their return. "Are we supposed to just sit and wait for them?" she whines, looking to Gilan and Trellus for guidance. The rogue eyes the lush vegetation (Search=29, Spot=28) and will point out anything of interest, to the others. She will walk along the edge, listening carefully (Listen=28) and make a report of anything she hears.
The rogue looks a little thinner than usual, not having adapted well to the travel by dragon and haven eaten mostly fruits during the past many days. The lack of clarity over their real destination, and her concern about the rumblings coming from the ominous darkness only add to her ill humour and crankiness.
If any of the pack attempt to engage her in conversation, her responses will be curt and abrupt.
Trellus d20=14 Monday May 9th, 2005 7:54:08 AM
Trellus looks about with growing concern and confusion.
To Flea, he merely answers - "I guess."
To Gilan, he asks "What's 'volcanic'?" although he's not real sure he wants to know.
The cleric tries to keep his misgivings to himself. Flea, Mac, Jake...the pack is getting warped, and somebody is gonna have to stay shady. And 'somebody is me. Light. Domi grant me the strength.
Trying to keep the tension out of his voice[bluff 14], Trellus makes his rounds about his friends, asking Grymash if he thinks there is some meat about, talking with Tishe and Gilan about the dust, encouraging Anuk to mess with Jake, and generally letting Flea have her space.
Anuk d20+11=22 d20+11=20 Monday May 9th, 2005 2:35:41 PM
Anuk shuffles through the ashes on the beach, kicking up a cloud of dust as he does so. After a moment he's coughing and sputtering. "Light--don't breathe this stuff in," he says through a fit of coughs and gasps. It takes him a moment to regain his composure.
Like everyone else, Anuk takes a moment to check out the new surroundings. Everyone seems a little on edge, and he's never sure what to do in those situations. So, taking the path of least resistance, he disappears for a bit just inside the jungle's edge to examine the plants and fruit he finds there.
spot 22, listen 20
Shades of Gray (ADM MikeS) Monday May 9th, 2005 3:16:43 PM
(ooc: it's been six days since the pack was on the island where Gilan's goodberry spell was cast.)
Tishe' and Gilan discuss the possible origins of all the ash, then they and Anuk test the fruit to see if it's edible or not. They discover that the fruit on the outer edges of the trees, where the ash rests, has become withered and inedible, but fruit found on branches deep within the trees remains relatively untouched and still perfectly edible. Clearly the ash has not been here long.
Flea makes an inspection of the place, finding ash, ash, and more ash, along with more vegetation. If anything, the bounteous fruit trees seem even more plentiful here than on the island. Flea's search also reveals that there seems to be no nearby source of drinkable water.
Jake looks at the filthy water and feels frustrated about never having experienced a real rainstorm, while Trellus does his best to keep the pack's spirits up, though nearly everyone seems to be in a somber mood.
The distant rumblings continue to roll through the gray sky, but otherwise the landscape seems oddly quiet. Most sounds seem muffled by the presence of all the ash. The sounds of jungle birds and animals die down almost as soon as they're made. Gilan, however, hears a sound that's differs from the others -- for a moment, he could swear he heard a high-pitched voice. Perhaps that of a child. And Flea briefly sees the reflection of a pair of eyes peering out from the darkness of the jungle trees a few feet into the foliage about 60 feet from where the pack is gathered on the beach.
The light fades further, and as the darkness begins to set in it becomes even more difficult to make out the differences between the different parts of the gray landscape that surrounds you.
Gilan Monday May 9th, 2005 7:55:09 PM
His head whips around as he could have sworn that he had heard a child's giggle. He scans the hungle and tries to hear it again but it seems to have gone now. With a last shake of his head he turns to Trellus and goes back to what he was saying. "I have read of this in books back in my original home...volcanoes are like large mountains with a core of molten rock. Sometimes pressure can build up inside and then it must find a way to release itself." He pinches some of the ash from the ground and runs it loosly through his fingers. "Usually the mountain blows and can send this stuff for hundreds of miles in all directions...could be more as I have never actually seen one." His voice takes on a sort of pure pleasure...err no it is a look of need. "It is one of nature's most greatest happenings."
Flea Monday May 9th, 2005 8:12:07 PM
Flea takes the edge of her crimson sash and holds it up to her nose and mouth in order to filter the air a little. Siddling up to Gilan, she removes her hand momentarily, and whispers, "I think I saw a little kid or something else small. There. Hiding in the bushes." The rogue points to where she last saw the eyes.
Trellus Monday May 9th, 2005 8:49:45 PM
Trellus gives Gilan the ol' Dude, you're interested in the brightest stuff Look, then just shakes his head and grins.
Flea comes by, but the cleric is still chuckling to himself and doesn't take the threat very seriously.
"Hey dude!" he calls out. "You in the woods. C'mon out. We're just visiting. Totally harmless. Truly."
Grymash Monday May 9th, 2005 10:24:46 PM "Gry not know 'bout whut Gilan says, but Gry think da ash come from fire ... an da smoke too!" The half-orc looks to everyone to see if they agree. He seems perplexed why Gilan doesn't know ash comes from fire. Maybe he got hurt back in the battle with the biguns?
Jake Monday May 9th, 2005 10:43:16 PM
"A kid?" Jake softly questions. He readies his shield with his left hand and nudges Trellus with his good right. "Ah'll go take a look, 'kay?"
Jake d20=11 d20+8=13 Monday May 9th, 2005 10:43:51 PM
(Btw, Spot 19, Listen 13, witht he +8 to my rolls, for Jake to find what's in the bushes...)
Anuk d20+11=26 d20+11=28 d20+9=14 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 12:57:13 PM
Anuk returns from checking the plants and fruit to see Flea pointing into the dense foliage. Following Jake, he draws his bow, but keeps the arrow tip pointed down. "Just in case it's something not too shady," he whispers to the half-elf.
Spt 26, Listen 28, Move Silently 14
Tishe' d20+3=22 d20+3=10 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 1:39:53 PM
The brown tressed woman is non-plussed at Gilan's casual remark. "Hundreds of miles. HUNDREDS?" And she mentally calculates how many days of sailing on the Sargrass would make 'hundreds' of miles. A low whistle is her answer.
Her mercurial curiosity doesn't let her ponder when there is another mystery about. "What would a child have picks so far from anywhere?" she wonders, "More like is a small humanoid like a halfling or pixie." She sobers and warns the others. "In any case, they should pretty much be able to take care of thier own threads, I'd wager."
She tries to see and hear through the lowering gloom
Spot 22 Listen 10
Mac d20+5=16 d20+1=10 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 5:24:50 PM Well, we shouldnae sleep in it. Mac walks a handfull of yards into the forest in search of one of a few good sized branches that may have fallen under the burden of inches of ash. [Spot:16, Listen:10] When he returns he begins to sweep an area of ash covered beach back to sand.
Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are...(ADM MikeS) Tuesday May 10th, 2005 9:58:36 PM
While Mac clears a camping spot and Gilan explains the idea of a volcano to Trellus and Grymash, Flea points out the location where she saw the eyes.
Trellus calls out for who or whatever it is to come out as Jake and Anuk move in for a closer look, keeping in mind Tishe's suggestion that it could be more than just a child.
As Anuk and Jake reach the jungle's edge, two small figures leap forward out of the darkness, brandishing small sharpened sticks. The taller of the two is about a foot higher than Flea and the other one is a good six inches shorter. Both are covered from head to toe in dark gray ash, making their eyes appear abnormally bright. They have matted hair and seem to be wearing only some kind of loincloths, though it's hard to tell with all the grime covering the two figures.
The taller of the two stops about 10 feet from Jake and waves the pointed end of the stick in the half-elf's direction. His voice is that of a young boy as he yells out "Hold your ground, strangers! Ummm...you'll not move closer or you'll face my spear!" He hesitates as he sees the figures of Grymash and Mac in the distance. "Wha- what do you...uh...want? We are the guardians of this village!"
"Yeah...guardians!" says the smaller one, her high-pitched voice clearly marking her as a girl. She waves her stick back and forth in what is apparently supposed to be a menacing fashion.
ADM MikeS Tuesday May 10th, 2005 10:02:03 PM
(ooc: Almost forgot - Grymash, please make a will save DC 12)
Gilan d20+14=18 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 10:51:58 PM
Gilan glances up at the sudden outburst from the jungle line. He takes in the two kids but with all that grime and ash it is hard to tell too much about them. Still he lets his memory wander to all the little tales of fey and the like that he has studied...maybe they fit.
Looking back to Tishe' as some of the others seem to be taking care of it, unless he remembers something important. "Yes and if it was...with the boom being able to be heard by us it was either close or big." He looks back to see how Jake is making out with the two kids, not wanting to startle them with a big crowd. "Of course this ash comes from a fire which has already been pointed out but it is just as dangerous if not more so than the lava that also comes out. I have read tales of something scholars call "lavabombs" that are molten on the inside and hard on the outside but can explode upon impact." Though he is talking about something dangerous he still has that intrigued look upon his face and he smiles at Trellus.
"I know...nature fascinates me...even the most dangerous things." He shrugs as if to say he cannot help it and most of his old packmates will know this to be true.
[knowledge(nature) 18*for fey and other nature related creatures*]
Flea Tuesday May 10th, 2005 11:35:13 PM
The gnome just stares at the little folks brandishing sticks. She nervously twists one of her new rings around her finger.
Trellus d20+6=19 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 11:51:00 AM
Trellus looks skeptically at the two intruders. You gotta be kidding
"Now hold on, dudes," he replies in his I'm a nice guy voice. "We just sorta ended up here. We're not gonna weave anything bad here."
He follows the gaze to Grymash and Mac. Not exactly the most peace loving looking dudes he admits to himself.
The cleric turns back to the little folk. "Truly. We're just stuck here awhile. We mean you no harm.
Uh, what village?"
[Diplomacy 19]
Tishe' Wednesday May 11th, 2005 1:07:44 PM
The brown eyes are bright with amusement as the children brandish thier sticks. The fact they are filthy only registers a little later.
"A village? And how many more of you are there, sweetie?"
Anuk d20=15 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 3:38:28 PM
Anuk relaxes on seeing the two "guards". After listening to them he puts his bow away and raises his hands into the air. Then he drops to one knee in order to be at eye-level with the children.
"Hey, you've got no problems here with us," he says, flashing a smile (diplomacy 15). "We're just wondering where we are, that's all."
Mac Wednesday May 11th, 2005 4:56:02 PM
With the camping area cleared, Mac lets Galea out to play - hoping against hope that she doesn't go playing and hiding in some many inch deep piles of ash.
Grymash d20+6=22 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 7:19:17 PM
(Will save 22)
Grymash's piercing gaze stares down at the fierce little guardians and their dire-looking pointy sticks.
His expression becomes very serious as a low growl grows deep in his throat. Then suddenly he couldn't hold it any longer. "Hahahahahaha ha ha ha ha uhh, hahahahahaha ... hee hee hee hee hee hee, ohh!! Make it stop, make it stop!! Hee hee hee!" Grymash continues to chuckle as he wipes away the tears.
(ADM MikeS) d20+1=21 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 10:31:17 PM
While Galea tumbles playfully through the dust on the beach near Mac and Gilan, the "showdown" near the jungle edge continues.
Clutching their sticks, the two children tremble as Gry pins them with his stare. At the sound of his growl, their eyes widen further. The shorter one shrieks, drops her stick and hides behind the taller one. "Griffin--make it stop!" she cries.
Clearly making a huge effort (will save 21), the taller one sets his legs in a wide stance, puffs out his small chest, points his stick at the huge half-orc and calls out in a quavering voice, "Leave us alone, monster!"
When Gry begins laughing, the young boy becomes confused. He looks warily to the faces of Trellus, Tishe', Jake, Flea and Anuk, his eyes darting back and forth between them. When they begin asking questions, all he can reply with is a nearly whispered, "Uhhhh....". He seems at a loss for words, but he continues to hold his stick fast and stand protectively in front of the girl.
(OOC: Spot and Listen checks, please.)
Jake d20+8=14 d20+8=14 d20+15=31 Thursday May 12th, 2005 12:47:36 AM
Jake has held back, unsure how to talk to these kids, letting Trellus take the initial step. Or are they kids...they could be Flea's relatives, he realizes. He walks over slowly, slouching and casual. "Aww, shucks," he drawls disarmingly, as the one shivers protectively in front of the girl, "don't worry about Grymash. And hey, we won't hurt ya little guys." Jake stretches relaxedly, to show that he's really at ease and not tense (while at the same time keeping his senses tuned for other halflings, Spot 14, Listen 14), he then crouches in front of the little guy with the stick to be eye-level. "Griffin, is it? Mah name's Jake, an' we all 're outta Rattledam. That tusky guy is Grymash, and we call our big fellow there Mac, Trell over here's our leader mosta the time, this here natureboy's Gilan, here's mah friend Anuk, an' the two gals are Tishe and Flea." He extends a hand to shake slowly. "Now, ah know y'all prob'ly don't get many visitors around here, but we're just a-passin' through. We're headed home to a place called the Plains, a land of grasses taller than trees. We don't wanna get into any fights with anyone, if ya want, we'll stay here on the beach. But if ya need some help, well, part of what we do when we're travelin' around is helpin' friendly folks; so far while away from home we've saved a couplea dwarves and helped transport a dragon-kid to his family. So, if y'all need some help, ya can feel free to ask, otherwise we won't, y'know, bug ya." Jake stays as he is, watching the youth for his response.
(Diplomacy 31. First time I've ever gotten to use this particular skill for the recalcitrant Jake...since he's a half-elf, got a good charisma, full ranks in it for picking up women, and a magic hat to boot, he's just plain awesome at that skill.)
Tishe' d20=7 Thursday May 12th, 2005 1:25:35 PM
The brown-haired woman stands in awe at her packmate (Diplomacy: 7) Jake has always been nice, taking things easy, but this time he is exuding so much charisma he is practically glowing.
"wow."
Gilan d20+8=28 d20+8=28 Thursday May 12th, 2005 1:58:55 PM
Gilan glances over to the two young people and shakes his head as Gry growls and then laughs. He stays seated as he keeps his ears and eyes open. A village of some kind had been mentioned and that could mean trouble as more could be lurking around, still he stayed relaxed.
Looking to Trellus he nods his head in the direction of the two kids. "Maybe they could use something to eat and a little clean water...I am not above sharing what I have if they would like." He dives into his pack and pulls out a waterskin, hard bread, some hard cheese and some of the fruit he had gathered before. "It all appears to be in good condition."
[listen 28*natural 20* and spot 28*natural 20*]
Well, there go my future combat rolls. :)
Flea d20+9=24 d20+11=13 Thursday May 12th, 2005 4:33:02 PM
Flea tries to look past the small-fry, since Jake and the others seem to have things well in hand.
Spot=24 Listen=13
Anuk Thursday May 12th, 2005 4:48:21 PM
Anuk stammers, trying to come up with something to say to the children to calm them down. Jake's sudden persuasive friendliness surprises Anuk not so much for it's perfect timing, but for it's sincerity.
"Jake, I've never seen you use that on anyone but girls before. And you almost look like you mean it this time," he says, grinning at his friend.
Trellus d20+8=27 d20+8=19 Thursday May 12th, 2005 5:01:32 PM
Trellus gives Jake a sideways look, and mentally files that little talent under "Picks Jake can weave, if I can get him to want to help" It does explain his ability with the girls, he admits.
Since his elf buddy seems to have covered it nicely, Trellus shuts up and waits to see what happens.
Listen 27 Spot 19
Mac d20+1=8 d20+5=13 Thursday May 12th, 2005 6:30:21 PM
[Listen:8, Spot:13]
Keeping one eye and ear on the kids, Mac watches Galea's antics.
(ADM MikeS) Friday May 13th, 2005 1:18:31 AM
When Griffin hears Jake's soothing tone, he calms down a bit and lowers his stick. The half-elf is even able to coax a smile out of the apparently human boy. "It won't hurt us then?" he asks, casting a sidelong glance at Grymash.
Griffin doesn't seem too interested in Gilan's offer of food, but he greedily slurps up the water offered, then hands what's left in the skin to the little girl. "It's water, Bek...real water," he tells her. She takes the skin and drinks as eagerly as he did.
Griffin turns to Jake. "Ever since the sky fell down a few days ago," he says, indicating the ash everywhere, "we've had no real water to drink. We get lots of juice from the fruits that grew up through our village here the next day, but no water." He takes the waterskin back from the little girl and tries to squeeze out a few more drops, but no water remains. Disappointed, he returns the skin to Gilan. "Thank you."
At that moment, Trellus hears sounds of movement coming from the foliage -- something is moving quickly toward the pack. Flea sees the silhouette of a grown human-sized figure stopping just inside the darkness created by the trees. A male voice calls out, "What are you doing with my children?!"
Only Gilan notices the other eight shadowy figures with bows and arrows drawn spread out along the jungle's edge on either side of the speaker. He can see that each arrow is aimed at a different pack member.
Trellus d20+6=9 Friday May 13th, 2005 10:20:43 AM
Trellus looks up, annoyed at the man's tone.
"We're giving them water," he snaps back. "If you're a bit more shady, we might give you some."
[Diplomacy 9]
Tishe' Friday May 13th, 2005 1:29:46 PM
Tishe' may not be the most sensitive person when it comes to personal interaction, but she thinks the man must be concerned for the kids' safety and not really hostile. Certainly the mage would be concerned if strangers were around piggies she loved.
"We're all shady here. Don't have any picks with you, just weaving time with the piggies!" she calls out reassuringly.
Gilan Friday May 13th, 2005 3:24:59 PM
Gilan glances to Trellus and shakes his head. A little louder so that those closest to him can hear he speaks up. "Keep your hands away from weapons and try to be a little friendlier...he has friends with bows and I do not want to be a pincushion." He looks back to Trellus with a look of exasperation. "You need to be a little more careful there."
He looks back to the man as he puts the skin back into his pack and pulls out another. "Hear that you have not had real water for awhile...would you be willing to share what I have left and talk?" With a thought he smiles to the man and invites him to sit by him if he wishes. "I you have storage containers I would not mind supplying you with water...maybe that in trade for information?" Diplomacy is not his fortay and he would not even try, he just speaks to the man as someone that is worried about his kids and maybe in charge at this village mentioned. "If you do not mind I have another skin of water here...may I give it to your son and daughter if they are still thirsty?"
Anuk Friday May 13th, 2005 9:00:16 PM
While Trellus is talking, Anuk reaches slowly into his backpack and pulls out his own waterskin.
"Want some more?" he offers to the two kids.
Mac - 60' Darkvision d20+5=25 d20+5=19 Saturday May 14th, 2005 4:25:02 AM
Nodding to Gilan and scooping up Galea, Mac takes a more careful look into the shadows of the trees. [Spot:25 - Nat.20] "They might not take kindly to their bairns being called 'piggies', though I hope they realise we mean them and their kin no insult nor harm." Mac looks again over to the children, hoping to discern some family resemblance. [Spot: 19] Continuing to scritch under the kitten's chin, he make no motion towards the weaponry by his backpack.
Who Are You? (ADM MikeS) Saturday May 14th, 2005 2:06:27 PM
Taking a cue from Gilan, Mac looks more intently at the treeline and sees the outlines of the figures standing silently but with weapons poised.
The center figure steps forward into what's left of the light. He is a middle-aged man with black and gray hair. Like the children, he is filthy - covered in soot from head to toe. He wears a tunic and sandals, but is otherwise unarmored. Griffin sees him and calls out, "Father! They have water with them!"
"So I hear," says the man. "Come here, children." The two youngsters run to his side. Bek, the younger one, stays behind the man, occasionally peeking out at Grymash with wide eyes.
He turns to Trellus. "When my children are in danger, I will speak to you in what manner seems best to me. Life in our village has turned upside down in the last few days. The sky is always thick with smoke...ash covers everything we have...trees have grown through our homes...we hear voices in the forest at night. An hour ago winged monsters flew overhead. But you are the first strangers we have seen since these ill signs have come to pass."
He looks over the pack for a moment, then makes a motion with his hand. The eight men step forward from the trees, lowering their weapons.
"Your offer of water is kind and I want to believe you mean to harm us. Our cleric died and we have no wizards or druids in our village. With all this ash, we have had no clean water to drink. I am Halnir and this is...was...the village of Sipton. Is there any help we can offer to you in exchange for the water?"
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