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The Price of Power

Trail of The Ambush

Blood Under The Snow (DM/Al)
Monday November 8th, 2004 10:40:09 AM
Above, the sky is a dome of deep blue-black in the twilight of Ice Vein. The snow itself seems to glow in it's blanket of white. To one side of the small plateau the ice cliff continues, rolling off into the darkness. The other side opens to layers of blue-black of different shades of lightness. Nearby the light white of snow stops. The edge of a cliff? Beyond, a darker blue, the open fields of Ice Vein. Beyond that, layered themselves, the dark purple of distant mountains. And above all that, the deep emptiness of the sky.

The view is spectral in its beauty. Disturbing to some. There are calls to move on. To move somewhere. Anywhere but here. Tokun walks softly, clearly not immune to the eerie atmosphere on the small plateau.

Firn'gaer scans the area for the invisible. Jason scans the area for the evil. Peerimus scans the area for the unnatural.

Nothing presents itself save the solid cliff face to the left and the unbroken blanket of snow.

Luke stops.

"Strong. Here," he barks. Both Peerimus and Ilsidur can confirm that. The sharp iron tang of blood is all around them now, a subtle yet pervasive tone just under the frosty bite of the frigid air.

Luke paws the snow. A few tentative scrapes breaks a hard upper crust of frozen white. Then he begins digging. Snow flies and piles, a mound forming behind the fighting dog. It takes but a moment before Luke stops and backs away. The snow is shallow here, no more than six inches deep. But even in the flickering twilight the dark bloodstained ice below is plain to the eye.

Peerimus and Firn'gaer spot the metal links still half buried under the snow, metal links attached to manacles.

Blood and manacles. What secrets lie just beneath the pure white crust of snow

Sly (ac20 79/79hp) and Luke (ac21 59/59hp)
Monday November 8th, 2004 4:22:02 PM
Sly hurries to where Luke was digging, "The smell come from here? Did you find any thing under the snow?" Sly look at the blood, then the Manacles. "Oh! No!" Sly turns ashen face, "I hate to think what is burried there, Do we want to see what is burried here?"

Sly walks a few feet away as his heart sinks down into his boots.

Luke will dig until told to stop.

Savin
Monday November 8th, 2004 10:07:59 PM
Savin will pull out dagger and help Luke start digging. "I hope we don't find a frozen body of a family member down here." he thinks to himself.

Sly (ac20 79/79hp) and Luke (ac21 59/59hp)
Tuesday November 9th, 2004 6:36:30 AM
Sly head snaps up as he hears something about family members. "Your right! Savin, we have to see who is down there." Sly will take out his dagger and go help dig out the body. "Besides I want those manacles since we are going into a Slavers Nest."

Ilsidur
Tuesday November 9th, 2004 7:43:19 AM
Ilsidur will take off his snowshoes, and use one of them as a makeshift shovel to help clear some of the snow. For Sly and Jason's sakes, he is a little worried about what they might find under the snow.

"Shiraz, you and Jason and Niobe keep an eye out for visitors while we dig up this site."

Shiraz AC 26 hps 84/84 d20=14 d20+1=4
Tuesday November 9th, 2004 8:44:19 AM
Shiraz assumes a defensive posture and stands about five feet from those digging in the snow. Shiraz carefully scans the surroundings, searching for any possible attack. <Spot 14 Search 4>

Peerimus d20+17=23 d20+20=31
Tuesday November 9th, 2004 8:53:02 AM
Peerimus whispers to Yorrick. [Defend Niobe] Then taking to Ilsidur's suggestion just before the body was found, Peerimus shifts to a grey feathered eagle and takes to the air. Circling out and up to 100' to keep an aireial view. [Spot 31]

Firn'gaer d20+6=24 d20+6=26
Tuesday November 9th, 2004 10:05:15 AM
Firn'gaer gets a sick feeling in his stomach as he sees the manacles. That could have easily been me frozen there. The thought doesn't sit well.

To keep his mind off that he continues to look around; anywhere not to nave to look at the whole being dug.

[Spot DC24, Listen DC26]

Active Spells
Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hour
Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours

Working Into The Night (DM/Al)
Tuesday November 9th, 2004 8:50:48 PM
Digging commences.

The party quickly finds that they are ill equipped to dig in the snow. Narrow blades break the upper crust of ice quite easily, but they do little to scrape the snow away. Ilsidur's snow shoe provides some measure of functionality. The work is hard. But the party motivated by their fears. Tokun helps, scraping snow to one side with his arms.

Shiraz and Firn'gaer turn their attention to the perimeter while Peerimus takes to the air. Nothing stirs upon the little plateau. In the swiftly decreasing light, the bird-form druid finds that the plateau upon which the party stands, is in reality something more of a large ledge open to the south is a 50 foot ledge that drops to the plains below. At the far end, the path cuts once again into the steep hills, plunging into unknown darkness.

Darkness comes soon to the skies as well, as full night descends. The landscape, for the eagle that is Peerimus is lit with southern starlight.

Below, the work continues. Darkness becomes a factor. Both because it brings the deeper cold as well as because it steals the light. Tokun begins to visibly shiver. Still, he works on. In places the snow is no more than six inches deep. In others, three feet of snow much be cleared in order to uncover the hard ice below. A space is cleared, roughly 20 feet in diameter.

Ilsidur and Shiraz see the dark splotches of blood-stained ice, black splashes of black against the white of the ice. To Sly, the blood is brown against he cold blue-white of the exposed ice. In some places, the blood is still red, preserved from oxidization by the cold. Three short swords and five more manacles also lie frozen into the ice. All steel. Cold cold steel.

Of bodies ... none are found.

[[ Search DC15 or if you have the Track feat DC10 to reveal the following: Highlight to display spoiler: {Prints litter the area uncovered. Some are clearly human. Some are much smaller. Others are large, deep, and misshapen.} ]]

Ilsidur
Tuesday November 9th, 2004 9:54:30 PM
After clearing away the snow, Ilsidur steps back and looks at the bloody signs. He takes a closer look at the manacles, to see if they are opened or not. "I wonder what happened here? Were a number of the slaves freed, or was a slave train attacked, and all the bodies removed? Since the swords were left behind, it seems reasonable to assume that the people bearing the swords were the losers. Otherwise, they would have taken their swords with them. What can the rest of you make out?"

Niobe
Tuesday November 9th, 2004 9:59:59 PM
Niobe crouches down as she continues to scan the area ahead. She takes the opportunity to rest while she waits. Niobe waits as patiently as she can while the others dig.
The thief quietly calls over her shoulder: "did any of you find anything?"

((OOC: Niobe will try to read any possible tracks before moving on from this place. She has the tracking ability.))

Sly and Luke
Wednesday November 10th, 2004 7:05:28 AM
Sly look up to see tha their guide is shivering, "All I can see right now is blood, swords, manacles but no bodies yet! there some prints here in the ice and snow."

Sly look around and tell everybody. "Look here even our guide is cold, and night is coming. We need shelter and we need to change our charcoals. Let's make camp and tomorow I will cast a fire spell to see more."

To Luke, Sly tell him "A very good job, Thank you." Luke answers "Welcome!" then takes another sniff down the expose ice.

Frin'gaer d20+6=14 d20+6=14
Wednesday November 10th, 2004 8:35:45 AM
"I guess it is getting pretty late." Firn'gaer says hearing from Sly. "Let me know and I'll conjure another shelter." He says continuing to look around.

[Spot DC14, Listen DC14]

Active Spells
Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hours
Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours

Peerimus d20+1=19 d20+20=28
Wednesday November 10th, 2004 9:57:27 AM
Peerimus returns as darkness descends and reverts to his human form. He moves to the excavated area with Niobe and carefully examines the ground [With Track Search 19, Survival 28]
He relays what he finds as he discovers it, "Markings, everywhere we have dug. Some human, others much smaller. Gnome or Halfling maybe. Also some large, deep, and misshapen tracks. I'm afraid that is all I can see in the dwindling light. Perhaps tomorrow's sun will allow more." Peerimus stands, "I suggest Firn craft his magical shelter and he remove ourselves from the cold night air."

Once inside, though quite crowded to be sure, a fire is blazing and hopefully spirits are picking up slightly, "Also from my vantage, though I saw no signs of immediate danger it appears this plataeu is more a great ice shelf. Open to the south our 50 foot ledge drops to the plains below. At the far end, the path cuts back into the steepening hills."

Niobe (tracking rolls) d20+7=11 d20+9=18
Wednesday November 10th, 2004 4:30:11 PM
Survival 11, Search 18

Niobe must be snowblind... She will take her tracking ques from Peerimus for the moment! ;)

The Chill Cloak of Night (DM/Al)
Wednesday November 10th, 2004 8:47:43 PM
The cold dark air is filled with the beat of great wings as Peerimus comes in for a landing.

Ilsidur bends to one of the manacles lying in the snow and ice. They are indeed open: Forced open. The dark iron is deformed, and the locking pin shattered. Oddly, the pair taken by Sly had been shut, though crusted with blood.

Luke sniffs again at the snow and then wuffs. Blood. Old blood.

Niobe and Peerimus both examine the ground. They both report footprints, preserved in the layer of ice. Small, medium, and the large unknown. Despite the starlight reflecting from the snow, here is no more to be seen in the the southern night.

Firn'gaer offers to create shelter for the night. There are words of agreement.

Savin
Wednesday November 10th, 2004 10:33:21 PM
Savin will look at the blood and the prints and then up at his companions. "I really don't know how to take this. It could have been anything and who knows the timing. In this desolate place it could have been last week or months ago.

Still it seem the mystery is calling us. At least we didn't find any bodies of kinsmen. Hope is still alive."

Savin will head into the newly created shelter and thank their new wizard for its warmth.

Ilsidur
Wednesday November 10th, 2004 11:54:43 PM
Ilsidur leans the travois up against the side of the magical shelter, and makes his way inside. Taking off his outer armour, the dwarf finds a spot to sit, and think about what the party found buried in the snow and ice. "Obviously, those manacles were being worn before they were broken or torn off. Would it be worthwhile in the morning to try to figure out the direction that they were moving, once the sun is up again? Maybe there is another way off this ledge, other than out the trail on the other side. I agree, not finding any bodies is a good sign."

Sly and Luke
Thursday November 11th, 2004 9:08:32 AM
Sly takes the young Guide into the shelter, "Magic,(Sly points to his Body) Keep Warm!" Sly will sit with him (to chase the fear in the young barbarian) Sly will put aside the charcoals that will be needed for what ever tomorow might bring.

"Your right! if there is or was anybody down in that ice, it is old and we cannot tell how old in all that ice. But one thing we do know, some of them survived and some did not??"

Sly remains silent for a mimute, But Luke Churps in with just Three words, "Look like Sacrafice!" Sly Look at Luke with aquesting look?? "You mean a offering to a god or worse a thing?? That would explain the manacles??"

Peerimus
Thursday November 11th, 2004 10:55:14 AM
"Unfortunately we do not have appropriate digging equipment, I doubt we can clear enough to determine where any survivors were taken and or fled too. My guess is we have come across a rescue."

Peerimus sits near the fire and attempts to capture everyone's attention.

"Human prisoners being lead by larger creatures, perhaps giants, or orcs riding native beasts to Ice Vein. They were set upon by the smaller creatures. We are near hills so possibly a northern relative of Ilsidur, gnomes or mayhaps even dwarves. The freed captives were taken with the victors. I suspect, because of a lack of bodies, the victors to be the attackers, the gnomes we shall call them. I also believe the attack to be of Opportunity by the gnomes. It would explain the complete lack of bodies. The dead, be they enemy, gnome or captive were all taken back. Had the slavers won, I doubht they would have bothered to burn, bury or cart the bodies off. A hunting party doing what must be done in this land may have very well done just that."

"Tomorrow I will ask for Mother Wolds guidance again and see if she will answer. I will be able to learn a great deal about our surroundings within a day's journey."

"As this abode is not secreted from sight we should post watch. Yorrick and I will stand first tonight. Who should I awaken at midnight?"

Savin
Thursday November 11th, 2004 1:23:53 PM
Savin after entering the shelter will pull off his boots and wiggle his toes. He will sigh with contentment and wrinkle his nose at the sudden smell. He will look sheeplishly around and say, "I haven't had those boots off in days. They need some airing out. I will take the second watch gladly."

Savin will take a piece of jerky out of his supplies, nibble on it and then wrap himself in a blanket and tuck himself into a corner. Soon everyone can her soft snores coming from him.

Firn'gaer
Thursday November 11th, 2004 2:48:24 PM
Firn'gaer finds a spot in the shelter and starts to eat some of his half-frozen rations. Rufus sits on his lap taking small pieces and eating them, both are quiet. He takes out a bottle of wine hoping that it too isn't nearly frozen.

"A portent..." Is all the wizard says before going back to his frozen meal. All the while staring off to nowhere.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Thursday November 11th, 2004 5:52:07 PM
I only need four hours of sleep a day, I'll take any shife you want." Sly said, "You know Peerimus, I too don't think that there's are any bodies in that ice, I hope your right, Oh! I do hope so." Sly get ready to sleep.

Niobe
Thursday November 11th, 2004 6:19:52 PM
If the shelter is warm enough then Niobe will take off her heavy outer-clothing; including her boots. She will listen to the discussion about the findings, before making any comments of her own.

"Not to be the voice of pessimism, but that might all point towards the fact that the 'rescuers' wanted the captives for their own purposes. The captives could be in the hands of altogether different captors... The fact that the manacles were removed could be something as simple as the need to choose speed and improved mobility over the need to restrain the captives."

Niobe barely glances up from her work sharpening one of her knives; eventhough it is probably rude not to bother looking at whomever you are speaking to.

Niobe will take any watch that the others see fit to give to her. She will most likely go to bed shortly; unless she is asked to take a watch immediately - or anyone cares to discuss her statement.

Jason of Aisildur
Thursday November 11th, 2004 8:30:03 PM
It was all Jason could do to keep the thoughts of the blood and who it might have come from out of his mind. His beloved parents were being held as slaves, no doubt, and the thought of one of them being cut, or torchered...well it was too much.

"By Domi I will have the heart of any creature that harms Nadia or Dajabin." he says. The paladin instantly feels remorseful, knowing Domi would frown upon such a selfish thought, especially spoken aloud.

Jason moved a little away from the rest and offered a prayer of penance for his transgression.

Night Passes at the Ambush Site (DM/Al)
Thursday November 11th, 2004 9:01:05 PM
Firn'gaer pulls a chip of stone, a sprinkling of crushed lime, a few grains of sand, and some splinters of wood from his pouch. Snow melts in his hand, providing water to mix the ingredients. Once again, a cottage springs from his hands. It is secure, and with a fire in the hearth, it is warm.

Tokun stares. Not only at the magic, but at the alien construction. Hard doors of rare material. Holes cut in the walls with more precious wood to cover them. Still, he enters under Sly's encouragement. It is that, or meet the certainty of death in the cold of Ice Vein.

With Shiraz and Yorrick inside, the shelter is a trifle cramped. But it is cozy, and a welcome haven from the cold through which the group has traveled since sun up. Like the breath that one does not realize that one is holding until it is released, the group unwinds within the comfortable little cottage after a long day on the ice and snow.

Outside, the patch of excavated ice waits. What secrets does it hold? Both speculations and fears run the circle of the small warm cottage.

The night is short. Watches are posted, but not a sound is heard save the faint rumble of thunder from the far distant mountains to the south. Morning comes to the shuttered cottage. Outside, the area cleared of snow is no different than the night before. In the light of day, the eye can now encompass the totality of the tale within the 20 foot diameter circle that had been cleared the night before. There are three, separate red-brown blotches of blood. One, larger than the others, may possibly have come from two separate bodies. All three extend further under the snow, partial pools yet uncovered.

The various indentations of the ice at the level of the blood are, at times clearly defined as footprints. Many, however, are less recognizable as such.

[[ If you have the Track feat roll vs DC15 for the following Highlight to display spoiler: {You pick tracks out from random indentations in the ice. There are only a few of the smaller tracks, found around the perifery of the cleared area and never within the areas stained with blood. Human tracks litter the area. You identify at least seven to ten distinct sets of human tracks, though there may possibly be more. The smaller tracks are too small to make a differentiation, though from the way they are spaced, you suspect at least three individuals. The large misshapen prints are clearly from at least one
large sized creature. The prints stand within the pools of frozen blood. Blood also stains the prints themselves. Another set of large prints appears almost canine, and yet the print is melded together in a way that a natural print would not be. } ]]

Peerimus d20+20=31
Friday November 12th, 2004 9:26:48 AM
Peerimus takes a relaxed postion outside with Yorrick during the first hours of night, marvouling still at the grandness of the land about him. His shift ending, he goes back inside to wake Sly and Niobe for thier watch and goes to bed.

Daylight comes and Peerimus is once again outside with Yorrick. This time in meditation for the following spells.
Level 0:
Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

Level 1:
Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Speak with Animals

Level 2:
Extended Endure Elements x2, Flame Blade, Bear's Endurance, Bull Strength, Barkskin

Level 3:
Cure Moderate Wounds, Greater Magic Fang, Sleet Storm, Protection from Energy

Level 4:
Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds, Ice Storm

Level 5:
Commune with Nature

Peerimus will first cast Extended Endure Elements on himself, sharing with Yorrick and then move back to the excavated ground to see what dawn has chosen to reveal. [Survival 31]

A few minutes of study and a few more of thinking, Peerimus returns to the small cottage to tell the others his surmations over a warm breafast.

"Good morning my friends, another glorious day no matter where the day finds you eh? I have looked at the track field we dug up and it looks like there are only a few of the smaller tracks, found around the perifery of the cleared area and never within the areas stained with blood. So a rescue seems less likely from them. More like after the fact scavangers or curiosity seekers. About three of them."

"The Human tracks are everywhere. I count at least seven to ten distinct sets of human tracks and there may be more. The large misshapen prints are clearly from at least one
large sized creature. The prints are within the pools of frozen blood. Blood also stains the prints themselves. This very well be the aggressor then I am afraid. A second set of large prints appears almost canine, and surely unnatural."

"After breakfast I was going to ask Mother Wold to speak with me, unless there are other plans or ideas?"

If there are none, Peerimus casts Commune with Nature after breakfast.

(Ooc Al I'm confused by thie sentence...'Another set of large prints appears almost canine, and yet the print is melded together in a way that a natural print would not be.' melded with what? the first set of large prints?)

Sly (AC20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac21 59/59hp)
Friday November 12th, 2004 11:51:21 AM
Sly eats breackfast ay the same time listening to Peerimus. "Hmmm! Let's see what the day brings." Sly tells Luke "Luke help Yurrick and Peerimus track, I think they trust your nose also." Sly gives Luke his trait meat for breakfast.

Luke takes the yack meat, "OK!"

Sly get ready to go out side, now that every thing has been renewed(Charcoal), He turns to the paladin, and slaps him on the back, "It's alright to react the way you did, Don't regreat it. Domi knows your heart. Just wait untill I get my hands on those slavers, I'll show you what Elves do when they got mad!"
Then walk outside, still with out a smile.

Savin
Friday November 12th, 2004 9:25:30 PM
Savin looks on with concern as the group scurries around trying to follow the prints and different tracks. He is frustrated as he can't follow them effectively.

"Shouldn't we try and get to our destination? Zaran City? I would bet there are more answers there then digging around in the snow."

Savin will then get to his morning rituals of doing his katas. He will pull the young barbarian guide over and try to teach him some basic grappling moves.

Shiraz d20+1=18
Saturday November 13th, 2004 5:24:47 AM
Shiraz snaps too out of his intense concentration as his friends finsh digging snd enters the sturdy cottage last. Enjoying a good nihgts rest Shiraz rises early and prepares to leave, "I agree Savin, we would probably do well to remember where this is and continue to the city."

Firn'gaer
Sunday November 14th, 2004 8:47:58 AM
Firn'gaer wakes and prepares himself for the day before even sitting down to breakfast.

Firn'gaer steps from the shelter and hears the conversation, or at some of it. "Excuse me," the wizard says, "I do hope there isn't any talk of looking for individuals responsible for that." He continues pointing to the blood stained ice. "I don't want to go traipsing all over this ice flow looking for something we'll not likely find no matter how good Master Peerimus may be. I'd say continue to this Zaran City."

Active Spells
Extended endure elements
Extended mage armor

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, extended daze, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended endure elements, extended mage armor, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, secure shelter

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Ilsidur
Sunday November 14th, 2004 6:28:27 PM
Ilsidur says, "Before we leave, I suggest that we spend another hour or so, digging out the area of the combat. I would hate for us to lose a piece of information, for a short hour's worth of digging. Peerimus, can you use your tracking skills to figure out when we have run out of area to check?"

The Pull (DM/Al)
Sunday November 14th, 2004 9:29:29 PM
Peerimus kneels over the odd prints. Paw prints? The shape is right. But unlike paw prints, the five pads of the foot, normally separate, seem melded together, almost one pad. Less of a paw print, than the mold of a paw print.

Breakfast can almost be said to be had in familiar surroundings. At least the cottage is not a tent, nor is it the frigid wasteland outside. Peerimus delivers his findings to the group and there seems a consensus forming to leave this area and move on to Zaran City.

The Children of Chaos emerge from the conjured cottage and out onto the ice. The sky is as cloudless as the day before, bright under the pale blue sky.

Ilsidur requests another hour's worth of digging. The edges are widened, and soon it becomes apparent that the edges of the excavated circle at either ends of an oval uncover more tracks. The oval points at one end from the canyon from which the Children of Chaos had themselves emerged, and the other end, down the ledge toward the point at which the trail runs back into the high cliffs. Effort is concentrated in those directions, and the tale further unfolds. The medium, human-sized prints had apparently emerged from the canyon. Both the large unusual prints and the smaller ones had come from the other side. From the length of stride, they came swiftly. From the distribution of blood, there is little doubt as to which side emerged victorious. Both two large, three small, and six to nine medium tracks lead toward the other end of the ledge.

The far end of the ledge dips dark back into the cliffs. And, as the group turns their gaze down-ledge in that direction they are seized. Or rather, the backs of their hands are. Each tattoo rises, pulling along with it, the hand of its owner. All eight of the Children of Chaos stand gaping as their arms rise, pulled into the air. And then the dark fragmented pinwheel tattoo itself lifts from the backs of each of their hands. Eight dark tattoos spin lazy in the air in front of its owner, floating, turning, dipping and diving. And then they crack, each broken piece fragments into further broken pieces. Crack. Crack, crack, crack. Each symbol fragments again and again, dividing into dust, a dust that turns and moves, swirling through the air like a whirlwind or an cloud of angry bees.

The dark dust pauses, holding at a peak like a snake a fraction before it strikes. Then it dives, each cloud straight and unerringly down into the eyes of its owner. And each Child of Chaos sees. Each sees with their heart, and for each it is different.

For Niobe, it is a vision of danger. Vipers lie strewn along the path, a time for watchfulness.

For Peerimus, it is a feeling of privation. Lost and cut off from the world to which he has always felt a part of.

For Ilsidur, there is a sense of completion. The end of a long road comes into view, though still hazy tantalizing and soft in the distance.

For Shiraz, there is the feel of battle. Bright steel, pain, and the sense that, from this one, there may be no return.

For Firn'gaer, the pulse races, not with the heavy beat of fear but, with an excitement born of answers, quarry run to the ground.

For Savin, comes the feeling of defense. Though possessed of no family himself, he feels the threat to his own, that, and the knowledge that without him they will die.

For Sly and Jason, the sorrow is crushing. The tears of angels fallen from the heavens would not know such sadness.

Luke stands apart wrapped in his own canine thoughts. Yorrick and Rufus too stand silent. Only Tokun moves. His head turns, looking from first one of these strange and powerful outlanders to the next.

The feelings fade. They die away. And as they ebb, another comes to the surface. It strengthens as the rest drains away, as though it had been there all the long. There, yet submerged within the other more intense images.

It is a feeling of destiny.

[[ OoC: This is your Friday post. Sorry it took me so long to get it out. ]]

Greg OOC
Sunday November 14th, 2004 10:58:18 PM
Al, what an incredible post! I don't mind waiting, if these are the kinds of posts that take the extra couple of days for you to develop! This is one of the most powerful posts that I have ever read, right up there with Stephen's early posts on the dragon!

Sly and Luke
Monday November 15th, 2004 8:12:39 AM
Sly stand there with the feeling of total lost, he thinks if he look at his hands he will find his or his mothers heart there. A shadow stands in frount of him, So he raises his eyes to see their young Barbarian Guide Tokum, Sly raises his hand in a stop/hold motion and looks off into space.

There is something building inside of him, but waits for what?? He does not know.

Luke stand there with Yurrick, then sits and watches his master.

Peerimus
Monday November 15th, 2004 12:15:55 PM
The druid drops unceremoniously to the ground as the vision fades and the force keeping him aloft disperces. As he stands he faces bears a dark countanence and his brow is furrowed in thought. Glancing side to side, quickly confirms it was not him alone who was beset with such disturbing portences.

Sly and Jason seem to be weathering the event the worst. Strange just as the puzzle reveals more this should happen. Does the result lie down this path, or because we turn from it? A question to which there is no answer to be sure

Breaking from thought, "Given what has just happened I would like some time to speak to Mother. I myself am still sorting out internally what happened. I suggest each of us digest this over the next few hours and when we break for camp tonight discuss what we have learned."

If the time is given Peerimus casts Commune with Nature - Presence of powerful unnatural creatures- Terrain features - Humanoid Population within 9 mile radius

Jason of Aisildur
Monday November 15th, 2004 6:19:01 PM
Jason falls to his knees, the sorrow to heavy for him to bare standing. He moves his hands to his head, holding his skull to prevent the tears from showing.

"My heart breaks from some unknown cause, yet I feel the answer lies inside me, if only I can find it." he states. The paladin then, true to Domi, finds courage, and puts aside his own dispair for the moment.

"A vision... or perhaps more accurately a feeling, I have just had. I suspsect from your expressions, you have all had similar." he states.

"When the time is right, I would like to hear what each of my brothers and sisters have felt."

What Mother Doesn't Know (DM/Al)
Monday November 15th, 2004 10:28:07 PM
The Children of Chaos stand in the morning sun of Ice Vein. The Wold, is it real? Or is reality the intense inner landscape they have all just trekked through?

One by one, the Children pull themselves together, returning to The Wold, returning to each other.

Peerimus decides it best to draw council from the bosom of Nature. Within the protective circle of his fellows, he releases his spirit and reaches out to the land. As before, the frozen jewel of the south opens to the druid. The plains below the ledge stretch on to the limits of sense and vision. While the hills and cliffs at the group's back create miles of twisted canyons, the bottoms of which sometimes never see the light of the sun.

Within the whole of it, the only humanoids are the tiny cluster of figures around the druid himself. No creatures that afford an affront to nature reveal themselves. And yet, there is a spot. Into the twisted canyon at the other end of the ledge and then some miles along is a darkness. It is a void of which Nature knows naught. When queried, Mother Wold knows not how to reply. There is nothing there. And yet naught amiss.

Savin
Monday November 15th, 2004 10:45:44 PM
Savin as well drops to his knees as the vision assualts him. Tears fill his eyes as he realizes something very important. He stands up and announces to all, "Children, I expect we have all had some kind of vision or something placed in our hearts. Each of us must interept what we feel. If you indulge me in a few moments, let me tell you what has been revealed to me.

All my life I have been alone. As some of you know, I am an orhpan. I was raised by kindly but very strict monks. All were my family but none were close to me. Sort of like 2nd and 3rd cousins.

My life was spent mainly alone. I drifted from group to group, fighting evil and then moving on. After the rebirth of the gods and the world, I found that I was placed with the Children. I had no idea why this happened but like always, I went with the flow.

Now I think I know why.... at least for me. You are my family. My brothers and sisters. You have been given to me to fill the void in my heart. The hole that I could never fill, but was driven to fill. Which drove me to the search."

He pauses and wipes at his eyes, "I get the feeling that I am to defend the group. I swear to you all, that I will lay down my life for you."

Savin stops talking as his voice gets all choked up and he spins away from the group and covers his face.

Ilsidur
Monday November 15th, 2004 10:52:08 PM
Ilsidur thanks the party for spending a little more time trying to figure out what the tracks had to say. "So, it appears that the little tracks beat the medium tracks, and some of the medium tracks went away with them. I wonder, did the medium tracks go because they were rescued, or captured? It appears that the manacles were on the medium tracks, so maybe some of them were set free. I guess we need to keep moving along the trail, to find out what is ahead.

As Ilsidur looks towards the continuing trail, the Chaos symbol takes hold, dissolves, and enters his eyes. His feeling from the symbol gives him a satisfied feeling, although exactly why, he doesn't know. having worshipped a god of travel, and having lost the god, he now worships all the Woldian powers. Could this mean that he will find his God again, or a God that speaks to his heart? It seems the answer also lay ahead down the trail. He looks at the back of the hand, to see if the tattoo is still present.

After hearing the results of Peerimus' commune with the natural forces, Ilsidur says, "There is an area that is invisible to mother nature? What could possibly cause such a hole? Are there anti-scrying spells that would allow someone to stay hidden from your commune spell?"

Shiraz
Tuesday November 16th, 2004 4:58:07 AM
Shiraz stands motionless save for his hands which have become sweaty, and fold and unfold around both sword hilts. Shiraz looks down the road, at the battle that occured at their feet, and then at each of his friends. Shiraz turns as if to speak, then suddenly spins around as if afraid of what words might come out. Shiraz walks away slightly and stands viligant over his friends.

Sly and Luke
Tuesday November 16th, 2004 7:04:39 AM
Sly wipes his eyes telling his friends, Elves don't cry." To Jason, he tells him, "The Vision you just had, is a Vision of Chaos. I don't know if your parents are alive nor if my mother is alive. But now you know that you belong to this family, Brother Paladin."

Sly answers Savin, "Savin, I have seen this Vision before, when I first met this group, I was a young teenager of 34. I had never been outside of my village before. My first vision was that of pain, blood and death. That night the group rested on the elven highway, I had to get something down in the forest, when I was attack. By a great Big Fighter Named Bear, and his two brothers White Face, the other had No Face. They beat me until they though I was dead.
It was the group that saved me, that is when I knew I belong to this Family.

This Vision is almost the same as my first vision. The pain, blood and the death all around. If the vision of Mother Nature, Brother Peerimus was of a Void. That Void is Chaos! That is our mission. We cannot solve all of Ice Vein problems. That's for the people of Ice Vein to do.

Now I swear to you, Brother Savin and all my Brothers and Sister here. I will lay down my life Defending and Proctecting all of you, against Chaos. Now we have a big job ahead of us." Sly wrap his cloak around him waiting! Just waiting.

Firn'gaer d20+17=31
Tuesday November 16th, 2004 9:10:00 AM
As affirmations abound from various people of there experience, Firn'gaer remains quiet. He pulls a bottle of wine from his haversack and drinks. One, two, three...large swallows to calm his edginess.

The answers I seek...

...and one step closer to being home...

"A hole in your divination...something someone, or something, doesn't want found." He says standing up.

I hate to suggest it...

...I need to know for all our sakes...

"If it is indeed a hole in Master Peerimus' magical perceptions, then...I can't believe I'm suggesting this...we should, perhaps, look into it?" He finishes as he glances around at the rest of his traveling companions.

[Knowledge arcana DC31]

Active Spells
Extended Endure Elements
Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hours

Peerimus d20+12=14
Tuesday November 16th, 2004 11:46:11 AM
Peerimus remains quiet on his vision but does indeed share the findings of the Commune. "There is a less diabolic answer to the Void and that is a structure of some kind. Construction, houses and possibly hewn tunnels, are hidden so to speak from Mother. As to a magical mask, there could be, I have never encountered one."

Peerimus notes Shiraz's hand movements, but most certainly says nothing. A most disturbing vision to have unsettle the proud and powerful Shiraz as such

"We should continue moving, Zaran City, the trail and the hidden canyons all lie in the same direction for now. Nothing can be gainied by further stretching our supplies standing here."

Capturing Tokuns attention, Peerimus drops to make a small diagram. A boot print, "Zaran City", a foot away another boot print "Us" indicating those about. between these two prints he draws a line and then point to the canyon. "Our path?"

To Tread The Path (DM/Al)
Tuesday November 16th, 2004 9:26:20 PM
A ripple of concern and speculation rolls out amongst the Children of Chaos as Peerimus announces that nearby there is an area unknown to Mother Wold. Firn'gaer knows of several arcane methods of temporily blocking a scrying. Most notably various spells of non-detection. And yet, to hide from Mother Wold? Further, without examining the effect first hand it would be extremely difficult to identify the cause. Peerimus offers likely explanations based upon his own knowledge and experience.

Peerimus communicates to Tokun through gesture as well as word. And the barbarian lad listens patiently to the Bear Friend. Tokun nods and he glances off at the distant mountains as though gathering his bearings.

"Zaran," he says swinging the tip of his mitten, pointing in an arc that encompasses a 45 degree arc in the direction of the cliffs. Zaran City could be anywhere in that direction. From the twists and turns that the group has experienced in the canyons so far, it is unlikely that the path would lead straight there. And yet, at least it is in the right general direction.

The exit off the ledge dips down again between high cliffs and into shade. Here, the group finds yet another reason to continue in this direction: A continuation of the tracks.

Snow lies thinner at the bottom of the high canyon walls. In some places the snow fall from four days ago is very thin indeed, and the larger heavier prints are clearly visible. Frozen traces of blood stain the bottoms of the prints.

Savin
Tuesday November 16th, 2004 10:10:36 PM
Savin will hear Sly's speech and reach out and squeeze his shoulder. He will then shoulder his pack and start heading down the path heading towards Zaran City.

He will call over his shoulder, "Lets get this show on the road. We have family to rescue."

Ilsidur
Tuesday November 16th, 2004 10:30:08 PM
Ilsidur puts his snowshoes back on, then takes them off once he sees that the snow is getting thinner on the ground. He slings everything over his back, and readies his axe and shield. He takes his place near the front of the party, and, wrapping his cloak tightly around his shoulders, he makes his way down the trail.

Sly and Luke d20+3=19 d20+3=16
Wednesday November 17th, 2004 7:35:21 AM
Sly crack a smile to Savin "Let's go" Sly will walk next to his Minotaur friend Shiraz, then confides to him, "You know I always knew that you were Special!" they maqrch on following the bears and Luke. All the time looking for trouble and listening in case of a advalance.

Spot 19
Listening 16

Peerimus d20+20=21 d20+17=26
Wednesday November 17th, 2004 10:05:07 AM
It is obvious to Peerimus that Firn is having some trouble with his sudden new surrounding, quite understandable. Being magically diverted from a destination would cause any weaver of magic to become distressed and then top it off with just about the worrst destination a city dweller could think and there you have it. Peerimus whispers to his great companion Yorrick and the mighty bear takes position at left heel of Firn'gaer. [Handle animal 26 to defend Firn'gaer.

The druid takes towards the front of the group once the tracks are noticed and then the man born of the wild sets to better understand the beasts they now follow. [doh! nat 1 for 21]

Jason of Aisildur
Wednesday November 17th, 2004 11:12:51 AM
Jason nodded to Sly. In his heart, he knew that the answer, good or bad, he had to have. Even if his parents were lost for ever, the uncertainty of not knowing would be a thousand times worse on his soul.

Jason gathered his things and anxiously waited for the others to move on, toward Zaran City, where Jason hoped, the answer he sought, could be found.

Firn d20+2=19
Wednesday November 17th, 2004 12:07:57 PM
The great bear moves along Firn'gaer. At first Firn'gaer seems unsettled to have Yorrick so close, but then not used to having a 12 feet tall animal so close it is understandable.

The decision to continue towards Zaran City causes a look of concern to cross Firn'gaer's face.

"Excuse me." He says. "But I don't think the blank spot is something that should be overlooked with such casualness. Why in this place would we have such visions? And the hole in the divinations? Coincidents...maybe. It is all too suspect for me...at least it should rate a slight detour. This symbol," he lifts his hand to expose the broken pinwheel, "Seems to have a purpose; not give to idle fluanting of power."

He pauses to allow his words to penetrate the thoughts of all before continuing.

"This place isn't far only a few miles away. Isn't that correct Master Peerimus. If so I would go to this place I ask that I'll not have to go alone. There may be answers or at least clues to our journey or there may be nothing. Being so close is it not worth looking into?"

Peerimus
Wednesday November 17th, 2004 1:06:51 PM
"It appears my friend Firn'gaer, that the hole I witnessed, the tracks and Zaran city all lie along the same path we travel for now. That trail being into the canyon, but that said, I agree with you on both facets. WE should look into this hidden location while we are here. It calls to me as well."

Niobe
Wednesday November 17th, 2004 5:25:58 PM
Niobe gathers herself then starts to look to see if there is any trouble in the immediate area by making a patrol of the area around the group.

Niobe constantly is looking from side to side as if she is seeing possible ambushes everywhere.

The Mystery Deepens (DM/Al)
Wednesday November 17th, 2004 9:34:45 PM

The Children of Chaos walk the path between the steep cliffs of rock and ice. The canyon twists and turns, often doubling back upon itself. The group takes precautions against attack. None comes. The deep blue shade of the canyons is quiet. Tokun ceases to lead. Instead he simply walks along with the group watching and listening into the silent shadows.

The tracks at times show under the increasingly thin layer of snow. The largest prints are often most apparent. After some three hours of walking, the concealing layer of snow disappears completely, the storm, perhaps never having reached this far. From this point on, those with the skill to Track, tease an increasingly detailed story from the footprints that move along the bottom of the canyon.

[[ Track DC10 to reveal the following: Highlight to display spoiler: {Two large sets of tracks. One roughly humanoid in shape, but misshapen. The other roughly canine, definitely four footed. Seven medium sized tracks. The medium sized tracks occasionally show signs of difficulty walking. The gaits are uneven. There are places where it is clear that one or another has stumbled and fallen. There are also signs of smaller footprints. Oddly enough, there appear at times to be three separate tracks. Sometimes only two. And sometimes only one.} ]]

The sun rises in the pale blue sky. And, for a while, it's kindly face sheds light and warmth down into the bottom of the canyon. Soon enough, though, it passes overhead, and the group is plunged into shade once more. Unlike the canyons the group wandered through the day before, this one seems to have no branchings. North, then east then south then east again. From Peerimus's dead reckoning, the area of unknown darkness should be near. Somwhere. A switchback to the west, and the party rounds a bend to find ...

A dead end.

The canyon continues straight for another three or four hundred feet. Then it slopes upward, ending at a solid wall of rock and ice. Large boulders of what seem to be solid ice lie near the end, stacked along the sides of the canyon. What's more, the tracks continue, unwavering down to the end. Some fifty feet from the sheer rock wall, however, they disappear.

Savin d20+13=28 d20+13=25
Wednesday November 17th, 2004 10:16:43 PM
Savin will smile sardonically at the young guide and tap his foot a couple of times with his eyebrows arched.

He will then say, "Let me go check it out. Stay here and wait for my signal that it is safe."

Savin will jog down and look for anything unusual.

Not being a skilled tracker he isn't able to follow the tracks any better than a normal person could.

He looks to see if the cliff is climbable.

Spot check 28
Listen check 25

Sly and Luke d20+5=24 d20=17
Thursday November 18th, 2004 10:27:56 AM
OOC; Luke tracks(scent) 24 - Sly tracks 17.

Sly watches Savin go down to the end, He'll also takes a good look at the tracks, Funny but his heart strats to beat alittle faster.

Sly thinks that he reconises the small foot prints, but he will need something that has the cent of a full blooded elf scent. Then he remembers the Hollie Leaf the the King gave them, for everybody (the Children of Chaos at that time) a safe passage on the elven highway. So he takes off that pin and tells his dog "Luke smell this leaf? Theres elven scent on it besides my scent. See these track follow them to where they disapere."

"Peerimus, let Yurrick go with Luke. I think they will find something!" Sly tells the Druid.

But to the paladin, Sly ask "Jason! Are your parents full elves or half elves? My mother IS a full elf. Watch the animals!"

Peerimus d20+20=36
Thursday November 18th, 2004 5:18:44 PM
Peerimus moves up to look at the tracks as Savin moves off. [Survival 36] "Be wary Savin."

"Two large sets of tracks. One roughly humanoid in shape, but misshapen. The other roughly canine, definitely four footed. Seven medium sized tracks. The medium sized tracks occasionally show signs of difficulty walking. The gaits are uneven, they stumble, one fell here roughly. The smaller footprints are here as well, though are strangely absent, perhaps they are being carried."

Peerimus will further examine some of the fall zones for signs of the smaller creatures tumbling off shoulders.

At the tracks sudden disappearence, "Ilsidur, Have you a detect magic? A residue of the spell to mask them might linger still."

Jason of Aisildur
Thursday November 18th, 2004 6:33:22 PM
Jason turns to Sly upon his question.

"My Father, Dajibin, is of elven-blood, but not pure. My mother, Nadia, is human." at remembering them again, the paladin's face goes from initial joy, to bitter sorrow.

Ilsidur
Thursday November 18th, 2004 10:44:55 PM
Ilsidur moves to look where Peerimus is indicating. On the way past, he puts his hand on the young paladin's shoulder, and says, "Son, we will do all we can to find your parents. But we all need you to be strong, since I am sure that our situation will get worse before it gets better, and we will need your strength."

Then he moves up to the spot where the tracks disappear. He casts detect magic, and starts to scan the most recent tracks, and the area where the tracks disappear. Then he makes his way towards the rock wall a few hundred feet in front of him, continuing to scan ahead, left and right as he moves. He moves forward until he reaches the rock wall, feeling for any residual magic.

[OOC: Al, a couple of posts ago, I asked if Ilsidur can still see a tattoo on the back of his hand. Is it still there.]

Sly and Luke
Friday November 19th, 2004 7:01:18 AM
In answering Jason liage of his parents, "That means that your farther is an half elf like me. I have a feeling that we are getting clost to something. Be on the look out for secret doors or an opening behind snow drifts or piles of rocks. It's just a feeling."

As Sly advances behind the animals.

The Dead End (DM/Al) d6=5
Friday November 19th, 2004 11:24:31 AM
Peerimus follows the tracks to the point at which they disappear. Luke and Yorrick flank him on either side. Savin moves ahead mounting the gentle slope to examine the sheer walls beyond.

Peerimus relays his findings to the group then moves to the fall of ice at either side of the canyon. The area around the tumble of ice boulders reveals no tracks.

Luke sniffs at the ground. "Elf. Scent. Yes," he barks in reply to Sly's question. "Like Sly." He sniffs around the area in which the tracks disappear. His tail is arched into the air and wagging. He moves a few steps toward the end of the canyon, then lifts his head and whines with confusion.

Savin walks up the slope, the sound of his boots as they crunch lightly in the ice and snow add a light background counterpoint to the voices of his companions behind him. His eyes lift to the cliffs that rise around him. The walls are sheer. Cracked and pitted with striations, as are all cliffs of this type, they are climbable. Almost all cliffs are climbable. Yet, in the monk's estimation, it would require superior training and equipment to successfully make the 75 foot ascent.

At Peerimus's request, Ilsidur casts Detect Magic. He begins with the tracks and makes his way toward the end of the canyon where Savin stands looking up at the sheer cliffs. The tracks themselves show no trace of magic. The dwarven cleric swings he focus of the spell to both left and right. Neither the cliffs nor the tumbles of ice boulder reveal signs of magic either. From the point at which the tracks disappear up toward the cliff face, under the feet of both Luke and Savin, the ground radiates a very dim aura of residual magic. Ilsidur mounts the slope continuing to scan both sides of the canyon. He directs his magic at the final rock wall, the end of the line ... nothing. The cliff stands revealing no trace of magic.

As he scans the area, directing the magic of the spell across the canyon, Ilsidur's thoughts go back to the early morning and what they had all seen within themselves. He debates with himself again, wondering if he should bring it up. They would find out eventually. But what does it mean? The new symbol? It would be best to tackle the mystery as a group. The new tattoo. The pinwheel had changed. Now a rough and broken diamond within which lay a darker circle. And eye? As Ilsidur swings the cone of magic in a new direction the question once again comes to his mind: What could it mean?

[ OOC: Sorry, Greg, I had intended to reply to that, but in all the other details, it slipped my mind. So many details, sigh. ]

Firn'gaer d20+6=21
Friday November 19th, 2004 9:48:31 PM
Standing with the others at the end of the dead end, Firn'gaer decides to cast a spell. Pulling a rod from his waste, he says the incantation. The rod pulsates briefly as does his eyes and he looks at the walls again. This time for that which is magically hidden from view.

[Casts See invisibility]
[Spot DC21]

Active Spells
Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hours
Extended Endure Elements
Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod of Lesser Extend -- 2 of 3 uses left.

Savin
Friday November 19th, 2004 10:55:57 PM
Oh he is tempted...he looks at the cliffs and knows he can make it. He is itching to climb. He will look at his friends and ask, "So what do we do from here. Do you want me to try and climb up the cliffs?"

Shiraz
Saturday November 20th, 2004 1:00:28 AM
Shiraz walks quietly behind the party as the others more suited attempt to find safe passage to the city. Looking up at teh cliff shiraz flexes his shoulders, "I can climb it as well if need be Savin, but can our friends make it up as esy as you and I?"

ooc: Sorry about the sporadic posting I was switched to days for 1 week and my body is screwy.

Sly and Luke
Saturday November 20th, 2004 9:47:32 AM
Sly thinks for a moment, then ask Fun'gar, "Fun'gar you suddies Wizardry, Do you have a Spell that is called Levitate?? I have one but it's in my book, I would have to read it to use it. If you have one then you could lift some one up there and I could use mine to lift some one and we all could get there alot sooner."

Firn'gaer
Sunday November 21st, 2004 8:46:54 AM
"I'm afraid my dear Sly I do not know how to do that. However..." He pauses, "I could attempt to learn the spell from your book. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to do it until tomorrow."

What Lies Beneath (DM/Al)
Sunday November 21st, 2004 11:47:29 AM
Savin and Ilsidur stand at the top of the slope. The monk scans the surface of rock and ice mapping out a free-climb. Ilsidur is lost in thought. What do these things mean, the significance of the changed tattoo, the dim magic trace in the ground.

Firn'gaer makes his way up the slope to join them. He takes two powders in his hand. A quick incantation and the powders are tossed into the air. A rod, drawn from his waist, ensures that the spell will remain with him for several hours. When the wizard blinks, however, and the magic asserts itself, nothing new is revealed.

Shiraz moves up the slope to join his companions. His eyes too scan the crags in anticipation of a climb. "I can climb it as well if need be Savin." A sharp pop cuts through the still cold air of the canyon floor, dull echoes bounce from the sheer walls. "but can our friends make it up as easy as you and I?"

"Fun'gar," from the bottom of the slope, Sly calls up slope at the same time, "you suddies Wizardry, Do you have a Spell that is called Levitate??" A soft low creak sounds in the chill air of the canyon. The hard walls to either side refract the sound, making it appear to come from all around. "I have one but it's in my book, I would have to read it to use it. If you have one then you could lift some one up there and I could use mine to lift some one and we all could get there alot sooner."

"I'm afraid my dear Sly I do not know how to do that. However..." He pauses. *Crack* Another pop, this one explosive, demanding. The creak rises in pitch and volume, climbing toward a deafening climax. Beneath the high pitched escalation a rumbling crackle plays and builds. Firn'gaers eyes look about with unease. "I could attempt to learn the spell from your book. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to do it until tomorrow."

Rumble. Pop. Snick. Pop. All eyes lift to the cliffs hung with deadly ice. Too late, the realization that the sound comes from beneath.

Savin, Ilsidur, and Firn'gaer watch as Shiraz drops suddenly from sight. Then the ice beneath their feet gives way as well and they all tumble downwards. [ Savin, Ilsidur, and Firn'gaer treat this as a 20-foot fall. 2d6 damage unless you have a way to deal with it. Tumble is acceptable. In this case, Jump Down is not. Shiraz, you are further down slope. For you, it is only a 10-foot fall. 1d6 unless you deal with it. ]

The rest of the party rushes from the bottom of the slope forward some 20 feet to look over the edge. Large blocks of ice, the remains of a now collapsed ceiling lie scattered below. It is a 10-foot drop to enter. The area exposed spans the width of the canyon, perhaps 25 feet across. To the wall at the end of the canyon is another 30 feet. And now, at the end of the canyon, exposed by the collapse of the ice, the mouth of a cave is revealed. The cave is some 15 feet across and 20 feet deep. And, in the depths of the cave, viewed in the dim light that filters down from the heights of the canyon walls, is a door. [To enter the area exposed by the collapsed ceiling, you must successfully negotiate the 10-foot drop or take 1d6 fall damage. This shouldn't be difficult for characters of your level, but I'd like to see the rolls, please.]

Sly and Luke
Sunday November 21st, 2004 1:56:08 PM
"WoW!" said Sly as he runs to the edge of the ice, "some magic! Now I have silk rope. to let some of us down. Don't worry Shiras! We'll be right down to cure you!"

Sly take his rope from the back pack, A hammer and a spike. Then hammers the spike into the ice floor.

Luke come up to him "Me first, Yurrick two?"

Firn'gaer 2d6(5+3)=8
Monday November 22nd, 2004 12:06:24 PM
Seeing Shiraz drop from view, Firn'gaer's stomach drops out the bottom as dread wells from down deep. "...Oh, noooo....."

Tumbling down the hole Firn'gaer arrive very unceremonially at the bottom. [8 points of damage] He lays there for a moment before getting to his feet.

"By the Gods, that sucked." He says matter of factly. "The rest of you alright?" Looking around to see how the other three fared.

Active Spells
Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hours
Extended Endure elements
Extended See invisibility -- 3 hours

Peerimus d20+17=30
Monday November 22nd, 2004 1:56:49 PM
Peerimus moves quickly to the 'new' hole for a visual on his companions. Thank Mother Wold it did not open to a glacier rift.

After verbally affirming they are relatively all right, he asks the next logical question from the top.

"I believe we have found the entrance to the 'hole' Mother Wold could not tell me about. We should explore this, however what of our guide Tokun. Submitting him to such dangers. Though returning to the village on his own may be just as hazardous."

A hand signal moves Yorrick to his side [Handle animal 30]

Sly and Luke
Monday November 22nd, 2004 3:11:43 PM
"You have a point there Peerimus!" Said Sly, then think for a second or two, "But I think the lesser of the two evils, is for him to keep folowing us. Safer for him, But an added strain for us!, I think I have a master bone sword I pick up in the Lottory. I could give it to him to defend himself. He's green, but not that green."

Niobe d20+5=13
Monday November 22nd, 2004 5:43:21 PM
Niobe follows the others to the gaping hole. She looks down into it and thinks to herself that climbing down there should be no real problem.
The rogue takes out her climbers kit, rope, piton and makes ready to climb down. With any luck it all goes well and she makes it down gracefully. Hopefully there is a way to get the rope down from the piton (quick release?). If not then Niobe will have to risk getting showered with falling snow and ice as she tugs at the rope to try and get it down! (Can't leave a good rope behind you know...)
If their guide decides to join them then that is good, if not then they will have to make do she supposes to herself. Niobe decides to not openly involve herself in the debate of what to do with their guide and his decisions.
Niobe will move closer to the cave opening and take a look around while waiting for the others to regroup. She will not go too far away from the others.

[Al if Niobe can take 10 then she will have 15 on her climb check due to the climbers kit. However if she cannot take 10 then she has a climb check of 13.]

Savin d20+11=24 d20+13=31
Monday November 22nd, 2004 6:07:29 PM
Savin feels his feet suddenly shift and come out from under him. He will stay calm and try to grab the walls around him to slow his fall. If he isn't near a wall, then he will roll into a ball and tumble down. (slow fall 50' monk skill or tumble roll of 24)

Savin is glad he was one of the pack to fall into the pit. His skills were able to deflect the damage and keep some of his friends from harm.

He will bound gracefully to his feet and brush himself off and then take a careful look around.
spot check 31

Ilsidur (AC 25, 94/98 hp) 2d6(3+1)=4 d20+9=25
Monday November 22nd, 2004 8:42:55 PM
Carefully contemplating the new symbol on the back of his hand, Ilsidur suddenly finds himself plummeting to through the ice, and into a chamber below the ledge. He falls to the ground hard [OOC: 4 hp damage], and gets up, shaking himself off. He looks over at the door that is suddenly revealed. "Do you think that this is where the footprints disappeared to?" he asks no-one in particular.

He takes another look at the new symbol on his hand, wondering its significance. [OOC: knowledge religion roll of 25]

Shiraz d20+5=6 d6=4
Monday November 22nd, 2004 9:25:01 PM
Shiraz falls hard,<reflex DC 6, natural 1>, and manages to lose his footing in the ice and tumbles forward, "I'm ok!" Shiraz shouts out, "Be careful coming down."

After the Crash (DM/Al)
Monday November 22nd, 2004 9:52:03 PM
The weight of the mighty minotaur is the last straw for the roof of ice, and Shiraz drops through bringing the whole thing down with him. He falls into the crushed ice below with a heavy thud, but scrambles up with nothing but a few minor cuts and bruises.

Firn'gaer, on the other hand, takes a rather painful and nasty fall. Though, when all is said and done, he rises from the broken blocks of ice with dignity, inquiring of the well being of others before considering his own.

Savin swipes at the cliff wall as the ice gives way beneath him. His hand finds purchase, and his fall begins to slow. Then the wall disappears, opening instead onto the mouth of a cave. The monk falls the rest of the way, hitting the ground and rolling to safety. Rising, he brushes himself off, uninjured.

Ilsidur crashes to the ground with a startling clank of armor. Oddly enough, despite the painful sounding crash, it would appear that his armor has possibly saved the dwarven cleric from more serious harm. Standing and shaking chips of ice from himself, Ilsidur wonders whether this is where the foot prints might have disappeared to. Then, again, he looks at the symbol on the back of his hand. Odd sort of thing. Broken diamond shape surrounding a dark circle. Reminiscent of an eye. The symbol of the far off god, Gargul, is an unblinking eye. This symbol, however, is different. Long time veteran of the group, something tickles Ilsidur's memory like a sneeze that refuses to come. Eye. Looking. Seeing ...

Peerimus rushes to the edge of the hole and signals Yorrick to come up beside him.

"I believe we have found the entrance to the 'hole' Mother Wold could not tell me about," he says. And indeed this seems just about the very spot revealed to him in his commune. He mulls the wisdom of taking the young barbarian Tokun with them as they explore this newly revealed area.

Sly and Niobe also both rush to the edge of the hole. They secure ropes to the edge using metal pitons. While the half elven fighting wizard expresses his disagreement to Peerimus, the woodland rogue takes hold of the rope and walks herself down the 10 feet of wall to the jumbled floor of broken ice below. Once there, she opts not to involve herself in the discussion above, and picks her way through the rubble toward the cave mouth and the doorway beyond.

Tokun, himself, stands staring with mouth ajar. Precious heat escapes his mouth, and mists in the fridge air. He blinks and backs a few steps away.

"Nee ah heup lasah uhch weh," he says pointing to himself then the hole, and then shaking his head. "Lasah uhch weh," he repeats with more head shaking. "Peh shea lasah uhch weh," he says once more, and the look in his eyes is pleading.

Meanwhile Niobe and Savin stand at the mouth of the cave with Firn'gaer and Ilsidur just behind them. The cave is plain as plain can be, incapable of hiding secrets in it's shallow depth. It is little more than a hole in the cliff face. It is 15 feet wide, 10 feet high, and barely 20 feet deep. At the other end is a large double door ten feet across. Through the gloom (Savin can see it) is a rather sturdy lock holding the door closed.

[[ OoC ]]
Still up above are Peerimus, Sly, Jason, Yorrick and Luke.

Here are some ways you can get down the 10 foot wall. Looks like climbing down the rope while bracing your feet against the wall would be the easiest. For Luke and Yorrick, maybe jumping. They can't climb a rope and they can't tumble.

I will also accept Aide Another rolls here. They would be the equivalent of people in the pit reaching up and helping someone down. Or people at the top of the ledge helping another person over the edge.

Climb:
DC 5: With a Rope: A rope with a wall to brace against, or a knotted rope, or a rope affected by the rope trick spell.
DC20: Free climb: An uneven surface with some narrow handholds and footholds, such as a typical wall in a dungeon or ruins.

Jump Down:
DC15: If you intentionally jump from a height, you take less damage than you would if you just fell. The DC to jump down from a height is 15. If you succeed on the check, you take falling damage as if you had dropped 10 fewer feet than you actually did.

Tumble:
DC15: Treat a fall as if it were 10 feet shorter than it really is when determining damage.

Niobe d20+10=17 d20+15=33 d20+16=28
Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 6:49:41 AM
If the rogue actually spots the lock on the door her natural curiousity will get the best of her. She will immediately head for the lock and begin to search for traps (disable device, MW thieve's tools +2) before enthusiastically attempting to pick the lock (MW thieve's tools +2).
If anyone tries to tell her to wait or to leave the lock be she will simply pretend not to hear them - even if their reasoning for waiting is sound.

(Spot 17, Disable Device 33, Open Lock 28)(Class ability: Trapfinding, Trap sense +2, Feat: Nimble fingers (+2 to disable device and open lock)

Sly and Luke d20+1=11 d20+1=20 d20+1=9
Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 9:11:03 AM
Sly look towards Peerimus, "I don't think our young Guide want to come along! Now Luke are you ready to go down?" Sly makes a rope haulted for Luke, Then lowes the dog down (11).

Sly will bring up the rope and make a bigger haulter for Yurrick. Sly ask Peerimus. "I will need your help to lower our buddy Yurrick, even if he's too heavy, as long as we break his fall. he'll be alright (20)."

Sly will again bring up the rope, undo the halter and will even the rope (so it sits double in his hand), Sly start to lower himself down(9).

To lower Luke Check of 11
To lower Yurrick Check of 20
To lower himself down 9

Peerimus
Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 1:46:39 PM
Peermus considers Tokun for a moment. He seems more terrified than anyhting else, there must be a story.

He nods assurance to Tokun and makes a dismissive gesture towards the hole and door with his left hand. Stepping to the young man he puts his hand on his shoulder to move him even farther from the source of his consternation.

Calling loudly back, "Does anyone have teh ability to comprehend any language or speak in Tongues."

"Our young guide Tokun may very well have a story to share involving where we dare to tread."

At Sly, "I am not sure Yorrick and I will be descending just yet. You go on ahead friend."

Peerimus remains a the top with Tokun, for now. Hoping the answer to his question is yes.

Savin
Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 4:25:53 PM
Savin will look up at the folks coming down the ropes and then at Niobe who is proceeding towards the door. Temptation wins out and he scurries ahead and asks her, "Want some company?"

Niobe
Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 5:19:24 PM
"I'd love your company. Maybe you will see something I might oversee."
Niobe smiles, and continues determinedly towards the lock at any rate.

The Anteroom

Gaining Entry (DM/Al) d20+9=15
Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 9:40:38 PM
Niobe heads right off into the cave. Doors, it seems, are her thing. Savin moves after her and asks if she needs the company to which she responds that she would love the company. More, perhaps, than the simple words passes between the two. Then again, perhaps not.

The rogue then sets to searching the large double doors for traps. (I rolled for you, Search 15) She finds none. Next she unrolls a set of precision tools and sets to work on the lock. Niobe feels the levers slide as she deftly manipulates the picks. Each obstacle slides away with but one more to go. And then one of the picks slips. The lock fails to open. Maybe another try might do it. (Lock is a DC30. You can also Take 20)

Sly Foxx takes out a length of rope and does up a loose harness. Luke eyes it dubiously. It looks dog-sized. Too late to object. Luke is bundled into the uncomfortable ropes and lowered down into the hole. Sly begins to fashion one for the 800-some-odd-pound Yorrick as well, but Peerimus wisely excuses his friend from the exercise. Sly climbs easily down the rope after Luke.

Peerimus believing Tokun to know something of the mysterious cave and it's even more mysterious doorway, takes the barbarian lad aside and attempts to calm his agitation. The agitation goes, but is now replaced by confusion, as Tokun tries his best to understand the magic outsider's hand on his shoulder, the gestures toward the ice hole, and his words spoken loudly in that direction.

They young barbarian watches as the thin woman works at another door of wood. Finally, he turns to the magic Bear Friend. He points a finger at himself and then back down the canyon in the direction from which they had come.

"Tokun, ah heup Jhahk Sha. Nee ah heup lasah uhch weh. Ah heup Jhahk Sha. Hwei?" Again he points back up the canyon. His eyes dart briefly toward the light in the sky with some concern.

OoC
Niobe: Trap Sense allows you to avoid traps after they trigger. Trap finding requires that you make a Search Check. And though Dwarves can use Search to find traps in stone. Only a rogue with Trapfinding can use Search to find traps in general. Still, I have to have that Search check if you want to look for traps.

Still up above are Peerimus, Yorrick, and Jason.

Ilsidur (AC25, 94/98 hp, TONGUES)
Tuesday November 23rd, 2004 11:21:58 PM
Realizing that the young barbarian needs to talk to the party, Ilsidur casts tongues on himself, then looks up at the lad and say, in barbarianese, "Tokun, what is it that you are trying to say? I have used magic to be able to speak to you, and it will last for about an hour and a half. Magic Bear Friend has indicated that Mother Nature cannot 'feel' the area behind this door, and we want to investigate. Do you know what resides behind this door? Do you need to leave?"

Sly and Luke d20+5=24 d20+5=20
Wednesday November 24th, 2004 10:39:15 AM
Sly yells to Primus, Master Bear! I'm leaving the rope where it is, so when your ready to come down here. Just Yell and I'll help all of you down. Oh! Tell our young guide that it is not as cold down here as when we were up on top."

Sly will look for more secret door or traps. "Come Luke let's look around."

Luke starts to sniff around for the scents that brough then in here.

Luke serch by scent 24.

Sly serch 20.

Savin d20+13=33 d20+13=18
Wednesday November 24th, 2004 2:12:51 PM
Savin comes to the balls of his feet as Niobe tinkers with the locks. He scans the area waiting for something bad to happen. Whenever he is alone with a beautiful girl, bad things seem to happen to him. He remembers the elf lord punching him in the nose. Well he got a kiss from an elf princess anyway.

spot check 33 natural 20
listen check 18

Peerimus
Wednesday November 24th, 2004 3:04:42 PM
The druid nods to Tokun, showing his understanding at what teh man is trying to say and is about to sart talking again when Ilsidurs voice rings out under the influence of the tongues spell.

At that he simply steps back to listen and set his mind on how to get Yorrick down when the time arrives. The rope will not hold under his weight. It would take time, but perhaps a ramp...

Niobe d20+16=30
Wednesday November 24th, 2004 5:05:09 PM
Niobe silently utters a few choice curse words as her picks slip. Still very much wanting to open the door she tries again. Hopefully she succeeds on attempt 2 (Open Lock 30). If it comes to it Niobe will grudgingly take 20 if all else fails.

The thief is completely concentrating on her task and thus not paying any attention to anyone else, or anything else.

If she does indeed succeed at her self-appointed task she will turn to Savin, and smiling brightly inform him that the lock was 'easy' to open. Of course no one really needs to know that the lock wasn't at all easy to open!

Noting Savin's signs of nervousness she asks, "expecting something to go wrong? Don't you trust me?"

In spite of the serious questions she is still smiling widely, feeling rather satisfied with herself.

((OOC: I think I probably mixed up the Search roll and the Spot roll, and with my books still packed somewhere I did not have a reference book to look at, so thank you for rolling the search for me Al. Let me know if I have missed any rolls and I can take care of them in an extra post or in my next regular post.))

Where All Bad Things Go (DM/Al)
Wednesday November 24th, 2004 9:35:39 PM
The Bear Friend nods and seems to understand. Tokun nods in return. And then the Short Steel Man speaks. And his words are understandable. When the young barbarian is though blinking in disbelief, it strikes him that a question is being asked of him.

"You start UnderIce," Tokun replies tentatively in his own tongue. His voice sounds no different to his ears. If he understands the Short Steel Man, does not the Short Steel Man understand him as well? Tokun indicates the collapsed area with a sweep of both arms. "UnderIce. Only Spiders and Ants live UnderIce. The ice is dark. My mother says that if you are bad, you go to the UnderIce. Maybe that is why the Bear Friend cannot feel behind the ... flap of wood. If you go there, you never see the sun again. I do not want to go. But if you leave me here, I will freeze. So I will return to Smashed Teeth. I can run. I can run long and fast."

"I ... I do not want to go to the UnderIce," he says sheepishly. "I am afraid."

Meanwhile, Sly and Luke sniff around the area of the cave. Secret doors or simple traps might just be hidden in the walls of the cave, or even in the jumble of ice outside the cave. A secret door might just contain something behind it that Luke might find by scent. Something like that might just be out there. Maybe. Just maybe.

But, there isn't. At least nothing that either Sly or Luke can find. Their search turns up nothing. As far as they know, the cave is just a simple cave. And the ice is no more than ice.

Savin watches over Niobe as she devotes her full attention to the lock. The monk turns his eyes and ears to the area for signs of the doom that always seems to be his luck in situations like this. He neither hears nor sees anything unusual. That is, unless you consider a very thick and sturdy door sitting in the back of a cave unusual.

The lock has one last lever to trip. Niobe can almost see it with her inner eye. All she need to is hold the others in place with one pick while she rotates the last lever with the other pick. A deft turn and ...

* click *

The sound of success. A latch drops. The handle that slides the locking bolt now slides freely. The locking bolt may be slid aside, and with the wooden handle on either side of the lock, the doors may be pulled open and the cave entered.

Jason of Aisildur
Wednesday November 24th, 2004 10:53:39 PM
Jason marches about the area where the others went in. He tries to keep, as best he can, the cold at bay, and his mind on his watch.

Investigating such things didn't intrigue the paladin like it use to. Now his mind is becoming all too consumed with the rescue of his parents. Patiently the holy warrior continues, keeping one eye below, andone eye about the area above.

Savin
Thursday November 25th, 2004 12:47:08 AM
Savin will lay his hand on Niobe's arm and give her a kiss on the cheek. "Nice work, but now I am gonna insist that we wait for the others. Whatever was locked in this cave and then sealed with ice is gonna be dangerous and we need all our friends to help tackle it."

Savin will then say to the others, "Peerimus, I wouldn't bring Yorrick down here. If we need to get out quickly, there won't be a way to get him out. I would string up several lines also just for the same reason. We might be marching into the home of 1000's of goblins for all we know. We might want to get out of here quickly."

Niobe
Thursday November 25th, 2004 2:03:59 AM
Niobe pats Savin's hand after he gives her a kiss.

"See nothing bad happend."

The rogue was considering opening the door and taking a peek inside, but Savin advises not to. She turns her head so she is looking straight at Savin. Niobe grins mischieviously (amazingly she is not pouting for being told to wait).

"Spoil sport. Where is your sense of adventure?," Niobe pauses, "unfortunately for me, I find your advice reasonable enough to wait... for a little while."

Niobe moves back over to the now unlocked door and leans her back against it. She crosses her arms across her chest and her feet at the ankles, and waits.

(still to Savin)
"I cannot promise that I can actually manage to wait for hours of course. Are you going to wait here with me Savin or go see what the others decide to do?"

Naturally she is leaned against the door close to the handle, as to be expected. After all this is the first real chance of proper excitement in the rogues view. Raiding camps is well and fine of course, but nothing is more exciting than finding out what lies beyond a closed door with a difficult lock.

It is quite clear that if given half a chance Niobe would most certainly not leave the door closed for much longer.

Sly and Luke d20+1=20
Thursday November 25th, 2004 8:41:09 AM
Sly yell to Peerimus,"Peerimus! The door is open. Do you have some pegs? We want to set up some sort of escspe in case of real bad trouble."
Sly takes his other plain rope and attaches the peg and ring at the end, then trurle the rope, then lets go to the top of the pit.

Dex roll 20 made it. (i hope)

Peerimus d20+11=27
Thursday November 25th, 2004 12:15:30 PM
Peerimus moves over to the edge as Ilsidur and Tokun continue to talk, "He seems confident in his skills to make it home safe. We could give him some surplus supplies of coal, food and water?" he offers to Ilsidur to relay.

Calling down to Sly and Firn'gaer, "Do either of you have a Flaming Sphere? It could be used to melt a ramp perhaps. Yorrick and I will not be able to get up and down swiftly without waiting a day or constructing a ramp."

Peerimus's eye picks up Niobe's sparkle [Spot 27] "We may have to leave the door a bit longer, it will be there tomorrow."

Ilsidur
Thursday November 25th, 2004 8:22:54 PM
Ilsidur looks up at Tokun, and says, "I understand, son. I realize that this place may cause you to fear. However, we are a very powerful group, and we can protect you if you come with us. But I think that my friends and I need to understand why Bear Friend cannot 'feel' this spot. Certainly, ants and spiders are part of nature, so why can't my friend feel them?"

"However, if you don't want to come with us, are you sure that you can make it back in time to your camp? I would hate for you to freeze tonight, because of our curiousity. And if you do leave, is it easy to get to the city that we are trying to find?"

"Hold on, Niobe, we will be ready to go in a minute. But we need to make sure our guide will be alright."

Better the Devil That You Know (DM/Al)
Thursday November 25th, 2004 9:20:19 PM
Tokun thinks in silence for a moment.

"I can reach home," he says at last. "I think yes. I can reach Smashed Teeth. Ice Vein I know. Cold. Ice. Snow. Wolves. Spiders and ants too." He puts his hands to his face to capture the escaping heat. "UnderIce, I do not know," he continues. "I would go home. It is better to die going home."

The young barbarian looks back up the canyon again. When he turns back his head hangs. "But it is not easy to go to Zaran City. The canyons are not straight. It is difficult."

At this point he stops talking. This is his answer.

The rest of the party waits on the door. What could be behind it? Concerns run through the group. Preparations are made, expecting the worst.

Niobe
Friday November 26th, 2004 1:43:56 AM
Niobe; still leaning against the door, rolls her pretty green eyes in frustation. She calls up to Ilsidur.

"What's wrong with him Ilsidur? Is he too scared to see what might be beyond the door? Just tell him that we have been through far worst and survived. It's not like we're going to use him as bait!"

The rogue almost wishes that their guide could understand what she just said. She has a feeling that they just might need him yet to get to Zaran City; but she doesn't want to leave without at least a quick look behind the door.

As sensible as Peerimus' 'wait until tomorrow' comment is Niobe hopes that they won't decide to wait, but if push comes to shove she can try to be patient.

"Look, just let me go in and take a look around. If I don't find anything then we can leave. I mean for all we know this is where Sly and Jason's families went. Does he know anything about this door??"

Sly and Luke
Friday November 26th, 2004 6:10:06 AM
Sly will use one of his Fire spell, but first he will answer Niobe's request, "No! Niobe! We don't split up, remember bact at that Orc Camp? we split up and nearly died by doing so? We go in toghter and we come out toghter. It's not that we don't trust you, Niobe. We cannot lose your errr... Talent! Understand?"

Sly ask Peerimus "Peerimus! funny you should ask, Where do you want the ramp? Fun'gar and I will make it for you!"

Savin
Friday November 26th, 2004 1:07:03 PM
Savin will go over to the door and give it a hard look. He will then ask Niobe. "Niobe, can you tell me if the lock was designed to keep something locked in or something locked out?

If it was designed to keep something locked in, we might be walking into a nasty surprise. We will want the group's full strength to deal with that."

Fire is Red. Patience is Blue. (DM/Al)
Friday November 26th, 2004 8:54:02 PM
While Ilsidur converses with their young barbarian guide, Niobe can barely contain her desire to look behind the door. And when Savin asks her professional opinion on the purpose of the lock, it is difficult for her to stifle a laugh of derision. The door has an internal bolt. No one goes to the trouble to build a locking mechanism into the door itself unless they want to be able to open it from both the inside and the outside. If they wanted to keep something locked in, a simple hasp and a padlock would be much less trouble. But, then again, maybe that isn't as obvious to just anybody.

Peerimus asks Sly for a Flaming Sphere spell. Building a ramp by melting the ice and snow may be a viable way to get Yorrick's near ton of bear flesh safely down the short drop. It seems that Sly Foxx has just the spell prepared.

Niobe proposes to go into the door for a quick look around. Just on the verge of building a ramp for Peerimus, Sly Foxx turns with strong objections to any kind of party split. He cites the near death that they faced when they split up at the orc raider camp.

Meanwhile, Savin's sharp eye spots something odd. Something that he likely missed before because his foot was upon it. It rests in the thin layer of dirt, rock and ice in front of the door. It is a shell. Small, about the size of his thumbnail, with delicate crenulations along it's edge. It has a single hole drilled at the top where it might be threaded through a string or wire, perhaps as part of a necklace.

Savin
Saturday November 27th, 2004 10:02:55 AM
Savin will stoop down and pick up the shell. "What are you doing so far from home?" he will ask retorically. He starts to head out to the others to show Sly and Jason but suddenly stops.

He turns and holds out his hand to Niobe. "Come on...Sly will want to see this, and I don't trust your will power by that door by yourself. Don't want to risk losing the prettiest face by the campfire at nights."

Niobe d20+10=15
Saturday November 27th, 2004 3:36:19 PM
Niobe grins impishly as Savin begins to walk off. Her impish grin hasn't even had time to fade as Savin turns and holds out his hand to her to come with him to discuss the object he is holding with Sly. "Well Savin has certainly grasped that flattery will get you everywhere. Bugger for me..."

The rogue taps the fingers of one hand against her arm indicating some slight irritation. She slowly pushes away from the door. Niobe saunters over to Savin, passing his out-stretched hand and overlooking what it implies. She looks down at the shell he is holding in his other hand.

"A shell?", she asks puzzled, "could be something left by orcs or some other tribe. Lesser societies use them as money or trinkets. Any unlucky native could have dropped that. We won't get much for it." Niobe finishes in a 'matter of fact' voice.

Niobe looks Savin in the eyes and honestly states, "In case you ever cared to know. Will power or no will power, it was respect that kept me on this side of that door. However patience is not one of the virtues that I regularly employ."

Whether it is respect for the other Children or respect for something else the thief does not elaborate any further on what she means. She recalls the feeling of danger and the 'dream' of snakes that she had when their tattoos went haywire.
"Danger... I wonder what Savin dreamt? Must have been something concerning me."

For once her expression is simply just polite, her characteristic smile is gone for the moment. She isn't giving any indications what-so-ever as to what she is thinking about.

Before walking on she gives the monk a quick wink. She teases, "next thing I know you will be teaching me strict discipline and lecturing me on the evils of impulsiveness!"

(Rolled a Spot check just in case the shell wasn't immediately in plain sight. Spot 15)

Sly and Luke d20+6=18 d20+6=20 d20+10=23
Sunday November 28th, 2004 5:05:26 AM
Sly consentrates on his spell directions in making a ramp for Yurrick, It's a rough ramp, but no sharp edges sticking out to hurt the bear. just rough edges to help the bear up or down the ramp.

It's almost done when Niobe and Savin come to him and show's Sly the shell. Sly exams it very closely, "Hmmm! I wonder??"

Knowledge (History) 18
Knowledge Nature 20
Craft 23

Firn'gaer d20+6=20 d20+6=8
Sunday November 28th, 2004 8:32:41 AM
Watching Sly start to build steps for Yorrick Firn'gaer just shakes his head. "Why don't we create a pully system. Tie off a rope to Yorrick wrap it around something sturdy up there." He points back towards yorrick. "With all of us at the other end down here we lower him down, or guide his descent. Might be a little easier than creating steps or a ramp. Wouldn't you agree?"

Turning to the Druid, "Master Peerimus are you sure there is a need for your bear friend down here? Surely he would feel more comfortable top side as when we get through the door?"

[Spot DC20, Listen DC8]
[Hit points -8]

Active Effects
Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hour
Extended Endure Elements -- 24 hours
Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours

Crafting Crafting, Over the Bounding Main (Supplementary Post - DM/Al)
Sunday November 28th, 2004 10:57:13 AM
Sly Foxx reviews all of his experience at the Craft of Bow Making and sets to work attempting a ramp. Bows are not very much like ramps. However, carving wood is not much different than carving ice, is it? Sly Foxx plans his work, an intelligent beginning, from a craftsman's perspective. The ramp needs to be 10 feet wide to be big enough for Yorrick. He'll start at the top of the ledge and burn his way down and back. That seems a reasonable start, especially to anyone familiar with the use of a saw. But ... how far back should he build it? How far would it have to be before the slope is shallow enough? Sly Foxx shrugs. The math is not a part of what he does. He casts his spell and directs the Flaming Sphere. Wisely, Sly chooses a spot away from the area in which he and Niobe had attached pitons to ropes. The sphere travels across the top of the ledge and the first thing the Children of Chaos notice is the gallons of water that run down the wall and into the area in which they stand. Sly Foxx backs away from the invading water.

Fortunately the spell lasts no longer than 30 seconds. When he is done, only the top edge has been taken off the ledge. Just under 200 gallons of water has been spilled into the area below and now sits cooling in the fridge air. The cut brings the ledge 3 feet lower. And it is two feet deep. This is certainly enough to allow Yorrick to slide out with his front paws and take a cautious jump. Climbing back up, however, would be a different story. Especially now that the area is so icy slick.

[[ OoC: INT Check of 10 to realize that were an even marginally adequate ramp built, a lot of melt water would flood the area. INT Check of 25 to calculate that a 15 foot deep (steep ramp) would mean some 5000 odd gallons of water. ]]

Niobe d20+3=21 d20+3=12
Sunday November 28th, 2004 3:21:50 PM
The rogue stares in disbelief at all of the water the little fire sphere has created. For the moment the sight of all that water has pushed her teasing of Savin from her mind.
She is smart enough to realize the very real danger increasing levels of water water will bring. However engineering type math is certainly not her thing! Niobe has no clue just how much water could be created from building a ramp of any size.

"Honestly Sly, this isn't the season for building bathing pools!" she jibes as she backs farther away from the rapidly cooling water.

"One more fire spell and this whole place will most likely flood. Don't any of you spellcasters have a spell to open a door from up there to down here for Yorrick, or to make him fly or something?"

(Int check I: 21 (DC 10), Int check II: 12 (DC 25))

Peerimus d20+1=3
Sunday November 28th, 2004 4:09:31 PM
The druid frowns at the sight of the water and the little progress the spell actually made. Hmmm, hadn't thought of that problem. Ramp by fire surely is not going to work.

"Perhaps not the best plan." He calls down to those in the hole. "That leaves waiting in the hole til morning or waiting up here til morning. We should move out of this box canyon to camp, it would be safer."

"Firn'gaer, it is not so much as down as it is up and with speed, depending on what is shortly behind that door. As for leaving him, it is out of the question for me to do that. I will have the solution tomorrow, the mystery must simply wait another day."

"We should get moving back out of this area to find a secure an defensible location for your magical shelter."

Sly and Luke d20+3=15 d20+3=17
Sunday November 28th, 2004 4:35:57 PM
Sly stop after he saw the rising water, "I know! I stop as a soon as I saw that the door will stay open!" Sly hope that little lie will not be reconised.

Luke sits there and couff twice, "Couff! Couff!"

Sly ask Preerimus, "I think Yurrick can slide down there only a few feet to hit bottom, But remind me to sutdy a levatate splee if we need to get him out. But if you say so I'll go along with it."

To Fun'gar, Sly tells him, " I didn't use a block and takel because I don't have one, do you have one with you? Or aer you like me, depend on your magic? I'm not mad at you its just that us elves use more magic than brains sometime."

Ilsidur
Sunday November 28th, 2004 10:49:11 PM
Ilsidur keeps talking with the young barbarian, "Tokun, it seems that the trail ends here. If you leave, how are we supposed to know which direction to travel, to get to Zaran City? This blank wall seems to only have one way to travel: this door. It would be possible for me to fly to the top of the dead end, and see what lies beyond. If that is the way that we must travel, I could even magically transport most of the party up to the top. It would most likely take most of 2 days. But there is no way that I can magically move the bear. So, it appears that we are stuck. Unless you know of another way to the city, that we can't see? We need your help, and we need you to be brave."

"Just because something is unknown does't mean that it is dangerous. Look at us; we came to the Ice Vein, not knowing what we were getting into. We meet your band, and we helped you and you helped us. Now, we need you to be brave, and help us continue towards the city. And we can help you, and protect you in the underice."

Then the dwarf looks at the carrying-on trying to figure out how the rest of the party, including the bear, can get into the hole. "It is only 10'; just jump down! If someone twists something, I can heal you. Sly, by Drakkin's twin axes, stop trying to drown us!"

Sly and Luke
Monday November 29th, 2004 6:37:49 AM
Sly looking down at his feet, "Yes! Sir!" But then goes on to examins the shell, It does look like an ornament, Sly thinks for a minute 'Maybe Jason can be of some help?'

"Err! Jason, do you have a minute to see if you reconize this shell?" ask Sly.

Luke tell Sly "Paws wet!"

Firn'gaer
Monday November 29th, 2004 10:12:14 AM
"My appologies, I had not intended to say you leave Yorrick behind. I had only suggested that he remain here while we scouted."

"Sly I don't have a block and tackle, but a large chunk of ice above might have work equally well." He says stepping away from the pool of water.

"Ilisdur I can make him a cottage to stay until our return. It will last the good part of a day. If he wants to stay there while we go I'll create one." He says.

[Hit points -8]

Active Effects
Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hour
Extended Endure Elements -- 24 hours
Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours

Savin
Monday November 29th, 2004 2:08:10 PM
Savin will look at the actions of the others and sigh. He training has been in ways to make others feel better or happy. He never had any mathematical studies so he remains quiet.

He wonders why they just don't shrink the bear or cast fly on him or something like that.

When Jason comes over, he will hand him the shell.

Jason of Aisildur
Monday November 29th, 2004 7:39:09 PM
Jason reaches out and grabs the shell. he turns it over in his hands and studies it for a moment.

"It is nothing I can recognize. Perhaps if I took a more detailed look at it." the paladin replies. Jason was eager to help his friends in what ever way he could. Knowing their immediate need, he offers his help in anyway, to get those below up out of the water they had now created.

The Shell (DM/Al)
Monday November 29th, 2004 9:03:05 PM
The water made from Sly's construction experiment quickly begins to freeze over. A small shallow five foot diameter pool with it's own miniature icebergs thrusting up above the surface.

Proposals and plans to postpone the opening of the door until the following day move from person to person.

Ilsidur is concerned about finding a way to Zaran City should their barbarian guide desert them at this point. "If you leave, how are we supposed to know which direction to travel, to get to Zaran City?" he asks.

Tokun shrugs. "You can do many magic things. Maybe you can magic to Zaran." His eyes look hopeful for a moment. "This is not the trail to Zaran," he continues. He points back up the canyon and then circles his finger vaguely around to the southeast. He frowns as though that seems incorrect. He looks one way. Then he looks another. Finally, he shrugs.

"I am brave," Tokun says. But, the limits of his bravery show upon his face.

The tiny shell is passed from Savin to Sly, then to Jason. To Sly it is just a shell. Jason too sees no significance in the tiny thumbnail sized bauble. But, then again, the memory of such things would not be of tremendous significance to a boy. And truly, though the shape and color of the shell pull and nag at a corner of his mind, identification comes slow. Yes, Jason has seen them before. But not for many years. They were the favorite of girls and some women. The iridescent shells were collected and made into jewelry, sewn onto clothing, decorations of many kinds. He had collected a few in his younger days, years and years and a different continent away. The tiny shells that all could find washed up on the shores of the bay near Windhorn Hamlet.

Shiraz
Monday November 29th, 2004 11:19:33 PM
Shiraz watches unsure of what to do as his friends crawl down into the hole. AS Niobe works on the door Shiraz stands to one side helping the others down and across to the door. "We can wait a night but Tokun should go home, he should be allowed the chance to grow into adulthood without being forced to face his absolute fear."

Sly and Luke
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 3:02:17 AM
Sly tells Jason, "I was hoping that you might reconize the shell. It's not something an elven woman would wear, The would have metal leaves made into ear rings and necklaces.
But this shell come from a shore line town. I was hoping..." Sly trails off.

To Shiraz, he tells him "Your right! If he's that afraid, he should go home. But if he over comes his fear, and have an adventure with us. Just think of the tall stories he could tell and all the girls that would fall all over him!!". Now for the first time in a long time, Sly smiles.

Firn'gaer d20+11=26
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 9:26:26 AM
"Windhorn Hamlet did you say?" Firn'gaer says on hear a familiar name. "A nice place. It's not far from South Harbor. I was there several years ago for the Renewal of the Sentinel. Alas nothing happened, but I can remember the priestess proclaiming it would happen soon or something to that effect."

...yea, a nice place...

"Let's camp the night here. Well, up there anyway. Tomorrow let's see what down under the ice. If Tokun wants to leave, we have no right to stop him, but I would prefer an extra body." He pauses mid-sentence. "If needs be. Besides, I'd like to readjust my spell repertoire with less fire spells." He continues looking at the rapidly freezing pool of water nearby.

[Knowledge (local) DC26]
[Hit points -8]

Active Effects
Extended Mage Armor -- 18 hour
Extended Endure Elements -- 24 hours
Extended See Invisibility -- 3 hours

[ Al/OoC: If you see this Richard, could you add a post defining more clearly what Firn'gaer is attempting to know with the Knowledge Local roll? ]

Savin
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 11:07:26 AM
Savin doesn't care if they wait another day. He does suggest that. "If we are going to camp, we might want to find a way to lock the door from the outside. Wedges or something. Keep the curious from going in," sidelong glance at Niobe, "and the protect us or at least give us some warning to nightly visitors."

Peerimus
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 3:30:32 PM
"I have no way of securing the door. Sly, Firn'gaer?"

Peerimus will stand ready to assist any who need it getting out of the hole.

"I still think we should move clear of the boxed canyon before setting up camp. Ilsidur, tell Tokun that if he wishes to return to his village he of course can, but ask him to at least wait until morning. We may find only a small forgotten room beyond that door and will be back on track to Zaran City. It is also a bit on in the day and starting fresh in the morning would be better and I could place a protection of cold for him."

Niobe d20+16=28 d20+16=35
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 4:34:06 PM
Niobe grins teasingly at Savin, "what you don't think you could keep me away from the door, hmm?"

Poor Savin Niobe is relentlessly teasing him! She wisely omits that barring the door; or locking it, wouldn't deter her if she decided to go ahead and enter the door.

The rogue taps her foot and gives the men a "are you serious" look, as she hears them debating how to keep things behind the door.

"Oh please, if I can open a lock I can certainly lock it as well."

She returns to the door and takes her thieves' tools out. Niobe proceeds to work on the lock. Failing to complete her task on the first attempt she tries again. Of course she is far from happy about the decision to pospone exploring what lies beyond the door.

(Open Lock 28, Open Lock 35; using the skill to reverse her previous lock opening procedure.)

((OOC: Al I hope that I can use the Open Lock skill to lock the lock again. By my way of thinking it is logical that the Open Lock skill could be used to reverse the process.))

Jason of Aisildur
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 7:50:25 PM
"They are the shells commonly found along the shores near my home. I am sure I have seen them in necklaces and on the clothes of the girls there. As a matter of fact..." it goes through his mind again and again,

"...my mother Nadia may have infact worn a necklace or jewelry with such shells on it." The paladin then examines it closer to see if the shell has any man made holes in it, or aborations, that would signify such a use in this case.

Firn'gaer (An elaboration)
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 8:03:34 PM
...yea, a nice place...

Firn'gaer sits back and reflects on the shell. He tries to think of its significance and its relation to New Elenna.

A shell found commonly on the shores of Windhorn Hamlet? Buried in the ice...what is the significance? I know there is a connection...but what...

He continues to ponders.

Sundown In The Canyon (DM/Al)
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 9:05:25 PM
The Children of Chaos have adapted to conditions that would surely have killed less extraordinary people long ago. Though there is certainly more to learn, they have little fear of Ice Vein any longer. A consensus develops within the group to stay the night and explore the double doors on the morrow.

Niobe kneels by the lock again. The lock is good. The rogue's first attempt at unlocking it stands testament to that. However, as with all puzzles, once solved they become simpler. She inserts her picks and quickly works her way through the levers and plates. A twist of the wrist, and on the first try, Niobe is rewarded with the sound of the locking bolt dropping back into place. The door is again locked.

Firn'gaer watches Jason as he examines the shell. Windhorn Hamlet ... The wizard knows the area. Why in the Wold would such a thing as this be here? So blasted far away? The shells have no commercial value that he knows of. And so this one is unlikely to have found its way here by means of trade. No, the most reasonable deduction based upon his knowledge is that someone from that area has passed this way, most likely a woman. The shell was on her person and it was dislodged here, possibly on the way through the door.

Jason, meanwhile, has come to the same conclusion. Except that he thinks he knows who that woman might be. He holds the shell up to the waning light. Sure enough, as Savin had noticed earlier, there is a hole drilled at the back point of the shell in just the place where it might be strung as jewelry.

The light in the canyon is dim. Up above, between the close walls of the canyon, the light of the setting sun can be seen against the deepening blue of the late afternoon sky. The day will be gone soon enough.

OoC

Niobe is now familiar with this particular lock. DC is now lower: DC28. Doesn't get any lower than that though. Not until you take it apart and put it back together.

In the hole: Savin, Niobe, Sly, Luke, Shiraz, Ilsidur, Firn'gaer
Up on the rim: Peerimus, Yorrick, Jason, Tokun

Savin
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 10:45:25 PM
"Ahhhh Niobe, if you are locking a lock that opend from the inside, won't the owners of the lock be able to open it up also?'

Savin will look through his belongings and find a one of six torches in his haversack. He will pull out a dagger and start whittling the handle down to a flat point. He will then peg the door closed from the outside. He doubts it would stop someone but it should slow them down and give him and his friends some time to prepare.

He will look up at the rim and yell,"Why don't you just jump down? You can't stay up there all night. You will freeze. It isn't that far of a fall and we have some healing spells available to us."

Ilsidur
Tuesday November 30th, 2004 11:00:07 PM
Ilsidur says, "I agree that we should probably stay the night right here. Firn, can you set up the shelter so that the door faces this pit, and the door that we plan to enter tomorrow? That way, we can keep an eye on the door as well."

Then he moves over beside the young paladin, and says, "Jason, this is a good sign. Who knows, maybe this shell was dropped for a purpose, to give us a clue of the path to follow. We will be back on the trail tomorrow, and lets hope we make some significant progress."

Finally, he looks up and addresses the young barbarian, "We are going to spend the night here on the surface, in our magical shelter. We would be honoured to have you stay with us. However, in the morning, we must all go through that door and under the ice, since my two friends need to find what happened to their families. In the morning, we would like you to accompany us, but if you need to travel home, we will send you on your way with our thanks, and some coal, food and water to see you safely home. We only ask if you can't come with us, that you tell us whatever you can about the path that we need to follow to get to Zaran City. Now, please throw us down a rope, so we can climb out."

Shiraz
Wednesday December 1st, 2004 1:42:49 AM
Shiraz assists Savin in pushing the flat end of the orch into the doorjam, and looks at his friends, "Let me help you all out then you can lower a rope and I can climb out."

Niobe d20+10=12
Wednesday December 1st, 2004 1:48:32 AM
"Very clever. Of course they can open the lock if they have a key or picks."

Niobe looks over at the wedge Savin put under the door and bites her tongue not to laugh.

"That wedge won't help much either though if whom ever might be inside really wants out. In fact it will most likely "tell" them that someone is just outside."

She stifles a laugh as she thinks, 'it won't keep me out either if I really want to go inside!'

The rogue decides to wait beside the door again as the others try to figure out where to set up camp. Once again she thinks to herself that just quickly scouting behind the door and getting that done with quickly would have been best.

Niobe studies the door to see if it opens outward or inward. She suspects that it would open inward because of the wintry conditions of the Ice Vein. She considers whether a wedge would really work on the door if it indeed does open inwards.

(Spot 12)

Sly and Luke
Wednesday December 1st, 2004 6:06:30 AM
Sly (with a look of hope in his eyes) tell Jason "I was hoping that you would say that it look like something your mother would wear. Do you know what that means?? The slaves went in there! Alive they passed this way."

Luke approches his master, and puts his nose in Sly's hand. "The Vision!"

Then the light fades from Sly's eyes. Answers his dog "I know, The Pain! But I must know... I have to know."

Savin (Illegal post) d20+9=29
Wednesday December 1st, 2004 11:42:44 AM
Savin will notice that Niobe is again studying the door. He will determinely march over, grab her by the shoulder and turn her around.

He will gently raise his hands to her face, cradling both sides of her cheeks. "Listen, my vision told me I was the protecter of the group and if people went places without me, they would die. I don't want you to die."

Savin's mind flashes back to the young gypsy girl's lessons on kissing. He really enjoyed those lessons but knows it is a skill to kiss well. He leans forward and gently but firmly kisses the pretty thief, enveloping her into a hug. (Rolled natural 20 on my perform roll so assuming it was a pretty good kiss!)

He will then step back and grab her hand and implore, "Please don't go in without me." He will then slip away feeling slightly smug with himself, but also slightly in shock too

Firn'gaer
Wednesday December 1st, 2004 8:07:31 PM
"Alright." He says to Ilsidur and moves to begin the incantation for the shelter.

Casting a spell, fly, he and rises out of the pit and finds what he thinks is a good location. He then begins the spell. "Ummm...ummm...ummm..."

The Soft Veil of Night (DM/Al)
Wednesday December 1st, 2004 9:45:09 PM
Another night in the Magic Shelter. Tokun nods to the Short Steel Man. "I will be brave." He replies, yet his eyes move once again out across the caved and crumbled ice to the shadowy door.

Within the shadows of the cave, Savin makes wedges for the door while Niobe looks dubiously on. She is, of course correct. A wedge would be of little use against someone determined to open the door. However, she is incorrect in her assumption that the door opens inward. It clearly opens outwards. And, with that observation, she gains an insight into the priorities of the builders. This door was most likely designed to resist a forced entry from the outside. A door that opened inwards would be easier to batter in.

As the rogue comes to this realization, Savin rises from his work and kisses her firmly upon the mouth. The monk's motivations may be cloudy, but the kiss itself is electricity from a clear blue sky. Shiraz appears to help secure the door just as Savin escapes out the mouth of the cave.

Sensing a consensus, Firn'gaer produces a feather and lifts from the bottom of the hole with a spell. The wizard floats in the gloom of the swiftly darkening canyon and produces another cottage. This one rests 10 feet back from the ledge and fills nearly the entire width of the canyon.

Both Sly and Niobe's ropes are still anchored on the ledge.

OoC
Climb check would be DC5, but with Shiraz's help, I'll waive that.

Peerimus
Wednesday December 1st, 2004 10:14:04 PM
Peerimus will suggest a watch and will volunteer himself and Yorrick for teh first one. Peerimus will maintain his portion of the watch as a bear.

Sly and Luke d20+1=12 d20+16=26
Thursday December 2nd, 2004 7:26:22 AM
Sly will Pick up Luke and tuck the dog in his cape. Up the go to the top, then release Luke.

Sly will tell Peimus, "Friend Peerimus and Yurrick (Sly reconise the bears efforts in this quest)You have been the first ones to do most of the hard work, you need a good rest. So I'll take the first watch as soon as I change my and Lukes charcoals. Now go rest!"

After Luke is on the Snow covered plain, he shake himself going over to his pal Yurrick, as if to say 'Big hole down there. WE go in!"

OOC: DC checks Sly 12 - Luke 26.

Shiraz d20+5=17
Thursday December 2nd, 2004 11:03:41 AM
Shiraz helps the others put and with littel effort climbs out of the hole. " I will take the middle watch so you all can get uninteruppted sleep tonight."

Niobe d20+3=14 d20+8=15
Thursday December 2nd, 2004 6:39:21 PM
Niobe is stunned by Savin's kiss; she would never have expected to have any of her own methods used against herself!

'Wonder what drove Savin to kiss me like that? That had to mean more than just trying to convince me to not wander off. There is no way that didn't mean something deeper. What to do...?'

She stands rooted to the spot for many seconds replaying that unbelievably, utterly breath-taking kiss. The rogue is certainly surprised; no mean feat.

"Wow..." is the only thing she can think to say at the moment. For the while any and all thoughts of the door are very much gone from her mind.

'Huh, I didn't quite think he had that in him... wow...

Like everyone else Niobe will eventually make her way over to the ropes and climb up to the others. As usual she has no trouble what so ever making the climb.

Niobe will take any watches offered to her for the night - though she has a feeling that she won't be asked to take any guard watches outside; certainly not alone at any rate. She will bide her time either doing some sort of chore or just fiddling with some item from her haversack. The rogue is simply bide her time waiting; rather expectantly, for what Savin will do next.

If anyone mentions anything about the door Niobe will immediately join in the discussion. If there is any discussion regarding whatever Tokun decides to do, she will advise that the young barbarian stay with them. She will state that it is not like they will let him get hurt or lost. Niobe will even attempt diplomacy to convince ther guide to stay with them.

(Climb 14, Diplomacy 15)

Firn'gaer
Thursday December 2nd, 2004 8:20:15 PM
Firn'gaer settles in for a good night rest and contemplates tomorrow.

Down under the ice...wonder how much experience the others have in spellunking?

Ah...gettin' all worried for nothing...still...

Answers...

Savin d20+9=13
Thursday December 2nd, 2004 9:25:13 PM
Savin will move about the cabin helping to prepare the evening meal. He seems distracted and it shows in his cooking. He burns the bisquits but the rest of the meal is ok.

He keeps glancing at Niobe not really sure on how to follow up on that kiss. Does he even what to follow up on the kiss? He is very confused. He has a strong attraction to the pretty thief, but is that enough?

He will be drawn to her as the night moves on and will find himself rubbing her shoulders and the group chats around the fire.

"What do you think is behind the door? I don't think it has been used in a long time, since the ice formed over it. Maybe a treasure or a bunch of bones..." Savin winces as he says this and shoots a glance at Jason and Sly. He quickly says, "I hope your families are OK."

Soon the Morning (DM/Al)
Thursday December 2nd, 2004 9:58:21 PM
Night passes, and more happens within the cramped cottage than perhaps without.

Niobe and Savin steal glances at each other from across the room.

Sly and Jason flirt with speculation as to what they might find beyond the door. In light of their recent premonition, each imagining brings with it fears of tragedy and loss.

In fact, the unopened door weighs heavily upon the minds of all. It stands outside their shelter, waiting, cloaked in a mystery that burns within the darkness of each person's imagination.

Firn'gaer drifts to sleep with thoughts of ... answers.

The next morning comes soon enough. The strip of sky visible from the floor of the canyon lightens to a bluer and bluer black as the dawn reaches out across the world above. All is as they had left it as the Children of Chaos emerge from their shelter. The door remains as it was before. The ropes hang from their pitons as they were placed by Sly and Niobe the previous day. One section of the ledge is still melted away.

Tokun emerges from the cottage, his eyes are sunken and red. It had been a night of struggle for the young barbarian. Inner demons show little mercy. And, yet what can one charged with the care of the Magic Heroes, the Saviors do but to suffer and obey?

Sly And Luke
Friday December 3rd, 2004 8:10:06 AM
Sly just before going to take the first watch, he sits beside Savin, "I have been waiting a long time for this!... But here goes, Tell me what monestary did you go to? If they teach you to kiss like that! I might just want join them??"
Sly runs out the door with Luke (with a pay-back smerk on his face).

The night passes with nothing going on, Except the thoughs of his Mother being force to go down there and then what?? 'I must find out!!'

In the morning Sly is at the edge, looking down, nothing has chaned, every thing is as they left it. A black cloud crosses his eyes, thinking Who ever went in there never came out. They are either dead or they went on beeper, slaveing away for who knows what?? But Sly thinks, "I Have to Know?"

Spell Lists - OoC (DM/Al)
Friday December 3rd, 2004 8:27:51 AM
BTW, it's a new day. Can I have spell lists from:

Firn'gaer
Ilsidur
Peerimus
Sly

Peerimus
Friday December 3rd, 2004 5:39:58 PM
The morning again finds the druid just outside sitting with Yorrick just behind him. Basking in the opening light of the first rays of dawn.

Peerimus reflects his fortune and gives thanks to both Mother and Father before preparing his spells:

Level 0:
Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

Level 1:
Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Speak with Animals

Level 2:
Extended Endure Elements, Flame Blade x2, Reduce Animal x2, Barkskin

Level 3:
CMW, Greater Magic Fang, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

Level 4:
Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds, Ice Storm

Level 5:
Animal Growth

As everyone readies, "Has Tokun decided on his path as of yet?" the druid will ask Ilsidur.

"I have spells that will make if easy for Yorrick to get in and out of the hole. If needed. At first we shall remain up here as the door is opened. No need to expend the efforts if there is but a single empty room beyond. Shall we begin. Niobe I believe you are up first."

Niobe d20+5=18 d20+16=28
Friday December 3rd, 2004 8:16:30 PM
Niobe shows that she enjoys and appreciates the shoulder rub. The rogue is as relaxed as she ever has been, though by all rights she should be tense. But she is used to occasionally manipulating peoples' emotions to achieve some goals - which is what she had been trying to do initially; out of habit. Old habits do die hard. Still she is considering many of the same things that Savin is. She is certainly tempted to see how this might work out. The question for her is whether to show that interest openly...

Since Niobe has Savin's undevided attention she asks him about his vision. She keeps her voice low, so the conversation will at least seem more private.
"Savin what did the Fates tell you exactly? Was it concerning me?"
The rogue is being as charming as ever of course - and hopefully just 'distant' enough to continue to be intriguing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the morning Niobe will be up very early for once. She will do her utmost to be very quiet as she prepares to do some exploring. By being quiet she hopes to keep whomever needs the extra sleep unawakened. She fully expects Savin to somehow notice her preparing to leave the shelter, and Peerimus is already wide awake as well.
"Yes Peerimus, I am going to open that lock again right now. You and Yorrick can follow whenever you see fit. The same goes for the others too; but I don't want to wake anyone still asleep."

With that said she scales down the cliff via her rope, quick as a flash she is down. Niobe sets to working on the lock as fast as she can.

(Climb 18, Open Lock 28)

The Pressure of the Unknown (DM/Al)
Friday December 3rd, 2004 10:30:38 PM
Sly stands next to Peerimus and Yorrick at the edge of the ten foot drop. They watch as Niobe scampers quickly down the rope and picks her way across the rubble of the collapsed ice ceiling. Disappearing into the gloom of the shallow cave, she kneels before the double doors. It does not take the rogue long to once again pick the lock. With a click, the bolt is free to slide. All that need be done is to pull the bolt aside, remove the wedges, and swing the doors open.

Tokun looks at the Magic One's present and decides to approach Bear Friend. "Shou Whek ton Tokun heup lasah uhch weh?" he asks.

[[ OoC: I'll post more as more people post over the weekend. ]]

Firn'gaer
Saturday December 4th, 2004 10:18:39 AM
Firn'gaer steps from the shelter in the morning and prepares for the day.

He cast the following spells endure elements (using rod), extended mage armor.

Active Spells
extended endure elements
extended mage armor

Rod (2/3 left)

Prepared spells.
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Sly and Luke
Saturday December 4th, 2004 11:50:57 AM
Sly wakes as Niobe, goes out the door. Luke jump up and is out the door even before Niobe (Luke is answering the call of nature.) Luke look around notheing id sticking out of the ground, So he let's go on Fun'gar Magic Hut.)

Sly reminds himself that he might be going in a battle arena, He double check is Magic.

Lvl 0 - Acid splash X2, Flare & Detect Magic

Lvl 1 - Shield, Magic Missels x3

Lvl 2 - Acid Arrows, Spider Climb, Scorching Ray.
Lvl 3 - Lightning Bolts

Sly is now ready to face what ever is behind that door. Out he goes to stand with the others.

Savin
Saturday December 4th, 2004 4:54:48 PM
Savin does tell Niobe about his dream/vision and inquires about hers as well.

In the morning, he will stick to his normal routine even though he doesn notice Niobe slip out. "She has to follow her own path." he thinks.

He will do his stretches and morning katas losing himself in the exercise. Things have been whirling around in his head and he needs the release.

Niobe
Saturday December 4th, 2004 5:54:02 PM
Niobe removes the wedges and decides to wait for the others. When she has finished her self-appointed tasks she finds that Savin didn't follow her down here. Expecting quite the opposite to have occured the rogue finds herself surprised yet again.

She hides a small yawn; and her budding sense of disappointment, as she turns away from the door and looks up at 'her audience' on top of the cliff.

"Are any of you going to join me or am I going to end up scouting this place out alone??", Niobe calls up to the others, her question is half in jest.

Ilsidur
Saturday December 4th, 2004 9:44:09 PM
Ilsidur rises in the morning, and moves over to the wizard, saying, "Thank you, Firn, for another comfortable night. This shelter spell of yours certainly is useful."

Then the dwarf cleric spends an hour or so at his morning devotions, asking the Woldian powers to grant him the strength and the magic that he will need this day.

SPELLS
Level 0 (6):
Detect magic
Detect magic
Create water
Light
Read magic
Resistance

Level 1 (6+1):
Entropic shield (Luck domain spell)
Detect evil
Endure Elements
Bless
Comprehend languages
Comprehend languages
Obscuring mist

Level 2 (6+1):
Locate Object (Travel domain spell)
Remove paralysis
Hold person
Resist energy
Spiritual weapon
Bull's strength
Status

Level 3 (4+1):
Fly (Travel domain spell)
Dispel magic
Magic circle vs. evil
Prayer
Remove blindness/deafness

Level 4 (3+1):
Dimension door (travel domain spell)
Restoration
Death Ward
Summon Monster IV

Level 5 (2+1):
Teleport (travel domain spell)
Righteous might
True seeing

After eating a bite, Ilsidur casts Comprehend Languages on himself, and signals for the young barbarian to repeat himself. He will listen to what Tokun has to say, and then use signals as best as possible to make the young man understand the answer.

After the difficult discussion with their guard, Ilsidur will make his way over to the edge of the ice hole, and look down at Niobe. "Well, young lady, you have been most patient. Let's all get down there with you, and you can open that door at last." He takes hold of the rope, and clambers down the side of the hole, to the bottom.

Jason of Aisildur
Sunday December 5th, 2004 9:47:23 AM
Jason is a mix of excitement and apprehension. He new the door could hold behind it the answer he sought. Yet the possible answer it kept from him was terrifying in prospect.

The paladin braced himself and prepared for the worst as the group prepared to find out what secrets the barrier kept.

"If it does hold the answers, and if it is not what we want to hear...at least we will know." Jason says to Sly as he moves to him, waiting beside him as both a brother and a kindred spirit.

What You Don't Understand ... (Supplementary Post DM/Al)
Sunday December 5th, 2004 11:30:37 AM
The Short Steel Man approaches Tokun as he awaits an answer from Bear Friend. Unlike the day before, Short Steel Man only gestures. The barbarian lad frowns, puzzled, but repeats the question that he had put to Bear Friend.

"Do you wish Tokun to go in there with you?" he asks in the barbarian tongue.

Tokun watches as comprehension lights in Short Steel Man's eyes. Perhaps they are becoming more like the Smashed Teeth. They not to speak so much in the cold.

Then Short Steel Man climbs down into the hole. Is this an answer? Who can understand the Magic Ones? Guiding them across the ice is easy. Understanding them is very difficult. Living with the Magic Ones makes Tokun feel tired.

OoC
At the Ledge
Peerimus
Yorrick
Savin
Sly
Luke
Firn'gaer
Jason
Shiraz

In The Hole
Niobe
Ilsidur

Firn'gaer
Sunday December 5th, 2004 2:46:36 PM
Firn'gaer takes hold of the rope and slowly lowers himself down.

[Take 10 on climb check making Climb DC10]

Active Spells
extended endure elements
extended mage armor

Rod (2/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin
Sunday December 5th, 2004 5:02:03 PM
Savin will go to the edge of the drop and jump down grabbing the sides to slow his fall. He will trot over to the door and give Niobe a wink. "Ready to satisfy that curiosity?"

Sly and Luke d20+6=24 d20=19
Monday December 6th, 2004 5:22:58 AM
Sly speaks to Jason, "This is why I came here to Ice Vein, To get answers, it maybe painful or Joyful, Either way we'll know" He slaps the paladin on the back, "Let's Go!"

Sly grabs Luke to himself, and down the rope they go. (Sly Climb 24 - Luke Climb 19)

Once down on the bottom, (Here Sly will use sign language.) He signs to their Guide Tokum 'Good man! We feel better you with us. Now you protect (Sly points to Ilsidur, Fun'garand Niobe) We fighters will proteck you. Welcome!'

Luke waits for his friend Yurrick to join him.

Peerimus
Monday December 6th, 2004 9:36:28 AM
Peerimus considers what thier young guide has said, through interpretation of Ilsidur.
It would better him and most likely the tribe were he to face a great fear, but it could also devestate him once we were inside and put us all in danger

The druid puts a solemn hand on Tokun's shoulder with a firm grip. Knowing he can not understand him he says "This shall be your Nu'eahe, your spiritual test of guidance. Yorrick and I shall do all that we can to help you." Looking to Ilsidur, "Please tell him it is he who must take teh reigns of his destiny and decide for himself in this. I can act as guide and sometimes protector but that is all."

Peerimus waits for an answer for a breif time, then turns to watch the door from above, Yorrick directly at his side.

Firn'gaer
Monday December 6th, 2004 1:37:48 PM
Firn'gaer waits quietly as the others speak to their young guide.

He thinks Come on kid just come. You look strong we could use the extra muscle.

Active Spells
extended endure elements
extended mage armor

Rod (2/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Niobe d20+9=27 d20+9=27 d20+10=28
Monday December 6th, 2004 6:02:58 PM
Niobe is indeed being uncharacteristically patient, this is based on the realization that they will most likely only succeed by working as a team. During her "long" wait she has wondered what, or who, the builders of the door wanted to keep out.

"I am more than ready to see what is behind the door", Niobe answers Savin.
As soon as everyone is down here she will check for any traps before opening the door (27). Her philosophy tends towards 'you can never be too careful'.
If it seems safe to open the door then Niobe will open the door wide, but not be dumb enough to stand in the center of the opened door of course. If nothing comes flying out the open door she will immediately enter the door and stay close to the nearest wall as she scopes out the room (search 27, spot 28).
The rogue searches for glyphs, other forms of writing, anything moving, monsters, new doors and such.

(Trapfinding: Search 27, Trap sense +2 if she actually sets any potential traps off! Checking out the room: Search 27, Spot 28)

Ilsidur
Monday December 6th, 2004 7:45:46 PM
Ilsidur smiles and nods to the young barbarian, and signals for him to join the party. He signals that he cannot speak the language, but only understand it. He tries to make Tokun understand the he can only ask Ilsidur yes/no questions, and Ilsidur will be able to respond with a nod or a shake.

He looks over to see how Niobe is doing with the door.

What You Don't Understand ... Won't Hurt You? (DM/Al) d20+2=17
Monday December 6th, 2004 9:51:50 PM
Tokun turns from face to face. The Magic Ones jabber at him in their Outlander tongue. The people of his village do not speak much while in the cold, not with their voices. They do, though, speak. Through look and gesture, a language that even the youngest learns.

And, to the young barbarian, it is clear what the Magic Ones say to him. Tokun follows the Short Steel Man down the rope.

Firn'gaer climbs down as well. Savin leaps from the ledge. A light touch against the ice wall sets him gently on the crumbled floor of the icy debris. It would be difficult to tumble here. Sly climbs down the other rope.

Luke takes one look at the rope and shakes himself all over. "Don't climb," he barks. Carefully scrabbling at the slippery edge, the war dog jumps down instead, his paws cushioning his fall. (Jump 17. Sorry, I draw the line at dogs who climb ropes.)

Peerimus, Jason, and both the very large Yorrick and Shiraz remain atop the ledge. They watch as Niobe approaches the door. She examines the door with an expert eye. Nothing is revealed. Careful to remain behind the heavy five by ten foot right-hand door, she grasps the handle and pulls backwards. As she pulls the door wide, the rogue keeps it between herself and whatever might be inside.

The interior is dark in the early morning gloom of the deep canyon. At first nothing can be seen but a blackness darker than the dark of the shallow cave. It is something else that is the first to exit through the door. Warmth. Warmth drifts from out of the door, not a great warmth, but enough to feel against the freezing cold that chills the canyon floor. And, with the warmth, comes a smell. It is, at first, a tart chemical smell of antiseptic that stings the nose. But, from underneath the chemical mask rises an undertone that will not be suppressed, an odor of reek an corruption, a stench that rips an image from the mind, an image of carrion meat rotting upon a field of battle.

Then there is a snort, a rough grunt, a shuffling of large feet. Eyes adjust to the dark. Ilsidur and Sly, and Shiraz from his place up on the ledge see a broad back with a head, oddly small, atop the shoulders. Sly's elf-born vision gives him the most detail. The arm of seemingly different coloration than the torso. The odd patchwork of lines.

It lumbers aimlessly into view and then away, as though, as of yet, unaware of the open door and those just outside.

OoC
At the Ledge
Peerimus
Yorrick
Jason
Shiraz

In The Hole
Niobe
Ilsidur
Savin
Sly
Luke
Firn'gaer

Shiraz
Monday December 6th, 2004 9:59:42 PM
Shiraz climbs down carefully and activates his shield, "Be careful" the fighter says drawing both weapons and remember tto keep light to a minimum"

Savin
Monday December 6th, 2004 11:06:07 PM
Savin, remembers back to his days at the monestary. What did his master say? "Mages and clerics are capable of making living statues. They can be terrible foes but aren't in most cases very intelligent. They are called golems."

Savin will call out, "Careful, it might be a flesh golem but I have never seen one up in person before. They are supposed to be very strong."

He will reach out and grab Niobe's arm and pull her behind him.

Sly and Luke
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 10:01:32 AM
Sly look very carefully, "Oh! My Gosh! I have never see a thing like this. Now I wish we had our Iron Golem right about now. This one is odd, very odd? He has a broad torso with a small head, Great big feet.
But his arm are of a different color from the rest of the body, it seem as if he was put together Patch work style? You know like the Barbarian Women make with the wolves pelts.
It seem as if he's wandering around and has not seem that the door is open or that we are here,YET!"

Sly tell Luke, "Stay with Niobe and the magic users. OK!"

Luke answers "Yes!"

Peerimus
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 5:07:20 PM
The druid squats at the top and does his best to get a glimpse of what it is that patrols the inner hall. If it is a golem is likely has a specific set of instructions.

Calling down "Back away from the door a moment, the next time it turns about it will surely see the door is open. If it does not comme out it must have specific instruction not to unless attacked."

"We need more information before we destroy someone's guardman. A creature of this nature denotes an intelligence behind it that may prove friendly."

Niobe d20+10=22
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 8:55:09 PM
Niobe was geared to enter the room and had planned to be well on her way inside. However she very quickly finds herself being pulled in the opposite direction!

She gently shrugs her arm out of Savin's hand and gives him a questioning look.
"Oh for pity's sake I can easily avoid that creature. You worry too much sometimes," she hisses in a whisper to Savin. She is not angry.

If everyone else decides to listen to Peerimus' advice about backing away from the door then Niobe will reluctantly follow suit.

While waiting to see if the creature emerges from the door she will listen to its steps to see try and gauge how long time it takes to go from one end of the room to another (listen 22).
This way if it doesn't leave the room then she can possibly sneak in behind it and thus get an opportunity to check out the room at least somewhat. The stench wafting from the room is unpleasant but no big deterent to the rogue as of yet. That might change though depending on what she finds in the room - corpses don't always inspire one to want to continue on.

(Listen 22)

The Door Guardian - Unwelcome Surprise - Round 01 (DM/Al) d20+10=25 2d8(4+1)+5=10
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 9:07:46 PM
Shiraz calls out a warning.

Savin pulls Niobe away and speculates as to what the thing might be.

Niobe, verbally objects.

Sly describes what he sees for his comrades and tells Luke to stay to the back.

Luke says, "Yes."

Peerimus, from up on the ledge calls everyone back.

"quweeEIIIEE-EE-EE!"

The reaction to the sound of voices is electrifying. A high keening wail comes from within the dark room. Savin and Niobe, up close and personal, see the hulking monster swing around. The air explodes with a bang as the left-hand door is struck with tremendous force, and flies open to crash against the cave wall.

"Gyawryawagrarh-EERAAAAAAAAAAH!" The small gnomish head sewn upon the massive shoulders lets out a high pitched roar of challenge. It's lower jaw wags and swings as if unhinged from it's skull. With a lame hopping gait it springs forward and lays a ham fisted back hand into Savin's chest. (Hit AC25, 10hp damage)

OoC

<We are now in combat rounds.>

Map on it's way via email.

List AC and HP in the Name field.
Also list all active spell effects.

Firn'gaer - AC 19, HP 45 d20+17=20 5d4(2+2+1+1+3)+5=14
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 10:01:40 PM
Firn'gaer sees the large flesh beast and as he quickly scans his memory of such as creature. His magical recollection was only able to filter out the very basic of knowledge. "It's a golem." he cries out before he calls to his mind the incantation for a magic missile spell.

After a quick series of gestures and incantations, a distortion of air forms around Firn'gaer gathering at his right hand. The distortion dancings with arcs of energy dissipates as five small orbs of distortion streak towards the golem. Each strike the center mass of the unholy creation.

[Arcane Knowledge DC20]
[Magic Missiles 14 points of damage]

Active Spells
extended endure elements
extended mage armor

Rod (2/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin ac 24 hps 85/95 d20+11=26 d20+11=15 d20+6=8 d10+4=7
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 10:03:07 PM
Savin is surprised by the sudden attack, but is game for the fight. He kicks out connecting with the beast's leg. "Ouch! It is flesh but it is solid." he yells.

Savin will back up 5' to draw it out so he companions can get to it more easily.

The follow up strikes fail to connect.

Jason of Aisildur
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 10:41:04 PM
Jason, immediately hearing the commotion from below, moves to the ropes and looks down to see if there is room for him to get down where the fight is occuring.

If there is room, the paladin moves down the ropes and prepares to engage the enemy, a prayer to Domi on the tip of his tongue.

Shiraz AC 27 <dodge vs golem> hps 84/84 d20+16=19 d20+12=15 d20+15=28 2d8(4+4)+11=19 d10+6=14 2d8(6+5)+8=19
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 10:52:58 PM
Shiraz charges the thirty feet between where he stands and his comrades side. Sizing up his opponent Shirac carefully chooses his moment and strikes out at the golem, <AC 19, 15, 28 for 19, 14, and 19 damamge.

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 86] Yorrick [AC 19 HP 73] d20+17=30 d20+8=14 d20+9=29
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 11:16:02 PM
Obviously the wait is over and action is now needed.

Calling down, "Firn'gaer, Sly shift to your left Yorrick and I are coming down."

It may sting a bit, but off he goes. Peerimus shifts to a bear and jumps down, a grunt to Yorrick brings him as well. [Handle Animal 30] [Peerimus jump check 14] [Yorrick jump check 29]

Assuming Sly and Firn'gaer clear him room they end up at C14 and E14

Active Spell
Endure Elements extended

Ilsidur (AC 25, 98/98 hp, comprehend languages)
Tuesday December 7th, 2004 11:43:58 PM
Ilsidur watches Shiraz rush by him to face off against the creature. He moves forward to behind the minotaur, ready to step in if the rogue and the monk step out.

Sly(AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke(AC 21 28/28hp) 2d3(2+3)=5
Wednesday December 8th, 2004 7:56:52 AM
Sly moves to the left, so that Peerimus and Yurrick can land. As long as Sly can see his enermy, he can hit him with Acid arrows.
This is not much help but it will help!" Sly utters the magic words "Slish Slash Sisssct" Two acid splash flies and hit the golem (hopefully in the head)

OOC: Damages 5hp.

Sly Spells
Levels
0 - Acid splash x2- Flair- Detect Magic
1 - Shield- Magic MisslesX3
2 - Acid Arrows(2d4+4 each arrows)- Spider climb- Scorching Ray
3 - Lighting Bolts(1d6+5)

Niobe (AC 19, HP 67/67) d20+12=30
Wednesday December 8th, 2004 4:59:01 PM
Niobe tumbles past the creature and readies her rapier. The rogue takes a defensive stance as she waits. She hopes that Savin; and anyone else near enough by, gets the picture that she hopes to try and flank the enemy.

(Tumble 30)

The Door Guardian - Something is Wrong Here - Round 02 (DM/Al) d6=5 d100=63 d20+10=22 d20+10=25 2d8(4+2)+5=11 2d8(6+6)+5=17
Wednesday December 8th, 2004 9:56:02 PM
Savin returns the blow he received with a flurry of his own. He backs away as they all thud harmlessly against the tough patchwork flesh.

Niobe goes in the exact opposite direction. A diving roll beneath the hulking brute's legs brings her up just behind the creature's back.

Shiraz moves to his comrades' aide, preparing a charge. But he would risk running Ilsidur down. He strides the 30 feet between himself and the monster instead. As he approaches with in ten feet, his shield, floating in the air, falls to the ground, clattering against the ice. The bold minotaur attacks his foe none the less, striking with both weapons. Both bastard swords bite, but without the certainty that he's use to. Neither they don't bite as deeply either. To the seasoned warrior, it feels as though the magic had gone out of the weapons.

(Using both weapon and natural attacks requires a full round action, Shiraz. And it's -5 to the attack that's not primary.)

Sly and Firn'gaer unleash magic attacks against the creature. The magical energies fly unerring toward their target. Ten feet before the creature, Sly's arrow of acid and Firn'gaer's bolts of energy, vanish as though they never existed.

Sly steps aside to allow Peerimus and Yorrick room to jump down. Yorrick lands safely on coiled steel-spring muscles. Peerimus fares not as well. His leg turns as he hits the ice. (DC for Jumping down is 15. Take 5hp fall damage.)

Jason and the Tokun climb down the ropes. Tokun brings a bone greataxe into his hands.

Ilsidur moves up behind Shiraz, waiting on an opening.

The creature's eyes move from its retreating target to the small thing that rolls under his legs to the big thing that strides on hoofed feet to strike at it with steel. Two massive fists strike back at the dark minotaur. Shiraz no longer has his shield, and his armor feels as though it has lost the strength of its magic.

The blows fall and seems to stop them not at all. (Hit AC22, AC25, Damage 11, 17 = 28hp)

OoC
<map sent by email>

Shiraz, your shield is lying on the ground. Your armor is no more than a Masterwork Breastplate as well.

The Creature is AC 18 Damage reduction 5/adamantine
Creature Status - Wounded

The maps have grid coordinates. Numbers across the top and letters down the left side. Please designate the space in which you want your PC to end up. If you do not, I will place him/her in the place I think s/he should be based upon your description. Once placed, it cannot be changed.

Savin ac 24 hps 85/95 d20+9=23 d20+13=31 d10+4=13
Wednesday December 8th, 2004 10:19:15 PM
Savin sees Niobe do her cute little stunt and decides to try it too. He tumbles forward and hopefully past the golem (tumble 23)and will stand up and strike at the creature.

Savin is trying to get to n4. He will rear up and kick at the monster in the back of the knee
Hit ac 31 for 13-5=8 points of damage.

OOC I assume I did 2 points last round? Right?

Shiraz AC 20/21 w dodge against golem 84 hps d20+13=24 d20+9=18 d20+13=26 d20+10=20 2d8(4+3)+8=15 d10+4=5 2d8(6+6)+8=20 d8=6
Thursday December 9th, 2004 4:47:26 AM
Shiraz watches his shield fall to the ground and growls softly then swiftly attacks the golem again. "Be strong, be swift, and my our strikes land true." Shiraz calls out as the blood begins pounding within him. Shiraz attacks the golem directing his attacks wherever he can reach, hitting AC 24 for 15 dmg, AC 18 for 5 dmg, AC 26 for 5 dmg and AC 20 for 6 dmg. Shiraz stands in E7.

Sly(AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke(AC 21 28/28hp) d20+19=36 d20+14=20 d8=6 d8=8
Thursday December 9th, 2004 8:29:28 AM
Sly watches the golem, yelling at the others "This thing has either despell magic aura around him or this is one tough Son of the dams! This is going to be a hand to hand choping away at him. Archers try for the head first, so he cannot see where we are or where he's going. Shiraz if your hurt come back and get cured!"

All the time Sly will use his long bow and shoot two arrows(hopefully hitting the monster for 6+8=14hp of damages). Sly will give Tokum his long bow and 18 arrows. Pointing at the golem, hitting his hand in his fist and tells him to "KILL!" (Hoping that the Barbarian is a fast learner.)

Firn'gaer - AC 19, HP 45 d20+6=24
Thursday December 9th, 2004 8:58:55 AM
Firn'gaer watches as his spell disipates short of the creature. "S#$%." He says calling forth another spell in memory, see invisibility.

Again taking his rod from his waiste he begins the incantation his begin to glow slightly. This glow builds and builds taking on a blue-white hue. As he finishes the glow diminishes until all that can be seen is a low soft illumination from his eyes.

[Spot DC 24]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

[OOC: Al, Firn'gaer has the Eschew Material feat. That's why I haven't been describing him using components. If I use a spell that fall under that feat let me know and I'll note that for when I post.]

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus
Thursday December 9th, 2004 10:59:08 AM
The druid halts abruptly, An Antimagic field will cancel my form as surely as thier magic

For now the druid remains in bear form and moves up with Yorrick taking E9 himself and Yorrick to D9. If nothing else he could hopefully be able to cure Shiraz if need be, but we should soon see.

Jason of Aisildur AC=23 HP=61 d20+15=30 d20+10=22 d10+5=15 d10+5=10
Thursday December 9th, 2004 7:02:07 PM
Jason, seeing his companions in trouble, raises his large sword and runs toward the guardian, determined to help in stopping its madness.

Once he reaches the beast he slams his weapon out at the beast.

OOC: I am unsure if I reached the guardian this round. If I did, the above were my To Hit and Dmg rolls. 2 hits (AC30, AC22, dmg=15+10) for total of 25hp dmg before creatures adjuestments. If I did not, then I will roll once I reach it.

Niobe (AC 19, HP 67/67) (E4) d20+11=23 d6+3=8
Thursday December 9th, 2004 9:12:41 PM
Niobe attacks the golem using her rapier. She tries for its knee hoping to limit its mobility.

(Hit AC 23, 8 pts dmg; note her rapier is a +1 so it should have been a +12, but the anti magic stuff would cancel that out I imagine...)

The Door Guardian - The Clash of Titans - Round 03 (DM/Al) d100=45 d20+10=11 d20+10=14 d20+10=29 2d8(6+6)+5=17
Thursday December 9th, 2004 10:01:36 PM
Savin watches as Niobe rolls beneath the feet of the towering hulk. He dives after her, but his way is blocked by a massive leg. The monk rebounds, laying himself open for the swipe of a large meaty hand. (Tumble at one-half speed through an area occupied by an enemy DC25. Failure provokes AoO.) The massive arm swings through the air and over Savin's head. A close call, the result could have been much different. (To Hit AC11 Nat 1) As the arm flies over his head, Savin lashes out with a kick at the monster's knee. The kneecap fractures and twists, and yet pulls back into position with frightening speed.

Shiraz stands his ground lashing out in a whirlwind of attacks. Blades strike again and again, and a massive horn draws brown blood from the broad gray chest. Yet most of the wounds close over as if they were never there.

Sly draws his longbow and has time to fire a single arrow into the melee. The shaft makes a solid strike, and then falls away as though pushed back out. The half-elven fighter-mage throws the bow to the ground and shouts something to Tokun in the Outlander tongue. The barbarian looks down at the bow without comprehension

Firn'gaer calls a spell upon himself, drawing the power to see that which is invisible. He scans the area, and yet nothing reveals itself.

Peerimus takes a guess at what might have caused the failure of magic. Concerned that it could negate his magic as well, he holds back, moving into a position with Yorrick in case healing should be needed. (Ilsidur is at E9. I put you at F9.)

Jason rushes forward, squeezing between Ilsidur and Yorrick. He's pressed up against the wall and unable to find an opening through his own people into which to direct an attack.

Niobe lunges forward, the point of her rapier sliding into the soft flesh at the back of the monster's knee. As she withdraws the blade, she feels the flesh repel the steel. (Yes, you are correct. And your damage goes down by 1 point as well.)

Wahheeeeeeyaaarrrrrhhh!!! The small gnomish head roars with blazing eyes. The monster's useless tongue flops within its open mouth. The little things scamper across the ground before him. The big thing is easier to see. It pounds again at Shiraz. One fist glances from the minotaur's metal breastplate. The other strikes Shiraz full in the face. With a wet smack it comes away with dark minotaur blood. (Hit AC14, AC29 - Damage 17hp)

OoC
<map sent by email>

Remember, if you move more than five feet or use a Move Equivalent Action, you, in most cases, only get one attack.

You're fine with the descriptions, Firn'gaer. Thanks.

Savin, Shiraz, and Niobe, remember that you all have +2 to hit from flanking vs each other.

The Creature is AC 18 Damage reduction 5/adamantine
Creature Status - Wounded

The maps have grid coordinates. Numbers across the top and letters down the left side. Please designate the space in which you want your PC to end up. If you do not, I will place him/her in the place I think s/he should be based upon your description. Once placed, it cannot be changed.

Ilsidur (AC25, 98/98 hp)
Thursday December 9th, 2004 11:22:25 PM
Ilsidur calls out, "Start backing out of there! We all need to be able to act, and you have the creature bottled in." He shifts back to E13.

He calls out to Firn, "Wizard, can you figure out what is going on here? I presume there is some antimagic going on here, but is attached to the creature, or the doorway? And how is that a magically-animated creature can act in an area that is anti-magic?"

Sly(AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke(Ac 21 28/28hp)
Friday December 10th, 2004 8:21:17 AM
Sly will move in closer to this thing, (he moves to F10) but there's no room for him to swing,But he also notice that some of the wounds don't heal all the way.
So he'll go back to retrive his bow and arrows, then back to this spot. He'll try again to keep this thing from hitting the others, until there's an opening for him to go and fight hand to hand.

Shiraz AC 23 <dodge vs golem> hps 67/84 d20+15=18 d20+11=23 d20+15=27 d20+12=22 2d8(8+5)+8=21 d10+4=7 2d8(2+3)+8=13 d8=2
Friday December 10th, 2004 9:45:13 AM
Shiraz grimaces as the golem smacks him and calls over his shoulder, "Back out where? There isnt much more room out there." Shiraz strikes at the golem again taking advantage of his flanking position Hitting AC 18, 23, 27, 22 for 21,7,13,2 damage. "You guys withdraw first and I will follow!"

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 86] Yorrick [AC 19 HP 73]
Friday December 10th, 2004 9:52:49 AM
Peerimus grunts an agreement to Ilsidur and backs off to F11 and tells Yorrick to move back as well to E12. Peerimus will then shift back to human and draws his club.

"Ilsidur is correct we need to draw it out more and use numbers to our advantage. Fight defensively and bring him out."

Savin ac 24 hps 85/95 d20+9=16
Friday December 10th, 2004 3:22:17 PM
Savin rams into the leg as he tries and tumble past the creature. He briefly thinks about trying to grapple the beast but hears the others yelling to back out so he tries to tumble away from the creature (tumble 16) trying to get to n11

Jason of Aisildur AC=23 HP=61
Friday December 10th, 2004 4:16:22 PM
Jason pulls back in frustration. Unable to get at the guardian from his present location, the paladin looks above, to see if there is room above the creature where he could locate himself and attack downward.

OOC: Jason is looking to see if there is a position he could attack from, from above, the lvel he was at before he climbed down on the ropes.

Niobe (AC 19, HP 67/67) (E4) d20+9=21 d20+10=30
Friday December 10th, 2004 4:36:24 PM
Niobe makes no more to leave the room, instead she backs a little further into the room and begins to earnestly search for something that might deactivate the golem, or at least destroy its magic resistance. She hopes she can find some sort of relic, instruction book or something; anything useful.

(Search 21, Spot 30 (nat 20))

Firn'gaer - AC 19, HP 45 d20+17=34 d20+6=22
Friday December 10th, 2004 6:43:29 PM
"I don't know why it's still running in an anti-magic zone." He says to the question. "I can only make an educated guess that whatever magic created it creates an artificial life force which maintains the animation process. Because it is a life force and not a magically moving corpse the anti-magic field doesn't effect it. But that would only be a guess."

"As long as your all bottled up in there it doesn't really matter." He replies.

[Knowledge arcane DC34, Spot DC22]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

The Door Guardian - The Blood of The Strong - Round 04 (DM/Al) d100=16 d20+10=25 d20+10=23 2d8(5+7)+5=17 2d8(7+3)+5=15
Friday December 10th, 2004 10:17:55 PM
Ilsidur calls for a pullback and more information.

Sly rushes forward, but cannot penetrate the press of bodies. He returns and retrieves his bow.

Peerimus cedes to Ilsidur's wisdom and falls back, returning to human form and drawing his club. He calls faithful Yorrick back with him.

Savin clears room as well. He leaps into a backward roll, passing between Jason and Shiraz and springing to the north wall of the canyon.

Jason, glances quickly glances for a height from which to attack down from. But the shallow cave within which the fight is taking place is no more than 15 feet high. Besides, now that Savin has backed away, there is a clear path from him to the creature.

Shiraz grits his teeth and bears down with another barrage of blows, holding position while his companions pull back. His first strike lays the monster's chest open, exposing the white bones of the ribcage. By now it is ripped from wounds all over its body and covered from head to toe in its own leaking fluids.

Still, the monster fights on. With a brute single mindedness it strikes out at the nearest, biggest thing. Thrashing wildly on its last legs, the monster throws two roundhouse haymaker punches. The blows catch Shiraz one and then two on either side of the head just below his tender ears. (Hit AC25, 23 - Damage 17hp, 15hp)

Trusting to her comrades to keep the monster occupied, Niobe backs cautiously away, and then turns to the room seeking a way to weaken or disable the creature. The canyon floor is dark in the early morning. The cave just outside is darker. This room within which Niobe finds herself is darker still, especially with the bodies of both Shiraz and the monster blocking the light. Niobe's eyes are especially sharp and her training gives her an edge, even in darkness. And yet, here is nothing here that reveals itself to her eye. The room is small, no more than 15x20. And save for the outlines of a door at the other end, this room is completely bare. (The door requires its own separate search check.)

Outside, Tokun watches the titanic clash in the mouth of the cave with awe.

Firn'gaer watches as well with a different interest. All of his knowledge of the arcane arts identifies this indeed as a golem, a flesh golem to be precise. And the behavior of magic has all of the earmarks of Antimagic. A golem would certainly be functional within an antimagic field. Magic is necessary only to create the golem. After that, the golem would no longer be reliant upon the magic.

And yet, if this is a golem, if this force that negates their magic is antimagic, then what has created the antimagic? There are no invisible presences about. He's seen to that. Could it be possible? The wizard imagines the power and resources that must be brought to bear To create a golem. T create an Antimagic field. And then make it permanent! It staggers the imagination.

OoC
<map sent by email>

The Creature is AC 18 Damage reduction 5/adamantine
Creature Status - Near Death

The maps have grid coordinates. Numbers across the top and letters down the left side. Please designate the space in which you want your PC to end up. If you do not, I will place him/her in the place I think s/he should be based upon your description. Once placed, it cannot be changed.

Savin ac 24 85/95 hps d20+2=20 d20+12=13
Friday December 10th, 2004 10:45:10 PM
Savin is frustrated. He shouldn't have left his friend Shiraz to fight alone. What was it that his master taught him about flesh golems? It is right on the tip of his mind. Suddenly like a flash of light it comes to him (arcana roll 20.

He calls "The golem is resistance to magic. Any magic that he might be able to fight, will not effect him! Firn'gaer! Can you effect the ground around him or the ice above him?"

With that Savin has his own idea and tries to climb up the wall near him but slips back to the ground not finding any handholds. (Natural 1 for climb roll)

Jason of Aisildur d20+15=22 d10+5=6
Saturday December 11th, 2004 11:24:40 AM
Jason sees his moment, and moves quickly to attack. He raises his sword and then brings it down. His blade hits home, although it is only a glancing blow (To Hit AC=22, dmg=6hp). The paladin then prepares to attack the creature again...

Sly(AC 20 79/79) and Luke(AC21 28/28) d20+19=32 d20+14=31 d8=7 d8=4
Saturday December 11th, 2004 5:18:57 PM
Sly will kntch his bow into the ice overhang above this golem"s head. Sly yells "Watch out for falling snow!" as he let his two arrows fly.

OOC: attack (snow overhang) AC32 and AC31, Daqmages 7+4=11hp.

OOC; if this works I hope I don't kill anybody.

Niobe (AC 19, HP 67/67) (E4) d20+9=16 d20+10=22
Sunday December 12th, 2004 7:40:58 PM
Niobe carefully examines the door and the area surrounding the door (search 16, spot 22).

Firn'gaer - AC 19, HP 45 d20+6=13 d20+6=8 d20+17=30
Monday December 13th, 2004 10:37:17 AM
Firn'gaer finds himself in thought as the battle rages with the golem. He considers the magical might required to create and protect the golem in this fashion.

If the anti-magic is permanent that makes the spellcaster in a league above me. Not to mention crafting a golem. That's a chore beyond me as well...the potential for arcane learning...

"What's that? Effect the ground? Sorry Savin, I don't have anything that would be much help. Everything is too close in there."

[Spot DC13, Listen DC8, Arcane knowledge DC30]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Ilsidur (AC 25, 98/98 hp)
Monday December 13th, 2004 9:29:23 PM
Ilsidur moves forward to behind Shiraz once again. He still thinks that it would be better if the entire party could bring their strength to bear on the magical creature, but apparently, Shiraz is having too much fun. He is ready to cast a cure spell if the minotaur needs healing. [OOC: Move to E9.]

Shiraz AC 23 <dodge vs golem> hps 32/84 d20+15=24 d20+11=19 d20+15=34 d20+12=26 2d8(2+8)+5=15 d10+4=5 2d8(4+2)+5=11 d8=7
Monday December 13th, 2004 9:44:30 PM
Shiraz bellows at the golem and grimaces as he swings at the golems midsection, "DIE! Loathsome beast!" Shiraz focus intently on the being looking for a weakness. AC 24, 19,34, and 26 for 15,5,11, and 7 damage.

The Door Guardian - Death and Exaltation - End of Combat (DM/Al) d100=85 d6=4 d6=4 d6=5 d6=3
Monday December 13th, 2004 10:27:37 PM
Savin rifles through the lore obtained at the side of his master so many adventures ago.

Flesh golems are immune to magic. Their bodies reject all but the stronger of blows. They are powerful and do not shy from pain. But they are mindless and singular of purpose. Your speed is superior to theirs. And so is your intellect. Use that against them.

Savin, desperate for ideas, calls to Firn'gaer. "Can you effect the ground around him or the ice above him?"

"Sorry Savin, I don't have anything that would be much help. Everything is too close in there," comes the wizard's reply. And indeed it is close within the shallow cave. The wizard's copious lore renders a diagnosis. This must be anti-magic. If so, it is said to suppress even magical area effects. What to do?

Sly Foxx has a solution. He sends two arrows in swift succession toward the snow and ice over the mouth of the cave, possibly in hopes of sealing the golem, along with Shiraz, Jason and Niobe within the shadowy depths. The arrows strike and shatter, sending chips of ice scattering. There is no thundering cascade. The cliff face stands solid against the puny strikes of mere arrows.

While the battle rages outside, Niobe examines the door further. She finds no clear sign of traps. But then, the light is so poor in the cave that it would be easy to miss any but the most obvious signs. One thing, however, is quite clear as her careful fingers test the bolt: The door is locked.

Jason, meanwhile steps five feet forward and strikes with his sword. But it is as if magic has left the blade. The cut is shallow, and quickly closes over as if it hand never been.

Ilsidur moves up behind Shiraz as the minotaur continues to press his attack. The cleric stands ready to apply divine healing should his companion sustain more grievous wounds.

The dwarven cleric's concern, though not unwarranted, proves unnecessary. With a single mighty blow, Shiraz cuts into the golem's chest. The gnomish head raises it's lacerated lips to the ceiling and gives a single dry death rattle.

As the ponderous body falls toward the cave floor a flash engulfs all within ten feet. Those outside the cave watch as for Shiraz, Jason, Niobe and Ilsidur, color ceases to exist. Light is dark and dark is light, as, for a blink of an eye all chromatic values are reversed.

Niobe hears the footfalls of all those who have marched into greatness, and she knows that she is one of them. She feels that power, the edge shared by all those touched by destiny. And if there were battle to march into at this moment, she knows that she would be more than able to answer the call.

Shiraz, Jason, and Ilsidur feel a surge of euphoria, the joy of sudden freedom, as though released from an onerous burden. They feel as though they should shake off binding shackles. All should be free.

The all is once again normal. The shield lying upon the ground, Shiraz's shield, rises into the air. It takes up it's place at the minotaur's guard as though nothing untoward had happened.

<End of Combat Rounds>

Savin hps 85/95
Monday December 13th, 2004 11:24:05 PM
Savin was about to try and climb the wall again when he sees the flash of light. He wonders what it is all about and trots over to the others.

He notices Niobe and shakes his head in wonder. "Wow she is single minded." he says to no one in particular.

He will stride up to Shiraz and look him over. "Nice job. Sorry I wasn't more help in there but Ilsidur called for a retreat."

Sly and Luke d20+5=16 d20+5=23 d20+5=20
Tuesday December 14th, 2004 12:14:50 AM
Sly watches the over icy overhang, and let's out a sigh of relief "Phooof! The over hang did not fall. Great Job Shiraz, Oh! Don't anybody go slaming any doors now, we don't want to have the ledge coming down."
Sly will enter the room, lite a ever light rod and serch the room. "Luke every thing look right, We'll need your nose to see if any elves or half elves were in here."

Luke will come to his master, and sniff around.

Occ: Luke Look 16, Track by scent 23,listen 20

Niobe d20+10=28 d20+10=29 d20+9=27 d20+16=23
Tuesday December 14th, 2004 4:36:39 AM
Still kneeling at the door Niobe leans her side against it. She rubs her eyes and tries to blink away the multi-colored dots. She has an acute queasy feeling as she has an illusion of grandeur. As soon as she realizes that she is still very much alive and that the vision wasn't due to dying the queasy feeling passes quickly.
'Hell, now that was an experience I don't know if I care to ever repeat!'

She peers out into the light and sees that the others are moving about (spot 28). Good, so everyone seems to be alright. Niobe certainly hears Savin's comment (listen 29) and actually laughs hard, giving herself a side-stitch.

"Actually I was initially looking for something to stop that creature. There wasn't anything, so then I decided that I had better make myself a way out of here just in case. I got this far," Niobe replies to Savin, and is trying not to laugh while explaining.

Once her eyes are used to the bad lighting again she will recommence with surveying the door (attempting to detect any traps, search 27). Now that she doesn't have to worry about any golems breathing down her neck the rogue proceeds to open this lock as well (open lock 23). If she fails she will justify to herself by claiming that her hands were shaking, or maybe because she was laughing so hard...

(Spot 28, Listen 29, Search (traps) 27, Open Lock 23)
(Trapfinding: Search 27, Trap sense +2 if she actually sets any potential traps off!)

Peerimus 3d8(5+8+2)+5=20
Tuesday December 14th, 2004 11:05:35 AM
Peerimus pulls a wand and taps Shiraz [Heal 20] and with Yorrick on his heel, moves into the antechamber.

The reverse of light and odd looks upon those caught within he will keep mental notes about. At this time there seems to be no need to mention it since he is not sure what he would be mentioing anyway.

Shiraz AC 23 <dodge vs golem> hps 32/84
Tuesday December 14th, 2004 12:34:24 PM
Shiraz barely notices his shield rise up as he smiles at Savin, "I was hoping to give you guys enough time to retreat then break and follow but,," Shirazs' voice trails off for a moment. The taur shakes his head "I couldnt seem to do that." Shiraz laughs softly and looks into the cave.

Savin Illegal post
Tuesday December 14th, 2004 7:09:30 PM
Savin will look for Ilsidur and say, "I think our horned friend here needs some curing. Look at those bruises. If you have any left over, I wouldn't mind one of your weaker ones. We don't know what is ahead and should be a full strength."

Ilsidur 4d8(5+3+5+8)+9=30
Tuesday December 14th, 2004 9:26:29 PM
As the golem falls, Ilsidur experiences a feeling of freedom and euphoria. He looks around, trying to figure out what caused that feeling. He looks at the new tattoo on his hand, to see if there is any change.

Then, Ilsidur moves up beside the minotaur, and casts a powerful curing spell on him. [OOC: Used the 4th level Neutralize Poison spell as a Cure Critical Wounds spell. Healed Shiraz for 30 hp.]

He looks up at the big fighter, and says, "Well, apparently your tactic worked. I was worried when I saw the wounds appearing to close. I was worried that the golem was healing his wounds faster than you were causing them, and I wanted to move the construct outside of the antimagic area, so that we could all attack, and I could heal if necessary. But the best strategy for a number of less powerful foes to fight one more powerful creature is for all the less powerful foes to attack at once, and bring all their power to bear. That way, the powerful creature will also spread its attacks around."

Then the dwarf looks over at Niobe and asks, "So, what can you tell us about that next door?" He waves to Tokun to join the party in the chamber.

Savin 2nd illegal post 85/95
Tuesday December 14th, 2004 9:36:18 PM
Savin sighs and wonders to himself if he insulted the dwarf in some way. Well he isn't badly hurt and will try not to take to much offense at the snub.

The Better to Keep You Out My Dear (DM/Al)
Tuesday December 14th, 2004 9:56:07 PM
The heat of battle quickly cools in the chill morning gloom at the bottom of the canyon. Tokun stands, still transfixed by the scale of events. He watches as the Magic Ones move quickly to various tasks as though the defeat of such a monster were an everyday occurrence. His thoughts drift to the bravery of the Outland woman. She is very attractive, he thinks, in a thin sort of way. His thoughts are very much of her. The Short Steel Man waves to him. He is happy to come in closer.

Sly and Luke squeeze past Shiraz and Jason. Sly lights a sunrod before clambering over the body of the fallen golem and entering the 15 by 20 foot room. Luke sniffs the air, the floor. To the wardog's keen nose, the room reeks of preserved flesh. He shakes his head and blows the smell from his nose in an explosive sneeze.

"Elf," he says. "Small scent." He looks at Sly. "Maybe you."

Peerimus and then Ilsidur touch Shiraz with healing magic. Savin waits for his. Ilsidur, puzzled by the explosion of feeling that had swept through him as the golem had fallen, looks to the tattoo on the back of his hand. It remains the broken eye. And yet, for the briefest of moments the dwarven cleric is possessed of the notion that the eye has a substance beyond that of mere design, a reality apart from the pattern of inks that reside just below the skin of his hand, and, that perhaps, just perhaps, the thing from a distance ... watches.

And then the feeling is gone. Peerimus squeezes past Shiraz and Jason. Yorrick, massive ball of fur and muscle, follows his friend, pushing through all in his way. Ilsidur watches, his notion of but a moment ago is now an embarrassing flight of fancy.

The druid and companion follow Sly and Luke, scrambling over the still body of the fallen golem. In the light of the sunrod its gnomish face is an ruined horror of crushed bone and staring eyes. The mouth is an open wreckage with a tattered tongue hanging from between broken teeth and lacerated lips.

In the light of Sly's sunrod, Niobe's second attempt at a safety check is much more fruitful. In her haste to be on with things, she pulls steel picks from her leather kit and moves to insert them into the keyhole.

Then she stops.

The image of the last few seconds plays across her mind. What was that she had seen, seen but not quite registered? A faint aura pulses about the locking mechanism. Her training tells her it is a trap. Her training also tells her that it is somehow keyed to the lock. The fact that it is magic in nature does not bode well. Especially now that the room is full to crowding with most of her companions.

Bending closer, the dark haired rogue notes another odd item. The dark iron of the lock's escutcheon plate contains traces of an even darker material smeared upon it's surface. Also small lumps of ... she prods one with the end of a pick and it flakes off ... dried organic material are encrusted around the keyhole.

Sly and Luke
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 1:30:14 AM
Sly heart starts to beat faster, he squats beside Luke, rubbing his friends ears Sly asks "Are You Sure? It's like me?"

Sly gets to his feet, Ask Niobe "Can you open the door? Is everything alright?"

Luke answers his masters question, "Yes!"

Firn'gaer
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 8:42:55 AM
Firn'gaer follows in quietly. Keeping watch for hidden dangers. His heart beats increase as the group enters the underground passage.

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Jason of Aisildur
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 11:00:09 AM
"You make Domi smile this day my friend." Jason says to Shiraz. He pats the minotaur on the back, and then moves out of the way, to let those with better eye sight, and more nimble fingers due what ever must next be done.

The vision, no doubt, is strange to him, but it seems strange is becoming the norm in this frozen wasteland, so the paladin merely keeps what memory of it he can in the back of his mind, and presses on.

Niobe d20+9=17 d20+10=29
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 3:54:15 PM
Niobe watches the flake of organic matter fall to the ground. She remains as still as ever, her only movement being her hand moving away from near the lock.

The rogue contemplates this incredibly ingenious lock and trap system. Then shifts her position and carefully smells at the substance on the lock. She is trying to see if it either smells acrid or sweet like some type of poison, stinging and sharp like bat guano or metalic like blood. She straightens and turns towards the golem.

"I think we need a key," she says simply.

Niobe continues to stare at the dead construct.

"I think that dead thing has the key - or was the key," she adds possibly a bit cryptically.

Niobe goes straight to the golem's corpse and begins a cursory search of it.

"There is a seriously nasty trap on that door, and it is connected to the lock itself. Oh, and not to forget another important fact... that trap is magical in nature," Niobe comments out loud to no one in particular as she searches for something key-like on the corpse; or as part of the corpse itself.

"We got very lucky. We could have all been blown to hell as crowded as it is in here right now... or worst."

It seems that her answers don't really either confirm or deny if she can open the door. They do indicate that opening the door could be a very risky proposition.

Niobe is most likely having a difficult time even moving the corpse as she looks for anything even remotely seeming like it has to do with the lock.

Unfortunately? for the young barbarian man Niobe hasn't yet noticed that he is seeming to fawn over her. The fact that he seems to respect her too, don't hurt either. That means that maybe her 'actions' (i.e. being a rogue) aren't necessarily frowned upon here in Ice Vein?

(Search 17, Spot 29)

Savin hps 85/95
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 4:13:53 PM
Savin will try and help Niobe move the golem around if she needs help with looking for a key.

He will look around and then say quietly to Niobe, "Why do you think Ilsidur doesn't cure me. Do you think I offended him in some way?"

He will stand up and say, "If we can't find a key, I am willing to try and spring the trap. My reactions are pretty good and I might not get hurt as bad as the others."

Forensics - Supplementary Post (DM/Al)
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 4:35:25 PM
Niobe sniffs at the material on the lock, expecting, possibly, the acrid bite of an alkaloid poison. She draws back her head in a grimace as the smell hits her nostrils. The rot of spoiled meat with possibly a hint of bile.

After her announcement, Niobe begins an examination of the immense, and, for her, heavy corpse. There does not, however, appear to be many places to hide a key. This golem is naked.

One of two things that Niobe notes in her search of the golem is the ruin of it's mouth. The teeth are broken and the lips and tongue are split and lacerated. Not the kind of wounds it would have received in the fight with Shiraz.

Niobe (forensics supplementary post)
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 7:34:25 PM
Niobe looks really rather sickened as she thinks that maybe the golem was trying to chew on the lock or something. 'eww!'
She is mercifully saved by thinking about that any more for a bit when Savin asks her a question.

She answers just as quietly,
"I don't think you did anything wrong. I believe that Ilsidur is just distracted; he keeps looking at his hand. Maybe he is having a crisis or something?"

Niobe stares at Savin in sheer surprise as he offers to set off the trap.

"Good reactions or not."
[Niobe grins thinking about something totally unrelated to the trap situation, but that passes fast enough that it might be missed if you aren't paying attention - she composes herself remarkably quickly.]
"Setting that trap off isn't a good idea. I do not want your death or possible maiming on my conscious Savin. I am not that obsessed with opening locked doors. I respect the offer and the thought behind it though believe it or not. Pretty brave."

Niobe studies the ruined face and mouth, teeth, tongue of the golem as she searches.

"Ilsidur, Peerimus come look at the injuries on this things face. It is a mess. It is all torn up and broken, maybe like it has been smashing its head into a brick wall or something - or chewing on that lock..." The slight green palor returns to her skin. "Do any of you have any idea what can cause injuries like these? There was something putrid on the lock as well, maybe from the creature."

"Oh, Ilsidur could you please take a look at Savin's wounds? I think that a little healing would be greatly appreciated."
Niobe asks very politely, though it is somewhat clear that she won't accept no for an answer though.

Niobe wonders if the gnomish head on the creature once belonged to the creator of the lock.

Peerimus d20+9=13
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 8:15:35 PM
Peerimus stops still when Niobe mentions the trap and notes it has obviously set the normally confident rogue on her guard. Nothing she will trifle with. It is good to see there are some things

Peermius and Yorrick move back out of the antechamber.

"My skills in the healing arts are surely less than master Ilsidur, but I will assist in his findings anyway I can."
[Heal check 13 to help Ilsidur]

The Key to Deductive Reasoning (DM/Al)
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 10:06:11 PM
Tokun steals a glance at the Hands Fighting Man who had kissed her earlier. He watches the both of them, he and the woman, as they talk. He wonders if he will kiss her again, and whether she will let him. Then the woman stops. Tokun senses danger in the movement, or rather, the lack thereof. She moves back and then speaks a lot. Women speak a lot. They are not often out of doors. The woman begins pulling and pushing and looking over the dead monster.

Tokun wonders whether they will skin it. He wonders if they consider it good to eat. He does not think he will eat with them.

Sly becomes excited at Luke's pronouncement that there is the smell of elf. Luke has not the heart to tell him that it the scent could even be from Sly himself. He just says "Yes." If a dog could shrug, Luke would be shrugging now.

Niobe, meanwhile puzzles over the lock, wondering if and how the lock and the flesh golem might be related. She points out the injuries to the golem's mouth. The cut lips and tongue. The broken teeth. And, through the open mouth, the throat, which seems torn inside as well.

Ilsidur d8+5=9 d20+14=22
Thursday December 16th, 2004 12:03:40 AM
Ilsidur reaches over and touches Savin on the shoulder, healing him for 9 hit points. "Savin, I heard what you were asking, and I traded in a spell that would protect one of us from the elements to give you that minor healing. It is not as though I have a bottomless supply of spells, and if I cast healing, it means that I can't cast something else. However, if you truly do need healing, you just need to ask for it. But please don't phrase it as if my spells are 'left over', since we might have needed a spell to protect us from the elements later. I never have any spells 'left over', when we are heading into an unknown, such as this obviously trapped door. When we bed down for the night, that is when I have spells 'left over'. Do you understand?"

Then the dwarf moves over and inspects the golem's body. "It looks to me like this creature has swallowed something that has torn up its mouth and throat. Either that, or something escaped from inside the construct. I imagine that it won't feel anything if we inspect the body a little more closely." He asks someone for a dagger, and presuming that someone gives it to him, he starts to open up the throat of the creature, trying to determine the cause of the mouth and throat damage. [OOC: Healing check roll of 22.]

He looks over at the young barbarian and nods, motioning to the mouth of the creature, and making motions that the mouth was smashed, trying to get the boy to understand what he is trying to do with the disection.

Sly and Luke
Thursday December 16th, 2004 7:25:15 AM
Sly know that a lot of slaves pass this way, and hopes that the smell is part of her. Sly tries to think if he had ever touch the door. No! that not posible. But then when they were fighting "I did fire an acid arrows at the head of that golem?? He was not scratch him, almost as if he ha swallowed the acid spell??" He said as he hand Ilsidor his dagger.

Luke sit next to Sly and watches.

OOC: Sly always carries a dagger in his boot, in case he a prisoner and have to cut his bonds.

Niobe d20+2=6
Thursday December 16th, 2004 7:49:40 AM
Niobe moves away from Ilsidur's autopsy of the golem.

"Check it's stomach while you are at it Ilsidur. It might have thought that the key was dinner."

While the others are busy doing whatever they feel they need to do; or checking the golem, Niobe goes back to the main door. She leans against the doorframe and slowly looks around the room. The rogue is just looking at the lay out of the room while she waits to see if the key will [hopefully] be found.

Niobe does happen to watch Tokun for awhile as well. She wonders what he is thinking about, what he makes out of all this. 'Tokun must really think that we are a strange lot. Hope he doesn't think we are really awful people for further mangling that thing.

The rogue looks off in another direction after a minute or so, before simply staring at the door again, trying to recall if she has ever come across anything like that lock and trap combo before.

(Wis check (picking her memory for anything like that lock/trap) 6)

Firn'gaer d20+19=30
Thursday December 16th, 2004 8:57:14 AM
Firn'gaer listens to Niobe and agrees that appointing a Pig Hostage is out of the question. He finds himself more intrigued by the magical trap being a wizard and all.

"We could use the golem to turn off the magical trap." Firn'gaer utters as he looks at the door from a far. "The anti-magic should still be in the area of the golem's corpse..." [OOC: Is it?] "...that would solve the magical trap. As far as poison that may be on the lock, Master Ilsidur or Master Peerimus can either prevent poison from harming Niobe? She is our resident lock expert...or...I...could Knock the door."

[Spellcraft DC30]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin 94/95 hps
Thursday December 16th, 2004 9:12:07 AM
Savin looks chastised after the tongue lashing he receives from Ilsidur. He mumbles "sorry"

He is almost afraid to put himself forward but says, "Is it possible the golems tongue was the key?"

Peerimus 3d8(4+4+7)+5=20
Thursday December 16th, 2004 9:42:31 AM
Peerimus notes the exchange between Ilsidur and Savin. Odd Ilsidur would strike back so, something has him at odds. Perhaps the flash, perhaps no.

Peerimus speaks up after the exchange for al lto, "Friends remember that I do carry a wand of curing for just such occassions. Does everyone consider themselves fully battle ready?" He says the last looking Shiraz's direction.

As Ilsidur starts, "Can you tell if the lacerations in its throat go down or up? My thought is he may have rejurgitatated the lock and then came down the hall for us?"

"On matters of teh trap I am immune to all forms of poison myself, but we do not know if this is truly a toxin based trap. I also have a protection from elements spell that will shield an individual from harm though probably not entirely negate it."

"Niobe? Have you ever worked with magical traps and do you feel you could deactivate this one given enough time?" [OoC take 20]

If Shiraz asks for another charge, Peerimus supplies it. [20 healed]

Through Other Eyes (DM/Al)
Thursday December 16th, 2004 9:04:00 PM
Tokun watches as the Magic Ones speak amongst themselves. The Short Steel Man explains something very carefully to Hands Fighting Man. He explains in the way that Hunt Leader Ragnar would explain things to him when things were not done correctly. He glances covertly at the woman to gauge her reaction. Maybe she will not look so favorably upon Hands Fighting Man anymore.

Short Steel Man gestures Tokun over, a singular honor. He takes a dagger (Steel!) from Dog Talking Man and then begins cutting at the soft flesh under the monster's jaw. After a long cut, Short Steel Man pulls aside the folds of flesh. There is little blood, but other clear and white body fluids still flow. Tokun wrinkles his nose at a sharp alien smell.

The other Magic One's speak. They gesture at the stone room, the door, the monster. The woman says something to Short Steel Man and he begins cutting lower down at the monster's stomach. Short Steel Man stops. He feels the flesh, and then begins cutting again. White and clear liquid flows out around the wound as Short Steel Man pushes his hand in through the cut. The dead flesh complains with a sucking sound as he draws his hand back out. Monster fluids drip, and lumps of unknown meat slide as Short Steel Man holds up his hand. In his hand is a stick, a stick of metal.

The key is large as keys go. It is a size that clearly would not swallow well. It's a size that might break teeth and tear flesh as it is wrestled about and swallowed. It might rip once again when brought back up. Even covered with goo as it is, though, Niobe can tell ... this is the key to the lock.

Shiraz AC 23 <dodge vs golem> hps 82/84
Friday December 17th, 2004 5:35:47 AM
Shiraz backs out of teh way and and accepts teh healing with a smile, "Thanks, I needed both of those." Shiraz watches the others look at teh lock and his battered foe and shrugs his shoulders, "What can I do to help?"

Sly and Luke
Friday December 17th, 2004 6:51:33 AM
"AAh! It looks like we got somthing here!" said Sly as takes his dagger back. He'll go to
wipe the dagger in the snow before he put's the weapon back in the top of his boot. To Shiraz, Sly tells him, "I hope We'll be going through that door. Friend stay well, I have a feeling that we'll be needing you."
Sly turn to Tokum, with signing hands, 'WE FOUND WAY IN (pointing to the Door) WE GO IN'

Luke looks at Tokum, "Understand??"

Jason of Aisildur AC=23 HP=61
Friday December 17th, 2004 6:59:18 AM
Jason readjusts his armor, and raises his sword in preparation for the opening of the door. Based on the toughness of the guardian, the paladin could only begin to wonder what obstacles and horrors would ly in wait beyond the opening.

"Domi grant us courage." he says in a whispered prayer. Jason then falls in line, placing himself either in the rear, or in the front of the group, depending on where the other warriors in the group put themselves.

Niobe
Friday December 17th, 2004 7:56:49 AM
Niobe walks over to Ilsidur and takes the key from him, though touching that nasty goo isn't what she really wants to do.

"I'll take that, thank you," Niobe doesn't even break stride as she takes the key and walks back over to the door, "Firn'gaer or Sly have either of you checked to see just what type of magic is on that lock?"

Niobe will wait until she has an answer from the arcanists before unlocking the door; just in case even using the key might set off the trap.
Niobe will wait until either a dispell or identification of the trap spell has been made, then she will use the key to unlock the door. For no reason at all she remembers the vision of snakes. The rogue will let one of the warriors enter the door first.

Peerimus
Friday December 17th, 2004 2:09:45 PM
Peerimus and Yorrick remain outside of the room and nearby the ropes. In case things go bad and tehre is a cave-in someone will be needed on the outside to dig them out.

Savin d20+13=19 d20+13=17
Friday December 17th, 2004 4:03:06 PM
Savin will be disgusted with the retrieval of the key. He will feel pity for the poor creatures that were sacrificed to make this horrible guardian.

"I am willing to lead the way if no one else wants to."

He will move up towards the front and peer into the doorway, sniff the air and listen to see what he hears.

Spot 19
Listen 17

On the Threshold (DM/Al)
Saturday December 18th, 2004 7:52:38 AM
Niobe ceremoniously takes the key. As ceremoniously as one can while at the same time trying to avoid the meat and bodily fluids on the shaft of metal.

The rest of the Children gird for whatever may come. Sly gestures excitedly at Tokun. He speaks loudly in hopes that volume will bring understanding.

"Understand?" Luke asks. It is difficult to tell whether Tokun understands or not, he appears too engrossed by the novelty of a talking dog.

Rather than opening the lock, Niobe turns and stands with the dripping key. She addresses a question to the arcanists in the group.

"Firn'gaer or Sly have either of you checked to see just what type of magic is on that lock?"

OOC: Sly (Ceil)
Saturday December 18th, 2004 8:21:30 AM
(No Sly was too excited at what he though the meaning of what Luke told him. But if Fun'gar does not cast it, he will do it now. But if my wizard friend does cast, don't count that spell as one Sly used for that day)

Sly will cast Consentraited Detect Magic on the Door. "?dnik tahw cigam" He said waiting for a clue??

OOC: Sly is wearing a Elven Mithril Chainshirt. that means he can cast magic without penelty.

Detecting the Magic of The Trap -Supplementary Post (DM/Al) d100=32 d20+10=28
Saturday December 18th, 2004 9:02:04 AM
Sly steps forward to answer Niobe's request. Intoning the word of revealing, he directs his hands toward the lock. He stares at the auras, analysing them by color and ripple. From his study of magic, Sly determines the magic to be of a moderate evocation.

{Spell failure 32 *success*, Spellcraft 28)

OoC: I'm sorry. But, I'm afraid that's wrong, Sly. Bards may wear light armor and not incur a chance of spell failure. But wizards may not. The chance of spell failure is 10% with an Elven Mithril Chainshirt.

Sly and Luke
Sunday December 19th, 2004 7:03:56 AM
Sly turns back to Niobe and the others, "I'm getting all sorts of colors and ripples in in my magic. It seem to be of recent magic, But will not reviel what kind of magic the lock has. Maybe Friend Fun'gar's magic can have better view of this lock?"

Sly and Luke eyes turn to Fun'gar.

OOC: They changed the rules again? Huh!

Firn'gaer d20+19=38
Sunday December 19th, 2004 9:06:41 AM
"Sorry, I drifted off for a second there. Give me a few seconds and I'll let you know." He cast Detect Magic and looks at the door closer.

[Spellcraft DC38]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
detect magic -- concentration

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Detecting the Magic of The Trap Again -2nd Supplementary Post (DM/Al)
Sunday December 19th, 2004 11:33:17 AM
Firn'gaer also casts a Detect Magic spell on the lock. He reads from the color and texture of the aura as well. And he comes to the same conclusion as Sly Foxx. The magic of the trap is of Moderate Evocation.

Neither wizard has experience building traps, however. A number of Evocation spells roll across the screen of their imagination. All of them would serve as adequate traps.

Niobe d20+10=12 d20+9=18
Sunday December 19th, 2004 5:47:32 PM
The rogue listens to the arcanists' assessment of the magic. She taps her left index finger on her right arm (her arms are crossed over her chest). The key is held in her right hand.

"So we can expect to get cooked if the trap goes off?"

Niobe takes a guess at what she means must be the most favored arcane spell to put on doors to keep people out - any fire based spell in essence.

"Anyone have any suggestions on measures to take if the trap goes off?"

Niobe will give the others 5 minutes or so to think on this before inserting the key into the lock and unlocking the door. Once this is done she will re-inspect the lock and door to see if the trap was altered in any significant way. Unless unlocking the door sets the trap off of course!
(If it seems to her that it is safe to open the door then she will. Once again provided the trap doesn't go off.)

(Search 18, Spot 12 (looking for altering of the trap))

Ilsidur
Sunday December 19th, 2004 9:32:14 PM
Ilsidur tries as best he can to clean off the gunk from the golem surgery. He tries to smile reassuringly at the young barbarian, and indicate the successful finding of the key.

"Well, it appears that we have a couple of options. Firn, either you and I can try to dispel magic on the lock, and suppress or maybe even remove the magical effect. Or, maybe using the key will allow the opener to bypass the lock. Is there any way that you can tell, Niobe, without setting off the trap."

Savin
Sunday December 19th, 2004 10:19:32 PM
Savin will look at his friends as they try to solve the puzzle and say, "I am not trying to be heroic. Monks are trained to dodge away from these kinds of things. Do what you think is best but if someone has to spring the trap, let me do it."

Savin will go out side and scan the area looking for any trouble.

He will then call out, "Whenever we decide to do it, I should be the only person in the room."

Firn'gaer
Monday December 20th, 2004 2:14:04 PM
"Yes, that pretty much what that means." He says to Niobe.

"I dohave another option. None of us need really be in the area. I can manipulate the key from a distance. So as long as the anti-magic is not a permanent effect in the area, none need to sacraficial lambs." He says. "I for one would rather try that then test Savin reflexes, wouldn't you." He says giving a smirk Savin's direction.

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus
Monday December 20th, 2004 6:07:46 PM
Peerimus stands listening to the others discuss the trap and posible preparations. He begins to nod at the dispel magic suggestion, but then takes into his mind fully what Firn'gaer is suggesting.

"Savin, not to remove you from what you would surely treat as a test of your impressive skills, but I believe our good wizard has an excellent point. If he is capable of inserting and or turning the key from a distance, it sounds like the best and most assured course of action to prevent any harm."

Defusing the Situation (DM/Al)
Monday December 20th, 2004 9:18:45 PM
The liquids on the key begin to cool and harden. Can the metal of the key in Niobe's hand be far behind?

The research of the two wizards has brought to light facts about the trap. But it has done little about the fact of the trap. It remains.

Niobe and Ilsidur speculate upon the nature of the trap. They mull contingencies.

Savin proposes a more direct approach: a personal test of reflexes.

Firn'gaer offers a magical manipulation. Peerimus agrees.

Sly and Luke
Tuesday December 21st, 2004 5:21:11 AM
"OH! You mean to open the door with magic hands? Oh! Fun'gar! What a wonderful Idea, you must teach me that spell!!" Sly almost smiles at his friend Fun'gar!

Luke watches Sly, tying to understand what is going on. "Huh!" said the dog.

Savin
Tuesday December 21st, 2004 8:42:45 AM
Savin is almost disappointed. He was curious to test his reflexes against the magical trap and see if he was up to the task.

He will wander over to Peerimus and say in a baby's whine, "I could have done it no problem. If we are always gonna play it safe, what is the point of adventuring?" Savin will grin at the serious druid.

Firn'gaer
Tuesday December 21st, 2004 8:47:24 AM
"Yes, Sly, I will use magical hands, but if that is insufficent I have more powerful means." He says. "I could show how to cast the magic hands. Perhaps a simple exchange of a spell when we arrive at this town. I would like an opportunity to expand my magical repetoire as I'm sure you are."

"Is there any way that a call to Domi or...I'm sorry I don't want to seem rude, but other than Domi what other deity should I be thankful to for both my rescue as well as my continuing and future survival?" He poses the question to this other marked companions. "I know Master Ilsidur as a cleric of Domi and Master Peerimus as a druid. I have also guessed talents from others, but I'm asking because I was think that we could seek to Divine the nature of the trap. Perhaps then we would know if our plan has at least some chance of success." He stands with arms folded low in the sleeves of his clothes. "I know this seems like a bad time for all this, but we're shielded from the wind and the door's not going anywhere."

Fortune Telling? (DM/Al)
Tuesday December 21st, 2004 8:23:53 PM
Clustered in and about the anteroom and the shallow cave, the Children of Chaos consider the hazards of the trapped door. They wait.

Sly and Firn'gaer consider trading recipes.

Savin ribs Peerimus about the thrill of danger.

Firn'gaer casts an eye about this strange group he has found himself a part of. So far he's made guesses as to the many things they do and can do. He asks if there might be some way of, perhaps, calling upon the gods, a way to ask a foretelling of the outcome of their actions.

Tokun, meanwhile, appears puzzled by the speaking and standing about. The Magic Ones have the look of deep thought. The same look that Mekrenden and the elders would have from time to time. The young barbarian walks, quietly so as not to disturb the deep thought. He walks around the periphery of the group to see what it is Short Steel Man has dug from the bowels of the monster. Short Steel Man had pointed it out to Tokun earlier so it must be important.

Tokun studies the bone in the woman's hand. It is an odd shape. And ... it is not bone. What could it be? And why is it important to The Magic Ones? In the midst of his musings, Tokun is distracted by a scent. It is the woman, from her hair. The smell is like nothing in Ice Vein, and Tokun finds himself captivated.

Boldly, and without thought, he speaks to her. "Hehpsha oqu whent nah." He points to the magic metal bone and then to the woman herself. "Hehpsha oqu ehb-owan larahn da?"

Niobe d20+3=21
Tuesday December 21st, 2004 9:10:44 PM
Niobe looks at the key in her hand after Tokun motions to it. She shifts it to her other hand and notices that the goo is getting tacky. She gestures for Tokun to wait a moment and puts the key into the lock. She does not turn it however even though she is sorely tempted to just unlock the door. Niobe rubs her hand brisky on the wall hoping to get the worst of the rapidly drying goo from her glove. She only does that for a few seconds.

Niobe returns to Tokun still trying to figure out what he is saying. She smiles as prettily and charmingly as she can at Tokun, hoping that her complete ineptitude with his language isn't too rude.
She hopes that he was saying to put the key into the lock, now she is trying to think about what he was talking about when he pointed at her. Niobe wishes that he had rather pointed at something more specific.

The rogue somehow manages to pick up that Tokun used two of the same words in the two sentences (Int 21), unfortunately it does not help her understand any of it.

She has a thought that it is all connected to the goo. Immediately she starts to look at her clothes and her braid to see if she got any of those awful fluids on herself. As she inspects her hair she is pleased to notice that her hair still smells lightly of flowers. 'Thank the Powers for small miracles.'

Niobe finally looks back at Tokun smiles just as nicely though she looks somewhat confused, but trying very hard to be polite about it. She hopes he doesn't become offended, because she might be seeming rude. Not knowing what else to do she plays with the end of her braid, now wishing that someone would translate before she inadvertantly does something inanely stupid.

"I am so sorry Tokun, but I really do not understand the question," Niobe answers very politely and not looking away, but looking the young man straight in the face.

Savin
Tuesday December 21st, 2004 9:57:47 PM
Savin doesn't understand all the standing about.
"It is only a door. Do your magic thinga ma job and lets see what is inside? If you are reluctant, I still can try and open it."

Savin starts to move forward and continues, "Why don't you back off and I will turn the handle."

Shiraz
Wednesday December 22nd, 2004 3:13:09 AM
Shiraz watches in fascination Sly and Fin as they mumble and weave their hands across the door. Drawing closer a step at a time until Niobe places teh key in the door Shiraz watches quietly.

Sly and Luke d20+5=20 d20+5=24
Wednesday December 22nd, 2004 4:50:14 AM
Sly is wondering at the sworling colors he saw with his magic, asking Fun'gar "Can I call you Funm to shorten your name? The elves in my village had shorten mine to Sly, I've gotten so use to that name that I hadly remember my full Elven name! Well that's another story!>

What I'm wondering is the colores that I saw coming from the lock? We know the lock is made from living mater, But who put it there? I follow Domi, and we have a Cleric of Domi here (Ilsidure) and a very good one at that. I was wondering the Wizard or the Mage or the Cleric as to whom they were worchiping?? Could this be of some help? Do we have into Arcane? I have a little knowledge of the Arcane, but never though of using it?? How about you? Do You have any though of the Arcane??"

Sly is asking Fun'gar, as Niobe passes them and puts the key into the lock.

Luke is a little board, so he sniffes around the anteroom.

Luke's Looking 20 and Tracking(scent) 24.

Firn'gaer d20+6=21
Wednesday December 22nd, 2004 8:54:41 AM
Firn'gaer sighs at the impatience of Savin, but as he sees Niobe place the key in the lock his eyes grow to the size of gold coins. He is much relieved when she steps away from the door.

"My friend Sly, if you wish to call me Firn, then by all means do so. I only ask that in company other than our own you use my full name. And when time permits, I would like to learn of your full name." He says to the elf as he places a hand on Sly's shoulder.

"If there are no objections to the plan, then as Savin spoke, move back from the door, far back, and I'll work some magic ma job..."

Assuming everyone steps back Firn'gaer begins to speak in tongue arcana. He speech is soft, but it is easily heard by all. He reaches out his hand towards the key and an opaque field extends from his outstretched hand for a few feet before ending. At the key the field forms around it. Slowly he wills the key to turn. It shakes slightly and then begins to turn until the key has turned fully.

"...And it should be unlocked. Let me see if I can open it by pulling on the key while it's turned."

He changes his concentration and makes a pulling motion on the key. Slowly he makes a pulling motion trying to get the door to swing open if possible.

[Spot DC21]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+1=6
Wednesday December 22nd, 2004 10:54:18 AM
Peerimus is unable to hold his composure well. [Bluff 6] Biting his sheek to contain the smile, he puts a hand on Savin's shoulder and in his best father-like tone. "If you can not behave, you will have to wait in the hut with the rest of the children."

Peerimus cocks his head sidelong as Tokun starts sepaking and again he is reminded that he should have tried to pick up at least redamentary words while at the Village. Having nothing to add and feeling the young man won't do anything horribly stupid he turns his attention back towards the two people he thinks might.

A shiver runs the length of his spine as Niobe inserts the key. did she not say the lock was the trap? Could not merely the insertion of the key activate it?

Intolerable seconds pass.

If nothing happens, Peerimus will step over and lightly hook Savin's belt as he moves by, I believe our friend is getting to the key just now, my patient freind."

Yorrick stays next to Peerimus and has a seat in snow.

If something bad happens Peerimus will move in with the healing wand.

Active Spells
Endure Elements Xtnd'd 48hours Yorrick and Peerimus

The Changing Room

Inside (DM/Al)
Wednesday December 22nd, 2004 9:56:34 PM
Niobe puts the key in the lock. Those around her show reactions that span the spectrum. From boredom to shock to grim fatalistic anticipation. The metal of the key encounters the metal of the lock. The sound of ratcheting as teeth push away plates. And then ... nothing.

The young barbarian guide's mouth opens with surprise. The woman put the metal bone into a hole in the wood door covering. Somehow the bone and the door covering must be magically linked.

Then the woman speaks to him. She smiles and looks into his face. Plays with her hair. Tokun is transfixed, unable to speak or move. He blushes a bright red.

Savin steps forward offering to turn the key. Peerimus lets out a breath that he has been holding and hooks Savin's belt, pulling him back.

Luke sniffs at the edges of the room and finds nothing that he had not found before.

Firn'gaer calls for the others to move back and he invokes some simple powers of transmutation. From afar, he causes the key to turn. Outside the room the click and chak of the turning tumblers can be heard in the cold motionless air. With a final loud *Tak* the bolt releases.

The air is still.

Redirecting his powers, the wizard slowly shoots the bolt. It grinds as it slides, but offers no other complaint. The power pushes at the door, but it proves too heavy.

Savin moves quickly forward and pushes the door open. Out rolls warm air, engulfing Savin and the rest of the room. Through the door the light is low. Small dots of light at ten foot intervals above create a spectral twilight that offer a dim glimpse of a long room that stretches away into the distance. Even Shiraz and Ilsidur have difficulty seeing in this low half-light. To Sly, however, it is as clear as though it were day.

The room is large, and largely unadorned. Thirty feet wide, it is, and almost one hundred feet long. Stone walls, stone floor, stone ceiling. A glance at the other side of the door reveals no lock on the inside. The door opens freely from within. Stepping further into the room, one might notice that a sign graces the wall beside the door. A single word at the top is written in red. The one's below are in black. (Anyone speak gnomish?) Seven feet off the ground and at five foot intervals, wide metal rings are affixed along both side walls. Down the center of the long room, in line with it's axis, are low benches, four in all. Between the benches are low cabinets, no more than five feet tall. From their place at the doorway, the Children of Chaos stare down the perspective of the long room, benches running end to end with cabinets between them.

Sly can see all the way to the other end. He sees other signs on the walls. To him the door three quarters of the way down on the right hand wall is quite clear. So too, is the 15 foot wide dark tunnel on the distant opposite wall, it's mouth leading further into the unknown.

Not a sound comes from the room. The room smells ... empty.

Shiraz
Wednesday December 22nd, 2004 10:19:56 PM
Shiraz watches in silent admiration for the mage as he opens the door silently. As each of them peer over or around each other Shiraz asks, "Should I step in or is somone else going in first?"

Niobe
Thursday December 23rd, 2004 2:27:19 AM
Niobe watches the door open and is frankly relieved that nothing bad happend.

"It's fine by me if you want to go first Shiraz."

If Shiraz enters the room and nothing happens then Niobe will be following close behind. She does speak and read gnomish, and will take the time to read the signs. If what she reads is important then she will tell the others what the signs say; or she will tell anyone if they ask her.

It occurs to her that maybe Tokun knows some gnomish as well so she asks him if he can speak gnomish. Naturally she asks Tokun the question in gnomish. If he can speak gnomish then she will immediately ask him to ask her his question again in gnomish.

Sly and Luke d20+15=30
Thursday December 23rd, 2004 8:47:18 AM
Sly watches as Firn'garr wrestle with the lock, but then it clicks. Then the task to open the door, then they all peek inside and wondering who will go in first. Sly Said "I'll go in now, because I can see clear to the end of the room!"

Sly turns his head "Luke! Come!" He enters into the rrom about 40 feet inside, stops and starts to discribing the room, the with 30 feet, the lenth 100feet, The sign on the walls "I cannot read them." Sly tells his friends, then he continues to discribing the room, the ceiling, the walls, the floor, the benchs, the cabinets and most of all those awful rings. "At the end of the room theres a tunnel about 15 feet wide, that where the slaves must have to exit down that tunnel."

Sly shows the shell again to Luke, "Smell again, Luke and tell me if you can smell alot of elves and halfelves that use to be here??"

Luke will take the scent again and start to track for the elven scent!

OOC: Luke tracks by scent 30.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday December 23rd, 2004 9:23:30 AM
The color returns to the druids face as nothing happens and there is the bonus that beyond the door it is warmer, albeit darker.

Peerimus opts to let most others move into the room first. He and Yorrick will be the last.

"Appears to be a changing room. Niobe if you could be so kind as to investigate a cabinet or two?"

Niobe (illegal 2nd post) d20+9=26 d20+9=22 d20+9=18 d20+9=15 d20+9=17 d20+9=10 d20+16=31 d20+16=20 d20+16=18 d20+16=26 d20+16=25 d20+16=20
Thursday December 23rd, 2004 4:14:23 PM
Niobe was quick to enter the room (after at least one of the warriors) because she couldn't help but notice Tokun blush and because of the language problem she didn't know how to handle the situation. So she opted for giving poor Tokun some space instead of waiting for the young man to say or do something else.

This is what Niobe will do after reading all of the gnomish signs:

Niobe will check all of the cabinet as Peerimus asks of her. She first checks for traps, and if she finds none then she will open the cabinet. If she finds any traps she will obviously disarm the traps first.

(I have no true concept of how many cabinets there are so I rolled 6 search checks - searching for traps, and 6 open lock checks.)

(Search 26, 22, 18, 15, 17, 10,
Open Lock 31, 20, 18, 26, 25, 20)

Savin
Thursday December 23rd, 2004 5:16:31 PM
Savin will step into the room and move about halfway down into the room, keeping to the center. He will then try to keep an eye on everyting. Scanning the room in both directions.

Signage (DM/Al)
Thursday December 23rd, 2004 11:51:07 PM
Sly and Shiraz enter the room first. Sly shouts a description back to those still outside the door. Niobe enters with Luke on her heels. While the rogue studies the signs, Luke follows the various scents in the room. In this room, the war dog snuffs up a confusing hodgepodge of scents. It seems to him that there might be a trace of elf in the mix, but it's hard to tell for sure. Luke's only reply is to sneeze and shake his head.

Niobe speaks to Tokun again. He leans toward her. Something in his eyes speaks of both anticipation and dread. He sways forward, and then back. Eyes looking anywhere but the woman's face, Tokun says, "Wanj basath ja." He backs away.

Niobe reads the sign next to the door. It says "WARNING!" in large red letters at the top. Under that it continues: "Unprotected area ahead. Exit without the proper equipment can result in cold related injury or death."

The signs further down all say the same thing. One sign is posted before each of the three cabinets. They say: "WARNING! This is a Security Area. Cabinets are Locked and Trapped. NO STEALING. You know who you are!"

From this it is clear to Niobe that the cabinets are indeed trapped, even without inspection. Still, she looks anyway. Try as she might, though, she cannot find a one of the traps. Finding none of the traps, she found no way to disable them.

Signage (DM/Al)
Thursday December 23rd, 2004 11:52:34 PM
Sly and Shiraz enter the room first. Sly shouts a description back to those still outside the door. Niobe enters with Luke on her heels. While the rogue studies the signs, Luke follows the various scents in the room. In this room, the war dog snuffs up a confusing hodgepodge of scents. It seems to him that there might be a trace of elf in the mix, but it's hard to tell for sure. Luke's only reply is to sneeze and shake his head.

Niobe speaks to Tokun again. He leans toward her. Something in his eyes speaks of both anticipation and dread. He sways forward, and then back. Eyes looking anywhere but the woman's face, Tokun says, "Wanj basath ja." He backs away.

Niobe reads the sign next to the door. It says "WARNING!" in large red letters at the top. Under that it continues: "Unprotected area ahead. Exit without the proper equipment can result in cold related injury or death."

The signs further down all say the same thing. One sign is posted before each of the three cabinets. They say: "This is a Security Area. Cabinets are Locked and Trapped. NO STEALING. You know who you are!"

From this it is clear to Niobe that the cabinets are indeed trapped, even without inspection. Still, she looks anyway. Try as she might, though, she cannot find a one of the traps. Finding none of the traps, she found no way to disable them.

Sly and Luke d20+5=19
Friday December 24th, 2004 5:45:56 AM
Sly rub and scratches Luke, "You are very good, you are confused because my mother has been gone for many years. Thank you that alone tell me alot!"

Sly will go to the entrance of the tunnel, wanting to go in BUT he hears Niobe as she read the signs. "OH! Great! and I'll bet the those cabinets Are Trap!. And all I want to know is if there's protective gear in there or if they're empty?"

Luke will sniff at a cabinet *sniff... sniff... sinff*

Luke sniffing at cabinet 19. (maybe Luke has to go??)

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday December 24th, 2004 11:52:36 AM
With the new information Niobe reads to the group, "Obviously a preparation are for the dwellers of this underground to proceed outside."

"As we have adaquate gear for the outdoors I really don't think we need to bother with the cabinets."

Noting Tokun, "Our guide is definately on nerve, we very well may have found the raiders home, though I would not have expected gnomes."

"I suggest we prepare for more violent responses from those who live here."

Peerimus casts Greater Magic Fang on himself and shares it with Yorrick. +1 to all natural weapons.

active spells on Yorrick and Peerimus
Endure elements (48) Hours
Greater Magic Fang (9) Hours

Niobe
Friday December 24th, 2004 8:38:00 PM
Niobe looks wistfully at the cabinets. However she has other business to take care of...

The rogue quickly closes the distance between herself and Tokun. She reaches out and holds him firmly but absolutely not threateningly by his left elbow. Her hand rests on his arm. She will speak in Common again, since speaking gnomish provoked a bad reaction as far as she can tell.

"I won't hurt you, really - not intentionally at any rate... Are the gnomes *Niobe gestures to the signs* your enemies?"

Niobes voice reflects calm steadiness, she is trying to use her inflection to inspire trust and security. She doesn't take her eyes off of Tokun; nor does she move her hand, this time she doesn't look him quite in the eye. She is catching on that her actions were probably not what the barbarian would have expected so she endevours to avoid keeping long term eye contact. She finds herself wishing that they had at least one spoken language in common.

Savin d20+13=28 d20+13=29
Friday December 24th, 2004 11:31:58 PM
Savin listens to the discourse and hears the translation of the signs. "Hmmmm interesting. Sounds like a lot of people must have lived here or still do.

The signs have an institution sound to them. Like they were talking to a whole bunch of people. I wonder how many rooms there are?"

Savin heads across to the other side of the room and peers down the tunnel and listens for any noise.

Listen 29
Spot 28

The Unexpected (DM/Al)
Friday December 24th, 2004 11:36:02 PM
Sly walks across the room toward the tunnel at the other end. On the way, he passes the door on the right wall. Hearing Niobe's translation of the signs he stops and throws up his hands. Luke sniffs at the cabinets. They smell of gnomes.

Savin joins Sly. He trains eyes and ears into the blackness. Not a creature stirs, not even a mouse.

Peerimus notes Tokun's distress and suspects it is rooted in the room and those who use it. He prepares for conflict.

Niobe takes Tokun's arm, speaking to him with calm and sincerity. Tokun's eyes go wide. For a frozen moment, he appears a deer blinded by a great light, knowing its fate, yet unable to move. Then, with a strangled cry, a half whimper, he acts. Taking Niobe's face in his hands, he kisses her in just the same way that The Hands Fighting Man had.

The door from which the group had entered stands open to the cold polar air of Ice Vein. Perhaps it is the sound of a distant wind. Or perhaps it is the echo of a rock fall from a nearby canyon. Still, the sounds that drift in the open door bear an eerie similarity to a human voice, a voice that the group knows cannot be out there.

"Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas ... Comes the jolly laugh on the frigid winter wind. And then it is gone.

Sly and Luke d20+3=20
Saturday December 25th, 2004 7:40:41 AM
Luke looks at Sly tells him; "Door... Gnomes!"

Sly stop in his tracks, then he's off to the door. He put his ear to the door and listen (20).

When Savin joins him, sly whispers to him "I think we have life here??"

Niobe
Saturday December 25th, 2004 4:38:57 PM
Niobe was certainly not expecting a kiss from Tokun! That wasn't an 'answer' she would have expected to her question. Now it is her turn to look completely stunned, thankfully her jaw does not drop.
As her stunned expression passes it is replaced by a very noticable blush and a slightly confused expression. Amazingly Niobe has no quick comments to make, and so remains uncharacteristicly quiet.

The only thought going through her mind is 'what did I do to prompt that? After what seems like several minutes the corners of her mouth twitch as if she is about to grin. Slowly she will indeed grin very slightly, but the blush remains, and the rogue certainly feels her face "burning". She can't make up her mind whether to laugh or to cry, but that doesn't show in her facial expression.

"oh... dear gods..." Niobe whispers very quietly.

Niobe takes a quarter step back, drops her hands to her sides and glances briefly around for Ilsidur, she doesn't turn her head but looks for the dwarven cleric by moving her eyes. Notably she only glances every so often at Tokun, but not in anger. In fact other than some confusion it is very difficult to see what she is thinking or feeling - except that she isn't angry or upset. She doesn't want to be the one responsible for 'chasing off' their much needed guide.

"Ilsidur? Do you still understand what our guide says??" Niobe will ask Ilsidur if she succeeds in making eye contact with the cleric.

Young and Misunderstood (DM/Al)
Saturday December 25th, 2004 9:45:53 PM
Sly puts his ear to the door on the right wall. He warns Savin that there might be something behind it. Still, the half-elf hears nothing.

After Tokun's kiss, Niobe grins and blushes, looking for succor. Tokun, for his part, appears unable to look Niobe in the face. He fidgets, catching furtive looks at the other Magic Ones from the corners of his eyes. Slowly, he backs away. He steals a quick glance at the door still open to Ice Vein beyond. Tokun remains in place, eyes to the floor, a look of pure unadulterated misery on his face.

"Uhuk nyaha," he says in a dejected voice.

Sly and Luke
Sunday December 26th, 2004 6:56:26 AM
Sly is listening at the door, But catches the look on Niobe's face, then as to how uncompable Tokum is.
Sly remembers his kissing his first girl. He cannot help himself, so he lets out a few giggles, "Tee! Hee!"

Sly lifts his head from the door, "Ilsidur! I think your needed over by the door! Smicker!"

Firn'gaer
Sunday December 26th, 2004 5:06:26 PM
Firn'gaer is quite amuzed at the scene before him.

Ah...young love...

Niobe d20+3=19
Sunday December 26th, 2004 6:50:06 PM
Niobe recognizes the tone of voice but not the words. She also sees that he is heading for the exit - and that she won't allow. She sprints passed the young barbarian and does her level best to block the door so he cannot leave. Gesturing for him to please stay, indeed she just might end up pleading.

She will tell him that she isn't offended, but surprised; even though he cannot seem to understand her words. She is clearly sincere, and her face shows sympathy and care. The rogue has a very good idea that the young man must be in love with her. Niobe is not sure how to handle that either.

Niobe quickly weighs her options, because they cannot afford to lose the only person with local knowledge. She would almost kill for a translator at this point!

If Niobe fails to stop Tokun from leaving, or fails even to persuade him to stay (she feels that might fail anyway because of a lack of a common language).

Thus if all else fails she will do the only thing left that she can think of - she will pull him into a close embrace and kiss Tokun as passionately as she can muster. She will put as much feeling into her action as only she can. (Perform 19)
She can't resort to playing the 'helpless female', she has shown that she is too skilled for that ruse. One heck of a kiss might just convince him to stay if anything? 'Desperate times call for desperate measures!'

The consequences will just have to be dealt with later. The rogue won't be looking forward to that...

(Perform 19)

Scolded Puppy (DM/Al)
Sunday December 26th, 2004 10:37:34 PM
The woman moves to cut Tokun off from the door to Ice Vein outside. Tokun makes no move to evade or oppose her. Rather, he begins following her around. He never seems to look directly at her. At least not while she's looking.

Meanwhile, Sly and Savin remain at the closed door. There is still nothing to hear from within.

The door to the anteroom is still open. Cold from outside begins to creep its way in.

Shiraz
Monday December 27th, 2004 5:08:07 AM
Shiraz shakes his head at the antics of Niobe and then chuckles softly rememberin his first love and how he followed her around like a love struck cow. "Well now what Shiraz says to his friends after Tokun becomes Niobes puppy dog?"

Sly and Luke
Monday December 27th, 2004 8:21:18 AM
Sly tells Savin, "I don't know about you But! I'm freezing with the door open, I wonder if we close the door and cut the wind off. If we'll be force to take the tunnel?? All thow I'd like to see what behind this door too??.

Luke look s at Sly, "Me too!"

Firn'gaer
Monday December 27th, 2004 8:40:20 AM
"Oh la, la...maybe I should leave too?" Firn'gaer says jestingly. "Could I have one of those?"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday December 27th, 2004 4:15:52 PM
Peerimus notes the cold and perhaps those without the benefit of magic are beggining to feel it. This room did initially contain warmer air and perhaps there is something else as well.

If all are in the room, Peerimus moves to the door and shuts it.

Firn'gaer's comment makes it to his ears just as the door closes, and suddenly he wished he had left it open for the running wizard to have more escape room.

Niobe d20+9=24 d20+16=28
Monday December 27th, 2004 8:32:12 PM
Niobe can only wonder at Tokun's current behaviour. The rogue hardly dares even glance Tokun's way right now. She won't bother trying to ask any questions for the moment, since that tactic has been failing miserably. She is somewhat relieved that she didn't have to take any "drastic measures" however.

Niobe will join Savin and Sly at the next door. She will focus only on the door since she is half expecting some comment or other about Tokun's behaviour towards herself.

She checks the door as throughly as she did the last one. If it seems safe then she will try and unlock any lock on the door.

(Search (traps) 24, Open Lock 28)
(Trapfinding: Search 27, Trap sense +2 if she actually sets any traps off.)

Distractions Aside (DM/Al)
Monday December 27th, 2004 9:28:50 PM
Love's a funny thing. As long as it isn't happening to you. The group takes note of the little drama between their guide and one of their number.

Peerimus closes the outer door.

Niobe shakes off all comments and distractions, and sets herself to the task at hand. This task is the door in the right wall.

Tokun follows a few paces behind. Midnight Woman, as he has decided to name her, stops at another wooden tent flap and begins examining it. Tokun turns a covert eye to Hands Fighting Man. He wonders if Hands Fighting Man is angry with him. Tokun would be were he in Hands Fighting Man's place. It may not be safe for Tokun to be with the Magic Ones, but there is little he can do. His path is now set.

Niobe's search of the door returns no sign of traps. This door is more typical of an indoors portal with a turning handle rather than a bolt. The door is locked, but that is little impediment to the rogue. Her picks make quick work of the locking mechanism, releasing the door handle with a satisfying click.

Now, all that remains is to open the door.

Niobe
Monday December 27th, 2004 10:50:19 PM
Niobe smiles widely, and very successfully quells a nerdy squeal of delight as she succeeds yet again.

"Man, I am good..." she whispers very quietly to herself.

Niobe stands and moves away from the door, with a dramatic flourish she motions to the door.

"Who wants the honor?"

She finishes with the same dramatic flair as she asks who really wants to open the door.

"So far as I can tell there are no traps," she half-seriously points out with a smirk.

The rogue glances around at all of the gentlemen in the group, as she looks to see who will accept "the task".

Sly and Luke d20+3=14 d20+3=14 d20+5=15 d20+15=33
Tuesday December 28th, 2004 9:11:03 AM
Sly Smiles at Niobe, "Yes! You are great and if you play your card right, Tokum will be your body guard. A job that he'll do well. But then again we are all in love with your talent!". Sly smiles but put his hand on the door and slowly open it.

If Savin is still with him they both will look inside (with weapons drawn).

Luke is trying to nose his way into the room also.

Sly will look into the room (14) then enter and serch (14).

Luke if he can get through the two human bodies, he will enter look around (15) and strat to Track by sniffing (33).

Savin d20+13=17 d20+13=24
Tuesday December 28th, 2004 11:54:03 AM
Savin seems oblivious to the attention that Niobe is getting from the young guide. He seems oblivious but he really isn't. He wonders if Niobe likes the young man. They have flirted but really haven't gone any farther. Maybe he should back away.

When Niobe unlocks and Sly opens the door, Savin will come to the balls of his feet ready for action. He will look into the room but his eyes keep wandering back to Niobe's legs for some reason.

He shakes his head and tells himself, "The master would beat you for your lack of concentration. He raises his ears to the air and listens as well.

spot 17
listen 24

OOC sorry for the missed post. I am on vacation this week and might be a little spotty.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Tuesday December 28th, 2004 1:48:09 PM
The druid and his life long friend move across the room to the door and wait for those who venture first to do so.

What to do about this? Tokun's distraction and budgeoning affection could cause undue problems more specifically cause Tokun to do something stupid to protect her, not to mention Savin's apparent feelings towards Niobe. For now perhaps the best course is to do nothing. Perhaps no, Tokun is already starting to look skittish towards Savin. Again what to do about this?

A Painful Message (DM/Al)
Tuesday December 28th, 2004 10:08:51 PM
Satisfied, a job well done, Niobe steps aside to let another enter the door.

Savin, by all appearances, cool and unruffled by the interplay between Niobe and the young barbarian guide, stands ready for what might be beyond the door.

Peerimus too moves forward with Yorrick. His mind is preoccupied, fearing a possible schism in the group.

Sly takes the honor of opening the door. Luke points eagerly forward to investigate the new room. Sly's hand reaches forward and rotates the knob. The bolt slides back with a soft *click*.

To Niobe, the metalic click sounds loud within the long stone room. The world drops into slow motion, and before her eyes and hers alone, the image of a serpent frees itself from the wood of the door and writhes forward. It raises up as if to strike. Then, with a hiss that sounds like a smile, it vanishes.

The door swings open, and ...

Pain. Seering and breath-taking, the pain electrifies the nerves of each and every being within 60 feet of the door. Skin burns with fire. A freezing cold spike stands out of each eye, pierced to the brain. Muscles cramp and twist. Bones grind. All are blind with the he worst pain imaginable, deaf save for the sounds of your own screams.

And the pain does not stop.

[[ Symbol of Pain. No Saves. ]]

Sly and Luke
Wednesday December 29th, 2004 7:27:28 AM
After he open the door and started to go into the room. It hit him! He screems from the pain that going through his whole body. His skin burn like the breath from a Red Dragon, His eyes are frozen to in side of his brain, like a breath from a White Dragon. His whole body even his bones, go into a convolsion, almost like a breath from a Black Dragon.
Sly cannot see, hear or feel anything except the pain. "EEEEeee!"

Luke also welps in pain, "Kiyii! Yelp! Kiyii!"

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+13=16 d20+2=10
Wednesday December 29th, 2004 9:51:48 AM
The first wave is almost too much, but the shock of the sudden attack is quickly stilled by Peerimus's mind and he quickly puts attention to more important matters, Yorrick. [handle animal 16]

Through the wracking pain, Peerimus grabs a hold of the roaring bear by the neck and moves back from the door. Between the high whine scream in his head and the monstrous and continous bellow of Yorrick the relatively young druid feels he may go mad.

Through the pain, Peerimus tries to recall anything about the spell, but the mind wrenching agony is more than he can put down for such a task. [spellcraft 10]

Savin
Wednesday December 29th, 2004 1:17:57 PM
Savin feels the pain wash over his body and tries to control it with a breathing technique taught at the monastary but fails.

He writhes on the ground wondering how Niobe missed this trap.

Firn'gaer d20+17=36
Wednesday December 29th, 2004 2:01:27 PM
As the door opens, Firn'gaer sees the symbol but it's too late. [Spellcraft DC36] The pain surges through him and he collapses to the floor in pain. "Symbol...pain...leave..." is all he can muster under. Through the pain he feels he can also feel the terror of Rufus as the familiar is overcome as well. Writhing as well Rufus falls from the folds of Firn'gaer's robe to the floor.

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Seeing Through The Pain (DM/Al) d20+10=21
Wednesday December 29th, 2004 9:50:52 PM
Taken by surprise, the party is immobilized by the onslaught of pain.

Though cast from a spell which draws power from divine grace, Firn'gaer recognizes it immediately. He falls to the ground with an answer ... a suggestion ... a description on his lips.

Tokun too collapses from the pain. But, collecting his intestinal fortitude, the young barbarian drags himself to his knees and fights his way to Niobe's side.

OoC
Fortitude of DC20 or better allows you to fight off the pain for one round and act. You must roll each round that you are effected. -4 to all attack rolls, skill checks, and ability checks. Spells require a concentration check vs DC20.

Spellcraft of DC25 or more and you know: Highlight to display spoiler: {The symbol of pain has a reach of about 60 feet from it's focal point. Leave that area and the direct effects of the symbol can no longer reach you. The pain, though, does have after effects. The direct effects of the Symbol of Pain remain in effect for variable lengths, the time depending upon the power of the caster.}

Shiraz d20+8=27
Thursday December 30th, 2004 12:09:57 AM
ooc Sorry about the missed post my son, Jacob, has pnuemonia and we are trying to make him comfortable.

Shiraz roars with pain swinging his massive hands around to ward off the invisible onslaught. "By Domi's Hammer!" the taur bellows. Shiraz fights through the pain, Fort DC 27, and attempts to slam the door shut.

Niobe d20+7=23 d20+5=14 d20+6=12
Thursday December 30th, 2004 12:19:15 AM
Niobe is of course extremely shocked that she missed that trap, but then again she doesn't know all that much about spells in general. The vision of the snake and the immense pain cause her to collapse initially.

Somehow she finds enough fortitude (strength?) to uncurl herself from the fetalposition she was laying in and get up to her knees. Her eyes streaming tears she tries to look for the snake, but even with wiping her eyes she doesn't see all that much it seems. Niobe is of course as pale as a sheet. The fear she associates with that gods awful vision doesn't make things any easier for her.

She silently curses herself for not being suspicious about the simplicity of opening the door. Seeing at least some of the others writhing in the same intense, all consuming pain as herself she can't help but continue to cry. Not an easy thing to do with eyes that hurt like hell.

Niobe weakly rubs at her eyes again and just manages to spot Tokun moving towards her. If she could think clearly enough she would be wondering if that is a good or a bad thing. For now she is doing all she can just to stay upright, and not scream herself hoarse.

(Search (9-4) 14, Spot (10-4) 12)

Sly and Luke d20+6=23 d20+5=19
Thursday December 30th, 2004 6:21:43 AM
Sly grab his sides and tries to straiten his legs, he feels something beside him (it's Luke and he's yelping with pain). Sly will roll towards the door, and hope the Luke does not bit him (because of the pain the dog is in)

OOC: I don't know how far into the room Sly went into. But I do know that Sly, Sandor, Luke and Shiraz (who was about to enter) went into that room in that order. You'll have to tell me how far Sly gets(you know roll Body - drag the bitting dog)

Firn'gaer d20+9=10 d20+3=17
Thursday December 30th, 2004 10:25:30 AM
"Ahh...Ahh...AHH...AHH...AHHHH...LEAVE, LEAVE, LEAVE..." Screams from Firn'gaer as he is unable to overcome the pain. Curled in the fetal position he writhes on the ground.

Rufus too is still caught in the grips of the spells and squeals are heard amidst Firn'gaer's cries.

[Fort save DC10, Rufus DC17]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Savin d20+8=24
Thursday December 30th, 2004 3:27:28 PM
Savin straightens up and staggers out of the room. He will try and grab anyone he sees who might not be able to move themselves and drag them from the room.

Please, Just End The Pain (DM/Al) d20+10=24
Thursday December 30th, 2004 9:49:32 PM
Niobe climbs to her knees, and Tokun, eyes narrowed into slits of pain, takes Niobe's arm over his shoulder. He hauls her up, pulling in the direction of the door from which they had all come.

Sly, not far through the doorway at all, rolls out and back into the long changing room. He drags a howling Luke with him.

Savin, stumbles out behind the half-elf and pulls at Firn'gaer pulling him away from the door and the pain. With a sweep of his hand, the monk manages to catch up the little rat as well.

Behind all of them, Shiraz slams the door shut. It latches with a click ...

But the pain does not end.

OoC
These are not officially combat rounds. I figure you should all be able to exit the area affected by the Symbol of Pain this next round. That is, if you make your Fortitude Save. And ... if you want to.

Sly and Luke d20+6=23 d20+5=21
Friday December 31st, 2004 8:03:57 AM
OOC Sly made his save 23 and Luke this time made his save 21,

Sly roll away from the door before Shiraz closes it. Now all he is doing is huging Luke in his arms, in a soothing voice, "It's alright Luke! We are out of that room now! That's it, take deep breath and the pain will go away!" Sly rocks his dog back and forth untill the dog quites down.

Luke wippers a little longer, "yip! YIP! owwwWW!"

Niobe d20+7=21
Friday December 31st, 2004 10:20:45 AM
Niobe just manages to fight the pain and nausea from the spell enough to keep moving as Tokun half drags her from the room. She grips his shoulder with one hand and holds on to front of Tokun's coat with the other. Niobe walks unsteadily and therefore leans a bit into Tokun to help keep her balance. Her body has begun to shake somewhat from the constant pain. The rogue is looks very pale.

She has stopped frantically looking for snakes, but is still confused about the trap that wasn't there. 'Opening the door... not a trap on the door...triggered by the door??' Niobe thinks to herself, trying to focus on those thoughts.

Once she is out of the area of effect for the spell; and if Tokun lets her sit, she will slide down a wall and sit with her knees drawn up. Niobe wraps her arms around her legs and leans her forehead on her knees. She tries to stop herself from shaking.

(Fortitude 21)

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+10=27 d20+10=30 d20+13=17
Friday December 31st, 2004 4:56:01 PM
Peerimus and Yorrick both let a primal growl esacpe thier lips as they fight down the pain. Peerimus grabs Firn'gaer by the collar and Rufus and begins pulling them back from the door and towards the outer door. A partial screamed command to Yorrick and the great bear takes a defensive retreating stance between the door and Peerimus as the druid retreats with the downed mage.

[Peerimus Fort 27 Yorrick Fort 30, Handle animal 17]

Firn'gaer d20+9=18 d20+3=9
Sunday January 2nd, 2005 2:58:25 PM
Firn'gaer feels the tug from the others helping him, but the pain is still too great to bear and he gives little assistance. Rufus also is unable to do little more than squeal. He convulses under the pain of the spell.

[Fort save DC 18, Rufus DC9]

Savin d20+10=23 d20+13=29 d20+13=32
Sunday January 2nd, 2005 8:14:15 PM
Savin winces against the pain but decides to straighten up and endure it for the sake of his companions. He feels the group is being herded so he will withstand the pain for a few moments to take a look around and listen for anything he might notice.

If he doesn't notice anything or hear anything he will with a burst of speed, rejoin his friends.

Fort save 23, spot 29, listen 32

Catching Your Breath (DM/Al)
Sunday January 2nd, 2005 11:40:48 PM
The entire party picks up and retreats. Peerimus aides Firn'gaer, half dragging him back in the direction from which they had come. Sixty feet from the door, the pain comes to an abrupt end. The effects, however, do not. The bone jarring pain leaves in its wake jangled nerves and weakness. (-4 to Attack and Skill checks for the next hour.)

Back to the wall, Niobe sinks to the floor. Tokun, kneels beside her and offers a skin of water.

Savin covers the retreat. Even through the pain, his senses are far keener than those of the average person. And yet the room reveals no foes.

As breath's are caught and muscles uncramp, those who were near enough to the door find pieces of what they had seen coming back to them.

[[ Will Save of 20 to have caught and retained these bits and pieces: Highlight to display spoiler: {The room is small. In it is a desk. Behind the desk is a rather large portrait hanging on the wall.}

Sly and Luke d20+7=21 d20+3=22
Monday January 3rd, 2005 6:56:38 AM
OOC:Will Check Sly 21(made it) - Luke 22( I don't believe this dog, he made it)

Sitting on the floor, Sly comfort Luke "It's alright Luke! We made it! Rest now until the pain goes away."
Sly will ask Savin, "Did you happen to see a door any where in that room?"
To everybody else he ask, "Are you alright? Does anybody need anything?" As an after though he adds "Now! I sorry that all of you followed me here in Ice Vein!" As he fight back the tears in his eyes, he keep reminding himself 'Elves don't cry, Ever!'

Jason of Aisildur
Monday January 3rd, 2005 10:58:55 AM
Jason opens and closes his hands, still trying to get the feeling back into them. The pain was so intense that at times, the young paladin thought he would surely die from it. Now all he could feel was a dull ache in every muscle as his body responded to the extended impulses of misery inflicted upon him.

Once able to stand, the paladin moves to Shiraz, and asks the hulking minotaur,

"Any ideas?"

OOC: Sorry bout lack of posting, but the holidays made it impossible. I am back now.

Savin d20+10=23
Monday January 3rd, 2005 2:32:27 PM
Savin sucks air into his lungs and blows it out a few times. "That was interesting. Let's find another way out if we can. "

In response to Sly's question, "No I don't remember any doors but I did notice a large portrait. It could be concealing secrets behind it. There was also a desk. Could have been interesting stuff in there."

Will save 23

Niobe d20+5=16
Monday January 3rd, 2005 2:41:16 PM
Niobe doesn't recall any features from the room. She was too busy looking for vipers and wiping tears from her eyes (will save 16).

She registers that Tokun is trying to offer her something. Niobe looks up and sees the waterskin. She takes it from Tokun with a grateful smile. Niobe takes a long drink from it and then hands the waterskin back to him. The rogue is thankful for the drink of water.

Niobe looks back up at Tokun and says 'thank you', even if the words mean nothing her inflection and expression should communicate her thanks, both for getting her out of the room and for the water. She is still smiling faintly, but there is still the hint of the pain visible.

(If anyone mentions the portrait on the wall or the desk, Niobe will tell them that many people usually hide keys and valuables behind large portraits, she will add that desks; if they have locks, are common hiding places as well.)

(Will save 16)

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+5=19
Monday January 3rd, 2005 6:16:34 PM
Both druid and his friend stay well back, Peerimus looks to Firn'Gaer to make sure he is not overly affected, being the only one who fell in pain [Heal 19 check]

"Did any see what lay beyond the door beyond the desk and painting Savin mentioned and Fir'gaer, you mentioned you knew the magic. Might you know how to defeat it?"

Next Move (DM/Al)
Monday January 3rd, 2005 9:47:45 PM
The Children of Chaos take a few emotional steps back from the pain inflicted by the trap on the door. Sly is pushed to the edge, possibly by the stress caused by being so close to recovering his mother and sister. So close and yet so far.

Jason stands after a long silence, and his demeanor is more practical and business-like.

Savin, in response to Sly's question, mentions the painting and the desk in the room beyond the door. Niobe echoes the monk's sentiment, adding that what is in the room might be valuable as well as interesting.

As Firn'gaer was the only one not to be able to make his way out of the area of pain on his own power, Peerimus inspects him for physical damage. The wizard seems fine, though just as tired and frazzled as the other members of the party. As he goes about the examination, he asks if Firn'gaer might have a way of defeating the magic.

Tokun returns Niobe's smile with one of relief mixed with the shine of something else. The woman seems to be well. Tokun himself sits. His face shows little of the effects of the pain. Though close observation might notice that the muscles at the sides of his jaw are tense, as though he is or has been gritting his teeth. His eyes move over the assembly of Magic Ones, wondering what they might do next.

Niobe d20+9=24 d20+4=6 d20+10=18
Monday January 3rd, 2005 11:08:29 PM
Niobe studies Tokun's face and the emotions he is showing while he in turn studies the other Children of Chaos. She feels she needs to try and figure out what exactly he feels towards her.

Niobe believes that it could be just infatuation, butbcould it be more than that as well? She seems to be unsure what exactly to make out of what she sees; she must still be befuddled by the ordeal of that horrid spell (Search 24, Sense Motive 6, Spot 18). She certainly catches that 'sparkle' in Tokun's eyes when he looks at her and the difference in his smile; the look of relief was expected. Niobe's stomach begins to feel like it is tying itself into knots again.

Niobe is impressed that Tokun seems to not have reacted so strongly; or almost not at all, to the pain spell. 'Our guide must have one heck of a high pain threshold! Either that or an amazing amount of endurance... Savin too... *mental sigh* Some people have all the luck!', Niobe thinks to herself.

Niobe turns her gaze towards the resident arcanist; Firn'gaer,
"Firn'gaer do you have any idea how long that spell might last? If it is nearly spent then we can wait it out and see if there is a key to that blasted door."

Niobe pauses as she considers once again the fact that opening the door must have set off the trap. She goes with the feeling that she should tell the others.

"I know I didn't miss any traps - inspite of that spell," Niobe says defensively, "I believe that it was set off by just opening the door. Using a conventional key to unlock the door might stop that spell from going off again. We need to search that room better."

The rogue begins to ponder how the heck she missed the portrait and the desk in the first place! She will wait as best she can for the input from all of the others, including Tokun if he has anything he wants to say.

(Search 24, Sense Motive 6, Spot 18; trying to read Tokun's 'emotional register' and to see what reactions he might have had/be having to the effects of the spell. (I am not sure what to roll so I'll try these first).)

Sly and Luke
Tuesday January 4th, 2005 5:47:27 AM
"It's alright, Niobe! If you could not see that there was a trap there, then it was not your fault." Sly rises from the floor and let go of Luke,
To Firn'gar "That was a very special trap if the best, Err... Lock Smith like Niobe could not detect it. That Wizard had higher learning than I,
What do you think? the more I see these little set backs, the more I think my mother was here! She was a Elven Wizard.
Well gang what do you think!"

Luke gets to his feet, and start to strech.

Firn'gaer d20+17=32 d20+19=24
Tuesday January 4th, 2005 9:54:40 AM
As the pain subsides, Firn'gaer remains motionless on the cold ground. A slight whimper can be faintly heard from the wizard. Rufus, too, seems to have recovered and moves over to his master. Nosing his way into the folds of Firn'gaer's robe, Rufus curls into a ball. It appears the rat didn't take the spell well either.

As Peerimus begins to look him over for physical wounds, "Get away..." Firn'gaer says softly as his whimpers stop. "Get away!" he says more forceful. "GET AWAY!!!"

For a long moment he just lies there, silent, until he picks himself up. Kneeling he says, "I do know the magic, but..." He pauses, "I would guess no longer than a few hours once it's been activated, but it would really depend on the strength of the magic. It would be the same for my chance to defeat the magic. The stronger it is the less chance I'll have."

"Well, my dear rogue." He says very melancholy to Niobe. "If you didn't miss it then it could be a permanent effect. Either way I suggest we wait a few hours first...then if that doesn't work then I'll take my shot."

[Arcane Knowledge DC32, Spellcraft DC24]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+13=32 d20+8=22
Tuesday January 4th, 2005 4:24:10 PM
Peerimus ignores the wizard and finishes what he was doing. He does not respond more than dodging any flailing hands sent his direction and a sharp look to Yorrick [Handle animal 32]keeps the kodiak back. Satisfied there is no injury beyond what all are still feeling he slowly stands to find a spot on one of the benches against the wall, sitting with an exhalation of effort.

The plan seems to be set forth, wait for the spell to subside and then Firn'gaer will attempt to dispel it. Peerimus closes his burning eyes and tries to push the pain from his mind, reaching back to the green forests of home and the smell of maple and honey. [Will 22]

Savin
Tuesday January 4th, 2005 7:12:26 PM
Savin wonders at the reactions of some to the pain. Obviously their training is lacking somewhere. He remembers back to his early days when the masters taught him about discipline.

He would have to squat in a painful stance for hours without let up. If he moved, the monks would beat him with can swords. Yes the pain from the spell was unpleasant but not unbearable.

Savin decides that know isn't the time for a lecture but he does say, "Do we want to wait that long? We might have alerted any guards and they could be preparing defenses even as we speak."

Savin pauses for a minute and then says, "Though I doubt that is the case. This place has the feel of long desertion with only magical guardians and spells left behind."

Questions Questions Questions (DM/Al)
Tuesday January 4th, 2005 9:44:43 PM
Niobe scrutinizes Tokun's face. He's young. The fuzz of a future beard barely touches his face. When he does not believe that he is being watched lines of strain show upon his face; pinched around the eyes, clenched at the sides of the jaws. Niobe searches his face as he looks back at her. Niobe finds herself greeted by a shy smile. But in the young man's dark eyes she sees emotions deep and burning. What is she to makes of this? How to proceed? Alas, greater heed to the emotions of others might have given her more insight.

The rogue, turns her attention to more practical matters. She asks Firn'gaer if the spell might yet be spent. And she ponders as to whether the use of the key might deactivate the trap.

Sly too consults Firn'gaer. His mother was through here. It is the lead to follow.

More and more, the group finds themselves leaning on the newcomer for his experience with things of a magical nature. While finally suffering Peerimus to examine his wounds, Firn'gaer correctly conjectures that the spell may last for hours. And he speculates that it may be a permanent effect. Though, despite Niobe's insistence that she did not miss the trap, all of the lore regarding such spells indicates that they would be extremely hard to find were they to be hidden.

Peerimus finishes examining Firn'gaer an finds no physical ills. He sits back to find solace in his connection with the green forests of home. The image is within his mind, there are few things in the Wold that can steal that. However, also there, is the thought that he is underground. Bare rock surrounds him. Here, nothing grows.

Savin quesitons the wisdom of rest at a time like this. He voices the opinion that the trap may have alerted guards as well. Then he reverses himself, looking down the length of the empty room.

When will it be safe to approach the door once again? How would one know? Would an hour's rest be wise? How large is the influence of the pain spell? Could they even make their way around it within the confines of this long 40 foot wide room? Where are Sly and Jason's relatives? Who or What has taken them? What's with Tokun? And what's within the small room?

Niobe d20+7=20 d20+5=13 d20+6=13 d20+6=10 d20+11=25 d20+12=28
Wednesday January 5th, 2005 5:41:41 AM
Niobe isn't so sure about waiting for a long periode either, normally when something like that happens she would have left the area quickly. She doesn't believe that there are any conventional guards left around here.

Niobe stands up and stretches out her aching muscles. In the back of her mind she struggles with what do to about her 'emotional entanglements'. She won't be able to focus on those issues until this 'tortur room' one is settled.

"I have a suggestion gentlemen. I will try to go back into that room and check the desk and the portrait. I also suggest that only two of us try to look for any keys, any more than that and it will be a mess."

Niobe looks back into the room they just 'escaped' from and isn't too thrilled about going back into it. She puts it down to 'necessary evils'.

"I guess I will leave it up to you all to nominate who else helps out? Though I would say that anyone who relies on spells should maybe wait?"

Niobe hopes she didn't offend any of the spellcasters with her comment, but she figures that if anyone can can make heads or tails from all of this spell-stuff it is them.

Niobe approaches the spell-effected area slowly, this way she can back out of it (she hopes) as soon as she feels the effect. Once someone either volunteers or is nominated she will brace herself and enter the room. She heads for the area that the desk and portrait are supposed to be.

If she makes it to the desk and portrait without too much difficulty she will immediately begin her 'thiefly rtiual' of searching for traps and hidden compartments, opening locks and such.

If Niobe finds anything she will hopefully be able to disable any traps and open any locks? (Search 13, Spot 13, Listen 10, Disable Device 25, Open Lock 28)

(Fortitude 20)
(Search 13, Spot 13, Listen 10, Disable Device 25, Open Lock 28)
((I assume that there is still a - 4 to all ability checks.))

Firn'gaer d20+10=30
Wednesday January 5th, 2005 12:50:59 PM
"Savin, you are more than welcome to go back in or anyone else for that matter. The spell will effect you again as well as any guards that might arrive while we wait. Also, the effects of the spell..." He says massaging his temples, "...Is still in effect and will be for sometime. I understand your anxious to find your family, but caution is called for in this instance. If I am to counter the magic, I'll need to be at full strength or it will be a waste of time."

"If the room was the size you say, then the spells effect will encompass the whole room." He says to Niobe. "Patience, we will deal with the effect in due time. Did you notice where the symbol was inscribed?"

[Will save DC30]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Wednesday January 5th, 2005 4:49:23 PM
The druid is about to say something to Niobe as she moves off, but perhaps it is better to learn some lessons first hand

Peerimus remains where he is and refocuses his attentention towards the door incase he is needed.

Yorrick remains seated in front of him.

Sly and Luke
Wednesday January 5th, 2005 4:55:46 PM
"Your right, Firn'gaer! I was a little rash by dashing in there head long. I will wait until it is safe." Then he turns to Niobe, "Don't go in just yet, You don't want to worry Takum do you??"

Luke stands and clean himself off.

After A Time (DM/Al)
Wednesday January 5th, 2005 9:32:26 PM
Niobe stands and proposes a return to the small room with the desk. The desk and painting require scrutiny. She suggests a volunteer join her in the search for a key to the door.

Firn'gaer massages his temples and, for the benefit of those who do not take well to subtler hints, repeats in plainer terms that the pain spell is still in effect. With thoughts of the challenge awaiting him, the wizard inquires as to whether Niobe had noted the location of the glyph responsible for the party's current state.

Peerimus also looks dubious of the idea of returning to the door so early. He remains where he is with a keen eye to any trouble that might manifest.

Sly adds to the general opinion with a warning. He also adds a comment that reveals that others in the party are following the interaction between Niobe and Tokun with interest, if not with concern.

Still, Niobe moves down the room none the less. Cautiously she edges back toward the door. The pain slams into the rogue like a physical force. Tokun leaps up from his seat and rushes to her. But Niobe bears up under the assault and leaps back on her own.

Firn'gaer was correct. Yet, how else would one find out if the spell has dropped or not?

How does one measure the passage of time in a place with no window to the sun? And yet, unmeasured, time passes none the less. The spell is tested again, with painful results. And again, and yet again at different times. If the full cycle of the day were to be divided into 24 parts, then over one and a half of those would have passed before the area is approached, and, with much relief ... nothing happens.

Unfortunately, the door is again closed. Though, most likely, no longer locked.

OoC: Did you wish to search the room? At least one of the cabinets lies outside the influence of the area of pain.

Savin
Wednesday January 5th, 2005 10:35:20 PM
Savin is about to volunteer to go with Niobe when she heads off on her own. He rushes to the limit of the spell and then says, "Are you alright?" He is willing to brave the pain but only will do so if she gets into trouble.

Niobe d20+9=23 d20+10=30 d20+15=31 d20+16=17 d20+16=34
Thursday January 6th, 2005 1:18:00 AM
Niobe looks over at Savin, she sucks in a breath of air in a hiss and then grins.

"I am fine, thank you."

Then she adds under her breath, "not one of my better ideas."

"Firn'gaer, I did not see any glyphs. None, not one. Sorry."

Niobe does her level best to ignore Sly's comment for the mean time. Of course she doesn't want anyone to worry.

The rogue stands just at the edge of the spell area and stares defiantly into the room. She is also tapping her fingers on her folded arms as she thinks. Finally she turns on her heel and heads towards the other end of the room.

Niobe scrutinizes all of the gnomish signs again. Against hope she is trying to see if there are any clues to that wretched room among the signs. She will probably go from sign to sign considering them for an hour or so.

After this she will very carefully check the cabinets one after another (any that she can get to without having to endure the spell). She is of course looking for new traps; including trying to look for glyphs that look magical in nature. If everything seems safe enough she will try and open the locks again.

Niobe is tired of just waiting and doing nothing so anything short of physical restraint will most likely not keep her from messing with the cabinets (or minimum the one that is available).

Undoubtably Niobe is more than likely not entirely left to her own devices as she works?

If she isn't stopped she will try to open the stubborn lock again. While doing her rounds with the signs she reads half out loud to herself, but that is the only talking she will do - unless spoken to of course.

(Search 23, Spot 30 (nat 20), Disable Device 31, Open Lock 17; retry Open Lock 34)

Sly and Luke
Thursday January 6th, 2005 8:38:42 AM
Sly paces back and forth, waiting to go into that painful room. Sly has to walk or he'll grow restless, Sly watches the going on of every one, then his eyes goes to the big opening at the end of this room.

He'll look inside, just to be nosey.

Luke takes the walking with Sly, Because in doing so his bones feel better, But when Sly peek into the big opening, The Dog ask Sly "Now What?"

Firn'gaer
Thursday January 6th, 2005 9:36:55 AM
"Thanks, Niobe." He says to his female companion. "I was hoping you'd see something. My target needs to be the spell itself for any chance of success." He continues with a slight tone of disappointment in his voice.

"Sly...Do you have any scrying spells in your book?" He say standing and approaching the elf. "I unfortunately don't."

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Sly and Luke
Thursday January 6th, 2005 2:37:57 PM
"What do you mean a Scrying Spell? I don't know. Maybe I know the spell in another name??" ask Sly.

Jason of Aisildur
Thursday January 6th, 2005 7:40:28 PM
Jason looks about, and after much frustration with the area, decides to leave its exploration to those better apt for it. He does, however, scan the area to see if Domi will reveal to him the presence of any evil about. Once this is done, he will busy himself helping in what everway anyone needs him.

OOC: Detect Evil

Savin
Thursday January 6th, 2005 9:00:22 PM
After the spell departs, Rigging will head over to the door and try to find the symbol that set it off. He wants to be able to recognize it in the future.

The Touch of Evil (DM/Al)
Thursday January 6th, 2005 9:14:48 PM
The Hands Fighting Man comes to The Woman's aide as well, and Tokun lowers his head in deference to one of the Magic Ones. He backs away with a sullen look upon his face.

While waiting, Niobe examines the signs again. They say nothing more than they said before. She reads them aloud:

"WARNING! Unprotected area ahead. Exit without the proper equipment can result in cold related injury or death."

"WARNING! This is a Security Area. Cabinets are Locked and Trapped. NO STEALING. You know who you are!"

She examines the cabinets. She finds nothing unusual. This, by itself, would seem fairly safe. Unless one believes the signs.

When the area of pain is declared free, there is little to stop her from proceeding to the door again to deal with the stubborn lock. She finds, however, that the door is not locked. This makes sense as she had unlocked it earlier. The door, though, is once again closed, Shiraz having closed it earlier.

Sly is restless, and follows Niobe after the pain has cleared. He passes the door and continues toward the dark opening at the end of the room. Unlike this room which is lit by spots of permanent light, the way beyond is pitch black. It is only 15 feet wide. And, perhaps it is the depth of the darkness, but it feels to Sly as though it goes on for a very long ways.

Firn'gaer puzzles over how to disable the Symbol of Pain. How can one disable it if one does not know exactly where it is? He asks Sly if he might have a scrying spell. And, unfortunately, Sly does not know what he is referring to.

Jason, like Sly, is anxious to move on. The feeling of impotence, especially when his adopted parents seem so close, is maddening. In hopes that it may provide some small modicum of help, he draws a symbol of Domi the Protector and channels the power of the god to root out the presence of evil.

Slowly, and with care given to a job done correctly, the paladin directs the focus of the holy symbol over the walls, the benches, the cabinets. When Jason arrives at the door to the small room, he stops. There is evil here. Further study reveals a dispersed miasma of evil with a single aura toward the fore. A moment more of focus narrows the aura to the left of the doorknob in the place where the bolt would enter striking plate. The aura is strong.

Jason moves on from there. Feeling for the aura beyond the door. The evil is dim, less than faint. And, perhaps, that is the reason the paladin is taken by surprise. Though faint, the psychic stench of the evil overwhelms the paladin's senses. It strikes him like a wall. Jason is stunned, and his connection with the evil drops.

Savin, unaware of the paladin's discovery, eyes the closed door, searching for the origin of the pain. He sees nothing but an ordinary closed door. Finding such things must be the province of rogues and wizards.

Jason of Aisildur
Friday January 7th, 2005 2:22:47 PM
Jason shakes himself to his senses.

"Niobe. There is a very strong evil located not within the knob or its mechanism, but within the bolt plate. There is something..." Woozy, the paladin leans against a nearby wall.

"There is something else beyond the door. It too is evil, but the sensation I got from it, while faint, has left me disoriented." The paladin then slumps down the wall, leaving himself seated on the ground for the moment.

Niobe
Friday January 7th, 2005 5:22:45 PM
Niobe looks surprised at what Jason has to say.

"Oh hell. When the door gets opened the spell will probably go off again."

Niobe mutters with some righteous anger in her voice.

"Firn'gaer, Jason says he felt something evil within the boltplate. You could try that spell of yours there. I certainly won't be opening that door until something has been tried to remove that spell."

Niobe crouches down by Jason, "are you going to be alright Jason?"

Niobe half turns and looks at the others, "I guess we wait to see what Firn'gaer can do."

Niobe stands up again and steps away from both Jason and the door. She glances over at Tokun and sees his sullen look. She gives him an open, questioning look briefly. Then begins the next wait. Tapping her foot slowly indicating loss of patience with this gods awful door.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday January 7th, 2005 6:39:26 PM
Peerimus watches everything from the fall side of the room tehn the Symbol trapped door.

"If the plate is the issue perhaps we could move through the door without opening. If everything but the section of door that covers teh plate is removed, ti should permit enough room to utilize the door without revealing the symbol."

"Can anyone think of a sure method to accomplish this"

OoC: The door made of individual planks?

Savin
Friday January 7th, 2005 7:20:36 PM
Savin will listen to the discussion and say, "Can a nonmagical item be evil? Or is the evil on the other side of the door? Maybe someone should detect magic on the door. That might help."

Sly snd Luke
Saturday January 8th, 2005 9:58:13 AM
Sly will look cast Detect Magic on the door.

Luke look to Sly asking,"Evil??"

Firn'gaer
Sunday January 9th, 2005 11:50:56 AM
"Unfortunately, my friends, I need to see the symbol to effect it. Just suspecting isn't enough. If it is in the door latch, then I think we make a opening in the door without having to actually open the door." he says. "I fear there may be more and I have a finite magical ability. So, if we can do so without using magic I would like to try that first."

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Putting Heads Together (DM/Al)
Sunday January 9th, 2005 8:15:05 PM
With information from Jason, Niobe correctly assesses the function and placement of the trap. She turns to Firn'gaer and his magic to dispel the thing so they can get on to the room beyond. Unfortunately, Firn'gaer explains, magic doesn't quite work that way. He waits for someone to try a non-magical solution first. After all, though magic in nature, it is still, after all, a trap.

Peerimus stands at a safe distance and asks if the door might somehow be cleared without disturbing the lock mechanism. The door appears to be a seamless slab of wood. As a druid he might command such material. But, then again, who would expect wood after the plains of Ice Vein?

Savin seems more concerned about the evil, and asks about the nature of such. He proposes a spell that would reveal the presence of magic. Sly is obliging as it just so happens that he prepared for such a situation this morning. He intones the spell and then directs his hands towards the door. Suddenly the world is awash with color and light as auras appear in the cone formed by his hands.

After a moment's concentration, the light separates and pulls into locations and layers. There seem to be two auras. No. Three perhaps. Four? Or only two? In the swirl of magic it is difficult to put a finger on exactly what is what. The thing that is clear, however, is that left of the doorknob is a small aura of overwhelming strength. And all around, swimming in the air, is a dim residual aura that indicates something very powerful passed through here at some time in the last six days or so.

OoC
Spellcraft Check of the following DC's reveals the schools of magic that each belongs to.
Next to Doorknob: DC25 Highlight to display spoiler: {Necromancy}
In the Air: DC25 Highlight to display spoiler: {Mostly Necromancy but tinges of other schools as well}

Sly and Luke
Monday January 10th, 2005 8:45:16 AM
Sly stare at the magic he just produced, "Oh! I have to study my magic more closely, Firn'gaer have you ever seen such a asortment of auras before?"

Luke also stares at his masters magic, "WOW!"

Niobe
Monday January 10th, 2005 10:46:29 AM
Niobe stays clear of the door as she waits for the mages to figure the aura puzzle out.

She has only one new suggestion for possibly opening the door.

"We could try and take the door off of its hinges..." then she decides to add dryly, "or we could open the door, set off the spell again."

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday January 10th, 2005 5:16:49 PM
Peerimus regards the solid door and his brow furrows a bit. As a single piece it would be more difficult, but perhaps not impossible.

"A controlled fire should be able to dstroy the hinge side only, leaving the plate and symbol covered. Another thought is to raise the door with fire and then Firn'gaer will be able to place his dispel magic with accuracy."

Savin
Monday January 10th, 2005 5:44:39 PM
Savin will pace around looking at the room. He will leave the mystery of the door to the mages and spellusers, ready to pull them from the fire when they stumble.

He will look at the different signs not understanding them but asking, "So this was once a gnomes home? Can we expect a lot of devilish traps and illusions?"

The First Move (DM/Al)
Monday January 10th, 2005 9:43:50 PM
More ideas are brainstormed. One of which is to simply open the door again. The pain, though bad, had not permanent effect. In fact, though the memory of the pain lingers, the effects themselves have passed. (Skills and Attacks are back to normal.)

As the Hands Fighting Man walks away to look at the stick drawings on the walls, Tokun, once again, takes up a position near the Woman.

OoC: Search and Disable for the trap are both a DC30 each.

Niobe d20+9=16 d20+9=27
Tuesday January 11th, 2005 5:59:24 AM
Niobe answers part of Savin's question,
"the signs are gnomish, so it could be a safe bet to say that this is; or was, a gnomish hidey-hole."

Niobe idly searches for the trap that Jason mentioned, but she fails to see anything. Needless to say Niobe doesn't push her luck with the door.

She walks away from it and paces back and forth for a bit. Then she scrutinizes the door again (lock area, bolt plate and such, plus the hinges). She draws a blank again, and nearly screams in frustration.

This time she leaves this room and goes to one of the benches, throws herself down on it with her back resting against the wall and stares intently at the ceiling. Niobe's less than ifinite patience is wearing thin.

She doesn't talk to anyone right yet because she is upset with herself. She doesn't want to start ranting about gnomish locks, since she has some dignity to maintain. Niobe does look frustrated though.

(search I: 16, search II: 27)

Sly and Luke
Tuesday January 11th, 2005 6:07:40 AM
"Fun'gaur, I have a Fire Ball spell, But how much control is another question. I can conjer up to three Fire Ball at one, but they usally burst into flames. My question will it smask the hinges or just set off that trap again?
What do you think my friend?" ask Sly.

Luke look toward the other wizard "Yes?" he ask.

Firn'gaer
Tuesday January 11th, 2005 9:20:19 AM
"Sly, a fireball is not the answer. It's uncontrollable, unfortunately." He says.

He turns to Niobe, "I don't mean to sound rude, Niobe, but can you locate the trap. I'm just asking because at this point we're just guessing at where exactly the symbol is at. Being a trap, I really defer to you in these matters. I can deal with magic...but I'll go with what suggestions anyone can come up with. If there is no immediate danger inside, we could just set off the trap and go through?" The last sentence sounds more like a quiestion than a statement. "Get to the other side let the effect subside and continue?" He says again in the same tone looking around at the others.

[Spellcraft 29, take 10]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Savin
Tuesday January 11th, 2005 9:59:26 PM
Savin looks at his friends and says, "Well we have been sitting here for quite a while and what have we discovered? We know that the door is trapped but not where or how? We know that their is some evil connected with the other side of the door or the door itself. I am assuming that we are only dealing with physical and magical traps.

We have found golems and high level spells, but no people or at least living people. Since we have been undisturbed, I am guessing that the people are gone. I think we are in some kind of ruin. It was inhabited by strong spellusers but has since been abandoned.

I am willing to brave the door. I think I should do it alone. If I get into trouble, only I will be affected and you can bail me out. My reflexes and training allows me to avoid most things. Please move back and I will open the door."

Questions, Doubts and Frustration (DM/Al)
Tuesday January 11th, 2005 10:09:08 PM
Tokun follows The Woman. She lies down on one of the low wooden benches. He sits on the floor next to her.

She is upset in a way he has never seen women in his tribe upset. But, then again, these are the Magic Ones. They are like nothing he has ever seen in his life as well.

Tokun's voice is kind, yet soft and hesitant. "Niah pk Fhashlah," he says to Niobe.

Sly proposes a drastic solution. Firn'gaer objects. He considers what he knows about traps and The Craft. It is reasonably well known that spells are commissioned for traps with requests that they reset themselves. Could this be one of those? It is certainly of the type that would. Could it be set upon some physical trigger, such as the bolt leaving the striking plate with out the use of the key? Most certainly. Could it be set for proximity? Yes to that as well. But why? And why pain and not death? And, if the magical component were triggered by the door mechanism, would it have reset itself had the door not been closed again?

The party is stalled. They sits, lay, stand, and walk about the benches and low cabinets in the long dimly lit room.

OoC: BTW, The rules do allow you to Take 20 on both Search and Open Lock.

Sly and Luke
Wednesday January 12th, 2005 4:34:58 AM
"Well then! How about acid on the hinges?" Sly ask Fun'gaer, then he catches what Savin just said, and look like the monk is going in.
"Hold it, Savin! I want to tie a rope around your waist! So if you fall in the throws of Pain. We can pull you out." Sly tells Savin.

Luke goes to Tokum, "Name Niobe!"

Niobe d20+4=19
Wednesday January 12th, 2005 6:46:02 AM
Niobe hears Tokun's words but what he is actually saying eludes her. She is a little surprised at the tone though. The words being beyond her knowledge she mulls over the tone and the hesitancy he has used (Sense Motive 19).

She was frankly expecting everyone to be as frustrated and upset with her as she is with herself. Not for the first or last time she wishes that Ilsidur had a way of asking Tokun if he knew any other languages, than just his Mother Tongue. He doesn't know gnomish it seems...

Feeling far calmer than for a few minutes ago Niobe looks over at Tokun and half-smiles. She doesn't know what to say, but she seems pleased that he said something nice to her.

Niobe guesses that he must have said something along the lines of 'we all have bad days', or 'you did your best', but then again he could had said something vastly different with her being none the wiser.

When Luke comes over and tells Tokun that her name is Niobe. She leans over and scratches Luke behind the ears, and laughs merrily at Luke's comment.

"Luke, maybe he is too polite to use first names?"
She scratches behind Luke's ears a little bit more before stopping, and sitting back again.

Suddenly Niobe has a bright idea; she smiles gleefully,

"Wait a minute..."

"Firn'gaer, Sly, can you magically freeze the lock? That might make the metal brittle and then we can shatter it, possibly without removing the bolt from the boltplate. Then the trap shouldn't go off."

Niobe actually seems excited again, thankfully she isn't the type to gesture wildly when being enthusiastic about something. This idea might work, Niobe still feels that she has no chance to figure out this trap puzzle.

She smiles enigmatically at Tokun. It may have been her thinking about his people, and all the ice and cold that gave her the idea to freeze the bolt?

(Sense Motive 19)

((Taking 20 on Open Lock and Disable Device would beat the DC 30, but Niobe cannot succeed at a Search with a DC 30 even with taking 20 - the best she can get is a 29!))

Firn'gaer
Wednesday January 12th, 2005 10:19:55 AM
Firn'gaer listens to options and decides to find something to sit on. In this case his bottom suffices. "No, Sly I don't think destroying the hinges will be the answer." He says lifting Rufus out of his warm place in the folds of the wizard's robe.

I think they are missing your point. Rufus says to Firn'gaer.

"I know." He says back to Rufus.

He watches the little scenes unfold between their young guide, Niobe and Savin. Quite an interesting group he's found himself with he thinks to himself.

You know it's cold out here.

"I know"

Well, can you put me back?

"I'm sorry."

"Nope, can't freeze the locks. I didn't prepare any freezing spells here in the cold tundra." He says while putting Rufus back into the folds of his robe. "Low-tech." He says. "That's going to have to be the answer here. I don't want to expend a great deal of resources without knowing what's deeper in this place."

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Wednesday January 12th, 2005 10:51:05 AM
Peerimus notes the interaction bewtween Niobe and Tokun with growing concern. It is going to get him killed if she continues this.

Savin snaps him out of thought before he can put it to action and he quickly finds himself agreeing. "I agree with Savin, too much time has passed for no one to come."

Peerimus's voice turns rather cold and matter of factly as he lets his concern over Niobe and Tokun spill in a different direction "Traps and wards that do not kill are designed to be investigated and no one has. Pain is Father's way of letting you know you are not dead. Take the rope and open the Savin."

"Give room" Peerimus moves to as far as the rope will reach. Assuming 50' rope it would be about 43' with 3.5 tying on peerimus and savin.

Peerimus wraps the other end about his waist and gets ready to pull Savin out of a mess

Niobe (illegal 2nd post, I couldn't help myself this time!)
Wednesday January 12th, 2005 4:37:19 PM
Niobe glances askance at Peerimus. She just has to make a comment to his statement. She speaks in a level matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"From what I found there is no "trap"; per say. It's a spell. - I don't do spells. - Needless to say; I didn't exactly see you do anything particularly constructive to figure out the door problem. There is no need to critize other people for making an effort, no matter how unsuccessful it might have been."

((Think slightly confrontational, not offensive or intentionally insulting for the way Niobe says this.))

((I hope I don't offend you Daniel with this post. If I do then I am very sorry.))

Taking One For The Gipper (DM/Al)
Wednesday January 12th, 2005 9:57:51 PM
OoC: to move this along, I'm going to make the rather large assumption that you go forward with this plan.

Niobe gazes at the young barbarian, seeking to divine from his demeanor what she cannot from his words. His look, and the tone of his voice do indeed seem very much intended to console her, or to lift her spirits. Tokun's hesitation ... Niobe, from having been young herself at one time, might guess that it was the bashful confusion of inexperienced youth faced with a person of possibly forbidden attraction.

It certainly smells that way to Luke too.

Niobe proposes freezing the lock. Firn'gaer, however, confesses to not having prepared a spell of cold. And why indeed would one wish to in a land filled with cold? Firn'gaer, followed by Peerimus, concur with Savin's plan. Sly adds a rope to the mix, and everyone pulls back past the boundaries that had previously proven to be safe. Savin positions himself at the door, the rope tied about his waist. Peerimus a bit over forty feet away connected to Savin by the rope. The monk reaches for the knob, and with a swift turn flings open the door.

If there had been any doubt that the trap had reset itself that doubt is now dispeled as electifying pain decends upon both Savin and Peerimus. The door, however, is once again open. Time passes, and, eventually, the way is clear.

OoC: It was DC20 to hold up under the pain, if you'd like to roleplay it. -4 to Skill Checks and Attacks for the next hour for Peerimus and Savin.

Savin d20+10=24
Wednesday January 12th, 2005 10:20:14 PM
Savin opens the door and the pain washes over him. He is expecting it this time and is able to control it. He looks for a way to wedge open the door and does so if a means is available.

He then staggers back to the others and wipes the sweat off his brow, "Yep this is some powerful magic but we should be able to get through now."

dc 24 to control the pain

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+10=13 d20+10=13
Thursday January 13th, 2005 9:31:23 AM
Peerimus cocks his head slightly as he oft does when confused or thinking overly hard as Niobe speaks. But rather than enter a arguement of symantics over what constitutes a trap in his mind, he does the wiser thing and simply does not respond.

Turning his attention back to the sure to be unpleasant experience at hand, he tries to brace himself for the opening of the door. [Fort 13] and fails miserably.

As peerimus takes a double knee drop to the floor, he plants his chest over his thighs and his forehead to the cool stone, hands clasped and laced behind his neck.

Yorrick is soon right next to him with a wall shakeing bellow and tries to help. [if he needs to save he too fails]

Firn'gaer d20+9=28
Thursday January 13th, 2005 3:38:15 PM
The trap is set-off again and Firn'gaer is again subjected to intense pain the like of which he's felt only once before. His knees buckle, but he catches himself. He sees the druid and his bear companion succub to the effects of the spell.

Damn, there's no way to take Yorrick through. He's too heavy.

Firn'gaer moves over to Peerimus and tries to help the druid endure the pain. "Close the door." he says to Savin. "Yorrick isn't moving and we can't move him. We'll have to try again later."

[Fort Save DC28]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Niobe
Thursday January 13th, 2005 4:19:36 PM
"No! Savin, don't you dare close that door!! That will reset the spell!"

Niobe calls out immediately after Firn'gaer says to close the door. She sounds desparate for Savin not to close the door.

"I will cover that open door for as long as necessary with my bow! Just please do not close the door again!"

She readies her bow for the watch while the spell afflicted people get away from the spell effect area and rest. Niobe moves as close to the affected area as she can without getting caught up in it.

Ilsidur
Thursday January 13th, 2005 7:56:50 PM
The cleric steps forward and says, "There may be another way to bypass the door. I can move myself and up to three others (or only two, if Shiraz is one of them) magically to the other side of the door. After the room has been explored, I can move us magically back again. Also, I can try to dispell the magic that created the symbol spell. Just let me know which one you prefer."

The Outer Office

Through the Doorway (DM/Al)
Thursday January 13th, 2005 10:00:45 PM
Firn'gaer estimates the distance from the door, and he too, is caught in the blast of pain. This time, his constitution is able to fight through the crippling effects of the agony, and make his way to Peerimus' side. He calls for the door to be shut once again, perhaps in hope that the pain will end with the door closed. Niobe shouts a counter-command, and Savin drops his haversack in the open doorway and withdraws.

After some struggle and a little pain, all are pulled from within the area affected by the Symbol of Pain. The duration of the Symbol is the same as before, no less no more. The group waits in the safe end of the room. And, when the pain breaks, when the way is clear, the door is found still open. Just as Savin had left it. Ilsidur ends his silent contemplation to suggest two possible ways they might bypass the doorway entirely. Might not they simply walk through? Or could it be that simple?

Through the open doorway is what appears to be a small room, surely no more than ten paces by ten. The doorway itself is small. Clearly neither Yorrick nor Shiraz will fit through without something of a squeeze. Like the changing room without, the room is lit by dim spots of permanent light that glow upon the ceiling. A desk sits in the middle of the room. It is a low desk, clearly designed for a person of small stature. Two chairs also occupy the room. One chair is tucked neatly in where the occupant of the desk might sit. The other sets on the opposite side, perhaps for a guest. Both chairs too are sized for a small being. The desktop is clean and bare, with nothing upon it.

The walls of the room are of plain stone, utilitarian, spartan, bare of decoration save for a single large painting in a heavy gilt frame. This painting, however, dominates the rear wall. Life size, the painting depicts a stern faced gnome of indeterminate age. Tucked into the crook of one arm he holds a book. His other hand is held poised in the air as though in mid gesture. The face is an artistic triumph of realism. The large craggy nose. The dramatic bushy sweep of the brows. And the eyes, within which the artist has managed, through some trick of his or her craft, to capture a hint of madness.

Under the earth the sun does not shine. The dim spots of permanent light glow, unchanging. Those with a good sense of time, however, might place the time of day shortly before noon.

Savin
Thursday January 13th, 2005 10:19:26 PM
Savin takes in the room, still walking gingerly from the pain he experienced. He will stare at the portrait for some insights and then go inspect the desk. He looks through any drawers he might find and will call Niobe over if any are locked.

Sly and Luke
Friday January 14th, 2005 5:26:30 AM
Sly shakes his head, to clear the rest of the pain away, get to his feet. The elf look for his dog, luke is at the other end of the long room, sitting on thr floor, looking back at his master, telling him "OK!".

Sly smiles telling Niobe "It's alright to go in and do your job and please take your friend with you." Sly goes to Peerimus "Your going to be alright?" He'll also help the druid as much as he can.

But to Firn'gaer and Ilsidur, he warns them "When you go into that room, Take a good look at that painting, it look too life like to me??"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday January 14th, 2005 3:14:28 PM
OoC- it is my impression Savin opened the door and when the pain hit went into the room beyond and the rest of us are in teh antechamber still

Peerimus struggles to his feet, still sore but mostly annoyed at himself. "It is OK Sly, thank you, merely Mother teaching a small humility lesson."

Peerimus composes himself slightly over the course of a few minutes and takes a small drink and then checks on Yorrick, whose stomach keeps excellent time. Peerimus will retire to a bench and checking his supplies is a bit concerned. "Appears we will need to supplement my friend and soon, Ilsidur will surely help us if the need becomes great. Here, it is about all we have at the moment, I will have better tomorrow."

Hearing Sly, he quickly adds, "Firn'gaer said the spell likely resets immediately, if you cross that door you are likely to find yourself subject again."

"As for Shiraz and Yorrick I admit to not having a good idea beyond endurance. First I suppose we should verify an exit from there."

Then loudly "Take your time for a thorough search Savin!"

Niobe d20+9=11 d20+10=16 d20+15=17
Friday January 14th, 2005 6:04:17 PM
Niobe doesn't enter the office unless Savin says to. However she will check the lock and boltplate, now that the door is open again. She will be looking for engravings, words and such; plus anything that might look like a trap mechanism. Niobe intends to learn as much as she possibly can from this trap since it has caused her so much trouble, she makes drawings and takes notes as well.

"Savin, thank you for not closing the door. I just had the feeling that the trap would go off again."

Niobe looks over at Savin from where she is kneeling and smiles, showing gratitude.

"Firn'gaer, you seem to know quite a bit about this type of spell. Can you tell me how it usually is set off?" she calls over her shoulder without turning.

(Search 11, spot 16, Disable device (trying to dissect the trap for study if possible) 17)
(Al, is it possible to take 20 on these rolls since they were so bad? I ask so maybe things can be sped up, rather than having to keep rolling more.)

Savin Illegal post
Friday January 14th, 2005 9:53:04 PM
Savin is still a little out of sorts, as he searches, but he hears Niobe and grins at her and says, "My master told me when a beautiful woman wants you to keep the door open, you must abide her decision.

More interesting things may happen behind a closed door but it is the woman's choice." Savin will glance in the young barbarian's direction and then look at Niobe with something behind his eyes.

Looking Around (DM/Al) d20+9=23 d20+9=24 d20+9=15 d20+9=17 d20+9=18 d20+9=29
Saturday January 15th, 2005 12:35:14 PM
OoC:
It was my impression that Savin opened the door and then withdrew, leaving the door open. Then you all waited outside the influence of the Symbol of Pain until it subsided. But, I can work it either way. And, as Savin has stated this round that he is in the room at the moment, we'll go with the version in which he stayed within the area of pain for the entire hour and forty minutes.

So, let me try and knit time back together again.

IC:

The group had pulled together, helping each other to move outside the influence of the pain. To everyone's surprise, Savin moved, instead, into the room. For the next hour and forty minutes, the rest of the Children of Chaos waited helplessly while Savin endured the pain.

Now, it was once over. The magic trap had once again run it's course. Savin feels drained from the effects, but is otherwise, physically unharmed.

As soon as the pain subsides, the monk inspects the room. The office has no other exit. The painting, though impressive as a work of art, appears no more than a painting to him. The desk has four drawers. One is wide and flat, located above the kneehole. The other three are down the side. All are locked, and he calls Niobe over.

The two exchange banter while Niobe inspects the bolt in the door and the strikeplate on the frame. After 30 seconds of searching, the rogue finds the glyph. It is nearly the same color as the wood and painted over the area of the strikeplate. With quill pen and paper, she takes notes. With such specific placement it would not require much intelligence to assume a connection between the act of bolt withdrawing from the strikeplate and the activation of the trap. Over her shoulder, she calls to Firn'gaer to enrich her knowledge of such traps.

Tokun watches the interplay between More Than Woman, as he has come to think of her, and Hands Fighting Man. He remains silent and out of the way.

Peerimus breaks out lunch. Sly is suspicious of the painting. He calls on Firn'gaer and Ilsidur to give it a thorough examination. Still leery of the trap, Peerimus warns against entry.

Jason stands to the side as though listening to voices.

OoC:
Savin only: still affected by the aftereffects of the pain. -4 to Skills and Attack.
Niobe, as you have so much information on the location of the trap already, I rule a take 20 as ok. The 30 seconds is is only for your information. Thought you might be interested in how long it took.

Niobe d20+4=14
Saturday January 15th, 2005 7:09:32 PM
Niobe tries to read Savin's expression; more precisely the look in his eyes (Sense Motive 14). She will not make many comments about the predicament she is in except (whispers low enough that only Savin can hear her),
"we need an interpretor. Everything I have tried goes wrong."

She quickly looks away towards the glyph that is so well hidden. Niobe doesn't say anything about infatuations and such for now.

"Firn'gaer, you said you needed to see the symbol. I have found it. If you can remove the spell then I can enter the room and check those locks."

Niobe doesn't wish to spend over an hour in agony even to open a few locks.

She looks up at Savin again after a few and smiles,
"That was very impressive. You staying here alone through the effects of that nasty spell. I couldn't have done that."

She waits for Firn'gaer to take a look at the symbol before she does anything more; except take a few more notes and make more drawings.

((Thank you Al, I appreciated the information. Thanks for the take 20 as well.))

Firn'gaer d20+9=25 d20+6=23
Sunday January 16th, 2005 8:47:00 AM
"I am familiar with the theories behind symbol spells, my dear Niobe. My understanding is that they can be placed on just about any surface in any location. Magical sight may spot the magic, may, but the best defense if a skilled trap-finder such as yourself to locate them before they are set off. I don't mean any offense, but as I'm sure you are aware magical traps are extremely difficult to locate." He say to Niobe as he stands. "If your looking at it, the spell hasn't reset and you should be able to go into the room. In theory, of course." He continues. "None-the-less, I'll see what I can do. Would want to go through all this coming out."

As he moves to the doorway and to Niobe, he sees and hears Savin's compliment to Niobe and his look to the young barbarian. In a glance of his own Firn'gaer give Savin a Do you need to do this NOW look.

Looking more closely at the symbol, "That's it I'd say. Well let's see what I can do." Firn'gaer speaks in a soft tone that seems unnaturally louder and makes a slight gesture and his spell starts to sparkly and glitter over the spell trap as it tries to break down the magic.

[Spell craft DC29]
[Dispel check DC25 - 14th level caster]
[Spot DC23]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Sly and Luke d20+4=22 d20+4=23
Sunday January 16th, 2005 11:04:59 AM
OOC:the look around the room 22, Arcana Knowledge 23 is study of the portrait.

Sly will stand next or close to Firn'gaer in such a way the he can see the portait. He'll give a quick look(22) around the room, but what intrestes him is the Portrait. The brush strokes, the paint But most of all the background of the picture.

Luke sits beside Luke.

Niobe (to Firn'gaer)
Sunday January 16th, 2005 3:20:29 PM
Niobe clears her throat politely before informing Firn'gaer about traps and magic from her experience.

"Let me reiterate myself; friend. This spell was not set off by disarming any mundane traps. This spell was not even set off by unlocking the door. It was set off by simply opening the door," Niobe speaks with a dry, matter-of-fact voice.

"That type of spell used as a trap is rare at best. Rather the placement and purpose is rare; creative even I am sure. *short pause* I come from Sky-Hook; Hook city. Heard of it? The upper classes are mages, even they don't use that type of "trap". Not surprisingly I have never seen one before."

Niobe silently takes a breath. Sarcasm (?) or something along that line is evident in her last few words,
"oh guess what? Only a spell could have found the symbol. Novel idea isn't it? In this case the best defense would have been magically finding the engraved symbol, since it was not visible through any mundane means. Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?"

If she wasn't crouched down she might just have been trapping her foot in annoyance with the mage's arrogant attitude (as she percieves it, mind).

((No offense meant to you Richard. I am just playing off what came across as an arrogant attitude; hope you aren't offended.))

Ilsidur
Monday January 17th, 2005 12:13:41 AM
The dwarf listens to the heated words passing between the wizard and the rogue. "Both of you need to settle down a bit. It is my understanding that traps like this can be detected as magic, and can also be discovered by a trap-finder, given enough luck and skill. We have learned that whoever has set up this place has a lot of skill in creating and hiding traps, so we all need to be on our guard. Firn, I have some detect magic spells as well, so that if we come up against another door that may be magically trapped, either you or I could have a look first, and let Niobe deal with the mundane sorts of traps."

"So, we can all just chalk this up to experience, and keep our focus on trying to find the missing parents."

Then Ilsidur walks a little ways down the main hall, to keep an eye out, while the most capable party members search out the office.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday January 17th, 2005 7:06:18 PM
Until reason is given to enter the room, the druid sees little reason in entering. The cold has effects beyond the body

Firn'gaer d20+5=19 d20+6=15
Monday January 17th, 2005 8:26:51 PM
The wizard's six and a half foot frame stands over the five foot half-elf. "Don't get snippy with me child. See this ring." He says holding up his ring finger. "This is a ring of the Star Mages Guild. Heard of it? I am a Journeyman Wizard not some lowly apprentice and I know considerably more about magic than you do." He says making himself larger by standing as straight as possible. "That spell is a Symbol Spell, a trap spell. As a result, your kind is capable of detecting them and removing them." Firn'gaer also says as a matter of fact maintaining his obvious height advantage.

"And I never claimed that you set off the trap my dear rogue, but do not think for a moment that because you didn't find it that it is not a trap. I can nigh afford that level of arrogance in any one other than a Master Rogue, which I don't think you are, yet. So when you can't find it." He pauses, "Don't claim it's not a trap just admit it is beyond your abilities. It'll be safer for us all."

"In a moment, Master Dwarf it is apparent that this child is need of a lesson in the workings of magic." He says keeping his eyes trained on the half-elven women.

"Hindsight? I never spoke that a spell could have detected the trap. I merely said that detect magic or arcane eye may have allowed me to detect the magical aura as Illsidur did with his divine gifts and the evil aura behind the door. If you had listened to my words and not play at love with our young guide then perhaps you would have heard. I am unamused with that particular game, by the way, and now you'll need to be that much better. I have no more ability to disrupt spells." He says as he turns away and walks towards Sly and the picture.

Turning back at the last minute, "Oh, Niobe, it isn't that the nobility of Hook City didn't use Symbol traps...it's that your not capable of finding them. I don't chastise out of malice. Never believe that Niobe. My life is in your hands and I will not tolerate actions that will unnecessarily endanger me." He turns again and continues towards Sly. His robe flares as he turns. His six and a half foot frame covers the distance easily.

OOC: Eunice, I don't get offended with these types of banters. I find it enjoyable. I hope that you aren't offended by my response.

[Spellcraft DC 29 - take 10]
[Search DC 19, Spot DC 15]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Clearing The Way (DM/Al)
Monday January 17th, 2005 10:14:04 PM
Niobe rises from her examination of the glyph. To Savin's comment, she whispers a reply that embodies the essence of her frustration. How to deal with this young man and his feelings for her?!?

Still, she hesitates to cross the threshold. Instead, she calls Firn'gaer. It is magic. And magic is the province of wizards.

Firn'gaer gives the short lecture on the Symbol series of wards. Magic, though they may be, they are still traps. He theorizes that the trap may not have reset. For all he knows, it may even be safe to enter now.

Still, perhaps from a sense of caution or simply to appease the concerns of the rest of the group, the wizard casts a powerful spell of banishment. As he applies his magic to the strikeplate of the door, the Symbol glows brightly ... and then fades until it is no longer there.

Sly is more suspicious of what might lie beyond. He eyes the room, especially the painting. Sly has heard of many ways that a painting may be enchanted. He has heard of paintings used as vehicles for scrying. There are legends of paintings used to trap a soul. Paintings used as portals to other planes. Paintings in which one can view past and future. However, he also knows that in order to discover whether a particular painting is one of these, one must use much more than simple observation.

In the background of the picture, the artist has captured a hazy indistinct quality. One gets the sense of a large hall, rich and ornate trappings, a grand setting. And yet, none of these details draws the focus. That is reserved for the subject of this work of art, the gnome.

Niobe and Firn'gaer exchange words. Heat simmers quietly beneath a layer of polite words. Tokun's face goes dark. He glowers at the Hand Waving Man.

Ilsidur calls for a moderation of opinions, and he retires to the inward side of the Changing room to watch down the dark tunnel with his dwarven sight. Peerimus, stays in the outer half of the Changing room, watching his companions.

Savin waits by the desk as others enter. The desk remains locked. The painting is still the painting, and the gnome glowers out from within.

"Now?" Jason mutters to himself. "Why now? I am not ready. They ... They ... Yes. I know. Trust. They are brave. They are good. They are strong," he says into the dim open air of the room. "I will leave fate to them."

Sly and Luke
Monday January 17th, 2005 11:27:26 PM
Sly brakes his attention from the portrait and onto Firn'gaer polite words of his parentage. 'Oh! No! domi sent us another Gray-elf', but to Firn'gaer "Your right friend Wizard, you see I take after my human firther, rather than my elven wizard mother. When you have time. Please take a look at the painting!"

Sly will go to Niobe "Niobe my dear, Don't bother being mad or rant at the Great Firn'gaer. It will only role off his ego, you see he's a grayelf. They are all that way, but very good at what they do. Right Luke?"

Luke sits there and tell Niobe "Gray elf"

Firn'gaer d20+11=26 d20+5=23
Tuesday January 18th, 2005 2:05:59 PM
"Grey-elf?" Says the wizard. "I'm sorry Sly, I'm not familiar with that. Is that derrogatory? Because I'm not elven nor are any of my family." He says. "Now let's look at this portrait. As he closes on the picture he takes out a small mirror and looks at the painting through the mirror. He starts to inspect it carefully using his mirror as to not look directly at it.

[Local Knowledge DC26 - If Sly's slang is used around New Elenna]

Looking at the painting
[Spellcraft DC29 - take 10]
[Arcane Knowledge DC27 - take 10]
[Search DC23]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Niobe d20+9=17 d20+9=14 d20+9=28 d20+9=23 d20+15=16 d20+15=28 d20+16=22 d20+16=35
Tuesday January 18th, 2005 4:22:56 PM
Niobe listens to Firn'gaer's lecture, it is interesting that he claims she is arrogant since she has thought the same about him. The fact that he calls her a child makes her wonder just how old he is?

She doesn't remember saying it wasn't a trap, just that it wasn't a mundane one. Niobe ignores an impulse to shrug.

"If I thought you were an apprentice Firn'gaer I would not have even have spoken to you about looking for any magic," Niobe offers Firn'gaer a possible answer to Sly's comment, "I believe Sly is referring to your 'attitude' - or your choice of words maybe? It must remind him of certain High Mages."

Niobe enters the room where Savin is after the symbol fades away. She says one more thing to Firn'gaer.

"I would rather that no one is nearby when I check doors and such. I like working alone. That doesn't always mean that occurs though. I will be happy to inform you before any doors are opened, if you are so concerned for your safety. That way you have a chance to scurry off and take cover."

Niobe looks up at the painting then looks down at the desk.

"Savin, Sly, you might want to wait outside; or around the other side of the desk at least. In case I miss something, or something goes wrong."

Niobe looks over the desk and the locked drawers after givng a warning to Savin and Sly. The first two locks she will wait with, since she feels she has to have overlooked something. She takes out her thieves tools and carefully begins working on the last two of the locks she has looked at. Niobe winces involuntarily as she gets a bad feeling after attempting to work with the one lock. She tempts fate and tries the second lock. Opening the locks seems to be simple enough however.

(Search 17, 14, 28, 23; Disable Device 16, 28, Open Lock 22, 35; Trap sense +2)

((Al, any chance of taking 10 or 20 on the desk drawers in the future?))

((Richard, I am not offended by Firn'gaer's comments; quite the opposite actually. The height advantage discription was great. I too am fond of character interaction that adds depth to a character. :) So for my part I find it enjoyable with such banter as well.))

Peerimus and Yorrick
Tuesday January 18th, 2005 4:54:22 PM
The Druid remains sitting where he is idly scratching Yorricks ear. As long as the banter does not escalate there is no need to say anything

Sly And Luke
Tuesday January 18th, 2005 5:46:36 PM
"Me! No! I would never say anything like that, in fact Gray-elves are the highest Gank of Mages" Sly tell Fien'gaer. But to himself'Domi forgive me for that great big lie! Please."

Luke sitting beside sly's feet, "Fibber"

Savin
Tuesday January 18th, 2005 7:28:53 PM
OOC Sorry for missing a post folks. Stupid computer gave me some problems but I am getting them under control.

Savin will move to the other side of the desk while listening to the banter of Niobe and Firn'gear. He will smile at the both of them and say, "Excuse me guys but is this really necessary? We all make mistakes but we must keep trying our best. No one was hurt permanantly."

He looks at Niobe and says, "Besides do you really want to antagonize a person who could turn you into a toad?"

He will turn to the mage and say, "I would stop grinning. How would you like to wake up naked, tied to a tree with all of your spellbooks roasting on a fire?"

He glances at both of them and grins, "We all have special talents which we use to help each other." He chuckles and adds, "Besides being a rogue and a mage are ok....now a monk! Fast of foot, wise beyond our years, and we pack a wallop. Now that is real training."

Ilsidur
Tuesday January 18th, 2005 8:55:30 PM
Ilsidur smiles at Savin's banter, and adds, "Ah yes, monks. Ascetic mystics with a fear of bathing."

Then he becons to Tokun, and points to the door, saying "Door." Then the dwarf walks around and says, "Walk". He will try to distract the young barbarian from his obvious infatuation, by trying to learn the rudiments of his language, and teach the young man the beginnings of common. If the boy becomes frustrated, Ilsidur has one comprehend languages spell remaining.

Finding Things Out (DM/Al)
Tuesday January 18th, 2005 9:20:46 PM
Upon the entreaty of Sly Foxx, Firn'gaer begins an examination. By way of precaution, the wizard employs a mirror to avoid direct eye contact with the painting itself.

Firn'gaer's craft in magic, prodigious as it may be, cannot identify the particular spells that may have been employed in the creation of this work of art. It is clear to him, however, that the painting in and of itself does not appear to be magical. The use of color to create light and shadow is extraordinary. And, it may be possible that the artist had been magically inspired at the time of the sitting. His close examination of the physical make up also yields interesting results. The oils seem quite well dry. The painting is clearly of some age. And yet, it contains little sign of dust, as though it were cleaned on a regular basis.

As Firn'gaer examines the painting, so too does Niobe turn her attention to the desk. Though the desk has four drawers, it has only one lock. Unlocking the wide central drawer would appear to free all of the others. Wary after having discovered so many trapped portals, she examines the desk carefully. On her third pass, she discovers the outlines of a nasty little glyph. It is a faint light brown character, located on the underside of the wide central drawer on the same vertical median as the lock. It is easy to speculate that tampering with the lock or attempting to open the drawer without the use of a proper key could set this nasty little thing off. She selects a tool from her kit and applies it to the trap. Memory of the pain returns. For good measure, she goes through the same procedure again. This time, she is rewarded as the tiny glyph expands in a small burst of light and disappears. The trap has been disabled.

After that, the lock is a simple matter. Within the desk are papers, all blank. Pen, ink, and other items of stationary. On a single folded sheet of paper is written the word "Querulous." And, in the bottom drawer. Is a book.

Ilsidur begins language lessons with Tokun. The young barbarian listens intently to Short Steel Man. "Dhou," he repeats, and touches the precious wood. "Whukk," he replies and follows in Short Steel Man's steps. "Tokun," he says, pointing to himself. Then, after a furtive look, points in Niobe's direction. "Nia whk la?" he asks.

Outside the room, Jason paces back and forth. He steals glances at the others and frowns at the dark mouth of the tunnel.

The question still hangs over the group, all occupied with their individual thoughts and tasks. "What is it with those Gray Elves?"

Sly and Luke d20+5=13
Wednesday January 19th, 2005 7:22:00 AM
Sly lets Niobe go to her task, but notices that
Paladin Jason is restless. Sly will approch Jason, and will try to calm him. "Jason! I know how you feel, I to want to go on into the tunnel, but I think we are not waisting time in the office. In that room there might be inportant information as to whats ahead down this tunnel. Now! relaxe alittle, we'll go in there soon enough."

Luke sniff the air in the tunnel. (Luke does this like any dog would do before entering a strange place)

Luke will use scent roll - Special skill Track 13.

Firn'gaer
Wednesday January 19th, 2005 11:30:44 AM
"Ah." He says as Savin comes to the defense of Niobe. "I thought this might happen." He continues as he turns around. "Why don't you two stop play whatever game it is you are playing and do something about it." Firn'gaer says as blunt as possible holding his hands out palms up in a 'take it' gesture. "It's a dangerous distraction that none of can afford. I'm not saying this so I can run and hide," He says turning his head just slightly towards Niobe before looking back to Savin, "or slink off when everyone else is fighting for their lives." Getting in another jab at the rogue. "It's unwanted drama." He pauses. "I don't know you. I don't know them." He says in a wave gesture to the others. "What I do know is that I'm tied to all of you because of this," holding up his tattoo, "and what you do effects me. So when these things effect me I'm going to take quick action so that it doesn't get anyone hurt or worse."

"Oh, and Savin," He pauses, "Don't threaten a wizard. It's not wise. There are worse things than being a toad."

Thinking that the picture may not be what they had thought, he returns to the hall outside the chamber.

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Wednesday January 19th, 2005 4:20:36 PM
The druid listens to the banter between Firn'gaer, Niobe and now Savin wonderful, it is escalating

Still he remains where he is and says nothing, knowing more is soon to come as none are about to let the others have the final word. It is a necessary conversation, if they can not work it out they very well may casue each others death.

Peerimus will keep a close eye to Tokun and if the young man looks to decide to enter the heating discussion, Peerimus has already decided he would then have to intervene.

Savin
Wednesday January 19th, 2005 4:58:10 PM
Savin looks at the departing wizard and then back to Niobe. "I don't understand what his beef is? I wasn't threatening him, I was trying to break the tension."

Savin will shake his head and then ask, "Is it ok to head down the tunnel now?

Niobe d20+10=16 d20+4=19 d20+9=11 d20+9=10 d20+15=28 d20+15=35
Wednesday January 19th, 2005 5:43:00 PM
Niobe actually allows herself a chuckle,

"I don't know Savin. Some people just don't know humor when they hear it I guess."

Niobe takes the things out of the desk, looking at everything, then placing it on the desk in neat piles. She finds the scrawled word "Querulous". Niobe gets a laugh out of that.
She shows the word to Savin,

"This was timely. Think someone is trying to tell us something?"

She lays the page on the desk after Savin reads it. Niobe takes out the book and looks it over. She opens the book and begins to read the entries; presuming the book is written in gnomish.

"Sorry. You can go on ahead if you like Savin. I am fine here," Niobe tells Savin.

Once she has read a few pages (or the entire book if it isn't very long) Niobe will study the painting. She appraises the painting (Appraise 16) and tries to put it into historical context (Knowledge: History 19).

Before leaving the office Niobe will put all the stationary equipment (pen, paper, etc.) and the book into her bag.

Niobe will check the painting for traps if there are none or she succeeds in disabling them Niobe will carefully look behind the painting for any hidden rooms, or anything hidden behind the back of the painting (documents, maps, etc.)

Once she has searched the office to her satisfaction Niobe will leave the office and join the others.

(Search 11, 10; Disable Device 28, 35)

Contact (DM/Al)
Wednesday January 19th, 2005 9:36:50 PM
Interactions between group members become more complex as they become more complicated. Firn'gaer exits the room, returning to the changing room without. Niobe escapes into the objects she has found, examining first, the word written on the piece of paper. That, is in gnomish. The book, she assumes would also, quite naturally, be so as well.

The book is small as books go, only a hand span from wrist to fingertips across. There is are no markings on the outside, no title on either the binding or the cover. It is brown and bound in the smooth richly tanned skin of some unidentified being. And though the tanner's craft has made the book physically attractive and tactically appealing, contact with the book triggers a deep and very subtle feeling of revulsion.

Undaunted, Niobe opens to the first page, anxious for clues to this mysterious series of rooms. The first page is blank. She opens to the second page. It too is blank. The third, the forth, the fifth. Flipping through the book, she finds writing on none of the pages.

And then the tattoo on the back of her hand, the broken eye, begins to warm. It is an icy mentholated heat and it grows then wanes, throbbing to a beat. Looking down, the rogue finds that words have begun to write themselves across the current page of the book.

"The new slaves will provide excellent material. There is, in fact, something different about them. More powerful. I can feel it even before the testing."

Letter by letter the words pen themselves across the white page, dark quilled cursive. After a few lines. It stops. Niobe reads the words again, but before she is half way through they begin to move. "The new slaves ... " pulls itself to the left and into the binding of the book. The rest of the words follow behind. Like a multi-legged millipede the sentences snake their way to the left and then climb to the line above. Eventually everything vanishes into the binding at the top.

After but a moment's pause more words appear writing them selves again from the blank top down. Niobe turns a page, and the same words are there. The next page and the next and the next. The same writing appears on each page.

"No. On retrospect, the power is not greater. It is ... of course this is difficult to describe, would the power be what it is if it were simple and orderly? It is ... closer ... to it's root. Yes, that description will suffice. But why? Why these? And ... "
"No. Oh, why must an imagination be both a blessing and a curse?"

Again the words crawl their way to the top of the page and again they hide themselves within the binding. The warmth on the back of Niobe's hand subsides. The stark blank pages of the book stare out at the rogue like silence.

Outside the room, Sly attempts to calm Jason and set him right.

"You don't understand," Jason replies. Then he does calm. And he smiles. "But I think you understand most of all, Sly Foxx," he says. "You most of all. Take care of my parents. I leave them in your hands. All of you," he says sweeping his gaze over the collected Children of Chaos. "I leave my trust and my heart in your hands."

Luke scents a build of ozone, a charging of the air.

"What are you talking about?" Shiraz takes a giant step toward the paladin to grip his shoulder and look him in the eye. A bright light flares. Four dimensions become three. They collapse to two, then one.

In the blink of an eye Jason is gone and Shiraz taken with him.

Ilsidur
Wednesday January 19th, 2005 10:28:31 PM
Ilsidur continues to work with the young man. Unfortunately, he just smiles when the boy indicates Niobe. Then he points at the young barbarian and says, "Tokun." He points at the rogue and says, "Niobe."

Suddenly, he looks over at the paladin and the minotaur, just in time to see them disappear. "What? What happened? Where did they go?" He moves over to Firn and says, "We seem to have lost two of our party. Can you scry them to make sure that they are alright?"

Niobe d20+10=15 d20+10=24 d20+9=15 d20+10=18
Wednesday January 19th, 2005 11:23:46 PM
She stares mesmerized at the chilling march of the words. Her hand feels sore and frost-burned.

"Creepy..." she breathes the word. Then every word disappears again. She blinks slowly, almost doesn't dare to take a new breath.

"This place isn't abandoned. It's possessed - cursed? ... or it's bait for one hell of a big trap. What have I done this time? *pause* Gods, Tokun was right to want to pass this place by..." Niobe murmurs to herself quietly.

Niobe will still put the book away for safe keeping even though she would rather have it sent to the end of the wold. Someone else needs to see this book, figure out what it is.
Before stowing the journal she will study the cover material (Appraise 15).

She is shaking like she is shivering badly for a bit after reading the book, and intently studied the cover. Her palor is now an unbecoming pale shade, she feels sick to her stomach; queasy. Niobe takes a deep breath after the book is out of her sight.

She looks back at the painting. The gnome is looking more vile, more sinister by the second. She swears he has a grasping, leering look to his beady, evil, little eyes. Eyes staring right at her. Through her? She looks at her hand, she focuses on the tattoo. Niobe just pays sigular attention to her hand and the tattoo for several heartbeats (or until disturbed).

"Where's your tally-stick you avaricious, little soul-monger?" she scolds the image as she looks at it again.

Niobe tries to study the painting anew (Appraise 24). On impulse she lifts it away from the wall just enough to peek behind it (Search 15, Spot 18). She is looking for hidden things (usually paper in origin) or anything out of place.

If she finds nothing then she will leave the office - not closing the door behind her. She seems to be somewhat in her own little world as she walks out of the office.

Niobe was too engrossed in her waking nightmare to notice that both Jason and Shiraz have mysteriously disappeared.

She stares at Sly for what seems the longs time, before she registers that he is nearby her.

Niobe simply tells Sly,
"we're next. We have to leave here quickly. Too many bad omens...".

She looks the way they had come and mouths the words 'we weren't meant to come here were we?' Just who is she talking to? After her bout of definate strangeness she shakes the creepiness off.

"Where is everyone? We need to leave. Go back the way we came," her voice sounds shaky but otherwise normal; quietly she adds, "Tokun was right."

She needs to rehash the words to herself again before mentioning things like 'new slaves, strange power, tests, traps'. Niobe doesn't make to leave, she waits in hope that the others will come back here shortly.

Sly and Luke
Thursday January 20th, 2005 6:28:28 AM
Sly who's standind next to Jason, try so calm Him down tell him "It's all right! Yes! I understand! I will make sure your parents will be saves! Now come with us into...."

Sly didnot have a chance to finish talking to Jason, when Shiraz came along and put one of his big hand on the paladin shoulder. That when Luke pulled his master back. The Light surounded both Shiraz and Jason, as the light fades hid friends are gone. "Oh! No!" yells Sly.

Sly has fallen back on the ground, he now sits up and grabs his dog, "You knew that only these two friends were going into the light? Did you sence it?"
Luke look at Sly and answers "Yes!"

Sly tell the rest of the Children of Chaos, "I'm ready to enter the tunnel! How about you?"

Detail - OoC (DM/Al)
Thursday January 20th, 2005 7:46:58 AM
Oh, btw, the writing was in gnomish.

Savin
Thursday January 20th, 2005 9:23:56 AM
Savin stares in shock at the glowing light. He looks over at Niobe and sees her grow pale while staring at the book.

"What is going on!?"

He steps back and assumes a fighting position glancing around.

He will call out to the others, "Who ever is doing this is taking our best fighters. We need to find them quickly, but we need to stay together and be smart about it."

Savin will move to the front and say, "I will take point. Give me a little head start. No sense in more than one of us getting caught in any traps."

He will start moving down the tunnel.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday January 20th, 2005 11:19:57 AM
The druid leaps to his feet and tries vainly to cover the distance serperating himself from the paladin and Minotaur. As they vanish, the druid feels the loss more closely then he expected and this causes him to stop short and stare at the spot where the two once stood. Perhaps due to the strange closeness and respect he held for the noble taur. Too similar to Jurgen and the first paladin. This life will be more like the stream then the oak.

Ilsidur speaks and his thoughts return to the present. Looking to the wizard "Have you?"

As Niobe aand Savin re-enter the antechaamber "Jason and Shiraz have been magically transported"

"We are not going anywhere Niobe, whatever it is will have to wait"

"Perhaps the Chaos wheel we wear has chosen them for other tasks. We should try to verify this however before continuing. I suggest spiking the door open and setting camp within this antechamber. There is no rush, unless any feel they may be in immidiate danger?"

"Sly, I could not quite hear what Jason was saying, but his posture and tone seemed to convey he knew he was leaving. Can you provide a light for us on this?"

Firn'gaer
Thursday January 20th, 2005 11:59:08 AM
"By Jhemesh and the Seven Seals of Srievrn!" He says at the disappearance of Jason and Shiraz. He quickly recomposes himself and tries to determine what happened [Spellcraft DC29].

His attention turns quickly to Niobe and her discovery. "Niobe, can I see that book?" He says with an outstretched arm. "I'd like to take a look at it, please." He moves towards her his hand still outstretched. "I'd like to try and make some sense out of it."

"I think we should stay here for a time, but I agree; let's move out of this room and back into the ante chamber." He says continuing towards Niobe. "At least until the book can be looked at closer. Ilsidur I will want your assistance with this if you could, please."

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Struck Hard Enough, Will Fragment Into Different Directions (DM/Al)
Thursday January 20th, 2005 10:16:38 PM
Stunned by what she has seen in the book, Niobe remains in the room while chaos reigns just outside. She studies the book, running her hand over the smooth skin of the binding. It is fine work and would net at least 300 gold as a book alone. As a magic book, there is no telling how much it might be worth.

She turns to the painting and sees it in a new light. She stares at her tattoo, a symbol of a broken eye. The painting does not stir. Neither does the tattoo. The rogue examines the painting more closely, lifting it away from the wall. It is affixed to the wall with a metal mounting. The frame must be exceedingly heavy. In the narrow space between painting and wall, Niobe only sees darkness and more wall. The painting itself with the frame that is most certainly gilt if not of pure gold could be sold for tens of thousands of gold given the right buyer.

Finally, she is overcome by the wrongness of it all, and she emerges from the room calling for departure, possibly flight.

Outside, Niobe's companions, galvanized by the disappearance of Jason and Shiraz, are pulled in other directions entirely. Sly shoulders the burden for Jason's missing parents and stands ready to move foreword into the dark tunnel in pursuit. Savin moves with him, offering to take point.

Peerimus retains a cautious calm. To him it appeared that Jason, at least, had been aware of the coming of his departure and he queries Sly Foxx for confirmation. He councils the group to remain in place.

Firn'gaer, quickly collects himself and sets about a study of the possible magic forces that may have been involved in their companions' disappearance. The effect was certainly not a disintegration, thankfully. And yet, teleportation is most commonly invoked upon one's self. Even a plane shift. To reach out and teleport others ... Here, his expertise clearly fails, and he falls back on words often used within the Star Guild to explain the unexplained, Any magic sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from the Gods.

Unsure whether Ilsidur's request for a scrying would work under these circumstances, Firn'gaer turns his attention to the book that Niobe has removed from the office-like side room. He proposes a withdraw back into the room in which the Flesh Golem lies. And he requests Ilsidur's aide in examining the book.

OoC: By "Antechamber" you do the room with the body of the Flesh Golem in it, don't you? Not the changing room within which you are now?

Ilsidur
Thursday January 20th, 2005 10:32:07 PM
Ilsidur moves over to Firn'gaer, and says, "I will help you with the book however I can. I have some knowledge with religions, but that is about it. Just let me know."

The dwarf is still distracted from the sudden disappearance of his two friends, one an older friend and one just met. "I sure hope that they will be alright," he mumbles to himself.

"Niobe, did you carefully search the desk and the rest of the the room? The desk may have secret compartments, no?"

Sly and Luke
Friday January 21st, 2005 9:45:49 AM
Sly readies to enter when Peerimus ask the question as to what Paladin Jason was telling Me(Sly). So Sly Will tell him.

"You know since I came into this circle of 'Children of Chaos'. You all are like brothers and sister to me. So I take notice in who is hurting and who need help.

Jason was doing strange things since the door open the first time! I notice he was talking to walls as if they were telling him some information. You notice that he was right to what he told Niobe.

Paladin Jason knew he was going and was depress, be cause he could not continue to serch for his parents. That is what he ask me to do, along looking for my mother, he wanted me to free his parents. Even Luke sence the the light. "Did you not Luke?" Sly ask the dog.

Luke answers "Yes!"

"Unless there is a reason as to NOT enter the tunnel, I'm going to see what is in there and why they need slaves??"

Sly ask Peerimus, "Anything else you want to know? Ask now, brether, for I'm going into that tunnel. I have to know for myself and for Jason!".

Luke answers "Me too!"

OOC: Sly(Ceil)
Friday January 21st, 2005 9:48:19 AM
As far as I know, other operating on the golem (to get the key) and securing the door. That is all I know what we did.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday January 21st, 2005 3:13:59 PM
Peerimus nods as Sly talks, "Good then, I thought as much, but wanted to be sure some other trap or ill fortune had not befallen them. The Chaos Eye that adorns our hands obviously felt that Jason would be in need of mighty Shiraz more than we."

"Sly, given what you say, I too, feel we should continue on our trail and down the tunnel."

"Savin while your training and reflexes are great to avoid danger, I think Niobe should be point as her training could remove the danger completely."

As the group gets ready, Peerimus walks to Tokun and places his left hand on the young mans shoulder with a firm grip. Yorrick moves to stand on Peerimus's right. Peerimus allows Niobe and Savin a comfortable 30' lead before coming along and for the first 50 to 100 feet Peerimus keeps his hand on Tokun's shoulder.

Niobe
Friday January 21st, 2005 6:33:04 PM
Niobe hands the foul book to Firn'gaer.
"Be careful when you read it," she sincerely warns the wizard.

She hears the talk about going on ahead into the tunnels.

"Isn't anyone listening?" Niobe says exasperated. "We are walking into a trap. That evil gnome wrote that we were next. That we would be perfect for his experiment!"

Seeing that probably doesn't matter to anyone else she throws her hands up in frustration as she walks towards the corridor.

"Fine, if we find any evil gnomes we kill them and ask questions later!"

Niobe walks down the corridor with Savin to scout ahead and search for traps and such.

Firn'gaer
Friday January 21st, 2005 10:09:28 PM
"I don't think there was ill in what happened to them. The magic is beyond my abilites at least my current skills in magic anyway." He says to Sly.

"I appreciate your warning. Though I suspect that whatever trap or experiment is in store for us has, in part, already been set as well as our means to defeat it." He says holding up the broken eye tatoo. "We all received visions. Mine was a vision of answers to questions; questions of our mutual jailor, the tatoo. "I'd like to see where it ends. The book may be just the beginning." He takes the book carefully, "I will be careful."

"Ilsidur, my cleric friend, I need service of your divine gifts. More precisely, divinations that I am not able to do." He says turning to Ilsidur. "I need to know if this book is tied to the broken tatoos or if it is unrelated. I believe that falls into your realm."

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod (1/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus
Saturday January 22nd, 2005 3:10:11 PM
"Yes Niobe we very likely are and I can think of no one I would rather have leading me than yourself."

"And if we have guessed correctly on the gnomes intentions, it is all the more reason why we must go on and stop him."

Niobe (forgot to add this!) d20+9=18 d20+15=34 d20+16=23
Saturday January 22nd, 2005 8:43:31 PM
(Niobe would have checked the desk again for secret compartments as Ilsidur had asked her to before leaving down the corridor to scout ahead. (Search 18 for any secret compartments in the desk. Disable Device 34, Open Lock 23.) Sorry for forgetting to add this to my inital post!)

Proceeding (DM/Al)
Saturday January 22nd, 2005 9:58:43 PM
Tokun is distracted as Short Steel Man gifts him with the name of The Woman. "Niobe." And so it is only from the corner of his eye that he sees the light, and the two Magic Ones as they become not there. From the reaction of the other Magic Ones, this is not an expected thing.

Tokun's legs flex into a crouch. His hands stand ready to draw the bone greataxe from his back. The Magic Ones speak quickly among themselves. Their words are heated, full of many feelings. Dog Talker points to the dark square cave. Niobe hands something to Hands Waving Man. She and Hands Fighting Man enter the Dark Square Cave. Bear Friend places a hand upon Tokun's shoulder. There is a feeling that he is holding Tokun from going too far front.

+++++++++++++

There is a general consensus, a hope, perhaps, that Jason and Shiraz have been taken by divine purpose. Another mission, perhaps. Hopefully temporary. The decision is to move on. One last time, Niobe goes over the desk. She pulls the drawers out and gently raps on the bottoms. She reaches into the empty drawer holes and taps at the back. She dips her head and eyes the undersides of the desk. Nothing. Time to press on.

Niobe and Savin enter the tunnel first. The dim light of the Changing Room extends some 20 feet and then their human eyes are blinded by the absolute pitch blackness.

Firn'gaer takes the book from Niobe. For a man who has held many a book, the solid heft and the smooth skin binding should be a pleasant feeling. And yet, Firn'gaer too experiences the same subtle feeling of revulsion that Niobe experienced earlier. With his knowledge of the arcane, it is difficult for him to push away speculation as to what kind of skin this book might be bound in.

He calls for Ilsidur. The gods can grant the gift of knowledge. This is what they need now. With the book in hand, the wizard speculates at a connection between the mysterious tattoo that set him upon the path he now walks. He feels nothing from the tattoo. Is this good or bad? His eyes turn to the tunnel, to the patch of darkness into which Niobe had gone, and he wonders what it might have been that she saw in the book to have shaken her so.

Sly and Luke
Sunday January 23rd, 2005 5:34:49 AM
Sly redies himself(sword in hand) He puts a Fire spell into his sword. Sly then points at Tokun and jesters him to follow. Turns on his heels as he follows Niobe into the tunnel.

Luke will follow Sly.

Niobe d20+9=26 d20+10=25 d20+10=14
Sunday January 23rd, 2005 4:22:18 PM
(Niobe is a Half-Elf so she wouldn't be completely blinded by pitch blackness I wouldn't think?)

Niobe doesn't tell Firn'gaer much about the book, in case she was over-reacting. Niobe is not very certain about what she actually experienced and what her mind might have made up due to stress and nerves. She would prefer for Firn'gaer to make up his own mind first before sharing what she experienced.

She moves slowly down the corridor checking carefully for any traps, secret doors and such. Niobe will not stray far from Savin.

(Search 26, Listen 25, Spot 14)

Al: Yes, I'm afraid she would. She would probably last longer than Savin. That is to say, she would be able to see forty feet down the tunnel as opposed to only 20 feet. But even Low Light Vision requires some light. The only one in the party that can see in total darkness is Ilsidur.

Savin d20+13=16
Sunday January 23rd, 2005 4:30:57 PM
Savin while walking next to Niobe asks, "What evil gnome? You saw a gnome? Where? I can't believe I missed him. My master would beat me for inattention."

When they head into the blackness, Savin will call out for light. "Can anyone make light?"
Savin comes to the balls of his feet, and extends his other senses, trying to make up for his lost sight.

Rolled 16 listen roll

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday January 24th, 2005 3:23:48 PM
Walking with his hand still on Tokun shoulder, Peerimus and Yorrick approach the darkness beyond the light of the other room.

"I'm afraid to admit I have to artificial lighting. A spell I posses will only last about 10 minutes."

The druid looks to Firn'gaer and Ilsidur, "Do either of you have a light?"

Firn'gaer
Monday January 24th, 2005 3:52:27 PM
"I do. It is hard to see in here, isn't it. Let me do something about that." He takes out his rod and using it he casts a light spell on one end of his staff.

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended light spell -- 3 hours

Rod (0/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light#, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Sly and Luke d20+7=22
Monday January 24th, 2005 6:33:30 PM
"you'll have to teach me that spell Fien'gaer, But I do have a sun rod here." Sly will use his sun rod as he slowly head forward. Sly does not like these sunrod because it interfers with his eyes.

Luke still track by scent (22)"sniff Sniff?"

The Tunnel of Endless Night (DM/Al)
Monday January 24th, 2005 9:54:31 PM
Firn'gaer puts the book away, a puzzle for a more convenient time. With a quick and practiced pass of his hands, the wizard places a light upon the end of his staff. It provides his human eyes with illumination in a 20 foot radius. Beyond that, visibility dims to forty feet. But that should be adequate for the center of the small group of nine.

Sly Foxx strikes the end of a Sunrod. It flares brightly, illuminating the dark tunnel for the humans to an extent of thirty feet around. He and Niobe, however, see clear as daylight out to sixty feet.

With a thirty foot lead on the rest of the group, Savin, with Niobe can, at least, see to place his feet. Niobe, sees clearly thirty feet in front of her. Though both scouts probe the dark ahead with their keen hearing, the tunnel returns no sound. Luke sniffs the air and smells the acrid stink of the Sunrod. The stone up ahead gives up no secrets.

Sly Foxx places a Scorching Ray spell into his sword, and the group enters the tunnel.

The tunnel is dry, the sense of dryness, perhaps, accentuated by the scuff of their feet as the Children of Chaos make their way through the stone passageway. Fifteen feet in width and ten in height, the tunnel seems much smaller, much narrower in the two pools of light. Yorrick takes up over half of the passage. And his shoulders ride high toward the ceiling. He would surely strike the ceiling were he to attempt to rear onto his hind legs.

One losses track of time in the dark, regular, tunnel of featureless stone. The way proceeds, straight and unchanging for an eon in the trackless dark. Timeless monotony lulls the senses. So much so, that the change of direction is almost missed. The tunnel angles right, subtly but decidedly. Another measureless stretch, and the tunnel corrects to the left. Rights and lefts, meaningless corrections in the essentially straight and seemingly endless tunnel. The only one in the group who retains his sense of place in the world is Ilsidur. The dwarf's stone heritage tells him exactly where he is. And to Ilsidur it seems not unsurprising that they travel in a direction Tokun had pointed to the day before, the direction of Zaran City.

Firn'gaer's light goes out.

Savin
Tuesday January 25th, 2005 12:16:24 AM
Savin will stop when the light goes out and wait for the others. He will say, "This can't be right. No ones house is this big. We are in some kind of escape tunnel or something.

Can someone ask our young barbarian guide if gnomes live in Zaran City?"

Niobe d20+9=14 d20+10=18 d20+9=16 d20+10=17 d20+10=23
Tuesday January 25th, 2005 5:57:49 AM
Niobe is not too fond of this never ending, dark and gloomy tunnel. The monotony of the whole thing makes her head feel heavy.

"It could just be a trade road Savin. I can hardly blame them for not wanting to travel overland."

As Niobe walks down the tunnel she checks the dust for any traces of someone having used the tunnel recently (scuff marks, footprints, blood droplets, ect. Search 14, Spot 18).

"Didn't they say that gnomes lived in Zaran City back at the encampment?"

Niobe will stop walking ahead when Savin stops due to Firn'gaer's light spell expiring. She will be a few steps ahead of Savin at that point. As she waits she stares ahead into the darkness (using the light from Sly's sunrod). (Search 16, Spot 17, Listen 23).

Sly and Luke d20+7=19
Tuesday January 25th, 2005 9:26:46 AM
Sly seeing that the wizard's light went out, wii try to stay in the middle of the party "If push comes to shove, some one better take this sun rod. Because I'll jump into any trouble that comes our way!" tell the people around him.

To Luke he tellk him, "Defend the magic users." Luke replies "Yes!" then continues to track.(Tracking 19)

Firn'gaer
Tuesday January 25th, 2005 10:13:43 AM
The light goes out. "Well, that's unfortunate." He says.

Um...you have a torch...

I do... "I guess I do. I really act abscent minded once in a while." he says as he draws an Everburning Torch from his haversack.

Yes it's all an act, isn't it.

"There that's better...what was that Rufus?"

Oh, nothing...

Yes, nothing...

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended light spell -- 3 hours

Rod (0/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light#, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Tuesday January 25th, 2005 11:24:44 AM
Peerimus keeps his hand on both Tokun and Yorrick, but as the passage wears on he begins to be unsure of who is comforting whom. The lands beneath are also the providence of Father Wold. The lands beneath are also the providence of Father Wold. "The lands beneath..." realizing he is starting to speak aloud, the druid shakes his head free of the cloud. The others may need his support and silly childhood indulgences will not.

Ilsidur
Tuesday January 25th, 2005 9:16:33 PM
Ilsidur follows along with the now-smaller party, regretful that he did not ask the powers of the Wold to give him the power of foretelling or divination. "Firn'gaer, I do not have any spells of that sort available today, but I could try tomorrow, after the sun rises again."

It has been such a long time since Ilsidur has been this deep underground. He connects with the stone around him, feeling the direction that the party is moving, and sensing their depth below the ground. "We seem to be travelling in a winding line, but generally heading towards this Zaran City."

Second Entry (DM/Al)
Tuesday January 25th, 2005 9:38:25 PM
The underground trek has varying degrees of effect upon each of the Children of Chaos. As Firn'gaer's light spell fades and ends. Savin and Niobe stop. And Sly Foxx waits for the bulk of the party close the ten feet or so that separate them.

Niobe, having run her eyes over the gray and unchanging stone ever since they entered the tunnel, only now comes to the realization of the oddness of it. They have been traveling this tunnel, presumably for hours. And, not only has she found no signs of usage. She has found nothing at all. Not even dust. As the party pauses momentarily, she stares into the tunnel ahead. There is nothing ahead but darkness and the same plain even gray stone.

Next to Ilsidur, Firn'gaer appears momentarily distracted. He mutters to himself. Then he pulls an everburning torch from his pack. Light, once again. The sensation of heat rises from the wizard's hand. As though from instinct, the wizard knows that this heat is not from the torch. It is, rather, connected to the book. The back of Firn'gaer's hand begins to throb with the warmth. As with Niobe, a tart mentholated warmth. When he draws out the book, it falls open to a random page, and Firn'gaer also sees the characters writing themselves across the page. An unknown language! Gnomish? Quickly turning a leaf, he sees the same writing repeated on any and all of the pages. But, if that is the case, why is the book not full. Unless ...

If quick action is taken, perhaps he can write the words down before the book becomes blank again.

[ For those who are both by the book and can read gnomish ] Highlight to display spoiler: {

Again I question the design. Crossing the species may, in the end, produce a more versatile product. And it is an avenue that will not be denied exploration. But, why all four? I must admit to the simple desire to see the power in combination. They have been unique so far. But, if there are four, the chances are that more can be found as well.

Where is that book? The notes of the first detection and capture would be interesting review. I shall have to call them back.

}

OoC: Your light spell has ended, Firn'gaer. And, if you cast your Mage Armor this morning, you should have roughly eight hours left.

Niobe
Tuesday January 25th, 2005 10:42:57 PM
Niobe starts as she realizes that none of this makes sense. That the tunnel hasn't been used, there's no dust - no nothing.

She whispers in a hiss to herself: "wake up! Wake up! Has to be a nightmare..."

Niobe presses her hands against the wall and feels around. She is trying to see if it is even real, or just something in her mind. She even begins to 'feel' the darkness closing in around her; even with Sly's sunrod casting light.

"This place can't be real. No one has been here, there's no dust even."

Then the book starts its spiel with Firn'gaer. Niobe wheels to face the wizard after he pulls out the book.

"It's talking to you isn't it? - Do you read gnomish Firn'gaer??"

Niobe rapidly closes the space between herself and Firn'gaer in case he doesn't read gnomish. Maybe she can get a chance to read what the book says?

"The book told me that it - or that evil gnome I think - would test us. Called us slaves; powerful even. Then it shut up and the words slinked off into the binding. *takes a breath* The words were the same on every page. Talking about roots and things," Niobe stares at her hand every so often as the words pour from her. It seems that she just couldn't keep 'her secret' any longer. Maybe she is going mad?

After telling Firn'gaer (and of course everyone else) about the book she resumes her search for a way out of this 'illusion' tunnel. Niobe is fairly convinced that the tunnel is the test, and that it isn't real at all.

Sly and Luke
Wednesday January 26th, 2005 5:46:31 AM
Sly noticing that Niobe and Fien-gaer has stop. He tell the orthers to stop for a few minuts. Sly will go to them to see if they are alright, he see the book in the wizards hand.

"Tell me Fien-gaer where did you get this book? From the look of it, you did not bring it with you into this place. So did you find this book in the office? or in the entry hall? If you found it in the traped office, Did you check to see if it was CURSED?"

Then Sly turn to Niobe asking her "Did you touch that book? or Opened it? You two have been acting a little odd?? Peerimus have you been talking to yourself??"

Sly is thinking that something is getting to them. The darkness, the walls, the lack of direction, the lack of even dust. Just nothing is what is getting to them. "Now! get a hold of your selves, Ilsidur said that we are going a pathern that will most likely lead us to Zaran City. Keep that in mind!

Fien-gaer! Do me a favor, hold the booK out in frount of you, while I cast Detect Magic on the book. I think it is, but hope it is not Cursed!" Sly will cast his spell on the book.

Luke watches,

Firn'gaer
Wednesday January 26th, 2005 8:48:51 AM
His hand begins to warm as the broken eye begins to react. "Blank book with ink and quill." He calls to his haversack. Taking them as quickly as possible. "No, unfortunately, I don't know gnomish" he says, "write down...translate later." He starts to write down the characters he sees on the page as he sees them. "Though if someone could translate I would appreciate it." He says continuing to write.

{OOC: Are we on new morning or is it 20 hours into the previous one?]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)

Rod (0/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light#, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Al: Same day. It is approximately 4:00 PM on the same day that you awoke to open the door in the cave. I estimate that you all woke at about 6:00 AM.

Savin
Wednesday January 26th, 2005 9:26:51 AM
Savin will walk over to Ilsidur and ask, "Can you ask our young barbarian friend how many more days it would have taken to get to Zaran City? If it is 3 days or something, the tunnel might be this long. Lack of dust could mean nothing has been here in ages. I have heard that most dust is flaked off skin. No people...no skin...no dust. Still this does seem unusual."

Niobe (assist Firn'gaer?)
Wednesday January 26th, 2005 5:26:40 PM
(Al, if there is enough time Niobe will read the passage as well. She understands gnomish and will translate the writing for Firn'gaer; or at least do her best to remember what is written there so she can help with the transcript Firn'gaer made.)

Pandemonium (DM/Al)
Wednesday January 26th, 2005 9:54:40 PM
Firn'gaer calls for notebook and quill, and the magic of his haversack places them at his fingertips. He begins to pen the strokes of the unfamiliar gnomish characters. At the same time, the space around him grows increasingly crowded. Niobe steps in and begins reading from the page in common, even as the wizard is struggling to pen the gnomish. Sly fires a rapid barrage of questions at first Firn'gaer, then Niobe, and, without stopping, at Peerimus. And, as Firn'gaer juggles the two books in one arm while writing with the hand of the other, Sly pours a spell into one of the books. Niobe interjects with a description of the behavior of the book as she had seen it before, something Firn'gaer now observes for himself as the characters move, marching left, up the page. Firn'gaer's hand and eye follow frantically capturing the final characters just before they vanish into the binding.

Thank the stars that concentration is a wizard's mainstay.

Sly is just getting started as Firn'gaer finishes. He examines the aura of the book as it comes alive in the light of his spell. The book is decidedly magic. Further concentration reveals that the power of the magic is overwhelming. A moment more reveals a color and texture to the aura that Sly has never before seen. The best Sly can assume is that the magic is a blend of schools that would require a craft much greater than his to tease apart. This is extremely powerful magic. The spell for the detection of magic reveals nothing of curses, as it is, of course, not designed to.

Peerimus, Ilsidur, and the barbarian Tokun remain silent and out of the way as the flurry of activity builds and then comes to a close. Savin again asks Ilsidur to act as interpreter with their guide.

Niobe once again translates the words from the book, this time, from Firn'gaer's copy. She reads aloud for all to hear.

Again I question the design. Crossing the species may, in the end, produce a more versatile product. And it is an avenue that will not be denied exploration. But, why all four? I must admit to the simple desire to see the power in combination. They have been unique so far. But, if there are four, the chances are that more can be found as well.

Where is that book? The notes of the first detection and capture would be interesting review. I shall have to call them back.

The rogue finishes the translation and looks to the others for reaction. She gazes up the tunnel into the darkness, her speculations on the nature of this place kept mainly to herself.

Ilsidur
Wednesday January 26th, 2005 10:21:57 PM
"I have two spells available, that will run for about 1.5 hours each. One spell allows me to understand what the boy says, but not to speak his language. The other is a much more powerful spell, and will allow me to freely converse with the boy. Do you want me to use one of them now? Or once we get to something more interesting than this never-ending tunnel?"

Niobe
Wednesday January 26th, 2005 10:53:10 PM
Niobe translates the passage with fluent ease.
Then she realizes that she must have made Firn'gaer's scribing act that much more difficult so she takes a long step away from him before he might decide to do something rash.

"Shall I keep the book since I can read the language? If that evil gnome really wants his book back it won't matter who has it."

Niobe peers ahead into the tunnel, "and if anyone cares this tunnel can't be natural, it's freakish really. We could be imagining this whole thing."

Niobe considers trying to walk through the wall; that would break the illusion. 'It could also just make me look like a major idiot as I walk straight into a solid wall!' She comments to Sly about how they came to be in possession of the book in the first place.

"Sly Firn'gaer didn't get the book, I did. He asked to see it and I let him. It was locked in the desk."

"Ilsidur you might want to wait until we get out of here with using any language spells. Tokun must be as confused as we are."

Niobe just continues to stare into the darkness as she chats with the others; not looking at anyone. She half expects something nasty to jump out at them from the gloom, or the tunnel to warp; something weird.

Savin
Wednesday January 26th, 2005 11:17:58 PM
Savin anwsers the dwarf back, "All I want to know is how far the city is. Could you use the weaker of the two spells to ask him that but explain to him that you won't be able to understand his anwser and have him hold up his hands for the days or hours? Figure out some kind of crude sign language?"

Savin notices Niobe acting a little strangely and will walk over to her. After getting an explaination for her actions he says, "Wouldn't a detect magic show the walls to be magic if they were an illusion? Maybe one of the mages could answer it for you."

Savin notices the commotion of the book but doesn't crowd around the artifact. He says, "It almost sounds like we are listening to a memory. Could this area be haunted by some kind of powerful spirit?"

Sly and Luke
Thursday January 27th, 2005 6:24:39 AM
"WOW! That is some powerful magic!" Sly looks up to Fien-gaer, "Did you see that color spray? This is one powerful sick Magic User,"

To Savin, Sly ask, "You know, your right! The only way to find out, is to cast Detec Magic again, Alright here goes." Sly closes his eyes, waves his fingers, mumbles a few words and with both open hands (like he is pushing a ball) so that the walls going down the tunnel will be effected.

Now Sly wonders about the way that Shiraz and Jason left? Was it Domi's wish? Or some Magic User's crazy experament?. to the others in the party, he tell them. "Watch each other, if some one starts to talk to them selves or to some one that is not there to us. Like Jason did. Alert every body! Just maybe we can foil his plans before we lose anybody?"

To Niobe, he tell her, "if you feel funny or hear vioces, tell us if you can, please. From what you read, he is experament with Four. Remember the Golem?? Now that I think of it, he was made with diffrent part of diffrent people??"

Luke listens "Or Aminals?"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday January 27th, 2005 11:20:49 AM
Peerimus does indeed remain silent as the book casuses an eruption of activity. The passage is odd as Niobe has said, but would not Master Ilsidur feel something of that more profoundly it it were. Hard to tell, not knowing fully the extent a dwarf is connected to Father Wold.

Speaking loud enough for Firn'gaer and Niobe to hear, "Perhaps it is a book designed to capture thoughts as they happen and we are reading what this individual is thinking at this moment rather than a past experience. There are more than 4 of us and therefore I do not believe it refers to us, but we are looking for four missing persons, Jasons parents and Sly's Mother and Sister."

Peerimus then turns to Savin and Ilsidurs' conversation. "I believe we can gain such information without the need for a spell Savin. He may speak another language, but the name of our destination is in his tongue and he understands the passage of time as we do. We know the time travelled from Smashed Teeth we should need only reverse the question."

Turning Tokun to face him the druid begins. Pointing to Tokun he says "Tokun." Then the way they came "Smashed Teeth". Holding up 3 fingers, he walks in place a moment. Peerimus then points the direction they are travelling saying "Zarnan City" walking in place a bit, he pauses holds up his hand with 2 fingers and shrugs.

Fiin'gaer
Thursday January 27th, 2005 8:00:21 PM
Notes of the first detection...my answers may be in these pages...may require some deciphering...

"I'd to take a look a little longer, Niobe. See if I can decipher any other writings that may be in the book, at least until we rest again. I believe, it may require a group effort to get answers, but this is definitely a place to start." He says looking to Niobe.

"That's an interesting notion." He says as Peerimus finishes. "Not out of the realm of possility. I think you may be right." He continues. "Based on that theory, we're looking for the owner of the these words." Holding up the gnome script.

"Master Ilsidur, not a problem, I was thinking more of when we have a little time to spend with it." He says to referring to his need for the dwarf's assistance.

He looks around at the tunnel. "That too is possible, but I'm not sure and I'm ill-equipped to determine that magically at the moment." He says nodding his head, "But based on Sly's determination of the book's power it would be a simple task."

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours

Rod (0/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light#, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Straining In the Dark (DM/Al)
Thursday January 27th, 2005 9:16:06 PM
There is much speculation as to the nature of the book and the meaning of the words it has ??? produced. There is much speculation as well, as to the nature of the tunnel. Sly prepares to cast a spell of detection upon the walls of the tunnel, then recalls that he had only prepared one this morning, and that, he has just used upon the book. (Actually, that spell he used back in the changing room. My mistake. You got a free one.)

The tunnel, to all appearances, though is nothing other than a tunnel. To sight and touch it is no more than stone. Even the sound rings true, as the group moves within the dark narrow confines.

Confinement, in fact, within the dark monotonous tunnel wears on the nerves. The desire is to see the end. The end, or change, or something. Anything. How much further? Savin believes that the answer lies in the young barbarian. Ilsidur's preference is for a conservation of spells. Peerimus makes an attempt at communication using a mixture of signs and known words.

Tokun watches intently as Bear Friend speaks to him with sign. It is not the sign of hunt. The young barbarian frowns in thought. He repeats the signs of Bear Friend, the two fingers and the three. He looks up the tunnel. With a puzzled look he points into the darkness ahead and asks, "Zaran?"

Shaking his head, he begins to speak back to the Magic Ones using their sign. He kneels and places the point of his finger upon the stone. "Piho Cheen da," he says, followed by what sounds like, "Smash Tee." With his finger he draws a curved path to another point upon the floor. "Zaran," he says. Rising, he makes the same walking motion made earlier by Bear Friend, then holds up two fingers. The two fingers he then passes over his head in a great arc like the sun traveling from horizon to horizon. He hesitates, thinks the better of it, and then changes the number of fingers to three.

Tokun's eyes travel to each of the Magic Ones, searching for signs of comprehension. Or if not comprehension, at least approval. The stone is all around them. There is no sun here. It is not a good place. But the Magic Ones will lead the way out. Of that he has no doubt.

Niobe d20+2=15 d20+9=29 d20+10=17 d20+10=24
Thursday January 27th, 2005 10:14:58 PM
"Alright Firn'gaer. You can keep the book for now anyway, but if it starts to make your hand feel cold and starts writing again then let me know. Your gnomish needs serious work," Niobe grins widely.

She thinks about what Firn'gaer has said about the book, "there aren't any other writings in the book. Wasn't it completely blank to begin with, then the writing came from no where??"

Peerimus' and Savin's suggestions that the book captures thoughts or is haunted sounds unsettling.

"Sly I am not going insane, just becoming passably paranoid. This whole dustless tunnel thing is just bugging me I guess."

Lacking anything else to do at the moment Niobe watches Peerimus and Tokun play "scherades".

"Pihoe Chien dah? Sounds like 'you are here'..." Niobe intones the native words slowly as she watches the gestures Tokun makes, "three days travel around something; somewhere?"

Niobe nods just slightly as she thinks about the travel time. 'How long have we been here?'

"Ilsidur do you have idea how long we have been down here? My sundial doesn't work in false light," she concludes with dry humour.

'I bet Tokun and I are the only ones bothered by this tunnel, or no light. Ilsidur must love it though?' (Wis check 15) Niobe remembers that Tokun didn't even want to go into the cavern in the first place.

Once everyone has gotten a minute or two of rest Niobe asks Savin,
"Shall we get back to scouting ahead?"

Niobe will continue trying to listen for sounds other than those from the group and looking for traps, tracks et.al. as she scouts ahead.

(Search 29 (nat 20), Listen 17, Spot 24)

Savin
Thursday January 27th, 2005 10:50:53 PM
Savin stares intently at Tokun as he waves his arms around in sign. " I think he is telling us that we would have several days of travel to get to Zaran City. That or his is telling us that we are all nuts and he wants to see the sun. Can't blame him.

Should we go on? Do our spellusers have ways of making light? I think we are going to need it soon."

At Niobe's instruction Savin will lead the way but stay closer to the group to use the light they have. Around 15' ahead.

Sly and Luke
Friday January 28th, 2005 5:19:18 AM
Sly tries to case his spell but all he got out of it was a few puffs and a spark. "Darn! I frogot I was out of Detect Magic! all I have left is fighting magic like Magic Missels, acid, Fire and Lighting. But If what Peermus said is true, this wizard will have a darn hard time with my mother! She is a very good wizard her self, specialy if she is trying to proteck my sister. Oh! pitty on that wizard!!"

To Niobe, he comforts her "Niobe! I'm not saying that your going insane. I'm saying that the spell he'll be using is the first stage of a Teleport Spell, you see he must get to your mind, before he can get your body.
Now your a half elf like me, keep your mind bizy on something else, like your childhood home or some thing colorful. But keep your wits about you. And we'll all get to the other end."

To the rest of the party, "I think that Tokum is trying to say, it will be about two our three more days to the Zaran. That's over land, maybe shorter under ground, after all we have to go around the lake. Maybe that why the walls are like they are??"

Luke "Think So?"

Firn'gaer
Friday January 28th, 2005 12:24:57 PM
"Savin, all I have is the heatless torch." Referring to his Everburning Torch.

"I've no problem continuing. It's a little cramped in here, but it's better than the bitter cold of above." He says. "As far as the lack of dust, it's possible that with both ends closed and no breeze that there would no noticable dust on the passage walls...or..." He pauses, "There's something down here that cleans them."

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours

Rod (0/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light#, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday January 28th, 2005 4:50:22 PM
Peerimus nods to Tokun and smiles, "I agree, three days overland. Now we might be able to move in a straight line, but underground travel in generally slower than above ground. Limited vision unconsciously acts against you."

Niobe, Savin. Firn'gaer may be quite right about some creature that sweeps this corridor and prevents the collection of debris. Keep a sharp eye, some can blend to be almost invisible and you wouldn't want to step in any."

Peerimus will again turn to Tokun and pat him on the shoulder and give a smile and a head nod. Peerimus will also keep himself, Tokun and Yorrick at the rear of the group.

Creations

Early Experiments (DM/Al) d20+4=14 d20+4=20 d20+4=17 d20+4=7 d20+4=15 d20+4=9 d20+4=21 d20+4=5 d20+4=18 d20+4=22 d20+4=20 d20+4=18 d20+4=7 d4=4 d4=2 d4=1 d4=3 d4=2 d20+4=6 d20+4=19 d20+4=9 d20+4=21 d20+4=21 d20+4=19 d20+4=9 d20+4=5 d20+4=8 d20+4=18 d20+4=22
Saturday January 29th, 2005 10:47:23 PM
The party moves foreword once more. The tunnel responds not at all to the various speculations as to it's nature. It remains the same dark monotonous stone. Fifteen feet across ten feet high. The party walks on encased in a this square tube of rock and darkness. Slogging ever foreword, the only light provided by Sly's sunrod and Firn'gaer's everburning torch.

Still, time wears on even in the midst of the never changing dark. The passage of time makes itself know through the rumble of stomach. Stomachs that somehow have an uncanny sense of when meals are due. To stop for food, however, would mean to remain within the featureless dark just that much longer.

The decision to stop, however, is soon removed from the hands of the party. Niobe notes an oddness in the walls of the tunnel. Plain gray up to this point, they now take on a light/dark checkerboard pattern. She blinks her eyes. How odd. Why would that be? Unless ... they are holes.

Too late. Dark silent shapes swarm from the walls. Shapes the size of small dogs. The size of Luke, scuttle across the floor. Across the ceiling. Niobe and Savin are quickly overwhelmed. Dark, hairy, many legged creatures scuttle toward them and attempt to climb their bodies. Some drop from the ceiling.

Then they begin biting.

Niobe (Flat Footed, No Dex to AC)
07 Hit AC14, Damage 0
14 Hit AC20, Damage 4
22 Hit AC17, Damage 4
23 Hit AC7, Damage 0
30 Hit AC15, Damage 1
47 Hit AC9, Damage 0
Total Damage 9hp

Savin (Flat Footed, No Dex to AC)
15 Hit AC21, Damage 3
24 Hit AC5, Damage 0
31 Hit AC18, Damage 0
32 Hit AC22, Damage 2
38 Hit AC20, Damage 0
45 Hit AC18, Damage 0
48 Hit AC7, Damage 0
Total Damage 5hp

Niobe, Savin, Luke, Sly, and Firn'gaer feel a fine netting settle over them. It soon begins to solidify, restricting their movement.

Ranged Touch To Hit Luke AC6
Ranged Touch To Hit Luke AC19
Ranged Touch To Hit Sly AC9
Ranged Touch To Hit Firn'gaer AC21
Ranged Touch To Hit Niobe AC21
Ranged Touch To Hit Savin AC19
Ranged Touch To Hit Savin AC9
Ranged Touch To Hit Savin AC5
Ranged Touch To Hit Savin AC8
Ranged Touch To Hit Savin AC18
Ranged Touch To Hit Savin AC22

OoC
PC's entangled in webbing have -2 Attack, a -4 to Dex, and move at half speed. Casters must make a DC15 Concentration check. Webbing can be burst with a DC25 strength check or a DC20 Escape Artist Check. Both are A full round action.

Enemies are AC14 (+1 Dex, +1 Size)

Map
Many Legs In The Dark - Round 01

Savin ac 22 90/95 hps d20+9=23 d20+9=16 d20+4=22 d10+4=7 d10+4=10 d10+4=6
Saturday January 29th, 2005 11:17:16 PM
Savin knows he could run away but that would just leave more foes for Niobe to face and he can't allow that. The odd thought that she needs to work on that trap sense skill flutters through his mind but he disregards it.

He quickly evaluates the foe and yells to the wizards...."A mass damage spell like fireball. Don't worry about us! Just do it!"

He will go into a flurry of blows trying to get the creepers off him. He will attack three different ones hitting all three. He does 7, 10 and 6 points of damage to seperate ones.

Niobe (AC 15 (flat footed) 58/67HP) d20+6=18
Sunday January 30th, 2005 9:00:42 AM
Niobe was just about to mention the holes in the walls when she is swarmed with spiders? And getting bitten by them to boot. Already feeling paranoid she screeches, immediately followed some of the worst cursing ever heard.

This not being her week, she is next stuck in some sort of webbing. No matter how hard she tries she is certainly stuck for the moment. Ironically she has the same thought Savin had - she seems to need to work on a few skills. She cannot believe she missed that trap of all traps. Niobe blames it all on these wretched, monotonous tunnels.

If it is at all possible Niobe will back up as far as she possibly can (towards the rest of the group). Due to surprise and the fight or flight instinct Niobe opted for 'flight'.

(Escape Artist 18, DC 20)

Ilsidur (AC25, 98/98 hp) d20+13=18 d10+5=7 d6=5
Sunday January 30th, 2005 11:56:22 PM
Ilsidur rushes straight forward 20' and swings his waraxe at the spider at his feet, chopping into the creature. [OOC: Swing at spider 16, hit AC18 for 7 hp damage plus 5 fire damage, total 12 hp.]

"Firn, Sly, Savin is right! Blast the far end of the creatures, and kill whatever you can!"

Sly Fox AC 20 65/65hp and Luke Ac 21 28/28hp d20+2=21 d6+3=8
Monday January 31st, 2005 6:01:53 AM
Sly puts his sword away and starts his chant, he knells streches his hands so his Fire Ball spell will go off partly on the wall and patrly on the floor(near bugs 28 & 37(floor) and Bugs 33 & 26 (wall)) Puff! off it goes. Then he'll go for his dagger(+1)and will try to cut the web he's in before it get too hard.

Luke will try to chew his way out of the web and go after bug#39.

Luke Consentration attact Ac21 - Damages 8.

Firn'gaer d20+14=33 9d6(5+4+5+3+1+4+4+6+6)=38
Monday January 31st, 2005 9:04:43 AM
"Are you two sure about this?" He says as he is covered in the netting. "No fireballs, but something better for the occasion."

Focusing on the task of casting, Firn'gaer concetrates on summoning his arcane power and molding it to his desire. Arcs of electricity begin to leap and dance about his body. Like worms of white they inch their way down his arms to finally to his outstretched hands.

"Sly get out of the way cause here it comes." Lightning jumps from Firn'gaer down the passage arcing and leaping from target to target in the area.

Firn'gaer will try and put down the wall if he can.

[Concentration DC33]
[Line(5 feet wide) 120 feet long -- Reflex save DC18, 38 points of damage]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours

Rod (0/3 left)

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light#, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt#

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+17=23 d20+2=21 d20+9=15
Monday January 31st, 2005 10:05:01 AM
The area is suddenly alive with crawling spider like creatures and to make things worse a large portion of the group hs been webbed.

Fireballs and Lightning Bolts flash and roar down the passage and the druid see no immediate reason to contribute to that destruction until the smoke clears, so to speak. So he focuses in a different direction, getting his friends free of the webbing.

With a few words in the secret language of his ancient people, Peerimus tries to get Yorrick to swing at the webbing about Firn'gaer.
[Handle animal 23 Peerimus str 21 to assist Yorrick 15 to free Firn....Failed]

Sly and Luke
Monday January 31st, 2005 12:10:24 PM
Sly since he was down on his knees, lays on his stomack. Luke lies down on his side, too get out of the way of Fien-gaer's magic.

Eunice/Niobe (a little detail)
Monday January 31st, 2005 2:53:02 PM
((According to the PHB 3.5 pg. 139 you can take a 5ft step even with a full-round action. That is the movement that Niobe made back towards the rest of the group. Al, Niobe has the Uncanny Dodge extraordinary ability - it allows her to keep her AC even whe caught flat-footed. So when the spider things attacked she still would have had her regualr AC (AC 19)according to the PHB 3.5 pg. 137; se also pg. 50. This in turn means that only one spider would have been able to bite her. BTW I double checked all this with DM Dominic (my hubby) to make sure that I had understood what was written in the PHB.))

Dark Horde Round Two (DM/Al) 9d6(4+1+5+5+5+1+5+2+5)=33 9d6(4+1+3+4+2+3+1+4+3)=25 9d6(6+1+3+3+6+3+3+3+2)=30 9d6(1+5+5+2+6+4+1+2+4)=30 9d6(1+4+3+4+6+5+1+3+2)=29 9d6(3+5+3+3+1+6+5+1+1)=28 9d6(6+4+5+5+4+6+5+3+2)=40 9d6(4+2+6+4+2+3+3+4+6)=34 d20+11= 22 d20+4=8 d20+4=12 d20+4=20 d20+4=18 d20+4=15 d20+4=5 d20+4=23 d20+4=9 d20+4=5 d20+4=16 d20+4=9 d20+4=18 d20+4=15 d20+4=19 d20+4=11 d20+4=12 d20+4=12 d20+4=19 d4=1 d4=1 d4=4 d4=4 d4=2 d20+4=5 d20+4=13 d20+4=16 d20+4=14 d20+4=10
Monday January 31st, 2005 9:29:50 PM
If this is a trap, it is unlike anything in any rogue's experience. Spiders, then again, are natural trap layers. But if these are spiders, what is it that they eat in this barren tunnel? (Spot Checks Everyone.)

Savin holds is ground, standing by Niobe's side. He calls for magic firepower, then begins a dance of his own brand of mayhem. One, two, three. Dark chitinous shells crack under his blows. Three opponents fall away to be replaced by more.

Niobe shrieks and swears a blue streak. It is no wonder her injuries seemed worse than they really were. With uncanny reflexes and nimble movements she dodges most of the closing mandibles. She backs away as she struggles against the tangle of webbing.

Ilsidur rushes forward. His axe falls and the dark many-legged thing nearly explodes under the impact spraying the dwarf with flesh and goo.

Sly calls on a Fireball spell. But it fizzles when he realizes that he did not prepare a Fireball spell today. (See list that you posted on December 1, Sly.) He draws a knife and attempts to cut the webbing. But it sticks to his knife and holds fast.

Luke, finding it as impossible to bite his way out of the webbing as Sly found it was to cut it, drags himself fifteen feet forward. And with a snarl, the war dog shakes the thing until it is limp and broken.

Crying out a warning, Firn'gaer weaves a spell. Tangled though he may be in the web, his focus is complete. An arc of blinding blue streaks from his hand and down the line of the wall. One two three four five six seven eight of the things are pierced by the bolt. But ... as the eyes of the embattled Children of Chaos adjust again to the dark, it is clear that the creatures struck are, if anything, more hardy now.

Peerimus and Yorrick team up to free Firn'gaer from the webbing. The webbing, however, seems of sterner stuff.

A low growl comes from Peerimus' side, and it is a moment before he realizes that it is their barbarian guide. His eyes are wide. And the veins in his temple bulge. With a cry of rage, Tokun charges into the sea of dark bodies, drawing his bone great axe as he goes. Placing himself before Niobe, he swings. The blade splits one of the dark bodies in twain.

The horde surges foreword.

Tokun is hit three times.

Hit Niobe AC23, AC9, AC5 - Damage 4hp (Webbed)
Hit Savin AC16, AC9, AC18, AC15 (Webbed)
Hit Ilsidur AC19
Hit Luke AC11, AC12, AC12 (Webbed)
Hit Sly AC19 - 2hp (Webbed)

Webs continue to rain down blanketing those in the fore. Tokun is soon covered in sticky webbing. A strand catches Ilsidur and one falls to the side.

PC's entangled in webbing have -2 Attack, a -4 to Dex, and move at half speed. Casters must make a DC15 Concentration check. Webbing can be burst with a DC25 strength check or a DC20 Escape Artist Check. Both are A full round action.

Enemies are AC14 (+1 Dex, +1 Size)

Map
Many Legs In The Dark - Round 02

OoC
Sly, these are your prepared spells:

Prepared Spells as of 12/1/04
Lvl 0 - Acid splash X2, Flare & Detect Magic

Lvl 1 - Shield, Magic Missels x3

Lvl 2 - Acid Arrows, Spider Climb, Scorching Ray (Placed in Sword).
Lvl 3 - Lightning Bolts

Sly AC20 65/65hp and Luke AC21 28/28hp d20+4=16
Tuesday February 1st, 2005 8:18:08 AM
OOC Consentration 16.

Crawling to Fien'gaer and Peerimus and will cut the net off of them. If there's enough timme Sly will also crawl to Luke to cut his net off. (with his +1 dagger)

Sly keep repeating to himself, "Consentrait! Consentrait! Your goal is in sight!"

PS: Thank you DM Al - Luke ate my spell card.

Webbing - Supplemental (DM/Al)
Tuesday February 1st, 2005 8:40:16 AM
Looked at the rules again. Looks like 5hp damage to the webbing will also get you out of it as well. Webbing has no hardness rating.

Striking the web requires no To Hit, but you need to roll damage. This takes a single attack.

Sorry to get this to you late.

Firn'gaer - AC 17 while entangled d20+14=34 3d4(2+4+4)+3=13
Tuesday February 1st, 2005 9:21:29 AM
"Damned vermin." He says as the light subsides and the vermin are still there. Worse yet they seem hardier. "Don't use electricity, Sly." He says drawing a wand from his belt. Focusing, he pushes the wand's tip out through the webbing and lets loose three magic missiles from the wand towards the vermin closing with Sly.

[3 Magic Missiles - 13 points of damage]
[Concentration DC34]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours

Rod (0/3 left)
Wand of MM (charges used during battle) -- 1

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light#, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt#

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Tuesday February 1st, 2005 9:50:48 AM
The druid's heart sinks and a knot wraps into his stomach. What he feared most has just come to fruition. A small prayer under his breath to Mother Wold to protect her child, Peerimus follows with a louder call to Father Wold.

"Touch your son and grant him your cleansing power." Fire erupts from the druid's right hand and from Yorrick's as well.

With Yorrick moving to a heel position, Peerimus begins to cut forward with his Flame Blade down the left wall.

Savin d20+9=15 d20+9=19 d20+4=6 d10+4=13 d10+4=11
Tuesday February 1st, 2005 2:24:26 PM
OOC Stupid computer is giving me problems....again. I am posting from the public library, so if I make an error in my numbers I apologize as I don't have access to my character sheet.

Savin will go into another flurry of blows hitting twice doing 13 and 11 points of damage to the crawly things.

He shouts to his friends, "Use fire to burn the webs. They burn easy!" Savin then spits as web gets into his mouth.

Niobe (AC 19, 59/67HP) d4+2=5 d20+7=22 d4+2=4
Tuesday February 1st, 2005 5:10:51 PM
Niobe draws her dagger and slices at the webbing.

"Tokun. No. You don't jump into the middel of a web. Well, maybe his people do? *sigh!*," Niobe agitatedly hisses quietly to herself.

If she gets the opportunity she will attack any nearby spiders, trying to assist Savin and Tokun.

(5pts dmg to the webbing nearest Niobe, hit spider (most likely #23) AC 22, dmg 4)

Ilsidur (AC25, 98/98 hp) d20+13=22 d10+5=15 d6=5 d20+8=13
Tuesday February 1st, 2005 8:25:08 PM
Ilsidur swings at the creatures in front of him. He targets his first swing at spider #08, hitting the arachnid with his waraxe. [OOC: Hit AC22 for 15 damage plus 5 fire damage.]

His second swing is directed at spider #05, but the swing goes wide. [OOC: Hit AC13].

He moves 5' forward, right behind Niobe, stepping on the split body of spider #08.

Strange Reactions (DM/Al) 2d6(4+6)=10 d20+9=12 d20+4=19 d20+4=20 d20+4=8 d20+4=18 d20+4=9 d20+4=24 d20+4=7 d20+4=8 d20+4=17 d20+4=9 d20+4=21 d20+4=15 d20+4=13 d20+4=22 d20+4=13 d20+4=18 d20+4=12 d20+4=16 d20+4=12 d20+4=23 d20+4=20 d20+4=12 d20+4=16 d20+4=7 d20+4=7 d20+4=19 d4=2 d4=2 d4=2 d4=2 d20+4=9 d20+4=5 d20+4=5 d20+4=17 d20+4=13 d20+4=7 d20+4=17 d20+4=24 d20+4=10 d20+4=24 d20+4=23 d20+4=11 d4=3 d4=3 d20+4=24 d20+4=13 d20+4=6 d20+4=7 d4=4 d20+4=22 d4=3 d20+4=8
Tuesday February 1st, 2005 10:23:38 PM

OoC: Hmmm, no spot checks from anyone?

Sly turns through the tangle of his own web and cuts the strands from Firn'gaer. Luke, however, well to the fore, is too far away, and on his own.

Firn'gaer draws a wand and sends three missiles of light at an approaching dark many legged body. Three missiles strike true, but the magic appears to cause no harm.

Peerimus calls upon the power of The Wold and three foot long blade of fire springs into his hand. Peerimus moves up the left wall the blade of flames easily parts the strands of webbing. He strikes at the same creature that Firn'gaer had targetted with his missiles of light. The blade of flame at first seems to have as little effect as the wizard's missiles. Then the creature moves, it's actions slow and turgid. Yorrick tries the best he can to follow his friend, but it is difficult within the narrow and crowded tunnel.

Savin strikes out with fist again crushing two more hairy bodies. He cries out to his companions to set fire to the webs.

Niobe cuts the webbing from her with a stroke of her weapon. With the back stroke she lays open the back of one of the crawling nightmares. Warm ooze splashes across her hand and arm.

Ilsidur strikes twice. A downstroke lays a many-legs open down to the stone floor. The dwarf aims a backswing at one on the wall, but it pulls back and the mighty axe cleaves air.

Tokun roars in a voice that sounds part song part fury. His axe swings, but does no more than glance from a dark carapace.

Still the creatures swarm. They crawl over up and over each other with little thought but to get in and bite. Webs still spray out over the group from creatures behind and creatures on the walls. Some webs that had been cut away are renewed by more of the sticky falling stuff.

Web Attacks
Touch Tokun AC19, AC20, AC8 (Webbed)
Touch Niobe AC18, AC9, AC24 (Webbed Again)
Touch Savin AC7, AC8, AC17 (Still Webbed, never broke out)
Touch Ilsidur AC9, AC21, AC15 (Webbed)
Touch Luke AC13, AC22, AC13 (Webbed Again)
Touch Peerimus AC18 (Webbed)
Touch Sly AC12 (Still Webbed, never broke out)
Touch Firn'gaer AC16 (Webbed Again)

Bite Attacks
Hit Niobe AC9, AC5, AC5
Hit Savin AC17, AC13, AC7, AC17
Hit Ilsidur AC24, AC10, AC24, (2Critical Threats, AC23, AC11 No Crits), Damage 6hp
Hit Luke AC24, AC13, AC6, (Critical Threat, AC7 No Crit) Damage 4hp
Hit Peerimus AC22, Damage 3hp
Hit Sly AC8

Information
PC's entangled in webbing have -2 Attack, a -4 to Dex, and move at half speed. Casters must make a DC15 Concentration check. Webbing can be burst with a DC25 strength check or a DC20 Escape Artist Check. Both are A full round action. Striking the web requires no To Hit, but you need to roll damage. 5hp damage to the webbing will also get you out of it as well. Webbing has no hardness rating. This takes a single attack.

Enemies are AC14 (+1 Dex, +1 Size)

Map
Many Legs In The Dark - Round 03

Peerimus AC 22 HP 64/67 Yorrick AC 19 HP 73 d20+17=31
Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 8:08:10 AM
Peerimus takes mental note that the creature seemed to slow, but beyond freeing his companions from the webbing, the Flame Blade will do little.

With that thought, he burns through the webs on himself and also will try to free Sly and Firn'gaer next to him.

"A'chewui'A ah." Yorrick remains where he is.

Sly(AC 20 55/65hp) & Luke(AC21 55/59hp d20+5=21 d20+5=21 d4+2=6 d20+6=21 d20+3=17
Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 9:35:12 AM
Sly looks around trying to spot where are this web coming from(spoy 21, at the same time sticking his dagger through the webbing with one hand and pulling the handfull of webbing(in the other direction) with the other9attacking toe web AC21 Damages 6hp), "Something has to give!" Sly mostly talking to himself.

Luke bites the web next to his face, he then bring his hind legs up to the middle of his body, then pushes with all his Strenth(ac 21 Damages 17hp).

OOC: I just found Lukes character Sheet the latest one, he has a very good hit points Almost as good as mine.

Niobe (AC 19, 59/67HP) d4+2=4 d4+2=6 d20+7=16 d4+2=5
Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 6:04:21 PM
Niobe slices twice at the webbing (dmg 4 & 6). She will attack any spiders within reach (hit AC 16, dmg 5).
The ooze on her gloved hand and sleeve makes the rogue wrinkle her nose in disgust.

Ilsidur (AC25, 92/98 hp) d20+14=15 d20+14=31
Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 10:02:03 PM
Ilsidur feels the bites of the spiders as they penetrate his armour. He waits for the rush of poison to attack his body, but nothing happens. [OOC: I have that right, Al?] He had been bitten by spiders before, and their bite was always poisonous, so why not this time? Maybe these weren't really spiders at all...

The dwarf focuses hard down the hallway, trying to figure out if everything is really as it appears. [OOC: Rolled a natural 1 for a will save against illusion, then used the luck ability from the luck domain to reroll, for a result of 31.]

He calls out, "I have 2 spells that I can use to move up to 4 of us out of these webs, provided I can touch the other three. Let me know if we need this to happen."

Firn'gaer - AC17 while entangled d20+6=22 d20+5=16 d4=3
Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 10:04:04 PM
Firn'gaer sees another spell fail against the arachnid assailants. "I up for suggestions." He says. Deciding a different tactic, he draws his dagger and begins to cut the webbing.

[Spot DC22]
[Cutting the webbing -- AC 14, damage 3]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours

Rod (0/3 left)
Wand of MM (charges used during battle) -- 1

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic#, light#, mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements#, magic missile#, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor#, knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility#

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic#, fly, lightning bolt#

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis#, wall of force

Savin ac 22 90/95 hps d20+13=32 d20+9=28 d20+9=29 d20+9=25 d20+4=5 d10+4=12 d10+4=5 d10+4=7
Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 10:41:04 PM
Savin yells back, "If magic isn't working. Try normal fire. Doesn't anyone have a torch? Some oil?"

Savin will glance up at the ceiling to see where all these webs are coming from?
Spot check 32

He will keep battling against the hordes coming his way. Savin smashes his foot into one doing 12 points of damage and follows up with a spear hand strike impaling another (critical hit) and doing 13 points of damage to it. His hands get tangled up in the webbing and his third blow misses horribly. He rolled a natural 1?

OOC Al, If we are webbed, can we still move. You say we only get half movement. Do we need to break free first?

Observation - Round 4 (DM/Al) d20+9=27 d12+5=14 d20+4=13 d20+4=23 d20+4=9 d20+4=16 d20+4=9 d20+4=19 d20+4=18 d20+4=23 d20+4=13 d20+4=9 d20+4=17 d20+4=5 d20+4=24 d20+4=10 d20+4=19 d20+4=12 d20+4=12 d20+4=8 d20+4=7 d20+4=24 d20+4=14 d20+4=16 d4=2 d4=1 d4=2 d4=3 d4=2 d20+4=20 d20+4=19 d20+4=14 d20+4=11 d4=4 d4=3 d20+4=9 d20+4=24 d20+4=21 d20+4=5 d20+4=5 d4=2 d4=3 d20+4=6 d20+4=12 d20+4=21 d20+4=20 d20+4=19 d20+4=11 d4=2 d4=3 d20+4=15 d20+4=7 d20+2=21 d4=2
Wednesday February 2nd, 2005 11:21:22 PM
Peerimus turns his blade of flames against the webbing that covers both himself and Firn'gaer by his side. Yorrick remains where he is.

Sly pokes a hole through the webbing around and rips it away. Dagger in his fist, he searches the dim light with his elven sight for the source of all the webs. They come from all directions, arcing out of the darkness. Most likely from the things still not engaged in combat. As he looks, he sees something else as well ...

Luke bites at the webbing and shakes his head savagely, freeing himself from the tangling mess.

Niobe cuts once and then twice to free herself. The things surround her and she stands poised for an attack. (Niobe only has two attacks per round.)

Ilsidur, wise in the ways of illness and health, waits for the burn of poison in his blood. None comes. He steels his mind against the deceptions of illusion magic, clearing his vision. The tunnel remains. The creatures still swarm in a dark and wriggling mass. They are real. But what are they?

Firn'gaer draws his dagger to clear the webbing from himself only to find that Peerimus' flame blade has done it already. The wizard turns his attention to the dark mass of seething bodies in hopes that observation and deduction can help where the force of magic has thus far failed. As both he and Sly Foxx identify individuals from the seething horde, it becomes clear to them that many of these creatures appear misshapen. Though possessed of eight legs a piece, a dark body and shape mandibles, many have legs larger or smaller than the rest. In some a part of the main body bulks larger and unevenly. It is as though these spiders, if once can call them such, were created from parts of different spiders.

Savin pauses to glance around him as well. Now that he turns his attention from combat to observation, he can even see what might be clean lines demarcation where different spiders might have been sewn together. Arcs of web still shoot across the tunnel, mainly from the walls and out of the dark. They come less now as more of the "spiders" join the pile. They surge up and over Savin even as the monk destroys two more in a spray of dark wet matter. (OoC: You don't need to break out to move. You drag the webbing with you.)

Tokun delivers a shattering blow with his great axe even as he goes down in a sea of black many legged bodies. His shouts of rage can be heard from under the mass.

Web Attacks
Touch Tokun AC13, AC23 (Webbed)
Touch Niobe AC9, AC16 (Webbed Again)
Touch Savin AC9, AC19 (Still Webbed, never broke out)
Touch Ilsidur AC18, AC23 (Still Webbed, never broke out)
Touch Luke AC13 (Webbed Again)
Touch Peerimus AC9 (Free)
Touch Sly AC17 (Webbed Again)
Touch Firn'gaer No webs left (Free)

Bite Attacks
Hit Niobe AC20, AC19, AC14, AC11, Damage -7hp
Hit Savin AC9, AC24, AC21, AC5, (Critical Threat, AC5 No Crit), Damage 5hp
Hit Ilsidur AC6, AC12, AC21
Hit Luke AC20, AC19, AC11, Damage 5hp
Hit Peerimus AC15, AC7
Hit Sly AC21, Damage 2hp

Information
PC's entangled in webbing have -2 Attack, a -4 to Dex, and move at half speed. Casters must make a DC15 Concentration check. Webbing can be burst with a DC25 strength check or a DC20 Escape Artist Check. Both are A full round action. Striking the web requires no To Hit, but you need to roll damage. 5hp damage to the webbing will also get you out of it as well. Webbing has no hardness rating. This takes a single attack.

Enemies are AC14 (+1 Dex, +1 Size)

Map
Many Legs In The Dark - Round 04

Peerimus AC 22 HP 64/67 Yorrick AC 19 HP 73 d3=2
Thursday February 3rd, 2005 7:54:04 AM
Peerimus backs off and slides to a position behind Yorrick. The great bear takes of a defensive posture, ready to crush any of the spider creatures that may pursue to the druid.

Peerimus then calls out, "Ilsidur! Savin! Hold fast my friends help is on the way!"

"Father Wold send us allies to push back this unnatural Horde"
[Spontaneous Cast Summon Nature's Ally 5- 2 Meduim Fire Elementals to appear close to Savins location]

Firn'gaer (as Troll) - AC 20, HP 81 d20+14=21
Thursday February 3rd, 2005 10:59:03 AM
I can't believe it's come to this.

Firn'gaer moves just in front of Yorrick. "Give me space." He says loudly. Casting defensively, he draws on his arcane power to morph himself into a fighting form. His body shift and shapes for a moment finally ending as a Troll.

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours
polymorph -- 9 minutes

Rod (0/3 left)
Wand of MM (charges used during battle) -- 1

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic(cast), light(cast), mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements(cast), magic missile(cast), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor(cast), knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility(cast)

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic(cast), fly, lightning bolt(cast)

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph(cast)

5 -- telekinesis(cast), wall of force

Savin ac 22 hps 85/95
Thursday February 3rd, 2005 4:48:03 PM
Savin sees that his is getting overwhelmed and then sees the fire elementals. He decides it is time to leave for now. "Niobe, Lets get out of here!"

Savin will lead the way dragging the webbing with him heading towards the main group into the light.

He will call out to the others, "They aren't spiders but some kind of mini golems. Looks like they were made too.!"

Sly(AC 20 63/65hp) - Luke(Ac21 20/59hp)
Thursday February 3rd, 2005 5:20:32 PM
Sly step aside with a spider in one hand, he want to show it to Peerimus "Look at this spider it look like diffrent parts of a lot of spider. Not only that the webs are coming from over there." Sly points down the tunnel.

Niobe (AC 19, 52/67HP)
Thursday February 3rd, 2005 5:47:31 PM
Niobe nods in affirmation of Savin's command.
She reaches over and grabs Tokun's belt.

Firmly grasping Tokun's belt she plows her way back away from the spider-golems (moving as far back as she can). Hopefully he will move with her; otherwise she won't be moving will she? (Considering Tokun is bigger than her and weighs more no doubt!)

Niobe will not be leaving anyone behind for the spiders to munch on if she can avoid it.

"Come on Tokun. We have to pull back," Niobe insists to Tokun, as she pulls on his belt so he will take note of what she would like for him to do.

Withdraw - Round 5 (DM/Al) d20+4=23 d20+4=24 d20+4=10 d4=4 d4=4 d20+6=20 d20+6=22 d6+1=7 d6+1=5 d6=1 d6=3 d20+4=19 d20+4=15 d20+4=12 d20+3=23 d20+4=8 d20+4=6 d20+4=21 d20+4=20 d20+4=12 d20+4=10 d20+4=11 d4=2 d4=3 d20+4=16 d20+4=14 d20+4=7 d4=3 d4=3 d20+4=6 d20+4=6 d20+4=9 d20+4=16 d20+4=7 d20+4=9 d20+4=10 d20+4=20 d20+4=15 d20+4=12 d20+4=11 d4=3 d20+4=15 d20+4=16 d20+4=13 d20+4=22 d4=4 d4=2 d6=6 d6=5 d20+4=13 d20+4=19 d4=3 d6=5 d20+9=26 d6+6=11 d20+4=12 d20+4=6 d20+4=20 d4=2
Thursday February 3rd, 2005 10:47:38 PM
Shouts come from several of the Children of Chaos implying that these may be golems, possibly created from spider parts.

Peerimus withdraws, But not before two small dark bodies get bites of opportunity at him. (Hit AC23, AC24 AC10 for No Crit, Damage 8hp) The druid takes painful bites then summons two elementals from the fire plane. They appear and begin a happy campaign of mayhem at the edge of the dark horde. (F1 Hit AC20 for Damage 8hp / F2 hit AC22 for Damage 8hp)

[[ OoC: Could you please run your Allies, Peerimus? And which spell did you burn for the summoning? BTW, did you drop your Flame Blade? ]]

Firn'gaer works his way across the tunnel floor to a free space in front of Yorrick. Intoning a spell, his shape ripples and expands. He becomes a troll holding an everburning torch.

Savin forces his way back up the tunnel seeking only to withdraw. As he passes other creatures further on, however, they reach out and bite at him. (Hit AC19, AC15, AC12)

Sly holds up the remains of a spider, pointing out to Peerimus the oddness of it's construction. He indicates the upward direction of the tunnel as the source of the webs.

Niobe follows Savin, but not before reaching for Tokun, now almost completely buried beneath dark bodies. He feels the tug at his belt, and even through his blinding rage, he understands. (Tokun Wisdom Check 23) They force their way back, concentrating totally upon withdraw. As they go, mandibles snap at them from every direction.

AoO Hit Niobe AC8 (Actually, most of the AoO's had been cleared by Savin earlier.

The spiders surge forward in pursuit attacking the first thing in their path. Some attack the Fire Elementals, only to burst into flames. A few approach the polymorphed wizard only to fall prey to his longer reach.

Scrabbling forward and clustered together, the spiders cease to shoot their webs.

Web Status
Tokun (Webbed)
Niobe (Webbed)
Savin(Webbed)
Ilsidur (Webbed)
Luke (Webbed)
Peerimus (Free)
Sly (Webbed)
Firn'gaer(Free)

Bite Attacks
Hit Ilsidur AC6, AC6, AC9, AC16, AC7, AC9, AC10, AC20
Hit Luke AC15, AC12, AC11, Damage 3hp
Hit Sly AC15
Hit F1 AC16, AC13, AC22, Damage 6hp/Counter Flame Damage 6 & 5
Hit F2 AC13, AC19, Damage 3hp/Counter Flame Damage 5
Firn'gaer's Claw AoO Hit AC26, Damage 11hp
Hit Firn'gaer AC12, AC6, AC20, Damage 2hp

Information
PC's entangled in webbing have -2 Attack, a -4 to Dex, and move at half speed. Casters must make a DC15 Concentration check. Webbing can be burst with a DC25 strength check or a DC20 Escape Artist Check. Both are A full round action. Striking the web requires no To Hit, but you need to roll damage. 5hp damage to the webbing will also get you out of it as well. Webbing has no hardness rating. This takes a single attack.

Enemies are AC14 (+1 Dex, +1 Size)

Map
Many Legs In The Dark - Round 05

Ilsidur (AC25, 92/98 hp) d20+6=17 d20+9=15
Friday February 4th, 2005 12:55:01 AM
Ilsidur backs out, grabbing Luke's collar on the way. [OOC: Standard action to grab dog collar, half move of 15' out of the mass of spiders.]

He has a closer look a the spiders, trying to figure out why they do not have poison in their bites. [OOC: Spot roll of 17 while looking at spiders, after hearing Sly's comments.] "Are they zombie spiders?" he asks himself. [OOC: Knowledge (religion) roll of 15.]

Firn'gaer (as Troll) - AC 20, HP 70/81 d20+9=28 d20+9=17 d20+9=22 d6+6=10 d6+6=9 d6+6=10 2d6(1+5)+9=15 d20+6=12 d20+9=19 d6+6=9
Friday February 4th, 2005 8:36:37 AM
"Fall back!" Yells Firn'gaer in a gruff and hard to distinguish voice. "There's too many of them!" He continues as he takes a couple of claws swings in his new form.

[AoO - AC28, damage 10] Al you mentioned some falling prey to reach.

[Attacks on 18(or)04: AC17, damage 9; AC22, damage 10; rend damage 15] Split if first attack destroys one. Then ignore rend.

[AoO (in case) AC19, damage 9]

[Spot DC12]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours
polymorph -- 8.9 minutes

Rod (0/3 left)
Wand of MM (charges used during battle) -- 1

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic(cast), light(cast), mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements(cast), magic missile(cast), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor(cast), knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility(cast)

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic(cast), fly, lightning bolt(cast)

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph(cast)

5 -- telekinesis(cast), wall of force

Sly
Friday February 4th, 2005 8:37:00 AM
Sly apon seeing the party exiting the tunnel, he look around "Well! If every body is going to back out, I will not be left alone here. I might as well exit too! It will give me a chance to study some proper spells!."

Sly know that Ilsidur has draged Luke out, Will try to exit also (webs and all).

Peerimus AC 22 HP 56/67 Yorrick AC 19 HP 73 d20+6=22 d6+1=3 d6=1 d20+6=15 d6+1=4 d6=4
Friday February 4th, 2005 11:35:03 AM
Hearing the call for retreat, Peerimus moves back 30 feet giving the others room to fall back. Calling for Yorrick to follow, the great bear falls back his move of 40 feet to cover any surprises into the retreat.

The fire elementals joyfully strike out at the golem-like creatures attempting to set them ablaze.

Fire Elementals
F1 (attacking 39) - AC 22, damage 3 plus 1 fire
F2 (attacking 33) - AC 15, damage 4 plus 4 fire

Niobe (AC 19, 52/67HP) d20+7=20 d20+7=13 d4+2=6 d4+2=4
Friday February 4th, 2005 6:03:14 PM
Niobe hasn't let go of Tokun's belt yet. She continues her (their) retreat, moving as far away from the webs and spiders as she can. Niobe will slash at the webbing again twice with her dagger (once for herself and once for Tokun).

(Destroying webbing, dmg 6, damg 4)

Savin d10+4=10 d10+4=10 d10+4=10
Friday February 4th, 2005 11:08:58 PM
Savin will take a moment to clear some of the webs off himself attacking them with a flurry of blows doing 10 points of damage 3 times.

The Fallen - Round 6 (DM/Al) d20+1=7 d20+3=19 d20+4=22 d20+4=24 d20+4=17 d20+4=16 d20+4=19 d4=1 d20+7=24 2d6(2+6)+5=13 d20+4=14 d20+4=17 d20+4=13 d20+4=24 d20+4=14 d4=2 d4=1 d4=3 d4=4 d4=2 d20+4=23 d20+4=14 d20+4=17 d20+4=24 d20+4=13 d4=4 d4=2 d6=2 d6=6 d20+4=24 d20+4=6 d20+4=7 d20+4=7 d20+4=10 d20+4=23 d20+4=15 d4=4 d4=2 d6=4 d6=1 d20+4=13 d20+4=22 d20+4=6 d20+4=19 d4=3
Saturday February 5th, 2005 4:04:57 PM
Ilsidur withdraws. Spiders snap at him as he goes. (Hit AC22, AC24, AC17, AC16 AC19 for No Crit, Damage 1hp) One finds a gap in the dwarf's armor and Ilsidur feels the slight nip of sharp mandibles. He grabs Luke by the collar in passing, and pulls backwards. With a yelp, Luke turns in surprise to bite the hand at his nape. (Wisdom Check 7) The wardog gets a good taste of steel before he realizes who has a hold of him, and sheepishly allows himself to be pulled back with the dwarven cleric. (Hit AC19 - Armor is good.) The dwarf swings the wardog clear of the melee.

These spiders puzzle the dwarven cleric. As he retreats, he takes a hard look at them to ascertain their nature. These creatures have features in common with the descriptions of undead described in many of the religious tomes Ilsidur has seen. But, to the cleric's eye, they lack the particular stench and unholy cast of the undead. Rather, as everyone else has noted so far, these spiders appear to be something constructed. One can almost see the lines where one animal has been joined to another and then both to another still. They are, in this respect, very much like the creature encountered in the anteroom. However, unlike the powerful creature outside, these seem frail, even for their size. They are ill-formed as though by a less experienced hand.

Peerimus, Sly and Yorrick create fighting room, the half-elf taking his sunrod with him. The druid's elementals gleefully slam the creatures around them with fiery blows. One spider becomes flaming goo. The other, energized by the earlier blast of lightening, withstands the blow.

Firn'gaer, in troll form, smashes down two more of the things. He crushes a third as it crawls toward him.

Savin frees himself of the webbing with quick cutting strokes of his hands.

Niobe cuts away the webbing around herself as well. And clears much of it that covers the raging barbarian lad. Tokun, with The Magic Woman Niobe still gripping his belt, strikes out again with his bone axe, sweeping one of the spiders off the wall.

The spiders swarm forward once again. Some attack the fire elementals. Only one, however, succumbs to the consequences of such a rash attack. They sweep over Firn'gaer the troll, and the young barbarian. Niobe, with her hand on still on Tokun's belt, feels him fall.

Web Status
Tokun (Webbed)
Niobe (Free)
Savin(Webbed)
Ilsidur (Webbed)
Luke (Webbed)
Peerimus (Free)
Sly (Free)
Firn'gaer(Free)

Bite Attacks
Hit Ilsidur AC23
Hit F1 AC14, AC17, AC24 AC13 for No Crit, Damage 6hp (Total 12)/Counter Flame Damage 2 & 6
Hit F2 AC24, AC6, AC7, AC7, AC10, AC23 AC15 for No Crit, Damage 6hp (Total 9)/Counter Flame Damage 4 & 1
Hit Firn'gaer AC13, AC22, AC6, AC19 Damage 3hp

Information
PC's entangled in webbing have -2 Attack, a -4 to Dex, and move at half speed. Casters must make a DC15 Concentration check. Webbing can be burst with a DC25 strength check or a DC20 Escape Artist Check. Both are A full round action. Striking the web requires no To Hit, but you need to roll damage. 5hp damage to the webbing will also get you out of it as well. Webbing has no hardness rating. This takes a single attack.

Enemies are AC14 (+1 Dex, +1 Size)

Map
Many Legs In The Dark - Round 06

Niobe (AC 19, 52/67HP) d20+8=10 d20+11=25 d20+11=13 d4+2=5 d4+2=5
Saturday February 5th, 2005 5:40:21 PM
Just as she feels Tokun fall she lets go of the barbarian's belt and turns around to face him. Niobe looks for any obvious trauma, or signs of trauma (Heal 10). Niobe attacks whichever spider is closest (Hit AC 25, dmg 5). Then she slices at the webbing around Tokun (Hit AC 13, dmg 5).
Time permitting she will bandage any obvious wounds on Tokun after removing the webbing.

Firn'gaer (as Troll) - AC 20, HP 67/81 d20+18=31 d20+17=26 d6+4=10
Saturday February 5th, 2005 6:47:10 PM
Seeing his companions falling back, Firn'gaer sees an opportunity and decides to take it. Casting defensively, he draws on his power to cover an area in a black tentacle surface. He targets the spell so that it is 25 feet from him. The blackness springs forth from all surfaces, floor and wall alike, reaching out to grab anything in reach.

"The kid is down!" Yells Firn'gaer in his grumbled voice.

[Cast Defensively DC31]
[Grapple Check DC 26, damage 10]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours
polymorph -- 8.9 minutes
evard's black tentacles -- 9 rounds

Rod (0/3 left)
Wand of MM (charges used during battle) -- 1

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic(cast), light(cast), mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements(cast), magic missile(cast), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor(cast), knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility(cast)

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic(cast), fly, lightning bolt(cast)

4 -- black tentacles(cast), empowered scorching ray, polymorph(cast)

5 -- telekinesis(cast), wall of force

DM Al to Peerimus - OoC
Saturday February 5th, 2005 8:04:57 PM
Both of your Fire Elementals are within the area affected by Evard's Black Tenticles. Please play them as such.

Ilsidur (AC25, 91/98 hp) d20+13=14 d20+8=27 d10+5=8 d6=6
Monday February 7th, 2005 8:54:56 PM
Seeing that the entire party is now behind him, Ilsidur can bring his axe to bear on the spiders to his front. He swings twice at the spiders in front of him. His first swing gets caught in the pieces of web holding his arm, and goes wild. [OOC: Natural 1 for the attack roll.] However, his second swing strikes true, hitting the spider at his feet. [OOC: Hit spider 43 for 8 regular plus 6 fire damage, total of 14 damage.]

They Know No Fear - Round 7 (DM/Al) d100=77 d6+4=6 d6+4=7 d6+4=5 d20+4=14 d20+4=24 d20+4=17 d20+4=16 d20+4=24 d20+4=12 d20+4=9 d20+4=11 d4=2 d4=4 d20+4=13 d20+4=18 d20+4=6 d20+4=10 d6+4=5 d6+4=6
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 12:14:44 AM
Heedless of the spiders directly ahead, Niobe drops to care for the fallen barbarian boy. He's in a bad way. The poor lighting and his own furious rage had conspired to hide the numerous bite wound that Tokun had taken. He is bleeding profusely. Niobe works to stem the loss of blood, but her skill is not adequate to the job. Tokun's life continues to drain away. (Heal DC15 to stabilize a dying character.)

Firn'gaer in troll form shapes a spell and intones the magic words in a voice thick and deep. Dark tentacles rise from floor and walls. A crack and pop sounds in the dim torchlight as the spider things are held, squeezed and crushed.

Ilsidur swings, and somehow misses with a blow even amidst the press of bodies. Dark internal fluids spray up over the dwarven cleric as his axe connects on his second blow.

The fire elementals and the surviving spiders still trapped within the writhing sea of black tentacles, bite and hack in a vain attempt to harm a opponent that cannot be harmed. The rest swarm forward. Several climb Firn'gaer's troll body. The rest rush to Ilsidur, and, over the fallen body of Tokun, towards Niobe. These creatures seem to have no fear, nor an instinct for survival.

Web Status
Tokun (Webbed)
Niobe (Free)
Savin(Webbed)
Ilsidur (Webbed)
Luke (Webbed)
Peerimus (Free)
Sly (Free)
Firn'gaer(Free)

Bite Attacks
Hit Firn'gaer AC14, AC24, AC17, AC16, AC24, AC12 AC9 & AC11 No Crits, Damage 6hp
Hit Ilsidur AC13, AC18
Hit Niobe AC6, AC10
F1 Grapple Damage 5hp (Total 17)
F2 Grapple Damage 6hp (Total 15)

Information
PC's entangled in webbing have -2 Attack, a -4 to Dex, and move at half speed. Casters must make a DC15 Concentration check. Webbing can be burst with a DC25 strength check or a DC20 Escape Artist Check. Both are A full round action. Striking the web requires no To Hit, but you need to roll damage. 5hp damage to the webbing will also get you out of it as well. Webbing has no hardness rating. This takes a single attack.

Enemies are AC14 (+1 Dex, +1 Size)

Map
Many Legs In The Dark - Round 07

Niobe (AC 19, 52/67HP) d20+8=20 d20+11=21 d4+2=4 d20+2=6 d4+2=3
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 2:59:53 AM
"I need a little help over here!"

Niobe cuts at the webbing around Tokun again (AC 21, dmg 4). She realizes that Tokun is far worst off than she had thought, but she doesn't give up (Heal 20).
The webbing has to be removed so she might have a chance at dragging Tokun further away from the spider hoarde. Niobe considers trying to drag Tokun now (strength 6), but doesn't feel up to the task.
She tries to remove the stubborn webbing again. The spiders must be bothering her since she fails to remove the webbing yet again (dmg 3)!

Firn'gaer (as Troll) - AC 20, HP 61/81 d20+9=26 d20+9=19 d6+4=7 d6+4=6 d20+4=17 d6+3=9
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 7:47:56 AM
In a gruff, deep voice the polymorphed wizard shouts above the sounds of the fighting, "Niobe, I'll clear some out for you." The wizard takes two swings at some of the creatures over their fallen guide (27 & 41). With an additional snap of his neck he bites another (06).

[Claws: AC 26, damage 9; AC 19, damage 8] The damage for claws are 1d6+6 not +4. I've adjusted.
[Bite: AC 17, damage 9]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours
polymorph -- 8.8 minutes
evard's black tentacles -- 8 rounds

Rod (0/3 left)
Wand of MM (charges used during battle) -- 1

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic(cast), light(cast), mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements(cast), magic missile(cast), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor(cast), knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility(cast)

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic(cast), fly, lightning bolt(cast)

4 -- black tentacles(cast), empowered scorching ray, polymorph(cast)

5 -- telekinesis(cast), wall of force

Firn'gaer (OOC) d20+17=25 d6+4=7
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 7:49:43 AM
Black tentacles: grapple check 25, damage 7

Peerimus AC 22 HP 56/67 Yorrick AC 19 HP 73
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 8:29:33 AM
Peerimus pulls a wand and moves towards Niobe with Yorrick on his heels. "Make a hole Sly, we're coming past."

"Firn'gaer can you dismiss the Tentacles?"

Savin d20+11=16 d10+4=6
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 9:48:34 AM
Savin will dart over to Niobe and attack one of the spiders for 6 points of damage

OOC Al, my computer quit over the weekend and I had to take it to the shop yesterday. I am at the library right now but doubt I will get here again. Could you have someone run my character or do as you think fit with it until I am back. Should be by the end of the week.

Peerimus (Fire Elementals) d20+4=22 d20+4=23
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 2:49:52 PM
The Fire elementals continue to try and free themselves

[Grapple 22, Grapple 23]

Ilsidur (AC25, 91/98 hp) d20+17=23 4d8(3+7+7+7)+9=33
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 8:55:26 PM
Ilsidur reaches down to his left, concentrates, and touches the young barbarian to heal him. [OOC: Concentration check of 23, convert 4th level neutralize poison spell to cure critical wounds spell, heal Tokun for 33 hp damage]

Life Savers - Round 8 (DM/Al) d20+4=13 d4=1 d20+7=21 d12+5=17 d20+4=21 d20+4=10 d20+4=14 d20+4=21 d20+4=19 d4=4 d4=1 d20+4=10
Tuesday February 8th, 2005 9:46:44 PM
A rapid series of pops and a spray of dark blood mark the fate of the spiders that remained trapped within the sea of black tentacles.

Niobe calls for help. She fumbles with her knife as she struggles to staunch the blood from the multitude of bite wounds. Finally, she gives up on the webbing, and is rewarded by the find of a large wound along Tokun's inner thigh. The gush of blood tells the rogue that a major blood vessel has been cut here. Heedless of the dog sized spiders that snap at her and climb up onto her body, Niobe applies direct pressure to the barbarian lad's wound stopping the flow of blood. (Stabilizing a dying character is a standard action. You had don't have enough action to cut and heal, so instead I chose Heal. The web is mostly cut away anyway. You already inflicted 4hp damage on it two rounds ago.)

Still, even in unconsciousness, Tokun's body is very tense. Through the flailing legs of the spiders, Niobe catches glimpses of his face, and the veins stand out on his forehead.

Firn'gaer and Savin answer Niobe's call. The wizard in troll form ignores the spiders that cover his body. With claws and teeth he crushes the life from three spiders more spiders. Savin pushes Luke aside and cracks the carapace of one more with a blow from his fist.

Peerimus pulls a wand and steps forward. Sly clears the way for him.

The fire elementals gnash their teeth and continue to struggle against the dark tentacles.

Ilsidur pulls together his concentration and channels healing magic into the barbarian boy.

As health returns, Tokun's eyes flutter open and a cry of rage rises from his voice. He rises to his feet, a spider still clinging to his chest. It snaps at him as he stands, and he batters it with the haft of his axe in return, sending it to the floor, a shattered pulpy mess.

The remaining spiders continue their silent tenacious attack. One clambers on top of Niobe with snapping mandibles while the rest ride the Firn'gaer Troll, fleas upon a mountain.

Web Status
Tokun (Webbed)
Niobe (Free)
Savin(Webbed)
Ilsidur (Webbed)
Luke (Webbed)
Peerimus (Free)
Sly (Free)
Firn'gaer(Free)

Bite Attacks
Hit Firn'gaer AC21, AC10, AC14, AC21, AC19, Damage 5hp
Hit Niobe AC10
F1 Grapple Damage 7hp (Total 24)
F2 Grapple Damage 7hp (Total 22)

Information
PC's entangled in webbing have -2 Attack, a -4 to Dex, and move at half speed. Casters must make a DC15 Concentration check. Webbing can be burst with a DC25 strength check or a DC20 Escape Artist Check. Both are A full round action. Striking the web requires no To Hit, but you need to roll damage. 5hp damage to the webbing will also get you out of it as well. Webbing has no hardness rating. This takes a single attack.

Enemies are AC14 (+1 Dex, +1 Size)

Map
Many Legs In The Dark - Round 08

Firn'gaer (as Troll) - AC 20, HP 56/81 d20+9=22 d20+9=16 d6+6=10 d6+6=8 d20+4=19 d6+3=4
Wednesday February 9th, 2005 8:27:30 AM
Seeing the number of opponents remaining, the wizard in troll form decides that the conjured elementals would not be needed. Instead he decides to continue his assailants (02, 20, 23).

[2 Claws: AC 22, damage 10; AC 16, damage 8]
[Bite: AC 19, damage 4]

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours
polymorph -- 8.8 minutes
evard's black tentacles -- 8 rounds

Rod (0/3 left)
Wand of MM (charges used during battle) -- 1

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic(cast), light(cast), mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements(cast), magic missile(cast), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor(cast), knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility(cast)

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic(cast), fly, lightning bolt(cast)

4 -- black tentacles(cast), empowered scorching ray, polymorph(cast)

5 -- telekinesis(cast), wall of force

Ilsidur (AC25, 91/98 hp) d20+13=29 d20+8=15 d10+5=10 d10+5=14 d6=2 d6=5
Wednesday February 9th, 2005 3:05:16 PM
Ilsidur swings his axe twice at the spiders on his right flank, cleanly connecting with both swings. [OOC: Hit spider 06 with AC29 for 12 total damage (10+2), and hit spider 05 with AC15 for 19 total damage (14+5)].

Niobe (AC 19, 52/67HP) d20+9=27 d3+2=5
Wednesday February 9th, 2005 5:59:48 PM
Niobe looks relieved now that Ilsidur has healed Tokun. She will not remove her hands from keeping pressure on Tokun's inner thigh wound until Ilsidur has finished the healing spell.

"Thanks guys!" she thanks the others for helping her out.

Finally being able to turn her attention to the chihuahua sized spider crawling up her, Niobe throws spider #41 off of her (back?) towards the nearest wall. (Unarmed attack hits AC 27, dmg 5 as the spider hopefully splats against the wall).

Peerimus AC 22 HP 56/67 Yorrick AC 19 HP 73 2d8(5+7)+3=15 d20+4=21 d20+4=20
Wednesday February 9th, 2005 9:55:00 PM
Peerimus slides behind Firn'gaer and touches him with the wand, [curing 15 points]

OoC Peerimus has been keeping Yorrick within 5' of himself.

The Fire Elementals continue their vain attempts to free themselves. [Grapple 21 and 20]

Moping Up - End of Combat (DM/Al) d20+4=16
Wednesday February 9th, 2005 10:03:16 PM
The troll formed Firn'gaer bats two more spiders from his body, crushing the bodies with his claws. The third, he cracks between his jaws. Even to his troll tongue, the taste is foul. The wizard-brain detects the taste of alchemical substances.

Ilsidur turns from the barbarian boy to sweep the rest of the spiders from off of the wizard. His strikes take first one, then the other, opening up their dark backs in a spray of goo.

Niobe hurls the spider off of her, slamming it against the wall. Before it expires, however, it takes a snap at her. (AoO: Hit AC16) The mandibles clack in the air near her face, and then it dies with a satisfying crunch.

In the aftermath, Peerimus touches Firn'gaer with a wand of healing. Sly and Luke stand aside contemplating the scene of the battle.

The tunnel is quiet save for the moaning cry of the fire elementals as they struggle against the dark whipping tentacles. The walls are covered in the gelatinous insides from the crushed and broken spiders. The dark spray of guts mixes with the shadows cast by the two torches to paint macabre frescos from hell. Most of the combatants, in fact, are covered in the dark goopy matter as well. That, and splotches of their own blood. It's been a dirty fight.

Tokun slumps and collapses against the wall. All of the rage is gone from his eyes. His face shows lines of fatigue. His gaze seeks the Magic Woman. "Niobe," he says. His smile is weak. But it is a smile.

Darkness ahead. Darkness behind. A growl comes from Yorrick, but not from his throat, a reminder of what the time must be in the world above.

Firn'gaer
Thursday February 10th, 2005 8:55:36 AM
With the last of the creatures defeated Firn'gaer releases the tentacles spell. In the meantime he spits a lot. "Foul tasting constructs." He says. "Full of nasty chemicals and the like." He continues in the gruff voice.

"Thanks." He says as the healing warmth from the wand flows through him.

Moments later, the wizard reverts to his natural human form and immediately begins to rinse his mouth of the foul alchemical taste. "What now?" He says between mouthfuls of water.

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours
polymorph -- [dismissed]
evard's black tentacles -- [dismissed]

Rod -- (0/3 left)
Current HP -- 35

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic(cast), light(cast), mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements(cast), magic missile(cast), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor(cast), knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility(cast)

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic(cast), fly, lightning bolt(cast)

4 -- black tentacles(cast), empowered scorching ray, polymorph(cast)

5 -- telekinesis(cast), wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday February 10th, 2005 10:00:59 AM
"You are most welcome Firn'gaer." With the tentacles fading to nothingness at the wizards mental command, Peerimus moves forward to the elementals. He can not directly communicate with them but be clasps his hands before his chest and bows. "My thanks noble ones."

The elementals wink out, returning to their own fierey home and Peerimus turns to Yorrick as another rumble is heard. "Yes my friend it is about that time. If you can wait a bit longer."

Peerimus speaks up, "We should be making to rest. Let us put this behind us a distance and then stop for refreshment and rest."

Niobe (AC 19, 52/67HP) d20+9=17 d20+10=17 d20+10=13 d20+15=33
Thursday February 10th, 2005 12:30:55 PM
Niobe smiles and nods politely to Tokun after he addresses her, "happy to be of service."

Niobe shakes spider splatter off of her hands and then checks her hair. She picks bits of webbing and small parts of spiders out of her hair.

"Firn'gaer what type of chemicals were used?" Niobe asks out of curiousity.

When they decide to move on Niobe makes a statement and a suggestion.

"I think that this hasn't been working too well. I don't know why or what's wrong either so from now on I will go ahead alone, and Savin can follow behind me a few feet, then the rest of you follow a few feet behind Savin."

Niobe looks tired, dirty, bruised and bloodied. She also looks like she won't listen to any protests either.

The rogue starts off down the tunnel. She moves cautiously, looking closely at the walls, ceilings and floors.
She is growing more and more annoyed and paranoid at all the traps she just can never find until she steps in them!

(Search 17, Listen 17, Spot 13, Disable Device (just in case!) 33)

Savin
Thursday February 10th, 2005 2:08:13 PM
Savin is sticky, gore covered and trembling from the adrenaline of battle. Still he would like to see where these nasty things came from.

"Niobe wait a minute. I want to see something. Peerimus, can you have Yorrick lift me up or let me climb on his shoulders. I want to examine if we destroyed these things or not. Are they going to be creeping up on us from behind in our sleep. Who knows, there might even be some loot?"

ooc Al still without a computer. Should get it back tomorrow the computer gods willing.

Ilsidur (91/98 hp)
Thursday February 10th, 2005 7:53:35 PM
Ilsidur carefully examines each of the party members, to make sure that there are no after-effects of the combat. He brushes the spider waste and webs off his body, and then picks up one of the husks for a closer examination. "These appear to be constructs, like the golem that we met at the front door. Apparently, these gnomes know how to create golems and other such things."

"Niobe, don't blame yourself for not spotting the spiders. Technically, they weren't really a trap per se, and so would be impossible to detect by normal means. Before you head off, can you have a look in these holes, to make sure that there are no more spiders left, and to see if there is anything else of interest."

On the Move Again (DM/Al)
Thursday February 10th, 2005 9:36:57 PM
Firn'gaer dismisses the field of black tentacles. Peerimus thanks the fire elements, and then releases them.

The druid proposes moving away from the carnage of battle and then stopping for food and rest.

The dirty bloody mess of combat puts Niobe in an irate frame of mind. Brooking no dissent, listening to no protest, she sets the marching order and moves off down the dark tunnel. Tokun rises weakly to his feet to follow.

Savin calls out for a momentary hold. He moves to one of the walls in hopes that a climb or a leg up will give him a look into one of the holes from which the spiders had come. It turns out that he does not need the leg up. The holes cover the walls in three tiers, staggered to form a checkered pattern. Each square hole is about three feet high and four feet wide. Perfectly cut into the tunnel wall, they run back into the rock to a depth of about five feet. They are clearly created by sentient hands. They are also clean, showing none of the detritus that would normally be found in the den of a creature of nature. The area of the recessed nooks runs for fifty feet along the tunnel. With both sides counted there are 48 nooks. Nothing remains in any of them.

Firn'gaer had implied that these are constructs. And Ilsidur, lifting one of the eight legged carcasses, echoes the sentiment. One thing the cleric notes, is that the carapace feels dry with age, although there is really no way of telling how long the spiders have been here. And, aside from the assumption that they were placed here as guardians, there is no way to tell why they were placed here either. As guardians, they proved less then adequate. Though numerous, they were frail. And unlike the guardian of the anteroom, they lacked strength.

The group moves on with Niobe in the lead. The dark and monotonous tunnel leaves plenty of opportunity to ponder upon the physical discomforts of marching in caked and drying blood and goo. Not to mention the small wounds received by almost all of the party members.

Soon, Sly's sunrod goes out. The day has been long and difficult. Two battles with constructs and near six hours of marching. Hardened adventurers though the Children of Chaos may be, this has been a day to try the hardiest constitutions.

<rest? move on?>

OoC: BTW, Search is for specific areas. And a Search of the corridor as you move would be extremely tiring and time consuming. It's like walking along while continually testing, feeling, and examining the stone.

Spot is more the skill you need while marching. It should reveal things in hiding and likely areas of traps. Once an area is Spotted, a Search may be done.

Niobe
Friday February 11th, 2005 5:12:00 PM
Niobe will postpone continuing ahead until the cubbies have been checked. She will help to check them out if necessary. If nothing indicating more spiders being around is found she will ask if they want to rest here for awhile.

"Do any of you want to rest here for awhile? I mean we are pretty beat up so a few minutes rest can't hurt..." she then shrugs indifferently, indicating that she'll be happy with whatever discision is made.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday February 11th, 2005 5:41:30 PM
After a short walk past the cubbies and druid stops.

"Yorrick and I will be resting here. We both could use some food and sleep. Continue if you have the need. We can catch up."

Peerimus flops down and pulls out his dwindling supply of food and drink for himself and Yorrick. Looking at his friend, "We may need to call on Baahana 'Ahman my friend. Our supplies run low."

Savin d20+9=23
Friday February 11th, 2005 11:10:32 PM
Savin will look at his wounds and at his friends and suggests, "Why don't we travel 50 yards back down the tunnel where we know it is safe and then try and get some rest and a meal. I have been saving some spices and will make the best meal I can. What do you think?"

Savin rolls a 23 on his cooking roll

Firn'gaer
Saturday February 12th, 2005 9:22:45 AM
"I could use the rest myself." He says in agreement with stopping for a period.

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours

Rod -- (0/3 left)
Current HP -- 35

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic(cast), light(cast), mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements(cast), magic missile(cast), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor(cast), knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility(cast)

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic(cast), fly, lightning bolt(cast)

4 -- black tentacles(cast), empowered scorching ray, polymorph(cast)

5 -- telekinesis(cast), wall of force

T'was A Long Day (DM/Al)
Sunday February 13th, 2005 12:43:00 PM
The weight of the long day's trials comes suddenly upon the group of heroes. Since early morning, they've fought, and marched, and tested their skills to their limits. Truly Ice Vein is a harsh mistress. Oh for sign of kinder more civilized lands.

The tunnel shows no sign of ending. And the group finds a spot near the site of the spider golem battle in which to rest. Tokun surreptitiously steals a glance at both Hands Fighting Man and at Magic Woman Niobe before taking a seat on the floor next to her. He seems lost in thought.

<is this a long rest? long enough to recover spells?>

Sly asnd Luke d20+5=22 d20+5=19
Monday February 14th, 2005 5:38:00 AM
Sly knows that he need rest, so he sits on the floor holding Luke, soothing him (to keep his focuse "You know Luke my family, my villagers and friends came by this way. So we must remain on our toes, this tunnel will end some place. I'm sure."

Luke seem to listen to his master and remains watchful.

Luke searchs 22
Sly searchs 19

Savin
Monday February 14th, 2005 9:11:05 AM
Savin votes to stay for an extended stay and get some rest. "We need to heal from the fight, refresh our bodies with sleep, and renew our spells."

Savin will use his self healing to cure himself of all the combat damage and volunteer to take the first watch.

Firn'gaer
Monday February 14th, 2005 10:20:38 AM
"It might be prudent to get some extended rest now. Who knows what's further down this passage."

Active Spells
extended endure elements -- 24 hours (in Ice Veins)
extended mage armor -- 8 hours

Rod -- (0/3 left)
Current HP -- 35

Prepared spells
0 -- detect magic(cast), light(cast), mage hand, read magic

1 -- color spray, endure elements(cast), magic missile(cast), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, shield

2 -- extended mage armor(cast), knock, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility(cast)

3 -- deep slumber, dispel magic(cast), fly, lightning bolt(cast)

4 -- black tentacles(cast), empowered scorching ray, polymorph(cast)

5 -- telekinesis(cast), wall of force

Ilsidur
Monday February 14th, 2005 12:50:49 PM
Ilsidur agrees with the proposed rest period. "I can use my healing to help anyone that is seriously hurt, although you will realize some healing just through resting the night. [OOC: 1 hp/level for 8 hours rest] Let me know if any of you need healing."

Niobe
Monday February 14th, 2005 4:21:52 PM
"Lets rest for at least long enough for the fatigue to pass."
Niobe will not ask for healing even though 8 hours of sleep will leave her still bruised in the morning.
(will be short 6HP after 8 hours rest.)
"Wake me for whatever watch I am needed for," she says before finding somewhere to lay down for some rest.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday February 14th, 2005 6:20:48 PM
Peerimus most definately wishes to stay a full resting period, 10-12 hours. "Ilsidur, you may need to supply food and water through your divine gifts tomorrow, my supplies are all but gone. No one be shy on healing, we have magical wands purchased for that precise reason. If, come morning, I notice a wound I am going to use the wand on you, so everyone might as well just accept it gracefully"

Peerimus will shift to a bear and remain that way for the full 9 ours he is able, whether sleeping or on watch with Yorrcik.
[Heals 9HP from shift and 9 from full sleep; Peerimus is unwounded]

A Night In The Tunnel and Beyond (DM/Al) d20+2=16
Monday February 14th, 2005 9:24:56 PM
The party decides on an extended rest in the dark and narrow confines of the tunnel. Tokun catches on to the call for rest. Withdrawing some food from the pouch within his coat, he offers some to Niobe. He himself eats little. (Spot Check vs DC16 to see that he has no more.)

The tunnel, though clean and silent, holds its own discomforts, its own nightmares. At a narrow 15 feet by 10 the tunnel is small, and the drowning presence of the earth above makes itself felt. An occasional waft of alchemical scent drifts from the nearby battle site. And there is the cold. Certainly not the knife cutting cold of the surface of Ice Vein, a cold to take your life. But the stone weight cold of the dungeon, a cold that creeps into the bones as though grasping at a body in a hungry devouring desire to hold it forever and ever and ever.

Deep racial instincts keep Ilsidur the most well adapted to the tunnel. It may not be the most comfortable place, but no less so than camping in the woods to the dwarf. It is he who feels the true passage of time in this eternal dark. It is Ilsidur who knows when all have had full rest.

The Children of Chaos move on. In the tunnel, there is nothing else they can do. After the night on the cold stones, renewed movement is almost a blessing. As the tunnel goes on, so does the march. Hours go by. Three or four? Or is it only one or two? At one point along the passage of endless walking through the endless tunnel, the symbol on the back of Firn'gaer's hand once again begins to warm. Once again, it is the book. Once again, words scrawl across each of the blank pages. Niobe translates from the Gnomish.

"Success. The procedure went even more smoothly than I had anticipated. The Ataxiopticon chose these well. And it substantiates the idea that the greater the power levels the more that can be accomplished. If I can mate these power levels with a reduction in size then there can be no objections. The blinkered idiotic arguments against Evil will be swept aside in the face of the Enormity of What Can Be Accomplished. At Last They Will Be FORCED TO ACCEPT WHAT IS ONLY RIGHT AND GOOD FOR THEM!"

The writing pauses. It stops. Those watching stand in anticipation. At any moment it will begin rolling up the page and into the binding again.

But then the writing continues.

"The Ataxiopticon has been showing me some unusual fluctuations lately. I will have to investigate."

This time, the writing does indeed cease. And like small insects on the march, the works move up the page and disappear.

OoC
I've move things on. Please back post to any time during the night if you wish.

New day. New spell lists from all please.
And Ilsidur is correct, regain 1hp per level normal healing.

Also: Spot Checks Everyone!!! hehe

Savin d20+13=29 d20+10=17 d20+13=28
Monday February 14th, 2005 11:10:54 PM
Savin will go over to Isidur and ask, "Do you have the capacity to conjure food for us? If we stay in these tunnels very long, then we will need to resupply. I still have some but I think others are starting to run low.

Savin will take a long look around as he plays his pipes. He makes a pleasant harmony but not his best work.

He will then sit down next to Niobe, grab on of her hands in both of his, and give her a boyish smile. "I think you should let me go first in the marching order. I know you have the ability to check locks and find traps but against ambushes, I am better off than you. I can move faster and I don't have to draw any weapons. Don't worry beautiful, if I come upon any doors or things that could use your attention, I will give you first crack at them."

Spot check 29
perform check 17
listen check 28

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+12=26
Tuesday February 15th, 2005 9:15:49 AM
The two sleeping brown bears use each other for warmth and furry pillowed comfort. Thier mass also works well to completely block the tunnel passage at the groups rear.

The morning, or rather when Ilsidur wakes them, Peerimus shifts to human and continuing to use Yorrick as mor of a chair back, closes his eyes and forces his mind to relax.

Odd feeling this deep under earth inflicts. Father's deeper home's I shall now have to visit, rather than this farsical contraption

Peerimus stays his mind and prepares his spells
Level 0:
Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

Level 1:
Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

Level 2:
Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

Level 3:
CMW, Greater Magic Fang, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

Level 4:
Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds, Rusting Grasp

Level 5:
Animal Growth

The group continues and eventually the writing the appears. As Niobe translates Peerimus thinks on teh matter. Hopefully Firn'gaer, being a wizard will have some insight. To the druid, it seems the author has last his way.

Spot 26

Firn'gaer d20+17=28 d20+6=7 d20+1=16
Tuesday February 15th, 2005 10:17:01 AM
Increased power...reduction in size...what does it mean...

What of this evil it spoke of...the actions of gnomish author?

"My friends, I believe we'll be having company. Company with answers." He says as Niobe reads the last of the gnomish language.

[On the subject of Ataxiopticon - Knowledge Arcane DC28]
[Spot DC7, Spot (Rufus) DC16]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Sly and Luke
Tuesday February 15th, 2005 10:58:07 AM
Sly sits on his honches and does some intoments. He also keep looking down the the tunnel. Then a though hits him he bough more than a week of food when they first started this trip, then he also remembers that they also fed the village that saved their lives.

"Ilsidur! How much food do we have left?".

To come this far then have to go back for food, But it's worth it to save these friends of mine. He send a mental note to (he hopes) Mother~~Mother! If you can hear me calling you. I'll be back. Elf Honnor!~~

Lukes seen to to be listening to his master's message.

Niobe d20+10=19 d20+10=27 d20+10=25
Tuesday February 15th, 2005 6:56:53 PM
Niobe refuses the food Tokun is offering her. She sees that he doesn't have much left (spot 19). Obviously it isn't appearent that she doesn't eat much as it is; she doesn't seem to need to.
Niobe shakes her head empathically no, she she won't accept the food. She pushes Tokun's hands and the food back towards himself. She smiles some and pats Tokun's hand in thanks.

"Save your food Tokun. Thank you though."
She briefly shows Tokun that she has food (trail rations) of her own, but that she has been saving it for emergencies.

Niobe looks at to the others.
"I have some trail rations. I will share them with anyone who doesn't have much food left. If only half; or less, of a ration is eaten for one or two meals they should last awhile."

A bit later Savin comes over to talk about scouting. Taking her hands in his he seems to be very sincere about taking point. His boyish smile is difficult to resist. Niobe considers whether arguing for her to take point has any merit. Niobe grins slightly,

"I guess there isn't much I can say is there? I have to admit that I'd rather take the risk of scouting ahead alone."

"I know you can take care of yourself Savin, but I feel responsible for missing those spider holes. I don't want you getting seriously hurt if we encounter something like that again."

"I tell you what. For today I'll agree with you, you take lead and I'll be right behind you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later when the book starts writing again Niobe is quick to start translating the gnomish.

"I wonder if the author is talking about his own people? I'd be surprised if they didn't think the experiements to be evil; not to mention insane."

(Spot check (DM request) 27, Listen 25)

Ilsidur d20+6=18
Tuesday February 15th, 2005 9:21:07 PM
Ilsidur rises from the cold stone in the morning, and shakes the sleepers awake. "A full eight hours has past; it is time to move on." Then he moves over to one side and connects with the powers of the Wold, asking for his spells for the day.

He listens as Niobe translates the words in the book. He tries to connect the various notes that have shown up in the book so far, but cannot make any sense of them.

As they move down the tunnel, Ilsidur stays to the rear of the party, trying to keep his dwarven eyes open. [OOC: Spot roll of 18]

[OOC: Spells to come tomorrow.]

Meanings and Portents (DM/Al)
Tuesday February 15th, 2005 9:58:19 PM
Tokun watches as the others react to the item of power in Hands Waving Man's possession. Mekrenden has such items. He understands them. That is why he is chief. Tokun wonders whether Hands Waving Man is chief. Hands Fighting Man stands away. His magic is different. It is fighting magic. A spark of envy leaps within his breast. For that, and for his taking of the Magic Woman's hands earlier. It seems very easy for him. Tokun steals a glance at Magic Woman Niobe.

Both Firn'gaer and Niobe speculate openly on the contents of the book's latest passage. Firn'gaer, the consummate wizard, is immediately drawn to the term "Ataxiopticon." The word, though intriguing fits the profile of no known arcane art or artifact with which Firn'gaer is familiar. The word in gnomish has no meaning for Niobe either. Phonetically it is pronounced "Ataxiopticon." Terribly odd. The mere sound of the word suggests that it should. Firn'gaer knows that the suffix "opticon" is often used for devices of sorts.

(Beat a DC20 in Heal for the following: (Highlight to display spoiler: {Ataxia is often the name given to a degenerative disease that involves chaotic lack of muscle control and sometimes wild unpredictable though patterns.})

Perhaps it is the sheer monotony of the tunnel that causes such a thing to be missed. Perhaps it is excitement generated by the awakening of the book. Whatever it may be, Savin, Peerimus, and Niobe spot it at almost the same moment.

A light.

While Firn'gaer is absorbed in the book, the three spy, faint as it may be, what can only be the light at the end of the tunnel. Only Savin picks out one more detail from out of the dim far away illumination. The spot of light so far away seems to have a slight dark irregularity at the lower right corner. And, when one considers the deadly regularity of the tunnel so far ... is this not odd?

Savin d20+9=25
Tuesday February 15th, 2005 10:17:36 PM
Savin hears them struggling over a word. A memory glimmers into his mind as he puts one foot in front of the other. His mind flashes back to his past, studying at his master's knee. It was years ago...what was it he said?

Savin remembers being bored. He liked healing battle wounds but found diseases tedious and boring. He like learning to fight much more than healing... He shakes his head and it comes into clarity. He remembered because his master whacked him with a cane when he wasn't paying attention

"Niobe, Ataxia is a disease. It involves losing control over you body's muscles and can even effect your brain. It can give you a dementia and cause you to see things not there."

Savin eyes suddenly dart to the tunnel when he notices the light. "What is that light? It seems strange. What is that darkness at the bottom corner?"

Healing check 25

Sly and Luke d20+5=23
Wednesday February 16th, 2005 7:25:43 AM
Sly's Renew Magic for the Day.
Level 0
Ray of Frost
Light
Acid Splash (2)

Level 1
Magic Missles (3)

Level 2
Daze Monster
Soummon Swarm

Level 3
Blink

ooc; 23

Sly was already awake, after all he only needs four hours of sleep. He studies his Magic Book, no satisfied with the spell he ha used so far, he'll try some other that he has pick up along the way for so many years. So he'll close his book when Ilsidur come to wake him. "I'm awake and will be with you."

Sly get's to his feet and put's his book away, when he hears Savin comment on the light down the tunnel. Sly moves in to see this light (DC 23), sure enought there it is, but a question come into his mind, he speaks more to himself than to Savin "Why could we not see that light yeasterday? But can see it today??"

Luke sleep on.

Firn'gaer d20+2=12 d20+6=7
Wednesday February 16th, 2005 1:07:55 PM
Firn'gaer thinks about the word Ataxiopticon and its potential meaning. Root...some sort of device...

He begins writing notes in his blank book. Savin calls his warning about the meaning of the other root of the word Ataxiopticon.

He pauses and ponders a moment. ...arguments against Evil will be swept aside...face of the Enormity of What Can Be Accomplished...FORCED TO ACCEPT WHAT IS ONLY RIGHT AND GOOD FOR THEM... He thinks back to these words. As they scrolled up the page what could they have meant?

Maddness...loss of control...device...illusions, deceptions...traps...golems? A light? All these things go through his head and as they do he writes them down.

[Heal, untrained -- DC12]
[Spot DC7] I guess Firn'gaer really interested in the book

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Niobe
Wednesday February 16th, 2005 4:44:48 PM
Niobe listens to Savin, she is intrigued by what he says.
"A disease? Well, I am not seeing things that aren't there - I don't see what is there. Do you think I might be catching the disease Savin?"
Niobe asks the question half in jest.

She looks at the light, she smiles widely.
"Sly, it could be a door that someone or something opened."

"Shall we check out the source of the light Savin?"

Niobe smiles politely at Tokun before setting off towards the mysterious source of light.

Ilsidur
Wednesday February 16th, 2005 9:14:48 PM
Ilsidur waits as Niobe moves forward to check out the light. "Niobe, don't you think you might want to sneak up and check it out? It might not be a good idea to alert whoever or whatever is on the other side."

He asks Firn'gaer, "Do these words from the book make any sense to you? I certainly don't like the tone of the words, although I can't put them together into a consistent train of thought yet."

Toward The Light (DM/Al)
Wednesday February 16th, 2005 10:02:52 PM
As the Children of Chaos travel further down the tunnel, the light grows. It is now clear that it is a fixed light source, and could very well be an end to this long dark journey. Still quite a ways away, it's distance might be the reason that it had not been spotted before. That, and the tricks that a long period in darkness can play on one's eyes.

As the group walks, a few pool their knowledge with the aim of puzzling out just what this Ataxiopticon might be. Savin recalls a his master's description of a victim of the disease as filled with the essence of chaos, almost a chaotic possession.

Minutes pass. The light grows larger. It takes on the distinct shape of a square. What lies beyond is less clear. But the dark segment in the lower right is now discernable to all. If this is an exit of some kind, there is clearly something standing before it.

Distances are difficult to judge in this dark and narrow tunnel. But as a rough guess, the group could possibly arrive within the next five minutes.

OoC: Sly, you can only prepare spells that you have in your spellbook. Here is the list that I have from your character sheet.

SPELLS IN SPELL-BOOK
(can have 8 L1 spells: 2 L2 spells)

Level 0 (can-trips): All 16

Level 1: Burning Hands (5d4), Magic Missiles, Shield,
True Strike(+20 one roll),Protection from evil(Sly or
one other person), Shocking Grasp(d8+3), Feather Fall,
Spider Climb, Chill Touch(Damage 1d6 &1 Str Damage).

Level 2: Flaming Sphere (Damages 2d6), Web, Acid
Arrows(Damages 2d4+4), Continual Flame, Scorching Ray
(Damages 4d6),Rope Trick (hides 8 creatures), Spider
Climb.

Level 3: Phantom Steed, Tongues (speak any
Language),Fireball(Damages 1d6+5),Lightning Bolts
(Damages 1d6+5).

Sly and Luke
Thursday February 17th, 2005 6:04:42 AM
Sly grabs Noibe's wrist as she is about to go ahead of him, "Wait Niobe! This THING is very crafty, he thinks that he is a GOD and anything he does is his Right to do.
Now listen to me, let's stick in group of two or three. When we see what we have entered into, that's when we make a plan as best we can.
Right now all we know is what ever it is? It's quite MAD!"

Sly will go along tunnel with Niobe.

Savin
Thursday February 17th, 2005 8:20:20 AM
Savin echo's Sly's warning. "If it is a way out, it will be guarded by something. We know this...." Savin flounders for a word, "Presense, entity, ghost likes golems and constructs. I would assume we will meet another."

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday February 17th, 2005 4:17:00 PM
The druid keeps himself and Yorrick in the groups rear, but as they close on the light speaks up.

"If we are approaching a door indeed and there is room beyond, we can not allow ourselves to be caught in the doorway."

"Also Yorrick and I are much more effective up close."

Level 0:
Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Greater Magic Fang, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds, Rusting Grasp

5: Animal Growth

Niobe d20+10=15 d20+10=27 d20+15=28
Thursday February 17th, 2005 5:47:08 PM
Niobe thought she was heading towards the "doorway" but nope, she finds herself being held back by Sly. She listens to what Sly and Savin have to say.
"If you think that's a good idea, then I have no trouble with company."
Niobe has no worries about anyone tromping around loudly. She will proceed carefully down the tunnel towards the area of light.

(Listen 15, Spot 27, Move Silently 28)

Firn'gaer
Thursday February 17th, 2005 7:32:02 PM
Firn'gaer prys himself from his thoughts as the possible doorway and its guardian become the topic of conversation.

"I've been thinking about the Ataxiopticon?" The wizard says in more of a statement than a question. "Now I'm speculating, but consider that instead of madness the Ataxiopticon creates chaos devices. The small constructs we saw were most likely created out of things that crawl around down here. Now based on that line of logic consider the words that scrolled in the tomb. More powerful creatures created, combined makes greater constructs." He pauses to think as he forms his next line of thinking before continuing. "Now if there were some annomolies with the Ataxiopticon, then perhaps our presence here has caused the annomolies. Based on that, it is possible that that could be the. Ataxiopticon."

That was long winded...

What are you talking about...I was merely explaining a hypothosis, that's all.

Exactly...

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Awk! (DM/Al)
Thursday February 17th, 2005 9:47:52 PM
The talk amongst the Children of Chaos reveals an anticipation, almost an excitement, as the end of the tunnel seems to draw near. What is this thing guarding the exit? What may lie beyond?

Firn'gaer's everburning torch only sheds a illumination for 20 feet around him. Out to forty feet, Sly and Niobe see clear as day. Ilsidur sees in shades of gray out even further. And so it is the dwarven cleric who catches the first details of the rough pedestal, no more than a block of stone, set into the side of the tunnel. The figure atop the stone is small. And it is odd subtly wrong. So it is not until the party approaches within forty feet, until it becomes fully visible to he, Sly, and Niobe that it becomes clear just what it is.

The head of a bird mounted atop the column of stone. The head turns from side to side with quick motions, observing the approaching group with first one eye, then another. Niobe, with the superior detail of her elven sight notices that the head seems alive, but attached to the stone through some magic means. Squinting into the dim light, Peerimus easily identifies the silhouette of the head as that of a sea bird, perhaps one of those that make their home around great lake of Ice Vein.

As the group draws nearer, twenty feet from the pedestal, the beak opens wide in excitement revealing a short pointed tongue. Then it speaks.

"Stop!" it says in gnomish. "Password!"

Ilsidur
Thursday February 17th, 2005 10:18:44 PM
Assuming that Niobe translates the bird-gnome-talk, Ilsidur looks over at Firn'Gaer, and asks, "So, apparently it is looking for a password. Do we have such a thing, maybe from the book? Or I could transport myself and up to three others to the other side of that door using a dimension door, but that won't get all of us. Do you have one of those spells memorized?"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday February 18th, 2005 5:08:12 PM
"Password? Dont suppose you found anything that might fit our present situation niobe while you were searching the rooms?"

"My first impression, given the book authors ego is his name, but do we know that even?"

"For a spell a can shape the stone to bypass the door perhaps, but we are dealing with a wizard of sorts and he may have protected the area against such intrusions, as well as extra dimensional travel."

Savin d20+13=29
Friday February 18th, 2005 5:10:57 PM
Savin will look at the bird and then wait for the translation. He will look around to see if the bird is alone or if he has backup. He looks as closely at the walls and ceiling as he can, without approaching them or the bird.

spot check 29

Firn'gaer d20+17=35
Friday February 18th, 2005 10:43:39 PM
Password...this'll be interesting...couldn't be...

"I wonder if it's the name of the device?" He says looking at another bit that might prove his hypothosis. "It could be the author's name, but who knows. It would something personal to the creator, or at least that's what I'd do anyway. You think it could be Ataxiopticon?" He says in question-statement looking for some form of reassuring from the others.

[Arcane Knowledge DC35; as to the thing that bars our passage.]

Active Spells[/u}
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

[u]Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Sly and Luke
Saturday February 19th, 2005 8:32:18 AM
"To me it has to be something to do with his work. It Look to me that the slaves are brought to him, By Someone not too bright. I'd try 'Slaves for wizard?' or 'Master's Slave?'. You know play on his ego." Sly tries to be helpful.

Luke tell then what he think of this wizard, "Stupid"

OCC; Sly's Magic
Saturday February 19th, 2005 2:29:40 PM
Level 0

Read Magic
Detect Magic
Acid Splash (2)

Level 1

Shoching Grasp
Magic Missels (2)

Level 2

Summon Swarm
Spider Climb

Level 3

Lighting Bolts

Niobe d20+9=21 d20+10=21
Saturday February 19th, 2005 3:05:33 PM
"That's great, all this and now a password?"

Niobe stares at the bird's head statue. Firn'gaer's suggestion makes her chuckle to herself.

"That'a a good suggestion Firn'gaer."

Niobe isn't too keen to try passwords at random however and she cannot really think of anything that might work.
Suddenly she recalls the slip of parchment from the desk.

Niobe carefully approaches the statue, she looks for any mechanisms on it or the pedastal (Search 21, Spot 21). She prays a quick, silent prayer to any Gods she can think of.

Then she speaks one word.
"Querulous."

"Please let this work," Niobe mutters to herself in a barely audible whisper. She stands there tense, and ready to back away if it seems to go wrong.

Niobe (Addendum)
Saturday February 19th, 2005 3:40:10 PM
Niobe speaks the word 'Querulous' in gnomish of course!

Pass On (DM/Al)
Saturday February 19th, 2005 4:40:42 PM
Six seconds of speculation races from person to person as the bird head calls for a password.

Savin turns his sharp eyes to the tunnel and it's surroundings, strong suspicions of a trap on his mind. Keen though his search may be, he sees nothing. The tunnel is no more than it seems. The pedestal with the bird head the only unusual item in sight.

Firn'gaer turns his prodigious store of knowledge on the stone mounted bird head. It could be a simulacrum of some kind. Arcane lore abounds with such. And yet, it gives no indication of manufacture. It seems a real live bird's head only mounted upon a stone pedestal. Perhaps it is another variation on a golem. But what would be its purpose?

Finally, Niobe steps forward. She presents herself and speaks a single word.

The bird head opens its beak wide. The sharp pink tongue vibrates within.

"Go on then!" The voice from the bird sounds, for all the Wold like a cantankerous old man. "And no dawdling! *Awk!*"

The bird head goes silent.

No alarm comes from the bird as the Children of Chaos slip by, six people three animals, one a very large bear.

As the group leaves the bird head behind and approach the exit, more of the detail outside becomes clear. There is no doubt that what lies beyond is a large cave. The light is pellucid, and from it's quality most likely caused by the same magic spots of light that provided illumination in the Changing Room. With the size of the cave beyond, though, there must be an enormous number of them. Through the square exit the group can see that the cave floor appears uneven, with several drop-off's. There appears a small mesa in the distance upon which lies a tumble of rock.

And then, to the left, it comes into view. The figure of a gnome, but larger than any gnome ever seen. As large as Yorrick. As large as Shiraz. And dark as ... Iron.

For now, it stands, quiet and brooding. It appears unaware of the group's presence.

OoC: The group is 30 feet back from the exit. The Gnome is about 30 feet outside the entrance.

[Spot and Listen checks everybody, please]

Niobe d20+10=29 d20+10=30
Saturday February 19th, 2005 7:09:10 PM
"Yes!" she hisses out in pleased triumph.

Then to herself: "thank you! thank you!" she gives thanks to whatever gods are out there, that the word worked.

Niobe walks past the bird's head before it changes it's mind.

"Come on. Let's get out of here before it asks us something we cannot answer."

Niobe is widely grinning; happy to finally be getting out of the tunnel. If she wasn't already moving she would have been partically dancing about waiting for everyone to leave the tunnel.

Niobe enters the cavern and is none too happy about still being below ground. She looks disappointedly around the illuminated cavern.

The rogue certainly sees the awe inspiring giant metal-like gnome. 'Fabulous! What's next? And do I really want to know?'
To whomever comes up behind her she will place a finger to her lips to indicate quiet and then point towards the giant gnomish critter.

Niobe is standing just inside the door as she looks about the cavern. I suppose you could say that she is "peeking around the door jamb"? Anyway she is certainly surveying the cave.

(Listen 29, Spot 30 (nat 20 on check))

Sly and Luke d20+4=18 d20+4=23 d20+5=19 d20+5=24
Sunday February 20th, 2005 8:58:35 AM
Sly Smiles as he and Luke, Slides up behind Noibe. He nods a yes sign, then turns to whoever is behind him hunter signs, to be quiet and there is some one around the corner.

Luke seem to understand his master sign language, Because he stand still beside Sly.

Sly's Listen 18 - Spot 23

Luke's Listen 19 - Spot 24

Savin d20+13=30 d20+13=31
Sunday February 20th, 2005 1:01:33 PM
Savin quickly follows Niobe's lead and follows her to the large cavern. He stops short when he sees the gnome. "It has to be another golem. It looks like it is made out of iron. That is gonna hurt if we have to fight it."

He looks down at his knuckles and winces in anticipation.

spot check 30
listen check 31

Ilsidur d20+6=25 d20+6=26
Monday February 21st, 2005 1:13:44 AM
Ilsidur smiles as Niobe speaks the odd word, and the bird's head gives permission to pass. "Good for you, young lady. Who knows what would have happened if we had to pass by the bird with force or speed."

When they reach the entry point to the large room, the dwarf says, "Once again, a necessary thing to pass. Do we know that this is a golem? Firn'gaer, do you recognize it as such? Once again, I have two spells that will let us [A TITLE="Click for more information about travel" STYLE="text-decoration: none; border-bottom: medium solid green;" HREF="http://search.targetwords.com/u.search?x=5977|1||||travel|AA1VDw">travel</A] long distances, although I can only take myself and up to three others. I can also cast fly on someone, and maybe some of us can teleport and others can fly across the room, out of the golem's reach?"

[OOC: Spot check of 25, listen roll of 26, natural 20.]

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday February 21st, 2005 3:09:29 PM
The druid moves into the cavern and too pulls short upon seeing the Iron Gnome.

"It likely too pulsates with an antimagic field. If we do not combat it a range it shall kill any of us. We should try an simply slip past."

Sly and Luke d20+5=22 d20+5=24
Monday February 21st, 2005 4:27:17 PM
"Sound goo to me!" Sly will try to crawl (on his hand and knees) silenly into and Hopefuly try to pass around Iron Gnome.

Luke also crawl on his chest, using his paws to propell himself.

Sly is hoping that if the Golem see them, this tin can will think they are hurt slaves or his master's work in progress.

Sly crawling 22 and Luke crawling 24 (This dog has better rolls tham his master.)

OOS: Ceil to Eunice
Monday February 21st, 2005 4:30:07 PM
Eunice Please remind the DM and Jerry that we are down 2 players, please. DM Al play no mercy on us poor players.

Oh! I hope this pleeding works??

Firn'gaer d20+6=10 d20+6=24
Monday February 21st, 2005 7:27:51 PM
"Is there nothing but those forsaken constructions in this place." He says at the mention of the statue. "I can block off part of the room with a spell. Problem'll be, as Master Peerimus said, if that thing radiates an anti-magic field. But it's worth a try, yes."

[Arcane Knowledge DC27 - take 10]
[Listen DC10, Spot DC24]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Oh no! More? (DM/Al) d20+3=13 d20=8
Monday February 21st, 2005 9:03:25 PM
Despite whispered conversation, the Children of Chaos are quiet and sharp of ear. (The half-elves pointedly so.) Everyone except for the wizard Firn'gaer hears a *click* *click-click* of something tapping against rock. The sound comes from out of sight, right of the entrance. It also seems to come from ... above.

All peer out across the illuminated cave. And all note that the tumble of rock on the mesa beyond appears less a collection of rocks, than a statue of some kind. Arrayed upon the ground, its form is not readily identifiable from this distance. But it has the distinct cast of something hand crafted.

The group moves to within a few paces of the exit and survey the cavern. Those good at estimating by eye might put the space at 90 feet wide and almost 300 feet to the far wall. The ceiling is a lofty 40 feet high. Some forty feet from the entrance, there appears to be a drop off with a dirt ramp straight ahead. Beyond another cliff seems to drop off even further. A bridge connects to the other side. The low 10 foot high mesa on the other side obscures part of the far wall. There may be an exit beyond.

Sly and Luke slip to their belies, a good position from which to sneak. But they would be at a bad disadvantage if they were discovered.

Firn'gaer speculates as to whether or not this creature might have had a permanent anti-magic field on it as well. His prodigious store of magic lore allows him to answer some difficult questions. And all of his thoughts tell him that it is a distinct possibility. Though he also knows that both anti-magic and permanency are ... expensive. And, from a practical standpoint, such a combination would not often be useful either. In fact, around a wizard, it may be a bother more often than not. Still, the only thing that he is certain of is that anti-magic is commonly constrained to a ten foot radius around its focus. And the only way to test for the presence of an anti-magic field, is with magic.

The large Iron colored figure has yet to show signs of having sighted the group. It has, in fact, not moved at all. One thing is clear, however, to those who may have studied the tracks outside in the snow, the same tracks that cover the site of the slaver massacre, the same tracks that trailed blood until there was no more blood to be had. This large Iron Gnome was the author of at least one set of prints.

[ OoC: If you wish to remain hidden within the entrance, (Only 30 feet from the gnome!!!) please roll Hide and Move Silently. ]

Ilsidur
Monday February 21st, 2005 11:27:43 PM
Ilsidur carefully backs away from the entrance and the huge iron gnome, as silently as possible. He beckons the others back, and says, "We can try to sneak past, as Sly has suggested, but I was never one much for sneaking around." He clanks his adamantine armour, showing just how un-silent he will likely be. "Firn, will your wall be able to surround the creature? If not, then it is unlikely that we will be able to trap it.

"One possibility is that I move to face the creature, while the rest of you try to make it as far across as you can. Once you have made it a fair distance (or I have taken enough damage), I can dimension door myself to your side, and we can try to get out of this room. I am a little worried about that tapping noise that we heard coming from over top of the doorway. Did anyone figure out what that was?"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 12:07:22 AM
"It has the sound making of an ambush when we emerge."

"With a few moments of time I can enhance both Yorrick and myself and suggest we exit first into it to handle whatever may be waiting."

"Also if the Iron Gnome does not have an anti magic field about it, Yorrick and I will be very effective against it."

Peerimus then casts Greater Magic Fang on himself and Yorrick, imbuing all of their natural attacks with a +1.

0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds, Rusting Grasp

5: Animal Growth

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang

Niobe d20+14=18 d20+15=33 d20+10=20
Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 1:44:44 AM
Niobe does not wish to be seen by any potential enemies so she will be trying to "skulk about" (Hide 18, Move Sliently 33).

She whispers to Ilsidur, "even with a dimension door available I don't think you should try attacking that thing alone. You said you could take two others with you through that door right? Then you should at the least have a partner to help you flank that thing."

Niobe looks to the right and up trying to spot the thing making the clicking noise (Spot 20).

She doesn't immediately see any tracks at the moment; even if she does try and read them will she remember that they were also seen outside in the snow??

Savin d20+13=29
Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 7:36:08 AM
Savin hears the clicking sound and looks around trying to determine its source. He scans the area around them, looking for more of those spiders...or could it be crabs or scorpions?"

He will whisper to the others, "Did anyone hear that clicking sound? I don't think the golem is the only thing out there."

Spot check 29

Sly and Luke
Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 7:47:26 AM
"Hmmm! In my sword right now is a lighting spell. If I hit the Iron Golem it should do some damage to it, most likely make it all the angrier. Ilsidur, How about if I cast spider climb on My self or somebody else to cross this area. Would it work?? Would he see the person cross? Even reach to bring down that person? The ceiling seens to be forty feet high. And that tapping seem to me that it is more human taping, that a metalic trap like sound?
What say you Niobe?"

Luke still on his stomack, "Me cross with Yurick?" he ask Sly.

Sorry, Sly, but you have a Scorching Ray spell in your sword. Here's the post:
Sly and Luke
Sunday January 23rd, 2005 4:34:49 AM
Sly redies himself(sword in hand) He puts a Fire spell into his sword. Sly then points at Tokun and jesters him to follow. Turns on his heels as he follows Niobe into the tunnel.
At the time, the closed thing to a "Fire Spell" was Scorching Ray. -- Al

The Holding Cave

From The Distance (DM/Al) d20=3 d20=20 d20+4=6
Tuesday February 22nd, 2005 10:22:22 PM
Ilsidur pulls back from the mouth of the tunnel and whispers words of strategy.

Peerimus shares a spell with his friend.

Sly talks tactics as well.

Niobe, very quietly, pulls into the darker shadows of the tunnel. Carefully, she peers around the corner. Her eyes rise toward the sound of the noise. Savin, without attempts at concealment, looks as well. In the upper right corner of the cavern is a spider every bit as large as the gnome on the ground below. *click-click* *click* *click-click-click* It's feet sound lightly against the rock as it shifts in its place near the ceiling. Even though Savin makes no attempt to conceal himself, it appears not to notice.

This spider, like it's cousins back down the tunnel, also appears a patchwork of flesh. Though, whereas they appeared malformed and broken even before their destruction, this one, to the eye, is very well constructed.

Despite the figures still crowded in the mouth of the tunnel, the iron gnome also seems not to notice.

Tokun watches all of this with puzzlement. The form of the large gnome has no meaning for him. What does have meaning, however, are the cautions tones of the Magic Ones. There must be great danger here. He falls back into the dark of the tunnel.

In the distance, the stone upon the distant mesa moves. Seeming to collect itself, it rises. Gray as the stones of the earth, there stands the form of possibly the largest wolf you've ever seen. Peerimus, puzzled by the canine paw prints in the snow outside, now knows what made them.

The wolf stares in silence. It stares directly at the tunnel in which the group stands. Then it starts toward the back of the mesa.

Niobe
Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 1:49:58 AM
Niobe watches the three constructs from the shadows. She frowns in dismay.
"I get the feeling we would be better off just returning the way we came..." She whispers quietly to no one in particular.

"We have a giant gnome, a piecemeal giant spider and a large wolf to deal with. Anyone have any ideas on how to handle all that? The spider will have to go first I think." (still whispering)

Sly and Luke
Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 7:19:06 AM
As Sly lies on his stomack "I agree with Niobe, When we attack one, then we'll have three battling us. To have some what of a chance we have to take out the deadliest one. But which one is it? The Golem on guard? The metal spider? or The Big Wolf?"

Luke "Wolf!"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 9:39:10 AM
Peerimus forrows his brow in speculation at what lies before them.

"The spider is closest, the Gnome i do not think a guard, or a horrible one if it is and the wolf moves away from us currently and I am not so sure the wolf in made of stone. Perhaps just a fine coloration."

"I will deal with the spider, I am immune to venom and poisons in all of thier forms, even magic."

"The rest of you perhaps can seal off the gnome or trap it and then we can all deal with the wolf."

Firn'gaer
Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 9:52:29 AM
"Niobe," Whispers the wizard softly but loud enough for the keen ears of the rogue to hear. "Do you think the room can be split as to cut off the creatures from us, but still allow us access to the ramp and bridge?"

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin
Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 4:06:09 PM
"I know this sounds stupid but since we said the password, maybe we should just try and cross like we belong."

Rigging will look at the golems again and continue, "I certainly don't want to tangle with those things if I don't have to."

Sly and Luke(Ileagle Post)
Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 5:45:29 PM
Sly turn on hid back, look at Savin, "You know Savin, this plan of yours is so simple that it just might work!" Sly smiles asking "What's the password again?"

Ilsidur
Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 9:01:07 PM
Ilsidur says, "I agree. We don't seem to have any keys to indicate whether these are foes, guardians, or just window dressing. Let's start to cross, and deal with the fallout. I say we move across; who is with me?"

Intercession (DM/Al) d20=8 d20=8
Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 9:14:10 PM
The Children of Chaos discuss their strategy. The group is just about to move. In the distance the form of the wolf descends down the back of the mesa and out of sight.

Suddenly, the sound of splashing water comes from just below the bridge that spans the drop off in the middle of the cavern. From the depths of the drop off a spray of water leaps into the air, and the wet sound of slapping against stone rises from below. Just to the right of the bridge a fourth figure emerges blocking the way across. Brown as clay, and every bit as large as the Spider, the Gnome, and the Wolf, this figure holds the shape of a Walrus. With a humped waddling stride it climbs up a ramp of some kind and on to level ground.

Not three, but now four large creatures bar the way. Then the world slips sideways. To eyes, ears, touch, and smell all is as it should be. But to a sixth sense ancient and possessed by all beings with a soul, the cave is suddenly filled with something different. A convergence of three. Two moons and a sun fill the chamber with the presence of their psyches. Sly and Niobe feel this more strongly than the others.

And on the floor of the cavern, the clay brown Walrus throws up its head. Its tusks are outthrust in a silent paroxysm of agony. Upon its back a dark blossom breaks through the skin. Then another, and another, and another. Purple blossoms erupt and cover the form of the walrus, until, at last, it ceases to move. The psychic presence of the sun and two moons collapses with an almost audible pop of vacuum, leaving the vaguest hint of sparkling, joyous, ethereal laughter.

There are three now, left in the cavern. And the group is left with a sense of rightness in this. The wizard Firn'gaer is left with a nagging idea in the back of his mind.

The gray wolf form, then re-appears around the corner of the mesa. By all appearances, it is headed for the bridge. Neither the Gnome, nor the Spider appear to take notice.

Niobe
Thursday February 24th, 2005 12:38:27 AM
After a long while; she is sorting out the one sun and two moons thing, she answers about the password.
"Querulous."
Niobe found that whole divine intervention thing rather unsettling. She really doesn't know if she wants to go in there after all.

"Anybody know what strengthens or weakens those types of creatures out there? I'd really hate to help one of those things out by empowering it somehow."

Niobe mulls over Savin's idea. She nods to herself. Still remaining in the shadows it is difficult to see how she has reacted to Savin's idea and to the oddness of that walrus stuff.

"Actually Savin that is a very good idea. Maybe we should just make like home. Shouldn't we have a back up plan first; just in case?"

Sly and Luke
Thursday February 24th, 2005 9:42:28 AM
"If your going in there as if we belong there, Then I'll be right behind you OK!". Sly then ask Luke "Are you going to follow me, Luke?"

Luke get's up on all four paws, "Me Run!"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday February 24th, 2005 10:44:59 AM
Peerimus's mind shifts on itself as he tries to work out not only what just happened, but why it invoked such a response from him. Looking at Yorrick, the druid can see no true reaction to the events from his lifelong companion.

From teh quick faces of the others, it is obvious they felt it as well, but this time the Chaos mark was not the cause. Something to ponder later, there is too much distraction now.

"Don't get all jittery Luke. Let us stay calm here. The wolf might be crossing to the far side of the bridge...we should give it the chance to get as far away as we can."

"Firn'gaer, do you think you could wall off the bridge so it can not get back?"

"We should not enter until the wolf crosses either way, and if the thought is to just stroll in, if things go sour, remember I will handle the spider."

"

DM Clarification - OoC
Thursday February 24th, 2005 11:41:41 AM
The Wolf is currently on the other side of the bridge. By all appearances it is headed for the bridge to cross to your side of the cavern.

Sorry, I wasn't clearer on this.

Peerimus 2nd post
Thursday February 24th, 2005 12:30:05 PM
OoC oooohhhhhhh!!!

Change Peerimus's statement to.."we need to seal off that bridge so the wolf can not cross."

Savin
Thursday February 24th, 2005 7:18:25 PM
Savin hears Peerimus's words and his thoughts fly into action. "I will ward the bridge until you can take the wolf down. I doubt I am its match, so please send me some backup quickly!"

Savin darts off towards the bridge using a double movement to try and get across it before the wolf can arrive. Move 120'

Intruders! - Round 01 (DM/Al) d4+1=4
Thursday February 24th, 2005 10:06:19 PM
The Children of Chaos react to the passage of the three and the mark it has left behind. True to the thoughts of the druid, Peerimus, the broken eye symbols on the backs of each of the Children's hands are quiet.

In the distance, the granite gray wolf comes on, moving toward the group toward the bridge, eventually to cross over onto the side of the cavern in which the Children of Chaos now stand.

But not if Savin has any say about it. Charging from the mouth of the tunnel, he rushes forward and out into the cavern, hoping to intercept the Wolf form before it reaches the bridge. 50 feet from the tunnel, the monk spots a drop off. Only slightly to his right, however, is a ramp. He veers for it and runs to the next level, only ten feet down. Another forty feet and he is at the end of the bridge, well before the oncoming wolf. To his right, the figure of the Walrus, encrusted in large purple blooms, roars it's silent and forever frozen challenge to the sky. The ramp that the Walrus had used to climb out of the gorge dips below the bridge and descends the 20-foot drop to gray waters below.

The dark iron Gnome raises it's head as the shape of Savin passes quickly in and then out of its field of vision. It can now, not help but notice the figures standing within the mouth of the tunnel. Without uttering a sound, it begins to move. With ponderous steps that shake the very ground, it drives a relentless path towards Peerimus and Niobe standing in the mouth of the tunnel.

The nervous click from the spider in the upper corner stops. Then it begins again. This time quicker and with a distinct rhythm. The sound also quickly draws nearer.

Peerimus, Niobe and Sly Foxx watch as the towering twelve-foot tall gnome comes on like an unstoppable force of nature. Luke, Yorrick, Ilsidur, Tokun and Firn'gaer standing further in the tunnel see the light from the cavern suddenly blotted out.

The iron Gnome opens it's mouth and a cloud of sickly green gas issues forth from within.

OoC: You are now in Combat Rounds.

Niobe, Sly and Peerimus: Roll a Fortitude Roll vs DC19. If you fail take 1d4 Con damage this round and 3d4 Con damage next round. Unless, of course, you're immune to poison. Peerimus. The poison cloud blocks the tunnel entrance. Those who wish to exit the tunnel this round must pass through and make the same Fortitude check vs Poison.

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 01

Niobe (67/67 HP, 19 AC) d20+7=24
Friday February 25th, 2005 1:30:37 AM
Amazingly Niobe withstands the poison. She doesn't want to be trapped in the tunnel so she runs out quickly. Niobe will follow the same path that Savin took. She will ready her composite longbow in order to try and cover anyone else's exit from the tunnel.

(Fort. save 24)

Sly and Luke d20+6=25
Friday February 25th, 2005 6:19:41 AM
Sly jump to his feet, yells back to Luke, "Fight with Yurrick!" Then he runs after Niobe, drawing his sword on the run.

OCC: Fort save Dc 25.

Peerimus [AC 16 HP 94] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 73 Poisoned -2 Con] d20+10=14 d4=2
Friday February 25th, 2005 11:05:24 AM
Peerimus exits the tunnel, breaking to his left and shifts into a black rhino and turning to face the golem. (Move 30' and Shift) Yorrick moves with him, succumbing partially to the poisonous cloud taking up position to his friends right.

(OoC Al please let me know if moving by the golem deactivated my magic or not. It will greatly effect my future rounds)

0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds, Rusting Grasp

5: Animal Growth

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang

-- It did not! Woo! - Al ^_^

Firn'gaer d20+17=36
Friday February 25th, 2005 6:10:18 PM
The gas bellows into the midst of the front ranks as Firn'gaer is helpless in the back. "I'm feeling pretty helpless here. I need a better survey of the cavern, but not with that standing in the way." He says aloud but it soulds more like spoken thoughts than anaything else.

[Knowledge Arcane DC 36, golem info, weakness strengths the like.]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin ac 29 with combat expertise hps 95
Friday February 25th, 2005 11:00:55 PM
Savin knows that this foe is to much for him. His only hope is to trick it and cause it to make a mistake. He will cross the bridge and head north with a double movement. He will wave his arms and catcall trying to get the creature to follow him. He will try and stay near the edge of the cliff, hoping the wolf lunges at him and goes over the side.

combat expertise +5 to ac

Ruckus - Round 02 (DM/Al) d20+23=40 2d10(4+1)+11=16 d20+5=24 d20+23=30 2d10(3+3)+11=17 d20+8=23
Sunday February 27th, 2005 7:15:50 AM
Niobe and Sly fight off the effects of the poison gas and burst from within the cloud. Before the Iron Gnome can react, they both rush off along the only path that they know for sure is reasonably safe: The trail blazed by Savin. They hurry across the first level and down the ramp. As she goes, Niobe draws her longbow. Sly draws his sword.

++++++++++

Father Wold has gifted things of nature to the druid Peerimus. And poisons are, ultimately, from the natural order. The cloud of poison affects him not at all, and he too bursts from the noxious swirling mist. His passage, however, allows the Iron Gnome the opportunity to strike at him, and strike it does. The blow falls surely upon Peerimus. But the impact is lessened by the momentum of the druid's passage. (Hit AC40, Damage 16hp) Peerimus follows the cavern wall to the left before taking a stand and shifting into the form of a black rhino. As the transformation takes place, the druid's wounds too, reform and heal. (Heal 16hp to full.)

Yorrick, the great bear follows his friend out of the tunnel. Luke, following Sly's last command, runs along at the bear's side. Luke, the lucky dog, manages to hold his breath as he passes through the poison. (Fort 24) Yorrick does not fare as well. They both line up with Peerimus, Yorrick to his friend's right, Luke to Peerimus's left.

++++++++++

It is safe to say that in his store of collected lore, the wizard Firn'gaer knows a lot about golems. In this moment of crisis, however, the crux of the matter is not how much one knows, but how quickly one can sort what is critical from what is trivial.

He knows that there are four typical types of golem: Flesh, Iron, Clay, and Stone. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. As general points of fact, constructed creatures of this type tend to be terribly strong and terribly difficult to damage. They are hardened against many forms of damage. Why else create them? Adamantine. Adamantine might be effective against this. They see quite well in dark or light. They have no minds and therefore cannot be affected by charms or compulsions. Poisons, disease, necromancy, even stunning effects are of no avail against them. They cannot be drained. Nor do they tire. They have no critical points of weakness. As a rule, they fight with a mindless brutality without strategy or finesse. In fact, some are prone to go berserk in the midst of combat.

Worse yet, they tend to be immune to many different spells. Spells that target the fortitude of a creature are of little to no use. Spells against which there is even the slightest chance of Resistance are also for naught.

An inner wail of despair beings at the back of the wizard's mind as he continues his review of the Golems 435 syllabus.

Clay golems can invoke a Haste effect. Their wounds also resist healing. Even healing spells. Move Earth spells are effective against them. Disintegrate will slow them down in addition to harming them. Earthquake cast directly against a clay golem has ... some effect. That bit of information slips Firn'gaer's mind. Acid! Acid is bad. Heals the clay golem.

What else? What else? Forget it. Go on.

Iron Golems. The gnome must be an Iron Golem. The poisonous breath is a dead give away. Electricity slows the Iron Golem. Fire. Fire heals the Iron Golem. Yes. Yes. And rust. Rust will work against it as well. Next.

Stone. Stone Golems. A stone golem can create a slow effect. Rock to Mud spell will slow the golem itself. Mud to rock heals the golem. Stone to flesh spell will allow it to be harmed as normal by both weapons and spells. Next Next Next.

Flesh Golem. They've met so many of these so far. Cold or Fire will slow the Flesh Golem. Electricity heals it.

So much. So much information. Where to start? And what is outside?

In the mouth of the tunnel, the cloud of gas begins to dissipate

++++++++++

Savin eyes the oncoming Wolf form. Now, much closer than he'd like to be, it is clear to the monk that this creature is made of Stone. Even the sound of its paws as they crunch against the cavern floor, is the grind of stone upon stone. With a snap decision, Savin rushes across the bridge and turns right along the edge of the cliff. The monk's superior speed brings him all the way to the northern most point of the cliff. The gray water sloshes below. Savin shouts loudly as he goes, and waves his hands in the air.

++++++++++

"Niobe!" Tokun shouts out the single word as the gas sprays into the mouth of the tunnel. Without hesitation, the barbarian lad plunges into the gas. (Fort 23) It takes but a moment to get his bearings as he emerges into the cavern. Then he runs after Niobe and Sly with the speed natural to his barbarian kind.

++++++++++

The cloud of poison gas dissipates and clears.

The Iron Gnome pursues the opponents who have made themselves the most visible, turning to the group of animals and covering the space between them with steps that cause the ground to tremble. How paradoxical. The thin gnomish arm swings in its silent inexorable arc. So much destructive mass in a package so unlikely.

The blow falls upon the back of the black rhino. The connection is solid, though the angle is oblique and the iron fist glances off of Peerimus' tough rhino hide. (Hit AC30, Damage 17hp)

The Giant Spider clacks mandibles together and swiftly moves down the wall to the floor of the cavern. Once on the floor, its eight hairy legs propel it across the stone in the direction of Niobe, Sly, and Tokun.

The Stone Wolf does not pause. It veers directly toward the fleeing arm waving figure. Unlike a real wolf, however, this creature moves with slower heavier footfalls.

Spot and Listen Checks Everyone, please.

OoC: Please place AC and HP in the name field of your post. Please also list all active effects somewhere in your post.

I tell you, Daniel. Imageshack rocks.

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 02

Ilsidur (AC25, 98/98 hp)
Sunday February 27th, 2005 9:23:16 PM
Ilsidur moves into the room on the heels of the party. He calls out, "Does anyone know what it is that we are facing? How do we beat them?"

SPELLS
Level 0 (6):
Detect magic
Detect magic
Create water
Light
Read magic
Resistance

Level 1 (6+1):
Entropic shield (Luck domain spell)
Detect evil
Endure Elements
Bless
Comprehend languages
Comprehend languages
Obscuring mist

Level 2 (6+1):
Locate Object (Travel domain spell)
Remove paralysis
Hold person
Resist energy
Spiritual weapon
Bull's strength
Status

Level 3 (4+1):
Fly (Travel domain spell)
Dispel magic
Magic circle vs. evil
Prayer
Remove blindness/deafness

Level 4 (3+1):
Dimension door (travel domain spell)
Restoration
Death Ward
Summon Monster IV

Level 5 (2+1):
Teleport (travel domain spell)
Righteous might
True seeing
Save is a DC of 16 + spell level

Savin d20+12=25
Sunday February 27th, 2005 10:00:07 PM
Savin waits axiously at the edge of the ravine waving and shouting trying to goad the creature towards him. He is hoping that the creature just charges him and can't stop in time to keep from plummeting from the cliff.

If the creature is still charging at full speed Savin will dive off the cliff forward and to the left and the south of the beast so it doesn't fall on him if he goes over. He will try and grab a handhold on the side and stop himself, (climb roll 25). If that doesn't work, Savin will use his slow fall feet to keep from being damaged.

Peerimus [AC 16 HP 77-94] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 65-73 Poisoned -2 Con] d20+10=22 d20+16=31 d20+16=18 d20+16=19 d20+10=20 3d6(6+4+2)+9=21
Monday February 28th, 2005 9:54:26 AM
A thundering roar and trumpeting bellow answer Ilsidur, as the dwarf calls out, from the left of the tunnel exit.

The iron golems blow stings the druid but with the grit of teeth and a loud snort, Peerimus casts a spell [Def cast concentration 31, Rusting Grasp]

A brief glow alights on the rhino's horn and the bared fangs of the large Kodiak.
Yorrick shakes off the secondary effects of the poison and steps forward with his great claws and teeth.
[claw AC 18 and 19]
[Bite touch Attack 20 rusting grasp 3d6+9=21]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds

5: Animal Growth

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang shared
Rusting Grasp shared 8 rounds left

Niobe (67/67HP, 19 AC) d20+10=27 d20+10=13 d20+12=17 d8+2=8
Monday February 28th, 2005 8:12:59 PM
Niobe sees the approaching spider golem and fires an arrow towards it; trying to hit an eye. (Hits AC 17, dmg 8)

"I hope we can kill this thing quickly!"

Niobe is concerned that they have ended up dividing their strengths. She can't see where Savin has gone, and Peerimus and the animals seem to be cornered by the Iron Gnome. She doesn't have a chance to help either because of the spider golem's approach.

(Spot 27, Listen 13)

Firn'gaer - AC19, HP 44 d20+6=22 d20+6=25
Monday February 28th, 2005 8:21:22 PM
Firn'gaer moves up 30 feet, or until the mouth of the cavern. His next move is going to seal off the flesh golem from the battle. He will place a Wall of Force so that it goes from cavern wall to drop-down just north (top) of the ramp.

"I hope this works." He say with a small prayer as he casts his spell.

[Listen DC22, Spot DC25]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force (cast)

Control From Above - Round 03 (DM/Al) d20+6=9
Monday February 28th, 2005 10:01:15 PM
Ilsidur calls out from within the tunnel for some way to beat these creatures.

Savin continues to wave and draw the great wolf on in the hope that its weigh or its zeal will plunge it into the waters below.

Peerimus, trusting that the coloration of the giant gnome indicates metallic content, gives he and Yorrick the gift of a Rusting Grasp. Yorrick rears up and slashes the Gnome with each paw. The sound of iron rings, but the great bear leaves not a mark. Then, with crushing jaws, Yorrick bites down on the Gnome's shoulder. The substance weakens under his bite, the bears fangs dig deep as the Gnome takes damage.

Niobe draws back a feathered shaft and sends it whistling toward the approaching spider. It strikes it in its dark thorax, but appears to do much less harm than it should have. (-3hp)

Firn'gaer throws up an invisible wall of force 60 feet long and 15 feet high. It cuts off all ground access wall next to him to the north of the ramp. The level is now divided in two. The Spider is trapped on the other side. There is, however, 25 feet of open air above the wall. The short ten foot drop is also open to be climbed or jumped at will.

While Sly Foxx looks on, Tokun, unaware of the presence of the invisible barrier, rushes to the top of the ramp to engage the spider. Bang! The barbarian lad begins bleeding from the nose.

Luke watches the Gnome take hits from Yorricks massive paws without taking a scratch. "Hard skin," he says.

====================================

Very very faint and far away, Firn'gaer hears a squawk of surprise. Almost three-hundred feet away, thirty feet up the wall and slightly to the right, he sees a small moving figure on the opposite wall. The wizard squints his eyes and makes out the figure of a gnome standing upon a ledge, platform or balcony formed from the natural rock. Niobe, noticing the wizard's reaction. She turns, and sees the figure as well.

Suddenly, the behavior of all three large figures changes. The Iron Gnome backs away, withdrawing to just past the tunnel, and dangerously close to Firn'gaer. The Spider halts in its advance toward the three below the ramp. It turns, and a spray of webbing arcs through the air at the Black Rhino/Peerimus. It stikes the invisible wall, sticking and marking the wall's position.

The Iron Gnome backs away from the group of animals arrayed against it. With a metalic clang it strikes against the invisible barrier. This places it dangerously close to Firn'gaer. The spider backs toward the East wall, climbing up 10 feet.

The Wolf abruptly ceases to pursue Savin. Instead, it returns to its original course, heading across the bridge.

OoC: If you didn't hear or see the gnome, you don't know he's there. Not a clue.

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): 30 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +22 natural) touch 8, flat-footed 30
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): 14 (--1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Lightly Wounded
Stone Golem(Wolf) Uninjured
Flesh Golem(Spider) Uninjured

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 03

Sly Foxx(AC 20 79/79hp) Luke(AC21 38/38hp) d20+5=25 d20+5=20
Tuesday March 1st, 2005 8:15:35 AM
Sly goes over to Tokum, "Oh! you have a bloody nose, What did you hit?" Sly points to Niobe and look around at the strangee sceen going on?

The spider stop, there seem to be a Wall between that spider and the rest of us. The Gnome stops and backs up.

"Woa! What going on here? Luke! just to be sure make yourmark on the Golem ankles bolts."

Luke goes to the Iron Golem and leave his mark on both inside and out side ankles iron bolts on both legs. "Done" replies Luke.

OOC: Sly Listens 25 - Spot 20
Also I hope I don't have to explain Lukes his salty water MARKS.

Peerimus [AC 16 HP 77-94] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 65-73 Poisoned -2 Con] d20+14=18 3d6(1+4+3)+9=17 d20+16=29 3d6(1+6+4)+9=20
Tuesday March 1st, 2005 11:38:40 AM
It's retreating? A show of tactics, this does not bode well.

Peerimus snorts and moves in on the Iron Gnome with Yorrick moves with him, keeping on the druids right. Bracing for the strike, the druid closes with his horn and Yorrick with his bite.
[Touch attack horn AC 18 dmg 17
Touch Attack Bite AC 29 dmg 20]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds

5: Animal Growth

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang shared
Rusting Grasp shared 7 rounds left

Savin ac 24 hps 95/95 d20+13=26
Tuesday March 1st, 2005 4:41:25 PM
Savin stamps his foot in frustration as the wolf reverses course. "It was such a good plan." He thinks to himself. He will run 4x speed up to the top of the cliff where the wolf was first seen to take a look around.

spot 26

Firn'gaer - AC 19; HP 44/45 d20+6=13 d20+6=16
Tuesday March 1st, 2005 6:45:10 PM
As the golem withdraws towards Firn'gaer, his heart stops. Looking up at the iron monstrosity, he notices a small figure on the other side of the cavern.

"On the other side!" Shouts the wizard letting the others know. "CAN YOU CALL THEM OFF...PLEASE!!! He shouts to the being across the cavern not knowing if it can even understand or even hear him.

He quickly moves towards Peerimus along the cavern wall, withdrawing, with his gaze moving between the golem and the gnome looking for signs of aknowledgement. He takes up position behind the great bear and rhino.

[Listen DC13, Spot DC16]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force (cast)

Ilsidur (AC25, 98/98 hp)
Tuesday March 1st, 2005 10:38:41 PM
Ilsidur's short legs and magic boots hustle the dwarf across the room, and to the bridge. He keeps an eye on the golems, trying to figure out why they changed tactics.

He peers across the cavern, trying to see what or who the wizard is calling out to. If he can see the gnome, he calls out to Niobe, "Niobe, there is a gnome up there! Can you call out to him and get him to keep the golems at bay?"

Death Comes Easy - Round 04 (DM/Al) d20+2=7 d20+23=33 2d10(3+10)+11=24 d20+23=30 d20+23=25 2d10(3+9)+11=23 2d10(3+9)+11=23 d20+6=9
Tuesday March 1st, 2005 11:09:34 PM
Sly Foxx watches as both the Iron Golem and the Spider retreat. Perhaps feeling that things are not as bad as he had thought, he inspects the cavern. Off in the distance he sees the same gnome that Firn'gaer and Niobe had spotted earlier. He is trying to hide, but is not very successful at it. Over his shoulder, Sly suggests that Luke mark the ankles of the Iron Gnome. Luke, with a jaunty bark agrees.

However, as Luke enters the ten foot reach of the Iron Gnome's long arms, it lashes out. (AoO: Hit AC33, Damage 24hp) A heavy fist, hard as iron catches the wardog in the side. Bone snaps and flesh bursts as Luke is lifted off the ground and tossed through the air. His body lands five feet away in a crumpled heap. He does not move. (Luke is at -6hp)

Charging on the heels of the overconfident dog, Peerimus in rhino form with Yorrick at his side attack in tandem. Their blows strike with the sound of crumpled metal as they gouge huge chunks from the Iron Gnome.

Savin runs, swift as the wind, around to the back of the mesa. Once on the other side, he can see the exit from the cavern. Still, he ascends the ramp for a look around. He quite easily spies the gnome. It is prone upon the rock ledge attempting to conceal itself by flattening itself on the floor. It's eyes, however, are upon the conflict at the eastern end of the cavern. (The level Savin is on 20 feet below the gnome. The walls look distinctly unclimbable.)

Firn'gaer calls out across the 300 foot long cavern, in hopes that the gnome may be amenable to holding off these creatures. He receives no reply. No acknowledgment. Then three great beast come together before him in a clashing din. He carefully moves away to the south.

While Niobe watches, Tokun rushes back down the ramp to head off the Wolf as it crosses the bridge. He stops at the head of the bridge, clutching his bone great axe. Waiting, as the massive figure gets closer and closer.

Ilsidur rushes to the mouth of the tunnel now blocked by the titanic battle between iron construct and twin animal behemoths. Slipping by behind Peerimus and Yorrick, he makes for the ramp. Instead, he comes upon the crushed and battered body of Luke. Firn'gaer has shouted something about a gnome. Ilsidur cannot see it, but, then again, he has just emerged from the tunnel. (No Spot roll. Gnome is hiding.) Standing next to the Luke's body, he calls out to Niobe asking if she can somehow communicate with the gnome and call off the guardians. (I took Ilsidur a 60 foot double move)

=======================================

In grim silence, the Iron Gnome retaliates. Two slamming blows rain down upon Peerimus in black rhino form. The fists fall inevitable as death itself. (Hit AC30 & AC23, Damage 23 & 23 46hp)

Up above, the Spider climbs the wall, clearing Firn'gaer's barrier. From 15 feet up, a second spray shoots down at Peerimus. The sticky web, this time, goes awry as well. (Hit AC9)

The Wolf trots on, crossing the bridge to close with Tokun.

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): 30 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +22 natural) touch 8, flat-footed 30
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): 14 (--1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Wounded
Stone Golem(Wolf) Uninjured
Flesh Golem(Spider) Lightly Wounded

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 04

Niobe (67/67HP, 19 AC)
Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 12:58:27 AM
Niobe calls up to the gnome on the ledge (in gnomish).
"Call off your servants please! We would like to speak with you, sir! It would be a terrible waste to have to destroy such magnificent creations, just so we might have an opportunity to speak with you!"

Then Niobe spots Tokun going to face off against the massive stone wolf alone.

"Tokun! Not alone! Regroup!"
Niobe hopes he'll get some aid. Her bow won't help at all against stone she thinks.

"Sly, can you help Tokun with your spells? There are already too many of us getting hurt."

Niobe would very much like to help out before anyone possibly dies, but she needs to get an answer from the enigmatic gnome first. Maybe he will call the golems off?
'Golems aren't cheap to make, nor are the resources that available in this desolate place... let's hope that gnome has some common sense!'

Sly Foxx (AC20 75/75hp) and Luke (Ac21 -6/28hp)
Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 6:24:26 AM
Sly yells "LUKE!" as he see Luke broken body, by the way the dog is laying on it'd side, Sly know that the dog is dead.

Sly is about to revenge his dog life by attacking the Iron Golem, when Niobe tell him of Tokum plight. Sly has to make a dission, to help the living or avenge luke death??

With a tear in Sly's eye, he goes to help Tokum and will attack the wolf golem, (in the next round.)

Savin ac 24 hps 95/95 d20+15=34
Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 8:55:42 AM
Savin knows his friends are in trouble and the gnome might be able to stop it. He has to get to them. He sprints to the bottom of the cliff and centers himself. He will then attempt to climb up the side to get to the gnome.

Rolled 34 climb natural 19 +11 climb and burned 2 hero points to add +4 to the roll.

Not sure how far I get. Base speed is 60. I sprinted which increases my base to 240. I believe it is 35' away. Then I started climbing. Should be near the top but not quite there I think. This high math always confused me. :-)

Firn'gaer - AC 19; HP 35/36 (giant eagle form) d20+6=17 d20+6=16
Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 8:10:42 PM
"Niobe, save that boy!" He says reaffirming what she's already yelled to the boy.

Damn man think. There's gotta be something to do...Firn'gaer, my boy, you are crazy...

The wizard calls to mind a form, large, with feathered wings and magesty of grace. His form distorts and changes until a giant eagle leaps and glides low from where the wizard once stood.

[Firn'gaer, in eagle form will fly a move (80 feet) to the area about 15-20 feet south of the boy or where 80 feet will take him.]

[Listen DC17, Spot DC16]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
polymorph -- 90 rounds

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45
Current in giant eagle - 35/36

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force (cast)

DM Off To Bed - OoC (DM/Al)
Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 11:25:14 PM
Well, I have the post written as far as I can. But, in all conscience, I cannot complete this without first having posts from Peerimus and Ilsidur.

So, I apologize, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. -- Al

Peerimus [AC 16 HP 77-112] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 65-91 Poisoned -2 Con] d20+16=35 d20+19=31 d20+19=37 2d6(5+1)+14=20 2d6(3+5)+14=22 d20+14=26 3d6(5+6+2)+9=22
Wednesday March 2nd, 2005 11:52:16 PM
The heavy fists slam into Peerimus and the world fogs slightly, the Spider is climbing the wall, the iron golem is far from down and everyone just left him and Yorrick to hold off two of the most powerful creatures the group has ever encountered.
Alone then my friend
Peerimus defensively casts Animal Growth, affecting himself Yorrick and Luke. [35 sucess]

The bear and Rhino grow to huge proportions, the Black Rhino now stands almost 12' at its shoulder and is just over 24' in length. Yorrick rears up to tower at over 18' and with a earthskaing roar attacks the iron beast.
[Claw 31, 37 dmg 20, 22
Bite Touch attack AC 26 dmg 22]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic, Cure Serious Wounds

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang shared
Rusting Grasp shared 6 rounds left
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 90rounds

OoC hoping the animal growth +4 Con will effectively get Luke back to his feet

Controlus Interruptus - Round 05 (DM/Al) d20+23=31 d20+23=38 2d10(1+6)+11=18 2d10(6+3)+11=20 d20+4=7 d20+18=21 d20+18=29 2d10(5+1)+9=15 2d10(9+5)+9=23 [Tokun's Hit]d20+7=15
Thursday March 3rd, 2005 8:41:21 AM
Niobe too cries out to the gnome hiding on the far western wall. Though she shouts in gnomish, she receives no reply. Very faintly from the west, however, she believes she can just barely hear an evil chuckle.

Sly leaves Luke for dead and goes the rest of the way down the ramp to take up position behind Tokun. He stays outside the ten-foot reach of the Large stone gray Wolf.

Savin races back down the ramp and leaps up the wall. Heedless of the possible fall, he climbs rapidly upward at a reckless pace. (Rough vertical surface, plus -5 penalty for Accelerated Climbing/Half speed. DC30) He pulls himself up onto the ledge to be met by the startled look of a middle aged male gnome. The ledge is small, no more than ten feet across and five wide. Behind the gnome is a narrow doorway, leading to what might be stairs beyond.

Firn'gaer calls forth a spell and changes into an eagle. Leaping into the air, he flies through the air of the cavern and out over the first ledge.

Peerimus in black rhino form calls on Father Nature and he, Yorrick, and Luke begin to grow until they match the Iron Gnome in height and outmatch its girth. With paws, even more massive now, Yorrick batters the Iron Gnome, and then rips into its head with enormous teeth. As powerful as the bear's claws are, something in the Iron Gnome resists their damage. Ripped and battered, the Iron Gnome still stands. But for how long?

Luke, grown to large rises weakly from the cavern floor. At this size, his shoulder tops Ilsidur's head. He totters a bit on unsteady feet. "Ouch!" he says. (Luke is at 2hp)

Whether from lack of a common language, or, perhaps from some sense that his actions are the good and right way, Tokun holds his position, face to face with the large gray Wolf. His bone axe rises and falls. (Hit AC15)

===================================

The gnome, prone up upon the ledge, mutters an incantation and gestures with one hand. A cloud of obscuring mist rises up and engulfs the ledge. Savin hears scrabbling against stone. The sounds appear to recede in the direction of the doorway. (Half speed Savin for 20 feet.)

The Iron Gnome, though clearly on its last legs, fights on. It slams Peerimus again. (Hit AC31 & 38, Damage 18 & 20 - 38hp. Peerimus, you took 46hp last round. By my calculations, that puts you at -7.) The massive form of the black rhino falls to the cavern floor with an audible thud.

Up on the wall, the Spider sends no more webs. It strikes out at Yorrick, now grown to a reachable height. Its mandibles, dripping with dark green liquid, clack on empty air. (Hit AC7)

The Wolf strikes back at Tokun. (Hit AC21 & 29, 15 & 23= 38hp) The large stone paws batter the barbarian lad. The barbarian lad totters on his feet. It is quite clear that he will not withstand another round.

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): 30 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +22 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 30
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): 14 (--1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Wounded
Stone Golem(Wolf) Uninjured
Flesh Golem(Spider) Lightly Wounded

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 05

Niobe (67/67HP, 19 AC) d20+12=23 d8+2=6
Thursday March 3rd, 2005 9:40:27 AM
Niobe turns to see what happend to Luke after the gnome ignores her; or was he chuckling wickedly?
She fires an arrow at the iron golem; aiming for anything that looks weak and/or rusty. (Hits AC 23, dmg 6)

At about the same time Peerimus' animal form hits the ground with an audible thud. Niobe isn't feeling particularly safe after seeing Peerimus fall; either unconscious or dead - she cannot tell really.

"Damn..." she hisses under her breath.

"We need to regroup or we'll all be dead meat!" Niobe yells, as she wonders how to secure any advantages from this nasty situation they are in.
She wonders if Ilsidur can get to Peerimus before she can. Niobe has her back to Sly and Tokun, so she only hears a nasty crunch or such. She involuntarily flinches.

((OOC: I have no idea what so ever on how many attacks Niobe actually gets. I will assume only one - and clearly she can't hit the broad side of a barn! Al please let me know if I have forgotten an attack or some roll or other, I would greatly appreciate it! Incedentally I loved the Clay Golem is toast, smell all the pretty flowers bit. That was funny.))

Peerimus [AC 16 HP 112-68] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 91-9 Poisoned -2 Con] d20+19=39 d20+19=37 d20+14=23 2d6(6+1)+14=21 2d6(2+6)+14=22 3d6(6+1+3)+9=19 d20+16=21 3d8(6+4+8)+9=27 d20+28=30
Thursday March 3rd, 2005 11:01:09 AM
OoC Al Animal Growth provides DR 10 Magic and Mr. golem has adamantine DR so I should have taken 18 right? I will post on that assumption. If not Yorricks actions hold and ignore Peerimus'

Yorricks great paws again rip into the iron gnome. and the rusting touch of his teeth continue their onslaught.
[claw AC 39, 37 dmg 21,22]
[Bite Touch Attack AC 23 dmg 19]
The great bear tries to grapple the iron gnome as well [Grapple 30, well that won't do it]

The mighty Iron fists hammer into the shifted druid and staggers the massive rhino. Peerimus backs away 5 to more of a position behind Yorrick's massive frame and defensivesly casts Cure Serious Wounds. [Con 21 success Heal 27 share with Yorrick]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang shared
Rusting Grasp shared 5 rounds left
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 89 rounds

Sly Foxx (AC 20 65/65hp) and Luke (Ac21 2/28) d20+18=38 d20+18=35 d20+13=30 4d6(6+6+5+5)+2=24 d6+2=6 d6+2=8
Thursday March 3rd, 2005 2:00:02 PM
Sly move Tokum out of the way, then he charges the wolf golem, Attack him over hand (ac 38 Crit, ac 35),then Sly comes back with under hand going up ( ac 30). "Get your paws off of him! I'm you enermy now, I'm going to kill you chip by chip!" Sly has no time to recharge his sword, not yet but if he has a little time. He's mad enough to go at the wolf again.

OOC: Sly's attack ac38 crit - ac35, Second hit ac 30, Damages 24+6+8=38 hp.

Luke will take a running start and jump onto the iron golem. Trying to knock him off his feet.

OOC: I don't know how to roll for Luke, Since he is that big, he is now heaver. Since he is ramming the golem, how can I tell if he got the golem off his feet?

Firn'gaer - AC 19; HP 35/36 (giant eagle form) d20+7=21 d20+12=23
Thursday March 3rd, 2005 5:23:08 PM
The wizard banks in flight and moves in on the young guide. Claws open, he attempts to grab the barbarian and carry him back to a safer location. Whether he succeeds or not Firn'gaer banks hard and climbs right away from the wolf.

[Grab attack AC 21; Grapple DC23]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
polymorph -- 89 rounds

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45
Current in giant eagle - 35/36

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force (cast)

Blood and Death - Round 6 (DM/Al) d20+28=35 d8+8=10 d8+8=10 d20+23=27 2d10(1+1)+11=13 d20+3=10 d20+23=28 d20+23=29 2d10(2+5)+11=18 2d10(8+10)+11=29 d20+4=21 d8+3=8 d6=3 d20+18=36 d20+18=27 d10+9=18 d10+9=19
Thursday March 3rd, 2005 11:58:35 PM
Niobe calls for a regroup. She fires an arrow at the Iron Gnome. With a ping of metal, the shaft ricochets off without even leaving a mark. (Your character sheet says only one, Niobe. But you should get two. We'll rework your sheet later.)

Peerimus moves, only staggered after all, and moves back five feet. The black rhino suddenly glows with healing light. Yorrick rains raking claws upon the Iron Gnome once more, and once more, the damage seems less than it should be. The mighty bear's bite, however, rips another massive chunk from the Iron Gnome's head. The bear goes for a hug, but the Iron Gnome shakes him off. (Opposed Grapple 35)

Sly Foxx moves five feet forward, shoving Tokun aside. He strikes twice. (Sly, I'm sorry, but your numbers are incorrect. We'll have to go over your character sheet together as well.) If this had been an natural animal the fighting half-elf's blow would have been critical. But with this creature, it is not. Sly's sword strikes have the sound of metal on stone, and the Granite Wolf appears completely undamaged. (I rerolled your damage, Sly. Aren't you wielding a longsword? With your bonuses, damage should be 1d8+8.)

Staggering and weak, Luke leaps at the Iron Gnome with the mistaken idea that now that he is as large as a human, he can now bring down this creature who is still over twice his height. The wardog makes the same mistake he made the first time and enters the range of those long Iron arms. A fist comes smashing out of nowhere. (Hit AC27, Damage 13hp. Luke is at -11hp.) The blow is only glancing, but it is enough. The wardog has just enough time for a brave yip before he is thrown again to the side like a broken doll. Luke dies.

Firn'gaer banks and dives toward Tokun. He catches the barbarian lad's furs in his claws and pulls. Tokun pulls back, struggling to be back in the fight. (Opposed Grapple 10) The exertion is too much for his battered body. Tokun passes out. His body becomes a dead weight and falls from Firn'gaer's claws. (Tokun is at -1hp)

Up on the ledge, Savin catches a glimpse of the gnome as he attempts to crawl away in the fog. A momentary window of opportunity to strike opens before the gnome moves, on all fours, deeper into the mist. (Take an AoO, for last round Savin, in addition to your action this round. Sorry, that's the best I can do and still keep the story going. No Stunning Fist, though, please.) Then the gnome is gone. But how far could he have gone on his knees?

Ilsidur stands stunned to silence.

===================================

The Iron Gnome now lacks over three quarters of it's head. It is clearly on its last legs. Still it fights on. (Hit AC28 & 29, Damage 18 & 29= 47hp) Lashing out at Yorrick, it lands two devastating blows upon the giant bear.

The Spider snaps at Yorrick as well. (Hit AC21, Damage 8hp - Fort Save vs DC13 or take 3hp Poison damage) The mandibles clip Yorrick in the neck, injecting dark black poison.

Down by the bridge, Sly Foxx faces the Wolf alone. (Hit AC36 & 27, Damage 18 & 19= 37hp) The Wolf slams the half-elven fighter with two solid paw strikes.

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): 30 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +22 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 30
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): 14 (--1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Near Death
Stone Golem(Wolf) Uninjured
Flesh Golem(Spider) Lightly Wounded

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 06

Savin d20+11=27 d20+19=37 d10+4=9
Friday March 4th, 2005 12:34:17 AM
Savin uses his AOO to launch a grapple attack.

Touch attack hits ac 27 (Didn't take any modifiers for him crawling. Not sure what I should take.)
Grapple check is 37 (base +11 str +4 improved grapple feat +4)

Savin will do nonlethal damage to the gnome. He does 9 points of damage.

Savin grabs the crawling gnome and basically sits on him. He will punch him in the ear and says, "I don't want to hurt you but if you can call off those golems, your gonna do it now!"

Al, That is the AOO....need to wait before I post this round til you tell me it happened the way I envisioned.

Ilsidur (AC 25, 98/98 hp) 4d8(6+8+7+6)+9=36
Friday March 4th, 2005 12:58:14 AM
Ilsidur moves behind the bear, putting Yorrick between the dwarf and the iron golem. He touches the bear and cures him with a spell. [OOC: exchange Death Watch spell for cure critical wounds spell, healing Yorrick for 36 hp damage.]

Niobe (67/67HP, 19 AC) d20+12=24 d20+12=23 d20+10=13
Friday March 4th, 2005 1:56:54 AM
((OOC: Thank you Al. If I get two attacks then count the second roll, if not ignore it please))

Niobe still can't hit the broad side of a barn, but maybe the arrows will cause just the tiniest bit of a distraction?? She is relieved that Peerimus wasn't hurt as bad as she thought, it must have just all been in her head!
After missing the large iron golem yet again Niobe turns to face the direction of the stone wolf golem. She sees Tokun laying there at the feet of wolf (assuming that's where Firn'gaer had to let go of him?). Now Sly is facing off against it alone!
'I have a nasty feeling none of this is going to work out too well...'
She looks to see if the stone wolf has any weak spots at all (spot 13).

While she is considering this mess it occurs to her that the book must have been inadvertantly "warning" them about the golems here. 'Hmm...'

Sly Foxx (AC 20 28/65hp) and Luke (ac21 -2/28hp) d20+18=33 d20+13=32 d8+8=13 d8+8=10
Friday March 4th, 2005 6:59:48 AM
Sly is hurt, but too stuborn to stop, He attacks again, this time doing his special Windmill attack, he strikes spins around, while holding his shield out into the face of the wolf, then bring the sword down for his second attack. "Your Mother was Lime stone!" Sly yells at the Stone wolf.

OOC: Attack ac33 & ac32 - Damages 13+10+23 pebbles falling off.

Evil Look (DM Addendum/Al) d20+5=6
Friday March 4th, 2005 8:02:55 AM
The gnome cries out as Savin lays hands upon him. At first it is fear. And, as he realizes that he cannot escape, it becomes something else.

He gives the monk an evil look and spits a string of words at him. If Niobe could hear, she might blush.

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 103-59] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 91-9 Poisoned -2 Con] d20+19=23 d20+19=34 d20+14=26 2d6(1+6)+14=21 3d6(5+2+6)+9=22 d20+17=28 d20+12=32
Friday March 4th, 2005 9:11:23 AM
The two blows land solidly on the massive bear, however, Father Wold is watching over Yorrick now, and the iron golems fists do not strike as hard as they may have otherwise. Ilsidur's spell cures all visible wounds on the bear. The spiders mandibles are unable to penetrate the magical protection being afforded to Yorrick as well.

Yorrick retaliates with all his fury at the iron gnome.
[claw AC 23, 34 dmg miss, 21
Bite Touch attack AC 26 dmg 22]

Peerimus shifts to a Huge White bear at this point and steps forward 5' to take a single swipe at the battered golem.
[Claw AC 28 miss]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang shared
Rusting Grasp shared 4 rounds left
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 88 rounds

Al: with DR 10 the flesh golem did no dmg so i ignore the poison, pretty sure that is how that would work. just in case though see last roll Fort 32

Firn'gaer - AC 19; HP 35/36 (giant eagle form) d20+6=15 d20+6=22
Friday March 4th, 2005 10:03:19 AM
Not wanting to run into his own wall, the wizard dismisses it (standard action) and continues to fly in that direction to the open area north of the battle (I was thinking about 40 or 50 feet north of IG).

Hang on Tokun, just hang on...I've got ya boy, don't ya worry about that.

[Listen DC15, Spot DC22]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
polymorph -- 88 rounds

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45
Current in giant eagle - 35/36

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force (cast)

Savin hps 95/95 d20+19=31 d10+4=14
Friday March 4th, 2005 11:17:32 AM
Savin sees the gnome's evil look and guesses his vocabulary is unfavorable. Savin sees red! He slams the gnome in the head with the heel of his palm, hopefully causing the gnome to see stars.

Savin hisses, "I don't have time to waste with you. If you don't call off the golems right now, I will kill you and then join my friends in battle. Do it now or die!"

Savin will grip the gnome's hands to prevent somatic gestures and hope he doesn't know any just verbal spells.

Niobe (67/67HP, 19 AC) d20+10=25 d20+10=11
Friday March 4th, 2005 3:55:12 PM
Niobe is busy trying to see if there is anything she can do to hurt the stone wolf and/or slow its attacks somehow. She can't cast spells.

(Spot 25)

(Just for the fun of it... Listen 11, Niobe didn't hear the fancy gnomish cursing either! If Mr. Evil Gnome doesn't peev Savin too terribly then maybe Niobe will get to listen to a repeat performance of colorful gnomish descriptives later? LOL)

What Color is Death - Round 07 (DM/Al) d6=4 d6=4 d20+5=19 d20+4=14 d20+18=30 d20+18=33 2d10(5+8)+9=22 2d10(3+2)+9=14 d100=10
Friday March 4th, 2005 9:55:10 PM
Ilsidur moves at last, drawing up behind Yorrick and pouring healing power into the mighty bear.

As Sly and the Gray Wolf lock with each other in deadly combat, Niobe frantically searches the Wolf for weak spots. Nothing makes itself apparent in the moving mass of Granite Gray Wolf and determined half-elven fighter.

Sly windmills in a figure eight. The sword hits twice again, but only the first stroke seems to cause any damage. A small sharp spray of stone chips fly from the Wolf's neck.

Peerimus and Yorrick attack in concert as the druid shifts into the form of a white bear. When they pull back, the Iron Gnome, nearly headless and scored with numerous horrific rents, stands unmoving. The crunch of stone sounds softly beneath it's massive feet. Then, with the slow majestic fall of a towering tree, it crashes to the ground, the earth shuddering with the impact. A flash of anti-chromatic light balloons outward from the fallen golem. As the only two within ten feet, Peerimus and Yorrick are engulfed. For the pair, light is dark and dark is light as all chromatic values are reversed. All watching from without easily recognize the same effect that had occurred when the Flesh Golem, the guardian of the Antechamber had fallen. Both druid and bear feel it enter them. Peerimus in particular feels it seize upon the broken eye tattoo on the back of his hand. They are both filled with the same sense of freedom and euphoria experienced by Jason and Shiraz only the day before. (You may both re-roll a save against any pending negative effect. I believe Yorrick is the only one with one on him.)

Firn'gaer dispels his wall. It vanishes just before he passes through the space, gliding to the north.

Savin pounces upon the gnome, taking him in a painful restraining hold. He offers an ultimatum, to which he receives nothing but gnomish curses. Pinning both of the gnome's hands at the small of his back, then monk restates the ultimatum with the heel of his hand.

===================================

The gnome puts up quite a kick, cursing loudly. (Opposed grapple 19) But he thrashes to no avail. Above the venomous invective of the captive gnome, Savin hears the distant sound of battle. Roars, screams, the sounds of blows in many and various forms. But, through the fog he can see none of it.

The Spider snaps again at the nearest target. (Hit AC14) Again, his bite fails to penetrate the thick hide of the great bear.

The Stone Wolf pays no mind to the small chip in his neck. It strikes again at Sly Foxx, slamming him twice again with terrible blows. (Hit AC30 & 33, Damage 22 & 14= 36) Sly Foxx falls to the floor unconscious from shock and trauma. (Sly is unconscious at -8hp.)

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): 30 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +22 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 30
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): 14 (--1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Dead
Stone Golem(Wolf) Lightly Wounded
Flesh Golem(Spider) Lightly Wounded

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 07

Niobe (67/67HP, 19 AC)
Friday March 4th, 2005 11:40:39 PM
Niobe slings her bow across her back. There is no point in trying to do any damage to it. Instead she runs down the ramp to get the wolf's attention; pretty much the same thing that Savin tried earlier. Her goal is to get the wolf away from Sly and Tokun quickly.

"Ilsidur! Sly might need your help quickly, that wolf really beat the tar out of him!"

Niobe gets close enough to pelt a few stones at the wolf. She also taunts it. With a lot of luck it will leave the bridge and go more or less where she wants it to. Niobe tries to herd it towards the area where the clay golem is standing frozen like a flower garden. She hopes to lure it somewhere behind the other golem. If the wolf falls into the water then that would be great, by her reckoning.

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 103-59] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 91-9 Poisoned -2 Con] d20+19=22 d20+19=21 d20+14=15 2d8(7+3)+14=24 2d8(7+3)+14=24 d20+11=20 2d6(4+5)+19=28 d20+28=38 d20+12=32
Friday March 4th, 2005 11:46:13 PM
With the euphoric sense that washes over him, Peerimus knows truly Mother and Father Wold are keeping to his safety and that of Yorrick, but what of his friends. He and Yorrick must finish this creature quickly in order to hope to save Sly and possibly Niobe.

A glance towards the wolf confirms his concern at thier situation, with a roar from Peerimus, Yorrick shifts 5' farther north, giving Peerimus enough room to move in against the Spider.

Yorrick lashes out with thudering blows from tooth and claw. With the great claws Yorrick tries to bring the spider down into a grapple as well
[Claw AC 22, 21 dmg 24, 24]
[Bite AC 15 nat 1]
[Grapple 38]

Peerimus too, takes a single swing at the vile creation.
[Claw Pa 6 AC 20 dmg 28]

Yorrick is able to shake the poison from the Iron golem [fort save 32]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang shared
Rusting Grasp shared 3 rounds left
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 87 rounds

Sly Foxx (AC 20 -8/65hp) and Luke(AC21 -3/28hp) d100=1
Saturday March 5th, 2005 6:34:37 AM
As Stone Wolf attacks Sly again, he feel the light slowly dim. He is heard as to say "Mother, Jason! I have failed you...." as he drops to the ground.

OOC:(I din't belive this)I rolled a 1, does this mean Sly is atable??.(DM Al)

Aloft - A DM Correction - (DM/Al)
Sunday March 6th, 2005 1:47:03 PM
The boy had been so light in the claws of this new form, that Firn'gaer the giant eagle had almost thought he had dropped him. One look below disabused the wizard of that notion. In the northeast corner of the cavern, the wizard spreads his wings to bank against the onrush of the northern wall. Below, in his claws the boy dangles, unconscious, a dead weight.

Sorry, I turned Firn'gaer into an Eagle instead of a Giant Eagle as he should have been.

Revised Map
Tools of the Master - Round 07

Firn'gaer - AC 19; HP 44/45
Sunday March 6th, 2005 3:13:21 PM
The giant eagle lands and as he does he sets the young barbarian down. Reverting back to a man, Firn'gaer reaches for a potion from his magical bag.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force (cast)

Ilsidur (AC25, 98/98 hp)
Sunday March 6th, 2005 4:30:40 PM
Seeing Sly drop from the stone golem blows, Ilsidur turns and runs to stand beside the fallen fighter, on the opposite side from the golem. "Hold on for a few more seconds..." he thinks to himself as he runs across the stone floor.

[OOC: Triple move to run in a straight line to the square beside Sly. I figured that was OK, since it is a straight line, and nothing is in the way.]

Niobe (67/67HP, 19 AC)
Sunday March 6th, 2005 5:14:02 PM
((Al, You didn't show Niobe moving anywhere on the revised map. I guess that she remained on the ramp and is still trying to get the stone golems attention? It is a futile (?) attempt to distract it from Sly - and now also Ilsidur.))

Niobe continues to try and get the construct to ignore the two people immediately in front of it. She hopes that Ilsidur will be able to bring Sly back from the brink of death. The rocks she pelted the wolf with are most likely comparable with gnats for it!

The Revised Map contains none of the movement from this round. (Round 08) It only corrects an error I made earlier by making Firn'gaer a regular eagle instead of a Giant Eagle. The changes are as follows: 1) Firn'gaer's size is bigger, 2) Tokun is with him instead of down by the bridge.

As to distraction, gonna be tough with Ilsidur right up front there. I dunno ... you're going to have to get pretty close ... hehehe --Al

Savin d20+13=28 d20+13=31 d20+8=25 d10+4=12 d10+4=13 d10+4=13
Monday March 7th, 2005 4:28:00 PM
Savin has lost all patience with this gnome. He releases the gnome from the grapple launches into a flurry of blows. The first is a stunning fist dc 17 or be stunned.

He does 38 points of subdual damage to the gnome. He figures someone is gonna want to ask some questions if we get out of this alive.

Sly Foxx (AC20 - 2/65hp) and Luke (Ac 21 -3/28hp) d100=8
Monday March 7th, 2005 4:57:39 PM
Sly lies there with eyes close.

BIG Luke lies there with eyes closed.

Heroics - Round 08 (DM/Al) d20+9=18 d20+3=15 d20+4=6 d20+18=31 2d10(2+6)+9=17
Monday March 7th, 2005 8:33:24 PM
With Sly fallen and clearly in very bad shape, Niobe rushes down the ramp waving her arms to draw the Stone Wolf toward her. She veers to the right, placing herself next to the giant figure of the walrus now covered in large purple blooms. From that place, she hurls small rocks and insults.

Together the two gigantic bears tear huge rents in the Spider. Yorrick rears up and takes the eight legged monster in a crushing embrace from which it cannot escape. (Opposed Grapple 18) The majestic bear appears in full health. His coat shines and his dark eye is clear. It is as though the poison from the Iron Gnome's cloud of gas had never been.

As he falls, Sly Foxx calls out to his mother and the paladin Jason. Even as he hits the ground, his horrible internal wounds cease to bleed. (Yes Sly, you are stable. Please do not keep changing your HP numbers. You are at -8. Luke is at -11.)

Dust and small flotsam rise into the air as the giant wings of Firn'gaer's eagle form take he and Tokun to a landing. The wizard reverse to his human mien and removes a potion from his haversack.

Ilsidur hustles down the ramp pumping his legs to gain all the speed he can and reach Sly Foxx before he expires. He stands with Niobe, just out of range from the great Stone Wolf. (Actually, there was a ten-foot drop separating you and Sly. I hope the position I placed you at is ok. It gets you there with a double move.)

Savin releases the gnome's hands and strikes him with a quick stunning blow to the temple. (Fort Save 15 - Failed) Dazed, the gnome lies unmoving as the monk sends him into deep unconsciousness with a follow up of multiple strikes.

===================================

Buried in the grip of Yorrick's arms the spider finds that it cannot get it's mandibles open far enough to deliver an effective bite. It's jaws move weakly, but to no avail. (To Bite AC6)

The huge head of the Stone Wolf fixes upon the arm waving figure of Niobe. Then it swings to a new target as Ilsidur runs down the ramp and into view. Without expression, the massive stone head again regards first the half-elf and then the dwarf. Finally, its foot leaves the bridge crushing rock beneath its weight as it moves toward Niobe. Swinging a great stone paw it slams her from the side. (Hit AC31, Damage 17hp) Bones break and muscle jellies under the crushing blow.

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): Scrap Metal. Ready for the Heap.
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): 14 (--1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Dead
Stone Golem(Wolf) Lightly Wounded
Flesh Golem(Spider) Wounded

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 08

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 103-59] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 91] d20+28=48 d20+28=33 d20+28=44 2d6(5+1)+14=20 2d6(3+2)+14=19 3d6(6+3+5)+7=21 d20+12=31
Monday March 7th, 2005 9:11:53 PM
Yorrick, thuderous bellows issuing from his maw, presses relentlessly into the spider, using his mass and strength to great advantage.
[Grapple attack 48, 33 44]
[claw dmg 20, 19 Bite 21]

Peerimus is torn, Is 12 seconds too long? If I leave Yorrick, one of Father's enchantments will also go, but if I do not...

Peerimus lets loose a bellowing challenge and turns towards the Wolf. Moving directly at it and hopping down the small drop and stopping almost directly over Ilsidur.
[Move and move 40' jump check 31, want to stop 15 away best he can righ behind Ilsidur]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang shared 8 hours
Rusting Grasp shared 2 rounds left
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 86 rounds

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC)
Tuesday March 8th, 2005 3:20:18 AM
Niobe knows to roll with any blow that she gets hit with, and does exactly that. The damage isn't lessened, and she will now leave Ilsidur to do what he can with Sly while the wolf is busy trying to kill her.
Of course somehow she ended up where she wasn't moving to...

Sly Foxx
Tuesday March 8th, 2005 5:49:24 AM
Sly is motionless, But still breathing.

Firn'gaer - AC19, HP 44/45 d8+1=7 d20+6=24 d20+6=22
Tuesday March 8th, 2005 8:38:12 AM
Taking the potion from his haversack, Firn'gaer opens the boy's mouth and pours it down while holding Tokun's head up slightly as to prevent choking. "There you go boy. You should survive and next time quit the heroics."

The wizard looks up to survey the battle and sees that Sly fell, but from here it's too hard to tell if the elf still lives.

"Stay here and stay out of trouble...or deal with me." The wizard says to the boy laying down infront of him. Not certain if his message has gotten through, but perhaps his tone has.

Potion of CLW -- 7 hit points healed.

[Listen DC24, Spot DC22]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force (cast)

Savin hps 95/95
Tuesday March 8th, 2005 10:57:16 AM
Savin sees his friends in danger and snarls curses under his breath. He was so hopeful his course of action would help his friends but it hasn't worked. He must get to them. He must help!

He jumps from the ledge and uses his slow fall feat to prevent any damage. He then sprints towards the bridge to help out his friends. OOC I figure he should get there at the end of this round and should be able to attack the following. Base 60' x 4 for full out sprint.

Rescues - Round 09 (DM/Al) d20+18=26 d20+18=22 2d10(5+8)+9=22
Tuesday March 8th, 2005 10:06:28 PM
Peerimus leaves his friend alone with the Spider. With great strides of his massive frame, the giant white bear easily covers the distance to the Stone Wolf, leaping down the ten-foot drop as he goes.

Yorrick, it appears needs no help. He savages the many-legged monstrosity and the crack of it's exo-skeleton cuts through crisp air of the cavern. The Spider crumples and folds, then falls to the floor a black and green mass of oozing ichor.

Niobe knows that the blow is coming. She takes it, rolling with the crushing stone paw. Despite the pain, however, she stands her ground, allowing Ilsidur the time he needs to heal the fallen Sly Foxx.

Sly lies very still, crushed and broken he is clearly at death's door. If he is not dead already ...

Tokun awakens to the figure of Hands Waving Man standing over him. In his mouth is an odd taste, not unpleasant. His body hurts all over. Hands Waving Man speaks and surveys something below the edge of the distant cliff edge.

Savin hears the sounds of battle through the thick mist, the all too familiar smack of bludgeoning wounds. Leaving the gnome, he drops off the ledge, trailing a finger against the wall to slow his fall. Half way down, he comes out of the mist. In the distance, the Stone Wolf squares off against a giant white bear that could be no other than Peerimus. Ilsidur stands over a fallen figure: Sly Foxx. Niobe stands in the Stone Wolf's path, she appears injured. Savin hustles as quickly as his superior speed will allow him, hoping he is in time. (Run at x4 speed must be in a straight line. Most I can give you is a double move. Also falling distance counts in your movement.)

Ilsidur stands without moving.

===================================

The Stone Wolf turns as his attention is drawn by the mountain of flesh that comes down off of the first level. Now it has a new target. But there is an obstacle in the way. The Stone Wolf takes a five foot step forward and slams Ilsidur twice. (Hit AC26 & AC22, Damage 22hp) One heavy stone paw strikes the dwarf crushing armor flesh and bone.

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): Scrap Metal. Ready for the Heap.
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): Crunchy Bits.
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Dead
Stone Golem(Wolf) Lightly Wounded
Flesh Golem(Spider) Dead

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 09

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC) d20+15=35 d20+6=25 d8+1=6
Wednesday March 9th, 2005 1:32:57 AM
((*laughs at myself* I obviously didn't know about the slam attack...))

Niobe can't believe her eyes! She risks life and limb and Ilsidur stands there stunned. While stone monstrousity is distracted by the dwarven cleric Niobe takes a new gamble. She sneaks around the back of the wolf in order to get to Sly. Once she is out of eyesight of the wolf she will draw her emergency CLW wand. Niobe hopes that she can get it to work too.

((If this all works as Niobe hopes then Sly should survive his encounter with the wolf golem. I am doing this because I don't want Sly to die; which might happen if Niobe doesn't try this. I figure from the map that there is just enough room right behind the wolf to sneak past and get to Sly.))

(Move Silently 35, Use Magic Device 25, CLW wand: Sly 6HP)

((Al, I am rolling all the rolls now while I still can post. My flu and my son's flu haven't gotten any better, so I hope you don't mind!))

(Niobe: addendum)
Wednesday March 9th, 2005 1:35:25 AM
(I forgot to add her position! Niobe will end up beside Sly, right below the "S" in SG on the map.)

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 103-59] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 91] d20+17=34 d20+17=21 d20+12=15 2d6(2+4)+13=19
Wednesday March 9th, 2005 9:31:58 AM
Peerimus calls over his shoulder for Yorrick to come to him when the spider creature is dead. He then moves 5' forward and left, rearing up his brings his own, hopefully stone spliting, claws in on the wolf.
[Claw AC 34, 21 dmg 19...Bite AC 15]

A reply roar from his friend Yorrick, confirms the druid made the correct decision to come and assist. Yorrick too covers teh distance quickly, coming up on the right of the great white bear. (To where Niobe was on Round 9 map)

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Rusting Grasp 1 rounds left
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 85 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Firn'gaer - AC19, HP 44/45
Wednesday March 9th, 2005 10:17:47 AM
"Niobe, stay with Sly!" Shouts the wizard over the sounds of battle as he moves 30 feet towards the ramp. "I'll pull Sly out of danger...just get the bleeding stopped."

Firn'gaer begins to weave a spell. His eyes start to glow white-blue. Over at Sly's position, the elf's body starts to light with dancing white arcs of energy. This energy begins to raise Sly off the ground. These arcs grow and multiply as the elven body is lifted further. The body moves slowly across the ground; walking on dozens of white legs of energy Sly moves towards the drop (right) and away from danger.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
telekinesis -- 9 rounds

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Sly Foxx
Wednesday March 9th, 2005 3:18:29 PM
Sly's eye are closed.

Nipping At Its Heels - Round 10 (DM/Al) d20+18=19 d20+18=37 d20+18=21 2d10(8+8)+9=25 2d10(3+5)+9=17
Wednesday March 9th, 2005 10:29:15 PM
Niobe attempts to creep behind the Stone Wolf on her way to Sly's fallen body. Despite the distracting presence of Ilsidur and Peerimus, though, she is too close. Way too close. The Stone Wolf takes the opportunity and swings a heavy stone paw in the direction of the rogue. (AoO Hit AC19 Nat 1) Niobe is lucky today. Very very lucky. She feels the rush of the massive bludgeoning pay pass but a hairs breadth past her head.

And then she's past, scrambling between the flank of the Stone Wolf and the burgeoning flower encrusted Clay Walrus. She climbs over the bit of bridge and rolls to Sly's side, drawing her emergency wand as she goes. The rogue touches the wand to Sly and gives the trigger word. Healing light bathes the half-elf in health. Sly remains unconscious. But Niobe is assured that if he were dying before, he is not now. (Sly is now at -2hp. Still unconscious.)

Peerimus roars calling Yorrick to his side. The druid in bear form lays into the Stone Wolf. A single paw rakes parallel lines through the hard granite. Still, the wound is not deep. Not nearly deep enough.

Firn'gaer leaves the barbarian guide behind and focuses on Sly Foxx prone and unconscious in the midst of battling titans. The wizard weaves a spell of Telekinesis, floating Sly's body to the east and safely behind Peerimus.

===================================

The Stone Wolf turns to the largest figure and the source of most immediate damage. It strikes at Peerimus the great white bear. (Hit AC37 & AC21, Damage 25 & 17 -20DR = 22hp Damage) The stone paws strike out, but the blows are softened by the magic of the druid's spell.

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): Scrap Metal. Ready for the Heap.
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): Crunchy Bits.
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Dead
Stone Golem(Wolf) Lightly Wounded
Flesh Golem(Spider) Dead

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 10

Savin ac 24 95/95 hps d20+13=30 d10+4=10
Wednesday March 9th, 2005 10:29:54 PM
Savin runs across the bridge and attacks the stone golem from his flank/back. Hit ac 30 for 10 points of damage with my open fist.

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC) d20+6=26 d8+1=3
Thursday March 10th, 2005 2:35:27 AM
Niobe takes a long step back (5 ft. step) and then makes her way over to where Sly is now. She makes certain that she is out of range of the stone behemoth.
She touches the wand to Sly again, and if he comes to consciousness she will warn him,

"Sly don't you dare go back into to melee with that stone wolf. You and I are going to cross the bridge halfway and use whatever ranged attacks we can instead. If you try to directly engage it again you'll be wearing your guts for garters..."
She will also give Sly a meaningful look; if he is awake to see it mind. After all she didn't risk her safety just to have him go and try and die again!

Of course Sly probably doesn't feel up to doing much battle does he? The wand just gave him enough "health" to wake up maybe? (I hope so anyway).

(Use Magic Device 26, wand heals an amazing 3HP to Sly!)

((Ceil, Niobe will warn Sly in such a stern, 'nasty' way because she cares. Just wanted you to know. ;) ))

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 103-37] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 91] d20+17=21 d20+17=29 d20+12=32 2d6(5+2)+13=20 3d6(2+4+1)+7=14 d20+17=37 d20+17=26 d20+12=30 2d6(6+2)+13=21 2d6(5+3)+13=21 3d6(4+3+3)+6=16 d20+27=35 d20+27=46
Thursday March 10th, 2005 9:02:30 AM
The white bear roars again, as the stone paws pound its head and shoulders. Peerimus rears and steps into the wolf with claw and fang.
[Claw AC 21, 29 dmg 20 Bite AC 32 dmg 14]

Yorrick, too, comes at the Stone wolf. Claws tearing into the hard stone and his sword like teeth as well. With devastating accuracy, the great kodiak strikes three times and then attempts to wrestle the wolf to the ground.
[Claw AC 37, 26 dmg 21,21 Bite AC 30 Dmg 16]
[Grapple 35, 46]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 84 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Sly Foxx (AC 20 1/65)
Thursday March 10th, 2005 9:16:04 AM
Sly stirs a little, then slowly open his eyes. He ask Niobe "Is that you Niobe? Tell me Is Tokum alright? Where's the wolf? Ouch! I hurt all over."

Sly cannot seem to be able to get up already, He now calls out "Luke? Luke? Where are you?"

OOC: Eunice - of course Niobe cares for Sly, he's such a good looking half elf, single and only 18 half elf years old.

Firn'gaer - AC19, HP 44/45
Thursday March 10th, 2005 8:15:37 PM
"Sly stay down." Says the wizard to his injured companion. "Tokun is alive and safe."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
telekinesis -- 8 rounds

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Savin 95/95 ac 24 d20+11=16 d20+11=31 d20+6=26 d10+4=11 d10+4=12
Thursday March 10th, 2005 9:33:42 PM
OOC This sucks! I roll two natural 20's and the stupid monster is immune to critical hits! Life isn't fair!

Savin knows he must take the heat off his friends. He must make the creature turn and fight him. He screams as loudly as he can and attacks the stone wolf hitting it twice for 11 and 12 points of damage.

"Come on you chipped piece of lava rock! Face me!"

Taking Hits - Round 11 (DM/Al) d20+18=33 2d10(10+3)+9=22 d20+23=38 d20+23=43 d20+19=30 d20+19=20 2d10(7+10)+9=26
Thursday March 10th, 2005 10:18:47 PM
Savin charges across the bridge. As soon as the monk comes within 10 feet of the Stone Wolf, it sends a paw slamming into him. (AoO Hit AC33, Damage 22hp) Hit hard, Savin returns the favor. With an open hand, he strikes the unprotected rear of the Stone Wolf. The strike rings, the slap of flesh against stone, but the stone remains unmarred. He strikes again and again, his blows clean and sure. An normal wolf would now be crippled. Or worse. The Stone Wolf shows little effect from the blows.

Niobe steps back cautiously, expecting the Stone Wolf to take the opportunity and strike out at her. Fortunately for her, Savin has already distracted the Wolf taking the blow she might otherwise have drawn. She moves quickly behind Peerimus to Sly Foxx's side. Injured herself, still she tends to Sly Foxx first, touching him with the wand and raising him to consciousness. Once Sly is awake, Niobe lets him have it, telling him just how it's going to be. (BTW, you cannot both move and take advantage of the protection from AoO provided by the 5-foot step. If you move NO MORE THAN 5 feet, you will not draw AoO. Or, if you do nothing but move, no action, you will not draw AoO.)

Peerimus and Yorrick attack in concert again. Massive claws and teeth leave there mark in the gray stone. Yorrick and the Stone Wolf play a brief tug-of-war in which the giant bear finally gets the better. (Opposed Grapple 38-Opposed, 43-Grappled)

Sly Foxx awakens and his first thought is to duty. He calls for Luke who's broken body lies on the level above.

Firn'gaer, from up on the first level, warns Sly Foxx to stay down as well. Under the bears and Stone Wolves is not the best place in the world to be right now.

===================================

Heedless of Yorricks grip upon him, the Stone Wolf slams relentlessly at the bear. (Hit AC30, AC20 :At -4 Penalty, Damage 26hp)

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): Scrap Metal. Ready for the Heap.
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): Crunchy Bits.
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Dead
Stone Golem(Wolf) Wounded
Flesh Golem(Spider) Dead

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 11

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp, damage reduction 3 due to adamantine armour) d20+17=27 3d8(4+4+6)+9=23
Friday March 11th, 2005 1:25:16 AM
Ilsidur runs over to Sly's side, passing through the squares occupied by the large bear, and heals the fighter. [OOC: heal for 23 hp damage, using remove blindness spell. rolled a 27 for concentration check, just in case it is necessary.]

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC)
Friday March 11th, 2005 1:47:24 AM
Niobe puts her wand away; there is no immediate need to tempt fate again, since it isn't a given thing that she will get the magic item to keep working.
Niobe watches the combat and tries to think of any way to turn it to their favor. She doesn't know much about golems, just that this one can hardly be damaged.
Niobe moves back along the wall to give Peerimus better room to fight the golem (moves back 5 to 10 feet). She doesn't want to face it in melee at any rate. She has nothing that can harm it and has felt far too keenly what it can dish out!
Niobe looks over at the bridge to see if it can be crossed without the wolf being too close.

((Hi Al, I have said before that I don't know all the little rules. I don't have time to learn them either, so I just post whatever I think might be necessary. If it doesn't apply just ignore it. Telling me all the little rules won't help much because I won't remember them anyways, and in particular not any rules that apply in combat. Just thought I'd remind you about me and rules again.))

Sly Foxx (AC 20 24/65hp) 3d4(3+3+4)=10
Friday March 11th, 2005 5:21:46 AM
"Ok! Ilsidur, I won't move. But if only we could push that stone wolf into the water, i don't think it could get out there, with a muddy botton. That stone wolf is near the edge now.
All I can do is sent Magic Missels at him now, that won't do any thing but make him mad."

So Sly will send the first round of Three Magic missels at the Stone Wolf Head, "slessim cigam Poo Poo Poo!.

Sly Prepared Spells
Lvl 0 - Read Magic - Detect Magic - Acid Splash(2)
Lvl 1 - Magic Missels (3) - Shocking Grasp

Lvl 2 - Spider Climb - Sommom Swarms - Scorching Ray
Lvl 3 - Lighning Bolt

OOC: Magic Missels Damages (If any?) 10 hp.

Firn'gaer - AC 19, HP 44/45
Friday March 11th, 2005 8:38:28 AM
"Hang on Sly, I get you out of there." Seeing the fight below come close to Sly, Firngaer decides to move him out of harms way. Sly's body with the arcs of energy climb up the drop to the level above towards Luke.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
telekinesis -- 7 rounds

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 103-37] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 91-75] d20+27=46 d20+27=28 d20+27=40 2d6(6+1)+13=20 2d6(3+5)+13=21 3d6(5+2+1)+6=14 d20+27=43 d20+27=36 d20+27=40 2d6(6+2)+13=21 2d6(4+5)+13=22 3d6(3+4+1)+7=15
Friday March 11th, 2005 10:34:07 AM
OoC Niobe always tumble near opponents DC 15 or higher they dont get AoO

Yorrick presses his advantage on the stone behemouth in his clutches. The cavern reverberates like thunder as the massive combantants struggle for a dominating hold.
[Grapple 46, 28 40 dmg 20, 21, 14]

Peerimus now pile onto the Wolf, joining the grapple. Over 15 tons of stone and muscle are now josling near the bridge.
[Grapple 43, 36, 40 dmg 21, 22, 15 - One of the grapple checks will deal no damage. To join a grapple I expend one attack]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 83 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Savin ac 24 73/95 hps d20+13=33 d20+15=35
Friday March 11th, 2005 6:23:31 PM
Savin looks at the stone wolf near the edge of the ravine and a crazy idea leaps into his head.

He jumps up and tries to catch a hold of the golem. (I assume he succeeded as he rolled a natural 20)

He then tries to wrap his hands around the eyes of the golem and blind him. He is hoping the beast will automatically rear back and fall into the ravine. If he rears back but doesn't fall into the ravine then Savin will yell to the bears, "Push him over into the ravine! I will be ok!"

Rolled a grapple attack of 35 with another natural 20. (Wow! that is 4 natural 20's in the last two posts! Al, really I am not cheating!)

grapple, base +7, strength +4, and improved grapple feat +4

ooc Al Kent was online and I asked him what I should roll. He told me a touch attack and then a grapple attack.

Flesh and Stone - Round 12 (DM/Al) d20+23=36 d20+23=25 d20+23=37 d20+23=30 d20+23=27 d20+23=32 d20+19=36 d100=45
Friday March 11th, 2005 9:15:57 PM
Ilsidur withdraws while still within the reach of the towering stone wolf. As he moves, a paw reaches for him, but it is jerked back by Yorrick's steadfast hold. Passing between the forest of Peerimus' legs, the dwarf makes his way to Sly and Niobe to administer some much needed healing.

Niobe stows her emergency wand and retreats to the gray shadows of the ten-foot cliff while the enormous animals battle nearby. The rogue's analytical eye estimates that the Stone Wolf has a reach of about ten feet. From it's current position, one should be able to safely slip up from the south and climb up onto the bridge. Especially now that it and Yorrick are locked in a deadly embrace.

Sly Foxx is back in the game. With restored health, he sends three bolts of light at the Stone Wolf. The strike the granite hide splashing sparks of magic. But, when the light fades, the stone is intact. Perhaps it is an immunity to certain magics, but no damage seems to have been done.

Whether he wants to or not, Sly Foxx rises from the ground, ascending the side of the ten-foot cliff and then drifting back through the air. Sly turns to find the source of the magic and sees Firn'gaer in the depths of concentration, pulling him to safety.

Peerimus joins the seething mountain of wrestling stone and flesh. He and Yorrick crush stone beneath their weight as the Wolf struggles beneath them. (Opposed Grapples 36, 25, 37, 30, 27)

The Wolf still stands, and the crushing wounds inflicted by it's massive paw have been felt by many. Before it can strike again, Savin makes a desperate gamble. The monk leaps from the bridge onto the back of the embattled Stone Wolf. Throwing himself into the valley between two mountains of fur, one brown one white, Savin slaps his palms over the Wolf's eyes.

"Push him over into the ravine! I will be ok!" Savin shouts. Does a creature of Stone see with the eyes of its form? Could the man upon its back be more than a flea in comparison to the mighty bears that tear at it now?

===================================

The answer is, apparently, yes. A Stone Wolf may not rear, but it does struggle to turn toward the thing that holds its vision captive. It fights against the restraining flesh. (Opposed Grapple 32-Fail) Finally, it slams a paw upward at the thing holding its eyes. (Hit AC36 :At -4 Penalty, 50% miss chance - 45) The brutal gray paw descends toward Savin's head. Only at the last possible moment does it veer battering the monk with no more than the wind of its passage.

AC's for your opponents are:
Iron Golem(Gnome): Scrap Metal. Ready for the Heap.
Stone Golem(Wolf): 26 (--1 size, --1 Dex, +18 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 26
Flesh Golem(Spider): Crunchy Bits.
Clay Golem(Toast): Smell the Pretty Flowers

STATUS
Iron Golem(Gnome) Dead
Stone Golem(Wolf) Near Death
Flesh Golem(Spider) Dead

Map
Tools of the Master - Round 12

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC)
Saturday March 12th, 2005 6:15:55 AM
Niobe nods as she sees that the bridge can be accessed in spite of the golem. Then Savin behaves like a mad man! Niobe watches the whole scene in utter surprise. Now she tries to see if there is anything she can do to help out; but no, there are too many engaged in melee around the golem so she doesn't dare to try to fire any arrows at it.
Lacking for anything useful to contribute to combat she calls up to Firn'gaer.

"Firn'gaer, do you have any idea on how to kill off that pest of a golem?! How is Tokun doing? Is he well enough to be moving out of here soon?!"

Sly Foxx (AC20 24/65)
Saturday March 12th, 2005 7:27:30 AM
Sly watches as his magic just make the wolf even more reckless, "That Good! If he cannot see, he'll tople over into the water."

Sly slaps the ground, he's mad at himself, "I cannot use any more magic, because of Savin being on the wolf's back blinding him. I cannot shoot arrows because of Peerimus and Yurrik are in the way. Is ther a long pole I can use as a ram??." Sly tries to get up but fails.

Savin hitpoints 73/95 ac 25 d20+15=27 d20+11=16 d20+6=21
Saturday March 12th, 2005 9:48:30 AM
The group looks on at utter surprise when they see a huge grin on Savin's face. He actually looks to be enjoying himself.

He screams, "Push him over the ledge. Hurry! I doubt I can hold on much longer" Savin tries to maintain the grapple and pull up on the head like a rider does with a horse. Unfortunately he doesn't have a bit!

Savin tries to hit it a couple of times but misses with both. He is distracted by just hanging on

grapple: base +7, strength +4, improved grapple +4.

Grapple =27
Hits = 16 and 21

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 37/103] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 75/91] d20+27=37 d20+27=43 d20+27=43 2d6(1+6)+13=20 2d6(2+2)+13=17 3d6(3+2+4)+7=16 d20+27=34 d20+27=34 d20+27=46 2d6(3+2)+13=18 2d6(1+4)+13=18 3d6(1+3+5)+6=15
Saturday March 12th, 2005 10:55:02 AM
Peerimus and Yorrick can both see the cracks in the wolf and both know thier combined strength is more than a match now for the construct within thier grasp.
The mauling continues...
[Peerimus Grapple 37, 43,43 Dmg 20,17,16]
[Yorrick Grapple 34, 34, 46 Dmg 18,18,15]

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 82 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Firn'gaer - AC 19, HP 44/45
Sunday March 13th, 2005 8:18:27 AM
The wizard releases the spell on Sly. "Physical destroying the thing." He says to Niobe. "Magic does nothing to them...Tokun is alive. Sore, but alive and should be able to move."

Firn'gaer draws a wand from his haversack and waits. "I'm going to try and make the ground slick under it. So if you have plans to push it off the edge that will be my help."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp) 3d8(5+6+7)+9=27
Sunday March 13th, 2005 8:14:32 PM
Ilsidur tries to figure which of the two bears is in worse shape. [OOC: I can't tell from your posts which one is in worse shape. What does 103-37 mean? Are you down 37 hp, or are you at 37 hp?] Whichever beast looks in worse shape is the recipient of another healing spell from the cleric. He will move as necessary to heal whomever needs it. [OOC: Heal one of the bears for 27 hp damage.]

[OOC: I am at my mom's for the week, and for some reason, I couldn't send my character sheets through email, so I will try to do whatever I need to from memory. Al, I may ask you to fill in a roll for me if needed.]

The Way is Clear - End Combat (DM/Al) d6=3 d6=6 d6=4 d6=5
Monday March 14th, 2005 4:36:44 PM
Niobe watches in surprise as the titanic battle rages before her. Finding nothing she can do short of the same insanity in which Savin is currently engaged, she calls up the cliff to Firn'gaer.

Sly, though now much healthier, feels on the outside of the combat with no way to help. Part of this may be due to the fact that he is still floating in Firn'gaer's spell.

Savin continues his wild ride, striking at the Stone Wolf and clinging to his back as he urges the two bears to push them off the cliff and into the most assuredly icy water below.

Peerimus and Yorrick continue to savage the Stone Wolf, and something essential breaks inside. The Stone Wolf crumbles under Savin, leaving the monk atop a pile of crushed rock with two giant bears nearly on top of him.

Firn'gaer releases Sly from his spell and the half-elf lights safely on the ground some twenty feet from the still and bleeding body of Luke. Firn'gaer draws a wand, but the Stone Wolf is no more. There is now no need.

Ilsidur turns his healing magic on the nearest giant bear, it's white fur colored red with its own blood. Peerimus feels the crushed bones knit and the pulp of his flesh fill with the flush of life.

Peerimus, Yorrick, Savin and Ilsidur, the four nearest the fallen Stone Wolf, feel a rush through their tattoos. Something flees the broken body of the Stone Wolf, a presence, a quality, an idea, all of these things at once. And, as this thing leaves, it goes through the four in its passage. Yorrick and Savin feel a surge of euphoria, a thing the bear has felt twice today already. They feel a soaring freedom. They have been released. For Peerimus and Ilsidur the feeling is different though no less profoundly affecting. The presence leaves in them a touch of destiny, a deep seated affirmation of great deeds in the future.

For a moment, each of the four is transcendent. Then the feelings fade. The pain of their injuries returns. The reality of the cold stone walls around them reasserts itself. They return to the questioning looks of Sly, Niobe, and Firn'gaer.

At the far end of the cavern the obscuring mist clears from the ledge above, symbolic, perhaps, of the clearing of the way before them.

Sly Foxx and Luke (Ac21 -8/28 hp)
Monday March 14th, 2005 5:28:22 PM
Sly see that his faithful companion is down on his side. Sly yell at Fier-graer, "Put me down, Luke is is hurt bad!"

Peerimus I might need youe help!" Sa the wizard put's Sly on his feet. He's very ub steady.

Sly knells next to this huge Dog that Luke has becomed. Sly will pray to the Great White Stag of the Elven Forest. "OH! great White Stage! My companion Luke has given his life. Please reward him for his For he gave his life for others!"

Sly pick uo Luke head and hug him!

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC) d20+10=17
Monday March 14th, 2005 6:19:47 PM
"Thank the gods that's over," Niobe tells herself. She looks at the others standing on or around the pile of rubble. No one she can see looks dead or mortally wounded, Niobe is relieved.

"I am going to check out that exit. I won't be going too far off," Niobe tells the others as she walks past them and over the bridge.
She doesn't know that Savin has confronted the evil gnome on the ledge near the exit, or even if the gnome is still there or not.

Niobe will be checking to see if it seems safe enough to pass through the exit and continue on. The cavern doesn't seem to have anything interesting in it. She glances around as she walks anyway (looking for anything interesting or that can be sold for profit! Spot 17).

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp) 3d8(6+7+3)+9=25
Monday March 14th, 2005 9:08:43 PM
Ilsidur looks around and sees Sly holding Luke's head in his lap. He hurries his way over to the young elf's side, and says, "Let me see Luke." If there is still any life left in the dog, Ilsidur will cast his last cure serious wounds spell on the dog [OOC: healing 25 hp].

Once he has done all that he can for the dog, he will make his way towards the other side of the bridge, looking to see if anyone else is badly hurt. "Niobe, what was up on that ledge that you took off after?"

Firn'gaer
Monday March 14th, 2005 9:26:20 PM
Firn'gaer keeps a icy stare at the ledge where the gnome appeared. For a long moment he considers his arcane foe and what may be in store down the tunnel.

He turns his gaze to the cluster of companions around and near the fallen dog. "Has Gargul claimed him?" Firn'gaer says to Illsidur, but his thoughts are still of the gnome and the answers that lie ahead. As he looks back to the ledge the wizard drifts into thoughts of the now and of tomorrow.

Must tell Luke, if he survives, stone and iron are well beyond his ability...

Your arcane skills are going to be tested, Firn'gaer, my boy...golems are no minor feat of arcane power...there may be no going home...

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Savn
Monday March 14th, 2005 11:09:12 PM
Savin feels great! He feels like dancing and immediately does so. He will grab Niobe's hand and send her into a twirl, a dip and then give her a quick smooch on the lips.

The feeling quickly fades and he puts her back on to her feet and then snaps his fingers. "Come on! You a better climber than me and I want some answers! I put down a gnome who might have some." He hurries off but doesn't let go of Niobe's hand.

Gargul's Due (DM/Al)
Tuesday March 15th, 2005 9:14:40 PM
Sly Foxx wobbles on unsteady feet to the side of the friend who has been with him through so many adventures. Luke lies on the stone of the cave floor, his body a bag of crushed bone and mangled flesh. His tongue hangs still from his half open mouth.

Sly kneels by the unmoving body of his friend, and calls out to the spirit of the White Stag that gave Luke a soul so many years ago. He lifts his dear friends body up in his arms, and cradles him gently.

Ilsidur comes up the ramp to Sly's side. The dwarf too had been there, near the beginning. And Luke had always been with Sly. Now, he is no longer. Luke is gone.

Faint. Weak. Faint and weak. As Sly Foxx holds his dear friend to his breast, it seems a creation of his imagination. A think he wishes to be rather than something that is. Faint and weak. Does he dare hope that it is real? Faint and weak. Sly feels Luke's heart beat.

Perhaps it was the spirit of the White Stag returning life to Luke in answer to true and heartfelt prayer. Or perhaps it was that little edge granted the wardog by Peerimus' spell. Reasons will be what reasons we believe, but in the end the truth remains, and that truth is that Luke lives. Gargul will not have his soul today.

Ilsidur quickly detects the heartbeat. And, as Firn'gaer approaches to inquire as to the fate of the fallen wardog, Ilsidur blesses Luke with divine health. Luke's eyes flutter open, looking up into his friend Sly's face. His tongue lolls. He lifts his head weakly to lick Sly's cheek. Luke says one word: "Ouch."

+++++++++++++++++

While Peerimus and Yorrick regain their breath, Niobe heads for the other end of the cave, on the hunt for any valuables that might be stashed in whatever nooks and crannies this cavern might hide. She is, ultimately, doomed to disappointment. The cavern is pretty much all it appears to be: A Cavern. There is rock and water and not a whole lot else.

Savin leaps up from the rubble that only moments before had been the Stone Wolf. He rushes after Niobe and sweeps her up in dance, ending with a dip and his lips pressed to hers. He takes her hand, and the two of them head toward the far end of the cave. Up on the ledge, the unconscious gnome awaits, and Savin wants answers. The pair round the side of the mesa on their way to the ledge. As they pass the exit tunnel, Niobe's light sensitive half-elven eyes get a glimpse down the tunnel. Around 30 feet down is a spot on the wall that is just that bit darker than the rest. It turns out to be a stairway. They will not have to climb the wall after all. Savin and Niobe make their way up the stairway to the ledge. The gnome remains just as Savin had left him, out cold.

Niobe's practiced eye spots the gnome's purse right away. She also notices that he has some rather nice things. Nice boots, a ring, and interesting amulet around his neck, bracers, a fine cloak and a dagger and crossbow of excellent craftsmanship.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Wednesday March 16th, 2005 9:30:49 AM
Sly takkes his pawka off and puts it under Luke's head, "Don't move I'll get you some healing potions. Some where!"

Sly's (make up post for being sick)
Wednesday March 16th, 2005 9:36:48 AM
Sly look up at Ilsodur and ask "Come on Lets see if this guy has any healing potion."

Sly gets up on his feet, (A little woozie) but hes on his feet.

"Where did Savin and niobe go?" he follow in that direction (Limping all the way>

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 64/103] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 75/91]
Wednesday March 16th, 2005 9:38:29 AM
Peerimus nods to Ilsidur for the healing and then stretches to his 18' height to try and get a glimpse of what is on the ledge that Niobe and Savin are heading to.

Yorrick's great snout moves down to give Sly a nudge and a kiss with a low growl of appreciation at seeing the dog getting to its feet.

Peerimus after the attempted look will survey those around him and for a reaction from Tokun after Savin's little display.

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 80 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Savin d20+4=17
Wednesday March 16th, 2005 10:19:51 PM
Savin will pick up the gnome easily and grins at Niobe. "Wanna gather up the other baubles?" He carries the gnome over his shoulder to the rest of the party and dumps him rather hard on the ground.

"Someone please detect magic on him. I think he was controlling the golems or just watching the fight but he is a spelluser." Savin proceeds to gag him and tie him up. Rolled 17 for rope use.

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp)
Wednesday March 16th, 2005 10:33:38 PM
Ilsidur's visage breaks out into a huge smile as he wtches the dog rise seemingly from the dead. "Luke, I'm glad you're back. Next time, you had better leave the rock chewing to our two huge friends here." He indicates Peerimus and Yorrick.

Then he rises to his feet and crosses the large chamber to the base of the stairs. He looks over at Peerimus and Yorrick and says, "Well done, bears. It was your combined strength that won the day here." When he reaches the stairs, he looks Tokun over, to see how badly hurt the young barbarian is."

Revelations (DM/Al)
Wednesday March 16th, 2005 10:47:01 PM
Sly Foxx puts his parka on Luke and looks for some healing potions. Fact is, though, after the gift of Ilsidur's divine health, Luke looks in better shape than Sly does. Both of them, Sly slightly unsteady on his feet, go off in the direction that Niobe and Savin had gone.

Peerimus rouses himself and stands at full height to see where Niobe and Savin have gone. The ledge is ten feet above eye level for him, and some 150 feet away. Still, the druid thinks he sees a crumple of colorful cloth lying on the floor of the distant ledge. Then the druid swings his massive head back the other way, to take in the reactions of their barbarian guide.

Yorrick swings his huge muzzle in Luke's direction as the wardog goes by. As large as he is at the moment, the bear manages a gentle nuzzle for his friend.

Through his relief, Ilsidur lovingly admonishes Luke and praises the two huge bears for their strength. Then he heads back up the ramp to look in on Tokun. The barbarian lad is badly battered. (6/38) He is quiet. But that is not unusual. His eyes are distant, which is.

Savin picks up the unconscious gnome. By the very large swellings on his head, it looks like he'll be unconscious for several hours more, four at the very least. Aside from the gnome, there seems nothing else at all on the ledge or on the stairway. The things the gnome is wearing, however, do seem to have their share of ... resale value.

On the way back, Niobe's elven sight detects a faint light further down the tunnel. Perhaps there are more rooms only a short ways away.

Back amongst his companions, Savin dumps the body of the gnome unceremoniously upon the floor. With a rope, he gags, trusses and peace-binds the gnome. Nearby, the blooms that cover the Clay Walrus give off a sweet spring scent never smelled in this part of Ice Vein before.

Tokun has watched the end of the fight in silence. The scale is beyond his vocabulary to describe. This is the world in which the Magic Ones live. Is this the way of the gods? He watches Niobe down below as she goes off with Hands Fighting Man. And, at this moment, he has a very adult thought. She is beautiful, and the most desirable thing he has ever laid eyes upon. And yet, the life that Magic Woman Niobe leads is so far beyond him, that they could never possible share happiness. As Short Steel Man tends to his wounds, he thinks to himself that she would never be content to wait for him within a tent, working with the other women. Now that he makes an effort to imagine such a thing, he breaks out in a blush of pink ashamed to even think it.

Some dreams are born to die. But, in the dreaming, they teach.

Firn'gaer, meanwhile, feels a pressure at the back of his brain. A sense of knowing. An odd sense of three. A blink, a shake of the head, none of these dispel the feeling. Instead, rather, it grows. Like the creeping vine it wraps his mind, soft and velvet, but alarming in it's speed. The wizard detects the scent of blossoms from within his head. He hears the sound of moonlight. Three celestial bodies merge within his sky. And when they come together, they form ... an idea.

It comes in a shock wave of inspiration, it's brilliance is both of himself and at the same time a product of some primal depository of racial memory, something divine. It is a spell. And somehow, the wizard knows that he has the power to write it down whole, in one fell swoop. It will take no time at all, and it will be his. Through the medium of his higher intellect, gift from the sun and moons. (Firn'gaer, you may now copy the spell you developed in the B&G into your spellbook without penalty and with no more than one hour's time.)

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC) d20+10=19 d20+12=22
Thursday March 17th, 2005 6:22:53 AM
((Sorry for missing a post yesterday, my student rep. duties had me all the way out in the boonies with no computer in sight for nearly all day!))

(Niobe will be pleasantly surprised by Savin's unexpected little dance, dip and kiss rutine.)

Naturally she is eager to have words with the "evil gnome". Niobe will have pointed out the stairs and the possible new rooms to Savin.

Niobe will remove everything that shows up as magical on the gnome - up to and including any clothing. If the gnome is left in just his undergarments then tough for him!
Natually she will also remove everything non-magical too (except for said undergarments; she isn't evil after all!).

"Savin how long do think he'll be out for? We need to question him before we decide what else to do with him."

Niobe hasn't had any real time to see how badly off everyone might be at the time.

"Do we have time to wait here and rest up?"

(Appraise 19, Appraise (gems only) 22)

Sly Foxx and Big Luke
Thursday March 17th, 2005 1:19:41 PM
Sly get up and staggers down the ramp (But salutes Ilsidur first) Sly no sooner gets twenty feet down the ramp, Luke nuzzles Sly to the ground "Hi!" said Luke.

It was a few seconds later when Yurrick come along to nuzzle Luke. Now Sly is pined down by these two friends (who are so happy to see each other) But Sly is calling out for Peerimus (who's another Big White Bear) "Peerimus I like Yurrick very much BUT Right now they are much bigger than my self! HELP!"

Sly will try to hide in Lukes fur.

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 64/103] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 75/91]
Thursday March 17th, 2005 3:03:24 PM
Ennngg huh huh huh So that's what it sounds like when a bear laughs. The great white bear shakes his head at Sly's current predicament and cocks sideways as if deciding what to do about it, but in the end another deeper than bass chuckle rumbles pass his maw and it turns it's attention to the gnome being bound up. When Savin finishes, a paw larger than the body it is holding down, covers the gnome. Only his head pokes from between two longsword sized claws.

Yorrick, soon enough leaves Sly and Luke in a little peace and wanders to the water where the walrus emerged and if his nose tells him it is safe, begins to quench an impressive thirst.

Spells
0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 79 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Savin
Thursday March 17th, 2005 4:55:37 PM
Savin grins as Peerimus in bear form puts his paw on the gnome. "Hey Ilsidur, why don't you use a minor cure on him. I bet he would wake up and his expression will be priceless! Besides, I have some questions for him."

Savin will use his wholeness of body feat to cure himself 20 hps

Firn'gaer
Thursday March 17th, 2005 8:02:11 PM
The images and feelings flood the wizards mind. He immediately drops to the ground and begins to pen the spell as his mind's eye sees it. In a frantic calm, Firn'gaer writes in his spellbook. A dab of ink and a swoosh of the quill and the formulas begin to take form on the page.

Is that a spell your writing?

... The wizard continues to write.

That's new...I don't remember you working on that...what's it do?

... The wizard continues to write.

Maybe I'll just let you work...

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp) 2d8(5+6)+9=20
Thursday March 17th, 2005 9:22:05 PM
Ilsidur moves up behind the young barbarian and gently touches his shoulder. His healing power flows into the young lad. [OOC: convert 2nd level spell to cure moderate wounds, healing Tokun for 20 hp damage.] He looks up into Tokun's face, and says reassuringly, "That was sure some fight, wasn't it young one? Everyone fought bravely, and we managed to come out on top. See, everyone is fine now, with only a few residual scratches. Do you feel better now?" He realizes that the boy will not understand his words, but he hopes that Tokun will understand the intent.

Then the dwarf climbs the stairs to the top, and looks at the unconscious gnome. "Do we want to revive him and ask him some questions? He is likely to be out for a while."

Very Large Pause (DM/Al)
Thursday March 17th, 2005 10:19:15 PM
No one responds to Savin's call to Detect Magic. Still, Niobe knows a nice item when she sees it. The gnome is left with nothing but his clothing when she's done. Niobe eyes the pile of things she's collected: A pair of boots, a ring, an amulet, a set of bracers, a very nice cloak, a dagger and a light crossbow. She also hefts a pouch. When counted the pouch reveals 16 platinum pieces and five gold.

Sly, Luke and Yorrick engage in a dog ... er elf ... er ... dog-elf-bear pile. Sly cries for help. For the moment, neither Luke nor Yorrick pay him much heed. They know he loves it.

Peerimus gives a bear laugh, but leaves the group to their fun. Instead, he turns his attention to the unconscious gnome. He places a paw over the gnome's body, pressing it to the ground.

After a while, Yorrick, of his own accord, lets Sly Foxx up. The big big bear sniffs the air and then sends crushed purple blossoms to the cavern floor as he brushes past the Clay Walrus on his way to the trail leading down into the gorge and the water below. The water is cold. Cold as the water in the Great Lake. Cold as any water in Ice Vein. But Yorrick is a bear. The water is welcome and refreshing.

Savin stands near the gnome and imagines the picture of the gnome's face as he wakens to the face of the giant bear above. With a minor effort of will, the monk wills his body to heal.

Firn'gaer removes a spellbook and begins writing madly, to the exclusion of all else.

The pain fades as Ilsidur touches the young guide from Smashed Teeth Village. Tokun smiles and nods at the words from Short Steel Man. And when he goes down the ramp to join the main group of Magic Ones, Tokun goes with him, leaving Hands Waving Man up above. He walks to the edge of the gorge and looks down at Yorrick, watching the bear as he drinks. Such tales he will have to tell one day.

Ilsidur inspects the wounds on the gnome's head. The bruises are rather severe. It does indeed appear as though he will be unconscious for several hours unless something is done.

Aside from the Children of Chaos themselves, the cavern is quiet. The gnome lies unconscious. Sly and Jason's parents lie somewhere ahead. But where? And what cost to get there?

Sly Foxx and Big Luke d20+5=22
Friday March 18th, 2005 6:24:28 AM
Sly finally makes it to his feet, and scratches the ears of both Yurrick and Luke (whitch I might add was diffacult at best).
But finally Yurrick takes intrest in the water. "Hmm! that water looks good enought to play splash in, Go ahead, play splash with Yurrich and while your dond there see if there a tunnel in the side off the cliff!" (I mean to the south end of the ramp down to the water, That walerous has to be guarding some thing.) He watches the very large dog run after his freind.

To Tukem Sly waves "Tukem" waving, makes a sign to come over. "Niobe over there!" Sly points to the balcony, after making sure the animal have their time off to play.

Sly will yell up Savin, "I have a Detect Magic Spell ready, I think I well enogh to use it. I'll be right up!" Sly tell Token "Let's go to Niobe!" Sly will start off to go where he is needed.

Luke after the ear scratching and Sly telling him to go play in the water, will go over to where the walerous is and jump over the odd animal runs down the ramp then into the water making thr biggest cannon ball dive around.

Luke jump 22

Peerimus [AC 15 HP 64/103] and Yorrick [AC 19 HP 75/91]
Friday March 18th, 2005 4:17:51 PM
Peerimus maintains his pinning position on the gnome and sits back on his haunches, looking to Ilsidur and then the gnome. A big nodding at Savin's mention of using a bit of healing to bring the man around quicker. Knowing he can divert his attention, Peerimus casts Detect Magic and starts to take in the items Niobe has laid out.

Yorrick continues to drink and also keeps his eye, and nose, out for any signs of fish.

Spells
0: Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 78 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC)
Friday March 18th, 2005 5:57:39 PM
Niobe will remain sitting near the gnome; yet beyond his physical reach. The items taken from him are on the opposite side of her - again well away from the gnome. The rogue waits for the gnome to awaken. She tries to rest and to not take too deep or rapid breaths while she waits; she probably has bruised ribs or worst...

"Let me know if any of you have questions for him when he wakes up."

Savin
Saturday March 19th, 2005 10:04:29 AM
Savin waits patiently as he checks over his own wounds and then those of his comrades. He knows that his skill as a healer will never even come close to the other's God given right to send healing magic into others. Still he knows a comforting hand can do much for the spirit of the patient.

The Big Dream [CDM Jerry]

The Big Dream [CDM Jerry]
Saturday March 19th, 2005 11:24:45 AM
The Chaos Adventurers settle in for a short rest in the cavern. Some tend to wounds as one swims and others simply rest and eat rations. All is calm for the moment. The water is refreshingly cold. The food is good--filling for both the body as the company and temporary rest is food for the soul.

Without warning, those with full and half elven blood look at each jerk upright looking at each other in surprise. Sly comes to the surface of the water and as if in a trance stares at the others. All then begin to glow. The cave illuminates with their light.

The cave begins to hum and then sings with anticipation as the elves and half bloods rise into the air and slowly begin to rotate around each other, sly slowly joining the others.

[The portion that follows is a spoiler. It is to be read only by those with elven blood.]

Highlight to display spoiler: {Some sort of collective elven effect is at work!

As the elves in the group struggle to come to grips with these events, their conscious minds fade and a waking dreamlike state begins.

There is then a joining of minds. Elven minds. Minds that look at life in terms of centuries instead of years.

Nearby elves join in the union. Then more distant elves join in. Some join to a lesser extent being half-elves or other relates species.

The pool of collective thought grows until it becomes Woldwide!

The overwhelming thought becomes "Why?"

An ancient being joining the mix replies, "This has happened twice before. This is the third time."

"What has happened before? comes the overwhelming collective response."

"This. Prepare and listen."

A common Elven Dream begins.

---------

You are floating...in space..?

You can see The Wold turning lazily beneath you, so very far below--slow but steady, the planet rotates, basking blissfully in the light of the bright golden disk hanging above it. Sunlight dapples the large fertile brown expanses of land dotted with areas of green forest...it sparkles across the waves of the blue-green ocean.

The Wold is as it is.

Suddenly you become aware that there are three smaller discs approaching the bright one, also at a slow but steady pace...you realize that the bright disk must be the sun, and the others are the moons of The Wold.

The three new discs align to cover the sun completely, leaving it and The Wold in darkness. But there--right in the middle of the now-black sun-disk--a pair eyes blink open, as though awakened from sleep.

The almond-shaped eyes--the bright, brilliant hue of sky and sea--look down upon The Wold. They widen in surprise, as though viewing the burgeoning world for the first time in a very, very long time...then the expression in the turquoise eyes grows rather sad. A tear forms and falls from one of the eyes as it blinks.

The eyes in the black sun narrow slightly--as though the unseen person to whom they belong has suddenly begun contemplating...and then the eyes blink again, once more brightening with the enlightenment of a great idea..!

The eyes glow warmly--if there were a face to go with them, you just know that it would have a happy, friendly grin in place--and The Wold, turning in its slow, steady pace, begins to grow green. Focusing on the planet, you can see that the forests of The Wold flourish and grow lush once more, spreading their fertile growth across the faces of the both the continent of Yrth and the Fragmented Lands, as the owner of the eyes laughs delightedly.

You swoop down from your lofty perch and find yourself standing in an ancient forest, Culverwood, breathing in the good green scent of the ancient trees. There is a dark, malevolent blot at the edge of your senses whom the collective knows to be Parnoth the oppressor--then suddenly, the blot disappears from sight and you hear the great beast's agonized screams.

More screams and cries ring in your ears now--the voices of those who oppose and harm Nature, the voices of those who would hold back the elves and make them lesser beings, the voices of evil. Too long they have been allowed to run free, but now they face their just reward. Through it all, the owner of the eyes continues to laugh.

The dream ends and the personal you physically awakens with laughter still ringing in your ears.}

The elves come to rest on the ground and the nimbus of light around them fades. Their eyes open as if they have been asleep.

Visitation (DM/Al)
Saturday March 19th, 2005 3:24:22 PM
Luke climbs out of the water to stand next to Yorrick, the gone chilling water forgotten amidst the sight of Sly and Niobe floating in a trance. Both stand at the bottom of the gorge, their noses pointed toward the sight.

Ilsidur and Tokun watch from the edge of the gorge. And Peerimus struggles to watch the spectacle and maintain concentration on his spell at the same time. (Concentration check vs. DC15 or loose the spell.)

Savin takes a single glance to ensure that the gnome is not slipping away, and then watches as Niobe floats in the air and then descends.

The Children of Chaos can do no more than watch as Sly and Niobe light gently on the cave floor.

Half elven eyes open as the two drift up and out of the waking dream to find themselves standing next to each other, not at all where they remember being.

With no recollection of how he did it, Firn'gaer knows that he has recorded the new spell in it's entirety. As Sly and Niobe open their eyes, Firn'gaer hears distant laughter in the back of his mind that fades away into oblivion.

All is stillness again. A glance at the broken eye tattoos reveals nothing. Not a hint. Not a glimmer.

OoC: Feel free to post as much as you wish this weekend. Also, Peerimus, I'll need Spellcraft checks if you want to ID the Auras from the Detect Magic spell.

Firn'gaer
Saturday March 19th, 2005 10:38:07 PM
Firn'gaer lifts his head with a small shake as the laughter becomes silent. As it fades from his mind he tries to grasp its nature. A child's giggle or perhaps the laugh of a young boy or girl as they run though a field of flowers. He tries to wrap his fingers around it's sound as he thinks aloud. "Rather odd, I'd have to admit. An epiphany of an arcane kind, I'd say rather curious." He says looking up from his spellbook. He looks around, "I came up with a new spell." Apparently eyes were directed elsewhere as he considers what he might have missed. "Did I miss something?"

I think so...

"Didn't you see what happened?"

Ah, no. I was watching you.

"Wwhaaat...never mind..." The wizard expels a sigh and looks down to his new work.

What'd I do?

Studying the arcane marks and symbols, Firn'gaer begins to decipher and determine what exactly he wrote down in his spellbook. "The gift of elf sight?" He says aloud and in a very curious tone. "Interesting..." he says.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

[OOC: Al, what was the approved version of the spell? There were several drafts.]

Here's the spell, Richard:

Highlight to display spoiler: {Elven Vision

Transmutation
Level: Cleric 1, Druid 1, Bard 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 1, Witch 1
Components: V,S,F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 min/level
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes

The spell grants the spellcaster elven sight. The caster gains low light vision. In addition, he receives a +2 bonus to Spot and Search, and can automatically check for secret doors when he passes within 5 feet of one. These bonuses are similar to the elven ability and does not stack with natural elven sight. The focus for this spell is an eyelash from an elf or a fey creature, usually embedded for safekeeping in a crystal or locket. }

Firn'gaer (Richard)
Sunday March 20th, 2005 8:22:10 AM
Thanks, Al.

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+16=36 d20+6=8 d20+6=23 d20+6=7 d20+6=18 d20+6=19 d20+6=15 d20+6=14
Sunday March 20th, 2005 8:56:56 AM
I'll post again, but real quick

Concentration Check 36
Spell Craft checks 8, 23, 7, 18, 19, 15, 14

Yorrick Looks between the drifting half elves and Peerimus as the druid does between his Life long friend and those in his adopted family. The spell is simple enough to maintain, Though deciphering what it reveals has never been his strongest suite

Sly Foxx and Luke
Sunday March 20th, 2005 1:59:21 PM
As Sly spins in the air high above the Wold "What is happening??" Niobe who is flooting along side with him,"Niobe! Look at those Eyes, they can olly belong to Mother Nature? Look at those beautiful eyes!"

Sly and Niobe starts their donward spin to a forest of long ago, the smells, the sound of that moment in time. This is what my mother brought me to be, the beat a elf can become. But here is something that still bothers him?

There's something dark , maleveolent blot at the edge of his sences, that could only be Parnorth the Oppressor,the heather of elves.
-Then suddenly disappears....
The screams and the agony starts. The dream comes to an end.

Sly is on the cavern floor, with boath hands on over his ears. (because he can still heard that horrible laughter in his head. The bright light fades.

Sly's eyes opens, as if he was asleep. He Look around at every body, then ask "Where am I?"

Niobe
Sunday March 20th, 2005 8:35:43 PM
Niobe will need some time to consider that information overload.

She is confused from "waking up" a different place from where she sat down. More laughter rings in her ears and at first she wonders if it was the gnome up to no good again, but the dream seemed Elven and different from the gnomish book's thoughts. The laughter didn't sound quite as evil as she would have expected from the gnomish mad scientist either.
The woodlands are completely unfamiliar to Niobe. She is amazed to be "brought" to a place so very far away from her own homeland! Those eyes...
'That's odd. This seems to have nothing to do with our tattoos? Does this need to concern all of us??' Niobe glances over at Sly, who certainly shared the same strange vision she did. He is holding his hands over his ears, so she doesn't ask him what he thought of the vision.

She shivers and sits down where ever she was left after the strange dream. Niobe rubs her temples and now has a proto-headache to accompany her battered thorax region. Niobe closes her eyes against the light in the cavern. She doesn't seem focused on the here and now.

((I will possibly make a supplementary post to this if I have time on Monday; I work a double shift that day. Anyway I think I'll wait with writting any more until more responses are maybe posted.))

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp)
Sunday March 20th, 2005 9:19:46 PM
Ilsidur watches in wonder as the two half-elves go through their magical dance. He waits until they alight, and then asks, "What just happened to you two?"

Once the party has reformed, Ilsidur will bind and gag the gnome, and then look over at the wizards and ask, "If I wake him up, what stops him from casting a spell that could whisk him away from here? Are there any spells he could cast that don't need his hands or mouth?"

Savin
Sunday March 20th, 2005 9:52:52 PM
Savin will watch the antics of the elvish blood of the Children with a quizzical look on his face. Ilsidur beats him to the question so he will just wait for an answer.

"Ilsidur, when I captured him, he didn't try to teleport or use other transportation spell. He did cause a cloud of fog to raise around him and tried to lose himself in it. He is gagged and tied. If we don't question him, we might as well just kill him. We can't find out anything without communications"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Sunday March 20th, 2005 10:03:44 PM
Peerimus is not sure of what just transpired with Sly and Niobe, but teh ready effects of whatever happened is apparant. A low growl and Yorrick moves quietly and surely to stand near both of them as a proector till they seem ready to talk or at least continue.

Ilsidur questions about the gnomes ability to dimensional travel and Savin's response has Peerimus nodding his large head in agreement with the monk.

Sly and Luke
Monday March 21st, 2005 6:03:21 PM
Sly get's to his feet, shakes his head, goes to help Niobe to her feet, Then he ask her "Gid you see the wold at your feet? Did you hear the elves cry in pain and dispare? Did you hear Parnoth laugh?"

Then he turns to all of his friend and tries to discribe the Dream they both had as close as posible what was going on. Then Sly turns to Peerimus "Let's wake him up! and get the information wee need! I think we have a bigger problem in the south!".

Firn'gaer
Monday March 21st, 2005 6:05:01 PM
"What happened?" Firn'gaer says standing and moving over to the others.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

After Image (DM/Al)
Monday March 21st, 2005 8:52:44 PM
Firn'gaer lifts his head from the spell he's just copied. Copied, apparently, from within his own head. Quite the feat.

Peerimus concentrates as his spell plays over the gnome's equipment while Yorrick sees to the safety of the pair of floating half-elves. The pair of boots defy his attempt to read their auras. The ring radiates a faint abjuration. The amulet is a puzzle, but the bracers also radiate faint abjuration. The cloak has a moderate aura of transmutation. Neither the dagger nor the light crossbow give off an aura. But they are very nice none the less.

Sly Foxx comes to himself with his hands over his ears. "Where am I?" he asks as he looks up to see Niobe watching him in turn. From the look on her face, she shared the dream, and he reaches out a hand to help her.

"Just what happened to you two?" Ilsidur asks. "What happened?" Firn'gaer says coming down the ramp. Tokun looks on with awe in his eyes.

Sly tries his best to relate the vision to his companions. (You may read the Hidden Text. It's a lot for Sly to have to repeat.)

Attention turns to the gnome, still unconscious beneath Peerimus' foot. Ilsidur is concerned the gnome might cast a spell and thereby escape. He binds and gags the gnome.

Savin points out that the gnome did not show the skill to teleport before. And, bound and gagged he is of no use. Peerimus nods his wide head in agreement.

The gnome, for his part, remains unconscious. Badly bruised, he may remain that way for several hours. Unless, perhaps, some healing were applied. Or, perhaps, something more basic. The water in the gorge below is shockingly cold.

But what questions would there be to ask?

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC)
Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 12:44:19 AM
Niobe appreciates Sly's helping her to stand.
"It seems I had the same dream as you did Sly, but unlike you I didn't really get all that much out of it. Do you think it was some kind of warning?"

As Niobe passes Yorrick she gives him a brief scratch near a ear (or somewhere around the throat if Yorrick is still enlarged) and tells him thank you for watching over them.
"Thank you Yorrick."

Niobe does her best to answer Ilsidur's question,
"I am not sure what happend Ilsidur. It seems as though some other higher power wants all the Elves and Half-Elves at least to help it with something. Either that or some Elven wizards' experiment somewhere went wrong and all "Elves" paid the price for it. I think Sly got more out of that dream than I did."

Niobe goes back to where the gnome is. She stares down at him and notes that he looks to be in poor condition and still out like a light.
"I have a few questions for him. Like where is this place, and what sick experiments have you been up to..."

Niobe considers how they might like to handle his unconscious state,
"do we want to heal that wretch or should we just tie a rope to him and throw him into the lake and see if he floats?"

Sly Foxx and Luke
Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 5:36:01 AM
Sly answers Niobe, "No! I think it's a cry for help. I hope that this jerk has not sold my mother ans Jason's parents to Parnorth!"

To Firn-gaer "It (The dream) was something that is going to happen not only to the wold, but if we don't help the elves out! We'll all fall in to this dark plan."

Goes to Peerimus. "I'm with Niobe, I want to see him float! That should take care of trying so stay afloat! instead of casting spells!
Then let's wrap thing up here and head south" Sly said with a far away look into his eyes.

Firn'gaer d20+17=30 d20+17=37
Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 8:43:40 AM
"Curious... I don't think this the result of any arcane spell gone awry. It has more of a divine feel to it." says the wizard. "I too had an encounter of sorts and it seems to have coincided exactly with yours." Firn'gaer pauses to massage his chin for a moment. "As you may or may not have seen I began writing in my spellbook. I received an inspiration, a vision, a feeling so vivid that I was paused in it. It was the scent of blossoms, the sound of moonlight and there were also three celestial bodies high in the sky. Each merging into one." He pauses to gather the thoughts as they merge. "From what you say Sly, we've shared a portion of this sign, this premonition. Now where Niobe and you were taken to this place of centralize consciousness, I was bestowed with arcane knowledge, a spell." He holds up his book. "Elf-sight. The spell grants elf-sight, now it gets more interesting. I too heard the sounds of laughter fade during my vision. I am link, or wizards, to this event and it is centered around the elf blood?" He looks to Niobe and Sly. "The question is how far does this reach?"

There were to be answers, but all I've found is more questions...

"I will need to think more on the vision and it's meanings. Perhaps, we can gain divine assistance as we have time. In the meantime, I suggest that if the gnome is secure, we should continue. I fear, though, that through the tunnel will lead to more golems, but our jailor has directed us to this point." Referring to the broken eye as jailor. "And the temperature here is preferable to that above, right Rufus." He finishes his sentence looking down at his furry companion.

[Knowledge Arcane DC30 - Any arcane meaning for the merging celestial bodies.]
[Knowledge Arcane DC37 - Any arcane meaning in the Parnoth the Oppressor.]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Savin
Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 1:51:08 PM
Savin remembers the cave opening the gnome was heading for and says, "I suggest we find this creature's lair. I assume he might have some more interesting stuff we could liberate, we could get warm, get healed and get some questions answered. Let me explore it before we wake him."

Savin will head back to the opening he saw earlier and take a look around.

Same Place. Different Directions. (DM/Al)
Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 9:41:04 PM
Perhaps elves think alike. Both Niobe and Sly are for dunking the gnome into the water at the bottom of the gorge. And extreme measure by any standards.

Firn'gaer tells of his own experience, and of the Elf-Sight spell granted him. He considers the elements of both his experience and that as related by both Sly and Niobe. Though the sun and moon play their part in the arcane arts, they are, as he has already suspected, more affinity between the heavenly bodies and the divine. What meaning they might have within the context of the dreams, evades this arcane knowledge.

Parnoth, however, he knows. The legends of Parnoth run deep to the far north from which Firn'gaer originated. Near immortal, Parnoth the mighty dragon inspires fear into the greatest of mages. One never knows about these things, but it is unlikely that whoever is here in these caves and tunnels has sold Sly and Jason's relatives to Parnoth.

But, what would make Sly speak of Parnoth? Does the great dragon have dealings on the Southern Continent?

Peerimus continues to hold the gnome down. Ilsidur contemplates a healing spell. Or, perhaps something else. Yorrick continues to look for fish in the dark and very very cold water. Doesn't look very promising. It looks very deep. Luke sits and wonders what Yorrick is looking for.

Savin, in the meantime wanders across the bridge and out of sight around the end of the mesa. There, he looks down the dark square of the tunnel. The tunnel is virtually identical to the one they had come out on the other side of the cavern, though the monk knows of the stairway on the right some 30 feet in. Niobe mentioned a light. From outside the tunnel, however, nothing makes itself apparent. The tunnel, to Savin, is dark and black. (Going in?)

Niobe (50/67HP, 19 AC)
Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 11:26:49 PM
Niobe watches Savin head off towards the tunnel where she saw some light earlier.
"It doesn't look like we will be resting here."

She looks back at the pinned gnome,
"shall we just carry him along? Or tell Savin to wait a little before checking out the new tunnels?"

Niobe waits to hear what the others think. Though she does need a bit of rest; or some minor healing - but will her healingwand work yet again?, she is definitely interested in seeing what is down that new tunnel.

Ilsidur (79/98 hp, AC25) d8+5=10
Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 12:37:38 AM
Ilsidur takes the gnome's head in his hands, and places his fingers over the bruise from the monk's blow. He casts his healing energies into the gnome's brow, trying to raise him from unconsciousness. [OOC: Heal for 10 hp damage.]

Assuming that he is successful, the dwarf asks the gagged gnome, "Can you speak common? If you can, nod your head. If you promise to behave, I will loosen your gag, since we would like to ask you some questions. However, if you try anying funny, I will have my monk friend send you back to sleep. Do you understand?"

Sly (AC 20 65/65hp) and Luke (Ac21 28/28 hp)
Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 6:02:54 AM
Sly is taken Back at what Firn'gaer told of his insight. "My Gosh Firn'gaer! you have Elven-Sight, you are forever tied the the elves. Wrlcome my Friend! And Yes the thirst of more power has made Parnorth very dangerous. But I have a feeling that there's more.
But to finish this quest, I'll help escort him (the Evil Wizard) down the tunnel and get some food and rest and information, LOTS of information!"

Luke look at Sly "Good!".

Firn'gaer
Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 9:24:50 AM
"Thanks Sly. As always I glad to included on something this special." He says rubbing the broken eye on his wrist.

...sigh... Pushing his concerns to the back of his mind, for now, and directs his full attention to the matter at hand.

"I'll make sure the gnome casts no spells while you question him." He says to the others. He will be readying a Dispel Magic spell to counterspell any spellcasting attempts by the gnome.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Savin
Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 3:28:43 PM
Savin looks down the tunnel and is tempted but then says to himself, "No that would be a 'Niobe' move." He decides to wait for the others and heads back for the gnome's awakening.

The Gnome Awakens (DM/Al) d20+11=14
Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 10:00:36 PM
While Niobe looks on, Ilsidur takes hold of the gnome's head. Dark purple blood bruises fade in the healing glow. The gnome's eyes flutter open. The blank stare of non-comprehension lasts for but a moment. Then, it is clear from the look in his eyes that the gnome is fully aware of his predicament.

To Ilsidur's question, he nods.

Sly chats to Firn'gaer about Elf Sight and Parnoth and such. While Firn'gaer readies a spell to counter a possible escape from the gnome.

Savin returns from his trip to the far side of the cave.

Gagged and under Peerimus' enormous paw, the gnome nods once more.

OoC: Any questions? ^_^

Sly Foxx and Luke
Thursday March 24th, 2005 5:52:03 AM
Sly will turn his attention to The Brain of this Chaos. "Well! You have awaken. wizard!. Tell me You had three elven or half elves come this way. Among a whole village if elves, half elves, a few humans among other races. They lived in Dragmora mountains.
Now a few monthe ago I get information that they were seen in this reagion, And low! what do we find in frount of your frount Door? A borken necklace of sea shell!! native to one of our parents town??"

Now Sly come inches to the face of the prisoner,(Sly want this wizard to see the hate in this half elf eyes.) "Now tell me where is my mother and Jason parents?"

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday March 24th, 2005 9:52:22 AM
Peerimus maintains his pin, a great furred paw nearly the size of Ilsidur, draped over the prone gnome. While Sly questions him, the visage of the great white bear's head stares down as well from almost 10' up.

Yorrick finally quenches his thirst and idly moves about the cavern. When nothing particularly grabs his attention, he locates a relatively flat rock floor and has a seat.

Spells
0: Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 70 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Niobe
Thursday March 24th, 2005 4:45:03 PM
"Sly, you might want to begin with a little politeness first. He might want to give you an answer or two then," Niobe calmly and quietly tells Sly.

She addresses the gnome in gnomish,
"May we first have your name; and the reason you decided to send all those golems our way? We would also be interested in knowing where everyone else that used to reside here have gone to," Niobe's tone sounds both polite and pleasant.

Niobe omits mentioning the book, as she doesn't want the gnome to know for sure that they have it. Niobe wonders if Sly will still consider sending the gnome for a swim. She quickly surpresses a smirk.

Savin
Thursday March 24th, 2005 9:17:03 PM
Savin is burning to ask some questions but realizes that to many questions will only confuse them and the gnome captive. He will turn and watch the area to make sure that no surprises are heading their way.

None Too Swift. None Too Crafty (DM/Al) d20=1
Thursday March 24th, 2005 11:44:41 PM
After the gnome nods, Ilsidur pulls away the gag while Peerimus ensures that he is securely pinned beneath his large paw.

Sly piles on a barrage of questions. Playing hardball, he gets right up in the gnome's face. The gnome draws back as far as he can pinned to the ground as he is. Then he speaks and his voice is thin and reedy.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he blurts out. "Elves? Shells? Villages? Parents? Who's parents?"

Then he looks around at the group that holds him captive, and a light dawns on his face.

"You're here for the slaves." He nods in agreement with his own conclusion. The hint of a smile almost turns up the corners of his mouth. "He's gonna kill you. Worse than kill you. Can you imagine anything worse? He'll do it to you." Then the gnome does smile.

When Niobe speaks, her voice kinder and in his own language, the gnome replies as well. He, however, does not bother to repay the rogue's civility with that of his own. Instead, he eyes her up and down.

"I'll give you my name if you'll give me yours sweetheart. What do you think I was trying to do? I was trying to kill you. Would have had you too. Just a few seconds more and I could have pulled them all together. What did you do to the Clay Golem? Never seen anything like that in my entire life. And how did you get past the Alarm Golem? What are you talking about? People who used to reside here?"

He turns his head to the side and spits.

[OoC: That roll, btw, is an INT check for the gnome.]

Sly Foxx and Luke
Friday March 25th, 2005 4:56:58 AM
Sly get's on his feet,turning to Niobe "POLITENESS! It's not your parents that HE has for slaves!" But in a whisper he tells her"Alright I just played bad Elf, now you go in there and play Good Elf, try to get all the infomation that I know you can. Be careful of him, he is a wizard! But not alone."

Sly step back and will seem to put into his sword a spell of 'Lighting'.

Luke lies there next to his friend Yurrick (licking each other faces) "Good!"

Niobe d20+4=8
Friday March 25th, 2005 6:31:31 AM
(Throughout this everything Niobe says to the gnome is in Gnomish. She will only be speaking Common if she addresses any of the other Children.)

Niobe briefly turns away from the gnome and smiles at Sly. She whispers very quietly to Sly; leaning a bit close to him so the gnome can't hear, "I know you are worried about your family. We don't know if he even has them yet. I will do my best to get him to talk though."

Niobe turns back to the gnome and sits down next to him. She smiles and continues to speak to him in gnomish.
"Sweetheart? I had no idea I was your type," she jests, "my name is Niobe."

"I do know you were trying to kill us. What I would like to know is why? Our benefactor stopped the clay golem," Niobe tries a little white lie with the "benefactor" bit (bluff 8). In fact she doesn't know what happend to it either. She continues to smile of course. If her bluff fails then she will continue to act as if she didn't try any bluffs. Hopefully the gnome will be none the wiser if it fails!

Niobe doesn't tell him about the alarm golem, but if he presses for an answer she will only smile sweetly and not say how they got passed it.

"There are guards' barracks immediately beyond the entry door. That room had several sleeping places and personal storage cabinets for items. That is why I would like to know where everyone else went to."

She will continue to politely ask the gnome questions, and take her time to do so. After patience often pays off and honey catches more flies than vinegar does; most of the time!

"The slaves you mentioned; are they yours or your cohorts? If they are yours then perhaps you and I can strike a deal? I don't rightly know who "he" is, but knowing his name would help," Niobe has leaned just a little bit closer to the gnomish prisoner as she mentions making deals about purchasing the slaves.
"If they belong to your comrade; who also seems to want us dead, then I would be happy to pay you a percentage for purchasing the slaves - if I find them suitable and you help me make a good deal."

Now the ball is back in the gnome's court so to speak. Niobe at least expects him to tell her his name since he had said he would. She hopes he will be interested in "doing business".

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday March 25th, 2005 4:08:27 PM
Peerimus while, not knowing what Niobe has said did, of course, hear the gnomes quick responces to Sly's questions. With Niobe again asking questions in gnome, Peerimus is quite content to maintain his stance or the wizard.

Yorrick responds to Luke with a lick and playful grab.

Spells
0: Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

2: Extended Endure Elements, Warp Wood, Soften Earth and Stone, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

4: Dispel Magic

Active Spells:
Greater Magic Fang 8 hours
Animal Growth +8 str, +4 Con, DR 10 Magic 69 rounds (Yorrick, Luke, Peerimus)

Savin
Friday March 25th, 2005 11:31:54 PM
Savin can't restrain himself. He blurts out, "Who is "HE"? Is this he you are talking about your master?" Savin obviously doesn't like the tone this fellow is taking with Niobe.

The Gnome Speaks (DM/Al) d20+11=16
Saturday March 26th, 2005 12:02:25 PM
Animals will be animals, magical nature or not. Luke and Yorrick draw comfort from each other in this strange place beneath the surface of the earth while the serious business of interrogation continues nearby.

Sly very makes gestures and places a spell into what is very clearly a magic sword. The gnome watches, his expression is wary, but shows nothing else beyond that.

Peerimus continues to pin the gnome, and hold watch as Niobe presents the bulk of questions in gnomish.

As the questions roll out, the gnome's eyes move over the forms of each of his captors. Each of them intimidating in their own way. The gnome wets his lips, a nervous gesture and a clear mental calculation goes through his mind. When he replies, it is in gnomish.

"Well, Sweetcheeks, your nose ain't what I normally look for. But you got a nice body. I'm Javazi. And if you're looking to cut a deal, I hate to say it, but you're barking down the wrong hole. I'd love to take your money or whatever you're offering, but there's dirt squat I'm gonna be able to do. Fact is, I'm dead already."

For the first time, the gnome's face shows anything but a wary watchfulness, and what it shows is despair.

"I am so dead. You see all the benches in the Outer Ready Room and you figure there have to be more of us, right? Well, yeah. On and off. I never seen more than ten at a time, though. You screw up, and he kills you. You say something against him, and he kills you. He don't like you, and he kills you. Seems like we get fewer and fewer new guys in as time goes. The ones that come, you know they're only interested in the power. Not that I'm any different."

"There even been some tried to challenge him. Meznock. An Archmage. What were they thinking?"

"So I lay low. Watch the golems. Go out on the occasional raid. Like those slavers." The gnome laughs, and it's a laugh that delights in pain. "With the golems we cut them to pieces so fast they didn't even know what hit them. Guess 'The Master' got tired of paying them for a half-ass job." Despite the edge of sarcasm, the quotes around the words 'The Master' are plain in the gnome's voice.

"'The Master,'" the gnome cries out at Savin in common. "'The Master,' 'The Master,' 'The Master,' 'The Master.' Oh I am so screwed. I'm screwed!"

The gnome's eyes rove the faces of the Children of Chaos once again. When he speaks again he continues in common.

"If you got someone on your side that can do what you did to a clay golem, maybe we can talk a deal. You protect me, and I'll tell you whatever I know to get you where you wanna go. What do you say? I'll tell you this much right off, all slaves go to the cells in the laboratory. The slavers that survived did to. Not much use for them, but we sent them up the tunnel anyway."

"What do you say?"

Niobe d20+4=17
Saturday March 26th, 2005 2:09:24 PM
(Continuing to speak gnomish)

Niobe chuckles briefly at Javazi's comment concerning her body, but upon seeing the gnome's distress as he talks about himself she too assumes a more serious attitude.

She pays very close attention to who the "Master" is - Meznock, an Archmage. She notes that there used to be a company stationed here, but with Meznock's personel policy no one wants to be stationed here any longer. She can't blame them really.

"Javazi were you on a raid just recently? The slaves that were taken; or bought, were there any Elves or Half-Elves among them, or any humans wearing outlandish garb?"

Niobe doesn't exactly let slip just how interested she is. However Sly's earlier bad elf approach might work against her here?

Niobe looks off towards the area where the ledge the gnome was on is.

"Are the cells down the those tunnels that run beyond that ledge you were on?"

"I tell you what if you can tell me anything useful about the slaves taken a few days ago I will speak to my companions about protecting you. As you can see they aren't necessarily as concerned for your welfare as I am inclined to be."

She hopes Javazi will be inclined to answer the rest of her questions.

[In Common to Savin] "The Master is named Meznock and he appearently is an Archmage. Whoever decides to challenge him ends up dead it seems," Niobe turns and looks up at Savin as she tells him this.
She almost wonders if Savin understands gnomish as he seemed just a bit touchy about something with the gnome. She grins just slightly as she thinks about Javazi's terms for her and almost chuckles again.

(Sense Motive 17; trying to see if Javazi is being honest or not)

***********************************************

Once Niobe hopefully gets the answers she is hoping for she will inform the others on what Javazi has told her.

Quick Reply (DM/Al)
Saturday March 26th, 2005 5:52:39 PM
[OoC: Just to get this in common so everyong can get involved.]

"Slaves?" the gnome replies rapidly in gnomish. "Yeah, slaves. Slaves. I said that didn't I"

"You interested in slaves?" he says switching to common. "You want elves? Call off the bear and I can help you. I can help you get them. But we gotta go. And I think we gotta go fast."

[OoC: As far as Niobe can tell, the gnome isn't lying.]

Niobe
Saturday March 26th, 2005 6:38:41 PM
If Peerimus decides to let the gnome go then Niobe will immediately tell the others what Javazi has told her so far (short version of course).
She suspects that at least Sly won't want to waste any more time staying here once he hears about the cells.

"Druid, Javazi. The "bear" pinning you is a druid. I'd be nice to him too if you don't want to get hurt."

Niobe stands up and collects Javazi's items that were stripped off of him. He won't be getting any of the magical stuff back unless there is a uanimous agreement among the Children to give it all back. She will give the mundane stuff back if Javazi asks for it and no one objects to him getting it back.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Sunday March 27th, 2005 7:07:48 AM
Sly Turns to the both of them (Niobe and Javazi) "If the elven slaves went into the tunnel, I say that's the way to go... To get Elven Slaves!" Then to the others in the party Sly ask "What Say all of you, Should we byy our selves some Elven Slaves?"

Luke answers "Yes!"

Niobe (response to Sly)
Sunday March 27th, 2005 1:11:57 PM
"Sly, "buy" slaves... "Buy" " Niobe whispers to Sly. She makes "wagging" movements with the index- and middlefingers of both hands as she says "buy", indicating that she didn't mean to actually use any money to buy anyone. (the finger movement indicates quotation marks, as when you use a word figuratively.)

Niobe is very carefully not to let Javazi see what she is doing, or to hear what she just said to Sly.

"We will surely come up with a plan to free the slaves without having to buy them. Don't worry about your family," Niobe again whispers to Sly.

She turns to look at Javazi again, "so who do we appoint for our guest's honor guard?" Niobe asks the others.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Monday March 28th, 2005 6:11:09 AM
Sly goes to Niobe, and speals to her in Elvish,"Anything to get to the slaves, and stop this madeness!" But out loud he tells her"Every body knows the elves and half elves make the best Slaves, If his master has no use for them, then maybe we can get some really cheep!" then winks at her.

"I'll ready my sword over there(pointing to the bridge. If he gives you any more trouble, then it's in the water he goes." Said Sly with a smerk on his face.

Luke Look at Sly, "Play Fetch?"

Savin
Monday March 28th, 2005 9:03:29 AM
Savin will respond to Niobe, "Well arch mages are tough. I am not sure we are ready to come up against one. Guess we don't have much choice if we are to free those slaves."

When the gnome starts talking in common to the group about the slaves, Savin replies, "OK let him up." He will turn to the gnome and say, "I took mercy on you once. If you betray us, it will be much worse. It just might be that we can help each other. I am telling you up front, that I don't trust you. You were to eager to turn those golems on us. I will be watching you very closely.

Now lead us to those slaves and no funny business."

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday March 28th, 2005 12:10:47 PM
Peerimus is a bit unsure personally on putting anything resembling faith the in the gnome and letting him even stand up represents such faith. But then again Savin is an extraordinarily quick and fast man.

Peerimus reverts to his human form and dismisses the spell covering himself, Yorrick and Luke. In such a state, Yorrick could not get down the tunnel.

The threats and posturing towards the gnome have been well established, so Peerimus sees no reason to add to them. He does however speak to a related topic.

"Savin, I and Yorrick will keep to the gnome, your' skills will be likely needed with Niobe at our front position.."

Then to all, "An archmage is dangerous, but three of us have countering abilities, and Mother Wold sees us in her favor." And with the last, Peerimus gestures towards the Clay Walrus covered in flowers.

"Let us move down the tunnel and put our good friends Sly's mind at ease."

Yorrick moves to Peerimus' side and just behind the gnome.

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp)
Monday March 28th, 2005 2:05:14 PM
Ilsidur stands with his hand on Tokun's shoulder, listening to the discussion in gnomish. Seeing that no voices are being raised (except the odd interjection by Sly), the dwarf is content to let the discussion proceed. He will have to mention to Niobe that next time, maybe these discussions could take place in a language that everyone could understand, since one of the other party members might have an idea or two to add.

He waits patiently for the discussion to end, so that he can get a recap.

Firn'gaer d20+1=7
Monday March 28th, 2005 5:46:31 PM
The wizard is silent as Niobe and Sly interrogate the gnome until one word is spoken, archmage.

"What name does your master use. Speak and be quick about it." Firn'gaer looks down over the gnome using his height advantage to intimidate the gnome.

"We'll have to continue. The captives are a priority at this point. If we can free them all we should be able to set back the necro-experiments this archmage is performing."

[Arcane Knowledge - 27 (taking 10) for any information about the archmage if the name is given.]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

(Niobe OOC)
Monday March 28th, 2005 7:25:35 PM
((Niobe did mention the archmage's name outloud (Meznock) and although she was telling Savin in particular the info, it was spoken loud enough that Firn'gaer might have picked up the archmage's name as well. Unless Firn'gaer is further away from where Niobe is than what I thought!))

Firn'gaer (ooc)
Monday March 28th, 2005 7:35:36 PM
[Sorry, I didn't see it.]

Onward to the Captive Elves (DM/Al)
Monday March 28th, 2005 8:29:43 PM
Sly and Niobe go back and forth scheming to weasel help and information from the gnome with lures of gold and threats of a freezing bath.

Savin adds his own stern words. And from the look in the gnome's eyes his previous encounter has left him properly impressed.

The weight comes off the gnome's chest as Peerimus morphs into human form, and with a few quiet hehe's and ohho's and nervous coughs, he rises slowly to his feet and dusts himself off.

Niobe recaps the gnomish part of the conversation, prompting Firn'gaer to swiftly approach the captive gnome.

"Ah, Meznock," the gnome snaps out and ducks as if fending a blow. "It's Meznock Zezjenel," he answers Firn'gaer as he looks up the body of the tall wizard through the protective shielding of his own arms. "Or Master Meznock Zezjenel. Or The Great and Magnificent Meznock Zezjenel. Or, or, other things. Depending."

The name means little to Firn'gaer. It could be that this gnomish Archmage has sequestered himself away from the world and notoriety. Or, it could be the fact that it was only a few days ago that Firn'gaer had arrived, gods know why, in an icy nowhere on an ill-fated trip to Hook City.

"HE is very difficult to comprehend, you understand?" And the capital letters are clear in the gnome's voice, The gnome frowns. "Or is the word, 'apprehend?' I mean that one moment he's thinking this way and the next moment he's thinking another way, if you get my meaning."

He walks in the middle of the group as the they move out across the bridge toward the tunnel exit.

"Kill them," the gnome says, mimicking a very flat and matter of fact voice. "Or make them slaves."

"Kill them or make them slaves, He says. And these slavers, they're only a few days late. Only a few. But, we follow orders, if you get my meaning. Not that I don't mind a little killing." Then, his eyes dart to the faces around him, realizing that his tongue may have slipped. "In a good cause, that is."

"So, we ... they force us to kill them. By sort of resisting. Only half of them. Tried to give us some story about being attacked by a band of orcs. Barely escaped with their lives and their merchandise, they said. The leader, he tries to make a case for compensation. Compensation, no less! Said something about losing a bag with some valuables in it, and the price would now be higher because of it. I tell you, if there's anyone deserving of killing it's him."

As he natters and walks along, the gnome eyes his clothing and gear still in Niobe's possession. Still, he says nothing.

Tokun follows near Short Steel Man. He speaks with Magic Woman Niobe. Seeing Magic Woman Niobe in a different light, Tokun is again embarrassed, but in a different way. How could he have had such thoughts before?

After Ilsidur has a brief and very tactful discussion with Niobe regarding conversations in gnomish, the rogue takes her place with Savin at the head of the column. Peerimus and Yorrick follow close in the heels of the gnome. The group nears the end of the cave, just rounding the mesa.

The back of Firn'gaer's hand begins to tingle with warmth. The broken eye throbs. Within the wizard's pack, words begin to flow across previously empty pages.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Tuesday March 29th, 2005 5:57:14 AM
Sly smiles at Ilsidur, (witch is some thing Sly does very rearly these days) "Come! Ilsidur, Let's follow the rest of the party. I'll speak to you in either Common, or Elven, maybe Ignan, or Terran, even Hunters sign language whitch every Wood elf knows and Draconic do you know this one?"

Sly turnd to Luke and Tokum motioning them to come and follow.

Luke follows "Oh! Boy!"

Firn'gaer d20+17=28
Tuesday March 29th, 2005 7:27:46 AM
The tingle begins on the back of Firn'gaer's hand as the broken eye throbs.

Al: Does the throbbing give me a hint to the words flowing in the book?

Assuming the wizard has an inkling that the tomb is again revealing its knowledge, Firn'gaer will back away drawing the book from his haversack. "Keep close watch on the gnome. Niobe, I'll need your assistance." He opens the tomb and his once blank book and begin writing the symbols and attempting a translation as he pens, Decipher Script DC28.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

Absolutely, Richard. I'm sorry that I didn't make that clearer. Firn'gaer knows exactly what the tingling means. -- Al

Niobe
Tuesday March 29th, 2005 9:44:40 AM
Niobe will immediately go to assist Firn'gaer; especially since he has only really requested her presence when the book starts it's "auto-writing" rutine.

This time she will read the gnomish words (and also copy the words if there is time) but only translate them aloud after Firn'gaer has copied the letters (that is if Firn'gaer decides to copy the writing himself as well?).

Also since no one has requested that Javazi get any of his gear back Niobe will keep it with her. Javazi can stare at his gear as long as he wants to of course.

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+17=25
Tuesday March 29th, 2005 4:11:18 PM
Peerimus continues to walk behind the gnome and decides his stares towards Niobe and his former possesions are prelude to a plan. A gesture to Yorrick, [handle animal 25] and the large kodiak brings his face to intercept the gnomes line of vision and a deep warning growl rolls from Yorrick's throat.

Peeriums then speaks in a plain fact giving tone, "He's a bit protective of her, I suggest a little less staring or he might take it as a challenge."

Savin
Tuesday March 29th, 2005 4:53:01 PM
Savin looks around and asks, "I we ready for this? Is everyone healed? Do we have the proper spells memorized? Are we ready to come up against an arch wizard or should we spend some time in preperation. Let's ask some more questions."

Savin will turn to the gnome and ask, "What kind of creature is this arch mage? Is he a gnome? What kind of spells does he normally employ? What kind of magic items does he has at his disposal? Give us as much help as you can and we might be able to free everyone and defeat this tyrant."

Cause For Panic (DM/Al)
Tuesday March 29th, 2005 10:42:47 PM
Sly motions to get the show on the road, but is brought up short as Firn'gaer pulls the book out and begins again to copy the text that scrawls across the page. Niobe draws herself from the front of the column to assist in the translation. With his previous exposure to the gnomish writing, and his gift for the written language, Firn'gaer's understanding keeps pace with Niobe's verbal translation into Common.

What in the sixteen planes of Koshe Marr is happening!!! I've never seen the readings on the Ataxiopticon so high. It reads a catastrophic burst. And less than an hour ago. Yet the readings are sustained. They are sustained! The power levels are phenomenal. The yellow indicates a certain degree of dispersal, but there is a core to the signature much like that in the slave subjects.

It is near. It must be near. I will have it. I must have it. It will advance the work a hundred fold.

The Quadroprenolepis cries out again. It speaks and should not. 'Meeting. Meeting.' It babbles like an idiot about Laughing Ghosts. Giggling Ghosts. The creations have never spoken before. They should be silent. The Quadroprenolepis must be watched. If it were not for this, I would go forth and seek the power. It cannot be far. Soon. Soon. If one could only obtain more competent help."

As Firn'gaer writes and Niobe reads, Peerimus issues a warning and Savin peppers the gnome with questions. The gnome hears neither of them. His mouth hangs open. And his eyes are wide. His face his pale and his hands begin to shake. When he speaks, the words catch in a throat dry with fear.

"You ... have his book."

Then the gnome, Javazi the guard from the ledge above the cavern, begins to scream like a girl. His eyes dart back and forth, to the dark tunnel ahead, and then away. Bursting into sudden motion, the gnome makes a break for it, stumbling back out into the cavern. Back they way they had come.

[OoC: Yorrick is close at hand, threatening, and of the right size. As the gnome passes out of his threat range, he amy have an AoO if you wish.]

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp)
Wednesday March 30th, 2005 8:28:37 AM
Seeing the gnome trying to make a break for it, Ilsidur casts hold person to get him to stay still. [OOC: Save is VS DC18; I'm not sure which save, but I think it is Will].

Assuming the party manages to corral the now-more-frightened gnome, Ilsidur will get some rope out of his pack and bind the little fellow, leaving a leash for Peerimus to hold onto. If he insists on keeping screaming, Ilsidur will gag him as well.

"We need to rest before we run up against such as an archmage. I am severly depleted in spells, and we need to be at full strength before we try anything that powerful."

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+15=20 d8+9=17 d20+19=20 d20+17=18
Wednesday March 30th, 2005 9:31:03 AM
Peerimus straightens and looks from the gnome to the Firngaer and Niobe and then back, but that is all it took, the gnome is scrambling for distance. Luckily Yorrick had no such distraction. As the gnom tries to get by, the kodiak mauls him.

[Claw attack hit AC 20 dmg 17 grapple 20]

Peerimus quickly calls Yorrick off, but keeps him on top of the gnome.
[Handle animal trick 'down' 18]

With things a bit calmer, Peerimus nods to Ilsidur. "I would agree, but we may not have the luxury of waiting 10 or more hours. A different rescue of the encaptured people may need to be conducted." Looking towards Niobe, "One of stealth or perhaps to pose as the much needed help he wishes he possessed."

With Niobe translating the book, the young druid scratches his chin a bit, "Do you suppose he is talking about The Giggling Ghost?

Sly Foxx and Luke
Wednesday March 30th, 2005 2:17:26 PM
"After all this action, I believe your right Savin we should rest and up grade our Spells. Now I'm going to a nice quiet corner and study my Spells." Off Sly goes passing by Niobe and Fern-gaer, whispering to the two dear friends, "Nice work1 the both of you!"

Luke will follow Sly and lay down at his feet, untill Yurrick is free of the Gnome, then he'll go play with his friend.

Niobe
Wednesday March 30th, 2005 6:14:25 PM
"Firn'gaer what do you make out of that passage?"

Niobe is really too preoccupied with the book and it's weird writings to catch what just what exactly happend to Javazi. She looks over where the screech was and sees that Javazi has gotten himself in trouble already. She sighs.

Next Niobe considers Peerimus' suggestions.
"Who did you have in mind Peerimus? Me, I don't think I can get away with bluffing an Arch-Mage... Now if we find the cells first then I'll be happy to take care of the locks."

She will definately want to get at least enough rest to heal up some before facing Arch-Mage Meznock.

Firn'gaer
Wednesday March 30th, 2005 7:59:23 PM
Firn'gaer sees the passage and starts to ponder the meaning. The gnome guard takes off, but the others can handle him. It's Meznock that Firn'gaer is focusing his attention to at the moment.

He looks to Niobe, "I'm not entirely sure, but let's see." He strokes his chin as he thinks. "The Ataxiopticon, we've suspected, is a device that in a sense manufactures constructs, or that's the hypothesis. I'm guessing that the readings that Meznock is referring to are the event that occurred only a few minutes ago. If that's correct then it is the elves he has, or it has, that caused his alarm." He pauses to massage his chin more. Rufus has found his way to Firn'gaer's shoulder leaving the shelter of the folds in his robe. "I think he knows of the book we have." He says looking Niobe in the eyes. "That was what he meant when he said, 'It is near...I will have it...It will advance the work a hundred fold.' Now I think that we'll not have to encounter Meznock directly, not yet anyway. You see, based on the next passage, he is trying to determine the source of the sudden surge from the Ataxiopticon. I do think, though, we can expect to have company. Maybe not soon, but we'll have it and not Meznock."

He stops stroking his chin and running his hands through his hair he let's out a small groan. "Master Peerimus, I would have to agree with that assessment. Laughing Ghosts, Giggling Ghosts it is the only conclusion I can think of. Though, I'm not sure I'd like to meet him or the Ataxiopticon, yet. At least not until we know more about what we're dealing with, anyway."

"Perhaps, we should rest here. It's open enough for us to see anything and I do have a reserve shelter spell so we should have some cover from glancing eyes. Considering the circumstances, I'd err on the side of caution."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 44/45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, comprehend language, endure elements(cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor(cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, empowered scorching ray, polymorph (cast)

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force (cast)

More Questions Than Answers (DM/Al)
Wednesday March 30th, 2005 10:13:25 PM
With a sudden swipe of his paw, Yorrick slaps down the fleeing gnome. Ilsidur, in the act of casting, reins in his spell. Peerimus cautions his ursine friend from doing further harm to their captive. But, as he and Ilsidur move to secure the gnome, they find that he is quite dead. An earlier trauma to the brain, perhaps, pushed just far enough by the fear and by the impact from Yorrick's massive paw. The gnome stares up at the ceiling with lifeless eyes.

The fate of the evil (or at least not very nice at all) gnomish toady, though, is secondary to the considerations of what his Master may be up to. Where the gnomish Archmage may be at this moment. And what his cryptic words, as transmitted by the book, might mean for the group.

What could the Children of Chaos do against an Archmage in their wounded and depleted condition? And, was that a reference to The Giggling Ghost to which all citizens of the Wold make their way to in the depths of their dreams?

The cold warmth on the back of Firn'gaer's hand fades. A glance back down at the book once again reveals blank pages. Firn'gaer stands, two books and a pen in hand. In one book he has just penned the words that had flowed forth from the other. The ink is still wet on the page. The other book stands ready. The pages are blank.

The cavern is quiet. The tunnel stands dark up ahead. What can only be a few hundred feet up the tunnel is the light seen earlier by Niobe.

Ilsidur's internal clock defies the sunless cover of the underground and tells him that it should be no more than an hour after full noon.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Thursday March 31st, 2005 8:57:56 AM
Sly studie his Spells from his book, he looks up to see that the bear slaps the gnome, "Well! We have no choice now! Magic Users get your spell ready. Clericks and Druids do the same. Niobe You have done alot for us, you need rest and keep your talent sharp, Sit next to Tukum and rest up."
Sly goes back to his book, he read on.

ooc: Sly's magic will be:

Lvl 0) Detect Magic 2x - Acid Splash 2x

Lvl 1) Magic Missels 3x - Enlarge or Reduce person.

Lvl 2) Spider Climb - Flaming Sphere - See Invisibity.

Lvl 3) Lighting Bolt.

Luke look at his friend Yurrick, asking him "Play now?"

Sly, you cannot chose Enlarge or Reduce person or See Invisibity. You do not have them in your spellbook. Please choose two different ones that *are* in your spellbook. -- Al

Niobe d20+10=29 d20+9=14
Thursday March 31st, 2005 4:38:41 PM
"Firn'gaer do you think Meznock can track his book magically?" Niobe asks the wizard.

Niobe smiles at Sly and replies,
"Rest would do us all good. I should be right as rain after some sleep."

Niobe looks around the area to see if there are any defensible places nearby where they can rest (Spot 29). The faster she can find a good rest place the quicker she and the others can get at least some well deserved sleep and/or rest.

Since Javazi was mauled it must be pretty obvious that the injuries killed him.

"What are we going to do with Javazi? There isn't exactly anywhere he can be buried nearby."

((Rolled Survival check (14) in case it is needed to look for a defensible resting place. If it isn't a relevant check then just please ignore the roll.))

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday March 31st, 2005 4:53:14 PM
The druid hauls Yorrick off of the gnome, as the bear issues a final growl in retort at the still gnome.

"If everyone feels another 24 hours will not hurt then we should make a stay. If we are to make a lengthly stay in this cavern, I suggest we move to the far side of the bridge and up to where the gnome was on his ledge."

"Master Ilsidur, I believe meals are on you now.

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp)
Thursday March 31st, 2005 9:21:24 PM
"My internal clock tells me that it is really only about lunchtime. Perhaps we can scout a little further ahead, using the sneaky types. If we come up against any serious potential confrontations, we can pull back and rest up. I too realize the urgency of moving forward. Let's try to cover a little more ground before we 'go to ground'."

A Call to Meeting (DM/Al)
Thursday March 31st, 2005 9:39:27 PM
As a rest period seems the order of the moment, Sly settles in to prepare spells for what can only be future danger.

Niobe looks around the cavern for a both a defensible place to rest and a place to bury the gnome. It occurs to Niobe at the same time that Peerimus mentions it out loud. The staircase! And the ledge up above.

The narrow stairs would be supremely defensible. And the ledge would provide an excellent view of the cavern.

But ...

Niobe looks at Yorrick. The bear would fit. But it would be a tight fit. Yorrick would be far from comfortable. He would completely block the stairway. No one would be able to slip around him. Looking at the bear, Niobe has strong doubts as to whether Yorrick would be able turn around in the stairway, either. Still, maybe something could be worked out.

As to disposal of the gnome. The rock of the cavern is hard stone. Digging would be difficult. Of course, there is the gorge with it's water below ...

Ilsidur suggests a silent scouting of the way up ahead, when ...

... faintly ...

... the sunshine of your smile will soon be here ...

Faintly. Faintly. Faintly.

... your golden voice once again will fill the air, ...

Through the concentration of his studies, Sly hears the imaginary music. On the still cavern air the words come to Niobe's ear.

... Rejoice inhabitants of field and stream,
The Fairy King will no longer be a dream! ...

The music grows in the ears of the two half elves until it can be ignored no longer. Under the music builds a soft sylvan chatter, the murmur of voices, hundreds of voices, hundreds of thousands of voices: Elven voices.

"Sly? Where are you? I know you are there. But I cannot see you."

The voice calls in both Sly and Niobe's ears, but it is Sly who recognizes the voice. How could he not recognize it? The voice of his own mother.

"Sly? Please come. I need you. Please come. I must see you. Touch me. And follow."

"... Touch me And follow ..."
"... touch me and follow ..."
... touch and follow ...

The Children of Chaos watch as their two half-elven members stare blankly in the air. Both speak softly to empty air. Soft insubstantial words. "Touch Me. And Follow." Over and over. "Touch me. And Follow."

[OoC: You may post here if you wish. Sly and Niobe can post here as well, but they are in a trance and cannot communicate with anyone else on this board. Sly and Niobe must make at least one post in the Giggling Ghost for the duration of the dream meeting. If any come to the Giggling Ghost with Sly and Niobe, you can communicate normally there. Your spirits are drawn there in dream. The rest of you. If you touch either Sly or Niobe you too will be drawn to the Giggling Ghost. You don't have to. I will be posting on both boards, and the Children of Chaos thread will have a component on the Giggling Ghost board along with the other action that will take place there. The animals may not come. They will, of course, stand guard over what bodies remain behind.]

Savin d20+9=22
Thursday March 31st, 2005 10:37:09 PM
Savin sees the two elves seem to go into a trance. He will check them out and find nothing wrong. Heal check 22

He will try and make them comfortable and wait it out.

Niobe
Friday April 1st, 2005 9:58:50 AM
Niobe is off in her own little wold; not able to respond to anything or anyone.

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+17=30
Friday April 1st, 2005 3:53:14 PM
Catching Niobe's eye towards Yorrick, he lifts a hand, 'Fret not, I have a spell that will ease good Yorrick's passage of the stairs."

"Niobe?, What devilry..." Peerimus let's the thought fall from him and his head takes on the cocking tilt as is often when he is confused or puzzled by a recent event.

"We shall have to suspend any deeper forays Ilsidur."

A few words to Yorrick and the great Kodiak takes upa spot of guarding over SLy and Niobe.

"Do you think they talk to us? Moments ago when this happened they were as if hearing to others elsewhere, but this time they speak"

Again Peerimus dips into deeper thought, "Are there wards or alarms we might set Ilsidur? Firn'gaer? Before we see if they indeed are directing us?"

Sly Foxx and Luke
Saturday April 2nd, 2005 7:19:32 AM
Sly just lies there as if asleep.

Luke lies next to Sly's body, guarding him from all harm. He wimpers a little, hoping to get an answer from Sly "Wimper! Wimper!"

Unscheduled Wanderings (DM/Al)
Saturday April 2nd, 2005 9:00:56 PM
Sly and Niobe stand staring, oblivious to the Wold around them.

Savin, approaches with concern. A check of their eyes, their breath, the pulse of their blood shows nothing untoward. In fact, as the monk touches their bodies in the course of his inspection, he feels a tug at his own soul. There is a pull toward a distant place. He can see the tables as though from above, the crowded room filled with ... elves.

If he wished, he could go. But Savin remains. His friends are here. Reality is here. The monk moves the two half-elves to a spot where they might be more comfortable.

Tokun follows Hands Fighting Man as he moves the Magic Woman Niobe and Dog Talking Man. He sits against the wall nearby. Many are the strange things that happen to the Magic Ones. One can only hope that this is a thing known to them.

Firn'gaer and Ilsidur each consider privately what it might mean to encounter an Archmage. What might the words from the book have meant? How will they find their way now that the gnome is dead?

Peerimus suspends all scouting trips. With two of their number in a trance, it seems an unwise idea. He takes up the practical needs of a rest site as Luke and Yorrick stand watch over Sly and Niobe.

[OoC: BTW, should you wish to make an appearance in the GG, all you need to do is touch either Sly or Niobe and will it. You will be there.]

Luke
Sunday April 3rd, 2005 7:15:41 AM
Luke Jumps up, sniffs at his master, tilts his head "Not Sly?"

Niobe
Sunday April 3rd, 2005 2:33:54 PM
Niobe is still off in her own little wold; not able to respond to anything or anyone.

Ilsidur (AC25, 79/98 hp)
Sunday April 3rd, 2005 6:53:53 PM
"If we are settling in to rest, please let me know which of you still need healing. I still have a number of spells that I could use to bring everyone up to full health. Also, remember that you get some of your health back overnight. [OOC: You get your level in hit points back for 8 hours of rest.]

Then Ilsidur will move over to Tokun, and motion to check the boy's wounds. If the boy is still hurt, Ilsidur will apply healing. [OOC: Ilsidur's healing check is +14, so I figure that he can tell how hurt the boy is.]

Sly Foxx and Luke
Monday April 4th, 2005 6:03:11 AM
Sly lies next to Niobe, with eyes closed but a tear running down his cheek.

Luke sniff the body of Sly and lay next to him.

Firn'gaer
Monday April 4th, 2005 7:53:15 AM
With cautious anticipation, the wizard approaches the two elves.

"I need to see what's happening...it's for research...saves the elves and all..." Mumbles from Firn'gaer lips over and over again as he lays his hands on the elven shoulders one on Sly the other Niobe.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45
Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight, endure elements, magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor, see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday April 4th, 2005 2:11:41 PM
"Ilsidur, myself and Yorrick are both free of real injury, perhaps Niobe Sly and Tokun?"

"If there are to be some who stay," He continues looking to Savin and Ilsidur. "I will follow where Firn'gaer has gone."

With that the druid reaches out and firmly grasps Sly's hand...

Follow a Dream (DM/Al)
Monday April 4th, 2005 10:00:10 PM
With Sly and Niobe in a trance, Ilsidur tends to the wounds of all present. Danger may be just around the next corner and the group should be ready.

Tokun sits near Hands Fighting Man and watches him tend to the Magic Woman Niobe. Short Steel Man comes to see to his wounds. Tokun clenches his teeth so as not to cry out at the pain. He would not wish to do so before the Magic Ones.

Ilsidur finds that the lad is putting a stoic face on some reasonably painful broken bones and internal injuries. (26/38)

Firn'gaer seats himself between Sly and Niobe. This may be something unrecorded in any book of magic. It is the experience of a lifetime. He places a hand on the shoulder of each half-elf. Firn'gaers eyes drift closed.

Peerimus follows, seating himself next to Sly, he grips his hand. The druid also leaves, taken on the wings of dream.

Yorrick gives a low and mournful cry at the absence of his friend. Luke sniffs at Sly. Animals have a sense for the soul, and this is odd to them. This is different than sleep. They are here. But they are not.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Tuesday April 5th, 2005 6:50:52 AM
Luke watches and wimpers a little, this is the first time that Sly is here only in body, Not understanding that his spiret is else where.

Luke looks to Yurrick, as the bear gently paws his master Peerimus.

Yorrick
Tuesday April 5th, 2005 4:08:57 PM
With a great humphring exhale, the thick brown kodiak lays down to to put his head ontop of his paws.

Niobe
Tuesday April 5th, 2005 4:37:07 PM
Niobe is still off in her own little wold; not able to respond to anything or anyone.

Savin
Tuesday April 5th, 2005 9:06:35 PM
Savin is tempted to follow the others on their dream quest but realizes someone must stay here and guard the others. Their is evil about and who knows when this arch mage will make and appearance.

He stares at his friends with concern but keeps a watch out for trouble.

Special Thoughts (DM/Al)
Tuesday April 5th, 2005 10:27:30 PM
Vast chasms now divide the Children of Chaos. Chasms of metaphysical being as well as chasms of time and space.

And yet, despite the separation, they are united by the cloak of a comradeship which wraps and protects them all. Their hearts are tied by bonds forged in both the danger faced on the long road together and by the dangerous road yet to come. And there is the magic embodied by the tattoo, a tattoo that each claims, and which in turn lays claim to them a mystery shared by all.

Tokun watches them, the dream-walkers and those who guard the dream-walkers. It has been no more than a handful of suns and moons. And yet, the young barbarian feels changed. He feels he has grown taller, bigger, in his mind. It is a quiet feeling. The few days with the Magic Ones have been a lifetime, he thinks. And, it is then, that it strikes the young barbarian that the Magic is not in what they do. It is in what they are. It is the way they are with each other. It is their oneness.

The thoughts strike a spark of pride in Tokun's breast. He was here. He was a part of this. He shared these days with the Magic Ones.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Wednesday April 6th, 2005 7:58:48 AM
Sly lies there still but has a fron on his face, odd thats odd.

Luke watches his master, even trying to lick his hand, to see if it will do any Good??.

Niobe
Wednesday April 6th, 2005 2:25:34 PM
*twitch*

Savin
Wednesday April 6th, 2005 10:29:32 PM
Savin sits down in front of the young barbarian and gives him a smile. He holds one hand out horizontally, miming that he wants Tokun to do the same. Savin will then cup his hands into the barbarians with his thumb extended.

He will quickly trap the young man's thumb with his own counting to three. He will then release it and start over. He wonders if the barbarian can still be considered a barbarian if he knows how to thumb wrestle.

What Lies In the Silence (DM/Al)
Wednesday April 6th, 2005 10:51:29 PM
The Children of Chaos, companions, and friends rest in repose. The cool air of the cavern is still. No breeze blows. No sound comes from either the darkness up ahead or the darkness far behind. Even to the monk's keen ear.

Savin engages their barbarian guide in a game. And, after initial confusion, Tokun engages Hands Fighting Man in less-than-mortal-combat across the field of the tops of their fists.

The martial grunts from the game of thumb wrestling aside, the cave is quiet. Were it not for the things that the Children know of this place, it might pass for a safe haven, a place of peace. The twilight of the cave might hold a tranquil beauty.

And yet upon what foundation is such a beauty built? What evil does it conceal? The Children of Chaos have had a glimpse beyond this veil of pelucidar stillness, and what lies there stinks of perversion, monstrosity, and alchemical death.

Firn'gaer
Thursday April 7th, 2005 12:25:48 AM
The wizard sit near his elven companions cross-legged, silent. His head hung low with his eyes closed in a trance.

Niobe
Thursday April 7th, 2005 1:42:05 AM

Niobe is still off in her own little wold; not able to respond to anything or anyone. This is getting very boring....

Sly Foxx and Luke
Thursday April 7th, 2005 8:00:45 AM
Sly is a little restless, but only move his eye lids (but not opening them) they move rappidly, then go still.

Luke notices the slight moving of Sly's eyes. to encourage his master, Luke whispers "Yes!"

Peace Breaker (DM/Al)
Thursday April 7th, 2005 10:00:48 PM
Ilsidur sits in repose while Tokun continues the amusing Outland game with Hands Fighting Man. It is difficult to beat him. But it is unseemly to give in. The rare times that Tokun does pin the Magic One's thumb is thrilling. Thrilling even though he secretly suspects that Hands Fighting Man has somehow skillfully allowed him to win.

The other's seem at peace, plagued neither by vacant look of coma, or the pained twitch of nightmare. Much longer in this dream, though, and perhaps a show of concern would be warranted.

"bhlgrblurhahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ... "

Faint, the burbled cry floats on the air, distinguished less by it's volume, than by the silence that brackets it. From the tunnel. The tunnel ahead. It had come from the dark of the tunnel up ahead. A cry choked and drowned as though through liquid medium, yet still capable of carrying a chilling note of horror and despair.

Savin
Friday April 8th, 2005 12:20:59 PM
Savin leaps to his feet, hauling up the young barbarian. He looks around at his vacant friends and moves over to the ones touching the elvenkind and disengages them.

If there eyes come back into focus, he will say, "I think we have trouble."

Niobe
Friday April 8th, 2005 9:01:41 PM
Niobe would happily have jumped up and helped out but she still seems to be "trapped" in the GG until further notice!

Return and Renewal (DM/Al)
Friday April 8th, 2005 10:36:52 PM
Hands already engaged, it is but a matter of grasping the barbarian's wrist with his freehand for Savin to pull Tokun to his feet. Ilsidur looks up at Savin's swift spurt of action.

The sound has ceased, but it was no illusion. And there was no mistake as to the direction from which it had come.

The monk firmly, but gently disengages the hands of Firn'gaer and Peerimus from the semi-conscious forms of Niobe and Sly Foxx.

Across the gulf of dream, the four feel a nudge. Like a psychic tap on the shoulder. Before they have time to question the source, or even what it might be, there is a sharp tug. A tug. And then a pull. The crowd and bright lights of the tavern stretch, soft candy made from light. Then a snap of the soul and all is gray. The feeling of swift motion. And ...

When they open their eyes it is to the twilight of the cavern deep beneath Ice Vein. "Awake!" bark's Luke. Yorrick snuffs and rises to his feet. It cannot have been longer than an hour. Surely no more than two. And yet, each and every member of the Children of Chaos feels the vigor of a full nights sleep. Wounds have healed in accelerated time. Spellcasters, arcane and divine alike, feel the call of renewal. There is in them a certainty that their magic, whether spiritual or temporal, will be granted them.

One last odd detail. When the dreamers, all four, rise from their places, they find that the ground beneath them is covered in a bright green lichen that has surely never flourished before in the dark of the underground.

[OoC: All spellcasters, please list a full days spells in your next post. Lets go!]

Niobe d20+10=13
Friday April 8th, 2005 11:42:57 PM
Niobe 'awakens' from her involuntary semi-conscious state. She has no idea how much time has passed. She gets up and stretches quickly to get the worst 'cricks'and stiffness out of her muscles. (the result of sitting still in one position for too long of course)

"Yes! Finally free! ... *mutters* For the time being anyhow," are the first words she joyously speaks.
'Man, what a waste of time that was. Well except for what that one guy [fyi: Valdor] said and the one elf that warned on how to avoid getting trapped in the "soul-sucking sing-song ritual" to bring back that dead elf guy,' Niobe makes a rapid mental recap of the meeting.

She looks at the others and then at the funky green moss that wasn't there before. She looks momentarily confused.

"Brilliant! We were gone for so long that moss started to grow?! Savin, Ilsidur, how long were we 'away' for?"

After these few seconds of rapid speech she suddenly notices that everyone who remained behind are tense and look ready to attack the first enemy-seeming thing to show up.
'Oops!
Niobe listens intently to the sounds around her. She doesn't say anything more until she has hopefully discerned the reason for the others reactions. (listen 13)

It seems that a discussion on the dreams and the forced meeting at the strange tavern; including all the prattle of the "wise scholars", will just have to wait.

Sly (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke ( ac 21 59/59hp)
Saturday April 9th, 2005 7:25:21 AM
Sly wakes with a strange look on his face, he sits up and tell the others "My Mother was there! So was my sister and both of parents of Paladin Jason's. BUT in phantom form, I almost touch her hand, When they all disapearded. It takes a powerful Wizard to do that spell.
Where am I? Back at the cace?" Sly gets to his feet asking "What's this stuff?

Luke answers Sly "Moss"

Magic Spells
Lvl 0) Detect magic x2 - Acid Splash x2

Lvl 1) magic missels x3 - True strike

Lvl 2) Spider Climb - Flaming Spere - Bull's strenth.

Lvl 3) Lightning Bolth (in sword)

ooc: I hope this is right?? If not please Yell!

Firn'gaer
Sunday April 10th, 2005 7:46:02 AM
The wizard wakes from his dream refreshed but still rather annoyed by the arrogance of the elves of his dream. He mind quickly dismisses it for another time and he focuses on the matter at hand, the cavern and the Archmage.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours

Rod -- 2/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight, endure elements, magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor, see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday April 11th, 2005 8:58:49 AM
Peerimus awakens, his eyes popping open suddenly, fully aware of his surroundings. Almost as if Yorrick had filled him in already. Seeing Firn'gaer and Ilsidur strating to study and pray, answers his unasked question.

Crossing his legs he closes his eyes once again and sends his thoughts out to Mother and Father.

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

Level 3: CMW, Greater Magic Fang, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm

Level 5: Animal Growth

Savin d20+13=31
Monday April 11th, 2005 9:54:04 AM
Savin is happy to see the others coming back. He stands and stretches and heads over to the corridor where he heard the strange sound and peers down it.

spot check 31

Ilsidur
Monday April 11th, 2005 2:10:00 PM
Ilsidur wakes from his sleep refreshed, and eats a meager breakfast. He spends his hour or so, praying for the powers to once again favour him with divine spells.

Then the dwarf dons his armour, and makes his way back to the party. "Did anyone hear a sound?" he asks to no-one in particular.

Sly (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke ( Ac 21 59/59hp)
Monday April 11th, 2005 7:30:45 PM
Sly Pick some of it in his gloved hand, examines it. Then ask Peemus "What can you tell me about this Green Moss?"

Luke is so happy at having his master back that goes and bring back his chew bone for him.

Sly's Spells

Lvl 0) Detect Magic x2 = Acid Splash x2.

Lvl 1) Magic Missels x3 = True Strike.

Lvl 2) Spider Climb = Flaming Sphere = Bull Strenth.

Lvl 3)Lighting Bolt (in sword)

Not So Distant Light (DM/Al)
Monday April 11th, 2005 8:28:36 PM
What is time with neither sun nor stars by which to gauge the passing of day or night? Still, the sleepers could not have been out more than an hour or so. Ilsidur, with his heritage of stone knows at least this much.

The 'moss' is no more than a common lichen. The unusual thing about it is that it is down here, under the ground at all. For what could grow in this barren lightless underdark save by the grace of a powerful divine influence?

Sly mutters a spell and places it into his longsword.

The sound, the low muffled gurgling, has ceased. But the source was surely down the tunnel. That party clusters in the tunnel, at the bottom of the stairwell which dead-ends at the ledge above. Not thirty feet behind them is the cavern from which they had just come. Up ahead, way off in the distant darkness, Sly and Niobe, graced with elven eyesight, catch the glimmer of a distant light.

How far, though, can the light be, if it can be seen?

[OoC: Ilsidur, may I have your spells for the day? Or are they the same as before?]

Firn'gaer d20+8=9
Monday April 11th, 2005 9:12:47 PM
"I'm glad to see everyone survived that." He says just before he draws his metamagic rod and casts a spell.

Words form in the wizard's speech and as they complete his face takes of familiar elf features. His cheaks chisle, his ears draw back and upward and his eyes change to an bright yellow-amber hue. As quickly as his features 'appeared' they were gone leaving only a slight color change in Firn'gaer's naturally pale icy blue eyes.

Firn'gaer looks in the direction of the 'light', but he is unaccustomed to his new vision and sees nothing (unless it's a 20 ft. statue standing up nearby.)

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours

Rod -- 1/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility, web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin d20+13=22 d20+13=21 d20+13=28
Monday April 11th, 2005 10:21:42 PM
Savin will look at the others and say, "I am gonna go check things out." Before anyone can stop him, he will slip down the tunnel looking towards the light.

He will keep his wits about him and study his surroundings, remembering the golem and glyph traps from before. He will try to move silenty as well.

spot check 22
listen check 21
move silently 28

Niobe d20+10=15
Tuesday April 12th, 2005 6:26:43 AM
Niobe has no intentions of being left behind, she follows along down the new tunnel. Seeing the light up ahead she wonders what they will find there. Savin takes off down the tunnel alone to scout things out. Niobe hopes he doesn't accidentally set some trap or alarm off, though she isn't over worried about that.
Niobe watches Sly to see if he is as agitated as he was in the Giggling Ghost. She listens for any noise not originating among the group.
(listen 15)

Sly (AC 20 69/79hp) and Luke (Ac 21 59/59hp)
Tuesday April 12th, 2005 7:43:11 AM
Sly was looking at the Litches, when he sees Niobe going into the tunnel. "They spoted something in the tunnel! Come! Luke, I'm going with them!"
Sly will follow Niobe, once in the tunnel. He will see the light ((what seems to him is the light at the end of the tunnel.)OOC: Sorry Devil made me type that)

Luke tail wages, "O.K.!" follows his master into the Tunnel, passing he in the tunnel and close behind Niobe.

Sly Spells
==========
Lvl 0) Detect Magic x2 - Acid Splash x2.

Lvl 1) Magic Missels X3 - True Strike.

Lvl 2) Spider Climb - Flaming Spere - Bull's Strenth.

Lvl 3) Lighting Bolt (in Sword)

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+5=12
Tuesday April 12th, 2005 9:35:30 AM
The druid remains with Yorick and the others as Savin moves further ahead to investigate something. Noting Niobe's and Sly's heightened sense of excitement he asks the nearby dwarf, "What has got them all jittery, I only see more of the same vast dark we have been in for the past few days.

Peerimus, notes Yorrick too seems a bit jumpy, the bear can obviously see something as well. Peerimus puts his ear to the wind in the hopes of filtering the background white noise. [Listen 12]

The Laboratory

End of The Tunnel (DM/Al)
Tuesday April 12th, 2005 10:38:22 PM
Firn'gaer draws a rod and channels magical energies through the device. His features shape and change before returning to normal. At first, the wizard sees nothing, his vision is, if anything, worse. Dots, shapes, lines, a chaos of mottled color. Could the spell be a ruse? A curse?

And then, Firn'gaer's mind begins to interpret, to understand. Dots, shapes, and lines become details of the tunnel wall. The faint light from the cavern behind them throws texture upon the rough wall of the tunnel. Texture, he can see such detail within the dark of the tunnel!

And up ahead, he too sees the distant light. Like a faint glowing spot of mist toward which Savin, Niobe, and Sly now advance.

As the three Children, Savin in the lead proceed with quiet care, down the dark tunnel, the rest remain behind. All strain their ears to catch the slightest sound. But none but silence is to be heard.

Soon Savin catches the soft glow of light seen by his elf gifted comrades. As they approach, the glow resolves into a trapezoidal figure against the right wall. Surely a doorway. It is, in fact, where the tunnel ends. The three turn the corner on a room as large as the cavern of the golems. Bare stone walls rise to a forty foot height. The large mouth of the tunnel opens into what appears to be the southwest corner of the room, and the walls travel off to both north and east, disappearing into the gloom.

Up above the ceiling is once again dimly lit by the scattering spots of magic light. But in this room, three glowing globes line the central axis of the chamber. The globes, capped by cone-shaped reflectors, hang from ropes that depend from the ceiling to throw arenas of light on the ground below. And, unlike the cavern of the golems with it's clear spacious feel, this room is littered with objects and equipment.

Savin, Niobe and Sly Foxx, in fact, stand within a small glade of huge granite boulders. Further out, in the middle of the room stand a crazy haphazard collection of freestanding tables, shelves, bureaus, hutches and credenzas.

"Ubluuurrrrrrggglluh ... "

The same watery cry heard by Savin before. This time, however, filled with panic and despair.

Ilsidur
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 12:25:00 AM
Ilsidur moves down the passageway, following behind the scouts. He gives them room to move silently ahead, about 75' or so. When he sees them stop at a doorway, he stops as well, waiting to hear what they have spotted in the light.

[OOC: Sure, Al, the spells can be the same as before. They all just turn into healing spells anyway, right? :) ]

LOL. Walking hospital. ^_^ - Al

Peerimus and Yorrick
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 9:24:46 AM
Peerimus moves with Ilsidur and Yorrick is directly behind. At the sound of the gurgle, Peerimus casts Greater Magic Fang on himself and Yorrick.
'Father lend your children strength'

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

Level 3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm

Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells Greater Magic Fang 9 hours

Firn'gaer d20+8=12 d20+8=28 d20+6=22
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 11:11:01 AM
Firn'gaer moves up with the others. "This looks promising." He says seeing the labratory laid out in the chamber. "There's always things hidden in a wizard's workshop." Drawing his rod again, Firn'gaer starts to cast a spell.

The wizard's eyes already slight changed from the previous spell glow softly in a white incandescent light. The intensity increases until his eyes are entirely a soft with glow. This glow then diminishes leaving only a soft radiant glow from his, which gives them a slightly washed out appearance. [See invisibility]

[Spot DC12, Listen DC22, Knowledge Arcane DC27 -- lab equipment]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Mourning (DM/Al)
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 12:59:58 PM
A veil descends. Deep the echo from the Bell of the Soul. A cloak of mourning covers all, and the Wold bows it's head to observe the passing

Please observe an hour of silence on The Children of Chaos board on observace of Lynn's tragic death.

I will post again once the hour has turned it's time. -- Al

Thank you (DM/Al)
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 2:11:23 PM
We will now resume.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 5:47:54 PM
The druid and his powerful companion Yorrick who so very recently felt well nigh invincible are suddenly weakened and feeling diminished. With eyes of sorrow, as the final tones wane, the two bow thier head in final prayer for the souls of those who have been called home and for the young boy who was not.

Niobe
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 6:05:38 PM
Niobe looks around the room/lab, but doesn't touch anything.
If this is a wizard's lab then she definately doesn't want to touch anything she doesn't know what is until Firn'gaer OKs it.
Her watchful meandering around the room slowly takes her closer to where ever she thinks the awful noise is coming from.
Niobe will not be leaving this room to investigate the noise alone however; she will find someone willing to scout the noise out with her.

Contents (DM/Al)
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 10:20:03 PM
At the resumption of the gurgling sound, those back in the tunnel move up swiftly to provide support.

Peerimus shares a spell with Yorrick, prepared for the worst.

Firn'gaer moves up to the mouth of the tunnel and peers in. The structure is different. What an incredible scale! The room is huge. But, to the wizard's eye it is unmistakably a laboratory. The placement of tools and equipment seems chaotic and haphazard. But one person's mess is another person's organization. One thing is clear, the focus of the room is a large stone table in the middle of the room. Gutters run down the sides of the table, ending in round drain holes. A dark organic material clings, crusted to the edges.

Various sharp edged tools litter the tables and cabinets that ring the central table. Small drawers in cabinets remain half open. Jars and tubes. Two tomes, a rod, a pair of goggles. Scatterings of bric-a-brac lie atop all available surfaces. Only the central table is clear. In the corners of the room, large mounds of material lie piled awaiting use. From the corner near the entrance, large blocks of stone. Another corner contains massive boulders of clay. Yet another holds scrap iron, and a small forge. Along the far wall are alcoves enclosed with steel bars: Cages. All of the cages are empty.

Firn'gaer draws the rod again as he takes in the room. Another spell touches his eyes. He blinks. But the landscape of the room remains unchanged.

Savin and Niobe move about alert to danger. The half-elven rogue turns her ear toward the source of the gurgling sound.

"gbh blgub bh ... " Beneath the liquid burble, it is almost a sob.

On the far side of the central table, between the table and the alcove cells, is a tall shelf. Three tiers of shelves stand with large glass jars, almost small glass barrel kegs, resting upon them. A miniature gnome-sized catwalk with a ladder on one end is where the gnomes most surely climb up to inspect the contents of these shelves.

Through the glass, Niobe picks out a greenish liquid. And as she approaches, within the liquid her eyes resolve the shapes of body parts. A trunk. A leg. An arm. A head floats within one, hair floating on a minor convection current. The mouth hangs loosely open. Various anatomical tubes for blood and air float below the severed neck. And as Niobe watches the floating head, the eyes snap open, twin mirrors of horror and misery. The mouth begins to move.

"elhb beee bhgleeeg, elhb beeeeeeee .... "

[OoC: There is so much stuff, that it will require a search combined with a knowledge check of some sort to separate the useful from the useless.]

Savin d20+13=33
Wednesday April 13th, 2005 10:20:31 PM
Savin hears the noise and sensing someone is in trouble will dart towards it. His eyes scan the area looking for possible traps but he moves forward anyway.

spot natural 20 for a 33

Ilsidur
Thursday April 14th, 2005 12:13:59 AM
The dwarf will move over to the floating head, suprised to see that it actually still seems to be alive. He addresses the head, asking, "Are you asking for help? If so, blink your eyes two times. And how can we help you?" He will move closer to the jar, if it will help to understand the disembodied head.

Niobe
Thursday April 14th, 2005 4:00:59 AM
Niobe involuntarily jumps back a step when the eyes of the disembodied head open. She was after all leaning close to the glass of the jar at the moment the eyes opened.

Niobe is also thinking that the head said "help me please". The look in those eyes was haunting to say the least.

"How do we help that?" Niobe mumbles quietly to herself.
She looks a little pale but is not shaking with fright at least.

After a minute or two Niobe will edge a little closer to the glass again and study the face to see if she recognizes any of the facial features. (Just in case this is the head of someone she has maybe seen before)

(Al, does that head look familiar in any way? What gender and possible race is it?)

Sly (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (ac26 56/56hp) d20=17 d20=12 d20+5=25 d20+5=19
Thursday April 14th, 2005 10:08:24 AM
Sly (who's behind Niobe) ask her "Is this a lab, a wearhouse or a living place? Look over there there's a pit with what's look like blood??" (Sly uses spot 17 and listen 12)
Sly turns to face Niobe's back. "What do you have there?"

Luke sniff around and keep his sences of hearing and spoting for anything helpful.

OOC:Luke Spots 25 - Listen 19.

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+17=33
Thursday April 14th, 2005 10:26:59 AM
Peerimus arrives at the entry to the labratory and pulls up short. The myriad of things is amazing, simply overwhelmingly amazing. How could and more importantly why would any creature choose to live so confined and cluttered. Looking from the doorway, the druid remembers the elves in the Giggling Ghost, It is this they were talking about, and something on a grander scale than us heroes can perform should be done

The sound brings him from his silent thoughts and the autrosity strikes him clean. Anger begins to burn in his core as the full scope of what this place represents is brought fully home.
Living creatures disembowled, drainied and then reconstructed to serve some mad gnome, a horror shell of misery of thier former selves. "It shall not stand!", the cry echoes through the room even before the druid realizes he said it.

Thought becomes action as Peerimus shifts to a great brown Kodiak and moves into the room on his hind legs, thoughts of destruction evident in his rage. [Handle animal 33]

Sensing his friends pain Yorrick also rears to his own impressive 12 feet and moves into the room.

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

Level 3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm

Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells Greater Magic Fang 9 hours

Savin d20+13=16 d20+13=28
Thursday April 14th, 2005 2:42:52 PM
OOC Sorry Al, looks like we posted at the same time last night.

Savin also feels shock at what he sees. How could this person be alive? He does know, that whoever could do this, must be evil and worthy of destruction.

Savin will keep his eyes to the gallery, looking for trouble.

spot 16
listen 28

A Bad Place (DM/Al)
Thursday April 14th, 2005 10:24:55 PM
Savin and Ilsidur converge on the jar. The monk's first concern is for security. While Savin stands sentry, Ilsidur attempts to communicate with the head in the jar.

Niobe edges closer, examining the features with the greenish liquid.

It is clearly male despite the long hair. A short stubble of beard carpets the chin, mouth and jaw. From the bold craggy features, this is a human male of some thirty or forty years. At one time, this might have been a hard man, a man of action. But now, the curve of the glass jar and the green of the liquid reveal little more than the wild panic in his brown eyes.

His features are unfamiliar. They ring a bell with no one.

Sly examines the large stone table with it's crusted gutters. The substance is blood. The gutters are covered in blood. The drains are full of it.

Luke sniffs, then woofs out a sneeze. The acrid scent of chemicals fills the air. A sharp iron tang of blood and the stench of corrupted flesh lie just barely masked beneath. And the rank heavy pheromone stench of fear lays it's hand upon all. This is not a good place.

"It shall not stand!" The cry roars from the entrance. The roar of the human voice lowers to the throaty challenge of a bear. Peerimus and Yorrick, are two juggernauts. In the shadowy air above the cones of reflected light, they loom even larger than in real life.

Sly, Savin, and Luke turn their senses to the four corners of the room to detect any sign of an answer to the Druid's challenge. There is not a sound. Nothing stirs.

Within the jar, the head blinks twice in quick succession. Twice again. And again. And again.

bwlowblrglee argbl oggggggg ... " the head cries. And it's mouth thrashes in wordless misery.

Firn'gaer
Thursday April 14th, 2005 10:26:20 PM
Vile being...the pain it must be in... The wizard says seeing the severed limbs in jars and the still living head.

"Give it the peace it deserves." He says to those staring into the jar. "That's no way to live, if that is even what it's doing." He turns away and looks at the rest of the cavernous chamber.

There will be a reconing...

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Ilsidur
Friday April 15th, 2005 1:08:22 AM
"Well, head, it seems like we can do one of three things. First, I can leave you in the jar. Is that what you want?" The dwarf waits for the blinks.

If there are no blinks, he continues, "Or we could remove your head from the jar, which may or may not kill you. Do you want me to try that?" He again waits for the blinks.

"Lastly, we can take you with us, jar and all, and see if we can find help for you."

"Which will it be?"

Sly (AC20 79/79hp) and Luke (AC21 56/56hp) d20=12 d20=16 d20+5=24 d20+5=19
Friday April 15th, 2005 7:04:21 AM
Sly looks at the jar but he has never seen the man before. Sly look to Ilsidur for guidence.

When the dark corner of this room, wondering what else there is to hid. Sly will start to serch the corners of the room first, then move towards the mysterious dark corner. Sly aks Luke "Luke come with me!"

Luke sneezes a couple of times (to clear his nose of the unwanter scent, then goes to his master (Sniffing and looking all the way)

OOC:Sly Listens 12 - Spot 16.
Luke Listen 24 - Spot 19.

Savin
Friday April 15th, 2005 12:17:35 PM
Savin is just plain disgusted with what he sees around him. Where is this gnomish mage? They need to find him, kill him and then get on to finding the rest of the missing families. He decides to say the same to the others.

"Guys, as interesting as this place is, I am really uncomfortable here. Lets do a quick search and then get out of here. I have no desire to share the fate of this unfortunate man." Savin will point to the jar.

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+6=15 d20+6=25 d20+1=13 d8+17=20 d8+17=25 2d6(6+3)+12=21
Friday April 15th, 2005 3:56:26 PM
Propelled by outrage and disgust and backed by magical weaponry, Peerimus lays into the jars of body parts including the head [PA 8 Hit AC 15,25,13 Dmg 20,25,21] A thundering roar sends Yorrick into and likely through one of the side cabinets and tables.

Niobe
Friday April 15th, 2005 7:27:09 PM
Niobe scampers out of Peerimus and Yorrick's way keeping herself from getting any of the liquid on herself making sure not to hinder them.

Destruction and Death and Identity (DM/Al)
Friday April 15th, 2005 9:27:15 PM
The head in the jar blinks twice at Ilsidur's second question.

"oOh ee brglee ... " he moans.

Firn'gaer turns away from the sight, disgusting, pitiful and disturbing. His eye roves the rest of chamber. So many implements. Tools of all kinds. His eye picks out many items of possible of great value. And possibly of great magic power. But, where to start.

Savin and Sly Foxx too turn away from the spectacle of the head. Sly wanders first one corner, then another. Through mounds of clay taller than himself on one side, to heaps of iron ore and the small forge on the other side. Then he and Luke in the fourth corner. The corner opposite the entrance from which they came. And there ... is an open doorway.

The doorway is large, as large as the tunnel through which they had come to this place. It opens on a corridor of some 25 feet. At the terminus of vision, the corridor corners to the left and out of sight. One notable change is that half way up the corridor, the plain stone walls that had characterized everything up to this point, give away to a facade of marble. Black and white checkered tiles shot with gold line the floors. The walls are faced with what can only be a wainscoting of gilt wood. Above that the wall is papered with a muted pattern of mauves that swirl and writhe across the flat expanse.

With a mighty roar, Peerimus lumbers into the light. Eyes full of anger, he comes down upon the metal catwalk that fronts the shelf. Niobe, ever watchful for danger, quickly moves out of the area. A paw strikes out, and sweeps the keg-sized jar containing the head from the shelf. Another paw strikes and the shelf itself cracks, splitting in two and dumping it's contents onto the shelf below. His teeth lock onto the top shelf, and the entire shelving unit rocks. Glass tinkles, it crashes, and the massive shelve tips forward, crashing to the ground, spraying sharp smelling green liquid and shards of broken glass. Peerimus, Yorrick, Ilsidur, and Firn'gaer are splashed by the green liquid. It swirls around their feet.

Yorrick batters through a cabinet shattering the wood. Shiny tools fly across the floor as the contents of some twenty small drawers are scattered across the floor.

"blaaaggghh-k,k, kh ... A vomitous expulsion of liquid precedes the sound of coughing and choking. The head lies amid a pile of jagged shards of glass. Green liquid drains away.

"Only ab few days late." The head croaks weakly. "Want bmy money. Want ... go ... homb ... "

The head falls silent. It's eyes stare unseeing.

Sly (AC20 79/79hp) ans Luke (Ac21 59/59hp)
Saturday April 16th, 2005 8:06:54 AM
Sly come across the open door, peeks inside to what kind of danger that's in there. "Hey! Over here! there's another tunnel like passage But diffrent."

Sly waits for the rest of the party to arrive, But the explosion hurries him into the tunnel.

Luke hears the crashing if the distruction of the Lab, he really want to help Yurrick. But loyalty keep him at Sly's side. "Whine!

Niobe d20+10=21 d20+10=13
Saturday April 16th, 2005 8:12:55 PM
Niobe carefully picks her way over to Sly. She chooses a path that will take her around the chemical mess without having to step into any of it.
'Never touch any unknown viscous liquid, she remembers her mentor advising her once, 'you never know what unfortunate side effect it might have.'
Once she is at the doorway where Sly is Niobe asks him, "did you see anything interesting?"
She listens for noises from down the hallway and looks down the hallway as well. (listen 21, spot 13)

Sly and Luke
Sunday April 17th, 2005 7:29:24 AM
Sly smiles a little at Niobe,"Yes!Look at those walls and floor! Almost the same as the ones that brouht us here, BUT some how different? This little acorn is off the walls and twice as dangerious."

Firn'gaer d20+19=34 d20+17=31
Sunday April 17th, 2005 8:32:27 AM
The liquid splashes around after the bear put the dissected thing at peace. "PEERIMUS!!!" Shouts Firn'gaer. "DO NOT DESTROY ANOTHER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT!!!" Shouting pointing at Yorrick. He walks to Peerimus and gets right in his ursine face, "I want to investigate this labratory before you prevent any chance of one- learn more about the broken eye; two- learn more about the Archmage; three- learn more about the location of Sly and Jason's family; and four- anything else I'll deem valuable. Are we clear? Once we've had a good look, destroy to your heart's content as a matter of fact I'll help, but not before then."

She's kidding he think to himself after Niobe's comment.

"First things first. Get out of the green liquid." The wizard points for Peerimus to handle Yorrick. "Calm him down, please." His demeanor is slightly parent-childlike, but considering the resent tantrum it was probably not intentional.

[Spellcraft DC34, Knowledge Arcane DC31 regarding the effects, or possible effects of the green liquid or swirling gas.]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin
Sunday April 17th, 2005 10:29:34 PM
Savin sighs with all the crashes and bangs. He then almost tosses his cookies with the head falling unto the floor. He hopes that doesn't happen with him.

Seeing Sly find the other door, Savin will head over there. He calls over his shoulder, "Loot the place quickly but lets get out of here. My skin is all goosepimpily and that is not a good sign!"

(Comment - Niobe)
Monday April 18th, 2005 1:15:37 AM
(*chuckles* Firn'gaer is a telepath? ;) Niobe was thinking that comment about the liquids.)

(OOC - Firn'gaer)
Monday April 18th, 2005 7:48:41 AM
Ok, so maybe he is a little. I totally missed that, sorry. ;-)

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+17=21 d20+17=28
Monday April 18th, 2005 9:21:19 AM
With a snarl Peerimus rises to his full height and stepping in closer to the mage looks down at him as he yells. [Handle animal 21 Down] Not to unlike what Firn'gaer himself had done with Niobe not to many days past. His head cocks slightly sideways as he regard Firn'gaer for a moment. Yorrick too has momentarily stopped and is looking to the human who has stepped in to challenge his friend.

Peerimus lowers with what sounds to be a growl, [Handle animal Guard] landing on all fours again, his 1800 pounds of weight slightly displacing Firn'gaer as he does. Peerimus begins to move out of the initial area of destruction as Yorrick remains watching.

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

Level 3: CMW, Stone Shape, Protection from Energy

Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm

Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells Greater Magic Fang 9 hours

Quiet (DM/Al)
Monday April 18th, 2005 9:56:35 PM
Strange dying word for a head.

Sly peers out of the tunnel into which he had hopped as the crashing bedlam had begun behind him. Luke peers out as well at from behind his legs.

Niobe and Savin followed by Tokun, skirt the spreading pool of green chemical liquid and make for the tunnel where the see for themselves that what starts as a tunnel turns itself into more of a residential corridor further down. Despite all of the tremendous racket raised by the rampaging bears, Niobe hears nothing from up the corridor. No curious face peeks around the corner.

Nothing.

Firn'gaer adds to the noise by loudly rebuking the rampaging bears. Peerimus responds with a roar as he looms over the tall wizard. Yorrick stops quiet but watchful. Then the bear-form druid drops to all fours and brushes past Firn'gaer on his way out of the pool of green.

Firn'gaer too quickly leaves the pool, now growing shallower as the liquid leaks down the same drain that must have taken away the blood from the table. Without a magical scan it is difficult to say with one-hundred percent certainty, but the liquid would most rationally be of a non-magical nature. From Firn'gaer's knowledge of such things, it would most likely be wholly alchemical. Most likely a preservative fluid of some sort. Non-toxic unless ingested ... as a bear might be tempted to do. Or, if perhaps bathed in for an extended period of time, something no one here has any intention of doing.

Scattered around are an array of various surgical tools, some appear to be made of very interesting material. There is a chest of small drawers, each drawer containing a scroll. Small pots of unguents and admixtures. A tray of baubles. A curved black stoppered flask. Two books seem to have fallen to the floor but remain unsoaked by the spray of preservative chemical.

Things have returned to an eerie quiet.

Ilsidur
Tuesday April 19th, 2005 12:22:59 AM
Ilsidur looks around at the destruction wrought by the two bears. He can understand a little of what drove the druid, but he has to agree with Firn'gaer. "Peerimus, please get ahold of yourself. I realize that this place holds abominations, but looking through it might help us understand and destroy the creator. Let our searchers have a look around."

"Niobe and Savin, you need to search this room for valuables, before the whole place becomes soaked in the preservation fluid. We need to take everything of interest or value."

Then the dwarf moves over and picks up the fallen head, as gently as possible. "Are you still there, head? My name is Ilsidur; could you tell us what you are doing here?"

Sly Foxx and Luke
Tuesday April 19th, 2005 6:28:08 AM
Sly and luke watches the party distruction of the lab. Sly knows that Ilsidur is right. They should really save the things they think that we'll need to rid of this mad man.

"I'll help and if there to much for you people to carry, I have the Ivory and Gold Chest here to put the things of intrest into!" Sly tell all of them.

Sly goes into his pocket, bring out the snuff size chest. He open it, takes out the golden key, inserts the tiny key in the little betty key hole, turns the key and Puff! A chest of Ivory and Gold appears. "There fill it up" said Sly with one hand pointing at the chest.

Luke watches Yurrick having all that fun, and want to join him. He advances into the room, "Yuck!" Said luke as he shackes his paw.

Firn'gaer d20+7=27 d20+8=12
Tuesday April 19th, 2005 7:39:28 AM
"Ilsidur, perhaps burial rights for him when we're done." He says to the dwarf.

He moves over to the druid and speaks quietly, "I appologize for my condesending tone, master Peerimus, I reacted out of worry that something we needed might be destroyed."

"Let's find what we can, do what needs to be done and be gone." He says as he turns his attention back to the lab and its contents.

[Search DC27, Spot DC12]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Tuesday April 19th, 2005 9:02:00 AM
Peerimus nods his Ursine head at both Ilsidur and Firn'gaer and with a grunt to Yorrick, they both move towards the exit so that the the area can be looked over. Peerimus looks back to the great stone table and growls deeply. [Cast Stone Shape]
19 cubic feet of the table rises and shapes itself into a tree like symbol

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink

Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame

Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal, Barkskin

Level 3: CMW, Protection from Energy

Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm

Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells Greater Magic Fang 9 hours

Savin
Tuesday April 19th, 2005 6:20:53 PM
Savin thinks to himself that Greed kills but decides to have a quick look around to see if anything is interesting. He will start looking into draws and cabninets, looking for anything of value, interest, or informational.

Niobe d20+10=17 d20+12=14 d20+10=12
Tuesday April 19th, 2005 10:07:58 PM
Niobe will join Savin ina cursory look around the place. She will still try and avois the areas that are soaked the worst by the chemicals.
Niobe is obviously not doing a very enthusiastic search...
(Appraise 17 (general items), Appraise 14 (gems and written items), Spot 12)

Finding Things Out (DM/Al)
Tuesday April 19th, 2005 10:16:56 PM
Ilsidur suggests a search of the room. He lifts the head from the floor. Green liquid runs down strands of stringy hair.

Looking on, Firn'gaer suggests a burial before turning to apologize to Peerimus, and then moving through the items scattered about the room with a discerning eye.

Savin joins the search, opening drawers and taking anything that appears to be of interest.

Sly takes his magic snuffbox from a pocket. With the insertion of a tiny key, it becomes a magic chest.

Items that appear of value are gradually sorted from the more mundane items.

10 scrolls four of them appear to Firn'gaer to be the same.
A jar of Ointment
A shriveled hand on a chain
A prismatic Gem
A pair of Gauntlets
A pair of Goggles
A dark long necked flask with a stopper
Two bound Manuals
A Pearl on a gold chain
A Scarab broach
Four tubes of a clear gel
Ten vials of a clear viscous liquid
A jar containing a dark Unguent
A Rod

Niobe casually discards all of the items of little worth. There are many of them. The pearl, she can see is of great value. And large for a pearl. The Manuals appear to her to be of great value. The scrolls, for the most part, seem of great value as well. Though she is unsure what spells they are for, they do not appear to be of the common lower level variety.

As the others work around him, Peerimus, growling in bear form, calls on the Father and the Mother and casts a spell. With his large paws, he stretches the stone of the central table, the bloody abomination of the central table. He pulls the stone into the air, molding it like children's candy. When he is through, there, standing stylized, is a tree crafted from stone. The dark blood could almost pass for bark.

Ilsidur speaks to the head. It's eyes, dead and glassy, suddenly roll. ke! *cough* More green liquid bubbles from it's mouth. The head stares. "Want my money." Then, as if realizing the meaning of the dwarven cleric's words, "Serivus Diesus. I brought you the slaves. Give me ... *sputt* ... mby money."

Two things then happen with an uncanny simultaneity. Savin opens the door on a large standing closet. Inside are clothing and personal belongings. Among them are clothing and personal belongings with which Sly should be highly familiar. They belong to his mother and sister.

At the same time, Firn'gaer is drawn by the unusual color of a delicate surgical scalpel. It lies in and amongst a scattering of other instruments. Could that be ... Cold Iron? A vague and uncomfortable build of saliva forms in his mouth accompanying a loose sensation in his gut. As the wizard nears the scalpel, the feeling takes hold as a twisting in his gut. Cold sweat breaks out on his forehead, and he is taken by a weakness in his limbs.

What is going on here?

Ilsidur
Tuesday April 19th, 2005 11:42:18 PM
Ilsidur continues to talk to the head, "I'm not sure if you are aware of your circumstances, Serivus. I am speaking to your dismembered head. Unfortunately, even if I was going to pay you, you have no place to put the money! However, I might be able to help you get your body back, if you will answer me some questions."

"First of all, who do you think I am, that you want payment from me? What did I plan to use the slaves for? Secondly, who are these slaves that you say you brought me? We are looking for a few slaves in particular; were they part of the group that you brought?"

He calls out to the young half-elf, "Sly, describe your mother and sister to Serivus, here. See if he knows anything about them?"

Sly Foxx and Luke
Wednesday April 20th, 2005 8:47:44 AM
Sly turn his head, then leaves his chest open for the party to put the things that they want into the chest.
Sly will go to Ilsidur to discribe his mother and sister. "The full elf is my mother, she was white hair and green eyes, she is 5'4" tall and very slim for a Full blooded Elf. But still very beautiful for a hundred year old female Elf.
The other has the most beautiful long flaming Red hair, she has her Mother Green eyes, and has the freckles on her forhead, nose, maybe on her cheeks. She maybe a woman by now, But she had a temper and very hard to handle like her human farther." Said sly with a far way look in his eyes."
Sly bends to the leval of the head, "If you ever saw them, you would never forget White and Ruby Foxx. Tell me that there are HERE! "AND ALIVE!"

Firn'gaer d20+10=20
Wednesday April 20th, 2005 2:42:32 PM
"Whats...argh...happening...argh..." Says the wizard as he approaches the flesh carving instrument. The wizard staggers briefly as the emination from the scalpel. He finds himself leaning on whatever is near. Doubled over breakfast reveals itself on the cold stone floor. "Can I get...argh...some help here..." He says. Firn'gaer tries to step back himself, but can't find the strength in his legs.

[Will save DC20, in case you need it.]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+9=14 d20+6=25 d20+6=25 d20+6=17 d20+6=26 d20+6=22 d20+6=19 d20+6=12 d20+6=20 d20+6=26 d20+6=14 d20+6=13 d20+6=15 d20+6=13 d20+6=25 d20+6=12
Wednesday April 20th, 2005 3:43:47 PM
The bear watches as the items are gathered from the wreckage. Peerimus casts Detect Magic as the pile gets larger.
[Spellcraft checks]
10 scrolls four of them appear to Firn'gaer to be the same. 25
A jar of Ointment 25
A shriveled hand on a chain 17
A prismatic Gem 26
A pair of Gauntlets 22
A pair of Goggles 19
A dark long necked flask with a stopper 12
Two bound Manuals 20 and 26
A Pearl on a gold chain 14
A Scarab broach 13
Four tubes of a clear gel 15
Ten vials of a clear viscous liquid 13
A jar containing a dark Unguent 25
A Rod 12

The brief trade of temper flies from the druid the instant the wizard hits the floor. In a fluid motion he moves the short distance while shifting to his human guise.

Scooping the taller but lighter man over his shoulder, he backs to a section of the room less littered with debris, likely the entryway.

Sitting Firn'gaer down Peerimus gives him a bit of water and a few peppermint leaves. "Take a few small sips and then chew on these my friend. It will help your stomach."

It will also give you something to do while I search for greater danger signs [Heal check 14]

Peerimus's first thought is that some of the alchemical compounds now splashed everywhere, because of his own anger, had somehow gotten through a cut or pour and was causeing this reaction.

Niobe d20+10=12
Wednesday April 20th, 2005 3:58:12 PM
Niobe will toss all of the valuable items (the listed items) into the ivory (?) chest that Sly has so generously provided; once all the magic work has been done on them that is.
She will wait with the scrolls if any of the spellcasters want to check them out first.
They can look over the items more carefully once their 'self-appointed' task is over and they are somewhere 'safer'.
While waiting with scrolls she cranes her neck to see what Firn'gaer was staring at when he collapsed. (spot 12)

"I never thought I'd ever see you nearly faint Firn'gaer! Are the chemicals getting to you?" Niobe asks (sounding basically concerned).

Savin d20+9=10
Wednesday April 20th, 2005 11:00:24 PM
Savin sees the elven clothes and winces. This can't be a good sign he thinks to himself. He will gather them up and then see the wizard stubble and get light headed. He will leap to his aid and help Peerimus carry him to an area of safety.

He realizes that others with magical skills will most likely be able to help him, he still checks Firn"gaer over himself with his more mundane healing skills.

"Wow I think you might have leprosy Firn'gaer! Getting a light head is a sure sign and fainting is another. I am sure that is what my master said! Nobody else touch him. It might be contagious."

Rolled natural 1 on the heal check.

Sickness and Insanity (DM/Al)
Wednesday April 20th, 2005 11:08:31 PM
The head blinks green liquid from its eyes and peers up into Ilsidur's face. His lips tremble as the cleric reminds him of his current reality. Panic grows in his eyes, and a low keening wail bursts from his mouth. He begins babbling uncontrollably.

No! No! No! Don wanna be a head. Don wanna be a head!!!! Go home. Go home. Go ho-hahaha-ahahahahaaaa," he sobs. "Just some elves. Just some stupid elves Just some STUPID ELVES!!! ... "

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! ELVES ELVES GNOMES AND ELVES!" the head screams wide-eyed with mad panic as Sly kneels to look him in the face. The head's previous moments of lucidity appear to have fled, and he seems not to understand anything the young half-elven fighter has said at all. A soft stream of mewing incoherent sobs burbles from the lips of the panicked head. It is possible that he may very well have crossed the line into insanity.

Peerimus, stand over Sly's chest as Niobe tosses a few last interesting items in. Growling a spell, the druid/bear plays the magic over the items. (See Results below)

Meanwhile, Firn'gaer totters on unsteady legs, sickness roiling in his gut. He calls out for help. And Peerimus turns, shrinks, and transforms as he moves, catching Firn'gaer as his legs give out at the same time that Savin, arms loaded with women's clothing, takes the wizard's other arm. Placing him in a comfortable spot, the two minister to Firn'gaer's health. The man has clearly been the victim of some sort of trauma. But from what? Neither of the two can find the cause. Poisoning has clear signs. This does not exhibit any of them. Leprosy? Dengue Fever? A magic induced weakness, perhaps? Magic would be undetectable by their mundane examination. But from what magical source?

Separated from the Cold Iron, Firn'gaer immediately begins to feel better. The cold sweat dries, and strength returns to his limbs.

From her place by the chest, Niobe runs her eyes over the place the Firn'gaer had been standing just before his collapse. Just a scattering of metal instruments. But what's that darkly colored one? Cold Iron? That's a rare and valuable metal ...

Tokun stays near Hands Fighting Man and watches as things seem to fall apart. But they are The Magic Ones. What appears chaos to him, may be well under control to them. He moves to mouth of the new tunnel. The strange tunnel that has patterns on the floor and walls.

Spellcraft Results
10 scrolls four of them appear to Firn'gaer to be the same. 25 (They're spell scrolls)
A jar of Ointment (Faint Conjuration)
A shriveled hand on a chain (Faint Transmutation)
A prismatic Gem (Moderate Divination)
A pair of Gauntlets (Faint Transmutation)
A pair of Goggles (Faint Divination)
A dark long necked flask with a stopper (Aura Unread)
Two bound Manuals (Aura Unread) and (Moderate Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment and Transmutation)
A Pearl on a gold chain (Aura Unread)
A Scarab broach (Aura Unread)
Four tubes of a clear gel (Aura Unread)
Ten vials of a clear viscous liquid (Aura Unread)
A jar containing a dark Unguent (Faint Transmutation)
A Rod (Aura Unread)

Sly Foxx and Luke
Thursday April 21st, 2005 9:26:02 AM
Sly look at Ilsidur, "I think this head has gone mad! But he did bring elves, half elves and gnomes in here. For What purpose I don't want to think about what happen to them. Ilsidur! Do you want me to kill this head? Not to punish but for mercy!"

Sly turn his attention to Fien-gare, being held up by Peerimus and Savin, "What is the matter, Fien-gare?" Sly goes over to him (but by this time he's has let go of the cold iron) Do you feel better now? maybe the metal you just touch is curse"

Sly tell both Peerimus and Savin, "I think he's feeling better now???" Sly spots the clothing Savin has on his arm... Softly he ask Savin "Where did you get these clothing? These are Elves and half elves sizes! That light green robe is almost like the one my mother that day... And those Blouse, skirt and head band (tears start wells in the corner of his eyes) are just like the one Ruby had! Please let me see the head band... Look here theres still some hair left in the knot and it's color is RED like Ruby's!"

Sly bring the clothing to his nose, sniffing them. Then he goes silent...

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday April 21st, 2005 4:14:51 PM
Peerimus, seeing the fairly fast recovery of Firn'gaer dismisses any mudane affliction as a result of alchemical spill. Helping him back to his feet he glances towards Sly.
"What is left of him is responsible for the abduction and selling of your kin. Do to him as you see fit Sly. Allowing him to live as he is seems fitting to me."

Peerimus will then convey to the others what he could determine of the magical auras of the items.
Spellcraft Results
10 scrolls four of them appear to Firn'gaer to be the same. 25 (They're spell scrolls)
A jar of Ointment (Faint Conjuration)
A shriveled hand on a chain (Faint Transmutation)
A prismatic Gem (Moderate Divination)
A pair of Gauntlets (Faint Transmutation)
A pair of Goggles (Faint Divination)
A dark long necked flask with a stopper (Aura Unread)
Two bound Manuals (Aura Unread) and (Moderate Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment and Transmutation)
A Pearl on a gold chain (Aura Unread)
A Scarab broach (Aura Unread)
Four tubes of a clear gel (Aura Unread)
Ten vials of a clear viscous liquid (Aura Unread)
A jar containing a dark Unguent (Faint Transmutation)
A Rod (Aura Unread)

Savin
Thursday April 21st, 2005 9:23:30 PM
Savin will hand the clothes over to Sly with a look of agony on his face. "I am sorry my friend. I don't mean to bring you pain. I fear for your family if they were brought to this accused place."

Savin will place his hand on Sly's shoulder and try to comfort him as best he can.

A Choice (DM/Al)
Thursday April 21st, 2005 11:27:35 PM
Sly Foxx offers to put the head to sleep. And he has a two fairly rapid revelations. One: That the head belongs ... belonged ... still belongs(?) to a Slaver. Two: That these are his mother and sisters clothing.

And neither White nor Ruby Foxx are currently wearing these clothes! What could have happened to them?

Peerimus helps Firn'gaer to his feet. The druid sees the man for the slaver that he is. He suggests that Sly let nature run its course. Nature has it's own harsh brand of justice.

Savin puts a comforting hand upon Sly's shoulder. Soft distant strains of music fill Sly's head.

Music?

Distant voices singing in ethereal harmony, come to Niobe's ear. A chorus of souls. Elven souls.

Firn'gaer too, though human, hears the heavenly voice, both one and many.

All can hear, but the song calls to those three in particular. It calls for them to join the song.

Now comes time to raise the King. Sleeper waken Summer bring,
The wise wind soft to bless the Wold, and wreathe glade in healing song.
Sing righteous chorus. Ring out the wrong.

Tis time for choosing. Reach out your hands. Tis time
All brethren o'er through sylvan dream. Tis time
We come our voices, a course elect. Tis time
Sing chorus. Tis time
Ring chorus. Our path select.

The song continues. At times strong. At times a low murmur. But at all times, beneath the words, plays the music of a myriad of elven souls crying out to choose. Yeah or Nay? Yeah or Nay? Choose where you stand for the waking of the sleeper.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Friday April 22nd, 2005 6:55:24 AM
Sly stands there only hearing only half of what Peerimus was saying. But he did say something about justice??
Sly looks to Ilsidure (Who still has the head in his hand), Sly will go to Ilsidur, asking he long time friend for the Head "Let me have the Head, I will give him the justice he deserves"

Taking the Head to that horried table, where victems were tied down on. Sly carefully sets the Head down on it, (up right) "Now my bodyless friend, I'll will leave you to Mother Earth, She will deal with you."

The music and the sining get louder, Sly sways and beging to sing along with all the other Elves, and sing his answer "Wake the Sleeper. Let him advise us. Wake the Sleeper! I say Yeah!'

Luke tilts his head, because he never heard Sly's sining voice before. So the dog sins along with Sly.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday April 22nd, 2005 12:18:21 PM
"So it has begun." the druid says mostly to himself, but loud enough for all to hear. Remebering Niobe's reaction through the meeting at the Giggling Ghost, Peerimus moves closer to the woman.

"There is no danger in joing the song, and I urge you to not only join but to side with those that awaken the Sleeper. Valdor was wrong as were most others that voiced against the awakening. They carried the pretense that it was good versus evil. That the score of heroes in the Wold can effect global change. They can not. There is no impact of good and evil in this, that is not what the matter was about. It was about the natural world and the destruction of that world. We will steadily move towards self destruction and in the end our Wold will be as desolate as the moons that rise above it."

Peerimus then moves away, Yorrick pushing up against him for comfort.
"Now we sit and wait my friend, now we wait."

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal, Barkskin
Level 3: CMW, Protection from Energy
Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells Greater Magic Fang 9 hours

Savin
Friday April 22nd, 2005 10:35:33 PM
Savin sees the strange expression on Sly's face and then hears him start singing. "I guess we are in for more of this elvish stuff. I don't know what to think about it. I think nature unchecked can be very dangerous. Floods, storms, lightning, locust and more. Still the intelligent races can be horrible too. War, pollution, destroying of animals for pleasure. I really don't know which way is right...."

He sits down next to Peerimus and says, "Well if this goes badly, I will do my best to protect you and you watch my back too Okay?"

Awakening
Saturday April 23rd, 2005 2:55:55 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...

Firn'gaer
Saturday April 23rd, 2005 7:26:03 AM
Firn'gaer takes in the heavenly sounds and his voice joins in. The words, unfamiliar at first, soon become second nature as he calls for the Sleeper to rise.

In his mind's eye, Firn'gaer imagines the great stir that occurs throughout the Wold. His mind drifts back to New Ehlenna. He sees the streets of the city bustling with people. He sees the roads of that region, roads he has traveled for a good part of his life. He is traveling over the roads and through the streets faster and faster. The smells and sounds of his youth begin to flood his senses. All the while, the song is sung.

It has. He thinks to himself.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

The Land Casts a Ballot (DM/Al)
Saturday April 23rd, 2005 2:34:23 PM
Sly Foxx takes the head and decides its fate. He walks to the column of stone which Peerimus has just fashioned in the form of a tree, the once bloody table upon which unknown numbers had been sacrificed in the name of perverse, though equally unknown objectives. The half-elven fighting wizard props the head up upon a branch so that it must look out over the scattered landscape of the laboratory. And then he turns his back upon it.

The song comes. The song rises. Voices join from distant places, places connected only by time and space, voices from the Wold over. Some sing out in favor. Some sing out against.

Peerimus and Savin give advice, encouragement and support.

The music swells, sweeping chords and harmonies building toward a coda. Sly adds his voice calling for the Sleeper. Luke, the instinct of the pack calling out to him, howls by his friend's side.

Elven voices call to Firn'gaer over distances vast, and yet so near to his heart. The sylvan connection born of the Elf Vision spell lifts up his soul, and this human too sings, echoing Sly's vote for the Sleeper.

Niobe holds herself aloof. Her silence is her vote.

Ilsidur and Tokun too, watch in silence. One is struck by the possible significance of what is to come. The other is struck by the wonder of the events as they unfold before him in the here and now.

Yorrick watches with the eyes of an animal who feels the coming of the storm.

The Sleeper awakes.

There is a split second warning: A deep grinding sonic bellow, a groan of the earth's complaint, an awe inspiring sound never to be forgotten. And then the ground jumps. The air is split with destruction as all loose structures, materials, furnishings are tossed and shaken. One of the hanging lights breaks from it's place on the ceiling and crashes to the floor. The stone tree topples, and the head disappears in a spray of, flesh, blood and stone chips.

Somewhere within Ice Vein, the earth itself has spoken. These are the effects in the tunnels underground. Who knows what the effect must be above.

The rumble of the earth then stills. The ground is once again solid and unmoving. The hanging lights still sway above, casting shadows that swing in gradually slowing arcs. Aside from that, though, all is silent.

[Despite the dramatic effects of the quake, no one is injured. Unless you want to be.]

Niobe (post + OOC)
Saturday April 23rd, 2005 4:31:06 PM
((I am very sorry for missing posts. I didn't realize that the training period at the elderly center would drain me so badly. I barely get home without falling asleep at the wheel while driving! I will do my best to keep up with posting now that my first strenuous week is finally over.))

(Update)

Niobe would have listened to Peerimus' words and taken them into consideration. However she would not have joined in the song regardless, because she still has no good answer as to what it might 'cost' her to have done so.

The earthquake is a frightening thing to experience while being below ground to say the least...
Amazingly Niobe is indeed unharmed, but unsettled by the quake. She shakes herself from her "reverie".

"Sly? Did you hear your kin in all that cacophony? Did they sing?"

Sly Foxx and Luke
Sunday April 24th, 2005 10:12:45 AM
Sly bends to pet Luke "It's alright, Pal. We need him. Don't be scared, Domi will that care of you."

As Niobe speakes to him (About hearing his Mother and Ruby'S voices), He look at her with empty eyes, "No! that sweet voice was not there, Nor was that hight pitch voice of Ruby."

Luke is happy with the attention and ear scratching the is provided bu his master.

Firn'gaer d20+11=29
Monday April 25th, 2005 11:24:36 AM
The wizards stops singing when the cavern around him starts to move. Ducking low to avoid debris, Firn'gaer looks around for signs other signs of danger.

"That was interesting. Any ideas?" he says when the sounds subside.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peeimus and Yorrick d20+17=20
Monday April 25th, 2005 1:25:17 PM
Peerimus nods to Savin, "And I will always do the same for you my friend, no matter what the danger or cost."

Teh cavern erupts into a cacophony beyond the druids first hand experience. Stone cracks and splinters as the Wold seems to protest some distant event. It is over in less than a minute, but the damage is extensive. Getting up and batting away dust and debris from himself and waving it away from his face, Peerimus coughs a few times, "Is everyone all right. [Know Nature 20] A quake to be certain, as to the cause I am unsure. Possibly natural maybe not."

"Unerving to say the least, it is amazing none of us were injured at least there is that. I will assume that it is coincidense the quake hit seconds after Sly asked Mother to pass judgement on the slaver."

Yorrick let a mighty bellowing roar as the ground shook beneath his feet and unlike the humans and elves, Yorrick felt the over pressure as the massive wave rolled past them. Yoorick searches out the comforting hand of the druid and stays unusually close for some time after.

When all are recovered and upright from the intial hit and more minor aftershocks, Peerimus suggests they move with some haste beyond this room and towards finishing matters with the archmage.

Sly Foxx and Luke
Monday April 25th, 2005 4:52:22 PM
Sly was talking to Niobe when the wave hit. "Well! I guess the justice was done." He watches the head roll in broken glass, then down the blood drain.

He turns to the rest of the party, asking "I'm read to admister justice again!" Then the half elf heads for the door.

Luke follows Sly.

Prying Eyes (DM/Al)
Monday April 25th, 2005 7:52:58 PM
The swing of the everburning lamps above slows, and the light ceases it's movement.

Niobe asks after Sly's folks. Could they have been heard amid the hundreds of thousands of elven voices. Kinship is strong. And stranger more miraculous things have happened. But Sly answers in the negative. For whatever reason, he did not hear their voices.

Firn'gaer pulls from the elven soul-song, and looks about for danger. Far from danger, the room seems oddly calm, like the quiet after the storm. Could the quake have had anything to do with the Sleeper? Or was it a creation of their gnomish host? Or something else entirely?

Peerimus correctly identifies the trembling of the earth. But such things come from many sources, not all of them natural. He suggests moving on to confront the Archmage, the master of this realm. Sly agrees, and strides toward the corridor with determination.

The back of Firn'gaer's hand warms. The broken eye, the symbol of the group's unity, this time nearly glows with life.

"Could it have been them? The brief glance from the Arcane Eye showed no more than six of them. And despite the readings from the Ataxiopticon it seems hardly likely that they could have been capable of such a tremendous display of power."

"And yet, the readings. Like nothing I've seen yet. How is it that they come here? To me? It is clear that they must have entered through the outer door. And, indeed, must have destroyed my creations between here and there."

"But with such power at my disposal, I the things I could create will make the loss pale in comparison."

"We will wait here. They will be welcome as befits the gift they bring."

The scrawl of words retreats, jumping lively up the page. The warmth from the symbol of Chaos fades.

[OoC: Posting a little early today. This is going to be a bad week for me. I will, none the less, try to keep up with the posts. -Al]

Savin
Monday April 25th, 2005 8:59:31 PM
Savin is surprised by the quake and will jump up and throw an arm up deflecting a piece of the ceiling that was coming towards him.

He will then stand over Peerimus and try to shield him from anything else that might be falling their way.

"I guess the Elf King has answered. I think he woke up grumpy. We really need to get out of these tunnels. Tunnels aren't the best place to be if you are in an earthquake.

Ilsidur
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 12:39:59 AM
Ilsidur is shaken by the earth's movement. "Sly, what just happened to the Wold?" he asks the young half-elf. "Who is this sleeper, and how does he have the power to move the ground in such a profound way?"

He follows the others out of the room, worried about the safety of the rocky ceiling.

Sly Foxx (AC d20+5=19 d20+5=25
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 7:06:14 AM
Sly has a puzzel look on his face, "Ilsidur! My friend, I don't know? They have or will start the spells. But if you ask me this earthquake is something else??"

Sly look to Fien-gare, asking him "Friend Fien-gare! what does his book say?"

Luke look toward first to Ilsidure, then to Fien-gare reactions. (Luke is going on his sences of fear and scent)

OOC; Listen 19 - Wilderness Lore (Scent) 25.

Firn'gaer
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 7:44:09 AM
"Excuse me, but the Sleeper or the Elf King or whatever just happened are the least of our worries at this moment." He says as the words scroll across the page. The wizard continues to stare at the words he's penned. "Sly, it says that Meznock knows we're here." Firn'gaer says looking up at Sly.

He looks back down to the page and reads his translation. For moments he stare at the words trying to gain some new insight or secret into the author before standing with a question written on his face.

Walking to Sly, Firn'gaer asks very plainly. "How bad do you want to find your family." He pauses to let Sly absorb the question while he scans the others for their reaction. "I ask Sly, because in searching for them we'll have to face Meznock. He is an Archmage and possibly more powerful than we. So I ask again, how bad do you want to find them? I need to know that your willing to go all the way if I'm to follow on this. If you have doubts or if your not totally commited to this I need, no we need, to know." He pauses again turning to the others.

"Just to keep things in perspective, realize that in doing this we all could end up as parts for one of his creations." Turning back to Sly. "I'll help you, but it needs to be a total commitment and not just from you. It needs to be a total commitment from everyone. The Sleeper or Elf Kings or turmoil in the Wold, those all take a back seat for this next thing we do. You see Meznock isn't some orcs or life-less husks or whatever else you've faced. He's highly intelligent, very powerful and he know not only what we are he knows where. He'll be ready so we need to as well."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 3:59:26 PM
Savin will hear the wizard's words and go up and put an hand on Sly's shoulder. "Firn'gaer is right. Tackling an arch mage when he is prepared for us, is gonna be dangerous. We might loose and live in perpetual horror the rest of our lives. Still I don't want others to have that horror because we were to afraid to face it.

This evil must be stopped. I will stand with you and the others to bring this monstrosity to an end. I pledge all my skills to help with this endevor."

Savin looks to the others and says, "Bravery isn't enough. We will need a plan to tackle this brute. We must expect more golems to come to his defense. His magical defenses will be strong. Also he might summon beasts and other creatures to fight for him.

I should be the one, who tries to get into his face. We monks are trained in both body and mind to withstand spells and a wizard who is on his back with me choking the life out of him, will have difficulties casting spells.

We need to have spells prepared to see invisiblity, and others ready to dispel his magic. Can we do this?" Savin will look at the spell casters with his eyebrows raised.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 4:39:54 PM
Peerimus nods at both Firn'gaer and Savin. "Indeed, on all accounts."

"Yorrick and I will once again take up position as the most apparent physical threat to any such defenses the mage has. Like with the last constructs, though I do not this time have a Rusting spell. Firn'gaer, Ilsidur, do you think you can adaqutely counter the wizard and at least a good deal of his spells? Sly, Niobe I admit I do not know the best route for you to undertake. Like before as well I can protect Luke."

Peerimus then drops and looks into luke's eyes, "But no more trying to take on stne golems when you are so hurt my canine friend."

Living Quarters (DM/Al)
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 8:19:42 PM
Savin and Ilsidur react to the quake. Questions about the nature of this Sleeper stand pending. Especially if it brings things like earth tremors with it. Under the earth is not a safe place to be under such circumstances as none more than Ilsidur knows well.

Sly Foxx notices Firn'gaer, once more with the mysterious book out. There must be another message. Luke sniffs the air. It is filled with the smell of the green chemical from the now broken jars. It's a strong smell. And it's on his paws.

Firn'gaer drops the bomb. From the writing, he deduces that the gnomish Archmage knows that they are here. How he knows is uncertain. But, then again, the group has not necessarily made their presence a secret. Firn'gaer speaks of the gravity of the situation, and the extreme danger involved. He also mentions that they may be walking into a situation in which they may become parts of this madman's creations.

Peerimus and Savin talk strategy. Hoping that preparation will give them an edge in what must surely be a battle to come.

The group moves out of the scattered and decimated laboratory, and up the short corridor. A left turn at the end, enters out into another corridor. The corridor runs both ways, turning the same way at either end, as though continuing on to form a square. More checkered black and white marble floors, gilt wood wainscoting beneath tasteful but swirling wallpaper provide a rich environment. The corridor here is as large as all the rest, and expansive 15 feet across and equally as high. Opposite, is an open door. The door is enormous. Ten feet high and ten feet wide. Through the open door can be seen a bed and various pieces of bedroom furnishings. All of these are small, incongruous in the midst of the large doors and broad floors. None of the furnishings in this room appear to have been used in a long time.

Moving to either end of the corridor reveals that this is indeed some form of square. More corridor stretches away with more doors on either side. Including the one opposite the corridor to the laboratory, there seem to be 10 in all. Seven have open doors, and the contents appear to have been unused for quite a while. Three doors are closed.

Savin d20+13=28
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 9:54:40 PM
Savin takes his usual place up front alert for danger. Suddenly an ephiany hits him, "Firn'gaer, do you think this gnomish mage is a golem? Could you imagine that. Might explain why he is insane. Maybe he is trying to make himself friends or even a wife?"

Savin will move up to one of the closed doors and press his ear to it.

Listen 28

Niobe d20+10=27 d20+10=19 d20+15=18 d20+15=33
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 10:14:11 PM
((These next 7 weeks are all going to be bad ones for me. I will try not to miss any posts, but cannot guarantee anything unfortunately.))

Niobe waits with checking for traps down the corridor (either branch) until a direction of travel has been indicated.

(Spot 27, Disable Device 18 (branch 1); Spot 19, Disable Device 33 (branch 2).
She will check doors as is necessary. Al, let me know if I have to make any further rolls please.)

Ilsidur
Wednesday April 27th, 2005 1:12:10 AM
"I am also prepared to face this mage with the rest of you. I can think of no better group to join with to combat such a potentially high-level foe. I have a dispel magic, although I doubt that it will work against a high-level mage. I will continue to work my healing as needed."

"I suggest that we look quickly in each room. Each of the rooms that we have stopped in down here have turned out to provide useful or valuable items. I suggest that Niobe and Savin have a quick look in each one. Maybe start with the closed doors first?"

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke(Ac 21 59/59)
Wednesday April 27th, 2005 9:01:39 AM
Sly look at Ilsidor, and the rest of the Party. With a little smiles, he reminds them "My Dear Friends, Don't you remember? After I got the information from the elven hermit, He said that he though he had seen someone that look like her and Ruby? You cannot miss Ruby's red hair. That is why I told all of you that I was leaving to find out if it was true.

You people chose to follow me here. I'm glad that you did and save me when I was down. Yes! I'm In! Even if it means my life. If I'm lucky enough to bring justice to my village and all those poor victims. For what I think is a crime against the Wold! I'll die Happy. Now Let me finish what I started."

Sly tells Luke "Come or stay!" Sly head the hallways, follwing Savin.

Luke follows Sly "Wait for me!"

Sly Spells
Lvl-0 Detect Magic x2 - Acid Splash x2.

Lvl-1 Magick Missels x3 - True Strike.

Lvl-2 Spider Climb - Flaming Spere - Bull's Strenth.

Lvl-3 Lighting (in sword).

Firn'gaer
Wednesday April 27th, 2005 1:21:41 PM
The wizard listens to the words of the others as he strokes his beard in thought.

"Savin, I don't think it's anything like that. Meznock is just a man that has no sense of morality. Lives have become play things for him. He's become twisted and the only thing to do is to put an end to his evil. It's that simple in thought, but the execution is often more difficult."

"I won't be much use against the golems, but I may have better success against Meznock." He pauses, "I'll have to."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Wednesday April 27th, 2005 1:57:13 PM
"Ilsidur is right, we have found much as we track down the wizard. Yoorick and I will remain in the hall while the rooms are searched as guards for anything."

Peerimus takes up a position just past, maybe 15 feet, from the first closed door the group is going to investigate.

Through The Residence Halls (DM/Al)
Wednesday April 27th, 2005 8:45:24 PM
Influences perhaps by a tale from far far away, Savin lights upon the idea that this mage is possibly a golem himself. He asks the opinion of Firn'gaer, more schooled in matters of the arcane. Firn'gaer thinks not.

Savin and Niobe lead the way down the hall. Savin listens at each closed door. Niobe eyes them for traps. Neither detects anything amiss. Each of the three doors is cautiously opened. Peerimus takes up a strategic position in the hallway. But none such is necessary. The three rooms are unoccupied and none approach to disturb the inspection.

These rooms, unlike the other seven with open doors, show signs of habitation. Clothing is in evidence. In one room, neatly folded or hung. In another, garish clothing in the same colors worn by the dead gnome, Javazi, lies scattered in unwashed piles. Another holds little in the way of personal adornment, but religious symbols adorns every wall. Some symbols are recognizable. Ga'al, Jancassis, and Marteaus. The patrons of other symbols are unknown, a beaked many armed shape of stars, others, disturbing and alien.

Aside from these and other minor personal belongings in the three rooms with the closed doors, there is very little of interest. Niobe even finds nothing worth stealing.

Odd, however, that the rooms are so large. The ceilings are at least 15 feet high and the floor space is vast. And yet the furnishings are all of a small size, sized for halflings. Or gnomes.

As the group rounds the rectangle, an archway opens on the side opposite the laboratory. Beyond the archway the corridor opens up, widening to 20 feet and rising up even further, lofty and impressively regal. The very walls and ceiling glow with light. Whoever commissioned these halls has a taste for the palatial.

And, at the other end, is a pair of tall, white, double doors. Gilt and filigreed like the walls, they are portals as rich and impressive as the hallway itself. Odd again, though the double doors are quite large, the handles are placed low and close together. As if they were shaped for smaller hands.

Savin d20+13=17
Wednesday April 27th, 2005 10:50:35 PM
Savin will enter the large room eyes darting everywhere. He is expecting some kind of attack and is on full alert. Once he is sure the room is safe, he will dart to the large doors and press his ear to them.

Listen check 17

Niobe d20+10=13 d20+10=20
Thursday April 28th, 2005 12:00:03 AM
Niobe follows closely behind Savin as they scout out the rooms. She looks around for anything suspicious.

(Listen 13, Spot 20)

Niobe (addendum) d20+15=27
Thursday April 28th, 2005 12:01:41 AM
(forgot a roll)

Niobe move silently as she scouts out the rooms.

(Move Silently 27)

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac21 59/59hp) d20+5=14 d20+5=22 d20+5=24
Thursday April 28th, 2005 7:42:29 AM
Sly follows Niobe into the room, looking around very carfully. He seems to be very silent but actully he is casting a spell. A Detect Magic Spell.
He want to know what is magic and what is not! this will tell him alot about the room and the Mage himself.

Luke will follow Sly into the room, he will listen, spot anything odd or moves and try to track.

Listen 14
Spot 22
track 24

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday April 28th, 2005 10:14:17 AM
OOC Will post in a bit. wanted to retrieve spell list

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal, Barkskin
Level 3: CMW, Protection from Energy
Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5: Animal Growth

Sniffing Things Out (DM/Al) d6=3
Thursday April 28th, 2005 8:58:02 PM
Savin moves cautiously out into the large room. There is no furniture in the room at all. And so, despite the room's size, it can only be assumed that this is a hall or grand entryway of some sort.

Niobe, Sly and Luke move out with Savin. Niobe and Luke make a circuit of the grand room with their eyes. But it reveals nothing more than to them, than the fact of the room itself.

Sly casts a Detect Magic spell. As he plays the cone of magic across the room he picks up a dim aura, lighter than faint, it indicates the residual signature of magic now gone. The aura manifests as a trail, leading from the closed double doors, across the room and back through into the residence halls. Even as Sly's magic follows the dim trail, it fades away. It must not have been very strong magic.

Sly, Niobe, and Savin listen at the door, but no sound reaches them from the other side.

Luke tracks by scent, and a jumble of impressions come to him. Gnome. Elves. A smell like Sly. Strange chemicals. And a smell ... that he has smelled before, but cannot place right now.

Firn'gaer d20+8=17
Thursday April 28th, 2005 9:09:59 PM
Firn'gaer follows at a distance from the trackers and other stealth folks not wanting to add his clodding to the sounds of their movement. He seems to be having some conversation with Rufus as he walks, but keeps it low as to not be heard from any real distance.

The wizard will scan areas as he passes for invisible objects and other things out of the ordinary. [Spot DC17]

From the sounds of the wizard's responses to his familiar and his own words it sounds, to those near, that he is discussing a dueling strategy for handling Meznock.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Al - Let me know when time has passed for the shorter duration spells, thanks.

Peerimus and Yorrick
Thursday April 28th, 2005 9:13:13 PM
The pair follow Sly and the others up to the door hanging back a bit while Savin and Niobe inspect with ear and eye. Such large structures yet operational by a gnome. Ego? I wonder

The Druid casts Barksking upon himself and shares it with Yorrick.

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW, Protection from Energy
Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 9 hours

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac 21 59/59)
Friday April 29th, 2005 7:05:15 AM
As Sly spray his magic around the Room, he answers his friend Peerimus, "Either he has a very big PET or he can make himself very BIG. . .
It look like his magic is very Powerful! It is fading already. There's a trail of magic leading to those double door!"

Luke is trying to get his attention, "What is it Luke? Did you hear something? or Pick up a scent?"

Luke replies, "Elves"

Sly blood grows cold, he takes out both head band (The ones that had white hair strand and red hair strand on them. With shaking hands did they have a scent like these??"

Luke answers "Yes!"

Sly look up at Peerimus, telling his friend, "Elves and half elves have gone through those double doors."

OOPs Sly spells
Friday April 29th, 2005 7:12:02 AM
Lvl 0) Detect Magic x1 - Acid Splash x2.

Lvl 1) Magic Missels x3 - True Strike.

Lvl 2) Spider Climb - Flaming Sphere - Bull's Strenth.

Lvl 3) Lightning Bolt (in Sword of Storage)

Savin
Saturday April 30th, 2005 3:57:45 PM
The hairs on Savin's neck start to rise. He looks at the others and asks, "I have a feeling we are getting close to our quarry. Is everyone ready for battle? Any spells that last longer that should be placed?"

Savin will pause for a moment and ask, "Is there anyway to look ahead of us. Some spell perhaps. I have a feeling we are heading into a trap or something nasty. We know he knows we are here. The book confirms it. He most likely wants to capture us and do nasty experiments.

Do we have a battle plan?"

Niobe
Saturday April 30th, 2005 5:11:34 PM
Niobe also feels that they are possibly getting close to confronting the enemy mage. She has a non-magical suggestion to scouting.

"We could send Firn'gaer's friend ahead to look around. No one would expect that."

Niobe sends Firn'gaer a questioning look to see what he thinks of her suggestion.

[Yep Richard, Niobe is indeed suggesting sending Rufus ahead first. *wink*]

Outside the Door (DM/Al)
Saturday April 30th, 2005 5:17:58 PM
Firn'gaer looks about the room, to all appearances having a conversation with himself. His eyes strip the invisible of their ability to conceal. Nothing, however new is brought to light.

Peerimus and Yorrick too hang back, taking up the middle of this large room with Firn'gaer. As the druid shares a protective spell with his friend, he ponders the nature of the enemy.

Sly Foxx too considers the odd nature of the rooms and halls in relation to the size of the gnomes. He and Luke relate their findings to the group.

Savin looks to his instincts. And his instincts speak of readiness and caution. He asks for a plan. Or, at least some way by which they might take a peek inside. A simple reach of the hand away, is the door knob.

Niobe builds on Savin's question, with the suggestion that Firn'gaer's familiar, Rufus, might enter unseen and possibly report back without exposing the party to danger or deception.

Ilsidur stands awaiting a decision.

Tokun feels the tension. He grips the handle of the bone greataxe. Fate calls again to fight side by side with the Magic Ones.

OoC: Not much time has passed since everyone was refreshed after the Trance session in the Giggling Ghost. DM estimated elapsed time: Around one hour.

Firn'gaer
Sunday May 1st, 2005 8:55:32 AM
The wizard looks up from his conversation with his familiar. "Scout, Rufus..." He says with slight confusion. "I'll ask him, but he'll probably want some treat. Anything sweet would go a long way in convincing him." Placing a hand as to whisper something and not let Rufus hear. "He can be a bear somedays." He looks to Peerimus and Yorrick, "No offense."

Rufus, I'd like you to go under the door and let us know what you see in the other room.

WHAT! You want me to scout, in there. There's a crazy gnome making icky things out a parts. I don't want to be parts.

Rufus, your not going to be parts. I won't let that happen you that.

Send the bear or the dog they can at least defend themselves.

Yes, but your unique talents are required for this situation. Would it make you feel better if I made you invisible?

No, it wouldn't...maybe a little.

I thought so.

What do I get.

Hear it comes.

What does that mean. I'm not going in there for nothing. *licking his paws*

You know I lost all that when we got here.

Ask them. They've got something good I know it. Ask them.

Alright I ask, but no guarentees alright.

He turns to the others "Anyone have anything sweet. Hard candies or a bit of honey anything like that. I don't have anything thanks to the orcs."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Sly Foxx( AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke ( AC 21 59/59hp)
Sunday May 1st, 2005 10:12:24 AM
"Oh! Gee! I gave all my candy to the children back at the Village. But wait a minute. Luke come here, Please.
When we were in the Giggling Ghost, OH! Around Box Giving Day, did you not get a candy strip bone?"

Luke sits in frount of Sly and answers "Yes?"

"Well! give Fun-gar's Familuer a piece of it, so we know what behind the Door and just what we are walking into. OK!"

Luke takes his back pack and put it down in frount in Sly, "Here!" said Luke.

Sly brakes a piece of candy off and give it to Fun'gar's rat. Sly reminds the rat to say Thank you to Luke.

Niobe d20+8=21
Sunday May 1st, 2005 4:17:18 PM
"Thank you Rufus. You are the only one with the advantage of size and speed," Niobe points out Rufus' strengths for this type of scouting, hoping to further persuade Rufus to agree(Persuasion/Dipomacy 21).

[He he, you could say that she is 'sweet talking' Rufus into agreeing. Unfortunately she has no sweets or sweet foods with her. Maybe one of the next rooms will be a pantry?]

Savin
Sunday May 1st, 2005 11:07:03 PM
Savin will listen to the group try and bribe the Wizard's familiar. He digs into his cooking kit and pulls out a small piece of dried apple. He opens his spice jars and sprinkles a couple grains of his precious sugar on it and hands it to Firn'gaer. "Will this suffice?"

Ilsidur
Monday May 2nd, 2005 12:14:20 AM
Ilsidur smiles as the party bribes the rat to scout out under the door for them. "Unfortunately, I don't have any spells that will let us see through the door. Hopefully, the rat's eyes will work for us. He just needs to see if there is anything major waiting for us on the other side. If there is, then we can buff up for the fight. I would hate to use my powerful spells, and find that the room is empty."

Firn'gaer
Monday May 2nd, 2005 7:34:05 AM
"Thanks." He says taking the piece of dried apple from Savin.

"Will this do?"

Oh, yes. Very much so. *licking paws*

"Here. Now please check out beyond the door."

*nibbling* Alright...<nibble>...do...<nibble>...go...

Rufus darts down the wizard's arm to the floor. Making his way to the door in a hesitating zig-zag pattern typical of the rodents movements.

Just before he goes under the door. "Rufus."

Yes?

"Please be careful."

...

Rufus squeezes under the door while Firn'gaer waits.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Monday May 2nd, 2005 12:40:47 PM
Peerimus watches Rufus squeeze under teh door and says a small prayer to Mother to watch over him. Then he quickly casts another Spell for himself and Yorrick [Protection From Energy Fire]

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp0 and Luke (Ac 21 59/59hp)
Monday May 2nd, 2005 6:20:45 PM
Sly smiles at the rat as he squeeses under the door, He wispers to the rat (although the rat cannot head him, but Fien-gare can)'May Farther Domi guide you.'

Luke see that the rat take the piece of apple insted of his candy bone, "YES!" (and if a dog could smile, luke would be grinning from ear to ear.

Upon Such Small Shoulders ... (DM/Al) d20+2=18 d20+2=15 d20+10=22 d20+14=20 d20+3=10 d20+3=17
Monday May 2nd, 2005 9:03:01 PM
A bit of candy strip bone. A piece of dried apple with a niggardly sprinkling of sugar. Rufus goes for the sugared apple. Luke smiles, his bone no sacrifice to the rat.

Mice. Mice are little. Under their gray-brown fur they are quite surprisingly smaller. Thin and bones. Perfect for squeezing under doors. Rufus, unfortunately, is not a mouse. Compared to his smaller cousins, he is rather large, a giant among mice. Still, a rat has a few tricks up his metaphorical sleeve. Flattening himself way down, Rufus pushes and squeezes himself under the meager crack beneath the door. Scrabbling with tiny paws, pushing and pulling, till his little hind quarters slide out of sight, and his long hairless tail disappears. (Escape Artist 18 vs DC15)

Firn'gaer feels the tension. He feels a little heart beating, so hard in a small bony chest. He feels eyes turning this way and that. Whiskers twitching. Scurrying. Scurrying.

Seconds tick away. A minute. Time passes very slowly when waiting. The door maintains it's silence, giving up no secrets.

Then, a small thump. A scrabble of paws. Head first, ears pressed flat. Pushing, pushing, pulling, pulling. And finally Rufus pops back out from under the door. (Escape Artist 15 vs DC15) His little tongue hangs out of his little mouth, panting with a fright that Firn'gaer feels quite intimately.

I saw him. *pant*pant*pant*

I saw him, the gnome. It's a big room over there. Would have taken me all day to walk across it. And it's empty. Except for the other side. I saw him. There's a big stone chair. I mean a big big chair. But he's not sitting in it. He's up in the air above it. Just sitting up in the air.

He was, he was looking into this thing. It was, it was like a mirror. Don't give me that look. Sure, I'm a rat, but I know what a mirror is. I couldn't see the mirror part of it. But it made moving colors on his face.

Rufus raises up on his hind legs, paws reaching upwards to Firn'gaer to be picked up.

I was watching him, out of sight. And then he looks up. And he looks at the door. And I don't think he was looking at me. You can tell when someone sees you. Owls, hawks, cats, dogs. But he wasn't looking at me. I think he was looking at you. All of you. I think he knows you're here.

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac 21 59/59hp)
Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 6:47:38 AM
Sly listens and watches Rufus the Rat, "you did a brave and a good job, I thank you."

To Fien-gare "Well it look like we are not going to catch him off guard!"

Savin
Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 7:41:17 AM
Savin will listen to the report from Firn'gaer translated from his rat. "Well I guess it is time to buff up!" He looks around at his friends and says, "How do we plan on attacking him if he is listening to our words as we speak? Do you think he can hear us?"

Savin pauses and then continues, "Well I guess we can't help that. I suggest we get moving as quickly as possible, since he will be buffing up too. How about we enter the room, and I charge ahead as fast as possible and attack him.

I will set off any traps by myself, relying on my training to avoid them and provide a distraction so you all can finish him off! Sounds good to me!" Savin will head for the door and say over his shoulder, "Remember the gylphs we ran into before and watch for any weird bodyguards."

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+17=36 d20+8=19 d20+9=20
Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 9:08:23 AM
Peerimus listens carefully as Firn'gaer realys the information and nods with Savin. "Yes we must now move with haste. Yorrick and I will be close behind you Savin and will intercept any bodyuards, You stay the course for the wizard. Might I suggest Ilsidur and Firn'gaer keep dispelling and possibly counterspells at the ready for the first few moments."

"We should give him as little time as possible, Yorrick and I will open the door."

With that, he shifts into a great Kodiak and witht he shake of his head and a muted grunt [handle animal 36] Yorrick rises with him ready to throw thier collective 2 tons of weight into the door.
[Open door Peerimus Aid another 19 Yorrick opens Str check 20+2]

Firn'gaer
Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 10:39:21 AM
Firn'gaer listens intently as Rufus relays the his picture of the next room. Reaching down a hand the wizard lifts his friend to the safety of his robe's inner pocket. "You did well Rufus."

Yes I did.

The bears pound on the door together. "I'd have Knocked it but that works as well, I guess."

Firn'gaer instead calls forth his own incantation and in similar fashion as his Mage Armor a distortion field forms, but instead of around the wizard it forms in front. A disk-like shape is visible very briefly and then in gone.

"When we get inside, stay close and I'll give us all a size increase." he says looking around at the others. "After that, I'll be dealing with the gnome."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 9 minutes

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Busting In (DM/Al 01)
Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 10:03:40 PM
The Rat Has Reported. Sly compliments the brave little rat.

And the Children of Chaos gear up for battle.

Savin expresses concern that they are being overheard. If the gnome is eavesdropping, however, there is little evidence of this. No sounds of footsteps. No chanting. No sounds at all from beyond the door.

Peerimus changes, morphing into a giant bear. Lumbering into position, he and Yorrick prepare to batter the door down.

Firn'gaer adds another layer of magical protection, another skin to his defenses.

Ilsidur and Niobe stand ready.

Tokun, feeling the tension build, raises the bone greataxe and lowers to a crouch.

Peerimus and Yorrick strike as one. There is a crack and an explosion, but it is only the sound of the expensive wooden door as wood buckles and the double doors fly open crashing against the walls behind them.

Through the open doorway is a large room of grand decor and grand dimensions. The floors are as those in the hallway, polished marble in a black and white checkerboard pattern. Huge 40 foot high columns line the walls. Velvet drapes of deep rich reds can be seen between the columns, gathered near the bottoms to expose the gold filigreed wood panel beneath. The broken door appears to be in one corner of the room. At the opposite corner, between two columns, sits an enormous granite throne into which is carved a disproportionately small seat. In the air 20 feet above the throne, legs folded underneath him, chin resting upon fist, floats a gnome.

Without a doubt, it is the gnome from the picture in the outer office. The outer office at the other end of the long tunnel. He stares motionless into a device resting before him. The device is not much larger than a bronze hand mirror. The device is held up by the tripod feet beneath it. From this side, what would be the silvered surface of the "mirror" is turned away. But the light reflected from it plays swirling colors across the gnome's face. A second glance reaveals that what appears to be a gnome and an odd device floating in mid air, are in actuality a gnome and an odd device on a section of carpet floating upon the air.

The drama of the moment fades. The gnome appears oblivious to the violent intrusion, continuing to watch the swirling patterns in the device. Finally, he smiles and shakes his head.

"Please come in. The door is a minor inconvenience compared to the destruction you have wrought so far. But, then again, that is only as one would predict given your nature, is it not? You are amazing. Did you know that? Your power levels," he gestures at the bronze mirror device, "are well beyond anything I've seen in my not so inconsiderable years."

*click*

The gnome snaps his fingers and a short rod jumps into his gloved hand. He rests his elbow upon a knee and leans forward, gesturing with the rod.

"I have been looking for you for a long time. The readings show that you must exist. You, or something like you. Nodes in the network. And yet, to theorize from the data is a different thing entirely from finding the real thing. The proof in the pudding. That is you. The proof in the pudding."

"And here you come, right into my home. Amazing. I can only theorize that you must resonate strongly with a confluence between Chaos and Law."

"But tell me, I am curious, why did you come here? That is to say, for what reason do you believe you have come here?"

By all estimation, it is at least 170 feet from the door to the other corner of the room where the gnome floats 20 feet off the ground. Peerimus and Yorrick are in the doorway. They fill the doorway. The doorway is large, 15 feet wide. Everyone else is behind them.

From somewhere across the room there is a low mewing sound. It is a sound to set the tiny chill clutch of many-legged insects playing across the nape of the neck.

Savin
Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 10:19:36 PM
Savin will start pushing and say, "Go on in! Go on in. We are to bunched up!" He will try to squeeze past the 2 bears and into the room."

When he hears the gnome speak of chaos and law, he will look down on to his arms and look at his tattoos of chaos. Having never tried before but thinking that they are going to need all the power they can summon, he will try to activate the tattoos. He will concentrate on bringing the power to bear.

Sly Foxx (AC20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac21 59/59 hp) d20+5=21
Wednesday May 4th, 2005 7:20:16 AM
Sly stand next in frount of Fien-rare but facing into the room, he is listening to to shorty every words. Then he whispers to his wizard friend "Well I'll be a monkie's uncle! This little Scum Bucket thinks we are bad guys?? Because we are known as The Children of Chaos. Ofcourse Peerimus and Yurrick good job at breaking the door open, only comferms that idea!
Sly turns to his friend Fien-gare,(with a silly smile on his face)can we capitalise on that crazy idea of his??"

Luke starts to sniff around the room.

Sly Macic Spells
Lvl 0- Detect Magic x2 - Acid Splash

Lvl 1- Magic Missels x3 - True strike

Lvl 2- Spiider Climb - Flaming Spere - Bull's Strenth

lvl 3- Lighting Bolt (in Sword)

Luke will use Wilderness Lore (Track) 21

Firn'gaer
Wednesday May 4th, 2005 8:33:53 AM
The wizard leans in to Sly and whispers, "Sly but that is why we're here."

Not wanting to give up this opportunity, Firn'gaer squeezes past the bears to get inside the door. "Meznock, I presume." He says to the floating gnome. "We were led here. Each for different reasons, but led none-the-less. For myself, I was told that answers for questions will be found here and it looks as if that's true."

"Before this situation becomes a forgone conclusion, perhaps an exchange of information." The wizard holds up the broken tattoo. "You seem to have some knowledge of the battle between Law and Chaos. What do you know of this." Showing the tattoo. "As I'm sure by the readings you were receiving you are somewhat aware of its power. I what information about it."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 89 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+1=14 d20+6=24 d20+9=15
Wednesday May 4th, 2005 9:02:35 AM
The two bears move quickly into the room. Staying side by side, they march 40 towards the gnome. The bear to the left, slightly lighter in color and smaller in stature, lets out a small growl in possible warning. The other takes in whaffs of the air as ears prick up and eyes scan the area.

Peerimus listens as he moves towards the gnome, but really he is here on Mother's behalf after learning and seeing what this wizard has done with Her children. Father will see justice done.

The bear to the left issues a far more dangerous growl and it's eyes widen slightly.

[Yorrick Scent 14 Listen 24 Spot 15]
[Peerimus casts Longstrider shared]

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours

Tragedy In The Great Hall

Behind the Curtain (DM/Al 02) d20+34=47 d20+2=3 d20=3
Wednesday May 4th, 2005 9:38:33 PM
Uncomfortable, trapped behind the two bears, Savin pushes forward to find a place with more room to move. Then he hears the gnome speak of Chaos. How can this be a coincidence? The monk looks down at the tattoo on his hand, the broken eye. Could there be aide from that direction? It has come to them before. He concentrates ...

... and feels himself pulled from his body. "youhelpushelpwhopleaseareusyou ... " Clutching. Trapped. Drowning. Trapped. Panic. Trapped. Desperation. Savin feels the other, the others, the four, no the five, no the one. Lost and bound. It pulls. At the nearest. Recognizable. Thing. (Will Save vs DC15 to come back to yourself, Savin.)

Sly and Firn'gaer enter too. Sly is amazed at the how easily tables can be reversed. Could this be the nature of good and bad? Chaos and law? Is it no more than which side of a line one stands behind?

Firn'gaer address the gnome directly.

The gnome peers down his hawkish and not so inconsiderable nose as the tall wizard holds up his hand displaying the tattoo. He gives the broken eye some long seconds of scrutiny before returning his eyes to Firn'gaer's face.

"It is a tattoo," he says. "This brought you here?" he asks. "This you believe has some relationship to your power?"

The gnomish mage narrows his eyes, and deep unfathomable thoughts play across the surface of his mind.

"No," he says. "Don't be ridiculous."

And then the two bears push past Savin, Sly, and Firn'gaer. They amble between two pillars and into the room. The smaller bear growls. The gnome looks down on them and holds the wand up as if for exclamation.

"That will be far enough. Druid."

The low mewing continues. It appears to be coming from the direction of the gnome. Yorrick, his ears twitching, hears the sound of subtle movement. Shifting. Breathing. From between the two columns directly east of the gnome. And ... directly across the room from there as well.

Firn'gaer sees what Yorrick only hears. Across the room, floating in the air upon a carpet much as Meznock is, sits another gnome. Younger in appearance he is apparently unarmed and unarmored.

Luke sniffs at the ground. "Elves," he says, pointing across the room in the direction of the throne. He sneezes. "Something else too."

OoC: Just so you get a better picture of the picture. The Great Hall 00

Savin AC 24 hps 95 d20+10=15
Wednesday May 4th, 2005 10:30:23 PM
Savin hears the voices and listens for a split second before he pulls his attention back to the scene around him. He was suppose to charge but the bears are in his way. He decides to head to the south of Firn'gaer and around the first column? He then takes a double move towards the wand holding older gnome closing the distance.

ooc Double movement gets me 120'

Ilsidur
Thursday May 5th, 2005 12:17:58 AM
Ilsidur moves into the room, and follows after the two bears. He stops short behind them, and says, "We are looking for my friend's family." He indicates Sly. "We were led to believe that they might be here. Can you tell us if they can be found here? Sly, what were their names again?"

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) snd Luke (Ac 21 59/ 59hp)
Thursday May 5th, 2005 6:50:45 AM
Sly advances as much as he can (Just to be seen) and answers Ilsidur's question. "My mother's name White Foxx and my Sister's is Rub Foxx, because of her flaming res hair. They were seen in this area by an old friend, this tattoo has led me here.
Now! May I ask a question of you? Have you seen them? Were they here at all?" Sly's voice is very calm and full of wonder.

Luke sits beside his master, but contions Sly "Careful!"

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19) d20+14=27 d20+15=26 d20+10=27 d20+10=28
Thursday May 5th, 2005 7:04:50 AM
Niobe sneaks past the doors and to her left past Tokun.(Hide 27, Move Silently 26)

As the rogue moves to the second pillar she will move along the walls and then move up to behind the pillar. She will use the shadows to her advantage.

She takes a position behind the second pillar. (If she can't more or less see what is going on in the room, then she can at least listen.)

Niobe stays in the shadows.

She will let the others parlay with the gnomish arch mage.

She looks around (as best she can without giving her position away) for the sources of the mewling and shifting sounds. (Spot 27)

Niobe also listens carefully to the sounds to see if she can identify what is making them and tries to pinpoint the positions of the entities. (Listen 28)

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac 21 59/59hp) d20+8=18
Thursday May 5th, 2005 7:35:13 AM
Will save 18.

Sly steps forward to answer Ilsidur's question.
"I'm Sly Foxx, son of Red Beard Foxx, he was a human. My Mother's name is White Oak Foxx, she is a full elf and my Sister's name is Ruby Foxx, she ia a half elf like me.
Sir! May I ask you a question?" Sly is not waiting for an anawer from the little brainny shrimp. "They were seen in this area by an old friend." Holdin up the tattoo for the wizard to see. "Also this tattoo has led me to this very cave. My question is Have you seem them among the lot of slaves that passed through here?"

Luke sitting next to his master
"Careful!"

Sly Magic Spells

Lvl 0- Detect Magic x2 - Acid Splash

Lve 1- Magic Missels x3 - True Strike

Lvl 2- Spider climb, Flsming Spere, Bull's strenth

Lvl 3- Lighting Bolts (in sword)

Peerimus and Yorrick d20+5=23 d20+12=31 d20+6=19 d20+9=29 d20+9=12
Thursday May 5th, 2005 12:01:50 PM
The pair of bears move up a bit further after the mage tells them to stop. About 10 feet. Yorrick grumbles to Peerimus about the sounds he hears of mewing and creatures shifting a bit ahead.

Both lift thier ears and try to discern any approaching dangers.
Peerimus will ready a Dispel Magic as a counterspell if Meznock tries to cast anything.
[Peerimus Listen 23 Spot 31, Dispel Check 12]
[Yorrick Listen 19 Spot 29]

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, Longstrider, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: Dispel Magic, CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5: Animal Growth

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours

Kill Them Lightly - Round 01 (DM/Al 03) d20+2=8 d20=20 d20+10=16 d20+9=22 d20+9=26 d20+4=6 d8+6=13
Thursday May 5th, 2005 10:35:42 PM
The gnome's stillness speaks of tension as he watches Savin come around the pillar and approach. The monk steps across the black and white checkered floor, approaching right up the center to very near the front of the throne. Peerimus and Yorrick, despite the gnome's warning approach ten feet further. The air is thick with the prelude to violent action.

The two bears listen, questing with their senses for the full compliment of players in the drama yet to come. Yorrick complains of the sound from behind the throne. It is both mournful and alien at the same time. Again, from between the two pillars to the north, the two bears hear movement. From the south, Peerimus hears the soft creak of leather, and the rasp of metal. Nothing, however, is to be seen.

Niobe glides quietly past Tokun, darting from pillar to pillar. She flattens herself behind the middle pillar. Her ears tune to the sounds of the room, and what she hears comes from very near, up in the air and directly to the west around the curve of the pillar. She peeks out, but sees nothing but empty air.

The gnome's eyes follow all this movement across his floor. His floor.

Then from behind the bears comes a voice. Ilsidur's voice. And then Sly Foxx.

The gnome blinks. The tip of the rod rotates, waggling in the air as he turns an idea over in his mind.

"Family." The hint of a smile touches the corners of his mouth. "Family." A satisfied smile. "They are your family!" Seated up till this moment, the gnome now rises to his feet. The odd device lights him from below in a shifting play of colors. "What a fool! What an Ass! I should have guessed. That is why they are so much more powerful than the others. Because they are your family!!!" He laughs, and it is a sound of triumph. "Of course, they are nothing compared to you. But, now that I know, I must find all of your families. They can be farmed. Perhaps even bred for the power."

"This is WONDERFUL!"

With arms spread wide the gnome screams out to the room.

"You wish your family, Sly Foxx, son of Red Beard Foxx? Then bear witness! Bear witness to the grand destiny that you will join. Bear witness to the great work that your family has already embraced!"

"Quadroprenolepis!" he commands. "Come forth!"

The a rustle and a soft chittering blends in a harmony with the idiot mewing that comes from behind the throne. Something shifts. Something moves. Something comes. From the shadows behind the northern pillar it emerges. As large as either Peerimus or Yorrick, it's chitinous shell is white as snow. Six legs, a long thorax, it is like the ants that the group saw so long ago when they first entered Ice Vein. Like the ants, except so much bigger. But this one has yet another difference. Mounted at the front of the giant insect head, like cancerous growths are four other heads. All are of elven cast. On has hair of the purest white. Another hair of deep ruby red. All four heads mew and moan in a four part chorus of lost soulless despair. Their eyes stare sightlessly. At last, you have found Sly and Jason's families.

"Now kill them!" the gnome shouts. "But do not harm them too much. Kill them lightly."

<OoC: Entering True Combat Rounds/Please List AC and HP from here on out.>

The Ant construct bearing the heads of Sly and Jason's loved ones, the Quadroprenolepis, attacks Savin (Hit AC16) The large mandibles close on the monk but through wisdom and dexterity he avoids the bite.

Meznock weaves his hands and crushes a rubbery bit of tentacle in one clenched fist. Peerimus, waiting for this moment, roars in the language of his greatest friend, intent on dispelling the mage's magic. The force of Dispelling goes no further than the front of the two pillars, halted as though by an invisible wall. Could it be, that Meznock's earlier gesture with the rod was not as innocent as it seemed to be? (Last round)

The gnomish mage completes his spell and dark rubbery tentacles spring up all around the throne. Oddly, they stop just before the front of the pillars and go no further. (Evard's Black Tentacles Grapple vs. DC28)

A cackling laugh is heard between the pillars to the north. Firn'gaer watches as the gnome casts a spell. The gnome appears then, to all. Coming out of invisibility, he floats 20 feet above the ground. At the same time a large fiendish tiger appears before Yorrick. The tiger strikes. (Hit Claw AC22, AC26, Bite AC6, Damage 13hp)

From the south, chanting is heard. An armored gnome appears to the northeast of Niobe. He too stands upon a carpet floating 20 feet above the ground. He points at Peerimus, and in a deep resonant voice cries "See no more!" (Cast Blindness/Deafness. Fort vs. DC19 or be Blind)

Notes
Quadroprenolepis is AC18 Damage Reduction 5/Adamantine
Fiendish Tiger is AC14 Damage Reduction 5/Magic

Map: The Great Hall - Round 01

Ilsidur (AC28, 118/118 hp, large size, righteous might)
Friday May 6th, 2005 12:50:15 AM
Ilsidur casts righteous might on himself, and runs as fast as he can towards the throne and the ant creature. He draws his waraxe along the way.

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac21 59/59hp)
Friday May 6th, 2005 8:42:40 AM
Sly listens with great contemp to the ramblings of this Tiny Nut, even through the name calling, heaven know he has heard worse. But as he watches this giant Ant, thats comming from around the Throne and stop in frount of this selfserving Gnome.

His heart stop a beat, the pain grows until it is almost unbearable. Until he looks into his Mother's, his sister Ruby's and Jason's Mother and Father's sightless eyes of an empty souls, as they moan and mews in dispair.

These poor love ones are no longer alive, they are just mere puppets in the hands of this mad monster's plan. Sly knows what to do, he must send his soul in the Pits of Hell to save both his and Jason's family. Sly cries out, "Domi Do Not comdem me for what I'm about to do!" Them to his long lost father "Sire Foxx! Get ready to receive your family!"

Sly with the hatred at this gnome,a hate he has never known before, he will advance on the Giant Ant with sword in hand.

Luke look to Sly and he know that he just might have lost his master. "Good Bye"

Savin ac 29 (+5 for combat expertise) hps 95 d20+7=25 d20+11=18
Friday May 6th, 2005 9:10:11 AM
Savin is frustrated! All of these flying opponents. He quickly thinks about his crossbow but really hates using that. He decides to leave this monstronsity to the bigger fighters of the group and help out Niobe.

He heads do south using combat expertise to try and avoid that nasty AOO. He will move to the pillar and start climbing it. He will accept the difficulty of not taking his time in the climb because he knows his friends need his help. (-5 to move at half speed)

He also tries to stay out of sight of the gnome attacking Niobe using the column to block the view (rolled 18 to hide)

Savin should be 30' up the pillar or to the top of it which ever is lower.

base speed 60

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 103] and Yorrick [AC 24 HP 78/91] d20+12=28 d20+18=23 d20+19=33 d20+19=29 d20+14=27 d20+28=47 2d6(6+5)+14=25 2d6(4+6)+14=24 3d6(6+4+2)+7=19
Friday May 6th, 2005 10:17:52 AM
Peerimus sees his spell fail and realizes a Wall of Force must be in the way, hopefully the rest realize it as well. The druids heart wrenches in his chest at the site of the abomination closing on Savin. Peerimus can not fathom what must be raging in Sly's heart at the site of his beloved family for whom he traversed the world to find only to discover he is too late.

Peerimus's sight dims slightly, but with a roar of defiance echoeing through the great room, he shakes the effects. [Fort Save 28]

The druid then quickly casts Animal Growth on himself, Yorrick and Luke. [Cast Defensively 15+lvl=20 check 23]
[Spell Effect +8 size bonus to Strength and a +4 size bonus to Constitution, a -2 size penalty to Dexterity, natural armor bonus increases by 2 and damage reduction 10/magic and a +4 resistance bonus on saving throws]

With a truly deafening bellow, Yorrick rears and attacks the tiger. Massive paws slam the tiger and teeth the size of swords bury into the, now red slicked, fur. Yorrick steps in wrestling the creature to the floor
[Claw Hit AC 33/29 Bite AC 27 Dmg 25/24/19 Grapple 47]

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Animal Growth 9 rounds

Firn'gaer - AC23, HP 45
Friday May 6th, 2005 1:28:16 PM
The wizard watching the scene unfold takes action. Drawing a scroll from his Haversack he cast it before taking cover from Meznock, 5-ft down and left.

Spell cast -- Haste to effect Peerimus, Yorrick, Illsidur, Sly and Luke.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 87 rounds
haste -- 5 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles, mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19) d20+12=18 d8+2=7
Saturday May 7th, 2005 2:51:45 PM
Niobe readies her composite longbow and fires an arrow at the flying gnome who cast the spell on Peerimus. She doesn't move from her current position. (Hits AC 18 for 7 pts dmg)

((Al, I don't suppose there is any chance of a sneak attack on the flying gnome while using a ranged attack?))

Absolutely. Sneak damage is good with a ranged weapon if you are within 30 feet and catch the opponent flat footed. And you would have gotten Sneak damage. If you had pierced the gnome's armor. -Al

Without Breaking a Sweat - Round 02 (DM/Al) d20+10=11 d20+20=32 d20+20=40 d20+20=35 d20+6=10 d20+6=7
Saturday May 7th, 2005 3:43:28 PM
The Archmage speaks in gnomish. Highlight to display spoiler: {"Do not damage them too badly. Aesthetics are sometimes of value. The animals, however, are useless. Kill them."}

"With your power at my disposal," he says, switching to Common, "I may attempt to tackle the problem of size. There must be a way to circumvent the size to power ratios. It would resolve a host of tiresome complaints."

Ilsidur completes a spell and swells to twice his size. He moves with giant strides around Peerimus and across the floor in the direction of the ant creature and Meznock himself.

Sly Foxx steels his heart. He cries out with his soul for forgiveness for the thing that he knows he must do. Without a second look at the tiger that stands in his way, he strides with purposeful steps toward the abomination that holds the head and souls of his loved ones.

Luke sees the dark look in the eyes of his friend and master. His wardog heart sinks as he sees death writ therein.

Savin backs away from the enormous ant. With slack expressions the unseeing eyes in the human heads track his movement as he goes. The mandibles of the ant *clack* in empty air, an aggressive reflex of little consequence. (AoO Hit AC11 - Nat 1) The monk approaches the far pillar intent upon climbing to a serviceable height. He places himself on the opposite side of the pillar from the gnome. However, when he arrives, he finds that, unlike the wall in the cave of golems, these pillars are constructed of smooth unblemished stone. The width of the columns is such that his arms will wrap no further than one third the way around the pillar's girth. There would be no climbing these smooth vertical surfaces. The drapes, hanging on the wall nearby, however, look very climbable. The jump outward to the gnome's position, however, would be a good fifteen feet. And there would be no running start for momentum.

"Come out, Man," comes the deep rich voice of the armored gnome on the other side of the pillar. "Come and bow down before your fate." (Savin, you have 100% cover behind the pillar. For now. But you can't really Hide once you've been seen.)

Peerimus growls a spell, and he, Yorrick and Luke all grow in size. Yorrick, now towering over the Fiendish Tiger, roars and lays into the cat. Powerful blows fall, and even before Yorrick's massive jaws clash together, the Tiger expires and disappears, returning to the plane from which it had been summoned.

Firn'gaer draws a scroll and reads the spell writ within. His companions feel the rush of speed. Then the wizard retreats behind a column, reserving his power for the battle yet to come.

Niobe quickly draws her bow and fires an arrow at a the vital area at the small of the gnome's back, hoping to strike it's kidneys. But the gnome is heavily armored, and the arrow flies off with a *spang* of metal, leaving Niobe very open and exposed below the armored gnome.

Tokun watches, wide-eyed from his place by one of the big tall stones. Such magic. Magic to boggle the mind. The white ant with heads is an abomination. He knows of the ants. They live peacefully. It is an abomination and must be destroyed. The barbarian lad races across the black and white stone. On his lips is a cry of war. His bone axe is held high.

+++++++++++++++++

Meznock glides from over the throne, passing behind the column to his south and into the opening between the eastern pillars. While the gnome is behind the pillar a command is heard. When he appears, his form is displaced. He stretches out a hand. A brief gleam winks off his ring. (Greater Dispel: Ilsidur 32, Peerimus 40, Yorrick 35) Ilsidur, Peerimus and Yorrick all shrink back down to their normal sizes. (Dispelled Ilsidur: Righteous Might, Peerimus: Animal Growth, Yorrick: Animal Growth)

"BAD! Bad!" the gnome to the north shouts. He rises five feet up into the air, a sign of nervousness perhaps. "But plenty more where that came from." hehehehehehe The gnome cackles. Drawing a rod from his belt, he gestures with a small bag and a candle. Three Celestial Hippogriffs appear and attack. (H1 To Hit Peerimus AC10 / H2 to Hit Yorrick AC6) Two hippogriffs dive immediately to attack, while a third flaps to gain altitude. (Peeimus and Yorrick, please take AoO against the two Hippogriff.)

The armored gnome to the south floats south ten feet. And as he does so, Savin comes into view behind the pillar. He glances from Savin on one side to Niobe on the other. He choses the armed woman over the unarmed man. "Hold your place, Woman," the gnome commands holding a holy symbol aloft. (Cast Hold Person. Will Save vs. DC18, Niobe, or be held.)

The heads sway upon the ant's white head. They moan like the wind. The legs clatter against the hard marble tiles of the floor. The huge mandibles of the ant swing in Sly Foxx's direction. They hesitate. The ant does nothing.

Notes
* If you have spells active, please keep track of the duration. I am numbering the round to help you in this.

Opponents
Quadroprenolepis is AC18 Damage Reduction 5/Adamantine
Meznock AC19 - 50% Miss Chance /20 feet above ground
Stujenv (North) AC11 /25 feet above ground
Festim (South) AC20 /20 feet above ground
Hippogriffs AC15 5 resistance to Acid, Cold, Electricity
Hippogriff1 /5 feet above ground
Hippogriff2 /5 feet above ground
Hippogriff3 /15 feet above ground

Map: The Great Hall - Round 02

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19) d20+5=24 d20+12=27 d20+12=22 d8+2=4 d8+2=5
Saturday May 7th, 2005 10:23:19 PM
Niobe shugs off the compulsion to hold her place. (Will save 24)
Instead she fires two arrows at the flying gnome. (rapid shot) (Hits AC 27 for 4 dmg, Hits AC 22 for 5 dmg)
"Don't you tell me what to do!" the rogue taunts the gnome. (speaking in Common not gnomish at this time)

Firn'gaer - AC 23, HP 45 d20+17=34 d6+4=10 d20+8=24
Sunday May 8th, 2005 7:41:41 AM
Firn'gaer looks out from behind the pillar to survey the battle scene. Seeing the location of Meznock he has an idea. Casting his own Black Tentacles he places then on the wall, vertically, behind Meznock. The tentacles lash out from the wall at the wizard, being only 5-ft from the wall.

Spell cast -- Black Tentacles, Grapple 34, damage 10

[Spot DC24]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 86 rounds
haste -- 4 rounds
black tentacles -- 9 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2, fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac 21 59/59hp) d20+18=35 d20+13=27 d20+18=35 3d6(6+3+6)=15 d8+8=14 d8+8=16 d8+8=10 d20+6=19 d20+8=19 d6+6=12
Sunday May 8th, 2005 8:43:32 AM
Sly with the spell of Hast that Fien-gare cast on him. Arrives at the heads of the Quadroprenolepis head, he swing at the head. With a silent good-bye, Sly attack the head of the beast (Attack AC 35) spins like a windmill using the momention for strike two, hitting IT again (attack AC 27). Sly finds that he still has momention will strike again (Attack 35hp)((The Hast spell - The first hit Attack AC 35) - Damages Electricity (15)+14+16+10=55hp of damages)
Sly will open his eyes to see what kind of shape the beast is in now.

Luke will attack the same Hippogriff that Yurric goes after, he will try to pounce, bite and tear at the flying monster. (Graple AC 19 - Attack Ac19 - Damages 12 hp.)

Sly's Magic Spells

Lvl 0- Detect Magic x2 - Acid Splash

Lvl 1- Magic Misselsx3 - True Strike

Lvl 2- Spider Climb - Flaming Spere - Bull's Strenth

Lvl 3- Lighting Bolt (used)

Savin ac 25 hps 95 d20+12=25 d20+12=27 d20+11=28 d20+15=33 d10+4=14
Sunday May 8th, 2005 11:18:36 PM
Savin will dart forward to the wall just south of the armored gnome "F" and quickly try to climb the wall. (climb roll 25. When he gets to the gnome or a little higher he will kick out with his legs and try to grapple/knock the gnome off his carpet. (jump check 27)

Savin reaches out with both hands trying to catch hold of the armored gnome. (touch attack 28) He grabs hold (grapple check 33) and delivers a blow with his knee as he launches his body into space. Did 14 points of damage.

OOC I have improved grapple so no AOO. Not sure if I would naturally fall of the carpet but will try and drag him with me if I do.

Ilsidur (AC25, 98/98 hp, hasted for 5 rounds) d20+9=26
Monday May 9th, 2005 12:42:48 AM
Ilsidur steps 5 feet to the north, out of reach of hippogryph 1, and casts dispel magic on the carpet holding the gnome to the north (Stujenv). [OOC: dispel check of 26.] "I have one fly spell to give to someone, so speak up, whoever needs it. Just be aware, it may be dispelled."

Ilsidur: Up in the description somewhere is something that says they are standing on carpets that float in the air. If you still want to cast Dispel, then you may let things be. However, if you wish, you may change your move any time between now and this evening. -Al

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 67] and Yorrick [AC 24 HP 57/73 d20+16=23 d8+10=17 d20+16=35 d20+16=25 d20+11=29 d20+16=17 d8+10=16 d8+10=18 2d6(1+2)+5=8 d20+15=27 d8+9=17
Monday May 9th, 2005 9:09:30 AM
The two bears shrink to normal dimensions as a powerful dispel cancels Peerimus's own magic. The Hippogrifs then appear and dive in.

Yorrick swipes at one conecting, and then follows it with a vicious mauling of the summoned creature.
[AoO Hit AC 23 dmg 17] If this kills the creature Yorrick attacks H1.
[claw AC 35/25 Bite 29 Haste nat 1 Dmg 16/18 Bite 8 Total 59]

Peerimus tears into H1 as it closes...[AoO AC 27 Dmg 17]
The druid will then cast Bull's Strength to himself and Yorrick.

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Bull's Strength +4 Str 90 rounds
Firn'gaer's Haste 4 rounds

Savin
Monday May 9th, 2005 4:33:10 PM
OOC Savin would love a fly spell. He is having some difficulties reaching his opponents as seen in the last post.

Sly Foxx (AD 20 79/79hp) and Luke(Ac21 59/59hp)
Monday May 9th, 2005 7:36:08 PM
After strike Sly watches the monster, and wonders just how much damages he's done.

"I Didn't Like That" - Round 03 (DM/Al) d20+6=21 d4+4=8 d20+9=26 d12+5=13 d20+10=30 d20+10=15 2d8(8+1)+5=14 d4=4 d20+5=10 d20+5=20 d20+5=23 d20+5=9 d20+10=14 d20+6=14 d4=2
Monday May 9th, 2005 10:03:47 PM
Niobe shakes off the compulsion and fires two arrows. The gnome grunts twice as the shafts find their way through his armor.

Firn'gaer takes a five-foot step out from behind the pillar and casts a spell at the wall behind the exposed gnomish Archmage. (You need line of sight, so I moved you.) The gnome does not even attempt to struggle as the dark tentacles envelope him and squeeze.

Sly Foxx steps forward five feet and begins striking at the hated travesty with a windmill of slashing blades. His cuts are sure, but something about the Quadroprenolepis resists his blade. Worse yet, as the crack of lightening flares, bathing the ant-creature in light, some of it's wounds heal. Only too late, does Sly remember the effect that Firn'gaer's lightening had on the small spider creatures in the tunnel. Electricity heals them.

Luke leaps at the hippogriff attacking Yorrick. (H2) The wardog attempts to grapple the creature and hold. The attempt draws an attack of opportunity from the hippogriff. (AoO Hit AC21, Damage 8hp negated by Damage Reduction from Animal Growth NO Damage.) The hippogriff rakes Luke with a claw, but the magic from Peerimus protects the wardog and the claw does no damage. Luke moves to grapple with the hippogriff. But the hippogriff shakes him off with a ruffle of it's wings. (Take 10 on grapple is 21 for the hippogriffs.) Luke drops back to the floor without grabbing hold of the hippogriff.

Ilsidur grasps lifts his holy symbol and calls for the magic dispelled that supports the cackling gnome to the north. The cleric's spell is powerful. The carpet begins to descend to the floor.

Savin darts from the side of the pillar, and grasping at handfuls of red velvet curtain, climbs 20 feet, then kicks out from the wall, hurling his body through space to seize the armored gnome. Together they jockey for position 20 feet above the ground on the small flying carpet. Savin plants a knee in the gnome's side drawing a grunt of pain. (Once you grapple, you stop. You can make an opposed grapple check next round using a standard action and use that to move both yourself and Festim off of the carpet.)

Yorrick strikes a blow at a hippogriff as it dives in toward him. (H2) The bears claws carve bloody furrows through the summoned creatures neck, but fail to dispatch it. The following claw bat of his claw, however, is more than enough. As the second hippogriff dives on Peerimus, the two bears strike together. The hippogriff crumples to the marble floor. Peerimus roars, drawing divine power to himself and Yorrick.

Tokun screams a battle cry. His eyes widen and bulge, and with axe raised high he strikes down at the ant who steals human heads. (Hit AC26, Damage 13, Damage reduction 5 Actual Damage 8hp)

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Meznock does not move. Instead, without a word he vanishes. "I. Didn't. Like. That." The words come from behind Firn'gaer and above. The gnome stands one his carpet looking down at the wizard. His eyes are like dark obsidian stones.

"More! More! More! More!" The gnome to the north is now jumping up and down upon his carpet even as the carpet decends. He draws a wand from his belt, and a Howler suddenly appears next to Yorrick. *snuf*snuff*uff*uff* AhOooooooooo! it bays just before laying into the brown bear. (Bite Hit AC30, Crit Threat 15/No, Damage 14hp, 4 quills attack Hit AC10, AC20, AC23, AC9, Quill Damage 0hp) The howler takes a savage bite out of Peerimus' friend, and shakes it's mane of quills. But the bark-like skin of Peerimus' magic saves Yorrick from further pain.

The armored gnome grapples with Savin, face stern and unyielding against the larger human opponent. He speaks a single word in his deep and resonant voice. "HALT!" (Cast Greater Command. Savin and Niobe, Will Save vs DC21. If you fail, stand still for 10 rounds. If you fail initially, you may repeat the Will Save every round until you succeed or until the end of 10 rounds. Which ever comes first.)

Galvanized into action by Sly's blows, the Quadroprenolepis opens it's razor sharp mandibles and bites at Sly Foxx. (Hit AC14) The jaws, however, are not able to penetrate the Mithral links of Sly's armor.

The last hippogriff wheels in mid air and dives at Peerimus, raking a claw at the bear's nose. (Claw Hit AC14) Peerimus in bear form is well protected by his natural armor and no harm comes to him. (Peerimus, again, you have an AoO that you may take.)

Notes
* If you have spells active, please keep track of the duration. I am numbering the round to help you in this.

Opponents
Quadroprenolepis is AC18 Damage Reduction 5/Adamantine
Meznock AC19 - 50% Miss Chance /20 feet above ground
Stujenv (North) AC11 /On the ground
Festim (South) AC20 /20 feet above ground
Hippogriffs AC15 5 resistance to Acid, Cold, Electricity
Hippogriff3 /5 feet above ground
Howler is AC17

Status
Meznock Lightly Wounded
Stujenv Uninjured
Festim Wounded
Quadroprenolepis Wounded
Hippogriff1 Uninjured
Howler Uninjured

Map: The Great Hall - Round 03

Firn'gaer - AC 23, HP 45 d20+9=26
Monday May 9th, 2005 10:29:10 PM
The mage Meznock teleports from the tentacles to a position above Firn'gaer. With a look of dark intent he stares at the wizard.

Well that was less effective than I'd like...what now old man...that might do. Get that midget down here.

Calling on his own arcane power, Firn'gaer says a phrase and with a wave of his hand the magic reaches out to disrupt not Meznock himself, but the carpet's magic. Firn'gaer's magic attacks the carpet with ferocity that only wizards could appreciate.

See he he likes that.

Spell cast -- Dispel Magic targeted at the carpet. Caster level check DC26.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 85 rounds
haste -- 3 rounds
black tentacles -- 8 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin ac 24 hps 95/95 d20+12=23 d20+15=30 d10+4=7 d10+11=19 d20+6=25 d10+4=11
Monday May 9th, 2005 11:40:46 PM
Savin feels the spell was over him and smiles, "Sorry been trained to resist those nasty enchantments!" he says gaily (+2 do to still mind feat)

Savin keeps his hold on the gnome and tries to flip him off the carpet onto the nice and stable ground. If possible he will try and land on top of the gnome.

Grapple check 30, do 7 points of damage.

OOC not sure if I would get an AOO for the command spell, rolled for one but it would have missed anyway."

Savin normally gets more attacks, so I will roll them but not sure if they are relevant. He hits ac 25 for 11 points of damage.

Oops. I forgot. But they all have Combat Casting with Maxed out Oncentration. It would take a roll of 1 to fail. -Al

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac21 51/59hp) d20+18=32 d20+13=32 d8+8=14 d8+8=12 d8+8=15 d20+6=25 d20+8=23 d6+4=10
Tuesday May 10th, 2005 6:24:45 AM
Sly now realises that lighting will heal these THINGs, "Fool that I am! Mother! How could I forget about lighting heals you and makes you suffer all the longer. No Time to insert another spell! I must do this the old fashion way!".

Sly will attack the Quadroprenolepis again (with all his might) Hitting Ac 32 and Ac 32 (critical hit), and damages are 14+12+15=41hp.

Luke bear his teeth, "Bad Bird!" then attack the Hippogriff again. Grapples Ac25 - Biting Ac23 - Damages 10hp.

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 67] and Yorrick [AC 24 HP 43/73] d20+17=16 d20+17=29 d20+17=25 d20+12=19 d20+17=22 d8+11=12 d8+11=15 2d6(6+5)+6=17 d8+11=15 d20+19=30 d20+19=20 d20+14=26 d20+19=31 d8+12=14 2d6(6+3)+6=15 d8+12=20
Tuesday May 10th, 2005 9:08:24 AM
Peerimus misses as the other Hipogriff attacks. If only he could get to Menzock or the wizard conjuring these things. First things first
The druid bear lunges into the Hipogriff, tearing and ripping with claws and fang. [Claw 29/25 Bite 19 Haste 22 Dmg 12/15, 17, 21 total 55]

Yorrick roars back as the howler's fangs sink into his muscle. The great kodiak then roars again in victory this time, as it jumps onto the Howler.
[claw 30/20 Bite 26 Haste 31 Dmg 14, 15, 20 total 49]

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Bull's Strength +4 Str 90 rounds
Firn'gaer's Haste 3 rounds

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19) d20+5=22 d20+12=17 d20+12=23 d8+2=8 d8+2=9
Tuesday May 10th, 2005 5:54:09 PM
Niobe is lucky enough to manage to ignore the compulsion to halt once again. (Will save 22)
Perhaps the gnomish cleric(?) should try asking nicely next time?
Niobe wastes no time, and fire another two arrows the flying gnome's way. (Hits AC 17 and 23 for 8 and 9 dmg)
One arrow skims past the gnome's armored form...

(Niobe - comment)
Tuesday May 10th, 2005 6:03:00 PM
(Oh dear! I completely misssed that fact that Savin was on the flying rug with the gnome. Sorry George! Unfortunately I have no ability to edit my post.)

That's ok. I've already taken note of this. I'll take it into account in the DM post. -Al

Duking It Out - Round 04 (DM/Al) 2d6(3+1)=4 d20+10=22 2d8(3+8)+5=16 d20+9=10 d20+40=54 d20+43=54 d20+15=16 d20+5=24 d20+5=16 2d6(3+4)+4=11 d20+10=13 d4=1
Tuesday May 10th, 2005 10:32:59 PM
As Ilsidur did to the gnome to the north, Firn'gaer casts a magic dispelling against the Archmage's carpet. Slowly the carpet lowers to the ground. The carpet drops lower and the gnomish mage comes into view. On his face, is a smile.

Savin pulls the armored gnome to the edge of the carpet. With a brief finesse, he tips the gnome over the side and allows himself to be pulled over as well. Both fall twenty feet and crash to the marble floor below. Savin lands on top, but that is little comfort as the gnome's armor is as hard as the floor. (Take 2d6 damage, Savin. Both you and the gnome are now prone. Though you're on top.) (BTW, only one grapple check for this scenario. If you move in a grapple you must do so with a standard action. That absorbs any other attacks that you might have.)

Sly, realizing his error, redoubles his efforts to put down the Quadroprenolepis and free the souls of the elves who's heads sit glassy eyed before him. *thuk*thuk* The half elf's blade bites deep, but something in the ant golem's body still resists the blade. The ant writhes, and the heads sewn between the large antennae thrash about as though in agony themselves.

The Hippogriff now dead and gone, Luke attacks the Howler. He leaps at the howler, once again drawing an Attack of Opportunity. The howler snaps at Luke, and this time, not even Peerimus' Animal Growth spell can protect the wardog from harm. (AoO Hit AC22, Damage Minus Damage Resistance = 6hp) The howler's razor teeth rip at Luke and come away with blood. Luke, however, manages to grab hold of the howler. He bites and tastes of the howler's blood as well. It's bitter, and tastes of evil. (Sly, I think you mean Howler. The hippogriff that Luke attacked last round was killed by Yorrick.)

Peerimus rips into the hippogriff. Feathers fly and rain like snow. Then they vanish as the summoned creature returns to it's plane. Yorrick, likewise, finishes the job that Luke started. Bones crack as the mighty bear crushes the howler sending it back to it's plane of evil.

Niobe's hands are a blur, and two more arrows fly before it registers that Savin is on the carpet in deadly combat with the armored gnome. Perhaps it's the shock of realization, but both arrows miss. They strike the gnome's armor and fly off in different directions, dangerously near to hitting Savin. (-4 to firing into Melee.)

Ilsidur studies the scene hoping to find an advantage.

Tokun fights the demon ant along side Dog Talking Man. Even through the mist of the young barbarian's rage, he can feel the special sadness the drives Dog Talking Man. Tokun's axe falls again. (Hit AC10, Nat 1) This time, the barbarian's axe swings wide. Chips of bone and marble fly up from below as the axe bites into the floor.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

As the Archmage descends on his flying carpet, he reaches out a hand in which he holds a leather glove. He speaks arcane words of power and squeezes the glove. "Hold this one," he says. (Cast Bigby's Grasping Hand: Touch Attack by Hand Hit AC54, Grapple check 54.) A large translucent hand opens near Firn'gaer and wraps huge fingers around the wizard holding him fast. (Firn'gaer, you are grappled. You may cast spells, as long as they do not have a somatic component.

The gnome to the north finally realizes that he is no longer up in the air. He gives a squawk of fear and then waves his wand before disappearing behind a pillar. Three Fiendish Huge Monstrous Centipedes appear across the floor. One tries to wrap itself around Savin. (Automatic grab on opponents already grappling. Grapple check 16, Nat 1) The enormous Centipede wends it's way around the grappling pair, but can't seem to get a hold. Another centipede attacks Peerimus, and the third attacks Yorrick. (Bite Peerimus Hit AC24, Damage 11hp -No Poison Damage, Bite Yorrick Hit AC16) The first Centipede closes mandibles around Peerimus' foreleg and cuts into his flesh. A rush of poison shoots from sacks at the side of the Centipede's jaws, but the Druid is immune. Yorrick avoids the bite of his Centipede. The bear's hide is tough.

From the floor the armored gnome commands once again, "Halt!" (Greater Command again. Savin and Niobe, Will Save vs. DC21)

Quadroprenolepis bites again at Sly, but perhaps, deep down within, there is something holding it back, as it's bite is weak and again fails to penetrate Sly's armor. (Bit Sly Hit AC13)

Notes
* If you have spells active, please keep track of the duration. I am numbering the round to help you in this.

Opponents
Quadroprenolepis is AC18 Damage Reduction 5/Adamantine
Meznock AC19 - 50% Miss Chance /On the ground
Stujenv (North) AC11 /On the ground
Festim (South) AC20 /On the ground
Festim's Carpet /20 feet above the ground

Status
Meznock Lightly Wounded
Stujenv Uninjured
Festim Wounded
Quadroprenolepis Wounded
Centipede1 Uninjured
Centipede2 Uninjured
Centipede3 Uninjured

I've added the Carpets to the Map.
Map: The Great Hall - Round 04

Savin hps 85/95 ac 20 d20+12=31 2d6(4+6)=10 d20+11=30 d20+11=26 d20+11=19 d20+6=21 d10+4=13 d10+4=13 d10+4=6
Tuesday May 10th, 2005 11:08:58 PM
Savin falls hard on the gnome and grunts in pain. He sees the centipede and realizes that he must take out this gnome first and then escape the critter. He stays on the ground on top of the gnome and sees the cleric casting a spell. He elbows him in the face trying to break his concentration. (AOO hit ac 30 doing 13 points of damage to him.)

He then decides to go into a flurry of blows on the gnome allowing the grapple to slip away. He hits with a stunning blow (hit ace 26 for another 13 points of damage, misses with his follow up attack, but hits with his third attack which is a knee to the armpit. Hit ac 21 for 6 points of damage.

gnome will need to make a save dc 17 vs stunning blow

Savin will call out to his companions, "Would someone get this big bug off me!"

OOC Al I got a -4 to hit being prone but got +4 to hit because he was prone so it was a wash.

Sorry, no AoO. You don't threaten any squares while grappling. Likewise, your opponent cannot cast a spell with a Somatic component. It evens out. -Al

Firn'gaer - AC 23, HP 45
Wednesday May 11th, 2005 7:21:08 AM
Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 84 rounds
haste -- 2 rounds
black tentacles -- 7 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac 21 50/58hp) d20+38=53 d20+13=32 d8+8=12 d8+8=11
Wednesday May 11th, 2005 8:35:44 AM
Sly look into his mother's empty eyes, whispering to her "I don't know what to think, You and Ruby held this thing back, Why? Is there a spell you want me to use?? Oh! No! Not that one! I once used that one on a Vampire Dryad and I killed her and her tree...."

Sly back up a few feet and put his hand on both end of the sword, raise the sword above his head, chanting "To all I believe in, give me True Strike!"

Attack Hit AC 53 & AC 32 (Critical Hit)- Damages True Strike ?? - Crit Hit 12+11=23hp.

OOC to DM Al; I don't know if this takes one round (six seconds)?? but I rolled for True Strike in this round. If you say it's too long for this round but OK! the next round. I will keep these numbers, because I rolled a critical hit (32). But I don't remember how to compute the damages on True Strike attack.(It was too long ago.)

Luke (Ac 21 50/58hp) d20+8=21 d6+4=9
Wednesday May 11th, 2005 8:48:42 AM
Luke will fight paw to paw with Yurrick, witch ever one yurrick goes after Luke will be on the other side biting away at the monster.

Attack Biting Ac21 - Damages 9hp.

Firn'gaer (addendum)
Wednesday May 11th, 2005 9:12:57 AM
The Haste spell effects Peerimus, Yorrick, Illsidur, Sly and Luke.

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 74/85] and Yorrick [AC 24 HP 43/73] d20+17=35 d20+19=22 d8+12=13 d8+24=25
Wednesday May 11th, 2005 9:29:32 AM
No sooner do one set of opponents vanish then a new set arrives. Peerimus grunts to Yorrick [Handle animal 35], the big bear turns towards the wizard and runs him down with a mighty challenging roar.

Mother protect brave Luke

Perrimus falls in behind Yorrick to keep within 5' of the larger bear. Using a withdraw move to not provoke AoO.

Yorricks' keen nose pinpoints the displaced wizard without issue and a mighty claw sweeps in [Hit AC 22 dmg 13 Grapple 25 for the love of pete a 3 and a pair of 1's]

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Bull's Strength +4 Str 90 rounds
Firn'gaer's Haste 2 rounds

One By One - Round 05 (DM/Al) d20+11=16 d20+6=11 d20+5=9 d20+9=11 d20+25=45 d20+6=9 d20+4=5 d20+4=8 d20+4=11
Wednesday May 11th, 2005 11:05:56 PM
Savin releases the armored gnome and launches immediately into a rapid flurry of blows. The first blow rocks the gnome and his vision clouds. (Fort Save 16. Stunned for one round. Savin, you are still prone.)

Firn'gaer remains within the grip of the large translucent hand. Unable to move his arms or hands, the wizard's spellcasting ability is neutralized.

Sly Foxx steps back and casts a spell in the hopes that his next strike will be true. The Quadroprenolepis uses the opportunity to bite at the half-elf, but it's mandibles close on empty air. (AoO Hit AC11) (Sly, Casting a spell takes your standard action for the round. You cannot normally cast and attack in the same round. Also, True Strike adds no damage. It only gives you a +20 to hit on your next attack. You can keep your rolls for this round and use them next round.)

Luke growls and bites hard into one of the Centipede's legs. (C1) With a shake of his head, he rips the leg loose.

(BTW, Sly. Without moving, you can get three attacks. Luke can get two. This is from Firn'gaer's Haste Spell. It lasts two more rounds.)

Peerimus growls, and Yorrick responds, leaving Luke to fight the Centipede as he goes after what his friend believes the deadlier of their foes. The Centipede lunges, as Yorrick turns. (AoO Hit AC9) It's mandibles close on air with a clack of frustration. With Peerimus following behind, Yorrick lumbers across the checkerboard floor to within five feet of the gnome. At this distance, his sense of smell detects the actual presence of the gnome two feet where the bears eyes tell him his foe stands. Yorrick puts faith in his nose, and rakes his claws across the Archmage. Unfortunately, the slick and unnatural floor upsets the bear's footing and the he fails to maintain a purchase on the gnome.

Tokun shouts out a war cry and swings again at the white ant. (Hit AC11) Again, in his excitement, the barbarian misses.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Archmage Meznock stares into the hot breath of the towering bear without acknowledging the blood that drenches his clothing. Then he smiles as he feels a tremor under his feet. Dispelling a magic item, apparently lasts only so long. Instead of fleeing, however, the Archmage dips into his pouch with one eye on Yorrick. (Combat Casting, Concentration 45) With a flip of a thin wrist, ruby dust flies above Yorrick's head. Then the Archmage simply turns his back and floats up into the air 20 feet. (Cast Forcecage. 20 foot square enclosing both Peerimus and Yorrick. Barred Cage variety composed of half inch invisible bars of force with half inch gaps between them.)

The gnome to the north, peers out from around the pillar noting a slight ripple in his carpet as well. He quickly makes a dash back and hops aboard. He rises thirty feet back up into the air, and, from that position, looks much relieved.

The armored gnome lies next to Savin, stunned and unmoving.

Quadroprenolepis bites again at Sly. (Hit AC9) (If it is trying to communicate anything to Sly it might be, why is my luck so bad.)

The Centipedes attack. One (C1) tries to wrap itself around Luke. (Touch Attack Hit AC4, Nat 1) It's wounded leg buckles as it tries to stand upon it, and it fails to gain a purchase on the wardog.

The second Centipede (C2) wraps flows around Ilsidur. (Touch Attack Hit AC8) It slips on the shiny marble floor.

The third Centipede (C3) attempts to catch Savin in it's many legged body. (Touch Attack Hit AC11) But the Monk is far too wise and dexterous.

Above the fray, Meznock the Archmage, despite his injuries, laughs.

Notes
* If you have spells active, please keep track of the duration. I am numbering the round to help you in this.

Opponents
Quadroprenolepis is AC18 Damage Reduction 5/Adamantine
Meznock AC19 - 50% Miss Chance /20 feet above the ground
Stujenv (North) AC11 /On the ground
Festim (South) AC20 /On the ground
Festim's Carpet /20 feet above the ground
Centipedes AC16

Status
Meznock Wounded
Stujenv Uninjured
Festim Wounded
Quadroprenolepis Wounded
Centipede1 Wounded
Centipede2 Uninjured
Centipede3 Uninjured

I've added Bigby's Hand to cover Firn'gaer.
Map: The Great Hall - Round 05

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19) d20+12=24 d6+3=7
Wednesday May 11th, 2005 11:53:09 PM
Niobe changes her weapons from her composite longbow to her rapier.

(If she gets any attacks this round then she will attack the armored gnome again; as he is closer than the centipede I believe. Hits AC 24, for 7 dmg)

Ilsidur (AC25, 98/98 hp, Hasted) d20+17=36
Thursday May 12th, 2005 12:04:27 AM
Concentrating on his spell [OOC: Made the concentration roll, so no attacks of opportunity], Ilsidur targets the gnome to the north with a hold person spell, saying, "Stand still, blast you, you runt!" [OOC: Will save vs. DC18]

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 49/49] and Yorrick [AC 20 HP 43/73] d20+11=15
Thursday May 12th, 2005 9:51:29 AM
Yorrick misses and then the Force cage springs up. The smaller bear grunts and the larger has a seat.

Peerimus, using Yorrick as cover transforms into a Small viper. [Hide 15] Peerimus makes his way to the pillar directly NE of him and tries to put it between Meznock and himself.

[Viper mv is 20+20 with Haste]
Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Bull's Strength +4 Str 88 rounds
Firn'gaer's Haste 1 rounds

If Peerimus can not get out as a small viper he curls up behind Yorrick.

Sly Foxx (AC 21 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac 22 59/59hp) d20+39=53 d20+13=29 d20+19=31 d8+9=13 d8+9=17 d8+9=15
Thursday May 12th, 2005 10:22:30 AM
OOC: Thank you DM Al, I must use this spell more often. I will forgo the previous roles and strike with three new roles.

Sly flinches as the monster comes close to hitting him. With his spell cast he feels stronger and quicker on his feet.
He starts his windmill swing (hit a AC 53), spins with his shield extended in the face of his foe.
His momention is still in a spin, Sly (hit AC 29) brings his sword down again.
This time Sly places his feet (about two and a half feet apart), and will swing his sword in a upper cross cut.(Hit AC 31).

Now he'll see what kind of damages he has made, before he starts all over again.

(Damages 13+17+15=45hp.)

Sly's Spells
Lvl 0- Detect Magic x2 - Acid Slash x2

Lvl 1- Magic Missels X3 -

Lvl 2- Spider Climb - Flaming Sphere - Bull Strenth

Lvl 3 -

Luke (Ac 22 59/59hp) d20+8=23 d20+8=23 d6+4=10 d6+4=10
Thursday May 12th, 2005 10:38:01 AM
Luke is in a rage now, blinded of anything else around him, except this monster. Luke spits the leg out of his mouth, attacking the Centerpede 1, bitting the thing (ac 23).
The monster throws Luke off, But lukes attack again (ac 23). Luke snarls and bears his teeth (Including his bloody Fangs)

Damages 10+10=20hp.

OOC: Luke cannot believe these numbers.

Firn'gaer - AC 23, HP 45
Thursday May 12th, 2005 11:16:14 AM
Stuck in the grasp of the force hand, Firn'gaer desperately tries to find a way out of his situation.

"Peerimus can you eliminate this hand?" He yells to the druid in the Forcecage."

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 83 rounds
haste -- 1 rounds
black tentacles -- 6 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 45

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Savin ac 28 weapon expertise, hps 85/95 d20+13=33 d20+13=25 d10+4=10 d20+13=32 d20+8=8 d10+4=12
Thursday May 12th, 2005 4:48:58 PM
Savin stands up drawing an AOO from the centipede but tries to use his skill to keep the beast away.

He then spins and kicks the gnome in the head landing a critical blow for 20 points of damage and tries to stun the gnome again. dc 17 vs stunning fist.

He follows up with 2 more kicks one hitting for
12 points of damage and then missing with the 3rd kick with a natural one.

Savin hopes this finishes the gnome off
OOC Al I am not sure if I can get flurry of blows off or not. Now that I am thinking about it, I don't think I can because I stood up but I didn't have to move. Anyway it is rolled, so if the second kick isn't allowed I only hit once.

Savin added +4 (from the prone)to his ac but gets another +2 because his opponent is stunned.

You're right. You can't use Flurry. Standing from Prone is a Move Action. And Flurry of Blows requires a Full round action.

And sorry, George. Some corrections:

AC 28 (+24 Base, +1 Haste, +3 Combat Expertice)
To Hit: +9 (+11 Base, +1 Haste, -3 Combat Expertice)

You don't gain Hit bonuses if your opponent is Prone and Stunned. Rather, they lose AC.

You also lose the extra attack from Haste. You get it only with a Full Round Action.

-Al

Now Starts the Dying - Round 06 (DM/Al) 3d6(2+5+5)=12 d20+10=12 d20+3=22 d20+6=21 d20+13=26 d20+6=21 2d6(5+5)+4=14 d20+10=18 d20+11=22 d12+5=17 d20+6=22 2d6(1+3)+4=8 d6=3 d20+6=26 d20+15=22 2d6(4+2)+4=10 d20+10=29 d20+6=12
Thursday May 12th, 2005 9:29:24 PM
Niobe draws her rapier. With the bow in her hand, the rapier is awkward. (-6 with your primary hand if you're holding a weapon in your off hand. You can drop the bow as a free action to get rid of this.) Still, the armored gnome is prone on the floor, and stunned to immobility. Niobe's blade slid between the plates. Her keen roguish instincts naturally target vital points for extra damage (The gnome is stunned. You get Sneak Damage. I rolled it for you. Extra 12hp.)

With hundreds of legs and plates of brown chitin flowing around him, Ilsidur targets the mad cackling gnome to the north with a spell (Will 12) The mad laughter stops. The gnome stands upon his carpet, frozen in the act of casting another spell from his wand.

Peerimus slips behind Yorrick and virtually disappears as he shrinks down in size. In the form of a small viper he turns sideways. Then, flattening his body, he worms and works his way between the bars of the Forcecage. (Escape Artist 22)

Luke tears at his Centipede (C1) like a dog gone mad. Ripping and shaking, Luke comes close to tearing the creature twice his size into two pieces.

Still in the grip of the imprisoning hand, Firn'gaer calls out to Peerimus for help. Though no harm comes to him from this magic, he is under no illusions as to what will happen should the gnomish Archmage triumph in this battle.

Savin stands quickly to his feet. He ducks and weaves, his eye on the Centipede that towers over him. (C3) The Centipede takes the opportunity to lunge forward. (Touch Attack AC21) Scales and legs wrap the monk, and it is a close thing. Had the monk not taken that little extra precaution, he might now be wrapped in the Centipede's coils. As it is, however, Savin slips away. And even through all of this, Savin lands a stunning kick to a critical area of the gnome's head. (Will 26) The gnome's inner resources fight off the shock. But, by then it is too late. The toll take by his wounds is too much and the armored gnome lies unconscious on the marble floor, a thin trail of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth.

Powered by his spell, Sly Foxx strikes true. In a whirl of slashing blades he chops large chunks of armored shell from the white ant. And when he is through, the Quadroprenolepis stands poised, all five heads lifted to the sky. The ant mouth cries out in a high pitched grinding shriek. The other mouths are open too, but soundless. White wisps of ethereal smoke lift from their silent screams. And the whole of the Quadroprenolepis comes crashing down.

Tokun, nostrils flared, turns and charges at the biggest thing he can find: A Centipede. (C2) As Tokun charges in, the Centipede swings around. (Hit AC21, Damge 14hp) The bite is hard and swift. A stinger lances forward, injecting poison into the barbarian boy's body. (Fort Save 18) Tokun, however, shakes it off, and brings his bone axe down. (Charge Hit AC22, Damage 17hp) This time the boy's great axe connects. It cuts through the Centipede's armor, nearly cutting it in half.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Archmage watches all from above. He points a finger at Sly. "I'll get to you later," he says with quiet venom. There is, however, one less bear in the cage.

"Druid," Meznock's voice is low, but it carries, covering the palatial room in menace. His eyes search the room for Peerimus. "I warned you about your pet." He gestures and points at a spot just before Firn'gaer. A cloud of sickly yellow-green billows from the spot and floods the area, slipping easily through the bars of Yorrick's prison and engulfing both the wizard and the bear. (Cast Cloudkill. Firn'gaer and Yorrick. Take 1d4 CON Damage each round. Fort Save vs DC24 for 1/2 CON Damage.)

The manic gnome to the north stands frozen upon his carpet.

The armored gnome is still and unconscious.

The Centipedes attack.

Barely alive, but alive enough to be dangerous, a Centipede bites Luke. Peerimus' spell reduces the damage, but the Centiped injects poison. (Luke, Fortitude Save vs DC14 or take 3 points DEX damage.

The second Centipede (C2) has a new target, and it tries to wrap Tokun in it's body. (Touch Attack AC26, Nat 20, Grapple 22, 10hp Damage). It sweeps the barbarian boy up and crushes him. (Fort DC29) But again, Tokun resists the poison.

Twining in circles, the third Centipede (C3) again tries to wrap Savin. (Touch Attack AC12) Not even close.

Notes
* If you have spells active, please keep track of the duration. I am numbering the round to help you in this.

Opponents
Meznock AC19 - 50% Miss Chance /20 feet above the ground
Stujenv (North) AC11 /20 feet above the ground
Festim's Carpet /20 feet above the ground
Centipedes AC16

Status
Meznock Wounded
Stujenv Uninjured
Festim Dead or Dying
Quadroprenolepis Dead or Dying
Centipede1 Near Death
Centipede2 Wounded
Centipede3 Uninjured

Tokun Wounded

Sorry forgot to move Meznock on the map last round. It's fixed.
Map: The Great Hall - Round 06

Savin hps 85/95 ac 24 d20+11=18 d20+11=31 d20+11=25 d20+6=17 d10+4=9 d10+4=14 d10+4=7
Thursday May 12th, 2005 10:16:08 PM
Savin knows that he needs to find a way to get to the mage but doesn't know how to get to him. He takes out his frustrations on the centipede in front of him realizing that he needs to get to the root causes but not knowing what else to do.

He also doesn't want Niobe to face it by herself. He chops into it with a flurry of blows. Hitting all three times. The second being a critical hit. Savin does 9 with the first attack, 28 with the second attack and 7 with the 3rd attack for a total of 44 hps of damage.

Ilsidur (AC26, 98/98 hp, hasted) d20+13=29 d20+13=16 d20+8=22 d10+5=12 d10+5=10 d10+5=12 d6=1 d6=3 d6=6
Friday May 13th, 2005 2:03:25 AM
Ilsidur turns and swings at the centipede holding Tokun. With the last of the haste spell active, he takes three swings with his waraxe. [OOC: First swing hit AC29 for 12+1 fire damage, second swing hit AC16 for 10+3 fire damage, third attack hit AC22, for 12+6 fire damage.]

"Savin, if you can get over beside me, I can cast the fly on you, then you can get to the gnome," he calls out.

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (AC 21 50/59hp) d4+2=5 d4+2=6 d4+2=5 d4+2=4 d20+5=21 d20+8=26 d20+8=16 d6+4=8 d6+4=9 d20+4=20
Friday May 13th, 2005 7:49:01 AM
As Sly Stand back, watching the Sprits of his Mother, Ruby and Jason's Parents rise from the body of this missform Ice Vein Ant. (Just like the mist of the sprit that entered the body of Luke in those woods, a lonf time ago) He knows that his and Jason's parents are on their way to the middle wold, to be reunited with his farther.
Realising that the ant is no longer a danger, to anyone and It has only a minute or so to live. Sly look around, his attention turns to the sound of Meznock's voice, telling him that he's going to take care of him later. (Sly will use his intuision to see what Fien-gare is trying to do (I roled a 20).
"OH! You think you will! Do you now?? I think that you are just a runt of a gnome litter! Why not do it now!" At this point Sly will extend his hand and speaks "Magicus Arriomus Poo! Poo! Poo! Poo!" Sending four magic missels (four because of hast spell) to the Meznock, hoping to keep his attention away from Preemus and Fien-gare.

Magic Missels Damages 5+6+5+4=20hp

Luke is unable to stop his attack, not untill the centiped is truly dead, he will attack again and again.

Made his Fort save,21
Attack Ac26 & Ac16 - Damages 8/9hp.

OOC: I hope you(DM Al)can see what Sly is trying to do by drawing attention to himself.

daniel K
Friday May 13th, 2005 8:54:37 AM
I have a funeral to attend. sent sheet for Rich P to post for me today

Firn'gaer - HP 27 d20+9=10 d20+3=17 d4=3 d4=3
Friday May 13th, 2005 12:48:29 PM
The sadistic gnome having Firn'gaer trapped decides that a slow death is what's on the menu. The poisonous cloud expands through the area Firn'gaer, out of horror at his fate or the fight with the magical hand, takes a deep breath of the gas and begins choking and gaging.

"Rufus...<cough>...get away...<cough>...now...<cough>..." The wizard says to his long time companion.

I don't want to...<cough>...leave you...

"Do it...<cough>...NOW..."

I don't want to be normal...<couch>...again...<cough>...if you die I die...<cough>...

"I don't...<cough>...have time...<cough>...to argue...<cough>...go..."

The rat ignores the commands of the master and friend to stay not wanting to lose the spell bond he's had for longer that he can remember.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 82 rounds
black tentacles -- 5 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 27
Current CON -- 11
Rufus CON -- 7

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 58/58] and Yorrick [AC 20 HP 43/73] d20+10=30 d2=1
Friday May 13th, 2005 1:26:07 PM
Free of the magical cage, Peerimus decides to take the fight to Meznock. Changing into an eagle, he charges the archmage.

In the cage the great bear stands on back legs trying to reach out of the poisonous cloud. Finding a small pocket of fresh air he staves off the toxins, for now.

[Yorrick Fort Save - DC30, CON damage 1 (18 CON)]

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Bull's Strength +4 Str 87 rounds

OOC: Eunice
Friday May 13th, 2005 2:10:12 PM
Al, I will be posting after work in 3-4hrs from now.

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19) d20+12=30 d6+3=6
Friday May 13th, 2005 5:45:49 PM
((Al, I am too tired to worry about weapons, sorry. Niobe would do whatever makes the most common sense; if that means dropping her bow then she would drop it and retrieve it later. Thank you for rolling the sneak attack damage Al.))

Niobe will step over the dead or dying gnome (providing he is no longer a threat for certain!) and attack the centipede trying to harm Savin.
The thought behind her action is teamwork; i.e. help Savin get rid of this creature so they can concentrate on the gnomish enemies soon after. (Hit AC 30, for 6 dmg)

No problem. I know you're trying. Rest. Be healthy. I'll take it from here. -Al

Third Party Calls - Round 07 (DM/Al) d20+5=24 d12+5=13 d100=72 d20+40=45 d20+43=47 2d6(6+5)+12=23
Saturday May 14th, 2005 12:17:25 PM
Savin spares a glance at the Archmage floating above. He is the true and most deadly danger. But ... how to get up there? Tabling the question for the moment, he lays into the Centipede (C3), striking critical spots with blinding speed. The Huge summoned creature rears up even before it knows that it is dead and vanishes, whisked back to it's plane.

Ilsidur too turns to one of the Centipedes. (C2) Completing the job that the barbarian boy began, he cleaves the insect into three separate sections before it vanishes as did Savin's opponent. The cleric calls out to Savin, offering a Fly spell. Just the remedy that the monk had been wracking his brain for.

Sly throws a taunt at the Archmage before throwing something more deadly. Three streaks of light leave Sly's outstretched hand and speed unerringly at their target. But, as they approach, they are drawn to the broach on the gnome's chest. One. Two. Three. The broach glows as the missiles strike, leaving the Archmage standing unharmed. (Just to be clear about this, Haste does not increase the number of Magic Missiles. In this case, however, it didn't really matter.)

The gnome drops a low chuckle, like dry the rustle of dry leaves. "Did you think I have lived through a hundred years of assassination attempt by being unprepared? Foolish half-elf. Run away. I will catch you. But it will extend your life by just that little bit more."

Luke again bites his foe and shakes it vigorously. (C1) The Centipede expires and returns to it's realm, leaving Luke unchallenged upon the black and white checkerboard floor.

Within the translucent hand, a silent drama plays itself out. Rufus huddles within his master's clothing as the deadly wisps of vapor penetrate into every nook and cranny. The rat, easily able to slip this sinking ship, chooses instead to remain, and share the fate of his master and friend.

From behind the pillar, Peerimus changes again, this time into an eagle. Flapping his wings, he gains the height necessary to bring him over the top of the cloud of deadly vapor. Then he soars across the room toward the Archmage and his flying carpet.

Yorrick moves about the cage, but the cloud rolls across the floor ten feet completely engulfing any space that might previously have been clear.

Niobe hangs onto her bow. With gnomes in the air out of reach, it might come in handy regardless of how cumbersome it might be. She steps forward to help Savin with the Centipede, but, by this time, it is already gone.

Tokun roars as Ilsidur dispatches the Centipede, freeing the boy's arms. With veins bulging in his temple, he looks about for enemies to slay. Then his voice booms out as he draws his arms back over his head and heaves the heavy bone great axe up into the air in the direction of the flying Archmage. (Hit AC24 [-4 to throw a Melee weapon], 50% Miss 72, Damage 13hp) A whir of ivory tumbles end over end, catching Meznock in the side.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

The Archmage grunts from the pain. He spares a glance at his frozen minion to the north. "If one wishes a thing accomplished one must attend to it one's self. Why is it so difficult to attract competent help?"

He points the rod at Peerimus before dropping it to the carpet at his feet. (Cast Bigby's Crushing Hand: Touch Attack by Hand Hit AC45, Grapple check 47, Damage 23hp. Peerimus is grappled.) A second large translucent hand snatches the eagle from the air. This one, rather than holding, however, closes it's fingers and squeezes.

The druid now countered, Meznock's eyes turn to Savin, following the monk's movements.

"Meznock Zezjenel, High Magus of Zaran City ... "

A dim figure appears before the great throne. Thin and translucent, it grows in color and detail becoming the image of a wizened crone. Even through her insubstantial form, her eyes are sharp. Beneath the wild tangle of her gray hair, it is clear that her left ear is missing, and in it's place is a blood red ruby.

"Eternal champions of Chaos," each of the group hears the words within their heads, "stand ready. I will not be able to hold his attention for long."

"Declare yourself, interloper!" the gnome shouts, his eyes still upon Savin below.

Meanwhile above the corpse of the Quadroprenolepis, the strands of wispy white come together, weaving into a tangled knot. Landscapes roll across the surface of the knot of white, shaping and transforming. The white mass begins to hum, singing, calling out. And the broken eyes upon the backs of six separate hands, the hands of the Children of Chaos, each of the broken eye tattoos responds. Each calls out to the others. Each has it's own note that complements the others in a transcendent harmony. From a different source words come to them. Four speaking as one. Less words than a feeling. Chaos is the essence of freedom ... is the idea that it brings.

Notes
* If you have spells active, please keep track of the duration. I am numbering the round to help you in this.

Opponents
Meznock AC19 - 50% Miss Chance /20 feet above the ground
Stujenv (North) AC11 /20 feet above the ground
Festim's Carpet /20 feet above the ground

Status
Meznock Wounded
Stujenv Uninjured

Tokun Wounded

Map: The Great Hall - Round 07

Sly Foxx (AC 20 79/79hp) and Luke (Ac 21 50/59hp) d20+7=27 d20+10=24
Sunday May 15th, 2005 7:37:42 AM
"You Pompuss Old Fool! You think your big enough to take . . ." There's something going on?? He watches as the sprit of his and Jason family rises on their way to the middle wold. He sings the song along with then.

When there an image appering near him, he watches as one of the Witches appears, Well maybe the other two will come along too? But when she said to hurry, Sly Start to thing "What to do? and in a hurry because there is not much time fot the party?" He get an idea! "Tokem!" he shouts, when the Tokem look at him. Sly laces his finger together, lowers his hands to about his knees, then quickly raises them to about head high. (because Tokem is almost under the carpet where Meznock is) Sly pointes to the flying carpet.

Not waiting for an answer, Sly takes Two daggers out, one from his boots, the other from behind his neck. Sly starts to run towards Tokem. Sly is fifty feet from Tokem (I think? besides he has the spell of Haste) He is propelled toward the carpet (Climb 27 natural 20 MAKES it), stabs the carpet and pulls himself onto the magic carpet.

Sly takes dhe dagger from between his teeth, look into Meznock, with Blood in his eye he tells him "Since you cannot make up your mind, I though I'd come to you."

OOC: Since we have to kill this Meznock quickly, just to make his magic go away and save the party. This is the only thing I could think of and I hope that darn carper sinks to the floor.

OOC: The 27 is for the climb to the carpet, the 24 is the stab into the carpet so Sly could hoist and stay on the carpet. This also hang on Tolem understanding what Sly wants and giving him the leg up.

Firn'gaer - HP 13 d20+9=13 d20+3=10 d4=4 d4=2
Sunday May 15th, 2005 8:35:04 AM
Still in the poison gas, near death and unable to escape the magical hand that surrounds him Firn'gaer begins to enter panic mode. Claustraphobia and terror begins to set in on the once calm wizard. Maybe it's his fate he sees as a contruct his pieces mixed with others or the suffocation which is in now. What ever the reason, the calm has left and a visage of terror now marks Firn'gaer's face.

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 81 rounds
black tentacles -- 6 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 13
Current CON -- 7
Rufus CON -- 5

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Ilsidur(ceil)
Sunday May 15th, 2005 9:51:53 AM
Ilsidur redies his spell of Flying for Savin, when out of the coner of his eye, he see a shape froming from smoke, he reconise the the witch from years pass. "What is she doing here? Where's the other two??"

Sly comes running to Tokem, the barbarian flips Sly to the carpet. "Good Boy! Bring HIM down here, Quick!" Ilsidur wait for the Archmage's body to fall.

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 80/85] and Yorrick [AC 20 HP 25/55] d20+10=25 d2=2 d20+22=36
Sunday May 15th, 2005 11:01:41 AM
Yorrick throws his might and size into the prison which holds him. A roar of rage, mixed with anxiety and fear that only adds to the haunting of Peerimus. [Fort save 25 Con -2 16CON]

Peerimus feels the hand grasp him and enclose into a fiercesome grip. The Druid shifts to a Large bear hoping the added Strength and size are enough to escape. [Grapple 36]

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: CSW, Ice Storm
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Bull's Strength +4 Str 86 rounds

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19) d20+12=24 d20+8=10 d8+2=7 d100=87
Sunday May 15th, 2005 5:32:54 PM
Niobe cannot see Firn'gaer (or Peerimus?) from where she is, so she isn't techinically aware that they are in direct trouble!

Lacking any other obvious targets to attack Niobe will just have to put her rapier away and try her bow again...

Provided it's at all possible she fires an arrow at Meznock.
(Hits AC 24 (if not firing into combat), dmg 7; roll procentile d100 - rolled 87. Hits AC 10 (if firing into combat).)

((Al, I will be rolling two seperate "to hit" rolls just in case Niobe will be firing into combat due to Sly's action. I sincerely hope that she won't be firing into combat this time! Firn'gaer (and Peerimus too?) need all the help they can get to get out of those "hand spells"!)) ;)

Savin ac 29 (combat expertise +5) 85/95 hps
Sunday May 15th, 2005 11:08:01 PM
Savin will notice the mage's eyes on him and is as surprised as everyone else when the crone arrives. Hoping she distracts the mage, he will move over to Ilsidur to accept the fly spell.

He is horrified to see the wizard in the poison gas and yells, "Can no one dispel that!?"

Chaos Lies at the Heart of Freedom - Round 08 (DM/Al) d20+2=17 d20+43=49 2d6(2+3)+12=17
Monday May 16th, 2005 8:24:15 PM
Sly Foxx signals to Tokun, making a stirrup of his hands. On the frozen plains of Ice Vein, speaking with hands is second nature. The barbarian lad understands immediately and he steps to the left to line himself up for Dog Talking Man's plan.

As Sly rushes across the floor with daggers draw, Tokun's hands are ready. As the 4'11" high half-elf's foot hits the 6' tall barbarian boy's hands, Tokun heaves upward, lifting Sly five feet off the ground, up as high as his chin. Curled into a ball, Sly Foxx jumps.

With arms extended above his head, Sly Foxx might stretch 7 feet from heels to the ends of his fingertips. Tokun gives him an extra 5 feet. To reach the edge of the carpet 20 feet above the floor, the half-elven fighter would need to cover the remaining eight-foot vertical distance. It's a tough jump. Even Savin might hesitate to take on such a leap. Sly Foxx, carrying a heavy wooden shield, makes the prospect even more daunting. None the less, Sly must make the attempt. Such is the nature of a hero. (Sly Jump Check 17) Sly leaps four more feet up into the air missing the edge of the carpet by four feet. He falls back to the checkerboard floor. (Sly take 1d6 fall damage. You are now prone.)

(Sorry, Haste ended last round, Sly. You did not get the speed bonus to your jump. It was a nice attempt, though. It had guts.)

The poisoned cloud steals more of Firn'gaer's life. The wizard, sensing death, fights and thrashes within the gripping hand. Suddenly, the yellow green cloud rolls beyond him, and Firn'gaer emerges into clear clean air.

Ilsidur, like Sly has seen the crone and her sisters before. He readies his fly spell even as Sly Foxx vaults into the air.

As Yorrick crashes desperately into the invisible bars of the forcecage, Peerimus shifts. Suddenly all in the room are treated to the awe inspiring spectacle of a large bear twenty feet in the air in mortal combat with a large translucent hand. If the situation were not so dire, this might be an occasion to stare in amazement. (Bigby's Crushing Hand: Grapple check 49, Damage 17hp) The hand squeezes. Bone cracks and pops as the hand crushes the bear's ribcage.

Niobe sheathes her rapier and nocks an arrow. With a quick pull and release, her shaft strikes home. The Archmage purses his lips with the pain, but his focus remains on Savin. (Sorry. It has been pointed out to me that you may hold another item or weapon in your off hand without incurring a penalty from your primary hand. As long as you don't attack with both weapons at the same time. In other words, using the rapier with the bow in your other hand is fine.)

Savin crosses to accept Ilsidur's spell of Flying. This, apparently, is the very thing that the Archmage had been waiting for. "Yes. Thank you." The gnome manages a smile as under Ilsidur's spell, Savin begins to rise from the floor. Drawing a hemisphere of clear crystal and a ball of gum, the gnome speaks an incantation, and unites the pieces. (Readied Action, Cast: Otiluke's Resilient Sphere, after Savin receives spell from Ilsidur.) Savin is encased in a shimmering unmoving globe of force. "Fly in there," the gnome mutters before turning his attention to other things.

(Keep in mind that any plans that you shout to each other can be heard by your opponents as well.)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Meznock, an arrow in his side, now turns to Niobe.

" ... Brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands and wives. They need no longer toil and die in the dangerous wastes of Ice Vein ... "

The voice is heard within every person's head. It is the voice of the Archmage. And yet it is not the Archmage. The cadence of the voice is similar. And the tone of the voice is as well. It is, perhaps a little higher in pitch. In a way, it is almost as one might imagine the voice of the Archmage in younger days. And, although the words may not be in Common, they are understood by all.

" ... Golems can provide both protection and manual labor. They can go to places that we may not. They can be our hands. They can be our feet. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Society Mystes, Golems, can bring us life and salvation from out of the cold and desolation."

The Archmage turns slowly away from Niobe toward the translucent image of the crone. "Who are you," he asks out loud.

"You were not always as you are now, Meznock Zezjenel."

This time the voice heard only within each person's head belongs to the crone.

"We hear. And we remember all. Do you remember? Do you remember the hushed whispers. Do you remember the single question, 'Is not the creation of golems evil?' Do you remember that question? That single question had unleashed many more. Then following the questions came the concerns, the objections, and finally, the accusations."

"You had chanced upon the Vision of Noxnyx, Meznock Zezjenel. The artifact that now stands at your feet. You had experimented with the power that it had revealed to you. And you thought the use of that power would protect you from the consequences of your deeds. It was a mistake."

Meznock Zezjenel, the gnomish Archmage, looks down at the glowing screen still resting upon the flying carpet near his feet. "Who are you," he asks the translucent figure again. "It was not a mistake. I have come far. With these specimens I can go even further. We can strip them ... I can harvest ... "WHO ARE YOU!!!???" Meznock screams in a rage of animal confusion. With a stab of his hand, he sends five maximally bright streaks of light from his fingertips toward the figure of the crone. They fly straight through her and crash against the invisible barrier behind.

Down below, the knot of white vaporous plasma shapes and reshapes. Images find shape, and then are reabsorbed back into the shifting mass to form a different shape. More and more, it takes on the form of groups of heads. One, three, six, four. Four heads. Four heads, and the faces shape and firm. Four heads sing a song that the six tattoos understand. Freedom ... is Chaos ... is Freedom.

The four heads shriek, and the sound explodes outward in a visibly expanding circle across the black and white floor. It is a sound that only the six tattoos can see. It is a light that only the six tattoos can taste. It is a resonance that only the six tattoos can know. Deep within their souls they know what freedom means. And they know that now is the time to act. (All Children of Chaos and their companions may ignore one spell effect that hinders their person this next one round. If you do not have a spell effecting you, then you nothing special happens. Just keep fighting on. You may not get another chance.)

Notes
* If you have spells active, please keep track of the duration. I am numbering the round to help you in this.

Opponents
Meznock AC19 - 50% Miss Chance /20 feet above the ground
Stujenv (North) AC11 /20 feet above the ground
Festim's Carpet /20 feet above the ground
Peerimus /20 feet above the ground

Status
Meznock Wounded
Stujenv Uninjured

Tokun Wounded

Map: The Great Hall - Round 08

Savin ac 24 hps 85/95 fly d20+11=26 d20+11=22 d100=61 d20+15=28 d10+4=11
Monday May 16th, 2005 11:12:00 PM
Savin sees the spell center on him and the mage cast a spell. He tries to roll away (Reflex save 26) He will then fly up, and grab the gnome trying to grapple him, tying up his hands, and distract his attention from his friends.

OOC touch attack 22 (rolled 61% for automatic miss)

Grapple attack is 28
damage from grapple is 11

Al, I see upon reading Otiluke's resistant sphere that I get a saving throw. So I took it. If I failed, then I will use the distraction to disregard the sphere and fly to the gnome. Not sure if I fly out of the sphere or not. If it follows me then we are both in it and I might be in trouble.

Sly Foxx (AC 20 73/79hp) and Luke (Ac 21 50/58hp) d6=6 3d3(3+3+2)=8 1d20+10=39 d20+8=16
Tuesday May 17th, 2005 8:47:57 AM
OOC: damages from falling 6hp on Sly.

Sly land on his hand and knees, he is mad at himself "Why can I not at least help my friends, they are in the Death trap of this mad mage. It's my revenge for all those poor victems that HE killed.
Let see I could try again, but it would result the same way. I'm too short. I could use fire spell to burn the carpet from the bottom in? That will interfear with somebody else that has a better chance to get him down."

He now listens to the voices of the Witches. Sly gets up onto his feet, makes sure that Tokum is alright and will make the sign of thank-you (By touching his lips, then touching his heart and then shows his hand to Tokum.)

Sly has to try again But this time he extends his hand and mutters softly "Magious Acidious Splashious est Carpitious!" Sly cast Acid splash at the bottom of the bottom of the flying carpet.

As Sly bends to help Tokum up from the floor, Sly is push down again "What the ?!?!?." As he fall on top of Tokum again.

Attack the carpet's bottom damages Three orbs of acid hits the bottom of the magic carpet, for 8hp. of damages.

Luke is confused?? about the Witches, all he see's is this flying carpet with this gnome waving his arms, also Sly is trying to get on the carpet?? Now if me (Luke) can jump 40 feet chasom to reach a red dragon lair??
Luke takes a running start, when Sly bends to help Tokem up, He will spring up to the carpet. Luke's jump 39.
Now once on the carpet the dog will try to scare the gnome toward Savin. Luke will growl, snap and drool at the Mage. Attack snapping AC16.

Ilsidur(ceil who is still away)
Tuesday May 17th, 2005 9:53:55 AM
Ilsidur cases the Fly Spell on Savin, whispering to him Good Luke Son!. Then watches Savin rise to the carpet.

Now he prepares teleport (on himself), He is cosentration the Yurrick and Fien-gare. He plans once inthere he will use a Dimemtion Door to get them to safty.(even if he has to cast that spell on the floor or can he cast the spell on the magig cage's bars?) He's hoping against hope to be in time for his friends.

Firn'gaer - AC 23, HP 13 10d6(5+1+5+6+6+2+5+2+5+4)=41
Tuesday May 17th, 2005 10:16:41 AM
Firn'gaer takes a breath of fresh air as the cloud passes. He takes note of the words being said to Meznock and the being(s) speaking. Realizing how crucial that one moment will be, Firn'gaer takes no chances.

The magical hand fades to become insubstantial for the moment he needs. Stepping towards the battle and away from the spell he calls a scroll from his Haversack.

Savin forgive me. "Incoming!!!" He shouts.

Raising the scroll, Firn'gaer finishes the incantation and arcs of lightning leaps from the wizards out-stretched hand. Dancing and twisting, the lightning jumps towards the carpet and the Archmage on it. The electricity passes through the carpet and continues on to the wall opposite Firn'gaer in the chamber.

Spell -- Lightning Bolt Reflex DC14 for half. Damage - 41 (20 if save)

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 80 rounds
black tentacles -- 5 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 13
Current CON -- 7
Rufus CON -- 5

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis, wall of force

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 40/85] and Yorrick [AC 20 HP 16/46] d20+9=27 d2=1 d20+17=34 3d6(4+3+2)=9 2d6(3+3)=6 2d6(5+2)=7
Tuesday May 17th, 2005 11:19:33 AM
Peerimus hears the words in his head and senses the power roil across the fragmented tatoo. Though he had never seen one of the three Crones, he had heard many stories from when the Power appeared to help when his friends battled a mighty red dragon. Peeerimus calls for Yorrick to move North away from the cloud, but to not come towards him. [handle Animal 34]

Yorrick throws himself against the bars again and this time passes through them as if they were not there. Still coughing and fighting for air, the great bear lumbers 40' straight North. [Fort save 27 Con -1 15CON]

His life long friend away, the druid re-focuses quickly. He does not know how long they have, but he knows the desperate strights all of them are in. A mage of this power could have them all again in moments. Calling upon Father for help, Peerimus growls deeply and the sky directly above the mage suddenly coalesces and the temperature briefly falls. Plunging from the ceiling in a 20'radius centered on Meznock, come great magical hailstones for 1 full round.
[No Save Dmg 9 Cold Dmg 6]

Not sure if I fall when I ignore the crushing Hand or not. Assumed I did and added 2d6 dmg 7

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4: CSW
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Bull's Strength +4 Str 85 rounds

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19) d20+10=22 d20+12=18 d20+12=26 d8+2=9 d8+2=8
Tuesday May 17th, 2005 6:48:43 PM
Like everyone else Niobe listens to the voices.

The rogue notices that the insane archmage has basically become too risky to shoot at due to the proximity of at least one of her team-mates... and nevermind the two spells headed the archmage's way!

Niobe looks around to see if there are any other enemies within range.
(Spot 22)

If so; and if the enemy is not blocked by "friendlies"!, Niobe will fire an arrow or two towards the new target.
(Hits AC 18 & AC 26 for dmg 9 & 8)

(I guess this leaves only Stujenv? Niobe's bow has a range of 110ft. I'll just try this all and see what happens!) ;)

Chaos and Destruction - Round 09 (DM/Al) d20+9=20 d20+7=26 d20+7=16 d20+13=33 d20+3=18 d20+9=21
Tuesday May 17th, 2005 10:08:14 PM
Savin darts to the side, and the sphere of force closes with an audible hum directly behind him. Flying upwards he reaches out for the Archmage ... and his hand encounters solid flesh. With a quick jerk, he pulls the Archmage into a hold.

Sly rises from the floor before casting a spell and sending a single Splash of Acid up toward the bottom of the Archmage's carpet. He aims the spell, and it strikes true. (Range Touch for your spell Touch AC20) But the carpet is a Wondrous item of power with it's own sense to be saved from harm. (Carpet's Saving Throw 26 vs. DC13) The acid harmlessly soaks the bottom of the carpet doing no damage.
(Sly, Acid Splash is only 1d3 points of damage. And you only get one of them per casting of the spell.)

Luke watches Sly attempt a leap up to the flying carpet. Memories of a different battle return to the wardog, a different leap. He charges. And, as Sly and Tokun bend in a tangle of limbs, Luke uses their bodies as a two-foot height launch pad. Springing off of their bodies, Luke sails up into the air. It's a ten foot high jump. Eight feet short of the carpet. The wardog learns that jumping up is much more difficult than jumping across as he tumbles downward to the hard marble floor below. (Luke takes 1d6 hp fall damage.)

Ilsidur wracks his brain to think of a way to use his Dimension Door spell to save Firn'gaer and Yorrick from the sickly yellow cloud. But, before he can act, Firn'gaer simply steps through the fingers of the imprisoning hand. Yorrick too, walks right through the bars of the Forcecage.

Employing a scroll from his haversack, Firn'gaer releases a lightening bolt that streaks from the tips of his fingers toward the bottom of the flying carpet. Held 20 feet off the ground, the bolt flashes under Peerimus near enough to raises the hair all over his bear body. Luke yips as the bolt of electricity passes above him. It strikes the carpet. (Carpet's Saving Throw 26 vs. DC13) The carpet sloughs off damage, but provides no barrier against the bolt. It strikes both Savin and the Archmage. (Savin roll Reflex vs. DC14 or take 41hp electrical damage. 0hp damage if you Evade. Meznock Reflex 33. Caster Level check to overcome Spell Resistance 18 vs. SR18.) The Archmage dodges the brunt of the bolt. And, for the briefest of moments, the gnome's robes glow as they resist the electricity. Then the Archmage screams, shuddering with the force of the bolt. Smoke rises from his form as the Lightening Bolt flies onward to crash against the invisible wall between the two pillars before the throne.

And yet, the mage lives on. His eyes now blaze and his teeth are clenched as he fights for life. He begins to mutter a spell.

Peerimus slips through the fingers of the great hand as though it were not there. And he falls. But as he falls he calls upon The Father. And in his falling so too come great stones of ice in a 20-foot radius to smite all those below. (Peerimus, Ilsidur, Savin, Sly, and Luke take 9hp bludgeoning and 6hp cold. Apply damage and cold resistance as appropriate. Caster Level Check for Spell Resistance 21 vs. SR18) (Yes, Peerimus, you took the fall damage.)

Niobe fires two swift arrows through the flash of lightening and the roaring pound of ice. Her aim is true, and it is as if the frozen gnome on the distant carpet suddenly grows two feathered shafts in his chest.

The thunder of ice boulders stills, and the mist of cold and ice particles clears from the air. The eye roves the checkerboard floor. The Children of Chaos stand bloodied and battered. Tokun totters on unsteady feet, the only thing holding him up, the power of his rage.

And on the floor in the midst of the carnage ... is the Archmage. Broken and bloody, his head tipped at an unnatural angle, he is quite dead.
"Greetings Eternal Champions."
The voice sounds within the head and yet draws attention to the figure of the crone floating, insubstantial, in the air.

"Again, you have found a name equal to your calling. As you have done before and before. That is good. For the time has come. Again the time has come. Heed me, Lady Watcher for my time here is short."

Nearby, four faces carved in white mist bob in mid air. The faces, elven face, hold a serene peace. They smile, and their eyes look to each other. Then, with a tug, a pull, the mist starts into violent motion. Again it roils as it reshapes itself. Bulging, stretching it becomes yet another thing.

(Spellcraft vs. DC19 to know that the spell the Archmage was about to cast was: Highlight to display spoiler: {Timestop})

Notes
End of Combat. Well, except for the crazy little gnome caught in the Hold Person spell.

Opponents
Stujenv (North) AC9 (-2 for being Held) /20 feet above the ground
Festim's Carpet /20 feet above the ground
Savin /20 feet above the ground

Status
Stujenv Wounded
Tokun Near Death

Sly Foxx (AC 20 55/79hp) and Luke (AC21 21/58hp) d6=2 d8+1=9
Wednesday May 18th, 2005 7:42:24 AM
OOC to DM AL: Sly knew that his Acid orbs would not destroy the magic of the carpet, just the fabric of the carpet. Sly was hoping that the spot where the gnome was sitting would weaken and he would fall through the rug. The carpet (with the hole) would stay up there for as long that the magic lasted.

After Sly shakes the dizzyness out of his head, he sees the witches and give them a silent thank you.
Sly runs to Luke, he look as to how badly he is hurt, not too bad but the dog has in his protection coat (that the Barbarian women made for all of them, including Luke) 2 potion of cure light wounds. Sly takes out the potions and some beef jerky. About to give Luke a potion Sly's eyes fall on the body of Tokum and he's not moving. "Here Luke! here's some beef jerky, you'll be fine. You did well!"

Sly goes to Tokum to see how bad, He find tha the young barbarian is baddly hurt. Sly will give the young man a potion to drink (curing him of 9hp of damages). "Drink this!" Sly tell him, putting the vile up to his lips.

Sly notices that his hated enermy is laying there motionless. Sly will tell all his friends, "I think that our Gnomish Mage play mate here. I want you all to know that I will be taking his scalp and will give it to Tokum to bring it back to his trib. They will pass on to every body in Ice Vein that The Children of Chaos was here."

Luke licks Sly hand and eats his beef jerky.

Firn'gaer - AC 23, HP 13
Wednesday May 18th, 2005 8:26:38 AM
The battle seems concluding and Firn'gaer walks over to the body of the gnome and looks down at the burnt and broken body.

"Such power and magical ability..." The rage starts to well within Firn'gaer.

"The death caused in the name of magical research..." His fists clench, his teeth grind as his jaw tightens.

"You've brought shame! The death! The pain! AhhhHHH...!!!"

Reaching out in a grabbing motion and the finishing of an incantation, Firn'gaer grabs the lifeless Meznock and holds the body aloft within his Telekinesis spell.

A great wave of the wizard's hand and the gnome's body flies across the chamber landing near his Stujenv. Firn'gaer still in the midst of his near-death rage, turns his head towards Meznock.

Not finished unleashing the fear or rage, it's hard to tell which has caused the wizard's current state, Firn'gaer's breathing is heavy and labored. Even Rufus has scurried for cover as a singlemindedness covers the wizard's face like a mask that replaced the one worn only moments before.

[Spellcraft DC29 -- take 10]

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 79 rounds
black tentacles -- 4 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.
Current HP -- 13
Current CON -- 7
Rufus CON -- 5

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force

Savin ac 24 hps 70/95 fly d20+11=31
Wednesday May 18th, 2005 8:46:40 AM
Savin hears the spell coming and easily darts away, causing the lightning bolt to miss him. He then feels the ice fall around him and takes the damage (Al, Not sure if my boots of winterland help here? Took the full damage for now.)

Savin flies over to the held gnome and starts to tie him up, while keeping an eye on the faces in the mist.

When he sees Firn'gaer, he calls, "Wizard! Your rage doesn't become you! Calm down and use your mind to search the arch wizard for magic and wealth. He must have a good bit! Think of his spellbooks!" Savin hopes this calms the wizard.

No, sorry. My first instinct was to say yes. But unfortunately further research reveals that the Boots of the Winterlands work off of the Endure Elements spell and: "Endure elements doesn't provide any protection from fire or cold damage." You take the Cold Damage. - Al

Ilsidur(ceil)(AC 25 83/98hp) d6+3=8
Wednesday May 18th, 2005 9:43:14 AM
After Ilsidur is pelted with all those big hail storm, he move to where Peerimus is laying to see if he can help him. Ilsidur will heal him (Ilsidur figures that Peerimus is down to about 25hp left and bearly moving).

When Fien-gare appears with the body of Meznock, near the the last of the Stujenv(golem on the rug). Ilsidure yells at him, "Think! MAN! Think of what your doing, there's better thing to do beside this, Don't lose your mind now. That little runt would just love it, and would claim victory over us now. Let him rot right there or even better Give his body to the witches, I'm sure that they'll have special magic for his sole!"

Ilsidur healed Peerimus for 8hp.

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 22/67] and Yorrick [AC 20 HP 16/46] d20+6=24
Wednesday May 18th, 2005 12:03:18 PM
Peerimus watches the wizard, [Spellcraft 24] and his eyes widen in awe at the sheer power of the spell. This is how it ends, then the archmage falls with the pounding hail.

Bruised and battered, Peerimus gets to his four legs and as Ilsidur comes towards him he shifts to human and waves the dwarven cleric off.
"Tokun needs it far more than I, but I thank you for your concern."

The Watcher speaks and the druid turns his full attention to her as Yorrick moves in beside him. The ghostly shapes begin to form adn the druid too waits for that. What Firn'gaer does to vent his anguish is of no concern at the moment. Peerimus understands too well his rage.

Niobe (67/67HP, AC 19)
Wednesday May 18th, 2005 9:48:37 PM
Niobe will be partly paying attention to the witch and partly paying attention to he last remaining enemy gnome.

The Reason: Lady Watcher, and the Cycle of Many Ages

Gather the Five (DM/Al)
Wednesday May 18th, 2005 10:07:13 PM
"Chaos once again builds."

The crone continues to speak, even as the Children of Chaos vent, tend to the wounded, and clean up loose ends.

"Once again, comes the dance of Chaos and Order. Chaos brings power. Order brings purpose. And you. You have been called once again to prevent the marriage. To bring the Destroyer, the Avatar of Chaos, before his time. To scatter his gift back to the cosmos before he can bring another age of anarchy."

"The Archmage was but a sign. He was one of many that rise, will rise, have risen. All drawn by the power, a power they cannot resist. The same power that is in you."

Lady Watcher lifts a wizened hand and points a gnarled finger at the odd object, so like a brass mirror mounted upon a tripod. It rests still upon the carpet of the Archmage. Colored lights play across the face of one surface.

"Take the Vision of Nyxnox. It is one of the Five. It reads the signs of Chaos power. It will show you the way to the others. You must gather the other four if you are to succeed."

The Vision is to Find Him
Chaos Bane to Bind Him
The Circle Knows the Way, and
The Chime will call him to his Fate
Then when at last, you have him Slain
The Shroud will Offer Up his Soul

"You have the Vision now, Eternal Champions. Gather the others."

With eyes of blue so pale you'd think her blind, Lady Watcher lifts her head, and with the scarlet gem she listens. Each Child of Chaos feels the tolling of their being, rung against a cosmic sky. Then Lady Watch continues.

"My time is short. Our magic will not stand in Ice Vein for long. I bring the Chaos Bell. It will take you where you need to go. Very very far away. If you would quell the burning fire of your curiosity, you must act quickly. If you have questions, ask them now."

The white stuff of soul, the remains of Sly and Jason's parents, mother, sister, stretches, lengthens, and takes shape. Limbs form out of the formless, a trunk, a head, face, features. And finally, molded from the purest white, floats the figure of Ruby Foxx.

"S-s s-s s-s sla-slah Sly Foxx." The figure of Ruby Foxx smiles down upon her brother. "We have d-dee-de decided. To give up us for me. Guh g-g-g-g-g give up the old for the young. Good bye, Sly Foxx. Good bye, brave friends of my son. Good bye, dearest son," the different voices ring.

"Sly?" The lips of the figure do not move. The voice, though, now belongs to Ruby Foxx. "I can't stay. I can't stay, but, you must do something for me before I go. I have dreamed. Dreamed so many years of championing our people. Of taking the oath and becoming a Bladesinger."

The figure of Ruby begins to recite, her voice young and eager, "Who do you swear by, What do you swear to, and What do you hope happens if you break your oath? Those are the three parts, Sly. I've been thinking about them for a long time."

"But now ... I can't. But you, Sly, you can. Please. Please, live my dream. Become a Bladesinger for me, Sly. Will you take the oath and obey the code? Will you swear the oath to me, Sly? The Oath of the Bladesinger?"

Savin
Wednesday May 18th, 2005 11:05:25 PM
Savin will step forward and ask, "These tattoos we all share? They seem to have some power about them? Is it something we can harness while in distress?"

Savin will start looting the archmage of items as he listens to the answer. He thinks they might get whisked away soon and doesn't want to miss out on the loot.

Sly Foxx
Thursday May 19th, 2005 7:41:08 AM
Sly calm down as he see the sprits of his Mother, his sister and the parents of Paladen Jason. He advances to where all of the sprits are and listen to them.

Sly will put his sword down in frount of his mother and sister. Going down on one knee, answering his sister request. . .

"Come all my folk of ages eld,

And hear the words to whitch I'm held.

Bear witness: I to you do swear

Defending all my folk so fair

Will be the course that I Declare!

And Should I yet my folk Betray,

Them strike me down and dead, I Pray."

When Sly finishes the oats, he does not move but watches his family, that will soon disappere.

Luke
Thursday May 19th, 2005 7:46:37 AM
Luke watches his master, he goes to sit beside him. Listens to the oath, He ask Sly "Me too?"

Sly still watching the sperits, answer him, "Yes! Luke! You follow me."

Firn'gaer
Thursday May 19th, 2005 8:50:51 AM
The words of his companions calm the fury, somewhat, of Firn'gaer. He decides answers to his questions are of greater importance than revenge against Meznock.

Stepping towards the Lady Watcher, Firn'gaer bows before asking,

"My lady I do have many questions that I would request answers to.

What is the origin of the power that the tattoos represent? What is it called?

Is the power the mark? Or are we the vessels of this power?

They have such great power housed within them for what purpose was this created?

Is it within our power to control, or influence, the power of the it represents?"

Firn'gaer waits for the immortals reply. While Rufus seeing his master's anger subsiding, returns to the comfort of his pocket within Firn'gaer's robe.

Status
Current HP -- 13
Current CON -- 7
Rufus CON -- 5

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 78 rounds
black tentacles -- 3 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force

Ilsidur(ceil)
Thursday May 19th, 2005 10:08:27 AM
Ilsidur heals Tokum to the point that the barbarian is almost ready to fight again. But He was listening to the witches, "We have a Mirror of Vision! And we must get fore other item??. You knew this when we first started. You never told us about this??."

Then stand silent as Sly makes his oath, but wonders if the tattoo will vanish also or never go away?? What will happen to our young guide?? How will he every get back to his village??

A thousand question goes through his mind.

Savin Illegal post
Thursday May 19th, 2005 3:10:35 PM
Savin will trot over to the mirror and look at it. He will add, "How does this thing work?"

OOC: to Savin
Thursday May 19th, 2005 3:25:05 PM
George Dear, The Mirror is 20 feet up in the air?? You walk on air??

Niobe
Thursday May 19th, 2005 3:43:52 PM
Niobe makes a mental inventory of all the things they now are supposed to find.
'So much work, so little time' is a thought that comes to mind... the other thought that immediately springs to mind is 'does all this have anything to do with that darned "Fairy King"??'

Niobe doesn't take her eyes off of the old crone as she speaks; after all it isn't every day that one gets to see an entity mentioned in the tales.

Savin Illegal post number 2
Thursday May 19th, 2005 4:29:59 PM
OOC Actually Savin has a fly spell on still so he could fly up and see it. Must admit I didn't realize that it was 20' up in the air.

Peerimus [AC 20 HP 40/67] and Yorrick [AC 20 HP 34/46] 3d8(4+2+3)+9=18
Thursday May 19th, 2005 5:08:52 PM
Peeimus and Yorrick gather together to be witnesses to Sly's Oath and the druid reaches out to Mother and heals both himself and Yorrick. [Cast and Share CSW 18]

Listening still further to The Lady Watcher and the grand play in which it is obvious he will be a player for some time does not quite sit right with him. But perhaps it does, he has always been prone to random luck, his encounter as a child, the wanderings that lead to Yorrick, to the Children of Chaos themselves. Yes perhaps he has always been and perhaps that is what is unsettling, it has now been deifined and bordered.

Niobe and or Firn'gaer will surely write down what she has said, so he does little to commit it to memory. His foremost thought is on the Chaos Bell. An item that will take them far from here, far from Mothers bossom, but beauty will surely be found there as well. One merely needs to know how to look. "But what of young Tokun?" the question is out almost before he realizes he uttered it aloud, but Peerimus nods as his words ring strong through the room. The Question is valid, he can not abandon this brave youth.

Spells
Level 0: Detect magic, Mending, Read Magic, Create water, Guidance, Purify Food and Drink
Level 1: Pass w/o a Trace, CLW, Endure Elements, Produce Flame
Level 2: Extended Endure Elements, Cat's Grace, Reduce Animal
Level 3: CMW
Level 4:
Level 5:

Active Spells:
Barkskin +4 AC 90 minutes
Greater Magic Fang all Nat weapons +1 8 hours
Protection from Energy Fire 90 minutes
Longstrider +10 Speed 9 hours
Bull's Strength +4 Str 84 rounds

The Many Names of Chaos (DM/Al)
Thursday May 19th, 2005 8:01:55 PM

"The tattoos."

Lady Watcher turns her stooped shoulders to gaze across the room at Savin's tattoo as he pulls at the dead gnome's various accoutrements. Some seem to be attached to the gnome's body. Perhaps, however, not all are. (Roll Search)

"It is an Eye now. How appropriate."

"No, Champion. The tattoos are not power. They contain only enough power to find you, and to choose. They feel. They perceive. They may even speak with the voice you all share. But they have little in them of power themselves."

The crone inclines her head to Firn'gaer and his questions.

"The power has many names in the tongues of man. This is because man rarely has the vision to see beyond the smaller part that is before him to the larger whole beyond. Chaos, Entropy, Destruction, Creation, Birth, Death, Decay, Inspiration, Love, Hate. They are all manifestations. The power is the force behind all Change. It is us and we are it."

"It has always existed. And yet, as the cosmic winds sweep the voids of existence, there come times when Chaos grows together. It collects and builds. Those who would use it to their own ends feel the power, and are drawn. Those like this Mage. Chaos will gather. Then, at it's peak it will rise in the form of an Avatar, the unstoppable Destructor who will bring about an age of wild and helpless Anarchy."

"As such times rise, as they begin, there have always been the Eternal Champions. They have a special bond with Chaos. It knows them. For as they are its bane, they are its salvation as well. All peoples hold a connection to Chaos. Some more than others. The Artist. The Revolutionary. The Madman. The Murderer. Through their greater strength of will, many mold Chaos through tools of Law. The Eternal Champions come from those with the strongest of connections. It has always been so. Ever they have come together to raise the Destructor before it's time. And through their perseverance, they dispel it, sending it back to the Everall. As such, Eternal Champions, the power has always been yours to use."

"Not all have succeeded. Many ages have been Anarchy when the Eternal Champions have met defeat. Many ages too, have been reigned by ridged tyrannies of law as the Champions in their pride or zeal destroy the Avatar rather than resurrect it. For, surely, two more names for Chaos are Compassion and Freedom. Without a balance between Chaos and Law, Good and Evil become indistinguishable."

"Ilsidur Wayfinder."

The crone turns her eyes to the dwarven cleric.

"You have been long with the Champions. Even through the loss of your god, your faith has remained. In your perseverance, you have shown strength of character. Will you hold the center and provide the balance between Chaos and Law?"

As Ilsidur mulls the question, Lady Watcher looks down from above at Sly and Ruby Foxx, and the birth of a new Bladesinger. She extends her hand to the pure white girl.

"Come, Ruby Foxx. Your sister, Sly, may remain with us. Perhaps someday it may be possible to restore her to her body. In the meantime she will abide at the Gateway Downs."

On the floor below a form appears, a large brass bell. On the Plane of Souls it sounds. Once ... Twice ...

"The time has come, Eternal Champions. I cannot remain long. Quickly, Ilsidur Wayfinder, your answer."

"Champions, you must all touch the Bell. Take the Vision of Nyxnox. You will know its way. You always have."

The figure of the crone wavers and begins to fade.

Tokun starts as Peerimus calls out his name.

*I will return home, Pee-ri-mus Bear Friend.* The barbarian boy's voice too sounds in the heads of all. *This is my land. I will return home.* He waves. He turns to each one. And with an inner knowledge of what the Magic Ones must do, he waves. *I will return home. And I will sing the songs of the Magic Ones. I will teach my children. And you will not be forgotten.* He blinks, and a tear rolls down his cheek. *You will not be forgotten, Magic Ones.*

[OoC: I dropped the italics. The voice is still in your heads. But the italics made it difficult to read.]

[On a different note, Roll Search if you want a chance at some of the items on the Archmage's body. Keep in mind that I had never intended for any of it to become available. You got your loot back in the Laboratory. But, here I am, giving you a shot. Roll Search for your chance at some pretty powerful stuff.]

Savin flying d20+2=20
Thursday May 19th, 2005 8:15:30 PM
Savin will look down at the body of the archmage and quickly scan his body looking for things that might be removed. He looks for jewelery, fine looking clothes, such as boots or a cloak. He will scan him for any pouches, that might be easily grabbed.

Savin knows that they have an incredibly tough times coming and the fate of the entire Wold might rest in there hands. They will need any edge possible. He feels some revulsion and shame rooting around a dead enemy like a jackel on a slain rabbit, but he pushes those emotions down understanding the importance of what is to come ahead.

Search 20

Sly Foxx and Luke d20+3=19
Friday May 20th, 2005 6:48:06 AM
Sly gives the room a quick serch, checking to see that he still had his chest. Then as an after though he thinks of Tokum.

Sly takes a silver ring off his finger(It look like silver ivy vine corcle) and give it to his barbarian friend. Then Sly pat's him on the back as a jester of good-bye.

Going to stand with the others, He think out loud "I never knew that Ruby wanted to be a Bladesinger! No wonder she alway spared with me? She would have ma a Great Fighter."

Now Sly and Luke stand with the others, Waiting for the bell to toll for them.

Firn'gaer d20+7=27 d20+8=9
Friday May 20th, 2005 9:25:53 AM
Firn'gaer listens intently as his answers are given by the ancient ones.

"This power isn't a artifact or power created it is the power of Chaos itself. The personification of the ideal."

"I see the wisdom in the balance." The wizard says.

I wonder how the Chaos Bell works... he thinks as others talk of being transported.

Turning his attention away from the crones and their discussions with others, Firngaer looks to where Meznock first fell and to his broken body. He looks for two things first, a staff or rod and his scroll case [Search check DC27].

Next Firn'gaer will look to the mirror. (Was it on the carpet with Meznock?) The wizard's distracted by the goings on else where. [Spot check DC9].

Status
Current HP -- 13
Current CON -- 7
Rufus CON -- 5

Active Spells
extended endure elements (on Rufus) -- 1 day
extended mage armor -- 18 hours
extended elf sight -- 3 hours
extended see invisibility -- 3 hours
shield -- 77 rounds
black tentacles -- 2 rounds

Rod -- 0/3 uses left.

Prepared Spells
0 -- detect x2, read magic x2

1 -- alarm, elf sight (cast), endure elements (cast), magic missile x2, shield (cast)

2 -- knock x2, extended mage armor (cast), see invisibility (cast), web

3 -- dispel magic x2 (cast), fireball, slow

4 -- black tentacles (cast), mass enlarge person, polymorph

5 -- telekinesis (cast), wall of force

Peerimus and Yorrick
Friday May 20th, 2005 1:15:20 PM
Peerimus clenches his fists across hs chest, elbows parrallel to the floor and bows to the fading Watcher. He then steps in and does something has never done with anyone else and firmly grips the barbarians wirst in a firm shake and says a soft prayer to Mother in the secret Druidic language. "Avmeaya, A'aout gzi A'aoeta Tokun. Be blessed and remembered always"
[Casts Extended Endure Elements]

Looking towards some of the others as he and Yorrick stand to the Bell and touch it. "Savin, Grab that carpet at the very least."

Ilsidur (ceil) d20+1=21
Friday May 20th, 2005 3:54:57 PM
Ilsidure serches(21 natuaral role) the Thrown Chair, the Dias and the bacl (where all the clicking came from. what ever he finds he carries back to the party to be put in to the Ivory and Gold Magic Chest. (witch by now is getting full.)

He stands by the Sly and are about to touch the bell. "OK! Guys and Gal! Here we go again!."

Niobe d20+9=28 d20+10=25 d20+12=21
Friday May 20th, 2005 5:27:47 PM
Niobe assists with the search of the archmage's corpse; and any of the other dead gnomes as well. After all they never really got a decent chance to truly search the lab - not with the where abouts of Sly's family unknown at the time...

(Search 28, Appraise (general) 25, Appraise (gems, calligraphy) 21)

The End of the Beginning (DM/Al) d100=92 d100=60 d100=31 d100=31 d100=1 d100=97 d100=93 d100=75 d100=46 d100=26 d100=47 d100=67 d100=18 d100=49 d100=8 d100=62 d100=89 d100=85 d100=60 d100=41 d100=68
Saturday May 21st, 2005 12:15:41 PM
Fading, distant, trailing on a wisp the wizened crone and the white figure of Ruby Foxx dwindle to nothing. So too does the voice in heads of the six Children of Chaos as they quickly scavenge the bodies of the three evil gnomes.

"Ilsidur Wayfinder. Think upon your choices. Chaos, Law or Balance. You need but pray, and you will be claimed."

"Ride the Winds of Fate, Eternal Champions. Beware. Another presence rises in your path. It comes from the Green. From the ...

Tokun accepts gifts from the Magic Ones. A silver ring from Dog Talking Man, a pattern of twisting plants, foreign and exotic to Ice Vein circle it's edge. The firm grip of Bear Friend's hand brings a surge of comfort and warmth.

The time rises, and fall of the mallet upon the Chaos Bell is palpable in the air. There is little time for gathering, dire though the road before them might be. Loyal steeds, the carpets will not be moved without their word of command. Many of the objects of the Archmage cling to him even in death. The Mage's spellbook must be well hidden in a different place.

Ilsidur feels is the first to feel the approach of the time. He steps forward and touches The Bell. Sly Foxx, then Firn'gaer. Savin flies up to the Archmage's carpet and takes up the Vision of Nyxnox before joining the others, the colors on it's face swirl and dance at his approach. Peerimus touches the bell. And Niobe. Yorrick, Luke, Rufus ...

The Bell tolls. It reverberates against the soul, reflecting, surrounding, growing and spreading outward. The Six travel with the sound. They and their three loyal companions race across the face of the Wold. The essence of their selves spreads across the knowable lands. Mountians and lakes tremble, deserts cry, seas go silent. All of these things call out the name of the Eternal Champions. And that name is "End."

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