The Big Dream [CDM Jerry] Saturday March 19th, 2005 12:57:47 PM
From that emptiness and nothingness of unconsciousness comes a flicker of light.
It grows and begins to envelop. Your spirits rise out of your bodies to float together in a circle facing in.
A voice from somewhere deep within says, "Something's happening."
Some sort of collective elven effect is at work!
As you struggle to come to grips with these events, your 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. 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 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.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Sunday March 20th, 2005 9:04:18 PM "Wowsy! Wowsy!"
"You said it, Boss!" adds Mookie.
"What was that?" asks Vauhwyt. "What does it mean? Elfs are going to fight evil? Huh! Is that good? I guess it is!"
"Did you guys all dream what I did?"
DM Brent - It starts Monday March 21st, 2005 12:17:43 AM
Everyone wakes in Gratchien's apartment with a loud crack in your ears - on the floor with the corpse lying near you, the vision still reverberating in your minds.
Whatever else has happened, the symbol of Marteaus on the floor has been warped and twisted. The sound has rattled the tapestries and moved furniture. {Everyone make a spot roll}
From the window you hear a raucous noise filling the air and people screaming and shouting.
Vorelle d20+7=26 Monday March 21st, 2005 12:33:43 AM
Vorelle looks about in complete bewilderment. The last thing she remembered, she was in the hallway. Now, after a strange dream, she is lying back in the room with a corpse on the floor. She jumps to her feet and moves to put as much distance as she can between herself and the body, drawing her axes as she moves. Her senses, sharpened by the rush of adrenaline, miss little in the room. [Spot 26]
Rose d20+5=21 Monday March 21st, 2005 5:39:28 AM
Rose let out a piercing scream as she saw the body. Then wakes up having fallen on the floor and had this really weird dream. "Wha happened?" She asks as she looks around while rubbing the bump on her head.
Dietrich d20+4=17 Monday March 21st, 2005 7:08:44 AM
Too shocked to even swear, Dietrich just sits there with his mouth open in astonishment. Then he gazes at his friends in search for answers, specially from Olyn, as the one more in touch with the elven ways.
The warrior is in awe from what he's seen, but also scared and overwhelmed. Fortunatelly the sound of people screaming awakens him to the immediate world. He raises and takes his bow, running to watch out of the window.
Spot 17
Olyn d20+4=22 Monday March 21st, 2005 9:49:50 AM
laying on the ground upon wakening, tears wet on his cheeks, Olyn smiles.
slowly the Half Elf gets his knees underneath him, then on his arms. then he pushes himself into a hands and knees posture. and then, grabbing the bedpost next to him he pulls himself up from the ground.
saying aloud to noone and everyone: Parnoth finally will get his reward for his deeds, and my kin will make sure it is swift and just.
rubbing the sleep and tears from his eyes he looks around the room at the disarray. and goes to the others, helping them up off the floor. hugging each one as they rise.
Zayne d20+8=18 d20+8=25 Monday March 21st, 2005 5:08:09 PM
The young ranger sits up and stares blankly at the wall,speaking out loud to no one in particular,"Wow." Sitting there blank faced for a while he then springs into action,heading to the nearest window and trying to see if he can hear or see what made such a thunderous sound.(Listen 18 Spot 25)
Berlon by DM Brent Monday March 21st, 2005 11:15:57 PM
Berlon gets up rubbing his holy symbol and looking closely at the symbol of Marteaus. He seems engrossed in it not reacting immediately to the sounds outside the window.
DM Brent Monday March 21st, 2005 11:22:26 PM
Those looking out the window see several huge flocks of multicolored birds flying over the city. Below the citizens' reactions run the gambit from horrified to astonished.
Vorelle and Zayne (and anyone else with a 25 or better on the spot) surveying the room again notice that a tapestry, presumably moved by the odd shockwave has revealed a small hole in the wall that is only visible because there is a small light shining out from the hole.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+4=10 Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 7:25:39 AM
From the room in the Prince's Tower, Vauhwyt looks out to see what the ruckus is about. She does not see the pinhole or whatsis (Spot 10).
Then she goes over to the elf body. "So far as I can tell, it all happened when I touched this corpse. What will happen if I touch it again?"
"Uh, Boss," Mookie starts to object, but the impulsive liontaur has already prodded the body. If nothing happens, she'll search it and the chest it was in.
How long dead is it? Male or female? Clothed or not? Any signs as to class (mage? fighter?) or class (low? middle? upper?)
Vorelle d20+7=26 Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 10:10:08 AM
Cautiously, Vorelle approaches the tapestry and pulls it aside. She begins examining the wall, trying to figure out where the light is coming from and whether there's a way to open this space.
[Search 26]
Dietrich d20+3=8 Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 10:20:08 AM
Dietrihc sees the flocks of birds and wonders why people are screaming so much (local knowledge 8). It doesn't seem dangerous anyway and the warrior relaxes a little and focuses his attention again on the dream and the dead elf.
After Olyn's speech and uncommon behaviour, Dietrich thinks to himself: 'Who the (&**% is Parnoth? What the %£$%£ is going on here?'
As Vauhwyt is already examining the corpse, the ex-soldier goes to the guards nearby and sees if they had the same experience. He also asks them about the colourful birds.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 6:08:22 PM
It takes a bit longer for Theodore to come to. Just as Olyn is leaning over the fragile wizard to wake him, Theodore sits bolt upright with a gasp.
"W-what..." he manages to stammer, still seated on the floor.
Rose d20+3=14 d20+4=11 Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 3:40:45 AM
Rose moves to the window and stares at the flocks of birds. "Arent they pretty." She says as she tries to remember if they are dangerous or not and if they are from the dirt city area.
DM Brent Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 8:15:24 AM
{OOC: Seeing huge flocks of exotic birds large enough to darken the sky may not seem scary to you but to your typical superstitious commoner, I would say it is pretty scary. No worries}
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 4:37:39 PM
After poking the elf corpse and checking out the chest, Vauhwyt lifts it to one side and looks under it. She is careful, though, not to bang it, since the trap might still go off,
DM Brent Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 11:02:54 PM
{So sorry - today has been horrible, from sick kid to sick computer...}
Several of the group are befuddled by the vision and also by the sound from the window, looking out over the city as the birds circle back and forth, leaving parts of the city in shadow as they fly directly overhead.
Vauhwyt pokes around the body to look for clues. It is still pretty 'fresh'. The corpse was male and doesn't have any identification on it but it was dressed in good quality robes, now dirty with the corpse. There is deep bruising around the neck as if he were strangled. There is nothing else in the chest but the trap mechanism and several blocks of strong incense to cloak the smell of the body.
Vorelle looks over the wall and finds that there is a small loose section in a floor flagstone that triggers the door opening. There is a passage behind the wall. Wafting out is the smell of strong incense and decay...
Dietrich Thursday March 24th, 2005 7:00:58 AM
Dietrich is relieved that the birds aren't dangerous, though he too is surprised at their quantity. Together with the dream its enough to give him a strange feeling.
The warrior was just going to suggest to get more information about the dead elf, when Vorelle opens the secret door. That changes everything and he gets ready to explore it.
Before they enter it, Dietrich asks Zayne about his findings in the city: "Na old mate, what did you find out?"
He also says to the group: "Before everyone starts running throgh the door, I'd say Rose goes in front, making sure we don't fall into traps. Then the two rangers to cover her. Some paces behind, me, the clerics and Theo in the middle and finally Vauhwyt to cover our back. Remember, don't charge in everything that appear but let's get some missile fire first. Let's also save magic for the tougher foes."
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Mage Armor) Thursday March 24th, 2005 7:28:40 PM
"Wowsy! That was cleverr, Vorelle," says the liontaur. "I hope I can squeeze in therre!" She looks dubiously at the passage.
She stands, and Mookie says, "Boss! What about this!" he points his beak at the chest with the corpse.
"Oh, yeah, good thinking, Mookie," Vauhwyt says. Then she bows her head and says softly, "Lady, grant this poor elf peace in death and the satisfaction of knowing we are working to track down his killerr. Amen."
"No, Boss!" says Mookie, "The incense! You could sell that!"
"Oh." says Vauhwyt, and she pockets the blocks of incense.
By this time everyone else has probably filed into the secret way, so Vauhwyt follows at the rear, per Dietrich's suggestion. And since things are looking tricksy, she casts a Blood Armor on herself, and shares it with Mookie.
Theodore and Macaw Thursday March 24th, 2005 9:55:39 PM
Theodore manages to make it to a standing position. Macaw flutters down to perch on the wizard's head as he moves into the center of the group.
He clears his throat a couple of times, still trying to shake of the images of the dream.
Vorelle d20+7=18 d20+7=9 Thursday March 24th, 2005 10:06:33 PM
Liking the sound of Deitrich's plan, Vorelle steps back and gives Rose room to enter the passageway. She follows the halfling cautiously, eyes and ears open wide for any sign of a threat.
[Spot 18, Listen 9]
Berlon by DM Brent Thursday March 24th, 2005 11:52:57 PM
Berlon moves reluctantly to the passageway, still pale and silent holding his symbol.
Zayne by DM Brent Thursday March 24th, 2005 11:54:23 PM
Zayne starts to respond to Deitrich but stops as his voice begins to echo a bit in the entrance to the tunnel.
"later" he says.
DM Brent d20+6=25 Friday March 25th, 2005 7:56:53 AM
{I hesitate to put Rose in the lead without her post but oh well}
After Vauhwyt pockets the slightly gooey incense the group forms up to head into the passageway.
Rose heads into the corridor first, checking for and immediately finding a tripwire trap {Search:25}. Opting to avoid rather than disable she directs the others past the trap. Vauhwyt does think it will be tight in the 3 foot wide corridor, looking at it as she enters.
Inside the corridor, dimly lit by (assuming you create a light source :)) the groups torches is a passageway that goes by 2 more pinholes in the wall. After the corridor takes an abrupt turn there is a trapdoor that Rose notices. The corridor continues as well. The smell of incense and decay seem to be the stronger near the trapdoor.
Dietrich Friday March 25th, 2005 10:16:42 AM
Dietrich frowns upon Vauhwyt following Mookie's suggestion of taking the incense from the cursed chest, but concentrates on the task at hand.
He enters the tunnel with his longbow ready. The ex-soldier realizes the dangers Rose guides them through and the warrior is really happy to have her with him.
Dietrich doesn't like the smell of death and incense and reminds the clerics to be ready for *&$% undead.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday March 25th, 2005 7:33:10 PM
At the rear, Vauhwyt squeezes in. [Assuming that we are using the squeezing rules, right?]
If she has a chance, she will peek through the peepholes.
When the smell hits her nose, she grimaces and says, "Bleck! More undead!"
Theodore and Macaw Saturday March 26th, 2005 3:23:03 PM
Theodore moves cautiously, allowing the group to direct their path of movement. Macaw is silent atop his master's head, seeming to understand the danger involved.
Vorelle d20+7=26 Sunday March 27th, 2005 11:42:26 AM
[OOC: Vorelle can take the lead if Rose is unavailable.]
Vorelle stops to peer through each of the pinholes as they pass, wondering where they lead to. At the trapdor, she stops and assists Rose in searching for traps.
[Successfully Aid Another, giving a +2 to Rose's Search check--assuming Rose will search for traps]
Rose d20+6=8 d20+6=10 d20+7=26 d20+5=15 Sunday March 27th, 2005 10:06:58 PM
Rose carefully touches her belt as she mutters a few words (mage armor) and moves ahead with a light carefully searching for any more traps. At the smell she mutters under her breath "I've really got to buy some nose plugs"The smell and worry about undead is apparently taking her mind off listening and looking for traps and she doesnt give it her best. She does slip her hand into her belt pouch and makes sure a vial of holy water is at hand.
Listen: 8 search: 10 disable device: 26 spot: 15
ooc: sorry for not posting on thursday but I didnt feel well. Brent if I dont post please feel free to npc rose if she gets killed it's my fault. :-D
DM Brent Monday March 28th, 2005 12:51:48 PM
After checking for traps, Rose pries open the trapdoor. Luckily there are no apparent traps on the door. There is a ladder leading down into a room with another door and in one corner a table with a body on it.
The body has been tortured hideously, but the robes cast off to the side look familiar. It is hard to look long at the body which has symbols of Marteaus etched into it. The face is frozen into a permanent grimace.
The pooled blood beneath the table cover the room in a gory carpet. Nothing else seems visible but the door, the table and the body.
Berlon d20+6=10 d20+1=18 Monday March 28th, 2005 1:22:28 PM
Berlon simply shakes his head at the scene, pulling his cloak up around him in disgust. He will check out the symbols on the corpse to see if they mean anything to him (Knowledge: Religion check 10)
If he has time, he'll look around the room and see if if holds any other secrets (search check 18)
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Mage Armor) d20+1=16 Monday March 28th, 2005 4:14:11 PM
Bringing up the rear, Vauhwyt is still in the passageway.
"Too fat to fit down there, Boss?" Mookie says rudely.
"Sshhh!" Vauhwyt whispers. "Try to be sneaky!"
She peeks in the peepholes to see what she can see. She looks for any secret doors or hidden compartments. [Search 16]
She looks down the ladder and ponders climbing down. Is there room for her down there? Is there any way out of the room after going down?
Theodore and Macaw d20+8=28 Monday March 28th, 2005 9:15:56 PM
Theodore uses his staff to pick up the discarded robe and bring it in for a closer look.
"What is this, I wonder?" He does his best not to look at the body, but feels his belly rumble anyway.
(Local knowledge check = 28 (nat 20) to discern what robe is.)
Rose d20+6=7 d20+5=18 Tuesday March 29th, 2005 12:56:25 AM
Rose will look around the room for anything intersting or any traps then goes over to the body and says "Do you think we should pour some holy water over him, just in case?"
search: 7, nat 1 spot: 18
Vorelle Tuesday March 29th, 2005 1:22:00 AM
Vorelle hesitates. She really doesn't want to step off the ladder onto the blood-soaked floor. Still, the only way they're going to find out what's behind that door is to cross the room--blood and all. She steps off with a wince, then moves away to where she can cover the rest of the group with her bow.
Dietrich d20+4=5 d20+2=8 Tuesday March 29th, 2005 6:03:54 AM
Dietrich is disgusted with the scene and shakes his armoured head, shortly reflecting about all the horrors they've seen in DIrt City.
He guesses at Gratchien as the victim, remembering the robes in the room, but waits for confirmation. The warrior certainly approves Rose's suggestion about the holy water and makes the usual silent prayer to DOmi.
Finally he decides to descend the ladder into the bloodsoaked room, trying to pay attention to his surroundings. Unfortunatelly he can't take his eyes away from the tortured body (spot 5, listen 8)
DM Brent Tuesday March 29th, 2005 1:19:30 PM
The bulk of the party descend into the slaughterhouse, stepping gingerly to avoid slipping on the gory carpet.
Rose doesn't spot any traps and seems to intigued by the body to care. She and Dietrich both notice that the features, while distorted by blood, pain and death, are recognizable as Th'Ayvanen's.
Theodore comes to the same conclusions with the robes - they are some of Th'Ayvanen's colors and style of robe.
Berlon realizes that the symbols are small sigils of Marteaus and of pain and suffering.
Vorelle moves to cover the party near the single door out of the room.
Vauhwyt hesitates at the trapdoor, trying to decide if she should squeeze down or not.
Overall, the party is very uneasy about the discovery of the death of Th'Ayvanen and the elf in Gratchien's room.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday March 29th, 2005 6:47:54 PM
Theodore drops the robe back to the floor and turns away from the grisly scene. Although he was a harsh man, Th'Ayvanen was true to his prince and people. At least, Theodore thought as much.
"We should tell the prince," he says softly.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday March 29th, 2005 7:41:33 PM
Vauhwyt is having trouble seeing through these darn peepholes! She is intent on figuring out what they reveal. She squints and peers again.
"Boss, give it a rest," says Mookie. "If it was important you would have seen through them already!"
"Hush, Mookie," whispers the liontaur. "That kind of talk is not allowed!"
DM Brent - FYI and a question Wednesday March 30th, 2005 12:07:23 AM
{The peep holes look into other rooms that are at the moment, empty. Also, has anyone heard from Olyn? or Zayne?}
Vorelle d20+7=19 Wednesday March 30th, 2005 2:13:09 AM
Vorelle supresses a shudder when she learns the identity of the body. Th'Ayvanen had been one of the bullies, but even he had not deserved to die this way.
Vorelle makes her way to the door and listens intently at it.
[Listen check 19]
Rose Wednesday March 30th, 2005 5:06:04 AM
Rose will give a vial of holy water to one of the clerics so that the water can be poured over Th'Ayvanen and a prayer said. If the cleric doesnt do it then rose will just pour the water over Th'Ayvanen herself although she would rather one of the priests do it and say a prayer.
Dietrich Wednesday March 30th, 2005 11:38:22 AM
Dietrich is disturbed at Th'Ayvannen's horrible death. He quite like the man and who knows who is going to occupy his place at the Prince's side.
The warrior is divided between following Theodore's suggestion and continue the investigation. But then he realizes another point. "I'd normaly go with Theo, but not this time. If there are others behind this crime besides Gratchien, we shouldn't let them already know what we've discovered, as it could risk further investigations. So I'd say we continue on our trail and wait a little more to pass the information on."
Dietrich keeps his bow ready for the case anyone opens the door.
DM Brent Wednesday March 30th, 2005 1:27:19 PM
Rose has no volunteers for the holy water and so musters the courage to do it herself.
Vorelle hears nothing at the door.
As the group deliberates on their course of action, Vauhwyt hears something or someone coming up from behind the group on the level above.
As the liontaur calls out softly to the others, Jolath appears out of the darkness with several of the elite guard.
"We came to check on your investigation, and found the dead elf and the open entrance to this corridor. We came in force, expecting the worst. What have you found?" he asks.
Jolath and the guards escort the group back to Gratchien's room saying, "I will have some of my investigators go over the room beneath the trapdoor and the door. I expect that you will exercise the utmost discretion with regards to what you have found. It would not do to get out about the Prince's advisor. I congratulate you on what you have thus discovered. The Prince would like for me to expedite your search for the book by heading off in the direction indicated in our meeting this morning. Please keep us informed of your findings. I have a small cart and pony waiting in the courtyard for you with messenger pigeons that you can send back messages with."
With that Jolath has the guards escort you out of the castle and into the courtyard.
Berlon Wednesday March 30th, 2005 6:01:10 PM
As the entourage moves out, Berlon pauses a moment with Rose. "Conserve your breath... prayers are forsaken in his place..."
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Mage Armor) Wednesday March 30th, 2005 6:49:39 PM
Mookie whispers, "Cheese it! The guard!" he dives into his pouch on Vauhwyt's belt.
Vauhwyt blushes red, and she is grateful for the masking property of her red mage armor spell ("Blood Armor," she calls it). Still, from the embarrassed swish of her tail, it is clear she has the feeling of being caught with her hand in a cookie jar.
"Um, uh, sirr, well, we were just investigating ..." She winds down when Jolath offers congratulations and she realizes that they are being praised.
Mookie sticks his head out and says to Vauhwyt, "Lucked out again, huh, Boss? They say Wardd smiles on fools and small children, and you ain't small, Boss!"
"Hush Mookie," says the relieved Vauhwyt.
She join the group headed out of doors.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday March 30th, 2005 8:51:29 PM
Theodore follows the rest out into the courtyard, happy to leave the gory spectacle. Seeing the pony and cart waiting for them, he wonders as to the practicality of the pair. He says nothing, though, knowing the Prince to prickly at the best of times.
"I had hoped for a good night's sleep," complained Theodore. "But I suppose I will have to make do." Macaw voices his chagrin as well.
Vorelle Thursday March 31st, 2005 1:21:01 AM
Vorelle gladly climbs out of the room that smells of carrion, and joins her friends in the courtyard. She peers curiously at the pigeons. She's heard of such creatures, but never seen one before. She wonders how they know where to deliver the messages.
Dietrich d20+4=10 d20+3=16 d20+5=16 Thursday March 31st, 2005 9:53:50 AM
Dietrich isn't pleased at all when Jolath and the guards appear and hinder the party to see what is behind the door. It only further arouses his suspicions and he trys to read the man's motives (sense motivation 10).
The warrior keeps silent though and shows gratitude for the compliments (diplomacy 16).
He puts his bow away and accompanies the party to the cart to examine its content. Dietrich would have prefered to use the group's mules to transport rations and equipment instead of a cart in the swamps, but he understands it is a means for the Prince (or for this JOlath) to keep control over the party through the pigeons.
Finally, he makes acquaintance with the ponys (handle animal 15)and makes ready for departure.
DM SteveK Thursday March 31st, 2005 3:34:56 PM
[OOC: Hi Everybody! Hi Dr. Nick!]
Berlon, Vorelle, and Theodore show thier relief to getting out of the room. Vaugwyt seems happier that the group isn't in trouble.
And Dietrich is suspicious of what is going on. He doen't sense anything overt in Jorlath other than the need to find the Book before the trail grows too cold. The cart animals accept his ministrations and eagerly look for more care whenever the party stops for a moment.
A quick search of the cart reveals some stout camping gear, good travelling food, and a half-dozen messenger birds. It looks like the Prince (or more likely Jolath) is taking care of the group. Under the gazes of the guards, the heroes move out of the courtyard and towards the swamp.
In the City Above, the black swirling dust gets in your eyes and clings to your clothes. The market seems particularly active, with larger than normal produce making the tables groan. And yet your path moves away from your fellow citizens and towards the wilderness of trees, water, and the unknown.
Night finds the group on the edge of the Swamp. Tents are quickly put up and thier small fire dances in the night air.
The big question hanging in the air is how they can look through this big ol' swamp for one person and a Book? Is there any clues in what they've been told? Is there anyone who might know about the area really well who could help them?
Olyn has been quiet and aloof since discovering the murdered Th'ayaveen, and stares steadily at the fire.
Theodore and Macaw Thursday March 31st, 2005 9:42:03 PM
Theodore sits by the fire, looking into the flames as they crackle and pop. Macaw has flown off to look for food.
"How do we find Gratchien?" The young mage looks to the swamp and then at Vorelle and Zayne in turn, wondering if his friends could actually follow a trail through all that mess.
Theodore rubs at his eyes and yawns widely. The activity of the day is starting to overcome him.
Rose Friday April 1st, 2005 3:47:15 AM
Rose sits in the cart and goes through her bag of holding as she isn't sure what she grabbed when summoned by the prince and what is still at home since she didnt know that she would be leaving town. You can hear her muttering under her breath as she does her inventory.
"Great no change of clothes and I'm wearing my best...no bedding, although I hadnt removed the tent from last time...NO FOOD! Hey guys we forgot the food I hope whoever packed this cart remembered the tea."
thinking to herself "Oops, I didnt take my money to my parents place and I have a full purse. I had better put some of this in the bottom of my bag.
ooc: Hi Steve are you our dm now? What time do you normally post? are we ever going to get exp for the last bit when we were under the bakery or will we get it combined with this adventure into the swamp that we're doing now?
Dietrich Friday April 1st, 2005 6:21:20 AM
Although Dietrich doesn't like to start an expedition in such a haste, preferring to have sound preparations, the ex-soldier is quite happy to leave the claustophobious(?) underground city for a while.
During the trip, Dietrich recommends the usual march order, with the rangers scouting ahead and covering their back, and conducts the cart.
He also uses the long journey to ask Zayne again about his findings. Perhaps they can get some cue.
In the evening, he suggests to have a small council to plan their further actions. The warrior listens to his friends, smiling at Rose's worries about her ingredients, and trys to remember what they know so far: - The Prince's "connection" says the book is in the swamps. - There was the note in Gratchien's room for an "en", probably Th'Ayvannen, to meet there and we found him dead in a secret chamber - An unidentified dead elf who gave us a weird dream - Lots of Marteus signs - Signs of heavy dark magic in Gratchien's room
Finally, before people fall to sleep, Dietrich suggest to have the watches in two, always with someone with nightvision or skills, such as: Rose and Berlon, Him and Zayne, Olyn and Vorelle, Vauhwyt and Theo (so spellcasters can rest)
DM Brent - FYI Friday April 1st, 2005 8:02:22 AM
{Rose - you just have two DMs. We are coDMing. It was decided to pair up newer DMs to work together. SteveK is posting through a portion of the adventure and we are in contact via email.}
Vorelle d20+7=9 Friday April 1st, 2005 9:05:46 AM
As they travel during the day, Vorelle scans the road ahead of them, looking for any signs of recent travel and trying to pick up the trail of their quarry. She is distracted by recent events, though, and has trouble concentrating [Search 9].
Berlon Friday April 1st, 2005 1:35:56 PM
Berlon mutters a story to no one in particular.
"If you continue another half day's journey past the swamp, you reach my village, if you know how to find it. One day a scavenger of a group of foul goblins that live on the fringes of this very swamp found the entrance to the village. A long, bloody series of goblin invasions followed, until the day the evil creatures realized they could not break the Will Of Alemi. This swamp is responsible for much death. My village considers it to be an evil place."
If anyone requires healing, Berlon has most of his spells available, and will heal whoever needs it. He will take his watch with Rose and go through his rituals, including spells.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday April 1st, 2005 1:58:21 PM
Vauhwyt enjoys the fresh air and the walk. Her tail it tall and her step is high. She pounces on things she sees on the side of the pathway -- a mouse (she misses), a leaf, a flower (she tries to put it in Mookie's feathers, until he flies away squawking).
At night, she agrees with Theo. Time for some sleep. She agrees with Dietrich's watches. She asks Vorelle if she sees any tracks.
Then she hears Berlon's sad tale. Like a heavy curtain cuts off light, so the cleric's story cuts off her happy demeanor. Her face darkens into a scowl. Her claws flex and dig deep wounds in the soil. Her tail lashes back and forth like a whip.
"I hate goblins."
DM SteveK Friday April 1st, 2005 2:26:40 PM
[OOC: I'm co-DMing with Brent. I'll ask about the last experience points. Hope you have fun!]
Dietrich and Rose are concerned about rushing off without preparation, but discover that the cart is well packed with provisions, if not every type of spice that Rose most likes.
The others tell stories of their lives and speculate on how to find the Book in the middle of such a large swamp.
As the party settles down to their nightly routines, the Macaw returns and is acting a little edgy; there is something out there. What it is becomes apparent soon enough, coming out of the darkness; a wild looking middle aged lady. Perched on her shoulder is a large ugly vulture, busily preening a ginger-coloured, bone-laced dreadlock. A slightly unwashed scent is about her as the vulture hops off her shoulder and the witch settles down beside the fire as if you already invited her. "A strange song of power in the swamps has called to me, and surprise, surprise! Here you all are!" Her raggedly clad arms open as if joining all of the heroes in on her comment. "And such a strange power as well. Look! Look in the flames, and see what is happening."
Whoever follows the witch's suggestion and looks at the flames of the failing campfire, sees the fire flicker, and then grow stronger but doesn't put off any more heat. Watching, the others see movement within the flames and then a scene like an old time cinema flickers out at the heroes from Dirt City.
It is a tavern or bar, familiar to some as one they have seen in their dreams. It is empty now except for one skinny human, polishing the brasswork on the bar. Then a song comes out of the fire. It is faint at first, the sound of singing, and then it grows in intensity.
The sunshine of your smile will soon be here, Your golden voice will once again fill the air, Rejoice inhabitants of field and stream, The Fairy King will no longer be a dream!
A young bard emerges from the green flames of the large fireplace and looks around. His fine features and angled eyes leave no doubt of his lineage.
"Lore and stories are no longer yarns told by a tall-tale spinner! It is time for a meeting to plan the awakening of the Sleeping-One!" and taking up a silver flute, he begins to play.
The green flames of the tavern fireplaces sparkle and crackle as the dream-shapes of them with a claim to elfish blood are compelled to attend this most important gathering.
The flames suddenly turn green and Olyn is pulled into the fire and disappears, only to be seen coming out of the fireplace of the Giggling Ghost!
Theodore and Macaw Friday April 1st, 2005 4:20:58 PM
Macaw lands lightly on Theodore's head, the mage wincing as the bird steps about to make himself comfortable. Seeing the witch and vulture coming from the mist, he thinks back to another duo named Priscilla and Warwick they had met only a few months ago. He squints his eyes to peer into the gloom, wondering it they are those same friends from before.
As the witch tells her tale, Theodore stares into the fire, his eyes growing bigger by the second. When Olyn is sucked into the fire, Theodore springs to his feet with a holler. Macaw flaps off with a startled caw. He bends close to the fire, feeling the heat against his face.
"Olyn!" he call out. "Olyn, can you hear me? Are you okay? What's happened to him?" he says this last part to the witch.
DM Steve [addendum] Saturday April 2nd, 2005 1:28:02 AM
As soon as the witch and vulture arrive, all who met her know her as Priscilla and Warrick.
Dietrich Sunday April 3rd, 2005 9:14:24 AM
Whilw the group is discussing, Dietrich listens to Berlon and sympathizes with the gnomes. He is satisfied to hear that they prevailed against the goblins.
Then Priscilla and Warwick suddenly appear and the warrior is more than surprised. Although strange, they are very welcomed and he stands up to greet them warmly. Dietrich watches the fire and when Olyn disappears, he joins in Theodore's questions.
But, despite all the confusion, he is glad to finally have someone to explain all the weird events of last and maybe help in finding Gratchien and the book.
Vorelle d20+7=21 d20+7=17 Sunday April 3rd, 2005 9:47:26 AM
Vorelle listens soberly to Berlon's tale, and gets to her feet as Priscilla and her strange familiar enter the camp. Vorelle doesn't entirely trust the witch, but understands that she is powerful, and powerful help may be just what they need now.
When the flames begin to leap, she resists their allure and instead concentrates on watching or listening for signs of danger to the camp.
[Spot 21, Listen 17]
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday April 4th, 2005 3:38:23 PM
As quick as a flash, the liontaur's black mood dissolves. She bounds up to Priscilla and Warrick, smiling broadly.
"Wowsy! It is good to see you, Priscilla! And you, too, Warwick! You're far from home, that's for surre! Are we just really lucky to meet you, or did you mean to seek us out?"
"Either way, it sure is good to see you!"
"Oh, and what happened to Olyn? Did you do that? Is he alright?"
Mookie yawns and says in a stage whisper, "Boss, take a chill pill! You're embaraskin' me!"
The small black raven nods at the big black vulture and says, "Hey."
Rose Tuesday April 5th, 2005 1:25:02 AM
Rose leaps down from where she was resting and runs to give Priscilla a hug. "Hi Priscilla, what are you doing here? Did you bring my any more recipies? She give Warwick a nice scratch on his head. When Olyn dissapears she looks at Priscilla Why did Olyn dissapear? I want him back! She says with some big tears in her eyes.
DM Steve Tuesday April 5th, 2005 4:08:17 PM
[OOC: While watching the fire, the heroes see the events as they unfold in the Giggling Ghost.]
Berlon's story makes not a few heroes think of the evil that lies in the swamps. It seems that Priscilla's presence helps brighten the fire. Vauhwyt and Rose's greetings especially makes the middle-aged woman smile around her dreadlocks.
"You", she begins "seem to be the crux of powerful spirits. They flit around you like dancers, and I had to find out why." Warrick hops along the ground and keeps away from the fire; his greasy feathers would make excellent kindling. "Ask away, and the old bag of bones will wow you with her knowledge", the bird says sarcastically.
Priscilla blinks but seems not altogether surprised at the disappearance of Olyn. "But he is not altogether gone, is he?", she asks.
Vorelle (Spot DC 20) sees a ghostly green Olyn still staring intently at the fire. Wisps of green mist connect the ghostly Olyn with the fire. In fact, careful observation reveals Olyn sitting among the many elves in the Giggling Ghost that everyone is watching in the fire.
"Ask", Priscilla says again, "and I will tell what I may."
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday April 5th, 2005 6:21:57 PM
Macaw has concealed himself in a tree somewhere, still anxious around Warrick the vulture. Theodore doesn't seem to notice.
When Priscilla points out the ghost of Olyn, Theodore calms a bit. "Then what is going on? Does this have some sort of connection with the dream we all had?"
Berlon Tuesday April 5th, 2005 7:46:14 PM
"I have a question..."
"Being new to... *that place*... I don't really know anything about the workings of the city. Who is this prince, and why does he send you all on these missions? He seems overbearing to me..."
Vorelle d20+7=8 d20+7=8 Tuesday April 5th, 2005 7:55:25 PM
Restless for some reason, Vorelle paces around the ring of firelight. She tries to keep an eye and an ear out for trouble, but the weird Olyn-ghost is somewhat distracting.
[Spot 8, Listen 8. Rolled 2 1s in a row!]
Dietrich Wednesday April 6th, 2005 11:24:32 AM
Dietrich is slowly getting used to all the crazy magic constantly happening around, with people being possed, dreams, unholy symbols etc., that he isn't so disturbed by Olyn' ghost and the events in the fire.
The warrior sits down again to listen to Priscilla's explanations.
To Berlon he says: "The Prince is the highest authority in Dirt City, though there are many other powerful groups and individuals. We have worked for him before and managed to avoid some evil and he rewarded us well. But he's certainly no Saint, as all men of power, and better not to be crossed. In my opinion we and the city were better off with him than without, as he holds the city from the brink of civil war and protects it against far worse evil than his police and informers. That is, at least before he got this "connection" with the evil book."
Dietrich also asks the witch: "Does this all have something to do with the sudden possessions we've seen at Wardd's temple, or are these independent events?"
DM SteveK Wednesday April 6th, 2005 3:16:22 PM
As Vorelle stalks around the camp and Berlon finds out more about the city and people he has joined, the others stare at the fire and watch as if a play unfolds.
Theodore and Deitrich both ask Priscilla about the Giggling Ghost and possible connections with what they have seen. Once they explain the dream and possessions to Priscilla, she nods to herself.
As she talks Priscilla sets up her cauldron and Warrick fetches water for the boil. "I think this meeting of the elves has a direct connection to this dream of yours as well as the divinations. The elves in the fire have spoken of the number three. Isn't that significant to the dream and the possessed children?" Priscilla doesn't wait for an answer, but looks back to the fire.
"It seems the Elves seek to bring into the Wold a slumbering King of power who may bring peace and harmony." Priscilla is in a considering mood, not seemingly caught up in the elvish euphoria nor suspicious of possible consequences. "I have seen Blackbird Forest stirring, the trees standing taller, the thickets heavy with leaf and berry. And there seems to be less disappearances, too. Altogether a very happy occasion."
Warrick perches on the wagon provided by the Prince. "And look at this melon!", he squawks. "It is huge!" And truly, the fruit and vegetables provided by Dirt City are larger and juicier than anyone remembers before.
"Yet you aren't worried about fruit", continues the witch, "but the Book you had once recovered from the living island on Blackbird Lake."
Priscilla straightens her head and looks directly at Deitrich. "You may be surprised that the Book is not far away. No, I don't know exactly where it is; something is hindering my location spells. However, if you have some material from this Graitchen fellow, I think I can whip something up." The witch and vulture share a look full of confidence.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday April 6th, 2005 4:46:06 PM
Theodore retrieves the list of items he had found hidden within one of Gratchien's tomes and hands it to the three-fingered Priscilla. "Will this do?"
The orange glow from the fire dances on Theodore's face, heightening the definite curiousity etched upon his features. "This man is very dangerous," he says, thinking back on the butchered Th'Ayvanen. "Do you know anything about the extent of his power, or whether he's being helped?"
Rose Thursday April 7th, 2005 12:34:44 AM
While listening to the conversation Rose goes over to the supplies and digs through them looking for some tea, bread, cheese, and any treats that might have been packed (cookies or cakes)
Dietrich Thursday April 7th, 2005 10:53:13 AM
Dietrich listens interested to the witch, but doesn't share her calm mood. Although there is an apparent move to strenghten good, the ex-soldiers sees to many signs of radical change and war in it to be at ease. He also remembers that the possessions told them to beware of the three and asks her who they are.
He doesn't really understand what she means by mentioning that the book is very near and hopes she can do something with Theo's help. It's not his field, but the warrior senses the powers involved.
Dietrich is happy that Rose is going to prepare some delicious food and he saviours some ot the melon in atecipation.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday April 7th, 2005 11:04:25 AM
[OOC: Sorry I missed a post.]
Vauhwyt jerks and turns away from the flames. "This elf-dream stuff and debate is over my head. Even if I wanted to wake a god, I wouldn't know how! Let the elves deal with it."
She sees Theo hand an item to the witch. "Theo, that was clever of you," says Vauhwyt.
"I for one am eager to head out after this book."
Berlon Thursday April 7th, 2005 1:00:19 PM
"Once we are finished with our business in these fens I will need to make a quick stop at my village. I won't be long and it won't add more than a day or two to our travelling. You are all welcome, but if you are unable to stop at my village I should arrive back in... back at my lab just a few days after your return."
BigTim aka Olyn Thursday April 7th, 2005 2:21:05 PM
(am moved and back online, will begin posting on monday)
Vorelle d20+7=12 d20+7=25 Thursday April 7th, 2005 2:24:17 PM
Inwardly, Vorelle acknowledges that she's way out of her league. She doesn't understand this Dream stuff, or the ghost Olyn, or this talk of threes. She doesn't understand anything about the Book, or the magic that Theo and Priscilla seem so eager to try. She doesn't even understand how to cook, or she'd help Rose.
With a sigh, she goes back to sentry duty. At least her eyes and ears still work.
[Spot 12, Listen 25]
DM Steve Thursday April 7th, 2005 3:19:34 PM
[OOC: Fantastic, BigTim, and congradulations on your move. Olyn is an observer to the Giggling Ghost convention; but I am sure he will be returned to the group over the weekend :)]
Rose finds all kinds of foods and the general run of spices in the wagon; it seems Jolath had it stocked well. The one thing she doesn't find is any sort of treat. It is strange that there is no sweets at all while everything else is so well stocked.
"I really don't know who the Three are", responds the witch to Deitrich while twirling a dreadlock in one hand, "from what you've told me, the Three may not even be people but any three things together."
Priscilla nods at Berlon's comment. Though not meant for her, she smiles in agreemnt, obviously thinking well of the gnome who knows his business. "The swamps are not all evil", she cautions, "There is a good tribe of gnolls that live away to the south, and many other creatures that are neither good nor evil."
Theodore provides a scrap of paper to Priscilla and she smiles in anticipation. "This should work nicely", she says as the cauldron bubbles merrily in what is obviously one of the witch's spells. In less time than one would suppose, the ragged woman stands back. A huge ladle is in her hand and she offers the cooling liquid to the group. "The first who tastes the potion will be able to know unerringly where this Graitchen is and the shortest route to get there." She pauses and looks at the heroes expectantly. "So who is the guide?"
Warrick perches on a nearby tree limb and looks on expectantly.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+1=8 Thursday April 7th, 2005 5:55:12 PM
Not noticing that Vorelle may be feeling a little down (Sense Motive 8), Vauhwyt immediately steps forward to volunteer her friend.
"Vorelle, that's right up your alley! You're the best of us by far in this terrain. Plus you have keen eyes and a good sense of direction. Me, I have to ask Mookie where the sun goes down!"
Mookie caws in laughter, and says, with exaggerated slowness, "le-eft ... we-est!"
==========
[OOC: Just to offer an obscure piece of alteriania, when I was in high school, I loved being the party mapper. But I always get east and west mixed up. So my brother would often say "Mike, le-eft ... we-est," and to this day I use that mnemonic. LOL!]
Theodore and Macaw Friday April 8th, 2005 9:25:22 AM
Theodore is pleased that he is able to help the group in finding Gratchien. When Vauhwyt offers Vorelle's services to lead the party, Theodore silently agrees that the taciturn ranger would be a good person for the job, but he refrains from putting any more pressure on his reluctant friend. Rather, he gives her an encouraging smile that assures her he will not think any less if she should decline or accept.
Dietrich Friday April 8th, 2005 9:46:00 AM
Dietrich eagerly awaits Rose's food and listens to Priscilla's information. It doesn't help a lot about the 'three', but he gets excited with the possibility of finding the book soon and taps Theo's shoulder appreciatevely.
The warrior reassures Berlon of his disposition to visit the village and is slightly shocked to hear about 'good' Gnolls (only this crazy witch to say this kind of thing...)
Dietrich definitely approves to have Vorelle as the guide and encourages her with his looks. "Yes, Vorelle is our guide in the wilderness and has shown her valour before. I agree with the proposal!"
Nevertheless, he still suggests the group rests first and goes after Gratchien in daylight.
DM Steve Saturday April 9th, 2005 2:27:44 AM
With Vauhwyt, Theodore, and Dietrich, the three-fingered witch also looks expectantly at Vorelle prowling around the campsite and staring into the darkness. Warrick on the other hand hears the other comment by the doughty fighter.
"If she drinks now," comes the raspy voice, "when will the spell end?"
This brings up Priscilla's head in surprise. "Why, umm.... no more than a couple of hours, I'm sure. And I see what you mean." The witch puts a cover on her cauldron with a clang. "This can simmer to morning. I don't see any harm in you sweetlings getting a night's rest before you track down your foe."
The wild witch speaks no more, but settles back and quickly begins snoring like a conclave of frogs during mating season. The vulture gives the others a pained look and makes to cover his ears with his wings in sympathy. He then flies to a higher branch to try and sleep as well.
The unattended cauldron simmers merrily in the fire.
Theodore and Macaw Sunday April 10th, 2005 1:43:35 PM
Theodore takes his cue from Priscilla and curls up under a blanket, using his backpack as a pillow. He quickly falls asleep as well, dreaming of tomorrow's adventure.
Macaw roosts in the tree he has taken, keeping a safe distance from the vulture.
Vorelle d20+7=8 d20+7=23 Sunday April 10th, 2005 4:49:15 PM
Bouyed by her friends' confidence in her, Vorelle reaches for the spoon, but stops when the decision is made to try in the morning. She unpacks her bedroll and lays it out. Leaving it there for the moment, she moves over to Dietrich. "Wh-wh-which w-w-watch sh-should I t-t-ake?" she asks him, comfortable now with having him make the strategeic decisions for the group.
She will take whichever watch he suggests, and stay as alert as she can. [Spot 8, Listen 23]
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday April 11th, 2005 6:34:00 AM
Vauhwyt also volunteers for a watch. In the morning, she is ready to go.
Dietrich d20=10 d20+4=12 d20+2=8 Monday April 11th, 2005 7:16:17 AM
Dietrich is quite tired from the long march and is happy to get some hours sleep before the hunt. He takes his gear off and prepares to lay down after having dinner when Vorelle asks him about the watches.
The suggestion is: Rose and Berlon, Him and Zayne, Him/Vauhwyt (now that Olyn is away) and Vorelle, Vauhwyt and Theo.
Fortunatelly he is so tired and used to snoring comrades in arms that Priscilla's 'concert' doesn't bother his rest. When awakened for the watch, the warrior puts his full equipment on and leaves the fire to observe his surroundings from the shade. Hide 10, Spot 12, listen 8
DM Steve Monday April 11th, 2005 1:43:05 PM
The night passes without incident, though Vauhwyt and Theodore notice that when they are woken for watch that Olyn is once again among the living and sleeping peacefully where the misty Olyn had been sitting.
The morning dawns red over the swamps, morning ministrations are conducted, and breakfast completed. Priscilla checks her cauldron and nods, satisfied that the potion is still potent.
"All right, Vorelle, over the lips and through the gums..."
Whoever first sips the potion ...Highlight to display spoiler: { The brew is watery and has an aftertaste of willowbark. Then, your awareness expands and lifts, clearly seeing a path through the swampy hillocks and trees to a ramshackle hut on stilts. From the place you are standing, you can see you need to wind your way west-south-west skirting bogs until you get to a half-submerged punt. On the far side of a creek, your minds-eye follows gnarled cyprus until you come to a tremendous thicket of mulberry bushes. On the far side of the thicket is the stilted hut with three skiffs tied up on a rotted dock. }
Olyn Monday April 11th, 2005 2:24:43 PM
/ooc i see nothing between the brackets. dont know if there is suppose to
sitting up Olyn rubs the sleep from his eyes, then starts gathering his pack.
( Cayzle, can you email me a cliff note version on everything i should know. im too lazy to read everything...please )
Berlon Monday April 11th, 2005 6:26:20 PM
"When the swamp dawns red like this, the elders of my village say it is the Shamen of the Swamp trying to animate their fallen comrades.
Berlon performs his morning devotions and memorizes his usual spells.
"Take care, everyone, for this swamp can be very treacherous..."
(ooc: I don't know if anyone else ever got anything on it, but I never received any info on xp or hero points from the last segment)
Vorelle Monday April 11th, 2005 6:40:16 PM
Vorelle wrinkles her nose and takes a deep breath in anticipation, but actually the concoction doesn't taste all that bad. Medicinal, certainly, but not entirely unpleasant.
After a moment, she says, "I s-s-s-ee a h-h-house. On s-s-stilts. Th-th-that way." She points west-southwest, then looks around to see if her companions are ready to depart.
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=19 d20+4=6 Monday April 11th, 2005 6:57:57 PM
After breaking his fast, Theodore shoulders into his backpack, finally starting to get used to these trips into the wild. He stifles a yawn as he waits for the group to move out.
Macaw glides overhead, leading the group, searching for danger.
(Macaw listen = 19, spot = 6)
OOC Cayzle's Summary of Recent Events Monday April 11th, 2005 9:51:29 PM
[I'm putting this on the board so that if I miss something important, someone else can chime in. Hope that's okay.]
[DM Steve: sounds like a good summation. OK by me :)]
The Prince of Dirt City asked the party for help. He evidently read too much of the Evil Book we brought him, and now he has an "attachment" to it. What's worse, someone stole it, so the Prince asked us to fetch it. I guess he figures that if we found it one time, we can find it again. Through his "connection," he told us it was in this swamp.
Before we went to the swamp, we did some poking around in the Palace. We found a couple of the Prince's men dead, especially They'vanan (I'm mis-spelling his name), the Prince's right hand man, who we had dealt with in the past. There were hints of evil rituals and blood sacrifice, too, and an elf was killed. We did not have time to really check that out.
So we came to the swamp, where good fortune led us to Priscilla the Witch, our friend from Blackbird Lake.
The following is for DMs and Olyn only: Please Highlight to display spoiler: {Olyn's spirit was summoned to the Giggling Ghost, along with every being with elf blood in the Wold. These elves discussed a proposal to awaken a Sleeper, the Fae King. Some said it was a good idea; others said not. Nothing was decided ... yet. (DM Steve: Olyn knows that in the GG, many elves and adventurers spoke of other things happening in threes, and this seemed significant to the discussion on whether to wake the Sleeper at the eclipse of the sun by both moons.}
Priscilla is helping us find the book. She gave a potion to Vorelle, who is now leading us to it.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday April 11th, 2005 9:53:48 PM
The liontaur and her familiar are ready to go. But first, a word with the witch.
"Are you coming with us, Priscilla? It would be a shame to say good-bye again so soon. Do you have any advice for us?"
Dietrich Tuesday April 12th, 2005 8:25:53 AM
Dietrich wakes up and is glad to see Olyn again in full flesh and blood. He readies his gear, eats, makes a short prayer to Domi and takes care of the ponies before departing.
The warrior listnes to Vorelle and Vauhwyt and than reminds everyone of the dangers involved in the adventure:
"This Gratchien seems to control very strong magic and managed, alone or with others, to kill Th'Ayvannen, so we really can't afford to underestimate him. I'd say we follow Vorelle's lead till the house and then elaborate a thorough plan."
ooc: Taking the hint from Berlon, I'd also like to know about the treasure (jewels) found with the BAzok. We appraised it, but didn't share the loot.
DM Steve Tuesday April 12th, 2005 4:53:23 PM
Potion is sipped, warnings given, and preparations made. The heroes then follow Vorelle into the swamps.
Priscilla stays where she is. "Follow you hotheads?", she asks with her usual pointedness, "not hardly. There is a ley line around here somewhere and I've got to track it down. Yoo-hoo! Line!" Her ragged cloak flutters as she moves around the site, picking up rocks, looking around trees.
Warrick the vulture keeps his perch and stares menacingly at the ravens. "Too boney", is his comment about Macaw. "Not the breakfast for a once world famous wizard."
Vorelle quickly takes the heroes into the swamp, guiding along game trails that skirt the worst of the wet. Vegetation is growing at an unprecedented rate while the party moves. During one rest stop, Rose has to untangle herself from a vine that had started to entwine around her ankle. No melevolent intelligence is detected, only a tremendous growth spurt.
Within an hour, Vorelle stops. In front of her is a sluggish river, a half submerged flat bottomed boat tied up to a fallen log nearby. From the potion she drank, Vorelle knows she needs to get to the other side of the 30 foot wide waterway.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday April 12th, 2005 7:19:28 PM
Macaw shrieks as he retreats from the overbearing look of the vulture.
Theodore finds the the vegatative growth spurt fascinating, and comments often and extensively on the unique occurence. He often has to be ushered forward after stopping to examine a particular area that has caught his interest.
When the group find themselves at the river, Theodore looks the boat over. "I wonder who left this here."
Vorelle d20+7=20 Wednesday April 13th, 2005 2:22:15 AM
Unhappily, Vorelle eyes the murky, slow-moving water. She hates boats.
"W-w-w-we n-n-need to c-c-cross," she informs her friends. Dismissing the boat as unseaworthy (or un-river-worthy), she begins looking around for another way to get across.
[Spot or Search of 20]
Vauhwyt (Enlarge Person) and Mookie d20+14=22 d20+3=13 d20+3=8 Wednesday April 13th, 2005 7:43:43 AM
Vauhwyt looks at the water, like Vorelle, with trepidation. "I hate getting wet," she says.
"Yeah," adds Mookie, "And Boss, I think you're too fat for that little boat."
"Thanks a lot, Mookie," Vauhwyt answers.
She eyes the gap. She casts a spell, and a blood-red sigul appears on her forehead (Enlarge Person). She grows to twice normal size, and then takes a running leap at the water.
But she falls short by 8 feet! [Jump check 22] She splashes into the water, and tries to swim as best she can to the far side. With any luck, the water is not over her head, since she is now 12 feet tall and 20 feet long. She struggles to get up out of the water. [Untrained swim 13, climb 8.]
Dietrich d20+4=21 Wednesday April 13th, 2005 10:00:58 AM
Dietrich says farewell to the witch and the vulture and marches after Vorelle with grim determination. He wonders at the overgrown green stuff, but doesn't really care about it.
When the party reaches the river, he first looks around for hidden dangers. Spot 21
He is just going to suggest something when he sees the giant liontaur jumping into the water! The warrior admires the jump and is sure Vauhwyt will make it to the other side without problems.
Dietrich takes some rope and throws one end to Vahwyt when she reaches it. "Bind it somewhere or hold it fast! It will help us others cross!", he shouts and binds his end to the cart.
Before he prepares to cross though, Dietrich lets his rucksack with the cart, taking only his martial equippment with him.
Good-bye Dave & Lynn Beck - DM Donna Wednesday April 13th, 2005 2:16:17 PM
The hour of silence in memory of former Woldian players Dave and Lynn Beck is over now. Posting may resume. Thank you and let's all hope for the best for young Alex Beck.
DM Steve Wednesday April 13th, 2005 4:35:51 PM
While the heroes follow Vorelle, Dietrich keeps a sharp eye out for anything untoward. He is very satisfied the only dangerous things in the swamp right now are themselves.
Several people come up with ways to cross the river, but the great red liontaur puts action to words and vaults the sluggish water. Her hindquarters don't quite make it and give all a good drenching from the terrific splash. It also demonstrates that a wet liontaur has a particular wet/shaggy smell, one that everyone besides Berlon is familiar with.
Vauhwyt finds that the river no more than eight feet deep and that at 20 feet long, she can easily be the bridge for the others across the water. She can fasten the rope Dietrich heaves to her so the others can hold on the rope while walking across the back of the VERY large wemic.
As the heroes cross, each make a Spot check DC 12 to read the following Highlight to display spoiler: {there seems to be some sort of animal or animals in the water that try and come at the liontaur/bridge, but they are blocked by two faintly glowing images that look like simple but strangely dressed human man and woman. Once the last hero is across, the images wave in farewell and disappear }
Olyn d20+3=13 Wednesday April 13th, 2005 6:22:16 PM
crosses the river over Vauhwyt, and gives her head a nice pat as he does so.
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=12 Wednesday April 13th, 2005 6:57:15 PM
Theodore hurries across the river, catching a glimpse of the phantoms and strange animals. Once on the other side, the young mage points the critters out to Vorelle.
"What are those? Something we need to worry about?"
Berlon d20+3=13 Wednesday April 13th, 2005 7:29:28 PM
Berlon hurrily crosses the makeshift bridge, and audibly gasps at what he sees out of the corner of his eye. (Spot check 13)
"Don't be embarrassed by the smell. This swamp makes everything it touches just a little bit fouler. You should smell the undead the swamp shamen used to summon against us. The stench would kill you by itself...."
Rose d20+6=10 d20+5=9 Thursday April 14th, 2005 1:20:18 AM
Rose does the cooking, althogh she may grumble a bit if in addition to no treats there is no tea and either sugar or honey. Breakfast is the usual porridge and toast (unless there's no sugar or honey, porridge with out sweetener YUCK, if there's no sugar or honey breakfast is bread and cheese.) Rose takes her watch with out much complaining, although there is the usual argument over dishes (I forgot which of the guys always tries to get out of dishes:)
listen: 10 spot: 9
ooc: sorry for not posting the last few days, my dad is in town and I've been busy.
Vorelle d20+7=19 Thursday April 14th, 2005 2:25:01 AM
Walk across on her friend's back? It seems an odd idea, but Vauhwyt doesn't appear to be in any pain or difficulty as the others cross, so Vorelle cautiously makes the attempt.
She glances down to where Theo is pointing, and sees the odd creatures, and the two glowing figures that come to the group's defense [Spot 19]. For some reason, she is reminded of the figure of the holy warrior in the strange projection.
"I-I d-d-d-don't kn-know," she replies to Theo's question.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+1=18 Thursday April 14th, 2005 9:53:01 AM
Vauhwyt laughs. "Hop on, everybody! Just watch those boots!"
She is happy to serve a a bridge/ferry.
Then she notices the phantoms that seem to be protecting her [spot 18]. For some reason, they make her sad.
After everyone has crossed, Vauhwyt quietly casts her prestidigitation spell. Following the theme of all her magic, the water and smell on her changes to a blood red color and a sharp coppery tang, then both disappear, leaving the wemic dry and fresh-smelling.
Vauhwyt encourages Vorelle to lead on while the magic potion of guidance lasts.
[Spells used: Enlarge Person, Prestidigitation]
DM Steve Thursday April 14th, 2005 11:32:45 AM
Safe and sound on the other side of the sluggish river, the heroes continue on further into the swamps. The magical potion continues to unerringly lead Vorelle towards the house-on-stilts.
After almost an hour, the trail becomes very narrow. A narrow strip of springy turf lies through a swampy bog which produces slow bubbles from some underground swamp gas. The sulfuric smell is abrasive on the nose, and each of the heroes hear a shriek as a small frog is sucked into the mud never to emerge.
Several people may have questioning glances to Vorelle, but the magic is still on her and the ranger is certain this is absolutely the safest, fastest way to the hut with stilts.
One person may walk on the spongy turf at a time. Each person has to make a Reflex Save DC 10 to avoid falling into the sucking swamp.
Berlon d20+2=21 Thursday April 14th, 2005 12:33:55 PM
Berlon frowns, as he's not the most coordinated gnome around. "I really hate this swamp...' he mutters. He makes a quick prayer to Alemi that he not fall victim to this nasty place.
(Cast Guidance, +1 next save, using now)
He braces himself, then makes the crossing, with surprising ease. (Reflex Save 21)
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+5=22 Thursday April 14th, 2005 1:50:28 PM
Mookie simply flies overhead.
Vauhwyt (now back to normal size), picks her way delicately across with ease (Reflex save 22]. She carries with her the rope, if it is long enough, so that others making the passage can grab on to it if they slip. The liontaur takes a firm grip on her end.
[Spells used: 1 first, 1 zero]
Mookie (illegal second post) Thursday April 14th, 2005 4:20:27 PM
The black raven caws in loud laughter!
"Boss! Get a hold of yourself! No, not that way! Here!"
The bird flies a rope to Vauhwyt so she can take a firm grip on the end of the rope, rather than taking a firm grip on her end!
[OOC: Thanks Kathy! You made me laugh!]
Vorelle d20+6=24 Thursday April 14th, 2005 6:04:03 PM
Vorelle waits her turn, the walks calmly across the treacherous bog as if she were just out for a stroll [Reflex 24].
Once safely on the other side, she turns and watches the others cross, ready to go to the aid of anybody who topples in.
Theodore and Macaw d20+2=7 Thursday April 14th, 2005 6:34:48 PM
Theodore seems not to notice his immediate surroundings as he follows the group. Sure enough, in typical Theodore fashion, he stumbles over the hem of his trousers and falls flailing into the swamp.
Overhead, Macaw begins to crow frantically.
Olyn d20+6=8 Thursday April 14th, 2005 11:54:16 PM
when Theo lands in the muck and sits up, spitting out some of the swamp water, he looks up tot he rest of the group just in time to see Olyn land with a BIG splash beside him.
Rose d20+6=14 Friday April 15th, 2005 3:37:53 AM
Rose hates it when she has to get out of the cart and walk in the muck. "Great" She mumbles under her breath. "Now I'm going to drown in mud...At least I'll be able to get clean later on. The short little halfling keeps yelling "Wait for me, you know I cant walk as fast as you guys can." When ever she falls behind.
ooc: what did we do with the cart did we leave it at the edge of the stream, did we somehow get it across the stream and through the muck?
Dietrich d20+4=23 d20+3=13 d20+5=19 Friday April 15th, 2005 7:20:13 AM
Dietrich keeps marching after Vorelle and looking for trouble. He manages to move through the narrow gap without problems (reflex 23) and will help to get his friends out of the swamp.
If they get the rope, Dietrich helps pulling (strenght test 13). Despite the comic side to it, the warrior doesn't smile at the scene, too concerned about dangers.
ooc: I was going to ask about the cart too. If we let it there, Dietrich binds the ponies, so they don't run away. If we got it through the river, the fighter guides the beasts. Handle animal 19.
DM SteveK Friday April 15th, 2005 12:12:46 PM
OOC: Sorry for confusion, I assumed from no one bringing the cart over and with Deitrich's post that the heroes left the cart on the near side of the water obstacle and only took thier combat/exploration gear. The heroes don't have the cart with them to cross the mucky bog.]
Dietrich hobbles the ponies before crossing the water on Vauhwyt's back. Vorelle instintively knows the hut is no more than a couple hours walk; the ponies should be safe until the heroes can come back for them.
Theodore and Olyn fall into the mud and immediately starts to sink. Theodore's luck is solid... all bad. Landing on his rump, he is already mostly under the mud, with only head and shoulders showing. Olyn fares better and manages to get his legs under him, so he is only as deep as his waist. Yet he can feel no end to the mud and knows that the swamp is pulling him downward.
Vorelle, Vauhwyt, and Deitrich are ready to help their trapped friends. A mere AC 10 to toss a rope to them. As long as Theodore and Olyn hold on a rope they will sink no further. Another DC 10 strength check will be required to pull them out.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+2=14 d20+2=4 Friday April 15th, 2005 1:35:44 PM
Vauhwyt tosses the rope to her friends, while holding onto the other end of the rope. Her aim is true (hits AC14). She asks for help pulling them out. Then she hauls on the rope. (Str check 4 is not doing much!)
Vorelle d20+1=4 Friday April 15th, 2005 3:33:13 PM
Vorelle grabs the rope and tries to pull, but strength has never been her most noteworthy feature.
[Also got a 4!]
Berlon Friday April 15th, 2005 8:27:26 PM
Berlon quickly turns around as he hears one splash after another. After two failed attempts are made to haul Olyn and Theodore out, he tries to help prevent a third.
Assuming he can get close to Dietrich, he casts Bull's Strength on Dietrich (+4 str, 3 rounds), confident Dietrich will be able to lug both out of the mire.
If he can also take a move action, Berlon will get closer to try to help if he can.
Theodore and Macaw Saturday April 16th, 2005 2:11:27 PM
Theodore grabs for the rope and holds on. Panic begins to take him and he turns his face to the sky and begins sucking air as if he were drinking water.
Overhead, Macaw wheels, still shrieking.
Dietrich d20+5=12 Sunday April 17th, 2005 7:22:33 AM
Dietrich is surprised at the difficulties to pull his friends out of the stinking swamp. He flexes his muscles, readying to help, when Berlon calls the power of the gods upon him.
The warrior feels the sudden increase in his power and it is a good sensation. Then he keeps a firm stand and steadily drags his friends out (strenght test 12)of the accursed place.
Rose Monday April 18th, 2005 12:33:32 AM
Rose quickly moves to a spot where she wont drown in the mud if she makes a wrong step. "Are we going to stop here for a while?" She asks the others.
ooc: what time of day is it? how muddy is rose remember she's only 3'2" tall? what's the temperature and weather like?
Mud is Good for the Complexion [DM SteveK] Monday April 18th, 2005 3:33:31 PM
Berlon's spell infuses the burly fighter with holy vitality, and is enough to keep the rope taut and draw one comrade from the mud.
Rose keeps out of the way of the rescue attempt and looks around the area. The springy turf over the muddy area kept those that did not fall completely free of grime (though Dietrich is sporting a couple of hand marks from Theodore :), and so Rose is only as dirty as a camp out, walking a couple hours in a swamp, and crossing a algae covered waterway would make her: no mud, but plenty dirty. The halfling also looks around at the swamp and air far above. The clouds scud across the blue sky playing catch with the wind. Little of the breeze comes down to your level, but the tempature is balmy for all that... There is certainly little chance of hypothermia right now.
With the thrown rope, Theodore is able to grab and hold on with enough strength to allow Deitrich to pull the mage to safety. Theodore comes out of the warm mud with a sick, wet, sucking sound. Did the swamp sigh in dismay or was that only your imagination? There are no clues to be had. Only the mage's face is free of the mud that is all over the rest of him.
With only one thrown rope, Olyn waits patiently. Keeping calm and not thrashing too much, he is able to slow his rate of sinking and the mud crests halfway up his chest.
Berlon (Prestidigitation 1hr) Monday April 18th, 2005 6:50:29 PM
"Here, Theodore, let me assist you."
Without using his holy symbol, Berlon waves his hands and tries his best to magically clean Theodore of the mud that covers him.
(Cast Prestidigitation, Gnome spell ability)
"Not all magic comes from prayers and spellbooks," he smiles at Theo, "some comes from within."
He doesn't get in the way of rescuing Olyn, as he is sure those already trying to pull him out will be able to do so, especially since Dietrich is empowered for two more rounds.
Theodore and Macaw Monday April 18th, 2005 9:37:57 PM
Theodore sprawls on the ground after being pulled from the mud. He doesn't seem to notice Berlon's ministrations as he closes his eyes and tries to calm his racing heart.
Macaw lands on Theodore's chest and cocks his head to check on the simpering mage. Deeming him in decent shape, the raven gives the wizard a quick pluck on the nose.
Theodore's eyes pop open and Macaw flaps off. Slowly, he begins to regain his bearings.
Vorelle d20+1=21 Monday April 18th, 2005 9:39:40 PM
Not sure what else to do, Vorelle helps Dietrich pull.
[Successfully Aid Another; Dietrich gets +2 to his attempt.]
Rose Monday April 18th, 2005 10:59:31 PM Yuck! I'm filthy! Rose thinks she looks around and quickly decides to follow Berlon's example and casts Prestiditation to clean herself and then others up.
Dietrich d20+4=21 d20+5=12 Tuesday April 19th, 2005 10:09:45 AM
Dietrich ignores the dirt on his coat d'arms and is happy Theo made it out of the swamp. He throws the rope to Olyn (hits ac 23) and starts pulling him out with Vorelle's help and some holy strenght(strenght check 14).
The warrior uses the break to ask his friends:
"So, what are we going to do when we find this Gratchien? Perhaps there are more enemies then him, so I'd like some scouting of the area before we run in. And I'd also like to interrogate him if possible."
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+3=5 Tuesday April 19th, 2005 12:19:13 PM
Vauhwyt helps drag Olyn out of the mud. Or tries to (Str check 5).
Then she gets ready for the group to press on to the stilted house.
Look Ma, I Caught Two! [DM SteveK] Tuesday April 19th, 2005 3:33:05 PM
[OOC: Could everyone send me thier character sheets? Brent is on walkabout and I didn't get them from him before he had to leave. Thanks for your understanding]
An excellent throw, and Dietrich gets the rope to Olyn in one throw. After that, it takes no time at all for he and Vorelle to pull the cleric out of the warm mud.
So too, with two Prestigitation spells working (courtesy of Berlon and Rose) the others can get fairly clean in short order.
Dietrich's question as to what to do when you all get to the hut brings everyone thinking about that particular problem. And Vorelle gives another; the magic potion has worn off. She no longer knows which way to go other than generally south and west into the swamp.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday April 19th, 2005 9:09:03 PM
Theodore makes his way, slowly, to his feet and brushes off any remaining grime. He thanks Berlon for his help, and everyone else as well.
"I'm sorry that I keep getting myself into these situations," he apologizes, quite abashed. "Sometimes I feel like I'm more hindrance than help."
Vorelle d20+7=13 Wednesday April 20th, 2005 8:20:43 AM
"Y-y-you're a b-b-b-big help," Vorelle assures Theo, then looks around to get her bearings. She remembers (vaguely) the route she saw in her vision, and she knows what the house looks like and roughly which direction it's in. Now it's just a matter of finding the right path. She tries to deduce it based on what she remembers and what she can intuit.
[Survival 13]
Dietrich Wednesday April 20th, 2005 10:58:06 AM
Dietrich glances shortly at the swamp and than readies his reinforced longbow. It's bad the effect of the potion is over, but he thrusts Vorelle's abillity to get them to the house.
To Theodore's remark, the warrior repies: "Come on now! What a humbug!" and gives the wizard a strong clasp at the soulders. "You better focos on your spells, we'll need them against that %$£*& Gratchien."
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+1=18 Wednesday April 20th, 2005 1:26:21 PM
The liontaur follws as Vorelle leads. Vauhwyt is confident in Vorelle's ability, and is sure she'll do fine.
She does her best to help out in finding the path, of course. [Untrained Survival check 18 to Aid Another, hopefully adding a +2 to Vorelle's roll.]
Rose Wednesday April 20th, 2005 2:19:08 PM
Rose struggles to keep pace with the others "Vauhwyt can I have a lift?" She finally asks embaressedly. While walking (or riding Vauhwyt) she amuses herself with the remaining prestidation by turning herself and her friends different colors (purple Vorelle, blue Theo, orange Dietrich, green Olyn, yellow Vauhwyt and rose colored Rose)
The Swamp is Alive with the Sound of Music [DM SteveK] Wednesday April 20th, 2005 4:31:42 PM
The sun is high in the sky and shines brightly down on the swamp and the heroes below. Unusually, they seem to be awfully clean despite being in the middle of the swamp, and even of strange but color coordinated hues. ;)
Vorelle looks around in the general direction of where they were going and ... and... she DOES remember those mulberry bushes at the very edge of her vision a few hundred feet away. Wasn't there a mulberry thicket in her vision somewhere?
No one has answered Dietrich's question about what they will do once they find Graitchen and the hut. Perhaps a plan would be a good idea...
And Olyn seems to be not paying attention to what is going on around the swamp. He stands in a position of listening, as if facinated by something he is hearing. A Listen Check of DC 15 lets other heroes hear a chorus of voices but you can't understand what they are saying. It sounds like a whole Wold worth of voices raised in song.
Berlon d20+6=18 Wednesday April 20th, 2005 5:50:59 PM
(ooc: can we understand the chorus of voices if we speak Elven? Berlon does...)
Berlon seems strangely distracted by the sounds. The gnomes of his village are used to having to hear things come from the swamp, so his ears pick up on the voices (Listen check 18)
He snaps to with a shake of his head. "I think the question isn't what we do once we get to the hut. Rather, I think the question is "What do we do once we get the book?" What is this Prince of yours going to do with it? We're just going to hand over an item of such evil without even a raised question?"
Berlon shifts back and forth on his feet uncomfortably. "I apologize for my outburst. It's just that I want to make it clear that we do have.... other options available..."
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday April 20th, 2005 10:51:31 PM
Theodore rubs anxiously behind his ear as Berlon speaks his mind. It seems to him the group has been doing a lot of arguing over this book and the prince. He decides it better to hold his tongue until a more timely moment.
"I have a few spells I can use to contain Graitchen. I believe I can slow him, perhaps keep him from casting any spells until we get close enough to bind him properly. It's kind of like a giant spiderweb, but..." Seeing that most of his friends aren't really interested in how it works, he decides to halt his explanation.
"I also still have this fireball scroll that Berlon has lent to me if we run up against any allies of Gratchien." The wizard scratches at his scraggly hair. "Of course, there's a chance it might not work. Umm, but we shouldn't dwell on that..."
Dietrich d20+2=16 Thursday April 21st, 2005 8:49:45 AM
When the party reaches the proximity of the hut, Dietrich says with more authority than his usual proposals (despite his orange "aura"):
"Let the main group stop here. Vorelle and Zayne (who is inactive, but still with the group...) or Rose could scout the perimeter and gather information before we continue."
The warrior hears the voices and it only adds to the strangeness of the previous events and Olyn's recent behaviour.
He listens to Berlon and agrees that the Book is something to be decided too. The first pressing question though is how to subdue Graitchen and his dark magic and preserve his life in order to get a broader picture of what is going on.
Dietrich likes Theo's magic ideas. He says: "We have to wait for all info before our definite plan, but here are some suggestion for the debate. If the enemy is alone, surprise him in his house, possibly while he is sleeping, use the debilitating magic and immobilise him as fast as possible (me and Vauhwyt). If there are others, we'll have to neutralize them before. In any way, we can't allow the guy to use his magic, so, if we can't surprise him, some of us will have to keep him under missil fire to disturb his concentration, while others move to get him hand-to-hand."
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Unseen Servant) Thursday April 21st, 2005 1:07:35 PM
Vauhwyt thinks this is a grand plan. "I would be happy to use my growth spell and then pounce on him! With any luck I can hold him down."
"Another idea is that I'm pretty good with my fists. I could pummel him into unconsciousness."
"I have three Ray of Enfeeblement scrolls," she adds. "Why don't Rose, Theo and me each carry one. When we see the enemy, all three of us use the scroll. Surely one of us will hit him with a Ray, and if more than one hits, the most potent will affect him."
She passes out the scrolls, adding, "It'll be easier to pounce on him if he is feeble."
"And I have my Bag of Tricks for Mookie to use."
"Come herre, Mookie."
While Vorelle and Rose are scounting, the liontaur reads a scroll of Unseen Servant. She tells the Servant to hold the Bag of Tricks, so that Mookie can reach in and summon an animal when needed. The Servant can also take cure scrolls from Vauhwyt's pouch and hold them up for Mookie to read, or help Mookie administer cure potions.
Planning in the Swamp [DM Steve] Thursday April 21st, 2005 3:34:42 PM
[OOC: I keep missing elements of the story, don't I? (Sheepish grin) As Zayne is inactive and I don't have his permission to use his character and he hasn't posted since Graitchen's room, we will assume he is NOT with the party. When he left and where he's gone is a matter of speculation for the heroes, but they know he wasn't with them when Priscilla arrived at their campsite.]
The chorus of voices continues, just at the edge of hearing. Chants lift and fall, but words are unheard. Olyn again is entirely mesmerized by the voices and doesn't enter the discussion of how to fight the sinister Graitchen.
The others, however, get a plan together. Vauhwyt hands out scrolls, and Theodore is praised for his spells by Dietrich. And Berlon's thoughts on the Book make everyone wonder if a simple retrieval is the best course of action.
But first they have to find the hut where Graitchen is supposed to be hiding (according to the potion Vorelle had taken). She does remember those mulberry bushes over there. Perhaps there will be more clues once the heroes walk over?
As the heroes plan and think, the sunlight becomes thin and the breeze in the trees falls away to nothing. Anyone looking skyward sees an unusual occurance. Plainly in the afternoon sky and very close to each other, the two moons of the Wold are sharing the sky with the sun. And they are close together indeed.
Vorelle d20+7=15 d20+7=20 Thursday April 21st, 2005 3:47:54 PM
Frowning in concentration, Vorelle moves past the mullberry bushes and looks around again, trying to determine the best route to the little house. [Survival 15]
She does hear the sound of the music [Listen 20], but doesn't really pay attention to it; she is concentrating on finding their way.
Rose d20+7=24 d20+6=13 d20+7=9 d20+5=7 Thursday April 21st, 2005 6:26:30 PM
Rose quietly slips off to patrol, she stays away from Vorelle and anybody else patroling. Although she tries to be silent she becomes entangled in some bushes and when extracting herself she isnt very quiet.
hide: 24 Listen: 13 move silently: 9 spot: 7
Theodore and Macaw Thursday April 21st, 2005 9:26:42 PM
Theodore takes the scroll from Vauwhyt and tucks it behind his belt. He takes pulls forth a rod and ties off his quarterstaff to his backpack. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he begins to move forward with the rest of the group, going where the strategy minded folks point him.
Macaw hops from tree to tree, trying to look inconspicuous. "Graitchen would know about wizard familiars. Best not to give ourselves away." The raven stays close, but still keeps an eye out on high.
Vauhwyt and Mookie (unseen servant) Friday April 22nd, 2005 8:20:46 AM
"My Unseen servant only lasts an hourr. Do you think we are that close yet, Vorelle?" asks Vauhwyt.
Mookie chimes in, "Yeah! Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
"Hush, Mookie," says Vauhwyt.
The liontaur follows Vorelle's lead. "I'm eager to get to the House on Stilts," she says.
"Yeah, I'm hungry for some smelly moldy cheese," says Mookie. "Think they got that at the Stilt-on House, Boss?"
Vauhwyt does not deign to answer that stinker.
Dietrich Friday April 22nd, 2005 10:48:24 AM
Dietrich watches the spellcasters finetune their plans and accompanies the main group behind the patrols (at least far enough as not to give their position away through noise etc.).
"When we're close enough, better stop the main group and wait for the report of the scouts."
Also, Theo's last comment reminds him of the risk of magic traps and protections around the target area, so the warrior asks his friends to prepare for that.
The soldier is worried about Olyn's absent mind and hopes he'll get battleready when need arrives. He asks the cleric: "Are you alright old man? What are these strange voices about? And these moon conjunction?"
Finally, Dietrich goes over to Berlon, making sure he too is ready for the coming battle and voices his oppinions freely.
To Think That I Saw It By Mulberry Bushes [DM Steve] Friday April 22nd, 2005 3:42:33 PM
Preparations made, Vorelle and Rose move out towards the mulberry bushes and the others follow. The strangest thing is the mulberries are all growing in clumps of threes... The ranger and halfling succeed in finding a trail through the thorny thicket, and the others are able to move to the other side. Dietrich, however, has to help Olyn, as the half-elf seems much too distracted by the ghostly music.
On the other side of the thicket the land clears, and about 500 feet away is a hut on stilts, a nearby stream sports a dock and three skiffs. At last, they are near their goal.
All feel a sudden chill as a the heretofore constant southward warming breeze changes direction and temperature. From the south, a cool breeze stirs the warm afternoon air. Birds of the nearby trees break into cacophony of song, then silence. Olyn stops completely, his eyes holding a far away look.
Olyn only Highlight to display spoiler: { The song of the elves carries every elven soul into a song of welcome or denial. If you want to help the Sleeper arrive, sing a song of welcome. If you want the Sleeper to stay asleep, sing against the song. }
Awakening Saturday April 23rd, 2005 2:58:45 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...
Theodore and Macaw Sunday April 24th, 2005 7:16:45 PM
Theodore shivers as he feels the strangeness about him. Seeing the far away look in Olyn's eyes, the wizard quickly draws conclusions as to what is happening.
Not sure whether the sudden changes are a good thing, or a bad thing, Theodore decides to take no chances. Calling Macaw to him, he speaks a few words of magic, and crosses his arms before his chest in a protective gesture. A silvery nimbus appears briefly about the young man and his raven before fading away again.
(Cast mage armor on Theo and Macaw for 3 hours.)
Vauhwyt and Mookie (unseen servant) Sunday April 24th, 2005 10:39:50 PM
Vauhwyt's tail twitch's nervously.
"Something is happening! Come on! We better hurry."
She follows Vorelle in search of the house on stilts.
Vorelle d20+9=15 d20+9=17 d20+7=24 d20+7=23 Sunday April 24th, 2005 11:15:43 PM
Vorelle is unnerved by the sense of something Imporant happening all around her, but tries to concentrate on the task at hand--which is to approach the waterside house cautiously and see what she can see.
[Hide 15, Move Silently 17, Spot 24, Listen 23]
Dietrich d20+4=14 d20+2=10 Monday April 25th, 2005 7:12:36 AM
Dietrich feels bewilderment at the sudden changes and makes a short prayer to Domi.
He stays with the maingroup behind and will wait for the reports of the scouts, as the armoured fighter and clerics would only put the whole operation in risk with their clumsy noise.
The warrior keeps eyes and ears open (spot 14, listen 10) and his longbow ready.
Berlon Monday April 25th, 2005 12:54:18 PM
"You see?" Berlon mutters, "do you see? Something else that needs to be Fixed. This swamp, this vision, that... place..."
He goes to Dietrich. "I have fought many battles in this place, and we will need your strength to carry the day." Deciding not to wait any longer, Berlon casts Shield Other on Dietrich.
Shield Other - 3 hours - target gets +1 deflection bonus AC and +1 resistance bonus to saves. Berlon takes half damage for target.
Rose d20+7=12 d20+6=25 d20+7=16 d20+5=9 Monday April 25th, 2005 4:07:59 PM
For some reason Rose gets a strange feeling like the world has changed. She shudders then shruggs it off and keeps on sneaking closer to the cabin.
hide: 12 Listen: 25 Move silently: 16 spot: 9
A little technical difficulty ... (DM Kup) Tuesday April 26th, 2005 5:42:31 PM
::man shuffles in nervously from the side of the screen and waves::
Uh, hello Dirt City fans! SteveK was planning to be away this week, and I--your future, but-not-yet-ready-for-prime-time DM--was under the impression that the current ADM was going to run things this week, in part 'cause I wouldn't be near a computer during the Passover holiday. (Matt, if that's not the case, or if we don't hear from you by, say, 8 am Woldian tomorrow, I'll step in as best I can.)
We, uh, apologize for the delay, and hope to restore your service shortly. : )
::man smiles nervously, adjusts his collar, and, darting glances all about, shuffles back off::
DM Post forthcoming--DM Kup Wednesday April 27th, 2005 8:42:16 AM I'll try to post something in a few hours to move things along. Just letting everyone here know that things will move again RSN.
Sound and Fury (DM Kup, filling in) Wednesday April 27th, 2005 10:53:50 AM On behalf of SteveK, Shegger, and myself, I apologize for the delay and confusion. It appears that the e-mail that SteveK had intended for Shegger to keep things going this week never made it to its recipient, and I was away from my computer until yesterday. In an effort to catch up and move things along, here is a DM post. Good luck!
... and no, this post isn't necessarily a taste of the DM style to come. Ask Cazyle--usually, I'm much worse. ; )
Some of the group remained concealed in the mulberry thicket. Theodore decided to cast a protective dweomer over himself and Macaw. Dietrich waited for the reports of the scouts, while Berlon cast Shield Other on Dietrich. Olyn stood rigid and mouthed words that no one could hear. He seemed to be singing....
Others decided to approach the hut on stilts. Vorelle tried to concentrate on approaching the waterside house cautiously and see what she could see. Vauhwyt followed Vorelle. Rose, too, kept sneaking closer to the cabin.
The sky grew dim as a passing cloud covered the sun. No, wait a moment--there were no clouds in the sky! Those with a clear view of the sky could glance up and see that the sun seemed to dim as a shadow--no! a pair of shadows!--passed before it.
All of the swamp grew still and quiet. Birds stopped flying and settled into their nests, as if preparing to go to sleep for the night, even though it was only mid-day. The leaves on the mulberry bush and the trees casts oddly shaped shadows, influenced by a sun that appeared first as a crescent ... then a dim ring ... then, with a last, bright diamond of light, vanished!
(Everyone should roll FORT Saves against fear, DC 10: Those who fail are paralyzed with fear for one round. Those who save may read: Highlight to display spoiler: {In the darkness, it appears that two eyes blink open where the sun just was!})
The sun slowly re-emerged from its hiding place, but the group had little time to consider. Suddenly, the ground began to shake and a low, distant rumble grew quickly louder. It was the heaviest sound any of the adventurers had ever experienced--a stampeding herd of cattle, perhaps? No, louder, and moving faster ....
In an instant, a tremendous, invisible wall of energy blasted through the swamp from the south. (Everyone should roll REF Saves against being toppled, DC 20.) Trees were ripped from their roots and dashed against the sodden ground. Fetid water sprayed everywhere. Even the stilt-hut swayed and rocked violently in its moorings. The sound of the burst of energy echoed through the landscape, sending birds and other animals flying and scurrying in all directions in terror.
To the south, past shattered trees on the now more-visible horizon, a wall of roiling, black smoke appeared to be rolling toward the group. And it was approaching quickly....
Rose d20+5=17 d20+6=24 Wednesday April 27th, 2005 12:49:26 PM
Rose grows still, her eyes wide open as she sees the strange things happening. When the sun disappears and eyes appear in the sky she starts heading back towards the main group, suddenly wall of ?wind? blasts trees and things to the ground. Rose quickly grabs hold of the nearest thing that is not moving and when she sees the black cloud heading towards her friends she just runs towards them.
fear save: 17 reflex save: 24
Berlon (Shield Other - Dietrich, 2h 55m) d20+4=10 d20+1=2 Wednesday April 27th, 2005 3:04:46 PM
Berlon is able to avoid the effects of the shadows (Fort save 10), but before he can do anything else, he goes sprawling to the ground. (Ref save 2, nat 1).
Once he gets his bearings, he will try to get to his feet as quickly as possible.
(OOC: Dietrich don't forget you get +1 on all your saves)
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+2=8 Wednesday April 27th, 2005 3:46:16 PM
Vauhwyt is stymied by these incredible events! All she can do is gape. Her familiar, Mookie, dives for cover under his mistress.
Vorelle d20+6=18 d20+6=25 Wednesday April 27th, 2005 4:34:58 PM
Vorelle is startled by the eclipse, but not so much so that she forgets to act [Fort save 18]. She is even more startled when a pair of eyes seem to blink at her from the heavens!
She has no time to do more than gape for a second, though, before the huge wave of force washes over the group. She keeps her feet with relative ease [Reflex save 25], then gasps in alarm as she sees the cloud of black smoke boiling toward the group.
"R-run!" she cries, her normally quiet voice shrill with alarm. She starts helping her fallen friends to their feet and urging them away from the sinister cloud approaching.
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=20 d20+2=7 Wednesday April 27th, 2005 9:57:28 PM
Theodore resists the fear that swarms him, his curiosity of strange occurences outweighing the fright. As he begins to point to where the great eyes were but a moment before, Theodore is lifted from his feet and crashes into the earth from a powerful wind.
Lifting his head from the ground, he spits out a mouthful of dirt. His lip is split as he turns to survey the coming wall of smoke. A thin line of the red stuff slides down his chin as he scrambles for his feet.
Dietrich, shield d20+6=21 d20+5=23 Thursday April 28th, 2005 5:50:22 AM
Dietrich resists his fear (fortitude 21) but is quite shocked at the events and particularly the eyes. He mutters in awe: "By the holy Anvil of Domi!"
He manages to stay on his feet (reflex 23) and is glad for the blessing received from Berlon. Swearing a lot, Dietrich helps his fallen friends up and starts running, pushing Olyn with him.
"Look for cover!", the warrior shouts.
The Ash Cloud (DM Kup, subbing in) Thursday April 28th, 2005 9:58:47 AM Continuing to sub in--hopefully, doing justice to what SteveK had envisaged:
Rose ran toward the mulberry thicket, with the wall of smoke bearing down from the south. Vorelle ran, too, as quickly as she could. Vauhwyt, however, was paralyzed with fear and stood, petrified, where she had previously been sneaking forward.
Berlon went sprawling to the ground and had to struggle back to his feet. Theodore, too, hit the deck hard, and the bloody spittle on his chin bore witness to it as he scrambled upright. Dietrich helped his fallen friends up and directed everyone to look for cover--but what cover was there, in the middle of a swamp? As Rose and Vorelle made it back to the thicket, the friends could only watch as Vauhwyt, still paralyzed with fear, was left out in the open as the wall of smoke engulfed them all.
In an instant, the Wold seemed to turn to ash and cinders. Hot, cloying dust, ash, and smoke filled the friends' eyes, noses, and mouths, leaving everyone gasping for breath. It was as if all of the ash and smoke of all of the fireplaces in Dirt City had been upended and poured down their collective throats. (Everyone: roll a FORT save, DC 10, against choking--failure =d6 subdual choking damage.)
Bearings, place, distance--they had no meaning in the immensity of the ash cloud. Where was the stilt hut? Which direction did they come from? Where was Vauhwyt? These questions were meaningless when it was impossible to see one's own hands before one's eyes. Not that anyone would want to open their eyes in this dusty, black storm. For many moments, there was naught to do but to cough, and gasp, and wipe the stinging, infernal ash from one's eyes.
In time, however, the worst of the initial wall of smoke began to clear. The world was inky-black and dark, like looking up a dim chimney. Vaugue silhouettes were all that was visible. The dim outlines of bodies emerged from the darkness, along with the strange, blackened forms of thicket and swamp. Far to the other side of the thicket, there were dim pinpoints of light in the gloom--they must have been from the hut!
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=20 Thursday April 28th, 2005 11:28:55 AM
With the assistance of Dietrich, Theodore regains his feet. He calls out to Vauhwyt as he is pulled along with the rest of the group, but his voice is drowned out by the wailing of the coming cloud.
He manages to duck behind some overgrowth and turn his back to the roiling ash, curling protectively over his familiar. Macaw cries out in indignation but Theodore's brute strength wins out and the bird is held tightly to the wizard's chest when the smoke rolls over them.
Theodore squeezes his eyes tightly closed and presses his lips firmly together to keep from inhaling the black vapors. After the worst of it has passed, the mage collapses to the ground, spots of light dancing before his eyes as he draws in somewhat cleaner air. After coughing a bit, he finds it easier to breathe using his sleeve as a filter.
Letting Macaw go, he mentally commands the raven to fly as high as he can, try to get above the smoke and find out what is going on.
Staggering to his feet, and still keeping his sleeve protectively over his eyes, nose, and mouth, he takes quick peeks over his arm to try to gain his bearings and see how everyone else is faring.
(Fort save = 20)
Dietrich, shield d20+7=19 Thursday April 28th, 2005 1:19:20 PM
Dietrich barely has the time to see Vauhwyt beeing engulped by the dust, when he is catched by the wave of smoke. He throws himself to the bottom, hoping for some protection. Despite the ash penetrating his helmet and every niche of his armour, the hardenend warrior manages to breath (fort 19).
He emerges with a "(*&*&^" and spits the ash, trying to clear his mouth and throat. Eventually he sees that his friends are alright. That's certainly not the way he was planing things to develop and the ex-soldier start to consider a tactical retreat.
Berlon (Shield Other 2h 50m) d20+4=21 d20+6=20 Thursday April 28th, 2005 1:27:00 PM
Berlon takes a deep breath to avoid any of the noxious fumes. He is used to holding his breath in this stinking swamp, so he manages to avoid inhaling the smoke. (Fort save 21)
He will take the time to load his heavy crossbow, all the while listening to see if he can hear any commotion from the hut. Surely the clouds would have stirred anything in the hut? (Listen check 20)
Vorelle d20+6=26 d20+7=24 d100=74 d20+1=7 Thursday April 28th, 2005 4:27:10 PM
Prepared for the wall of ash, Vorelle controls her breathing and is able to avoid choking on the noxious cloud [Fort save 26, natural 20]. She worries about Rose, though, concerned that the sheer force of the wave will knock the halfling off her feet.
Blindly, Vorelle reaches out and manages to catch hold of Rose. [Hit touch AC 24 and succeeded against the 50% miss chance] However, her slender fingers have a hard time holding on. [Strength check 7]
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+2=3 Thursday April 28th, 2005 4:50:21 PM
Vauhwyt is overcome. She collapses.
From under her, one might hear the annoyed squawking of a crushed Mookie.
Such a Bad DM! [SteveK] Thursday April 28th, 2005 5:05:31 PM
I'm back and can't thank Kup enough for his tremendous help. I apologize sincerely to each of you, especially Sheggar and Kup in putting them in the original hole. I'll post tomorrow to allow at least 24 hours between Kup's last post and my next.
Wold-wide events are unfolding and affecting the Dirt City heroes...
DM Kup: no problem, from my end. Glad to be of help. : )
Rose d20+3=4 d6=3 Friday April 29th, 2005 3:22:00 AM
Rose collapses under the onslaught of heat, ash, and smoke. At one point she thinks she feels something touch her but she cannot be sure. She lays on the ground her eyes and nose streaming as she coughs and chokes. What is this? Are we going to die?
Marco?... Polo? [DM SteveK] Friday April 29th, 2005 5:44:10 PM
Vauhwyt and Rose choke and gasp on the warm ash that is all about. Their breathing soon improves, for the ash does not seem to be falling forever and is already less dense. They find they can breathe without choking on the ash. The ash already fallen quickly absorbs the moisture of the swamp and instead of warm, dry ash in the air it is warm, moist, gritty mud that gets into everything.
Vorelle squats next to Rose, keeping aware of her little body, but doesn't keep her upright on her own. The others find the prone form of Vauhwyt by the sounds of a Mookie in distress.
The grey ash gives an air a twilight quality, and the heroes can fairly easily find each other in the gloom. Theodore sends Macaw up into the air, but the raven can see no more than his master on the ground, and is in very real danger of flying into unseen obstacles!
Berlon keeps his goal in sight and watches the dim lights of the hut while loading his crossbow. His alertness does not go unrewarded, and he clearly hears choking sounds coming from the hut. He also hears shuffling and muffled voices of more than one person within the hut.
A door to the hut bangs open and a small figure is silouetted in the light. "By the Test!<cough, hack>", it says in a whiney common, "What have <cough> you brewed up with that book?"
The hut is 100 feet away and the backlight and ash gives the figure 20% concealment.
Theodore and Macaw Friday April 29th, 2005 9:39:02 PM
Macaw floats back down to land upon his master's head. The raven couldn't climb high enough to get over the ash, and that concerned Theodore. But, he also understood that this ash was not something he could do anything about, at the moment. The people in the hut, he could.
To Dietrich, he whispers, "I'm going to try and draw them out of the hut and into the open. I'd prefer to see what we're up against first."
That said, the wizard stands up straight and throws his chest out as he summons forth the powers of arcane.
Suddenly, what appears to be the dead body of an orc appears sprawled on the marshy earth about 25 feet from the hut, towards Theodore's group, and 10 feet to the left of Theodore's group. (Essentially, closer to the hut than to our group, but not in a straight line from our group to the hut.) On the body, around the neck of the dead orc, rests a sparkling amulet. It appears to be quite valuable, and shines dully in the ash.
(Cast silent image. Will save vs 14 to disbelief if interacted with. Hoping to draw one or more of those in the hut away to inspect the "body".)
Dietrich, shield d20=17 d20+4=14 Saturday April 30th, 2005 4:56:13 AM
Being sure that his friends are all ok, Dietrich focuses his attention on the operation again.
He completely agrees with Theodore's desire to have more information before acting and waves his left arm down, signaling everybody to cower down and to not make noise. (Hide 17, despite armour). He watches the illusion appear, admiring his comrade's craft, but wonders about what will happen when the enemy discover it.
The warrior keeps his bow ready and whispers:
"If the fight starts, we'll need some light over the targets. Also, concentrate your fire on the spell casters. Afterwards Vauhwyt and I run in a diagonal line to outflank them and keep your line of fire open, trying to get into h-h fast. But for now, wait!"
The ex-soldier finally analyses the situation for any other flaws and possible advantages (military knowledge 14).
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+10=17 d20+5=9 Saturday April 30th, 2005 1:08:02 PM
Vauhwyt grabs Mookie's beak and silences him. Suddenly aware of a potential enemy, she silently rises to her feet and slips 20 feet toward the speaker and to one side, hiding in the concealment of the ash.
[Move Silent 17, Hide 9]
(How far away is the speaker?)
Vorelle d20+9=12 Sunday May 1st, 2005 10:54:39 AM
Vorelle is concerned when Theo puts himself in harm's way to create his ruse, but there's little she can do about it at that point. She nocks an arrow to cover him and hides herself as best she can--which isn't very good [Hide 12].
Rose d20+7=15 Sunday May 1st, 2005 11:19:40 PM
With her eyes still streaming, especially as Vorelle moves and stirs up ash off the ground. Rose moves and tries to hide.
hide: 15
Berlon Monday May 2nd, 2005 12:44:10 AM
"Illusions are in my blood."
Once he sees what Theodore is attempting to do, Berlon enhances Theodore'a Silent Image by casting Ghost Sound, making the illusion all the more realistic.
(OOC: enhance effect as per Ghost Sound, PHB 235)
No Body Knows... [DM SteveK] d20+4=11 d20+5=11 d100=42 Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 4:35:37 AM
Theodore casts his spell and a dead body of an orc lies sprawled only 25 feet from the hut. Berlon's enhanceing Ghost Sound lends little to the effect [OOC: How do you have sound make a dead body more realistic?], but the gnome enhances the Image through the sound of flies buzzing around the body.
The others get ready for any reaction from the hut. Dietrich's military training tells him that the swirling ash makes good concealment for his troops, and that the enemy would probably be easier to bag if they stayed in one place. A hut for instance.
The grey ash still swirls through the warm air, so thick the sun is only a pale disk somewhere above. As any ash touches the marshy earth, it turns black and gritty and adds to the mud of the swamp.
The only reason the heroes see the hut is because of the intense light coming out of the doorway and one window. As they advance, they can hear more easily the coughing in the hut, and it seems the occupants are making no effort to hide thier voices.
The small figure silouetted in the doorway turns its reptilian head quickly and stares through the ash. "Hush!", he whines into the hut, "there is something out here!" The coughing and voices are suddenly cut off in the hut.
With great agility, it swarms down a five rung ladder that connects the hut and the ground and advances to the 'dead orc'. It looks around furtively, and goes still when its eyes pass over Vauhwyt, but the swirling ash obscures its vision and it ignores the liontaur. It looks at the body and then turns as if to flee back to the hut.
The heroes have advanced to 60 feet of the hut and 35 feet from the figure and Theodore's Silent Image. They can see the figure is about half the size of the orc image. Berlon has heard at least two voices in the hut.
The warm air keeps the swirling ash moving and getting into everything.
Dietrich, shield d20+3=8 Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 10:13:33 AM
Dietrich observes the figure from his hiding point and wonders at its reptilian outlook. He trys to remember if he's seen something like it in Dirt City before (local knowledge 8). The warrior also trys to see what kind of equipment it wears.
In any case, Dietrich signals his friends to stay put and wait some time for the guy to return to the hut and relax (or for the others to come out and take a look at the dead orc). Then the group can advance under the concealment of ash and darkness.
Berlon d20+3=19 d8=5 d10=1 Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 1:32:51 PM
Berlon mutters quietly, barely above a whisper: "Well, Great Uncle Knobby always DID say illusions were as much art as magic..."
"We need to take the guard down quickly and quietly. I am not the best shot, so I won't be the first shot. Someone shoot first and I'll go after if need be."
Berlon already has his heavy crossbow loaded and ready, and he'll shoot at the target after someone else takes the first shot, provided it's still standing. If no one else can fire a missile this turn, he will sigh and hope he doesn't miss at such close range.
If he does shoot, he actually gets off a good one for a change.
Heavy Crossbow: Attack roll 19 for 5 damage.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday May 3rd, 2005 6:32:24 PM
"A kobold?" Theodore whispers to Dietrich. "If Gratchien really is in there, then it would be folly to swarm him in such a tight group. If he has any powerful spells, such as a fireball, he could get us all in one shot."
Theodore stays with the group, allowing the more strategy minded to do what they will with the information provided. He continues to concentrate on his image.
Vorelle Wednesday May 4th, 2005 2:33:02 AM
Taking her cue from Dietrich, Vorelle remains hidden, watching intently as the small sentry heads back toward the house
Out, Out, Damned Spot [DM SteveK] Wednesday May 4th, 2005 6:59:45 AM
Waiting for a signal, each hero makes no action but allows the figure to move without interference.
Once Theodore identifies the small humanoid out of the hut as a kobold, Dietrich sees the young man is correct. The small draconian humanoid doesn't inspect the orc body closely, but turns and runs back into the hut. The door shuts with a rickety sound and the light suddenly cuts off. It is now very difficult to see the hut through the swirling ash, and all but impossible to see any movement around the building, even from 60 feet away.
Sound is another matter. The ash falls heavy but silent, and the heroes are used to the swamp sounds. The sounds of shuffling and banging attests to frenzied activity.
Are they getting ready for battle? Preparing to escape? Hiding valued treasures? Those outside have no idea, but each are pretty certain the element of surprise has been lost.
Dietrich, shield d20=20 d20+4=10 d20+2=5 Wednesday May 4th, 2005 9:24:15 AM
Dietrich swears as it becomes clear that the enemy is now warned. Perhaps they could have shot it down, but it would have destroyed the surprise element, and now it's too late anyway.
As there aren't many options however, the warrior suggests for the group to spread, advance and surround the hut.
"Maybe we could put the hut on fire and force them to get out or surrender. The real problem is that we'll be targeted by Gratchien's and this other guy's magic."
Dietrich moves further, trying to keep himself hidden (hide natural 20, move silent 1).
If anything appears in his sight, he shoots with the longbow. (hits ac 10)
rose d20+7=13 d20+6=7 d20+7=10 d20+5=21 Wednesday May 4th, 2005 12:11:36 PM
Rose moves forward getting closer to the hut while pulling a piece of cloth out of her belt pouch and wiping her face.
Vorelle d20+9=13 d20+9=24 d20+7=11 Wednesday May 4th, 2005 4:54:05 PM
Vorelle, too, tries to slip closer to the house without being seen or heard. [Hide 13, Move Silently 24]
Because the ash makes it so difficult to see, she uses her sense of direction to try to stay on track. The ash is a little outside her experience, though, and she doesn't do a very good job. [Survival 11]
Berlon Wednesday May 4th, 2005 7:56:09 PM
Before everyone gets too close to the hut, Berlon casts Bless on the group. He will then try to creep towards to the hut, staying close to Dietrich.
Bless - 3 minutes, all party members within 50' get +1 morale bonus to attacks and saves vs. fear.
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Bless, Mage Armor) d20+10=29 d20+5=9 Wednesday May 4th, 2005 8:42:04 PM
Vauhwyt turns away from the hut and casts her Blood Armor spell. Her color changes to red as the spell affects herself and Mookie. She creeps closer. Move 29, Hide 9.
Thinkgs to do if V is in NPC mode and I cannot get to a PC: Cast Enlarge Person on self and Mookie, Sneak / run to the house. Jump in or on top of it, or climb to roof. Grapple any foes. Use longspear and height to poke in house. Use height to help hoist others up to house (it is on stilts, right?) Or maybe use size to start breaking stilts! Let house crash down! LOL! In general: Violet is random, brave, cowardly, and foolhardy. She also tends to follow instructions unless she has a great idea.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday May 4th, 2005 10:07:56 PM
Theodore lets his image fade into the ash and silently admonishes himself for giving his group away.
He decides to go right up the middle, straight for the hut. As he makes his way towards the hut, his form shifts and in his place stalks a non-descript orc dressed with a shock of mussed up black hair and a rat perched on top. He uses his staff to help him through the muck.
He flicks his hand three times and a brief fiery aura appears about him and seems to fade into his body as he comes ever closer to the hut.
[DM SteveK: As we are so close to the hut, the heroes are in round by round posting. Ergo, Theodore only casts Alter Self this round. He can cast Resistance next round if he wants]
Hut, Hut, Hike! [DM SteveK] Thursday May 5th, 2005 8:28:22 AM
"spread, advance and surround the hut." The heroes comply as best they can to Dietrich's direction, getting weapons ready and covering as much ground as possible.
Dietrich himself gets out his longbow and advances directly to the hut ending thirty feet from the small, five rung ladder that leads to the hut door.
Rose follows Dietrich, also getting within 30 feet and trying to see anything within the swirling ash. Rose's sharp eyes can clearly see the hut on short stilts lies on a spit of land which is surrounded on three sides by water. There is a dock in the water and three skiffs tied up.
Vorelle moves to flank Dietrich, momentarily losing sight of the hut through the blowing ash, but the square structure is easy to get back in her sights.
Berlon casts Bless, bestowing magical aid to the heroes for the anticipated fight. He doesn't advance with the others, but stays (for the moment) standing beside a very distracted Olyn. The half-elf seems to be elsewhere in his mind.
Vauhwyt casts her Blood Armor spell and then spreads out and moves forward and to the left of the main group. She gets 15 feet to the left of Dietrich and within 30 feet of the hut. She can move no further to the left, however, due to the swampy lake the hut is near.
Theodore moves right up, turning himself into the shape of an orc.
The activity within the hut takes on ever more frantic activity. A great ripping is heard from the rear of the hut, and chopping as if logs are quickly being hacked.
The front door slams open, and... nothing comes out. Or so it seems! Rose's sharp eyes note the ladder sways and then the ground 'splooshes' as if someone is running away. Due to the spit of land, anyone running will have to come very close to the advancing heroes. Indeed, the 'splooshes' run to the right of the party and are within five feet of Rose, but moving at a tangent to her advance.
Berlon (Shield Other 2h 40m, Bless 2 min 50s, Summon Monster I 3r) Thursday May 5th, 2005 1:34:37 PM
"Do not let them get away! We will never find them in this place!" Berlon yells.
He then follows his own advice, casting Summon Monster I to create a Celestial Badger. He will cast it at the baddie furthest away from the party, provided it is whithin the 30' spell range.
Once the badger appears, Berlon makes a loud series of what sounds like clicks and grunts, and the Badger actually seems to respond to it.
(OOC: No, really, Berlon speaks Magic Badger. PHB 17. He yells to the badger to make sure the baddie next to him doesn't get away, tackle, attack, whatever...)
Summon Monster I Duration 3 rounds
(OOC: are my durations right in the header? D&D time has always made my head hurt)
Rose d20+5=24 d8+4=6 d6=4 d20+5=23 d8+4=6 d6=4 d20+5=16 d8+4=8 Thursday May 5th, 2005 9:05:44 PM
Rose watches the splotches of water as they advance towards her position. She draws her sword and swings.
Theodore and Macaw Thursday May 5th, 2005 9:20:03 PM
Theodore misses the invisible man racing by, but catches sight of Rose swinging her sword and instantly catches on. Turning full on where Rose swung at, Theodore stretches his orc fingers outward and a jet of colors spews forward.
(Cast color spray to hit the area that Rose swung at without hitting her. Will save vs DC 14)
OOC Augment Post [DM SteveK] Friday May 6th, 2005 1:08:32 AM
No one can see any enemy. There is ripping sounds on the far side of the hut and the invisible sploshing that Rose noted.
Berlon can secondary post if he wants. I'm assuming that he conjured the badger as close to the back of the hut as possible and ordered the badger to attack. Since conjured creatures can attack the same round they are summoned, you can roll to hit and damage for your badger now.
Vorelle d20+9=21 d20+9=23 d20+7=25 d20+7=10 Friday May 6th, 2005 3:41:02 AM
Not noticing the emergence of the invisible splasher, Vorelle continues to advance on the stilt house, remaining as quiet and hidden as she can.
[Hide 21; Move Silently 23; Spot 25; Listen 10]
Dietrich, shield, bless d20+4=12 d20+2=19 d20+8=28 d20+8=24 2d6(2+4)+4=10 Friday May 6th, 2005 7:16:18 AM
When Dietrich sees Berlon conjure a monster and Rose swinging her sword through the air, the fighter realises that something invisible is trying to escape.
He hopes his friends magic will be able to handle it and moves to block the main exit of the hut. Dietrich puts the bow away and draws the great-sword (fast draw feat)
If anything trys to pass throgh him, he attacks: spot 12 listen 19 hits ac 28 -handicaps (natural 20) critical ac 24 damage 10 crit dam 20
Berlon - OOC 2nd post Friday May 6th, 2005 10:42:31 AM
OOC - I slightly misunderstood the DM post; the badger can go wherever Berlon thinks might be best to prevent running away.
I don't own a Monster Manual, and it's not in the PHB spell description, so I have zero clue as to summoned critter stats. If the DM wants to roll for the badger's attack and damage this first time, that's fine by me. If you want to give me the hit adj and damage range, I can keep track and roll for all subsequent critter attacks.
[DM SteveK - Roger, Wilco, Over and Out :) ]
rose Friday May 6th, 2005 10:31:02 PM
I know rose didnt see anything but splotches on the ground, as she's 3'3" if she swings about waist height where those splotches are going she should hit a leg :)
Vauhwyt [by SteveK] Saturday May 7th, 2005 3:39:32 AM
"Wowsy, they're around the back, too!" shouts Vauhwyt.
Casting Blood Enlarge, the liontaur grows huge, then moves to surround the house and not let the others escape.
And Battle Was Joined [DM SteveK] d100=92 d100=89 Saturday May 7th, 2005 4:42:11 PM
Rose spots what she assumes is an invisible person and attacks. Though the invisible runner has total concealment from her eyes, the halfling's blade is true (92%) and blood flies twice (89%) from the fleeing thing. The invisibility is gone, the 'splooshes' are gone, and a very dead kobold is stretched out in the mud.
Theodore sees the kobold appear and die on the end of Rose's sword. There is also no way to hit the kobold and not Rose, so he targets the space between the halfling and the hut to catch anyone trying to sneak behind.
Vorelle, as a shadow in the ash, moves to where she is to the left front of the hut. Rose's quick fight and the crash of the hut's back wall are the only sounds she hears. Of course, with the amount of noise those two epidodes make, it is certainly enough :)
Dietrich stows his bow, draws his greatsword as a flash of silver lightning, and moves to the door. Through the opening and the swirling ash, he sees the back of the hut crash down and two figures sillouetted in the half-light, one a large reptilian humanoid with a tail and sword, and the other a cloaked man holding a book. They don't appear eager to go through the front door...
Vauhwyt grows to Huge size and with great strides moves through the soft water around the hut. As she arrives, she sees through the falling ash the back of the hut come crashing down. Two figures stand at the opening, one a large reptilian humanoid with a tail and sword, and the other a cloaked man holding a book.
Berlon carefully conjures a Celestial Badger. Since he is 30 feet behind the rest of the group, and 60 feet from the hut, the badger only appears right next to Rose. After the gnomes instructions, it sniffs the kobold then bustles towards the hut; arriving under the hut.
The reptilian turns and takes a step to the center of the hut, his sword is wielded two handed and he sets himself, barring Dietrich's way to the cloaked figure. He is 10 feet from the door.
The cloaked figure jumps to the dock behind the hut and lands 20 feet from Vauhwyt. Turning towards the enlarged liontaur, he makes a complicated pass with his hands and Vauhwyt feels that all this may be hilariously funny [Will Save 14 or affected by Hideous Laughter]
Berlon (Shield Other 2h 39m 54s, Bless 2 min 38s, Summon Monster I 2r) d20+3=17 d10=9 Saturday May 7th, 2005 7:13:14 PM
Since he never fired it, and since it's still loaded, AND since his small legs don't move him very fast, Berlon will fire his crossbow at the cloaked figure near Vauhwyt (standard action) then move as close as he can towards it (15', move action)
Heavy Crossbow (range 120')Attack hits AC 17 for 9 dge.
Berlon (second OOC post) Saturday May 7th, 2005 7:14:50 PM
I forgot my own spell. If it matters, Bless makes me hit AC 18 instead of 17.
Dietrich, ac 20, 29/29 hp, shield, bless, d20+3=13 d20+6=17 2d6(4+4)+4=12 Sunday May 8th, 2005 9:18:57 AM
Dietrich sees the now visible dead kobold dropping to the ground in its own blood and is reminded not to underestimate Rose's fighting abillities.
When the new reptilian foe appears, the warrior feels his adrenalin rise and his muscles long for a good fight. But the pragmatic soldier controls himself and assumes a defensive posture (combat expertise +2 ac, -2 attack), moving slowly forward and saying in a calm voice:
"Your kobold friend is already dead and you're outnumbered. Surrender and live!" Diplomacy 13
If the enemy isn't reasonable and attacks, DIetrich fights:
hits ac 17 damage 12
As the guy with the book trys to flee, Dietrich just hopes Vauhwyt isn't hurt and doesn't kill him. He would pretty much like to have someone to interrogate.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 27/27] d20+7=26 Sunday May 8th, 2005 4:08:54 PM
Apparently doomed to always be one step behind the battle, Vorelle reverses her direction and moves toward the crashing she heard at the back of the house, trying to spot an opponent before he dies.
[Spot 26]
Rose Sunday May 8th, 2005 5:09:18 PM
Rose starts back towards the back of the hut moving as fast as she can. As she heads there she touches her belt and mutters a few words.
cast mage armor, duration 2 hours.
ooc: can we have a map, how far away is rose? always remember I love maps.
Theodore and Macaw Sunday May 8th, 2005 10:11:34 PM
Theodore's attention is drawn by the crash at the back of the hut and he sees Gratchien leap from the back and cast a spell at Vauhwyt.
Moving as quickly as he can, Theodore tries to get within range to use his own magic, a large web shooting from the plain rod in his left hand.
(Cast Web at Gratchien, using metamagic rod of enlarge spell, lesser, giving it a range of 260 ft. Reflex save vs 15.)
Vauhwyt and Mookie (AC 20; HP 24/24) d20+5=12 Monday May 9th, 2005 1:12:11 PM
Vauhwyt feels a tickle, and a guffaw escapes her lips. And then... peals of laughter fill the air as a huge, blood colored liontaur collapses in the mud and water, rolling around and laughing, laughing, laughing.
One Down... [DM SteveK] d100=4 d20+4=21 d8+2=3 d20=18 d4=4 d20+6=15 d20+1=9 d20+4=17 Monday May 9th, 2005 2:54:25 PM
(OOC: Having trouble making a map :( I'll make sure I have one for the next battle)
Berlon can barely see the figure on the dock with the swirling ash. He fires his crossbow, but the gray ash obscures his target and spoils the shot. (4%) The brave gnome then moves forward, being 45 feet from the front of the building and off to the left (in order to see Vauhwyt, the dock, and the figure)
The Celestial Badger (AC 15, HP 6, A +0, D 1-2) continues running under the hut, onto the dock and strikes out at the cloaked man (AC18) and hitting for 2 hit points of damage! (Cloaked man AC 16)
Dietrich doesn't take enough time to try and change the lizard's mind (Diplomacy takes a full minute; 10 rounds to change attitude), but when the lizardfolk smiles in amusement at the 'live or die' line, the warrior is pretty sure the creature will only understand steel. Dietrich moves forward, but moves into the lizard's sword (AOO; AC 21) taking 3 hp damage. The warriors return stroke glances off the scaly lizard's armor.
Vorelle hastens around to the back of the house and sees the wall down, the cloaked man fending off a golden colored badger on the dock (15 feet away) and Vauhwyt laughing her head off in the swampy muck.
Rose follows after Vorelle and also steps around the hut to see the same badger, man, and Vauhwyt.
Theodore moves to the right and forward to get a good angle past the hut and casts his web. He easily ranges the 30 feet to the dock and Graitchen, Vauhwyt, Rose, and Vorelle are in danger of getting trapped in the sticky webs. The hut on one side and a low hanging cyprus tree anchor the spell. Graitchen manages to only be entangled, but the Celestial Badger is hopelessly caught!
Vauhwyt, Rose, and Vorelle all have to Reflex Save vs 15.
The lizardfolk becomes more aggressive against Dietrich, seeing that this human is no match for him. The battle inside the hut rages, though no one else can see besides the two fighters. The reptile fients high and chops low, but is foiled by Dietrich's defense. Doubt appears in his eyes, as if to say this won't be as easy as he first thought.
His hood pulled off by flailing through the web, Graitchen's wild eyes burn with hatred. "I will not fail the Test!" he cries, "I will kill you all!" He keeps a book tightly in one hand and makes passes with the other, then points at Vorelle. The ranger feels a tightness in her muscles and must make a Will Save of 14 or be affected by a Hold Person spell. Graitchen then turns and moves his way towards the end of the dock where an unwebbed skiff bobs in the water, but is unable to move completely through the web spell.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 27/27] d20+6=24 d20+2=5 Monday May 9th, 2005 4:42:07 PM
Vorelle ducks as the web is cast, and avoids being stuck in it. [Ref 24] She is unprepared, however, for the spell the mage is casting at her and stands frozen in place. [Will 5]
Rose d20+6=8 d20+2=15 Monday May 9th, 2005 4:48:18 PM
Rose is running towards the hut when suddenly a large spider web appears and traps her. [b]"How do we get rid of this thing she asks struggling to get out.
Reflex: 8 str: 15
Berlon 18/19HP, AC 20 (18 during run) (Shield Other 2h 39m 48s, Bless 2 min 32s, Summon Monster I 1r) Monday May 9th, 2005 5:20:45 PM
(OOC: Am I right in assuming I take 1 hp dge for Dietrich from Shield Other, and he takes 2 hp? I'm not sure how the rounding works.)
Berlon feels a slight tinge of pain, but it's merely a scratch. (1 hp dge from Shield Other) Seeing the situation, Berlon decides it's time to make a move, so he will run as fast as his legs will carry him towards Graitchen.
Full round action - move 45' (15' x3 for med/heavy armor PHB 99)
Free action - drop crossbow at feet
Theodore and Macaw Monday May 9th, 2005 8:05:33 PM
Theodore continues to move closer, dropping his quarterstaff as he moves, and pulling forth the tanglefoot bag from his backpack that Berlon had given him.
(Moving as close to Gratchien as I can without getting into the web.)
Dietrich, ac 19, 27/29 hp, shield, bless, d20+8=20 2d6(6+3)+4=13 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 7:12:01 AM
Dietrich didn't really count on the monster surrending and the scratch received only justifies the side in him eager to see blood spill.
As the wicked creature smiles, he smiles back, behind his heavy helmet and nods with recognition, thinking: 'By Domi, so be it then.'
The warrior is a little worried he didn't hit the beast with a quite decent attack and he changes into a more agressive position. (ac 19 with Berlon's shield; forgot to add it last post)
Dietrich swings his well-balanced masterwork blade in a diagonal slash aimed at the lizard's throat. hits ac 20 damage 13
Vauhwyt and Mookie (AC 20; HP 24/24) [by DM SteveK] Tuesday May 10th, 2005 1:52:31 PM
The huge liontaur continues to roll helplessly on the ground in laughter.
And then there were Three... [DM SteveK] d20+6=13 d20+5=21 4d6(4+1+2+4)=11 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 3:47:57 PM
Vorelle's muscles freeze up and she is ensorcelled by a Hold Person spell. (round 1)
Rose yells in frustration as the only one Theodore's web captures is the little halfling. (If only the mage would dismiss the spell as a free action...)
Berlon drops his crossbow and dashes across through the falling ash to the back corner of the hut. He sees the web encasing Rose and the Celestial Badger, Vorelle merely entangled but unmoving, Vauhwyt laughing her head off, and Graitchen slowly getting unentangled from the web and moving towards an open skiff at the end of the dock. Berlon is at the edge of the web and Graitchen is 35 feet away. (And yes, the Shield Other gives him one point of damage;)
Theodore is only 15 feet from the web as it is (20 foot radius) so he easily moves to the edge of the web, standing about 10 feet to the right of Berlon. He also has plenty of time to throw the tanglefoot bag if he wants. (Go ahead and give a roll, then post a full round also)
Dietrich squares off against the lizardfolk and gives it a vicious cut. The Bear certainly seems to be doing the better in this fight!
The laughter of Vauhwyt make a strange companion to the shouts and sounds of battle in the falling ash.
The lizardfolk (AC 19) sets his mouth in a firm line and weilds his sword in an overhand chop that cleaves only air (to hit 13).
Graitchen laughs as Berlon comes around the corner. "Another victim for my magics!" he taunts, "Three companions are under my power already. Begone! Begone! Begone!" his hands pass again in arcane symbols and a lance of scorching fire strikes out at Berlon (touch attack AC 21) and burns across his skin for 11 hit points damage. He then succees in getting through the web and hops into the skiff, 40 feet from Berlon and Theodore.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 27/27] d20+2=12 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 3:53:32 PM
Vorelle remains where she is, still held by the spell [Will 12]. She watches helplessly as fire blazes from the mage's hands, and can only pray that it doesn't set the web alight.
Berlon 16/19HP, AC 20 (Shield Other 2h 39m 42s, Bless 2m 26s, Summon Monster I last round) d8+4=9 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 8:44:37 PM
As much as Berlon wants to take another run at Graitchen, he is directly responsible for Dietrich as well as himself.
"Deangol Grib!" Berlon casts Cure Lt. Wounds (Domain spell) curing 9 hp on himself.
"Theodore! Now might be the time to throw that bag!"
He pauses a second to see if Theodore will throw the bag, so he can hopefully advance 15' *after* Theodore throws it. If Theodore doesn't throw it, he will still advance the 15'.
Theodore and Macaw d20+3=12 d20+3=20 Tuesday May 10th, 2005 10:04:56 PM
Theodore dismisses the web and launches the bag in an overhead arc. He continues to hustle after Gratchien regardless of whether the bag hits or not.
(Hit AC 12, used a hero point to reroll to hit AC 20 for the tanglefoot bag.)
Dietrich, ac 19, 27/29 hp, shield, bless d20+6=18 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 4:48:31 AM
Unaware of what is going on outside the hut, Dietrich is fully concentrated on his own deadly duell. He feels a strange wave of triumph when his sword cuts through the lizard's flesh, getting its first blood.
Encouraged by the good opening moves of the fight and the divine protection of Alemi, he decides to get more agressive (powerattack, -2 to hit, +2 damage) and to finish off the monster soon. Unfortunately this haste causes him to narrowly miss his attack:
hits ac 18
*** OOC *** BigTim aka Olyn *** OOC *** Wednesday May 11th, 2005 12:58:17 PM
ok, computer is back and upgraded. would it be ok to jump back in when this module is over with? i need time to catch up on everything going on.
[DM SteveK - BigTim, great to hear from you and that your computer troubles are finally over. No problem with Olyn catching up after this module. The half-elf is somewhere back in the ash and he can be convieniently 'lost' until you are ready to return. :)]
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday May 11th, 2005 1:18:12 PM
The liontaur continues to roll helplessly on the squishy ground, tears on her face from laughing so hard.
A Sticky Situation [DM SteveK] d20+6=20 d8+2=4 d20+6=15 d20+4=9 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 2:46:58 PM
Vorelle makes a mental sigh of relief that the firey ray doesn't light the webs on fire, but it is a small one. The ranger is still held fast for the second round.
Berlon heals himself and feels better. The venomous glare that Graitchen gives the gnome looks like the man didn't expect that of Berlon.
Theodore throws the tanglefoot bag (Touch attack, range incriment 40 feet) and the unwieldy grenade wobbles in the air and is way off target headed directly towards a tree. And yet, the bag is diverted by soft leaves and instead makes a direct hit on Graitchen and the skiff. Ain't it great to be a hero? He dismisses the web and the mage with Berlon beside him move forward. Theodore is on the dock and 10 feet from Graitchen. Berlon is on the dock and 15 feet from Graitchen.
Dietrich is occupied with the battle in the hut. This lizardfolk looks much the match for the doughty fighter.
Rose is astonished that she is suddenly free of the magical web and it takes a second or two to collect her thoughts.
Vauhwyt is in the throughs of laughter for the third round.
Being more cautious than his human opponent, the lizard waits for Dietrich to overextend and then follows through to pink the human in the thigh (AC 20) for 4 hit points of damage (2 for Deitrich 2 for Berlon) He is certainly keeping the strongest looking member of the group 'in play' while Graitchen battles the others...
Graitchen howls in frustration as once again he is entangled, this time by a lowly alchemy mixture! He isn't helpless (Reflex save 15) but he, the skiff, and the oar are mighty sticky. "You are but a pesky flea that I shall grind to dust!", he yells at Theodore, and a spell hurtles at the mage. It turns into a glowing morningstar, and the spiritual weapon strikes out, missing the running mage (AC 9).
The ash still falls, but it seems less and it is easier to see about you.
Berlon 14/19HP, AC 20 (Shield Other 2h 39m 36s, Bless 2m 20s) d20+6=16 d8+2=10 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 4:44:47 PM
Berlon advances the final 15 feet, drawing his weapon as he moves (PHB 141 note 4)
"You will not be the first thing I have dispatched in this swamp, I can only hope you are the last. Rose! Assist Dietrich if you can! Theodore and I can handle this!"
With that Berlon takes a mighty swing with his heavy mace at Graitchen.
Heavy Mace attack hits AC 16 for 10 damage.
Vorelle d20+2=3 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 6:05:09 PM
Burning with shame, Vorelle watches the two mages go to deal with Gratchien, and Rose move to help Dietrich.
They're putting their lives on the line, she tells herself viciously, and you're just standinghere!
No matter how she berates herself, however, she is unable to move [Will 3].
Theodore and Macaw HP 13/13 AC 17 (dodge & mage armor) d20-3=3 Wednesday May 11th, 2005 9:34:16 PM
Theodore moves with Berlon and draws his rapier, still looking like an orc. "Don't kill him." he tries to whisper to Berlon as they advance.
"Surrender, Gratchien. You can't escape," he tries to reason with the mage.
If Gratchien makes any sudden moves, Theodore will attempt to stab the man in a non-vital area. But misses...horribly.
(Hit AC 3 if Gratchien continues to act hostile.)
Rose d4+1=3 Thursday May 12th, 2005 12:11:58 AM
Rose was startled when the web disappeared and almost fell. As she hears Berlon yelling at her she points her finger at Dietrich's opponent and mutters a few words. Suddenly a ball of yellow light shoots from her finger and touches him. Rose then starts running towards the guy near the boat.
magic missile: range 120' damage 3
Vauhwyt and Mookie (AC 20; HP 24/24) Thursday May 12th, 2005 7:53:22 AM
The huge liontaur continues to roll helplessly on the ground in laughter.
Mookie shouts at his master, "Boss! Get a grip!" The familiar directs the unseen servant to hold open the Medium Bag of Tricks. Mookie reaches in and tosses a furry ball at the nearest enemy, with orders to attack.
[OOC: Letting the DM roll for the Bag.]
[OOC: Back today, maybe for the rest of the week, definitely starting Monday.]
Mookie: Unseen Servant from scroll (duration one hour) Bag of Tricks two uses so far this week
Dietrich, ac 19, 25/29 hp, shield, bless d20+8=11 Thursday May 12th, 2005 8:01:17 AM
Dietrich bites his teeth at the pain of the new wound, but feels Alemi's protection upon him. He curses his mistake and goes for a more conventional guarded approach.
Although the fighter could do with some support and appreciates Rose's magic attack, Dietrich is glad she decided to continue on Gratchien's heels. That's the main target and probably the more dangerous enemy. The soldier feels confident in his rune encrested armour and with his beloved sharp steel in hands, not to speak of Berlon's shield.
He attacks again, but despite all effort misses. Hits ac 11
Berlon (OOC second post) Thursday May 12th, 2005 1:37:49 PM
OOC: Minor oopsy on my part, Berlon hasn't had a chance to ready his shield yet, so his AC this round is 18, not 20.
Also, I don't know the timing of the web spell going away vs. the badger blinking out at the end of the round, but does Pookie (the badger) get a last attack? If so feel free to roll away...
A Swarm of Heroes [DM SteveK] 2d4(2+3)=5 d100=99 d20+6=26 d20+6=16 d4+4=6 d4+4=8 d20+4=11 d20+4=23 d8+1=4 d20+6=19 Thursday May 12th, 2005 2:56:58 PM
The moist warm air is definately clearer as less and less ash is in the air. It does not stay crisp on the ground but immediately turns into wet black soot. Every footfall splatters the muck on clothes and skin, quickly chafing away in the most sensitive areas.
Graitchen is in no mood to surrender and Berlon jumps into the skiff to smash the evil man with his mace for 10 hit points. The gnome sucessfully strikes the man, and the hardened Tanglefoot doesn't affect him as it does Graitchen.
Vorelle is held fast for the third round.
Theodore also attacks Graitchen, but he fails to find a solid target.
Rose casts a glowing missle into the lizard warrior, then runs through the lightly falling ash to the dock, pulling up right next to the orc that talks like Theodore.
Mookie uses his mistress' bag of tricks and his unseen servant to pull forth a Black Bear, which rumbles towards Graitchen and attacks, stiking deep with a claw for 14 hit points (AC nat 20, 6 damage, crit AC 16, 8 damage)
Black Bear (AC 13, HP 19, A +6, D d4+4, d4+4, D6+2)
Vauhwyt collapses and suddenly realizes the magical compulsion to laugh is gone! She can act normally next round.
The fight between the lizardfolk warrior and Dietrich is taking epic porportions, but finally, it seems that the others are getting the upper hand of Graitchen.
Graitchen reels but continues to spew forth hatred and spells at his attackers. "Marteus curse you!", he cries, and reaches out to touch Berlon, but the tanglefoot gets in the way. Not so the spiritual weapon that crashes into the orc in front of him for 4 points of damage to Theodore.
Distracted by the magic missle, the lizardfolk also misses Dietrich the Bear, if only barely. Almost unwillingly, a smile plays across the reptile's face, acknowledging the skill of his worthy opponent.
Graitchen is AC 15 while entangled
Vauhwyt and Mookie (AC 20; HP 24/24) d20+10=21 Thursday May 12th, 2005 3:47:24 PM
"Okay, ha ha, Mookie!" chuckles Vauhwyt.
She gets up (move action) and rushes over to Graitchen on the other side from Berlon and the bear (flanking, if possible, to give Berlon and bear a +2 to hit. Since Vauhwyt fills a 15 ft by 15 ft square, up to three medium size creatures across from her can gain flanking bonuses).
Vauhwyt's Tumble check to avoid AoOs is 21.
Mookie continues to direct the bear to fight Graitchen (thanks for handling the bear, Steve!)
Spells: Blood Armor Blood Enlarge
Mookie: Unseen Servant from scroll (duration one hour) Bag of Tricks two uses so far this week
Berlon 14/19HP, AC 20 (Shield Other 2h 39m 30s, Bless 2m 14s) d20+8=17 d8+2=5 Thursday May 12th, 2005 5:22:31 PM
Berlon reaches for and readies his shield. "Not that I'm going to need this," he hisses as Graitchen. "Just be thankful we don't stuff YOUR corpse into a chest for someone to find."
With that, Berlon takes another swing with his heavy mace.
Move action: Ready heavy wooden shield
Standard action: Attack with heavy mace hits AC 17 (with flank bonus, 15 if no flank bonus)
Attack does 5 points damage.
Theodore and Macaw HP 13/13 AC 17 (dodge & mage armor) d20=6 d20=8 Thursday May 12th, 2005 5:58:37 PM
"DON'T KILL HIM!!" Theodore roars, his mouth gaping, fangs glistening as he literally jumps on the struggling mage after dropping his rapier in an attempt to keep Berlon and Vauhwyt's bear from killing their only form of information.
Unfortunately, he misses terribly and sprawls in the boat alongside Gratchien.
(Grapple check hits AC 6.)
Rose d20+5=23 d8+4=6 Thursday May 12th, 2005 6:49:07 PM
Rose sees the animals and stuff attacking Gratchien so she changes directions and heads towards Dietrich to help him. She reaches him and attacks the lizard man.
attack: 23 damage: 6
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 17/17] d20+2=21 Friday May 13th, 2005 3:43:37 AM
Concentrating fiercely, Vorelle is at last able to break the grip of the spell that has been holding her [Will 21].
Dietrich, ac 19, 25/29 hp, shield, bless, d20+8=18 2d6(6+1)+4=11 d6=1 Friday May 13th, 2005 7:23:42 AM
Dietrich remains fully concentrated on his fight with the lizard and deep inside is really enjoying the good battle. He hasn't had such a skilled and though enemy for a long while and relishes the feeling of being on the edge of his abbility and awareness.
For a short moment, the knight hears Theodore's shout and can only hope his friends listen to the young, but wise, wizard.
Finally, when Rose appears to help, Dietrich acknowledges her with a nod and keeps his footwork going, so as to flank the lizardman.
hits ac 18 (20 if allowed to flank) damage 11 (if flanking, sneak attack 1 damage)
Its My Party and I'll Die if I Want To... [DM SteveK] d20+6=19 d20+6=8 d20+6=19 d4+4=6 d6+2=8 d20+6=20 d10+3=8 d20+4=5 d8+4=9 Friday May 13th, 2005 2:02:56 PM
Vauhwyt stands and moves in an acrobatic fashion to cover Graitchen's flank. Since there is no room left on the dock for a 15 foot tall liontaur, she expeditiously jumps into the water beside the skiff. Waves rock the dock and boat, but don't affect the others, and Vauhwyt discovers the water is only about 6 foot deep (easily shallow enough for her to provide flanking attack on Graitchen)
Mookie caws encouragement to the Black Bear and the ursine uses a full attack on his enemy, striking with claw and tooth for 14 points of damage.
Black Bear (AC 13, HP 19, A +6, D d4+4, d4+4, D6+2)
The giant liontaur in the water makes Graitchen (still fighting) lose track of Berlon and the gnome lays into his enemy's shoulder for 5 damage.
Theodore begs the others to capture Graitchen alive, misses his grapple and (with no room in the skiff) tumbles into the 6 foot deep water opposite Vauhwyt.
Rose, unfortunately, takes a double move to get back to the hut, run up the back wall that is like a ramp, and into the hut. Not only does she not get an attack, Rose runs into a backslash from the lizard's wicked sword for 8 hit points of damage (AC 20)
Vorelle staggers upright, free of the spell that had imprisoned her muscles!
Dietrich notes that though Rose was hurt, she also disrupted the lizard warrior's concentration. Diving in, he strikes true for 12 points of damage.
Beyond all expectation, Graitchen is still conscious. Reeling, but aware and able to move. His spiritual weapon dives after Theodore in the water but misses the 'orc'. Graitchen raises his hand which still has the undischarged spell smouldering. He grins in defeat and triumph. "You shall all die in your time." And Graitchen touches himself, discharging the harmful spell into his own body for 9 points and killing him instantly.
The noise at the dock suddenly ceases, and the lizard seems to know what that means. He takes a 5 foot step towards an undamaged wall and puts his sword into a totally defensive position. "Yield", says the deep voice, "Thliss-Ka will yield." His AC is 23.
The ash rain is all but over, and the sky is light enough to easily see around you. Olyn is nowhere to be seen, probably somewhere back in the ash around the mulberry thicket.
In the hut with the fighting at a lull, Dietrich and Rose can notice a rude table shoved to one corner and a large chest and a sack in another. Other than that, the hut is empty.
Rose hp: 10/18 AC 18 d20+4=10 Friday May 13th, 2005 5:32:47 PM "I've got to get some better armor" Rose mutters to herself "of course then I may have trouble casting my spells, maybe some sort of magical item. I'll go look at the catacombs catalog later" Rose starts tying up the lizard "Dietrich check my work please"
use rope: 10
Dietrich Saturday May 14th, 2005 4:57:15 AM
Dietrich is glad the lizard surrendered in the end. He saw Rose getting wounded and knows too well that continuing the duell would be risky and costly.
The knight nods and says: "Thliss-Ka fought well and bravely and I'm honoured to have battled you! Now, put the sword aside, get down and let my comrade bind you!" Dietrich stays ready to slash the lizardman at the first sign of treachery.
After Rose is done, the soldier does as asked and checks her work. He wonders what is going on outside.
Vauhwyt Saturday May 14th, 2005 12:38:09 PM
Vauhwyt does her best to snatch the book from Graitchen, trying to avoid damage to it. She braces herself for the creepy feel of the skin in which it is bound, if she remembers correctly. (move action)
Mookie flies to her bear's shoulder and tells it to stop fighting.
"Maybe someone should detect for magic," she says.
She takes the chance to cast Prestidigitation (standard action), so that she can clear all the ash and filth and water out of her hair and face and fur, so much as she can.
Theodore and Macaw d20=11 Saturday May 14th, 2005 3:07:12 PM
Theodore gurgles and comes up with a splash, treading water with some difficulty, but managing to keep his head above water. He gets a grip on the dock and pulls himself up and over. A sopping rat hops from his head and scurries off. At about five feet from Theodore, the rat suddenly turns into a raven, specifically, Macaw.
As the 'orc' lays sprawled on the dock, he groans and shrugs out of his backpack. "Is it over?" he asks.
(Swim check = 11. HP 8/13 with ring of regeneration on.)
Vorelle d20+3=19 Sunday May 15th, 2005 10:03:46 AM
Shaking off the lingering effects of the spell, Vorelle hurries to help Rose tie up the Lizardman.
[Successfully Aid Another; Rose gets +2 to her attempt]
Olyn Sunday May 15th, 2005 3:45:14 PM
first Blinking, then rubbing his eyes as if rubbing sleep from them, then turning and glancing around Olyn tries to get his bearings. looking at the ground, up to the tree tops, and hearing the sounds of battle he tries shaking off his unawaresness and starts honing on what is going on around him.
Berlon 14/19HP, AC 20 (Shield Other 2h 39m 24s, Bless 2m 8s) d8+4=9 Sunday May 15th, 2005 5:08:51 PM
Berlon nods in agreement with Vauhwyt. "I have both Detect Magic and Identify at my disposal, let's gather everything together and we can go from there. But first..."
Berlon goes to find Rose and casts Cure Light Wounds, healing for 9 hp. (Cure Lt. spontaneously cast in place of Sanctuary)
Treasure for the Victors [DM SteveK] Monday May 16th, 2005 2:31:45 AM
[OOC: Combat rounds are over :)]
Seeing he won't be killed out of hand, Thliss-Ka places his sword at the feet of Dietrich, then sits with crossed legs and places his hands behind his back for Rose to tie more easily. The lizardfolk seems heavily wounded but hale enough for all that. The reptilian face seems to hold an air of defeated patience, though it is hard to tell from the strange facial features.
Rose ties up the lizardfolk, and Vorelle arrives to help make the bindings tight.
Dietrich sees the chest, the bag, and the table all in one corner, and nothing else of intrest in the room.
Outside, the ash has stopped falling, and yet the strangeness is not over. New growth is sprouting everywhere, growing so fast that it is possible to see with the naked eye. Under the hut with stilts, vines twist down and around and melons begin ripening all out of season. What is causing all this?
Olyn suddenly comes back to himself, and is surprised to find himself in a swamp standing next to a thicket of mulberry bushes. He, adn the land all about, is covered in ash as if someone took a huge, old campfire and threw it into the air. Ahead of the half-elf, a hut on top of stilts stands, and Olyn can see the form of Dietrich inside. Splashing and voices behind the hut reveal the location of your other companions. Dancing around your head are three sprites clothed in red, blue, and yellow. They spin in a dance of celebration and seem intent only in themselves. Highlight to display spoiler: { He remembers staring into a fire while a beautiful song plays. As soon as Olyn had begun singing the song, his memory fades, though he has frustrating snatches of visible imagery about a conclave of elves in a tavern, a song of welcoming, a druidic forest glade and a satyr with a crown and holding a crystaline pumpkin. }
Berlon goes into the hut and heals Rose.
A very wet Theodore, Macaw, and Vauhwyt get on the dock, happy they have retrieved the Book.
The Book is still held by the tanglefoot, which disolves only a few seconds later. Vauhwyt picks up the heavy volume, again seeing (and feeling) the skins, furs, and hides that make up the cover. The Book also feels warm, but that is probably due to Graitchen holding it so close to his body.
As Vauhwyt retreives the Book, Graitchen's body collapses and a bloody arm drapes across the tome. His blood seems to seep into the Book and disappears. Immediately, the Book becomes much warmer and begins to glow a sickly red!
The Book opens and rapidly do the pages move before coming to a rest on a blank page. Black lines begin moving and soon form themselves into words that demand to be read.
"Thrice the power, thrice the danger, thrice again the price Swamp, black soil, and book, are answers to entice
Three together heralds nature's awoken Bridegroom Ages long past was given his sleeping doom
From chalice at the wedding he sipped enchanted wine Yet awake he is once more; woe to thee and thine!"
.................
Berlon, Dietrich, Rose, Theodore, Vorelle, and Vauhwyt each gain 2,750 xp for the adventure in recovering the book. Well done, all!
In addition, Vorelle and Theodore each get 300xp bonus for excellent roleplaying.
Rose gets a hero point for taking the lead in the secret tunnel under Graitchen's room when there was a whole lot of evil stuff happening and no telling what was on the other side. "Iron Guts Award"
Theodore gets a hero point for charging Graitchen after the Big G had taken out half the party. "What Was I Thinking? Award"
Berlon gets a hero point for casting shield other on Dietrich, knowing that the gnome would run out of hit points faster than the fighter AND THEN getting stuck into melee himself. "Candle At Both Ends Award"
Graitchen has ... Chain Shirt, MW Heavy Mace, MW 2 brown potions 1 yellow potion Book
Rose Monday May 16th, 2005 3:47:28 AM
Rose streches after being healed "Thanks Berlon, I needed that." she says before casting Prestiditation to clean herself up and going to look at the items.
Rose now is back to full hp, unfortunatly she is still 10 exp away from level 4 :)
Dietrich Monday May 16th, 2005 10:00:38 AM
Dietrich takes his helmet off and congratulates his friends for the fight, happy nobody is seriously hurt (after Berlons' healing...).
But when he realises that Gratchien is dead, the warrior feels disappointment and anger. He shakes his head and mumbles swearwords.
Finally he focuses on the other objects in the hut and brings they to the pile for examination by Rose and identify magic.
"There are some difficult decisions still to be made comrades, but let's take a look on our booty first."
ooc: just remembering that we still didn't share the treasure of the bodak encounter, gems from the cursed artifact.
Olyn Monday May 16th, 2005 10:18:33 AM
looking around as if being outside for the first time, he marvels at everything. the ash, the bush which he fondles the leaves gently, and then the sprites flittering about head. smiling he coos a soft note to them, and then heads towards the hut.
seeing everyone up and moving brings another smile to his face and prompts him to say: didya missme?
Berlon 14/19HP (Shield Other 2h 35) Monday May 16th, 2005 11:23:32 AM
Berlon shakes his head at the magical actions of the book.
"Are we REALLY sure we want to bring this back to the Prince and that place? And can someone remove the book from the hut? It will probably affect detections..."
Once all the goodies are gathered together and the book is out of range, he will cast Detect Magic to see what might need to be identified.
(OOC: Rose, did you add in the xp for the hero point? Even if you didn't, once we get the xp from the old module I bet you'll level!)
Theodore and Macaw d20+11=12 Monday May 16th, 2005 1:29:36 PM
Theodore uses the remaining time left in his spell to turn back to his normal self. Standing, he lets out a deep sigh of relief and frowns at the dead body of Gratchien.
"We really have to be on the same page in situations like this," he says, more to himself than anyone. He winces after speaking, just now feeling the pain from Gratchien's spiritual weapon. He rubs his chest and notices the dull glow of his ring, suddenly feeling slightly better.
He marvels at the ring for a moment, smiling curiously, before turning his attention to his friends. "At the least, no one is badly hurt." His smile is genuine. Whatever his complaints with his friends, he loves them like family, and wishes them no harm.
Seeing Berlon take charge of diagnosing the hut's inventory for magical items, Theodore decides to do the same on Gratchien's possessions. He first scans the items as a group and then singles out the items with an aura, one by one, testing for strength and then their specific schools of magic.
(Cast detect magic. Unfortunately, my spellcraft check to determine school of magic is 12, a natural 1)
Vorelle d20=19 Monday May 16th, 2005 3:54:23 PM
Assuming that somebody (that is, somebody who can talk properly) will be wanting to question the Lizardman, Vorelle stands near the captive, ready to assist. She tries to look fierce, and actually manages it this time.
[successfully Aid Another to an Intimidate check]
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+7=10 Monday May 16th, 2005 4:17:40 PM
Vauhwyt is puzzled by the Book and its words, but has no time to puzzle over them, so she delegates.
"Mookie, get your servant to copy down what the book says."
But herself, she has a lizardman to intimidate while her spell (enlarge person) is still going.
The blood red, 13-foot tall liontaur steps over to the Lizardman. "If you know what is good for you, you'll tell us how this book got here from Dirt City, and what you know about it."
[Intimidate roll base is 10, plus 2 from Vorelle's help, plus 8 from her size bonus for being huge, is a 20.]
Anunnaki d20+3=11 Monday May 16th, 2005 7:40:34 PM
Anunnaki attempts to loosen his bindings, shifting within the confined space in an effort to make it actually possible.
Escape Artist Check 11
Information [SteveK] d20+6=10 Tuesday May 17th, 2005 12:04:21 PM
Pain, defeat, and surrounded by enemies makes Thliss-Ka cringe a little. "The Human One was here. Told Thliss-Ka that my warriors would reap great reward and honor to pillage humans and halflings in Dirt City. The Human One said to meet here, and he told me and the Little Lizard to gathers our warriors and be ready to attack in five days time."
He regards the others for a minute. "We were the last of the tribes he would speak with. I know not the others."
Detect Magic reveals a weak abjuration on Graitchen's chain shirt, a weak evocation and illusion on the kobold's scroll, a weak abjuration on the brown potions, and a medium necromancy on the yellow potion. And of course the Book, which has a blindingly bright aura of divination, so much so that Theodore can almost see its aura without the use of a detect magic spell. All the other items look of good quality but unmagical.
The sprites that flutter around Olyn careen through the air. "Oh Happy Day!", "Happy, happy, joy, Joy!", "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" they sing and dance in joyous circles. "The King has awakened, the time of nature is here, thankyou thankyou thankyou Lord Elf."
"What? Have you not heard? The King has returned! The news has sped on the wind of the Halflings who came to Culverwood!"
The story of the King! He wishing to be closer to all the creatures of the Wold chose to be reborn instead of using his old body!
The Sprites begin spinning around as they speak, their story can be felt and seen as well as heard.
...You see 7 Halflings Riding pony's entering a forest; one Female is obviously pregnant. Five look very nondescript you cannot make out thier features at all, One however, in contrast looks like a halfling but is 6 feet tall and very handsome, almost fey in his appearance. He carries an Ornate Great Axe.
The Forest Welcomed the Not Yet Reborn King as they Traveled towards the Great Oak! The Jealous Guardians wanted to stop the Second Mother from reaching the Sacred Oak but could not. The Kings power Blocked them and the Hero Axe Laid them low and sent them running while the betrayers Fled for the Oak. Inside the Sacred Oak the Second Mother gave Birth to the King! And he went fourth to Calm the Jealous Guardians who had returned in greater numbers!.
....You see the Halfling Woman Give Birth. The King is not a Halfling though, you recognize him as a Satyr. There are Flashes, The King as a Baby, The king standing about two feet tall. The king Grow to 4 feet tall and matured. The scene around him changes very little when he grows, it happened very rapidly you think. The king Exits the Oak and addresses the Crowd.
The Jealous Guardians were angry with the King, nature responds to him better, likes him better. They were jealous of what the King could do and demanded he give them his power and leave. The King tried to reason with them, said they were to inexperienced to wield the power properly, that they could destroy civilization if they weren't careful, and that he would be happy to show them how to listen to nature better themselves and teach them how things were when he walked the Wold the first time but they refused. And they Tried to Steal the Kings Power! The Jealous Guardins and the Betrayers attacked him!
.....You see the King addressing a crowd, all the faces are twisted in jealousy and rage. From his body language you see him try and calm them, but he fails. They attack him, The Halflings Try and Stab him and shoot Arrows at him. From the Crowd Magic Is cast at him. The King is Alone, except for the Tall Halfling. He Alone Protects the King, and together they send the Crowd and the Betrayers fleeing. The king Looks Sad.
The King and Axe Sent them running, but didn't hurt them too serously, he knew they were young and would learn.
The three sprites pay little attention to anyone, only dancing and shouting their joy. And the swamp around you reacts to their joy. The melons under the hut grow and become ripe in minutes, a promise of sweet juices within their triple-striped rinds. The mulberries, in bunches of threes, grow to the size of apples in the thicket behind the heroes. Every bush, tree, and vine seem that much greener; the sky is that much more blue; the water is clearer and sweet as a mountain spring.
Since blaring out its message, the Book is still within Vauhwyt's hand. The bindings are closed, hiding for now any other secrets that might be found about this King...
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday May 17th, 2005 3:08:52 PM
Vauhwyt continues talking to the lizard man.
"What about these sprites? What do they have to do with the book? Who is this King the sprites talk about?"
Then, as the captive's words sink in ...
"Are you saying that an attack on Dirt City will take place in five days?"
Berlon 14/19HP (Shield Other 2h 30m) Tuesday May 17th, 2005 3:09:41 PM
"Storytelling Fearies, invading lizardmen, human cities where you can't tell where the dirt ends and the streets begin..."
"It makes one want to return home and never leave..."
Once he is done muttering, Berlon will touch his High Woldian holy symbol to the chain shirt and cast Identify. He will leave the interrogation of the lizardman to the others.
Once he is done, he turns to the group.
"I have a modest proposal..."
"We are far closer to my village than we are to the city. Why don't we stay overnight at my village, then return to the city tomorrow. We have obtained the book quickly, and I don't think returning tomorrow versus today would matter much; the Prince couldn't be expecting us to return today anyway."
"Not only would it give us a chance to rest and get clean, but we would have the opportunity to do some... consultation... on what a wise course of action might be."
"I leave it to you."
Vorelle Tuesday May 17th, 2005 6:49:30 PM
Vorelle nods her agreement to Berlon's plan. It's getting late in the day, and finding a friendly place to spend the night only makes sense.
If possible, though, they should update the Prince on their progress.
[OOC: do we still have those carrier pigeons?]
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday May 17th, 2005 7:28:29 PM
Theodore informs the others of his findings with the items.
He manages to sort through all the sudden images with a bit more calm and clarity, due to all of the bizarre happenings of recent.
Back in the here and now, Theodore pipes in on the discussion. "If there is an attack planned on the city, we need to get word to the Prince as soon as possible. I believe we left our pigeons at the river, but I can have Macaw bear a message to the Prince. And then I would feel better about taking the long way home."
Rose d20+5=13 d20+7=19 Tuesday May 17th, 2005 8:12:39 PM
Rose starts looking around the hut for anything not in plain sight. If prestidation has finished cleaning her & her weapons she will turn it on a friend.
If rose can she will take 20 if not rolls are below.
spot: 13 search: 19
Dietrich d20+4=6 Wednesday May 18th, 2005 4:34:18 AM
Cleaning his greatsword, Dietrich listens carefully to the interrogation, trying to discern the lizardman's intentions (sense motive 6). He is worried enough about what he hears.
Although astonished and a little scared by the sprites and the story of this so-called King, the soldier is more concerned with the possibility of war.
After listening to his friends, he suggests that the group marches back to the cart with the pigeons and send immediate warning about the attack to the city. He also advises to be silent about the book for now, at least till the group decides what to do about it. The knight is increasingly suspicious about the Prince's connection to that evil thing and agrees with Berlon on going to the village for rest and consultation (after retaking the cart and sending the warning).
Furthermore, now that Gratchien is dead, maybe there is a way of avoiding the lizardfolk attack, or at least to weaken it, particularly as it seems that Tliss-Ka is a prisoner of some consequence. Dietrich asks Vorelle to look after the prisoner's wounds and stop his bleeding.
Finally, Dietrich turns his attention to the bag and the chest and asks Rose to check it for traps first. Perhaps there is some treasure!
ooc: Folks, what about the gems from the Gargul artifact? No offense meant, but I've been asking about it for a while now...
loretta Wednesday May 18th, 2005 12:21:24 PM
all the gems including the one rose found and didnt tell you about until later are in her bag of holding
Olyn Wednesday May 18th, 2005 12:53:44 PM
looks at his hands, arms, feet, legs. pokes himself in the chest. and then pinches himself, seeing a red spot where he pinched himself.
yup, im real, at least to me. wonder why everyone else can't see me.
looking to the sprites he says in elf: Glory be to the King and he that protects Him. then, he says to them: am I really here or am I invisible?
Lizard, Book, and King [DM SteveK] Wednesday May 18th, 2005 4:41:24 PM
Olyn arrives in the hut and it is obvious to everyone that he is sane and not stumbling about like since he was sucked into the campfire. Perhaps he has some information that may be of value as to what is happening?
Thliss-Ka tries to answer Vauhwyt's questions, but keeps his eyes on Dietrich. The lizard warrior doesn't know why Graitchen kept hauling the Book around, doesn't know why there are sprites floating around Olyn's head, and doesn't know any connection between the "King" and Graitchen.
Thliss-Ka will tell Dietrich that since the Bear had beaten him in a fight, the lizard warrior is honor-bound to serve Dietrich until released or his life saved.
What he does know is that his lizardfolk won't be in the war. "Only the other tribes the Human One was talking with; the gnolls, the goblins, the ogres".
He also knows a little bit on how the Book works. "The Human One was going to sacrifice an elf he found and use the blood to open the Book." What elf? one may ask. Thliss-Ka looks shagrined, "The elf in the chest."
At Dietrich's direction, Rose checks the bag and chest. The chest does indeed hold an elf wearing only smallclothes, tied hand and foot and has a gag securely around his mouth. Even with the knot on his head, he is a strikingly handsome elf. One quick swipe of Rose's hand and the elf can speak.
The bag holds the elf's possessions.
The sprites giggle and dance around Olyn's head. "Silly", says one, "you are not invisible, and the Blessing of the Fey King be upon you. Since you see him as your King, you will not be slain like the other city dwellers when the King comes to lead all nature against the cities."
"Yes", cries another, "I only hope that noone silly puts Eberon to sleep like they had done before."
"Don't be silly", answers the third, "that knowledge has been lost to the ages. Noone could discover that now."
As plans go, most of the heroes think it's a sound plan to go back to the cart, send a couple messages to the Prince, then go to Berlon's gnomish village to rest for the night. As preparations are made to do this, there is the loose ends of the recently freed elf and the tied-up lizardfolk.
Not to mention a tribal invasion of Dirt City and a Fey King who seems to be looking to do the same thing...
2nd Post [DM SteveK] Wednesday May 18th, 2005 4:47:26 PM
Berlon Identifies the chain shirt (and uses 100gp worth of pearls) as a chain shirt +1
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday May 18th, 2005 9:12:08 PM
"Oh my!" Theodore exclaims when Rose reveals the bound elf. He hurridly pulls forth a dagger to cut through the remaining ropes on the elf.
"Are you okay?" he asks with concern, as he offers the elf his assistance in exiting the trunk. The similarity strikes a hideous memory in Theodore's head.
"The body in Gratchien's quarters...This is the same set up." He looks at the rest of his group with concern etched upon his features.
Vorelle d20+11=19 Wednesday May 18th, 2005 9:18:27 PM
"O-O-Olyn?" Vorelle is glad that the cleric is back with the group, but he seems a little confused. "A-a-are y-you alr-right?"
Seeing that Olyn is momentarily distracted, Vorelle pulls out her healer's kit and goes to work on the prisoner.
[Heal check 19 to tend the Lizardman's wounds.]
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+7=24 Wednesday May 18th, 2005 9:27:39 PM
The liontaur bows to the lizard man as she stows away the evil Book. "You seem honorable as well as brave. I wonder why you were working for such filth as this. But I will question you no morre. Tell us what you will or not -- you have earned my respect."
Mookie nudges his master. "Boss, take a look at those fairy creatures! And get a load of those melons!"
Vauhwyt seems about to swat the rude bird until she notices the amazing new vegetation.
Listening to the sprites, she gets the clear idea that there is nothing serious about them, but that does not mean they are harmless. She decides to play along, and talks to the fae creatures.
"Hey, children of naturre! This King of yours is giving away free honeydews?" She goes over and tastes one. "Mmm. If he sets a table like this for all his friends, count me in! When did you say he was coming herre? I'd like to shake his hand. Being half human, half beast myself, I bet we have stuff in common."
[Bluff check 24! Woot!]
Berlon 14/19HP (Shield Other 2h 25m) Wednesday May 18th, 2005 10:02:20 PM
Berlon goes up to the Faeries, and doesn't seem very happy to see them. He yells something at them (apparantly in *Elven*) then continues in Common: "While I have no love for that filthy city, I can promise you not ALL of nature shares your view." He is breathing heavily and his cheeks redden.
Berlon takes a moment to compose himself, then addresses the group.
"Staying over at my vlllage is the best news I have had in a long time. I must go on ahead, though, and prepare a welcome. Visitors are... rare... for my village."
Berlon then gives detailed instructions to the entrance to the village, which apparantly is about an hour away.
"I will meet you at the Guardians at the entrance to my village. I look forward to seeing you all there."
With that, he hurridly leaves the hut and heads out into the swamp.
Rose Wednesday May 18th, 2005 10:59:38 PM
After freeing the elf Rose has been looking around "Piper? Piper where are you? Mookie have you seen Piper I cant find her." Rose is apparently very worried.
ooc: since I've forgot to play piper for a while i decided she was doing something else :)
Olyn Thursday May 19th, 2005 1:31:38 AM
*Berlon, what did you yell at the faeries? i speak the language*
as Vorelle goes to give first aid to the newly unbound elf, Olyn approaches said elf offering a packet of elven rations and a skin of elven wine.
Olyn awaits for the elf to dress and eat a meal and drink the wine before introducing himself. all said in Elven, including the introduction of the others present.
Dietrich d20+4=11 d20+3=11 Thursday May 19th, 2005 4:45:54 AM
Despite Tliss-Ka's vow, Dietrich is still a little suspicious and trys again to realise wether to trust the lizardman or not (sense motive 11 for the new information). What he hears about the attack is increasingly alarming. The defeated warrior seems honorable enough, but he was serving Gratchien after all. Thankfully watching Vorelle tend the prisoner, Dietrich says to him: "We won't do you any harm, but you'll stay bound till we decide further actions. As a leader and warrior, I'm sure you understand that decision.(diplomacy 11)"
Dietrich greets Olyn and is happy to have him again with his full wits. "You missed quite a fight old man! What the (*&*& is going on here?" The last parts of what the sprites say doesn't sound good at all and the knight looks to Olyn for some answers. He also pays attention to the results of Vauhwyt's bluff and Berlon's outburst.
Then Rose discovers the elf in the chest and Theo remembers the sacrifice. Not understanding any of the talkings, Dietrich simply worries about all the implications and dark menaces building up in the background.
When Berlon leaves, the Bear is not sure if that's a good idea, but in the end trusts his friends capacity of getting along alone in his home turf. Dietrich starts preparations to take the loot to the carts.
Moving Through the Swamp [DM SteveK] Thursday May 19th, 2005 3:54:04 PM
[OOC: Lets' take the treasure discussion to the email in order to not take time here. Will someone like to take the lead on identifying all the loot that hasn't been distributed?]
The captured elf seems disoriented and aside from the others helping him into his clothes and equipment from the bag, he only placidly follows the directions of the others. Dazed from his recent experience or something more sinister? No one can really tell.
Thliss-Ka only nods at Vauhwyt and Dietrich's words. Yes, he is a warrior, and knows caution. He also seems pleased that his enemies understand he is an honorable lizard. "I understand and will obey.", he says.
The pixies laugh when Vauhwyt addresses them. "You will meet who you meet soon enough.", says one, and they all fly off.
With Berlon moving through the swamp to his village, it looks like action is needed. The heroes gather up the equipment and treasures along with the new elf and lizardfolk, and move back along the trail until they get to the cart with the homing birds. Guarding the cart is Piper, who swells importantly when Rose comes through the swamp.
A quick message to the Prince says that Graitchen is slain and the Book is safe, but doesn't mention when the heroes will be able to return to Dirt City. Another copy is made, and two birds streak through the swamp to ensure the message arrives.
The heroes then move north, following Berlon's directions. Towards evening, the companions come to a forest glade that is a lot less moist than the rest of the swamp they have been trudging through. In the glade is Berlon, looking a little worried and glad that his new friends have arrived.
Berlon, you came to the entrance to your village a couple hours ago, but was not halted by the usual guardian. In fact, there is no guardian at all. Now that your friends are here, perhaps you can find out about the mystery.
Anunnaki Thursday May 19th, 2005 8:24:47 PM
Anunnaki shakes his head and comes out of his daze. " I'm sorry. I've taken quite a few blows to the head from some foul beast. Thank you for your help. Do you mind if I travel with you for a bit? "
Theodore and Macaw Thursday May 19th, 2005 9:04:00 PM
As they walk, Theodore tries to stay close to the newcomer. Of below average height, with overbig clothes, and a raven perched emperiously atop his head, the young mage appears a very nonthreatening person.
"Of course," he replies to the elf. "It is best for us all to stick together until we are out of this swamp. Where do you hail from, if I may ask?"
Olyn Thursday May 19th, 2005 9:09:28 PM
travel's in quiet contemplation.
Vorelle d20+11=23 d20+9=19 d20+9=17 Thursday May 19th, 2005 10:45:40 PM
After seeing to the Lizardman, Vorelle carries her healer's kit over to check on the newly freed elf, to make sure he has taken no hurt. [Heal check 23]
She accompanies the group back to the wagon, and then to the gnome village. As they approach, she watches and listens for signs of trouble. [Spot 19, Listen 17]
Berlon 14/19HP (Shield Other 1h 10m) Thursday May 19th, 2005 11:41:32 PM
Berlon looks more than a little panicked.
"Varaheena! Varaheena!" he yells. He looks around frantically and starts shouting in something other than common. (OOC: Highlight for spoiler if you speak Gnomish) Highlight to display spoiler: { "Varaheena! Berlon Thaddeus Rusty Daengle returns home!! Guardian?!?!" }
He starts to panic, then runs full speed towards... the side of the hill??
Rose Friday May 20th, 2005 2:05:35 AM
Rose continues looking around for piper until they come to the wagon. "There you are piper! I was so worried when I couldnt find you!"
On the way to the gnome village she then pulls a basket out of the cart and starts picking berries "What do you want tonight cobbler or pie?" She asks the group. She puts the full basket of berries in the cart when she's done picking.
When Berlon says that the guardian is missing and goes running towards the hill she runs after him.
Dietrich d20+5=23 d20+4=23 d20+2=11 Friday May 20th, 2005 6:55:05 AM
The tall, broad and armoured human greets the released elf, but is too concerned to pay very much attention and marches silently behind Tliss-Ka, worried about the iminent attack and what to do with the evil book. He asks the lizard about numbers and equippment of the attacking tribes.
When the group reaches the cart and prepares the message, Dietrich strongly recommends not to tell anything about Gratchien and the Book yet (ooc: hope this is still possible. If necessary, would like to put the question for vote). Instead, the message would only state that the party discovered plans of an attack on Dirt City in the next five days by wild tribes of Gnolls and other monsters.
During the way back, Dietrich watches over the poneys (handle animal 23).
After arriving at the village and seeing Berlon's distress, the knight readies his longbow and prepares for trouble. spot 24 listen 11
DM SteveK Friday May 20th, 2005 3:33:15 PM
Sorry, I'll post tomorrow morning for Friday.
Computer trouble, and borrowing a friend's for this message.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday May 20th, 2005 6:10:06 PM
Vauhwyt runs after her new friend, Berlon, and with her four long legs, should catch up to him fast. (move 40 vs move 20, LOL!)
"Hey! Berlon! What's wrong? If there is some misadventure afoot, better we all enter together than run in alone, yelling! Don't tell enemies you are coming!"
If she has a move action after catching up, Vauhwyt will draw her longspear.
loretta Friday May 20th, 2005 8:01:55 PM
uh, cayzle you're the rules lawyer dont you know anybody with a base attack of +1 can draw a weapon as a free action if they're moving?
OOC Cayzle hangs his head in shame! Friday May 20th, 2005 8:17:51 PM
LOL! Loretta, you are exactly right! I should have remembered that! goofy me! :-)
Into the Tunnel [DM SteveK] Saturday May 21st, 2005 6:45:10 AM
OOC: alright, alright, enough out of character posts (brows together and frowning, but with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes) :)
The travel to the entrance of the gnomish village is uneventful. The heroes have a few hours to get to know Anunnaki and get reaquainted with Olyn. Thliss-Ka walks placidly along with his hands tied behind his back, wounds bandaged by Vorelle.
Thliss-Ka doesn't know exactly who Graitchen has contacted other than himself, the kobolds, and the gnolls. For organized tribes in the area around the lizardfolk, Thliss-Ka knows of the kobolds (several hundred irregulars), the gnolls (almost 50 well equipped warriors), a band of ogres (twice two hands of strong warriors), a nest of harpies (15 or so flyers), and further away there are large tribes of goblins, orcs, another lizardfolk tribe, and a human village. Then, of course, are unaffiliated creatures and humanoids that wander about. How many Graitchen contacted, Thliss-Ka knows not.
Dietrich cautions against too much in the message to the Prince, and sucessfully gets the messages to be only that there is a planned attack by gnolls and other monsters from the swamp in five day's time.
Berlon has been frantically calling for Varaheena, and as soon as his friends arrive runs straight towards a hillside, disappearing into a cleverly concealed tunnel. Rose and Vauhwyt pelt after the gnome, the liontaur soon catching up with Berlon and urging caution.
The others are still outside and can't see into the tunnel. Weapons at the ready, they look about but see nothing unusual. Dietrich notices the ponies in harness are not concerned about anything other than the grass in front of them.
Berlon, Vauhwyt, and Rose, however, find something inside. They quickly come to a large chasm spanning the tunnel. In front are a dozen gnomes that are battle-ready. Thier eyes alight and recognize Berlon, welcoming him back to the village.
The guard's leader is Londa, a smallish gnome steps forward. "Berlon, thank Alemi you are here. You and your friends are most welcome. Come, let us get them all inside and you can wash and be ready to present yourself to the matriarch. Any news from outside about what is going on will be most appreciated."
You can't get much more useful information out of Londa, but in no time at all the heroes are swarmed with talkative efficient gnomes who lead you into the tunnels. At the chasm, the huge drop is revealed to be an illusion over a normal moat-like area where the heroes, gnomes, and cart go around a walkway. Further through the tunnels, the procession comes to the end and the gnome village of Haven's Edge is revealed. Berlon and his friends are quickly shown a guest cottage where they can freshen up.
"An hour's time is sunset, and I'll be back to escort you to the matriarch.", says Londa. To Berlon's obvious question, he replies in a whisper which carries through the cottage. "Varaheena is gone and no one knows where she is. We're all a little concerned and that's why we have the guard in the tunnel."
And with that, Londa leaves you alone for an hour.
Olyn Saturday May 21st, 2005 10:18:24 AM
after a rather quick bath and a snack, Olyn settles down in front of the fire on the floor, cross legged, eyes closed, handsclasped, and begins praying silently.
will get up when Londa knocks on the door.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Saturday May 21st, 2005 10:41:03 AM
Vauhwyt is happy to meet the gnomes, and shakes hands all around.
Is the guest cottage underground? Is it a chamber off a corridor, or an actual building in a huge cavern? Or above ground?
Like Olyn, Vauhwyt is glad of the chance to wash up.
As she combs her mane, she arranges her usual hair style: on one side, back over her ear; on the other side, letting her mane hang free, almost entirely covering that side of her face.
"If we are meeting the Matriarch, let me get dressed up." She turns her back for modesty and puts on her nice white shirt. She puts her fancy earring in her exposed ear -- the one of a glowing dangling scales given to her by the famous Bill Troublefinder. Finally a dab of perfume she won in a Giggling Ghost contest.
After these preparations are complete, it occurs to her to ask her gnome friend something.
"Hey, Berlon, who is this Varheena? Is it like her to take off?"
Rose Saturday May 21st, 2005 12:59:53 PM
Rose uses one of the other's nice big blankets to make a litte wall to change behind (unless there's another room to change in) she quickly washes off then changes into the clothes she was wearing when she met the prince. she brushes at her clothes trying to get out any wrinkles, if they have been provided with an iron she'll iron them. She carefully takes a cloth and wipes the dust off of piper.
Dietrich Saturday May 21st, 2005 1:23:43 PM
Dietrich writes down the information about the enemy and includes it in the message. He is relieved that everything is alright in the village and shoulders his bow again, greets the gnomes and, realising Berlon's worry, waits to see what is said about this Varaheena.
The knight is happy to get rid of all the mud, ash and blood and prepares himself for the meeting, proudly displaying his family's crest with the red bear over a black ground.
He makes sure Tliss-Ka is well provided for and, after all the marching and fighting, hopes the gnome's cuisine can match Rose's.
Berlon 14/28 HP (Shield Other 1h) Saturday May 21st, 2005 5:50:18 PM
Berlon fidgits nervously.
"Wait, wait..." Berlon says with a slight smile, "I know not every culture is like we Gnomes..."
He opens the door and points off in the distance. "...but we have a wonderful set of hot springs here that are quite private, I assure you. But if anyone would rather bathe..." he adds with a wrinkled nose, "...indoors, well, you have that option as well..."
"While we have some time, does anyone want to visit the local blacksmith? He may not have anything useful for us, but at the very least he should be able to make any minor repairs you might need."
"If nobody else needs, I can use both the chain shirt and the mace. I am working on improving my mobility. If the shirt fits me, that is. Also, I can identify another item tomorrow morning. I'm conducting an Augury at sunrise, and I think it wise if everyone can attend."
Berlon tries to find someone to act as a messenger. This is the first time it comes into focus how much taller he is than most of the other Gnomes, topping out at just over four feet, at least a half foot taller than most of the other villagers.
"Can you see if Brock is around?" he asks the messenger. "Ask him to meet me either here or at the blacksmith, please."
Turning back to the group: "I'm trying to maintain a state of denial right now, so if we keep busy while we wait, I know that will help *me*. Anyone want to visit to the blacksmith?"
Berlon gathers up his crossbow and bolts, and if the blacksmith has any, will trade them in for a sling and up to 20 sling stones. He will also ask what services the blacksmith can currently perform, and if he has any current inventory.
But before he leaves with anyone that wants to follow: "Dietrich, you should stay here and watch... your captive. I'm still not one hundred percent sure they are not going to take him into custody..."
Theodore and Macaw Saturday May 21st, 2005 9:47:18 PM
Theodore gawks in wonder as they are led through the Gnomes' home. "This is wonderful," he comments to Berlon.
When his friend asks for someone to track down this fellow, Brock, Theodore eagerly volunteers, wanting a reason to look around further. He neglects to clean up, due to all the excitement, and quickly sets off to find this Brock, and see what he may.
Rose Sunday May 22nd, 2005 2:38:13 AM
Rose quickly accepts Berlon's offer of hot springs, however if it isnt as private as she would like she will make sure not to look at others and wear some of her dirty things in and thus wash them and herself at the same time.
Anunnaki Sunday May 22nd, 2005 11:07:15 AM
"Dietrich, I know I am still very much a stranger, but I would like to assist you in watching the captive if that is acceptable."
Vorelle Sunday May 22nd, 2005 1:09:53 PM
The temptation of the hot springs is too much to resist, and Vorelle heads in that direction for a quick bath. She changes out of her dirty, oversized, dowdy clothes and, after bathing, dresses again in clean, oversized, dowdy clothes. She un-braids her hair and combs it out. She starts to re-braid it, then thinks better of it. She can't very well wear her hood indoors, and long hair will help her hide her face.
Rose Sunday May 22nd, 2005 5:02:17 PM
Rose looks at Vorelle's oversized dowdy clothes and thinks to herself that she's going to make Vorelle some nice well fitting clothes for when they meet important people.
Jerry Monday May 23rd, 2005 10:37:16 AM
Big Tim go post on the Koshe-Marr Board, we're starting it back up again. :)
Meeting the Matriarch [DM SteveK] Monday May 23rd, 2005 4:20:22 PM
The heroes take a breath or two and relax in the guest cottage. The easy walk through the gnomish village of Haven's Edge was a wonder for what a contented village could be... certainly nothing like the boisterous and dangerous Dirt City. Berlon's mention of a hot spring, Dietrich, Rose, Vorelle, and Vauhwyt all take a quartermile hike to the steaming pools.
The tunnel opened to reveal the village nestled in a circle of hills, the blue sky above tinged with orange and red from the setting sun. Flowers and herb gardens ring each white-washed cottage, pale thatch on peaked roofs. Broad-leafed trees shade growing ivy and benches carfully placed to allow a rester the maximum view. Well-tended fields reveal wheat, rye, and barley. Contented flocks of sheep, gaggles of geese, a herd of ponies complete the idyllic setting.
And the gnomes seem contented as well. Cheery waves from barn, or garden, or croft all with a jovial "Hello, friend!" greet the heroes.
They see that a single spring has been molded into several pools, smooth rock sides shallowly ending in sandy bottoms. Some are off to one side and obviously the laundries. Others look to be hot pools for soaking, warm for washing, or tepid for splashing and playing. Clever thickets allow for a modicum of privacy to change, and a good time is had by all.
Anunnaki stays with two well-armed gnomes and guards the lizardfolk warrior. Thliss-Ka seems to have almost unlimited patience, and niether fidgets nor complains about the ropes tightly bound around his wrists.
Berlon and Theodore go out to see the Blacksmith and look for Brock. The second mission is quickly found to be impossible. A granther gnome on a nearby bench wags his head back and forth. "Nah, friend, yer not gonner find that great hulk of a Brock. 'E wenter get some huntin' adone and ain't ne'er came back. Aboot the time ya went ter Dirt City it was..."
The blacksmith is also difficult to talk with, not because he isn't there, but because he is extremely busy. Talking around a line of horses and horseshoes, he asks the friends to come back the day after tomorrow. "Annual shoeing, donchaknow." And he and his assistants are quickly back to work.
And the hour passes quickly by.
At the appointed time, everyone is freshened as much as their hasty preparations allow, and Londa is waiting for you at the door to the guest cottage. He leads you and Thliss-Ka through a darkening sky to the largest white-washed building, easily three times the size of the single huts, and in they go to a surprisingly sparse hall. It is, in fact, barren with the exception of a low divan and a wrinkled female gnome laying down. Her thick white hair is pulled into a bun, and her blue eyes are penetrating.
"Don't stop on formality, Rusty", she croaks, "bring 'em in and let's see what we got."
Berlon (14/28 hp) Monday May 23rd, 2005 7:23:13 PM
Berlon cringes slightly when called by his nickname. "Matriarch, these are... well, I will let them introduce themselves."
"Matriarch, you mean to say that both Brock and Varaheena are gone?? What happened to Varaheena?" Berlon seems sad.
Once everyone is done talking, Berlon continues in Gnomish: Highlight to display spoiler: { "Matriarch, I think it would be wise if we spoke for a moment in private..." }
Theodore and Macaw Monday May 23rd, 2005 9:45:58 PM
As the realization of his impending meeting strikes him, Theodore is suddenly ashamed of himself for not having cleaned up. Before entering the hall, he licks his hand and attempts to put his hair in some manner of order.
When Berlon gives them permission to introduce themselves, Theodore coughs politely before speaking, "My name is Theodore...and this is my friend, Macaw." He motions with his eyes to the raven perched atop his head.
For once, Macaw minds his manners and gives a quick bob which might pass for a bow.
Rose Monday May 23rd, 2005 10:41:32 PM
Rose curtsys to the old woman "Hello ma'am. My name's Rose and this is Piper." Piper has a bow around her neck that matches the one in Rose's hair. "Hello" says Piper.
Rose is a bit worried about Berlon and asks him in gnomish Highlight to display spoiler: {"Do you mean just you two talk or all of us?"}
Olyn Monday May 23rd, 2005 11:28:27 PM
dressed in fresh and clean clothing, and with the tattooed holy symbol of wardd on his forearms showing, Olyn enters, and nods a greeting to the leader of the village saying: Olyn is my name, Priest of Wardd at your service.
Vorelle Tuesday May 24th, 2005 1:31:30 AM
Vorelle cringes a little at the prospect of introducing herself, then takes a deep breath and holds onto her courage with both hands. "V-V-V-Vorelle," she manages, then steps back with a sigh of relief.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday May 24th, 2005 10:06:18 AM
Vauhwyt smiles at Vorelle and steps up after her.
"Hi! I'm Vauhwyt, and this is Mookie. It's an honorr."
"Likewise, I'm sure," says Mookie.
Dietrich Tuesday May 24th, 2005 2:17:04 PM
Dietrich utterly enjoys the hot fountain and the trip through the village. He listens to Berlon's suggestion and was almost disappointed not to have the opportunity to see the matriarch, but in the end it seems it's not necessary for him to stay with the prisoner. He's curious about Anunnaki and would like to ask him about the exact role Tliss-Ka played in his capture, but right now the knight prefers to accompany his friends to the meeting. He makes clear to the guards though, that the lizardman is HIS personal prisoner.
In civilian clothes, Dietrich greets Londa with a bow: "I'm Dietrich the Bear of the Windbourne Hills, at your disposal."
The knight wonders if they'll get an answer to the increasingly complicated question of what to do about the evil book...
The Matriarch [DM SteveK] Tuesday May 24th, 2005 3:27:53 PM
Thliss-Ka also bows deeply to the Matriarch, staying with his gnome guards.
Aged beyond even Anunnaki and Olyn's years, the matriarch still has a quick mind and penetrating gaze. She listens to the others give thier introductions, the self-conscious Vorelle and Theodore, the perky Vauhwyt and Rose, the grave Olyn and Dietrich.
Anunnaki remains silent, his arms at his sides, and suddenly remembers he has a message scroll from Dirt City...
"Brock's gone", she answers Berlon without preamble, "don't know when he'll be back, if ever. Hope he's all right, but I got other concerns right now, friend."
"Varheena's left too. Disappeared the same time as the sound burst and rain of ash.", says Londa, now standing near the divan. (The ash was conspicuously absent inside the ring of hills) The gnome preens a little. "Vivian and some of the other mages were able to keep the ash away from the village. Yet when we came out after the ash rain stopped, our guardian treant was missing."
"Hrumph." states the Matriarch, "There are a couple other issues to take care of."
"First, this lizardfolk." She holds up a hand forestalling Dietrich. "I know the story, don't waste time telling me again. What you got is a warrior you can't trust with an honor debt to you. If Dietrich orders Thliss-Ka to be a servant to Haven's Edge until Dietrich returns, you don't have to worry about him, and you also get confirmation he won't be trouble." She chuckles dryly. "I've got plenty folks to watch him."
"Rusty," Vivian the Matriarch says to Berlon, "I want all your minds right here. No one but you, your friends, me, and Londa to hear what goes on between us." She pauses and makes a pass with her hands. "There, the lizard and my guards are in a Silence Spell. Tell me what you want."
"What are you fooling about with, boy?" Vivian brings her blue eyes to rest upon Anunnaki. "Come on, spit it out!"
The scent of growing plants is in the air, and the leaves of the trees outside the hall give the impression that the building is in the middle of a forest.
Anunnaki Tuesday May 24th, 2005 7:25:21 PM
Anunnaki gives a quick polite bow and then speaks, "Of course, m'lady. I have a message that I am to deliver to Olyn and his friends." The elf holds up a sealed scroll for inspection. "I'm afraid due to unforeseen circumstances, I was prevented from delivering the message sooner."
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday May 24th, 2005 9:28:43 PM
One of Theodore's brows raise when Anunnaki informs the party that he has a message for them. "I wonder what it could be," he says aloud, though more to himself than anyone else.
Having nothing pertinent to tell the matriarch, he remains silent in that regard.
Berlon Tuesday May 24th, 2005 10:00:07 PM
Berlon sighs uncomfortably.
"Matriarch, I left here looking to follow in my Great Uncle Knobby's footsteps. I left here after happily helping to defend my home from the evils of that swamp."
"I journeyed to the City, and what I found there was almost beyond belief. I found the only place in the Wold where the sewers are cleaner than the above ground. I re-opened Great Uncle Knobby's laboratory, happily healing and helping any who knocked on my door."
"I have found that evil is everywhere. Unspeakable evil. Evil that hordes corpses like butter rolls in a pantry. Evil that powers undead to freely roam city streets. Evil like that book."
"I am conflicted, Matriarch, and I do not know what to do."
"Are we to deliver that Evil book back to the Prince and his questionable motives, only to see it fall back into the hands of hordes of invaders? Or are we instead to spill blood, our own and that of others, unknowing as to what evil will be done with the tome?"
"Am I to rush to the aid of a place I despise, and leave my home without Guardians, without protectors?"
"When I saw the gateway, saw the Woldsblood, I thought it was a sign, a sign that Alemi wanted me to follow Great Uncle Knobby's path, to become a Fixer, to Fix that which is broken."
"Now I merely feel that I am being tested, and am coming up lacking."
"Tomorrow at sunrise I will pray to Alemi for guidance and wisdom, and for answers that I fear I already know..."
Vorelle Tuesday May 24th, 2005 11:46:30 PM
Vorelle lets a curtain of blonde hair fall forward, partly shielding her face from the matriarch on her couch. Behind it, she wears a troubled frown. She doesn't know what, if anything, the Prince will do if he acquires the Book--she only knows what he'll do if he doesn't get it. And that's bad enough.
rose Wednesday May 25th, 2005 4:14:58 AM
Rose listens sympetheticaly as Berlon pours his heart out to the old lady. Piper is a bit bored and looks around for anything that she might find interesting (food, shiny items, ect)
Dietrich Wednesday May 25th, 2005 4:42:26 AM
Dietrich listens to the matriarch and quickly weighs her argument. The warrior agrees with her and orders the lizardman as suggested. He only adds though, that they may want to release Tliss-Ka for good later.
Dietrich is quite surprised to hear that Anunnaki has a message for the party. He wonders from whom it comes and what's its content.
Finally the conversation comes to the point that lies closest to his heart: what to do with the book. He listens slightly irritated to Berlon's description of his new home Dirt City, but shares the cleric's doubts.
Then the ex-soldier proposes to show the Book to the matriarch. He's almost convinced that the item is extremely evil and has something to do with the recent paranoia and quasi terror regime in the City. But how to come back, should the group decide to destroy it? If the Prince really turned, are we ready to go against im and face the consequences?
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday May 25th, 2005 9:40:29 AM
Vauhwyt listens to Anunnaki's announcement and declares, "Well, then, what's the message?"
She hears Berlon out -- and a quizzical look comes over her face. She walks up to the gnome and says, "Come, on, Berlon! I'll tell you what you are going to do! You're going to stick with us, your new friends, do good deeds, have adventures, fight evil monsters, and get fabulously wealthy!"
Mookie chimes in, "Yeah! Rich!"
"Hush, Mookie," says Vauhwyt. "And as for the Prince and the Book, well, let me tell you, I know the Prince a lot better than you do, and he is a good person who works hard to keep Dirt City togetherr. This Book has a hold on him, and we are either going to bring it back to him, or even betterr, break its hold on him somehow." In her earnestness, a bit of a wemic accent can be heard in her r's.
"We are?" asks Mookie sceptically.
"Yes, we arre!" says the liontaur.
"And one more thing, Cleric of Alemi!" Vauhwyt's voice takes on a bit of a scolding tone. "Last time I checked, Alemi was in favor of healing and being a good guy. Not in favor of testing people. From what I know, it's the Other Side who like to make you jump through hoops and take tests. So if you think you are being tested, good Berlon, well, I doubt it is Alemi doing the Testing. Maybe you should not worry about tests. Leave that to the Gods of Testing."
"Boss," Mookie pipes up, "you're a fine one to tell anyone to ignore a test!"
"Shut UP, Mookie!" says Vauhwyt, her soprano voice ready to shatter glass.
After Dietrich suggests showing the Book to the matriarch, a more composed Vauhwyt turns to the ancient woman and bows. "Ma'am, I'm not sure you want to see it, since it is a hideous thing. But if you think you might be able to break the hold it has over our Prince, we'd be grateful for your advice."
And All H Breaks Loose [DM SteveK] Wednesday May 25th, 2005 3:37:05 PM
The earthy scent of a forest permeates the hall, and the eight friends listen and respond to Vivian, the ancient Matriarch of Haven's Edge. It is full night now, and the stars are out, or so they assume for the windows are completely covered in leaves and ivy.
The message tube that Anunnaki presents holds a small slip of parchment written in Halfling, addressed on the outside to Olyn, but inside to... Rose! The message is not long, and penned elegantly in a flowing style that the little halfling recognizes immediately.
--- "Dear Rosie, Come as fast as you can to the Temple of Wardd when you get this message. Ellana and the two other girls have had another prophesy. They said: 'eight heroes of five races are one hope to wan faces: one secret enchantment to five gold dragons eight heroes save your little red wagons.' Don't know what that means, sis, but you are the only one I know who hangs out with people from several Noble Races. Please hurry. Love, Junior" ---
The Matriarch agrees with Dietrich that good labor by Thliss-Ka and the lizardfolk will be set free with all his equipment.
She nods gravely about the stories on the Book. "Breaking an enchantment is a chancy thing, and it may not be easy to destroy this book. Have you done any research?"
At the mention of the Book, Berlon feels a movement and his hands are no longer empty... The Book is there. The feel of old skin, leather, and fur caress your hands, promising the knowledge of secrets long kept. Berlon and his friends would be able to learn all about the mysteries surrounding Brock and Varaheena, of the ash rain, of the giant foods in Dirt City. Why, if only activated, this Book would be able to teach Berlon anything.
The Matriarch Vivian notices the sudden appearance of the Book, and opens her mouth to speak. Her voice, however only comes out a startled croak as the hall gives a lurch and everything seems heavier for a moment or two. Leaves writhe against the windows, smashing them in and vines crawl along floor and walls. Cracking and groaning of wood is heard all about and cracks appear in the stuccoed walls of the hall. Soon enough, the movement and sounds end, with only the slight swaying of the hall as if it were a boat rocking on the water. One look out the now open windows is enough to confirm anyone's fears; the hall is now a treehouse, caught in the boughs of a gigantic oak tree and some 60 feet above the ground!
And the strangeness of the moment is only beginning. Berlon feels the Book grow warm beneath his hands. Looking down, the gnome can see some of the flying glass from the windows cut his hand and a few drops of his blood have run onto the Book. The blood disappears and the Book begins to glow red (Berlon, make a Will Save DC 10). With a great flapping of parchment, the volume opens and pages flip over and over until it comes to rest on a page. Written in a bright red liquid are words that shine off the page an onto a white wall. Everyone can see the message.
One moon, two moons, aligned with Sun The eld race sang, the deed is done Goat-footed walks the Horn'ed King Nature awakens an age to bring Where trees stand tall and buildings fall And ivy tears the strongest wall ....................
Once before did Eberon strive A King to be of all alive Yet foiled he was by enchanted sleep A recipe known by Ma'ab to keep Sharp writ sure with memory pure Secret hidden in enchanted lure
Will King again now fall away And naught come of nature's day By courage found in heroes bold Or will they lie in graves soon cold While overhead, a Fey dance tread 'Mongst vines and trees o'er the dead. .......................
"Well", says a sassy voice from the entrance of the hall, "that explains a great deal." Taking long strides, a tall Halfling with white, pointy hair moves past Thliss-Ka and his startled guards and up to the front of the room. The jaunty sound of his incessant talking stops for the time it takes him to go through the Matriarch's silence spell, but resumes as soon as he is on the other side. "I think you need to talk to someone really important, and pretty quick-like, too." "Oh by the way, hello Vauhwyt Liontaur, Liam's been wondering where you've been off to..." He strikes a pose with legs wide and fists on his hips, announcing in grand tones: "Never mind that, though. I came here to get some advice from Vivian and it looks like you may need the services of the Woldian League of Adventurers!"
With all the strangness going on, the Matriarch seems perfectly willing for this white, spikey-haired newcomer to take temporary charge of the conversation. Vivian waits for the heroes to talk to the Halfling.
The gnome guards and Thliss-Ka do not move, obviously overcome by so many events.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday May 25th, 2005 4:22:55 PM
"Fiedel!" The surprised gladness in Vauhwyt's voice is unmistakable. "What luck to meet you herre!"
"Yeah, lucky, says Mookie. "That's some good luck."
Vauhwyt glances at her mouthy raven familiar. "Well, whatever brings you herre, I'm glad to see you."
"My friends," she says to everybody, "This is Fiedel, a friend of mine from the WLA."
"But what I really want to know is, what's up with these odd poems and trees and things?"
Berlon (14/28 hp) d20+7=15 Wednesday May 25th, 2005 6:43:38 PM
Berlon's knuckles whiten as they grip the book. He has a blank look on his face, until he suddenly seems to snap back to attention. (Will save 15)
He drops to his knees, still clutching the book. "This is not going back to the Prince," he says weakly.
Anunnaki Wednesday May 25th, 2005 7:22:47 PM
Anunnaki reads the words that spring forth from the book. A tear rolls down his cheek, as the elf looks genuinely touched by what he has read.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday May 25th, 2005 9:31:42 PM
Theodore puts a gentle hand on Berlon's shoulder. "That is not for you to decide, friend," he says soothingly. "And Vauhwyt is right. I have seen no evil in the heart of the Prince. He is hard because he lives in a hard place, but he loves his city."
Taking a deep breath, he turns to the others. "I believe that I can spend some time with this book, do some research, learn as much as I can before we get it back to the Prince. Of course, you will need to come up with a story to give me time to study the book."
Dietrich Thursday May 26th, 2005 5:44:09 AM
Dietrich is overwhelmed by the pace of events. First the message to Rose, with more strange and eerie prophesys (remembering the girls in trance still makes him shiver). Then this new outburst of natural power and finally the riddles of the Book. His readings of it isn't that optimistic at all. The elves and nature may be all very fine, but Dietrich remembers the menace in the sprites talkings and he didn't like the part of "buildings fall" and "tearing walls". Instinctively, the warrior's hands search for the missing sword on his waist.
To add on it, suddenly appears this odd halfling. He seems to be Vauhwyt's friend, but dangerous times require caution.
Listening to Berlon and Theodore, the soldier doesn't agree with any of his friends. The Book didn't do anything so evil now (except for the drinking blood part...), but recent developments in the City don't fit well with an a-critical view of the Prince. Dietrich knows all too well from his own experience, that there is a very thin line between having the necessary toghness and ruthlessness to govern and to be corrupted and abuse power. He is a little worried about having Theo research the Book on his own. After all, if it turned the Prince evil, what could it do to the young wizard?
Vorelle Thursday May 26th, 2005 9:49:48 AM
Vorelle eyes the pointy-headed halfling with suspicion. The room is 60 feet in the air, so how did he get up here? Can he fly?
Come to think of it, that would be handy, she thinks. I have no idea how we're going to get down from here.
Hello, Operator 23... [DM SteveK] d20+15=26 Thursday May 26th, 2005 3:47:12 PM
The Book's light goes out and the horrid volume closes. All can see that the writing has been burned into the wall. It looks like the riddle will be there for a while. Berlon, Theodore, and Dietrich all demand that they know what to do with the Book. Without a consensus, it looks like the thing will be in your possession for at least a little while longer.
The Matriarch lets the heroes and Fiedal talk about the Book, how the tree appeared, and other things. She begins issuing orders to take care of her people. The Silence spell is banished and Londa, the gnome guards, and Thliss-Ka go the entrance to the hall, speculating on how they can jury-rig a ladder or rope to get down. Londa seems to think that with what they have on hand in the hall, it shouldn't be a big problem.
A gigantic tree growing up within minutes? Nature has gone wild, and it doesn't seem to be done quite yet. The oaken beams of the roof creak and pop. In a blink of an eye, they are sprouting branches and leaves and then they change and mold themselves to become branches of the gigantic tree. All this movement dislodges the thatch, some of which sloughs off the sides to go twirling to the ground below and the rest falls in yellow flutters to the floor of the hall. The scent of hay and growing things is all about you.
Wardd's Moon has just arisen, and the full silvery disc brightens the hall. But wait! Is that a spot of color on the moon? No, three spots! As if the spots were pools of ink spreading rapidly across a porcelain plate, so to does the sable color flow across the face of the moon, turning the light from the moon dark until it is a glowing patch of blackness in the sky. And before turning completely black, the darkness looked like the image of a laughing face. (Spot check DC 15 for spoiler) Highlight to display spoiler: { a satyr's face, just like how the sprites in the swamp described the Fey King only a few short hours ago. }
Fiedal the Halfling with the white spikey hair seems to be ready for just about anything. He seems to know exactly what Vorelle is thinking (Sense Motive: 26) and gives her a wink. "Listening at the door before the tree grew, beautiful. It's a terrible habit of mine." He grins to show just how serious he is.
"Odd poems, trees, and things? Yeah, it has been interesting recently hasn't it?" The halfling becomes uncharacteristically serious and addresses his WLA member.
"Here's the dirt, Vauhwyt. The elves woke the Fey King, and now everything is growing wild. Trees are attacking druids in Culverwood, waterspouts are sinking ships on the ocean, and the giant foods in Dirt City have started making people sick. The League sent word that the Golden Dragons are looking for a way to stop the Fey King, but no one knows where to start. Perhaps that Book and your recent prophesies can provide an explanation."
With that, the white-haired halfling opens his backback, muttering "now where is that ring?" and then his face brightens and his hand pulls out a gold hoop that he places one edge on the floor and it hangs in the air. It flickers for a moment and then settles on a steadily pulsing light within the hoop.
"Hello? Is this thing on?", Fiedal calls into the hoop. "Hey, I found them! And they got something important!" He pauses as if listening. "Yeah, you better come in person, I don't want to mess this up!" The Halfling then takes several steps back as if to get out of the way. With a burst of light, humanoid figure steps through the hoop. With the light, it is difficult to see who or what it is, but a glance at Fiedal shows the little fellow was expecting exactly this reaction.
It also seems Fiedal has straightened up and has lost some of his sassy expression. He waits expectantly for the figure ...
Father Nicholas Valentine - Platinum Dragons Thursday May 26th, 2005 6:31:03 PM
(Tall, lean, male human, 30'ish, dark hair, short tidy beard, dressed in the traditional white robes of a high-ranking Alemi cleric)
The WLA representative had set up the portal over in Plateau City, and so Nick stepped through in a hurry. All hell was breaking loose in the castle. Plateau City was flooding, and they were getting messages from all over the place that similar catastrophies were happening elsewhere.
For half a heartbeat he's on the defensive. He'd been to Dirt City once before, and this didn't look like Dirt City. Where the heck...? Trap!? No, get a grip. There were people here. Younger, and not looking like they were about to lop his head off. So instead he bows graciously.
"Hello," he says firmly, "I am Father Nicholas of the Platinum Dragons. Er... where are we exactly?"
((Howdy folks! <--- Jan ))
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+1=12 Thursday May 26th, 2005 7:25:06 PM
Vauhwyt misses the spot check on the moon. But she sees the stain.
When Fiedel gets ready to summon the personage, Vauhwyt half expects Liam Kent or some other WLA officer. But instead! A Dragon! One of the greatest adventurers in the Wold! Her jaw drops. The skinny liontaur grabs Mookie and stuffs him in a pouch before he can say a word. Then she bows low. "Wowsy!" she mutters.
Then she gathers herself together a little better. "Um, uh, well, we are honored to help however we can., um, Father Nicholas."
"We are in a gnome village in a swamp a half a day's walk from Dirt City. We were in a building, but as you can see" -- she motions to the ruins in which the group stands, kind of like a platform, now high in a great tree -- "the building became a treehouse and then the roof turned into living branches."
"And, um, boy, am I glad to see someone who can explain what's happening! We came here to retrieve an evil Book, which we did. Then the trees started to grow out of control, and the moon went wonky, and the Book opened up on its own and burned this riddle onto the wall." She points to what's left of the wall with the poem burned into it.
"And we got a message from this elf" -- she motions to Anunnaki -- "who had been captured before we left Dirt City, and he had a message for us written, evidently, after we had left the City! That message, a foretelling, mentions Gold Dragons."
"We have this evil Book that has a hold over the Prince of Dirt City. Most of all, we want the Book's evil sway over him broken! Can you help us with that, good Fatherr?"
Berlon d20+3=13 Thursday May 26th, 2005 8:10:00 PM
Berlon sits in a corner and slumps his shoulders, obviously too wrapped up in things to notice what's outside. (Spot check 13)
"So since I've returned to my home I've managed to introduce a human, an elf, a halfling and a captive lizardman to our so-called secret village. Now if I can just sneak in a half-orc I'll have bingo." He giggles disturbingly.
"Which is good, seeing how both our ancestral guardian and strongest defender have gone unexplainedly absent. At least I am giving Alemi plenty of things to Fix!"
He clasps his hands behind his head as he leans forward and rocks back and forth in the corner.
Vorelle d20+9=29 d20+10=23 Thursday May 26th, 2005 8:17:24 PM
One might argue that the blind are more to be pitied than suspected of ulterior motives. Be that as it may, Vorelle is instantly suspicious of anyone who calls her "beautiful," and the pointy-headed halfling is no exception. She keeps an eye on him.
Nevertheless, she does spot the face in the darkening moon [spot 29, natural 20], and her brows knit into a thoughtful frown.
Then the halfling sets the ring spinning and calls upon--someone. Vorelle's not sure who is going to answer the summons, but she's pretty sure she wants to see them before they see her. She hides herself as best she can in the shadows. [Hide 23]
She watches and listens to Father Nicholas with interest, but doesn't move from her hiding place or call attention to herself.
Rose d20+5=16 Thursday May 26th, 2005 8:58:42 PM
Rose is startled by the message from her brother, then a halfling friend of Vauhwyt's appears, a stain spreads over the moon and someone steps through a ring. She is shocked into silence and just listens to the others for a moment.
ooc: sorry for not posting yesterday, sometime after I got online and began checking my hotmail & downloading the complete adventurers my keyboard stopped working. at first some of the keys didnt do anything and others did what other keys were supposed to do then it stopped working completely. I thought i might have a virus and so since i could use my mouse i virus scanned & scanned disc, and tried unplugging my keyboard then after restarting plugging it back in and restarting. finally today i decided it was the keyboard and got an old one from my sis. of course since i had saved my stuff to cd's and quickrestored back to factory settings I now have to save every thing back from the disc to my documents or whereever else they belong.
Anunnaki Thursday May 26th, 2005 9:55:24 PM
" Perhaps it is not such a bad thing that we return to nature. "
Theodore and Macaw Thursday May 26th, 2005 10:41:22 PM
As always, Theodore is instantly drawn to the workings of Fiedel's hoop. Seeing Father Nicholas waltz through, brings a wide grin to his goofy looking face.
"Wonderful!" he exclaims. Nodding in agreement with Vauhwyt's description of the current situation, he keeps his eyes on the newcomer.
Valdor Friday May 27th, 2005 12:10:06 AM
Just when you thought you had your representative, another figure walks through the portal. Some will recognize him, some may not. He wears a magnificent mithril shirt, form fitting, but allowing him to move with a grace that belies his immense size. He has three swords, baldrics of daggers, and quite a number of rings on his hands, though some may be ornamental. He stands over six feet tall and is extremely muscled and his arms, the only part of his skin showing, are defined to an extreme.
He says,"Father Nick, aren't you the quick one today?"
He looks over the group very seriously, his serious demeanor turning to a bright smile when he sees he knows some of the group. He bows deeply, then moves to Vauhwyt, raising her hands(paws) to his lips in greeting.
He glances over to Berlon and says,"A half elf, not half-orc. Sorry to disappoint. Where is Vorelle, I was hoping to see her. She is okay, isn't she? I will flay the being alive that has harmed or killed her."
Olyn d20+6=23 Friday May 27th, 2005 3:52:26 AM
standing in contemplation about the moon, the writing on the wall and the sudden appearances of the reknowned heroes of the wold. **a mix of emotions race through his head as he asks himself: why is everyone so afraid of the Fey King?, is he not a saviour of sorts to those of Nature?, why exactly do the Dragon heroes really wish to see this King removed from the land of the living?**
Dietrich d20+4=24 Friday May 27th, 2005 5:37:07 AM
Dietrich sees the face on the moon (spot 24) and, together with all the rest of wierd things happening, it lets him quite disturbed. The warrior mutters: "By the anvil of Domi! What's next?!"
He doesn't like to be "naked" (without the beloved greatsword) in the middle of the distressing situation and doesn't feel at ease with the heroes appearing and so much magic going on. And he is definetly confused about the events. First it seemed the Fey King was good, now he is evil and has to be stopped? And what part are we playing in it? After the first shock, however, the young knight is able to recover and to greet the dragons appropriately.
Still admiring the newcomer's posture and fine weapons, Dietrich listens to Vauhwyt's rapport and waits for some answers.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday May 27th, 2005 5:59:50 AM
Vauhwyt stammers as Valdor the Dragonstone, greatest hero of the Wold, Leader of the Gold Dragons, who has spoken with gods and powers, takes her hand for a courtesy.
"um, uh, uh, um ..."
She remembers him, of course, from the Giggling Ghost, but wasn't that a kind of a dream? Since he clearly recognizes her, apparently not! "Wowsy!" she thinks.
When he declares his defense of her shy best friend, Vauhwyt can only think, "Ohmigosh! Vorelle is going to just die!"
Tericus Friday May 27th, 2005 9:27:29 AM
a few moments after Valdor appears, a young, skinny human male with curly red hair appears beside him. a suite of fine elven chain mail can be seen under his clerical robes, and two holy symbols can be seen hanging from his neck, one of Alemi, and the other not reconizable. at his side is a mace, and floating in front of him is a shield. looking around and seeing all the gaping faces, Tericus says to Valdor, "You always get that reaction." then he clears his throat and says "Im Tericus, cleric of Alemi and member of the Storm Dragons. We have recently joind with the Gold Dragons to form the Platinum Dragons. "We heard you had some information for us."
Nick Valentine - Platinum Dragons Friday May 27th, 2005 2:28:21 PM
"Sorry Valdor," Nick says sheepishly with a grin. "I'm getting carried away by all the madness."
Having heard Vauhwyt's explanation, and knowing Valdor would be better talking to the adventurers, he focusses on the wall, murmuring what's written aloud..
"One moon, two moons, aligned with Sun The eld race sang, the deed is done Goat-footed walks the Horn'ed King Nature awakens an age to bring Where trees stand tall and buildings fall And ivy tears the strongest wall ....................
Once before did Eberon strive A King to be of all alive Yet foiled he was by enchanted sleep A recipe known by Ma'ab to keep Sharp writ sure with memory pure Secret hidden in enchanted lure
Will King again now fall away And naught come of nature's day By courage found in heroes bold Or will they lie in graves soon cold While overhead, a Fey dance tread 'Mongst vines and trees o'er the dead."
He's glad to see his fellow Alemi cleric, also. "Hmmm, hey Tericus, come and look at this. This writing on the wall came from this book."
He then glances toward the Dirt City group. "You say this book holds evil sway over someone? It looks like it's covered in..... skin."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday May 27th, 2005 3:12:45 PM
With a hand firmly stifling Mookie in his pouch, Vauhwyt is glad to be distracted when the topic of the book comes up.
"Uh, yeah, we got the book in a raid we made -- with Ashira and Rigging's gang -- on a Marteaus cult base on the Izen-Aisildur borderr." Her accent reveals her nervousness, as does her swishing tail.
She tells everything she knows about the book, especially that it sems to have some kind of hold on the Prince of Dirt City, a hold Vauhwyt would very much like broken, she says.
[OOC: For the record: A large, extremely weird, skin-bound book that weighs about 20 pounds. Some of the pages are parchment, others look like some kind of hide. The script varies between very neat and deliberate, and careless and ham-handed. Some pages look like they've been sewn in later, with a kind of stringy animal gut. The whole thing has a horrible feel to it. The book is mostly in orcish, with some common. There are comprehensive maps of both upper and lower levels of Dirt City. Both these familiar maps carry small symbols in certain areas. Other pages contain script and a matching symbol to various parts of the map. Within, are plots and plans; a plot to blow up the harbour, stating who and when; assassinations -- who, and how, and when; a plan to poison the water wells. It will take hours of work to discover all its secrets. That's the original description.]
Fianlly, the liontaur realizes the evil tome would be much better off out of her friends' reach. "Father Nick, Tericus, Valdorr -- would you take this thing off our hands?"
"OH!" the liontaur adds, "There was also the prophecy sent to us, spoken by innocent children who had been touched by undead creatures:"
'eight heroes of five races are one hope to wan faces: one secret enchantment to five gold dragons eight heroes save your little red wagons.'
"Don't know what that means, eitherr, but it mentions Gold Dragons! Maybe the Book is the secret enchantment and we are supposed to give it to you? A good idea either way, I say!"
Dahlia Friday May 27th, 2005 5:08:30 PM
Stepping out from behind Tericus and Valdor, The little blackskinned halflinf lass looks extremely tiny. Stepping through them so as to see and be seen, she flashes a quick smile as she spots Father Nick.
Hello all, I am Dahlia of the Gold, erhhmm Platinum Dragons. I do hope we can be of some help to you.
Vorelle Friday May 27th, 2005 5:38:21 PM
Vorelle's eyes widen as she sees Valdor step into the room, because she seems to remember having met him. That was a dream, of course--a silly fantasy created by a fledgeling adventurer with a bad case of hero-worship.
Still, he looks and sounds familiar, which the real Valdor shouldn't if the dream Valdor was just a product of her overactive imagination. And he seems to know who she is, which she finds a little unsettling.
Then, more of them come, Golds and Storms--calling themselves "Platinum Dragons" now--and Vorelle starts to tremble a little. What can these exalted personages want with a lowly group like theirs?
Vorelle continues to watch and listen intently, content to let her more garrulous teammates speak for the group.
Valdor d20+25=45 Saturday May 28th, 2005 12:19:05 PM
Valdor listens to each comment and explanation intently. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches the smallest movement...the shallow intake of breath causing a chest to move just a tenth of an inch, perhaps. His eyes cut to the side for a second and a smile widens his face. His old ways sometimes get the better of him and he can appreciate someone staying hidden from sight. He gives a nod on the hidden person's direction, then goes back to focusing on the discussion and book.
He says,"Why would we be mentioned in a prophecy? Nick, Tericus, is there any way of knowing how old this writing is? And Vauhwyt, did anyone in your group cast detection spells for evil or magic on this book? I wonder if it's magical, or just filled with a bunch of plotting and scheming.
How odd, that right after we join forces with the Storm Dragons, we find a prophecy about our new group. Let's see...we have a drow, a halfling, some humans, elves, and, oh yeah, me...a half-elf. Five races, but there are nine of us now. Well, Dahlia just came back. This kind of stuff makes my head hurt.
Dahlia, the puzzle pieces continue to come in. Of course, as is the case in most puzzles, the beginning pieces always complicate things. I'm counting on your skills of seeing through things to figure this out. You're the tricky one in the group, so if anyone can, it's you.
Tericus, who should hold the book, my friend? Do we remove it's influence from the area it describes? Or do we trust that hese can keep control of it? I feel they are definitely competent to do so, but do we want that curse to be following them and dogging their heels with every step? You know there are some who would do anything to get that book back."
Dahlia Sunday May 29th, 2005 8:16:03 AM
Well you notice, that the writing on the wall mentions Maab again, That's twice in two days we have heard her name. Then there is something about a potion or recipe to make this Eberon, horned king sleep. Didn't the Hamletteers mention something about a Saytr as well? This recipe or spell seems to have been written down somewhere and hidden. So perhaps as our dear Vaught here has mentioned, it is encoded in this tome here somewhere?
Olyn Sunday May 29th, 2005 11:30:57 AM
walking up and taking the Book from (sorry, forgot who had it) _____, he goes and stands in front of Father Nicholas saying as he hands the Book to him: you take it, its more powerful than we can weild, and I am afraid someone here might be lured by its evil and start shifting their ways. I know for me, I have been tempted on a few occasions to grab the book and hide in a corner and start reading it.
Theodore and Macaw Sunday May 29th, 2005 2:07:13 PM
Theodore is more than a little miffed at all of his friends offering up the tome to these folks he has never met before. "Shouldn't this be a group decision?" he mutters to himself.
Clearing his throat to get everyone's attention, he says, "Yes, well, the book is no doubt magical, and most definitely evil as well, in answer to Sir Valdor's question. Perhaps Vauhwyt and Olyn are correct in offering the book to you, however the problem still persists that we will be fugitives, probably even hunted, if we do not return it to the Prince of Dirt City. I for one do not wish to leave my home. My suggestion would be to begin negotiations with the Prince, and do some research on this tome, find out the depths of its secrets. If you are folks of import, as most here seem to think you are, perhaps you will have more sway with the Prince than us. Either way, I don't want to let the tome out of my sight, again. Regardless of how powerful your group may be, this tome may yet cause problems, and I for one want to know its significance in what is happening."
The raven atop the young man's scruffy head bobs up and down in agreement.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Sunday May 29th, 2005 8:44:27 PM
Mookie pokes his head out of Vauhwyt's pouch just long enough to say to Theo, "You go, girl!"
Then he pops his head back inside.
Vauhwyt is too busy answering Valdor to be bothered with the talking raven. "Um, Valdorr, for sure the Book is magical. And evil. But I do not remember if we cast divination spells to find that out."
"Um, and Theo has a point. The Prince of Dirt City expects it back. Although if you could help us break the spell it holds over him, maybe the Prince would not mind losing it so much. He said he could tell how far away it was and more-or-less where. Plus he seemed not his usual self when we talked to him ... moody, and preoccupied."
Tericus Monday May 30th, 2005 11:00:53 AM
"Ill hold it for now." Tericus says to Valdor as he takes the book from Olyn and touches the cover. "Im sure there is information in here that we need, but im not sure its necessary for us to keep it. Lets examine it first and see what we find." then Tericus casts detect magic and detect evil on the book before opening it.
Dragons, Dirties, and Gnomes; Oh My [DM SteveK] Monday May 30th, 2005 4:28:56 PM
At the top of a newly-made gigantic oak tree, the former audience hall of the gnomish village of Haven's Edge are filled to overflowing with heroes!
Londa and the gnomish guards stay around Thliss-Ka (the captured lizardfolk warrior) and keep in the background near the entrance.
The Matriarch Vivian, leader of the gnomish village sits non-plussed on her divan and is merely a spectator in the proceedings between the Dirt City Heroes, the Woldian League of Adventurers, and the Platnuim Dragons. It seems to be that the conversation revolves around the riddles and the Book.
Vauhwyt and Olyn seek to give the Book to the Platnuim Dragons, Olyn going so far as to taking the heavy tome out of Berlon's grasp and giving it to Tericus.
Theodore and Vauhwyt worry about giving the Book away and what the Prince of Thieves will do to the group if it doesn't come back.
Berlon, Rose, Vorelle, Anunnaki, and Dietrich all seem to be overwhelmed by the appearance of such august personages. They are keeping quiet and thinking thier own thoughts. Perhaps they remember what the sprites said in the swamp, or the first riddle given by the Book, or who Graitchen seemed to really be working for...
Feidal bows to Father Nicholas, then his eyebrows rise into his spikey white hair as not one, but FOUR Dragon Heroes arrive. "Quite a bit more than I bargained for," he says almost to himself. "Well, in for a copper..."
"Hey! The second stanza says that this Ma'ab person knows the secret. Is this her Book? I mean," and Fiedal turns to the Dirt City Heroes, "is there any major power that is most associated with this Book? Is it Ma'ab or someone else?" As all eyes turn towards him, he wilts a little but plows on, "I mean, if someone has the secret, maybe you should look for them?"
The Book itself is heavy in Tericus' hands, the binding and cover being bits and pieces of skin, fur and hides of various animals. His detection spells reveal nothing; no magic nor evil and is just like the detection spells the Pirates of Jack tried on the Book after it was retrieved from the island in Blackbird Lake. That it is evil and magical can not be denied from the stories of the Dirt City Heroes as well as the riddle burned into the white wall; so the only assumption is that something is blocking the dection spells..
Valdor Tuesday May 31st, 2005 12:23:12 AM
Valdor cocks an eyebrow at Theo and smiles. He then responds,"It indeed should be a group decision. Forgive my rudeness, I fear my ego gets the best of me at times and I figure I am recognized. I am Valdor of the now Platinum Dragons. You may remember the call I sent forth to all the good folk of the Wold some time back. I fear the same will be happening soon again.
We have no desire to keep the book, as long as we know that people with stout and good hearts are looking out for it.
However, I must caution you against giving it back to the Prince. If it has twisted him, and I believe you when you tell us it has, he will not thank you for returning it, but will feel threatened that you know its secrets. He will always be paranoid into thinking you will want it as he does and will still make you a target of his. Evil items have a way of twisting the minds of their owners...especially ones who already have such thoughts.
Nick, I wonder if there is some connection between this book, Lady Maab, and the young girl we found who can write the most complex spells with no trouble.
Dahlia, you are quite right. There is definitely a connection. Hopefully, Gareth, Onrad, and Jandar are finding out something of importance in the Float. Perhaps I should contact the adventurers we know in other cities through the Dragon Orbs, to see if anything really odd is happening where they all are as well."
Vorelle Tuesday May 31st, 2005 12:32:51 AM
It's important for one thing to be understood, so Vorelle summons up all her courage and attempts to explain. "I-i-if we d-d-d-d-don't br-bring it b-b-b-back," she says, inwardly astonished at her own temerity, "the P-P-P-Prince will h-h-hurt us. An-and our f-f-f-f-families."
Of course, Vorelle doesn't think much of her own family, but that doesn't mean she wants to see them tortured and executed. Well, not usually.
Nick Valentine - Platinum Dragons Tuesday May 31st, 2005 1:52:07 AM
Nick winks at Fiedel, then rubs his chin contemplatively and raises an eyebrow toward Valdor. "There 'could' be a connection with the book and that girl, but I'll stick my neck out and say no. We haven't recieved anything of a prophetical nature from the girl - just spell fragments and journal entries. Whereas this here -" He trails off and looks at the wall. "One thing, though. From the letters we get from our Alemi clerics based in Dirt City, floggings and hangings are still the norm there. And we wouldn't want to subject these good people to any of that. If we 'are' going to keep it, I reckon we'd have to, at the very least, tell the authorities there we commandeered it."
He casts a glance over the Dirt City group. This had to be a fairly tough bunch, young as they were, for Dirt City was certainly no picnic. Could they guard the book? He reckoned so. The book was certainly an odd item, and curiosity made him want to take a peek inside, but from looks alone he could certainly understand why the group would want rid of it.
Dahlia Tuesday May 31st, 2005 8:09:42 AM
Hearing Vorelle, Dahlia gets an annoyed look on her face.
"So the Prince will hurt you and your families if you don't bring him the book? Well I doubt we need to take it with us, but Valdor is correct in saying that if you hand it over you still are not safe."
Thinking for a moment the little halfling turns to Valdor.
"Do you suppose we could pay this Prince a little visit and persuade him to leave our friends here and their families alone.?"
Dietrich Tuesday May 31st, 2005 8:23:57 AM
Dietrich listens to all the talkings about prophesies and magic with some bewilderment. When a strange prophetical girl is mentioned, he instantly remembers the three Dirt CIty girls in coma. Going through their prophesy, he also wonders if the 8 heroes with 5 races couldn't be themselves, however presumptious this might sound (we're 8, human, liontaur, halfling, gnome, elf/half-elf).
Concerning the connections of the Book, from its recent history, it could be related to Marteus, G'aal or Gargul.
Dietrich admires Theodore's posture and speech and nods in agreement. The problem is reinforced by Vorelle's reminder of retaliation, should they not obey the Prince. Though the knight is not from that City, he plainly understands the concern for his friend's families. He agrees with Valdor's warning, but they have to find a way.
"Perhaps we could arrange a way of making it look like the Book was taken or destroyed by overwhelming forces against our will and even resistance. The Prince will certainly check it, but there should be a possibility and I don't think he would punish us in this case."
Tericus Tuesday May 31st, 2005 9:29:53 AM
while everyone is debating the fate of the book, Tericus takes a deep breath and opens the book and begins to read it.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday May 31st, 2005 10:50:02 AM
"As of this time," Theodore begins. "I would think the book is associated with Marteaus. We've had numerous encounters with his factions, all of whom have been severely interested in this book and Dirt City. We have yet to figure out what the connection might be."
He chews on his lip for a moment, and then casts his gaze on Father Nicholas. "You don't suppose that Marteaus supports the return of this Fey King?"
"Just to put in a good word for the Prince, he was doing his best to keep our city safe by spending energies studying the secrets of that book, which contain several plans of attack on the city. We are in this swamp on his mission to bring the book back from a thief and murderer, another of Marteaus'."
At this point, Theodore points to Thliss-Ka, a captive lizardman near the back. "That fellow there was under Gratchien, the Marteaun lackey's, employ for but a little while and attested to us that there is an attack planned against Dirt City within five days. We have sent a messenger pigeon to the Prince to warn him, but I fear that many innocents will die, still. I wonder if there is any help or advice you could offer us."
Olyn Tuesday May 31st, 2005 10:57:57 AM
looks over Tericus' shoulder and reads along with him.
Questions and Answers [DM SteveK] Tuesday May 31st, 2005 4:46:57 PM
Thoughts are bandied about as to the Book, the Fey King, and the possible revenge of the Prince.
Valdor and Dahlia make an excellent point about the stability of an obsessed mind, and the liklihood that the Prince, if he is affected by the Book, would dispense with the Dirt City heroes services once no longer needed.
Theodore and Dietrich make plans for the Book to go with the Platnuim Dragons and have a plausible story that it was taken by force. Theodore's musings seem to hold the best logic as to Marteus having the most recent interest in the Book, but Dietrich is also correct that Ga'al and Gargul are also associated.
Tercius (with Olyn over his shoulder) carefully opens the Book and is surprised by the contents. From what Vauhwyt said, it should be all about plots in Dirt City. Tercius, however, sees pages of neat handwriting in several different inks. Each page tells of different plots within Plateau City; a robbery of a merchant's house, the planned murder of the Tailor's Guild, the poisoning of a neighborhood's wells.
The Matriarch has been very quiet through all the conversation in her own hall. Her blue eyes narrow and her brow furrows in concentration, seemingly taking everything in and searching her ancient mind for answers.
"I know not of the numbers and content of the Platnuim Dragons, my lords", she begins and points to Berlon and the Dirt City heroes, "but of young Rusty's group there are eight of five different races. Does this not match the riddle from the Temple of Wardd?" Her blue eyes fix Berlon and the young heroes with an ice blue gaze. "And it seems that the riddles and the Book will help these Platnuim Dragons to battle nature unchained? Yes, good. But how does the Book work? The Platnuim Dragons will need to know, for the Book seems to hold its secrets close."
Fiedal speaks up. "As to the Book taken from you by the champions of New Elenna, I think we can easily make that story stick." He grins impishly, and looks at Anunnaki. "Your elf friend looks like he can weave a good yarn."
The Matriarch takes up the thread once again. "And perhaps getting the Book far away from the Prince will lessen its effects and your leader can return to his own mind."
"Uh, hate to talk about something else", interrupts Fiedal, "but it looks like my ring portal is going to close pretty soon. We need to wrap this up."
The gigantic treehouse sways gently as if nodding and waiting for resolution.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday May 31st, 2005 4:57:54 PM
Vauhwyt stops listening and starts talking (Gosh Darn It! Missed a Post!):
"Noble Dragons, if you will take this book away, I would be grateful. It is not common magic, and in all my days as a Catacombs clerk we never sold anything like it. Maybe it is not mortal magic. Just please be careful!"
"Let us deal with our Prince. Maybe it will suffice to say that good Tericus here took it from Olyn. Who are we to naysay you mighty Dragons?"
"Anyway, good luck, and gods-speed! It was an honorr!"
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday May 31st, 2005 6:34:22 PM
"Wait, wait!" Theodore pipes up frantically as the normally hasty Vauhwyt again shows her eager side. "We can't give this book up just like this. Not after all we've been through. I don't mind if you take it, but I would like to be informed of the progress you make on the book. One way or another, this concerns us all, now. Is there anyway that we can stay in contact? Just to let us know of your findings."
Valdor Tuesday May 31st, 2005 7:03:10 PM
When Vorelle finally shows herself, Valdor smiles and bows deeply. He listens to her comments and says,"You are definitely correct. We do not want that to come to pass. The story would be believable that we took it from you. However, that would appear as failure of your mission and you would face a Prince that is both semi-crazy and mad at you. A real quandry we have here.
My thought is though, that, if that prophecy is true, then we need the book. You decide amongst yourselves whether to give us the book. A group decision is necessary, we will not attempt to put any pressure on you to decide. We will respect your decision, but it must be yours to make. If you decide to give it to us, then you could stay out of Dirt City for a time. Sneak in, take your families out of town and lay low. Or, you can tell the Prince, who knows me, that you told us who the book was for, and that we agreed to give it back after we are done with it. And he can be mad at us. Or whatever stry you want to use."
Rose Tuesday May 31st, 2005 8:53:51 PM "Well how about if YOU tell the prince that you want to look at the book. Have somebody in your group be waiting with the book outside the city while you tell him. Then you'll be the ones to get in trouble not us. I cant get all my family out of town. I have four siblings, my parents, five aunts and uncles, grandparents and there's alot of others."
Rose apparently doesnt want the prince to have the book, but she's aware of the consequences that not bringing it back can have.
Berlon Tuesday May 31st, 2005 9:27:26 PM
Berlon continues to sit on the floor, rocking back and forth.
He speaks without looking up. "Yes, yes, so many choices, so little time." He giggles again in a slightly disturbing way.
"So many choices, none of which matter. So many questions, none of which unanswered. War is coming. I've killed us all hee hee. Guardians relinquish guardianship. Trees replaced by," he raps the floor, "other trees. Madness goes Unfixed."
"Make your decisions and see if any of it matters..."
Rose d20+4=11 Tuesday May 31st, 2005 10:03:23 PM
Rose looks at Berlon rocking on the floor and goes over to him. "Berlon are you ok?" She asks as she touches his shoulder and looks him in the face.
heal check: 11
Vorelle d20+9=22 Wednesday June 1st, 2005 1:49:00 AM
As Valdor speaks, Vorelle gets a mental picture of herself trying to get Lisenne or Vaun to leave town. She manages to suppress a wholly inappropriate giggle at the thought.
She nods in agreement to Rose's sensible suggestion, then frowns as she notices Berlon's strange behavior. The little gnome seems unwell, which could get awkward, considering the group now enjoys his clan's hospitality.
She watches him carefully, trying to figure out what might be causing him to act this way. [Spot 22]
Dahlia Wednesday June 1st, 2005 8:29:08 AM
Watching as the varied levels of stress manifests on the Dirt Citiers' faces, dahlia once again turns to Valdor.
"Valdor, Why not send a meesage to this "prince" telling him that we have the book and will return it when we are finished with it AND as long as our freinds and their families remain safe. I could even zip over and drop it off all personal like."
Dietrich Wednesday June 1st, 2005 8:56:49 AM
Dietrich listens to the heroes and the matriarch. He is a little worried about Berlon's strange behaviour (not the first time), but as the decisions have to be taken fast, he focuses on the question of the book.
Despite all the risks involved, Dietrich votes to give it to the Dragons, as seems to be the will of the prophesy.
But he doesn't like the Dragon's proposal of talking with the Prince. "Friends, we have to consider that the Prince is not completely himself and not suggestive to reasonable argument. The only way I see to keep our skins out of trouble is to keep secret and trick him. He doesn't know yet that we have the Book in the first place, as we only warned him about the attack against Dirt City. We could easily say that we just arrived too late. It's not our fault that the mighty Platinum Dragons took it before us! You could even talk with the Prince, but not in a manner as if we were your friends or had anything to do with you getting the Book. Trying to menace him would only put people's family at risk."
Olyn d20+6=11 d20+7=16 Wednesday June 1st, 2005 9:42:19 AM
listening to all the arguements Olyn pipes up.
I think we are all putting too much into all of this. let Valdor take the book, let Dahlia take a personal trip to the Prince and inform him they have the book. I dont think the Prince is too far gone to realize there is no way in gargul's realm we, the Dirt City group, could take it from them. and perhaps Tericus could go with her and see if he has a few tricks in his medical pouch to cure his insanity, if indeed he is.
then kneeling before Berlon, he looks into his eyes asking: what's wrong buddy, is al of this too much stress for you? ~checks him over~
spot~11 heal~16
Nick Valentine - Platinum Dragons Wednesday June 1st, 2005 10:42:28 AM
Nick shrugs helplessly at Theodore's question. "I'm guessing, but I suspect Marteaus will appreciate this Fae business until it becomes inconvenient to him. Right now we're only getting hints about how powerful the Fae king is. It's the measure of power that will be crucial in the days to come. If his power matches that of the Gods, some of them might feel threatened, and this wild ride might get a little wilder. Please, just be careful. Be aware."
He's hoping someone else has picked up on the Dirt City attack question. Right now his own mind is reeling. Plateau City, The Float, here. And presumably chaos was rearing it's ugly head elsewhere, too. Great God Alemi help us all. And he hadn't even taken a peek at the book yet.
Tericus Wednesday June 1st, 2005 10:54:59 AM
carefully closing the book, Tericus says "Whatever is decided, I need to study the book further, even if it means that I have to stay here for a while. Like Valdor said, we wont take it from you, but I do need time in order to unravel its mystries. And I need your decision soon."
And the Decision Is... [DM SteveK] Wednesday June 1st, 2005 3:01:06 PM
[OOC: OK, friends, we need to let the Platnuim Dragons return to thier adventure, so give a 'Give the Book' or 'Keep the Book' in the beginning of your next post. Majority wins.]
Everything seems waiting as if this moment is of tremendous importance. The Matriarch, Feidal, and the gnome guards are all silent. The gigantic tree, new branches, and all nature become still. Even the black light of the Dark Moon seems still with waiting. Waiting as if the calm before a storm on the razor's edge...
Olyn Wednesday June 1st, 2005 6:58:46 PM
Give the Book.
Stands there waiting.
Rose Wednesday June 1st, 2005 7:08:39 PM
Give the book, but have one of them talk to the prince.
"Berlon? What's going on?" Rose anxiously inquires of the gnome as she ignores the others.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday June 1st, 2005 9:08:33 PM
Vauhwyt repeats her preference. "Please, good Dragons, take the Book." She sneaks a peek at its pages and sees that the plots now describe Plateau City.
"It isn't even about our city any morre."
"If one of you would not mind telling the Prince that you have the book, that would be very kind, too. And if you find a way to neutralize its powerr, even betterr!"
In her enthusiasm, her accent is as intense as the way her tail swishes.
"And Father Nicholas, could you look at our friend Berlon? He has sufferred a lot. A word from an elder Alemite might help him cope." She indicates the stressed-out gnome cleric of Alemi.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday June 1st, 2005 9:20:22 PM
Theodore sighs. "Take it, then. But please be careful, and inform us should we need to know anything. We are stationed in Dirt City...for the meantime, anyway."
He seems a bit dejected for having lost such a wondrous chance to examine an obviously powerful tome.
Berlon Wednesday June 1st, 2005 10:53:13 PM
"Take the book, leave the book. The book goes where it wants. *snicker* Decide whatever you want, it matters not. It will talk to you, but don't let it sing to you! You have to draw the line somewhere! Hee!"
Vorelle Thursday June 2nd, 2005 12:12:49 AM Give the book.
Unhappily, Vorelle nods in agreement with the rest of her team. It isn't a good option, but of the two bad options they have, this one will do the least damage. Probably.
Still worried about Berlon, Vorelle sidles a little closer. She wants to be on hand in case of trouble.
Valdor Thursday June 2nd, 2005 12:24:59 AM
Valdor nods as the votes come in and it is obvious what the decision is. He turns to Tericus and says,"Would you hand it back to one of these heroes for a moment? This is important."
After Tericus does, Valdor's hands move quicker than anything the Dirt City heroes have ever seen...so fast that they might have missed it. In less than the blink of an eye, he draws his Dragonslayer sword, spins in a circle and knocks the book from whoever's holding it with the flat of the blde, expertly hitting the book, but not the person. He snatches it up and hands it back to Tericus.
After sheathing his sword just as quickly as it was drawn, he says,"Not trying to show off, but now I have taken it from you. You will not by lying when you say we took it with force. Should it come about, tell the Prince to cast detect lie on you before telling him. We will contact him...or rather, Dahlia will do so as she has offered. The story will be that we came upon you and found you in possession of the book. After some dicussion, we wanted the book, but you wanted to take it back to him. After more discussion, I attacked and took it before you could stop me. It's a fair description of what just happened. And, I'm sure the Prince knows our reputation and that we wouldn't just attack you without trying to convince you to give it up. That's our story, for when Dahlia talks to him.
We will get it back to you and keep in contact with you very soon, I promise. Thank you for being strong and calling for us. Keep up your good work and have courage."
He bows again to the group, kisses Vauwhyt's and Vorelle's hands and says,"It has been a pleasure to see you both again. Take care...I'll see you soon, I hope."
He then waits for the others before exitting back through the portal.
Tericus Thursday June 2nd, 2005 6:57:22 AM
taking the book back from Valdor, Tericus nods to the group and says "When its all said and done, ill be in contact and tell you what has happened. Good luck to you all." then, as an afterthought, Tericus goes over to Berlon and casts a Heal spell on him(cures physical and mental damage). then he goes through the portal.
Dahlia Thursday June 2nd, 2005 9:07:34 AM
Nodding to Valdor, Dahlia turns to the Dirt Citiers.
"Is Suran, I mean Prince Correl, still served by Th'Ayvannen and Gratchien?
They were my primary contacts on my prior visits. I did once have a clandestine meeting with another "gentleman." I think his name was Jolath."
(ooc. About how far are we from the palace currently?)
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday June 2nd, 2005 10:24:19 AM
Answering Dahlia, Vauhwyt says sadly, "Gratchien was corrupted by the book, or maybe was evil all along. We killed him and took the Book from him. He killed Th'Ayvannen back in Dirt City, alas."
Then the liontaur gives directions back to Dirt City, looking to Vorelle for confirmation in case she makes a mistake.
"Just please be careful with that book! I wonder if it gives away evil plots so that the powerful folk who foil those plots are somehow ensnared by the Book in so doing!"
Dietrich Thursday June 2nd, 2005 10:44:14 AM
Give the book
Dietrich is quite satisfied with the decision the goup has taken and the way things have gone. He nods in agreement to Valdor and hopes the story will stick with the Prince.
The young ex-soldier listens to his friends and bow in farewell as the heroes return to Platau City.
Dietrich stays awkwardly near Berlon, not knowing what to do to help his companion.
Nick Valentine - Platinum Dragons Thursday June 2nd, 2005 12:08:59 PM
Nick reckons Dahlia will be able to straighten out Corell. "You're good people," he says to the Dirt City group. "and brave. Let's hope that together, one way or another, we can put everything to rights."
He takes note that Tericus has seen to Berlon. Hopefully Berlon feels better. As for the Book... what in Alemi's name had they taken possession of?
He bids everyone farewell and steps through the portal.
Berlon Thursday June 2nd, 2005 1:01:53 PM
After receiving the healing spell, Berlon sits up on his knees. His eyes focus on the heroes departing through the portal, his jaw slightly opened.
A few moments after the portal closes, Berlon falls to the ground.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
He rolls around on the floor, literally clutching at his sides.
After a couple awkward minutes of this, he stands up.
"So."
"Now what?"
And the Night Passes [DM SteveK] Thursday June 2nd, 2005 1:24:22 PM
A sigh seems to float across the valley of the gnomish village as the Dirt City heroes decide to give the Book to the Platnuim Dragons that they had so recently recovered from Graitchen and the swamp. With the Black Moon looking down, the gigantic oak tree resumees its gentle swaying, and the hall-come-treehouse sways along.
Valdor's actions give the Dirt City heroes a good rationalization of the story already concocted. It seems like it should pass even under a Detect Lie spell.
Dahlia learns that two of her three contacts in Dirt City are (very) recently dead, and with the knowledge that being known in Dirt City is a short and messy carreer.
Once the four Platnuim heroes leave, Fiedal quickly takes down the ring portal and stows it in his pack. Somehow, the large ring fits without a problem.
Berlon suddenly sits up as if nothing is wrong and laughs out loud. The Matriarch smiles and Londa openly guffaws at the sucessful antics of the gnome.
Londa reports to the Matriarch that the gnomish elders on the ground have provided a means of everyone to get back to earth. Peering over the side near what used to be the entrance to the hall, anyone looking can see one of the wooden branches has become a large slide extending from the hall-treehouse to the ground. "Let's go!", cries a younger guard, eager for a new experience.
One at a time, the guards, the heroes, and finally the Matriarch take to the slide. It starts off in a gently sloping ride, then swoops down and around, faster and faster, taking great curves and even a loop before being deposited on the ground below.
The heroes are met here by a group of older gnomes, "The Elders" known by Berlon. When the Matriarch arrives down the slide, she smoothes disheveled hair and raises an eyebrow in askance. One of the gnomes bows in an apology. "My Matriarch", he begins, "I bespelled a shaping wood spell to get you down. I had thought I would need many, but at the first spell, the wood went wild with shaping. I felt I could have shaped the whole valley!"
"Hmmph." responds the Matriarch. "Well, it is late, there is a Black Moon in the sky and a giant tree in my house. Rusty, take your friends and get some sleep. We will get you on your way to your city in the morning."
With that, it seems the audience has ended and the Matriarch and the other gnomes move off into the night.
Thliss-Ka bows low to Dietrich. "It was an honor to fight you. Perhaps we will draw swords together in the next fight." And he obediently follows the gnomes.
Soon enough, the heroes find themselves back in the guest house for the rest of the night. A little surprising in the morning, they discover Feidal the Halfling is still with the Dirt City heroes. He is sleeping contentedly in a corner, snoring fit to rattle pans.
Theodore and Macaw Thursday June 2nd, 2005 8:32:40 PM
Theodore yawns, scrubbing the sleep from his eyes. He smiles up at the sun and nods to his comrades in a friendly manner.
"I imagine you are heading back to Dirt City?" he asks of Annunaki. "We should travel together. There is strength in numbers, as they say."
Rose Thursday June 2nd, 2005 11:50:33 PM "Whee!" Rose yells and screams with laughter as she goes down the slide. "How can people get back to the top?" She asks curiously. Once back at the rooms she eats then goes to bed. In the morning she is a bit surprised to see Feidal, but Theo asks why he's there first. She sits down and studies her spellbook then eats breakfast.
Olyn Friday June 3rd, 2005 1:23:16 AM
after morning prayers and breakfast, Olyn prepares for the journey back to Dirt City, where he does so in silence, still contemplating why having the Fey King back is so bad to Nature.
even at times during the trip back it could seem he's arguing with himself, or perhaps debating, noone is sure.
Dietrich d20+3=18 d20+4=8 Friday June 3rd, 2005 7:50:50 AM
Dietrich actually enjoys the slide, though he makes sure no one sees that. He feels relieved for getting rid of the accursed book.
The warrior returns Tliss-Ka's compliment and has to decide what to do with the prisoner. He asks Annunaki about the lizardman's role in his capture and treatment and interrogates the lizard chief a last time to discern his motives (sense motive 8). **If Tliss-Ka behaved reasonably well, Dietrich will ask to release him with all equippment, making him vow never to do harm against the gnomes and accept alegiance with the party. In this case, the knight tries to bind the tribal leader as an ally (diplomacy 18) and asks how to get in contact again. ** If Tliss-Ka showed signs of evil and cruelty however, Dietrich'll let him under cutody of the gnomes, for them to decide what to do.
In the morning, Dietrich makes ready for departure, checking his equippment, the cart and the poneys. He asks Olyn or Vauhwyt to write the message to the Prince, telling the arranged story that the book has been taken by the Dragons, and sends the pigeon ahead.
Vorelle d20+10=29 Friday June 3rd, 2005 12:42:33 PM
When Valdor goes to kiss her hand, Vorelle tries to pull it away, but as he has just demonstrated, Valdor is too fast for any of the group. Her face flames scarlet as he kisses her hand, and she pulls it back with unseemly haste when he is done with it.
Vorelle is relieved to see that Berlon seems to be all right, and rather enjoys sliding down the tree.
Seeing that the strange halfling is still among the party, Vorelle tries to gather her things and leave the guesthouse quietly, so as not to awaken him. [Move Silently 29]
Vauhwyt Friday June 3rd, 2005 1:15:57 PM
The liontaur manages to smile and bid the Dragons fare well.
She looks nervously at the tree-slide, and hangs back so that she is the last one to use it. Then she shrugs and gives it a try, hopeful that her weight will not break it!
In the morning, Vauhwyt sleeps in. At last she gets ready to go, wakes upher friend, and says, "Hey, Feidel! Are you coming with us? Back to Dirt City? Come on to breakfast and say farewell to the gnome granny."
Berlon Friday June 3rd, 2005 3:20:46 PM
Once back at the lodgings, Berlon looks confused. "What do you think the Matriarch meant by 'antics'?" He shakes his head.
The next morning, he will cast Identify on the brown potions after performing his morning devotions.
"Before we return, we should check with the Blacksmith again..."
Rose Saturday June 4th, 2005 3:00:51 AM
Rose looks at Berlon and asks "Berlon when you were rocking back and forth muttering in front of Valdor and the Matriarch, that was pretend right?"
Morning Has Broken [DM SteveK] Saturday June 4th, 2005 4:47:46 AM
One of the gnomes overhears Rose. He smiles and nods in the direction of the gigantic tree. "One spell for a slide, one more for stairs!" He smiles.
Dietrich decides what to do with Thliss-Ka. Anunnaki doesn't remember the lizardfolk warrior at all in his capture. In fact, Anunnaki only remembers Graitchen and then a very hairy fist that crashed down on his head. The Bear realizes that Thliss-Ka certainly doesn't have a 'hairy' fist and matches the lizardfolk's story that Thliss-Ka had only arrived at the swampy hut shortly before the heroes.
Thliss-Ka is willing to pledge that he will not attack the gnomes and pledge alliance with Dietrich. "I can not pledge for my village, but I will hold true." His equipment returned to him, Thliss-Ka bows again and then moves out towards the tunnel entrance to the valley.
Morning dawns in the gnomish village and the heroes (and friends) get ready for a new day. Despite Vorelle's quiet maneuverings, Fiedal the Halfling wakes and looks uncommonly fresh and alert for having just woken up. The elfen bard, Anunnaki is also with the group, though he is much more slow in waking up.
"Hello, everybody!" Fiedal calls cheerily to Theodore and Vauhwyt while blowing some muffin crumbs around while trying to eat and speak at the same time. "Yes, I'll travel with you for a while, as far as the City Below. Got other things to do, you know." He glances shrewdly at Rose before going on. "You all will probably be going to the Temple to see Rose's brother?"
Berlon Identifies the brown potions as Barkskin +4.
Another pidgeon is released to the Prince that they found the Book but it was forcibly taken by the Platnuim Dragons.
The heroes get together and prepare to see the gnomes before getting on thier way, but the quietness of the morning is short-lived. Sounds of battle break out towards the valley entrance. Shrieks and metal, stamping and shouting. Looking around, the heroes see the guest hut is closest to the entrance. If anyone can help plug the gap...
Olyn Saturday June 4th, 2005 10:02:32 AM
donning armor and gathering his weapons and healers kit, Olyn races to the valley entrance to assist.
Dietrich Saturday June 4th, 2005 11:13:35 AM
When Dietrich hears the commotion and sees Olyn running, he too takes his bow to hands and moves to the action. He swears a little and worries for the gnome village, hoping the party hasn't got anything to do with this sudden fight (remembering Berlon's rumblings).
OOC: Dietrich reached level 4 last time, can he already have the new stats in this battle?
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 18 Saturday June 4th, 2005 1:46:01 PM
Rose had just finished preparing her spells for the day and was thinking about getting a few slides in before they left when the sound of fighting is heard. She quickly grabs up her weapons and casts a spell on herself. And peeks out the door.
active spells: mage armor
daily spells
0: prestidation, message, disrupt undead, mending
1: mage armor (cast), shield, magic missile
2: scorching ray, scorching ray
Berlon Sunday June 5th, 2005 2:51:44 PM
After identifying the potions, Berlon mutters, "Well, *these* could prove useful..."
He looks a little confused at Rose's question, but before he can answer the commotion breaks out.
He sighs silently. "I'm surprised they knocked."
He tucks the potions away, and runs outside. If any villagers are around, he asks if anyone knows what is going on.
He yells so that the members of his group can hear. "Do NOT run into the tunnels! Hold your ground!"
He will move towards the ropes that operate the last of the villages defenses....
Theodore and Macaw Sunday June 5th, 2005 5:17:54 PM
With Macaw perched upon his head, Theodore casts a protective spell upon himself, and quickly moves after Olyn. The hairs on the back of the mage's neck stand up, as he has never been in a battle of this proportion.
"Be brave, Theodore," he says to himself. "Be brave." Still, he can't control the shakes that suddenly come over him.
(Cast mage armor for 4 hours)
Vauhwyt (AC21, HP24) and Mookie (AC19, HP12) (Mage Armor) Monday June 6th, 2005 1:58:48 AM
Vauhwyt casts Mage Armor (shared with Mookie) and moves 40 feet closer to the melee.
Vorelle d20+9=20 Monday June 6th, 2005 2:40:13 AM
At the sound of fighting, Vorelle readies her bow and moves toward the sound. She tries to get a look at who or what is attacking the gnomes. [Spot 20]
Battle in Front of the Tunnel [DM SteveK] Monday June 6th, 2005 3:13:03 PM
The heroes rush towards the sound of the fighting. Feidal is also with the Dirt City heroes and running as fast as he can, though the bigger folk outdistance him, Rose, and Berlon. Also seen running towards the tunnel entrance are other gnomes and the occasional lithe form of an elf, each with whatever weapons they had handy.
Berlon calls to his friends to NOT go into the tunnel, but it looks like none of the attackers are in the tunnel either...
Coming around a spur of the protective hills, you see a group of about 20 gnomes battling a large mapletree-like being at the entrance of the tunnel. About the branches of the maple tree, three familiar sprites dance and cast spells at the gnomish defenders. Fighting the tree and helping the gnomes is the reptilian form of Thliss-Ka.
Berlon easily recognizes that the maple is none other than Varaheena. She strides over one of the gnomes and grinds the body into the earth with root-like toes. "Submit to the Fey King, an ye shall live!" she calls.
The red clothed sprite espies the advancing heroes. "Sisters!" she calls in piercing voice. "There are the eight heroes of five races, the ones the prophesy speaks about. For Eberon's sake, don't let them get away!" The blue and yellow clothed sprites bring small silver horns to their lips and blow an unfamiliar tah-rant-tah-rah which echoes down the tunnel and over the hills.
The heroes are about 130 feet from the treant. There are gnomes and Thliss-Ka surrounding the treant. There are seven more gnomes and three elves on the run to help the tunnel guards.
[OOC: See the emailed map. Tell me if it works.]
Dietrich, ac 18, hp 40/40 Monday June 6th, 2005 3:45:39 PM
When Dietrich sees what's happening, he shoulders his bow again, not wanting to shoot into the melee and risk hurting any gnome, and draws the greatsword. He continues running as fast as he can to get into hand-to-hand (80 ft). The warrior is satisfied to see Tliss-Ka honouring his deal and shouts to his friends:
"Vauhwyt, Olyn, Berlon, Tliss-Ka and Me form a frontline, protecting each others flanks and outflanking the tree-monster! The magic users and archers target the sprites! Death to Eberon!"
The knight makes a silent prayer to Domi and Gargul, asking for courage and that the dead may find rest.
Rose Monday June 6th, 2005 5:08:20 PM
Rose will quickly cast a spell upon herself before moving closer to the ent.
active spells: mage armor (6sec/3hr) Shield (1/30rounds)
ooc: unfortunately except for magic missile my only offensive spell has to be within 30'
Theodore and Macaw HP 18 AC 16 d4+1=4 d4+1=5 Monday June 6th, 2005 9:36:59 PM
Theodore moves west, skirting the main part of the battle. Coming to a momentary stop, he points two fingers at one of the sprites and a couple of silvery rays shoot towards the enemy fairy.
"Luck," he says as the fighters move into the fray.
Mage Armor - 4 hours
(Move 30' directly west and cast magic missile for 4 & 5 points of damage against one sprite.)
Berlon - AC 24 HP 28 Monday June 6th, 2005 10:42:53 PM
Drawing his shield as he goes, Berlon lets out a low growl, and runs full tilt towards the battle, advancing 45 feet.
OOC: Berlon gets the -4 AC dodge bonus vs the ent, correct? PHB 17
Vauhwyt (AC21, HP24) and Mookie (AC19, HP12) (Mage Armor, Unseen Servant, Wolverine Trick) d100=9 d20+6=15 d4+2=6 Monday June 6th, 2005 11:39:33 PM
Vauhwyt moves 40 feet west by southwest, towards the melee [move action]. As she moves, she draws an Unseen Servant scroll from her belt pouch [free draw action with a move].
She stops and reads the scroll [standard action]. She orders the Servant: "Help Mookie!" [free action]
Mookie, recognizing his cue, orders the Servant to help him hold the Bag of Tricks [move action]. Then the raven ducks his head into the bag and pulls out a fuzzy ball. With a flick of his beak, he tosses the ball 20 feet south towards a pixie [activate item is a standard action].
The fuzzy ball turns into a Wolverine (rolled a 9 on d100). Mookie orders the Wolverine to charge a pixie.
The Wolverine charges a pixie, up to 60 feet. If it is in range, the Wolverine hits AC15 (includes a +2 from the charge). If it hits, it strikes for 6 hp damage.
Vorelle d20+8=10 Tuesday June 7th, 2005 1:39:51 AM
Loath though she is to attack creatures that are normally good, Vorelle sizes up the situation and realizes she has to act.
Following Dietrich's directions, she moves closer to the sprites and fires a shot that goes wide. [Move 30 feet to AF-8, if I'm understanding the map right; hit AC 10]
Tunnel Battle Round Two [DM SteveK] Tuesday June 7th, 2005 3:00:21 PM
[OOC: Thank you, Cayzle! I deleted your post for continuity purposes... I'll try another map tonight.]
The gnomes are pulling back from the treant, the front group working thier weapons in a purely defensive posture. The gnomes further back have slings and crossbows at the ready but still do not fire at Varaheena nor the three sprites flitting about. They are all are shouting versions of "Varaheena, please stop! We are your friends!", but it doesn't seem to be doing much good.
Thliss-Ka hears Dietrich's shout, and the lizardfolk takes a five foot step to move toward the newly forming line without leaving himself open to the huge tree. Dietrich himself runs to within 40 feet of the treant.
Rose casts a spell and runs 20 feet forward to end 100 feet from the fighting.
Theodore skirts the battle, but is able to fire a spell that strikes the yellow clothed pixie who falls to the ground, unmoving.
Berlon moves forward 45 feet getting him about 60 feet from the treant. [OOC: No, Berlon only gets the bonus for giant-type creatures, not giant creatures, sorry]
Vauhwyt moves forward and the Unseen Servant and Mookie combine to pull a Wolverine from the Bag of Tricks. The wolverine charges the pixes, but since they are in the sky, the only one in reach is the one Theodore dropped. As it is helpless on the ground, the wolverine makes of the pixie a nice snack.
Vorelle moves forward and her arrow flies high and to the left.
The presence of the huge treant attacking the gnomes freezes Olyn and Anunnaki's blood, and they are momentarily indecicive.
The two remaining pixies do not make the same mistake twice. In a twinkling, they blur then disappear from sight. The sound of the silver bugles is still heard; tah-ran-tah-rah! tah-ran-tah-rah! "The heroes of the prophesy are here! Kill them before they get away!" (Spellcraft 14 Highlight to display spoiler: { the sprites turned invisible }
Varaheena stops and doesn't continue to attack the gnomes. Instead the huge treant puts her hands to her lips and from her hands the sound of a great wooden horn rings out. "BWAAAHHH!!! BWAAAHHH!!!" Theodore is the first to notice that two of the trees on the hillside begin to move and start trying to uproot themselves, shaking off the moist dirt on thier roots! And soon all the rest know the trees are beginning to flank the heroes.
To make matters worse, a buzzing is heard through the tunnel, and 10 more pixies arrive at the battlefield. A greater buzzing is heard in the tunnel behind these first arrivals.
Fiedal stands midway between Theodore and Olyn. "Hey!", he yells, "if the trees and pixies are attacking because you guys are here, let's get you out of here!" The halfling with the white, spikey hair is holding a golden hoop in his hand...
Vauhwyt (AC25, HP24) and Mookie (AC19, HP12) (Mage Armor, Unseen Servant, Wolverine Trick) Tuesday June 7th, 2005 4:30:46 PM
Vauhwyt's head is abuzz with battle plans.
Shield spell next, and advance. Enlarge spell after that, and advance. Ready spear, use reach. Attack and step back, attack and step back. Get Mookie to pull another trick. Tell Mookie to ready cure scrolls. Hope he doesn't blow it.
So intent is she on this planning, that Vauhwyt hardly registers the arrival of two animated trees and a dozen more sprites. She is in attack mode, and single minded about that.
Not so, Mookie!
"Boss! BOSS! Fiedel says to run! Boss!" The raven pecks his master on the head and tell the unseen servant to pinch her.
"BOSS!! WE! HAVE! TO! GO!"
Vauhwyt says, "Huh?" and then she takes in the scene. The reinforcements coming to help the enemy. The advancing trees. The calls for blood -- hers and her friends!
"But!" Vauhwyt gasps. "But!" she looks around wildly, gulping. She dances closer to Fiedel, staring at the magic item in his hand.
She wails, "But I'll never fit through that little hoop!"
[OOC: Move closer to Fiedel (move action) and Full Defense (standard action) for Vauhwyt this round]
Berlon - AC 20 HP 28 Tuesday June 7th, 2005 4:44:36 PM
"ENOUGH!" Berlon yells.
"Theodore! Use that scroll I gave you, or if you are leaving, give it to me...."
Berlon's cheeks flush with anger, as the pixie that just became a snack gives him an idea. He will cast Summon Monster II, calling for a Celestial Eagle, as close to the pixies as he can. (Range 35', Standard Action)
"Hopefully it likes Pixie as much as the wolverine does..."
He will then move 15' as per Dietrich's orders. (Move Action)
Dietrich, ac 18, hp 40/40 d20+4=18 d20+4=22 d20+2=22 Tuesday June 7th, 2005 5:03:45 PM
When Dietrich sees the reinforcement coming and the pixies disappearing, he begins to agree with Fiedel. If the fight goes on there will be many dead and injured villagers and he dosn't want to be responsible for that.
The knight shouts to the gnomes: "Retreat to a better position! Don't let them surround you! Form a line and protect your flanks and get FIRE to hold the trees back!"
To his friends he yells: "Let's get out of here! We need some magic for concealment or illusion!"
He continues running to wherever it looks the easiest to break through and flee (military knowledge 18), waiting for his slower friends and trying to discover the fairies. Spot 22 Listen 22 (natural 20)
Theodore and Macaw d20+11=27 Tuesday June 7th, 2005 7:17:09 PM
"Fiedel is right, Berlon," Theodore hollers, understanding the gnomes resistance to leaving his homeland undefended. "Staying will only cause more harm.
If within range, Theodore will cast web against the newly arrived pixies, and then retreat towards Fiedel.
(Uses lesser rod of metamagic, enlarge to cast web up to 280 ft.)
Vorelle d20+8=13 Wednesday June 8th, 2005 11:48:28 AM
Abandon the battle and leave the gnome village to its fate? It goes against the grain, but Vorelle can see the sense in it. If the treant and pixies are after the eight of them, then leaving the area will presumably make them break off the attack.
However, they can only get through the halfling's strange ring one at a time, and Vorelle is holding a ranged weapon in her hands. She can help hold off the attack while the others go through.
That decision made, she quickly decides that her arrows aren't going to hurt trees or tree-like creatures, so she fires again at one of the pixies. This shot is little better than the first [Hit AC 13].
Rose d4+1=3 d4+1=3 Wednesday June 8th, 2005 1:49:31 PM
Rose mutters a few words and points at tree #2. Suddenly two red lights dart towards the tree. she then waits for the rest to start heading towards the hoop. unless everyone else reaches the hoop she wont go through this round.
magic missiles, 2 hit for 3 damage each.
Tunnel Battle Round 3 d20+12=23 d20+12=13 2d6(2+2)+9=13 2d6(4+5)+9=18 d20=14 Wednesday June 8th, 2005 4:39:16 PM
As the heroes turn towards Fiedal, the white spikey haired halfling sets the brass colored hoop up. The middle sparkles for a minute and then shows a well maintained study with no windows. Anyone from Dirt City immediately recognizes it must be from the city below. "I'll hold it open as long as possible", Feidal tells the heroes, "and then I'm through myself!"
Vauhwyt argues with Mookie and moves to stand next to Fiedal, defending herself, the halfling, and the hoop from any attackers. She is awfully worried about how her large liontaur frame will fit into the human sized hoop...
Berlon calls to Theodore to fight and stands where he is and begins the complicated magic to summon a Celestial Eagle. It takes his full concentration and time, and the gnome is not able to move towards the fighting. [OOC: Per the recent Wold discussion and ruling, casting a summon spell is a full round action, no movement allowed. The creature will arrive the beginning of the following round and can immediately have a full round movement.]
Dietrich shouts military directions to the defending gnomes and then moves back directly towards Fiedal and the hoop. He has no enemies to his front and is able to slip past the animating trees without a problem. He ends his movement a mere 15 feet from Feidal.
Theodore casts a sticky web to cover the tunnel entrance and as many pixies as he can (and he gets a great many of them). He then turns and moves towards Fiedal, stepping through the hoop and into the study.
Vorelle shoots her bow, and the arrow again flies wide of the mark. Standing next to Fiedal, the twighlight ranger can easily move through the hoop, but keeps a covering fire on the advancing enemies.
Rose wields a thin wand against the closest animated tree, and twin bolts of magic arc into the trunk. As her other friends, she stands her ground until the others arrive.
A quick glance is enough to see that Olyn and Anunnaki are lost in the swirl of battle and the arrival of even more gnomes, including some of the elders. Whether the elves will be able to join thier fleeing companions is a decision of moments...
The gnomes with Thliss-Ka continue to back off and trying to keep Varaheena occupied by fighting defensively. The back row of gnomes and elves fire crossbow bolts and sling stones at the arriving pixes and three of the flying fey fall. Danciing Lights, Obscuring Mists, and strange Ghost Sounds are all about the battlefield, adding to the confusion.
The gnome elders concentrate on the animating trees, casting magic missles, scorching rays, and rays of frost at the tree. The gnome elder who created the slide the night before, calls a ball of flame to his hand and throws it at the tree. Amazingly, the fire explodes! and miniature fires cast off like alchemic fireworks. The Elder looks amazed. "Wasn't supposed to do THAT!" he croaks. The one tree is a burning match and slowly topples over.
A second Elder looks at the liontaur. "I can help you, child", the gnome mutters. A few passes of his hand later and Vauhwyt is Reduced to 1/6 th her size. (Will Save 14 if you want to resist)
The wolverine attacks Varaheena as the nearest enemy, but can not get through the tough bark.
Varaheena strides forward and grinds two gnomes into the dirt.
There are still pixies about, but the ones that are left are all invisible. The thrum of small bowstrings and the death of two more gnomes attests that they are still dangerous.
The one animated tree shakes itself free and moves towards the heroes and the hoop.
And over the hill comes the second wave; more pixies and three pegasus fly up and are seen coming quickly in the distance.
Pixies hang in the web at the tunnel entrance, and soon several satyrs are also trapped, and they are not alone. A movement in the web at the very entrance of the tunnel reveals a gnome is also there. It is Londa! and Berlon sees the gnome struggle through the web and pull a cleverly hidden cord...
The tunnel erupts in flame, pouring out and catching the web on fire. Everything caught in the tunnel and the web scream for a moment and then there is nothing but burning... burning...
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday June 9th, 2005 12:00:18 AM "wowsy!" exclaims Vauhwyt in a much tinier than usual voice. "thanks, sorry, and good luck!" she calls to the gnomes.
Then she hops through the hoop, with Mookie right behind.
Dietrich Thursday June 9th, 2005 6:01:29 AM
Dietrich is astonished by the battle and can only say: "(*&@*$ !", particularly after the tunnel is engulfed by fire. Shaking his head, the warrior feels sadness for the waste of lives, as well as confusion and anger to see supposedly good creatures like pixies and centaurs killing the gnomes and be burned to death.
He's worried about some party members staying behind and shouts: "Come on guys, you are harming the village! Get out of here now!"
Then he jumps through the portal, though with some reluctance for not being the last to leave the field.
Berlon d20+6=13 d6+2=8 Thursday June 9th, 2005 7:49:21 AM
"Not in a hundred lifetimes."
This round Berlon will either:
A) If the pixies are close enough to the ground, he will advance 15' and draw his mace(move action) and take a swing (standard action) hitting AC 13 for 8 damage.
B) If the pixies are flying above him, he will cast Command on one of them (standard action) ordering it to Fall. (PHB 211, OOC: If the spell works is there falling damage involved?) Then he will advance on it 15' while drawing his mace. (move action)
DM SteveK Post Thursday June 9th, 2005 8:12:40 AM
OOC: David ... There are still pixies about, but the ones that are left are all invisible. The thrum of small bowstrings and the death of two more gnomes attests that they are still dangerous.
Berlon can try and strike a pixie on the off chance it is close to the ground. He can't Command a pixie because he doesn't have line-of-sight. Nothing to see.
If you want to repost Berlon, you can)
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=5 Thursday June 9th, 2005 9:29:28 AM
Theodore looks about the room that he just entered, hoping there are no enemies on this side of the portal, but is distracted by the battle through the portal. He then turns to see what's happening on the other side.
As Vauhwyt and Dietrich come through, he slaps his face in anguish and points back at the stubborn gnome, Berlon. "What do we do?"
(Spot check = 5)
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 22 d20+4=21 d20+4=19 Thursday June 9th, 2005 12:57:54 PM "You idiot gnome do you want to destroy your whole village!" Rose yells at Berlon. Suddenly she gets an idea and quickly digs in her bag of holding and pulls out a rope in which she quickly makes a loop and tries to lasso Berlon if he dosent begin heading for the hoop.
use rope: 21 attack: 19, +1 small, +1 thrown weapon?, +1 point blank?
active spells mage armor, 3 hrs & counting shield, 1 round down
Tunnel Battle Round 4 [DM SteveK] d20+3=21 d4=2 d20+4=11 d20+4=7 d20-1=16 d20+12=21 d20+12=15 2d6(2+2)+9=13 d20+12=27 d20+12=25 2d6(5+3)+9=17 2d6(5+1)+9=15 d20+6=8 Thursday June 9th, 2005 4:12:43 PM
A smaller Vauhwyt thanks the gnomish Elder and moves through the hoop. Dietrich is right after the liontaur.
Olyn and Anunnaki are still missing, and Vorelle seems to be waiting for all her companions to be through before she will lower her bow.
Berlon refuses to leave his beloved village, and flails about with his mace hoping to hit one of the invisible pixies, but nothing connects. His conjured Celestial Eagle similarly attacks through the sky, and skrees in triumph as a claw rakes an invisible opponent for 2 hit points.
The wolverine also attacks the treant, but his claws and teeth can't get through the tough bark.
Rose casts her lariat at Berlon, hoping to drag him into the hoop, yet the gnome being 30 feet away (-3 to hit, ranged like a net) and the same size as the halfling (no size bonus) the rope falls to the side and misses.
The Elders begin to control the battle for the gnomes, and call the front line to keep Varaheena occupied while stronger magics are brough to play. The fire in the tunnel prevents any enemy reinforcements from coming on the ground, but air reinforcements will arrive next round. One Elder shouts at Berlon, "Rusty! We need you to take care of those friends of yours. Who knows what trouble they'll get into without you!"
Varaheena sees the largest object in front of her and concentrates on Thliss-Ka, smacking him with a limb for 13 hit points of damage.
The animated tree is within reach of one of the heroes, and two strong branches slam into Berlon (AC 27, dam 17; AC 25, dam 15) striking the gnome for 32 hit points of damage.
Thliss-Ka fights back but is hopelessly outclassed by the treant in front of him. (AC 8, miss)
Rose suddenly hears a dry ancient voice behind her, and sees it is the Matriarch. "Get in the hoop, child, and I will collect Rusty." She raises her hand and a ring sparkles. An identical sparkle surrounds Berlon, and the gnome is picked up and flown through the air into the hoop.
"Now, mage and ranger, get in there. We can control the attack, but you must be safe." And the Matriarch turns her attention to the battle.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+8=15 d8+1=6 Thursday June 9th, 2005 4:13:40 PM
Determined to be the last one (or one of the last ones) through the hoop, Vorelle fires another shot, this time aiming at one of the moving trees. She takes another step toward the hoop, keeping an eye on Rose and Berlon.
[Hit AC 15 for 6 points damage. It's a magic bow, if that makes a difference.]
In the Study [DM SteveK] Thursday June 9th, 2005 4:25:22 PM
[OOC: Umm, one minute difference, and Vorelle's post still works with round three]
Theodore, Vauhwyt, and Dietrich look around a well appointed study in the City Below. In the room gazing intently at the hoop is a tall man, his long dark hair tied back with what could well have been a ladies scarf, before it became faded and ragged at the edges. On a second look, he looks on the long side of 40, years of weather and care have carved lines in his face. Vauhwyt recognizes him as Liam Kent.
"One moment, gentlemen", he says with a cultured accent that is definately NOT of Dirt City, "I will need to shut this down absolutely as soon as the others arrive. Do not make yourselves comfortable, for we must move on to the Temple of Wardd at once."
Rose d20+5=22 Thursday June 9th, 2005 8:04:20 PM
As the Matriarch gets Berlon through the hoop Rose dives after him in a cartwheel ending up standing on her hands, the rope trailing after her. Of course she quickly picks herself back up when she sees who's in the room. "I really have to get some better clothes if I'm going to be meeting important people."
Post changed at Loretta's request by DM JimW
Dietrich Friday June 10th, 2005 7:14:21 AM
Dietrich sees Berlon getting hit and thinks: "Ouch!" When the unconscious gnome is lifted through the hoop, he trys to pour a healing potion in his friends mouth and prevent him from dying. He also hopes Tliss-Ka doesn't fall today, though it would be a glorious sacrifice. The knight wonders at what is happening to his elven comrades and hopes they can make it before the portal closes.
His concern with Berlon is greater than that with the strange man in the room, but Dietrich at least sheaths his sword and nods to the man.
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=9 Friday June 10th, 2005 9:11:40 AM
Theodore is relieved to see Berlon safely through the portal, one way or another. Then Rose comes through, and there remains Vorelle, Olyn, and Annunaki.
Vorelle looks to be doing well on her own, but he tries to find Olyn and Annunaki.
"Where is Olyn, and our newest friend?" he asks of no one in particular. He takes an involuntary step back towards the portal.
(Spot = 9 to see Olyn or Annunaki)
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday June 10th, 2005 11:09:25 AM
Vauhwyt, still tiny in size, pipes up, "hey! where are olyn and berlon? mookie, maybe you should pop back in there to look for them."
Mookie is indignant. "I'm not going back in there! YOU go back in there!"
"Fine! I make a smaller target anyway!"
Vauhwyt takes a peek back in and looks for her friends. If she sees them, she casts a Message cantrip and says to her friends, "Come on! You guys! The best thing for the gnomes is to leave!"
(I figure Vauhwyt is half in and half out, if that's posssible (if not, she popped all the way out to send her message). She'll pull her head back into Liam's study if anyone wants to come through.)
Olyn Friday June 10th, 2005 3:00:25 PM
*apologies to all, for the last 4 days we were unable to post. life got hectic until now and didnt even think about calling jerry*
stepping out of the portal, Olyn blinks his eyes until it is clear where he is exactly. with a sad look on his face Olyn retreats to a chair, putting his head in his hands, and contemplates.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+8=25 d8+1=5 Friday June 10th, 2005 3:37:40 PM
It's now or never.
Vorelle fires one last shot at the advancing trees [Hit AC 25 for 5 points]. "Th-Th-Theo, c-c-come on," she calls, then steps through the portal.
In the Study [DM SteveK - Last Post] Friday June 10th, 2005 5:04:08 PM
[OOC: Thank you all for allowing me to DM the Dirt City game, even temporarily. I had a lot of fun and hope you did too :) Sheggar has the ball for Monday and Tuesday, and then Kup will take over. Good gaming and I hope I'll be back in the Wold by November :) ]
Olyn, Rose, and Vorelle each go through the hoop in thier own unique way. Vauhwyt is able to send her Message, but it is unknown if Anunnaki recieved it. The animated tree is getting closer, and Fiedal takes his opportunity to jump through the hoop.
Immediately, Liam passes a hand over his hoop and it again becomes only a large brass ring, no portal in sight. Anunnaki is not to be seen on this side of the portal.
Dietrich pours a potion into Berlon (roll for healing), not sure if the gnome is unconscious or merely stunned. A Heal skill check can find out...
The middle aged human looks at the battered crew, and heaves a sigh. "Keeping it a little close Fiedal?"
"And how would you reognize me else, Liam?" counters the halfling, conciously straightening his spikey white hair. He winks at Vorelle.
Another sigh from the human named Liam and he directs his attention to the group. "The Temple of Wardd had requested us to look for you. There are some prophesies that one of the clerics insist is about you. If you will, let us go to the Temple and on the walk you can learn all that has gone on since you went looking for the Book."
"Yeah", pipes up Feidal, "and you can hear how everyone is getting sick."
Liam nods and opens the door expectantly. "I'll answer your questions as we go to Cue'rth and Junior at the Temple of Wardd."
Theodore and Macaw Friday June 10th, 2005 6:01:04 PM
Theodore exhales in relief after everyone is safely through the portal. The mage assists the gnome the best way he can.
"I am sorry, friend," he says to Berlon. "I believe that it was for the best to leave. After we resolve the issues here, I will return to your village with you, to set things right, if you so wish."
After clapping his friend on the shoulder, Theodore straightens and prepares to head to the temple. Some might notice the muscles in his jaw clench and unclench, as he grinds his teeth.
Macaw calls out before they leave.
Berlon - HP -4/28 Friday June 10th, 2005 6:08:30 PM
Berlon lays there and bleeds.
Rose 2d8(4+8)+3=15 Friday June 10th, 2005 9:44:16 PM
Rose quickly kneels down beside Berlon and pours a healing potion from her belt pouch down his mouth (add 15 hp berlon). When she hears the human called Liam talking about Junior she jumps up [b]"What's the matter? Is Junior ok? What are you waiting for I have to see my brother!!"[b] With that she runs out the door, as she's a halfling everyone should easily be able to catch up with her.
Dietrich d8+1=6 Saturday June 11th, 2005 4:41:54 AM
Dietrich poured the healing potion (6 hp) into Berlon's mouth and together with Rose's potion it should bring the reckless gnome back to life.
The warrior is happy that all friends are safe and can only pray the villagers and the elven bard will be so soon.
He listens to Liam and sighs as it becomes clear that their problems have just started.
OOC: Thanks Steve for the great time and take care on your mission!
Olyn Saturday June 11th, 2005 11:03:27 AM
follows along, in thought, and on a few occasions, bumps into walls or statues or carts but not hard enough to topple or damage anything.
Vorelle d20+10=21 Sunday June 12th, 2005 4:48:12 PM
Vorelle sees the strange adventurer wink at her, and sidles over to place Vauwhyt between herself and the stranger. She still isn't sure what he means by this odd behavior. Why can't he flirt with Rose? she asks herself. She's probably better at dealing with this kind of thing than I am. And she's the same race.
Hearing the plan, Vorelle moves to follow the rest of the group out of the room and toward the Temple. As they exit the room, she glances around for any signs of danger. [Spot 21]
ADM Shegger (Posting for DM) Sunday June 12th, 2005 9:58:13 PM
Rose and Dietrich offer up two potions to bring Berlon back from the brink. Once the gnome appears to be in good enough condition, the party hurries from the study.
The first thing the heroes notice is the absence of people in the normally crowded tunnels. Liam Kent walks at the head of the group, back as straight as an arrow as he leads the party towards the temple.
"The giant fruits that were once thought a boon, have turned rotten. Disease is rife in the city, and people are afraid to come out of their homes," he informs his travelling companions. "Plant life is choking drains, climbing over garden walls, and even animals are acting strangely."
"About the only good thing that's come of this are that the Houses are standing down. Most have decided to shut themselves in. Wait and see what will happen."
"The Temple of Wardd has sent us information that there is some kind of cure to the sickness going around. And they want you..."
Vauhwyt Monday June 13th, 2005 1:14:31 AM
[OOC: D'oh! Missed a post between Fri night and Sun nite! Also, Thanks and good luck, Steve!]
Vorelle may think she can hide from Fiedel by hiding behind Vauhwyt, but at one-sixth her normal size, and standing only about a foot tall, Vauhwyt is not her usual view-obstructing self!
"liam, what's happening with the prince?" asks the diminutive liontaur in a tiny voice. "how did the wla get dragged into things? and how did you guys find out about the prophecy? and what does that mean, anyway?"
In her diminished size, Vauhwyt struggles to keep up.
Dietrich Monday June 13th, 2005 9:35:37 AM
Dietrich follows the others and listens to Liam's explanation, occasiounally swearing. He has to smile at Vauhwyt's unusual appearance and faint voice and waits for the next task to be unveiled.
Theodore and Macaw Monday June 13th, 2005 4:46:51 PM
Theodore sends Macaw ahead to scout their path to the temple and make sure there are no hidden dangers.
"A cure? What do we have to do with that?" He thinks about the book that they recently gave up and hopes that it has nothing to do with this current calamity. "Is the sickness contagious? Is it something we should be worried about?"
Vorelle Monday June 13th, 2005 5:13:14 PM
Vorelle looks around, unable to quite believe that they are truly back in Dirt City--just like that. She wonders how the magical ring works.
She frowns when she hears about the strange phenomena in Dirt City. She is sure the eyes she saw, and this sleeping king person, have something to do with it all. But what?
Rose Monday June 13th, 2005 8:30:02 PM "Vauhwyt, when are you getting back to your normal size? then you can move faster and take me to see Junior. impatiently as she hurries as fast as she can. Suddenly the fact that people got sick after eating the weird plants hits her and she asks liam "Um, I ate some of the berries that sprouted the other day am I going to get sick?"
ADM Shegger (Posting for DM) Tuesday June 14th, 2005 10:44:45 AM
"The Prince has kept himself locked up, as well," Liam says in answer to Vauhwyt. "We don't know what he's up to. As to how we've gotten involved, we are adventurers, my dear. If this is not an adventure, I don't know what is." He grins enigmatically at the liontaur.
"Questions about the prophecy, the cure, and getting sick are all best reserved for the temple. Speaking of which..."
The group quickly comes upon the temple. A few priests usher them into a central location you are quite familiar with. It is just outside the area where the three "prophets" are kept.
As the group enters the room, a halfling male with facial features akin to Rose's turns. Noticing his sister, a huge grin almost splits the little fellow's face in two. "Rosie!" he hollers, dashing forward to give her a big hug.
Behind him, a tall human smiles on the pair. "I'm glad you could make it in such a timely fashion Mr. Kent."
"But of course," the extravagant man says with an exaggerated bow. "Anything for the servants of Wardd."
"I'm sure," the cleric says, fixing the adventurer with a searching look. "I am Clu'eth. It looks as if you have received Junior's letter."
He sweeps a hand across the group, and you notice that it is much shorter than his other one, the fingers withered and useless. "As you may have gleaned, already, we have had another prophecy from Ellana and the other two. We have done our best to decipher its meaning and have come to the conclusion that your group can collect the final ingredients to an antidote which will be used to cure the contagion plaguing the city."
"Yeah, sis," pipes up Junior. "You'll be happy to know that I've been helping a lot. Clu'eth says that I've been indispensable."
"And so you have," Clu'eth favors the energetic halfling with another smile. Turning his gaze back to the heroes, he continues, "We need three seeds from the big pumpkin."
He pauses a moment to let the information sink in. After receiving nothing but confused looks from the heroes, Clu'eth turns to Liam Kent. "You did not tell them?"
Liam shrugs, "I thought it best if you did. Better all at once than a bit at a time."
Clu'eth harumphs. "All of the giant fruits have turned rotten. All except for a very LARGE pumpkin in the middle of the Full Moon Market. It has recently been heavily populated by fey creatures. It is hard to say, but some of the local elves have even rallied to the pumpkin, defending it against their own neighbors. Suffice it to say, it will be difficult to collect the seeds. But we have faith in you, and the well-being of Dirt City rests in your hands. Collect three seeds from the pumpkin and return here as fast as you can."
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday June 14th, 2005 2:12:17 PM
"I guess we need to come up with a plan, then," says Theodore to his friends. "Maybe we should go see what things look like before we go charging in." He gives the small Vauhwyt a meaningful look.
"You don't happen to know what kind of odds we're up against do you?" he asks Clu'eth.
Dietrich Tuesday June 14th, 2005 4:12:19 PM
Dietrich nods in agreement to Theo's speech and smiles behind the heavy helmet. He isn't happy with the current developments and swears silently about the (*&& fairies.
"Theodore is right. Let's gather information about our enemy first, plan and only than act. Maybe there is even a way to avoid a risky and bloody fight. It would be sad to be forced to kill elves and neighbours." Despite the cool reasoning, the warrior already feels the excitement of battle rising.
Berlon Tuesday June 14th, 2005 10:35:22 PM
Berlon follows along silently, at the back of the group. Once the situation is explained, he lets out an angry grunt.
"Are we going right now, or waiting until the morning? If the few hours don't matter, perhaps we can finally deal with items we've accumulated, including," he adds, looking at Theodore, "selling that ring. It would fetch a pretty penny and help the group more as a whole."
"Besides, if we wait until the morning, we might be able to get some quick shopping done. We should consider stocking up on rope. One can never have enough rope..."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday June 14th, 2005 10:57:28 PM
Tiny Vauhwyt says, "hmmm. this pumpkin sounds like a tight fit. maybe it is better for me to be smallerr. i wonder when this spell will wear off?"
" 'as fast as we can,' hey? well, that means no rest for the weary. I used up some magic, but my armor and unseen servant should still be good for a while."
Vauhwyt is in favor of tackling the pumpkin right away. When Theo gives her the evil eye, she puts on her innocent look and says, "what? i am the soul of discretion! right mookie?"
The raven just looks at his master, as if at a tasty bug.
"maybe we should bring big knives and just carve our way in and out"
rose Tuesday June 14th, 2005 11:47:09 PM "Junior, are you alright? How's mom and dad, what about everyone else?" Rose asks her brother as she gives him a big hug. "A giant pumpkin? Ok, I'll just be sure not to eat any." Rose says smiling. "Vauhwyt maybe it would be better for you to be big, apparently there's going to be alot of fighting and it might help."
Vorelle Wednesday June 15th, 2005 2:20:18 AM
"M-m-maybe V-V-Vauhwyt and I c-c-c-could s-s-s-scout it," Vorelle suggests, "wh-while you all r-r-rest."
Vorelle herself could use a little rest, but she's anxious to get started on this assignment. And Dietrich's right--they need the information.
ADM Shegger (Posting for DM) Wednesday June 15th, 2005 9:22:00 AM
"Come now, the City won't blow up if our exhausted friends take a rest," Liam Kent admonishes Clu'eth.
The cleric's lips tighten and he passes his deformed hand over his mouth. "I suppose you're right...for once. It won't do to go at less than full strength. The pumpkin is well guarded."
"I'll take a look at this pumpkin for myself," states Fiedel, hands on hips, legs planted wide in a stance of self-assuredness. "Any who would come with are welcome. The rest should get yourselves together."
Junior smiles at his sister. "Don't you worry about anyone, Rosie. We're all just fine and dandy. You keep your mind set on what's ahead."
Vauhwyt and Mookie (unseen servant, mage armor, shrunk) Wednesday June 15th, 2005 10:31:08 AM
When Mookie stares so unkindly at her, Vauhwyt stares right back in the raven's eye. At one-sixth her usual size, Vauhwyt can look Mookie in the face while both are standing on the ground. "come on, mookie! be nice!" she says in her tiny high-pitched voice, "hey! you know what i can do in this size?!" she leaps on the raven and gives him a huge (tiny) hug!
"Get off! Get off!" the raven caws. "Boss! Get off!" He flaps furiously and almost lifts Vauhwyt off the ground before freeing himself. "Not funny!" he says.
Vauhwyt, on to the next topic, listens eagerly to her big human friend, Vorelle. Visibly excited about Vorelle's idea of scouting around, Vauhwyt jumps a full three inches into the air. "hey! as tiny as i am now, i would make a great scout! those fey folk are going to have to look awfully sharp to find me! yes, yes, let's go scouting! rosie, i can be big tomorrow! plenty of time to fight then!"
[OOC: Assuming the shrinkage spell lasts, do I need some stats to go wth it? A Reduce Person spell would shrink Vauhwyt by half to three feet tall and Medium size. That would give her +2 Dex, -2 Str. This unfamiliar magic, shrinking Vauhwyt down to one-sixth size (per the June 8 DM post) has, I figure, made Vauhwyt effectively Tiny. That would mean, maybe, a total of +6 Dex, -6 Str, and a five-foot reach with her spear (a reach weapon). Also the standard bonuses and penalties to attacks, AC, Hide, and Intimidate based on size, I figure?]
Berlon 2d8(1+1)+5=7 2d8(4+4)+5=13 Wednesday June 15th, 2005 12:16:12 PM
"Fine."
Berlon frowns at Fiedel. "When you scout, make sure you find out how close we can safely get to the pumpkin without being noticed, so we can prepare properly. And make sure you have the inveitably necessary retreat path mapped out."
"And if we *are* to be properly prepared, someone should turn in the items we've found. As far as how anything gets divided up, I could care less."
"I will be at my lab. There are special ceremonies that must be performed on days of Great Sorrow, so I would prefer not to be disturbed."
"I will return here once my sunrise devotions are completed tomorrow."
With that, Berlon returns to his lab. Once he gets there he casts Cure Mod Wounds on himself (Spontaneously replacing Shield Other, heals 13 hp) then prepares for his tasks.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday June 15th, 2005 2:09:30 PM
"I believe I would only get in the way," says Theodore to those going to scout out the pumpkin. "I too will rest a bit and perhaps find some equipment. Since I am heading to the Catacombs, I can take all of the gems and treasure we have collected, sell it, and bring back money."
Vorelle Wednesday June 15th, 2005 6:28:50 PM
Vorelle prepares to follow Fiedel and Vauhwyt toward the giant pumpkin.
Rose Thursday June 16th, 2005 12:37:50 AM
Rose lets go of her brother (she'd been hanging on him as she hasnt seen him for a while) and starts digging in the bag of holding at her waist. She pulls out a few jems skull ruby, small diamond, 5 emeralds, 3 amethysts, 3 sapphires. "there these are the gems from that machine. when i appraised them i thought that we would get just under 6,000gp for all of them." she says as she hands them to theo. "I'll go scout as well, there's a few things i want but i can wait to buy them...theo could you take the cost of a rose colored ribbon with everburning flame cast on it out of my money. I'm sure that if we have to go inside the pumpkin I'll need a light and i dont want a torch because i want both hands free." She then pulls out her nice set of clothing and hands it to junior "Be a nice brother and have these cleaned and get me a change from my apartment for tomorrow?" She goes over to Vauhwyt and Vorelle after putting the bag of holding back on her belt. "Come on lets go and scout. the sooner we're done the sooner we can eat and sleep."
DM Kup -- not a real DM post Thursday June 16th, 2005 10:56:26 AM Hi everyone! Just a quick word here on the board to let you all know that I'm here and I will be posting later on today. If it helps you all to plan in the future, I will typically post on weekdays by around 9 pm Woldian time, and earlier if I can and everyone has already posted. I will post earlier on Fridays--typically by around 4 pm Woldian--because I am away from a computer every week from Friday sunset until Saturday sundown.
I started following this game a couple of months ago with high hopes of being fully prepared to jump in when the time came. Real life has conspired against my preparation plans in the past month, but I still expect a fun ride. As many of you know, some of the current Wold-wide crossover event is improvisational, which is not my forte where DnD is concerned. As I get started, if I miss an important detail or get a piece of the Dirt City continuity wrong, just let me know--it'll be worth a hero point if you do!
Enjoy!
P.S. A special thank you to Matt/Shegger for filling in for the past few days, and a very special thank you and a VICTORY THUNDER! to DM SteveK!
Dietrich d20+4=22 Thursday June 16th, 2005 5:38:42 PM
Dietrich agrees with Vorelle, Rose, Vauhwyt and Fiedel scouting and just reminds them to keep out of trouble... The ex-soldier asks them about: type and number of enemies, apparent equippment, sentinels, magic and a map of the target area (military knowledge check 22 for anything else important I may have forgotten). He won't accompany them for lack of stealth and would like to use the spare time as Berlon suggested and get some equippment.
The thorough knight would also appreciate some research of the more educated friends about this Fey-king and possible weaknesses of their foe, but realises that they need their rest more and suggests to keep that for the future.
All Hollowed Eve
In the City (DM Kup) Thursday June 16th, 2005 11:33:48 PM
Fiedel suggested a scouting expedition, and a shrunken Vauhwyt readily agreed (ooc: your reduction stats sound fine for now--we'll deal with it as it comes up), as well as Vorelle and--after a heartfelt goodbye for her brother--Rose.
After issuing a few stern cautions to the scouts, Berlon returned to his lab to prepare. Theodore headed for rest--and possible profit--at the Catacombs (ooc: sorry if this delays you all, but can we postpone the sale and proceeds until next real-time week? If you wish to "ballpark" and make purchases at the CCs based on the round figures, I'm all right with that.) Dietrich, meanwhile, provided further instructions to the scouts and decided to rest up himself, while a curiously silent Olyn hovered in the temple--perhaps he was conferring with his god?
Those who remained Below worked their way through the tunnels to their respective destinations. Not that the tunnels resembled themselves. Ordinarily filled with sounds and bustle at all hours, the sewers were strangely quiet this night, with just the distant moans of the sick and dying emanating from side passages. Entranceways that would typically be watched and guarded were vacant and open, like the gap left by a rotten tooth. Each time that one passed near an exit to the surface, one would find that strange, foreign ivy had seemingly infiltrated every square inch of the sewers' floors, walls, and ceilings, filling otherwise familiar spaces with creepers, vines, and green leaves. The vines themselves seemed to suck and curl at the passer-by's feet, as if attempting to grab hold. The rancid smell of rot and decay was everywhere, as were the rotting husks of overgrown, and now overripe, fruits and vegetables. The smell threatened to overpower the senses, and the creeping, incessant vines could drive even the most patient to distraction.
Spot 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {One of the passageways near the Temple had some odd graffiti painted on it. Graffiti, of course, was not an uncommon method to relay signals among members of various Houses, but this was not something that the group would have seen before their departure from the City. It said, in clear, neat letters: "Mr. Clean."}
Meanwhile, together, the scouts made their way out of the Temple of Wardd and toward the Full Moon Market. It was fortunate that they were each naturally stealthy, and that there were few people at large this night--the group made for a strange sight, with a white-haired Halfling leading another Halfling, a slouching human, and a miniaturized liontaur through the streets of the City Above.
The Full Moon Market was not far from the Temple of Wardd, but the scouts Above quickly encountered the same bizarre overgrowth of vines in the streets Above as were present in the sewers Below. Buildings of three, four, and more stories were covered entirely with vines and other plants--the greenery pulling on the sides of the structures as if Nature itself wished to pull down the City before the morn. The streets were silent--tomblike--but for the distant sound of drums and strange chanting in the direction of the scouts' travel. A faint glow seemed to emanate from the Full Moon Market ahead of them.
(Scouts: please be sure to make move silently, hide, spot, and any other skill checks you feel appropriate in your next posts.)
Approaching within sight of the Full Moon Market, the source of glow, and drums, and chanting became clear to the scouts. Towering over the ramshackle stalls of the market, in the market's very center, stood an enormous pumpkin, which glowed with a fiery orange light. It dwarfed all of the nearby structures; only the House strongholds seemed to equal its immensity. And around the girth of the enormous gourd, silhouetted by its sickly orange light, moved dozens of creatures, slowing gyrating about the pumpkin, playing drums, and chanting in a fey language more ancient and eldritch than elven, sylvan, or any language spoken in the Wold for many an Age. The creatures were both humanoid and otherwise--tiny, winged creatures circled the pumpkin as well in a path parallel to the one on the ground. Beyond the creatures ringing the pumpkin, the scouts could see dozens of holes leading into the pumpkin's rind, some as small, perhaps, as three feet across, while others were much larger; one massive hole was seven feet across if it were an inch.
Rose d20+6=9 d20+7=15 d20+5=10 Friday June 17th, 2005 1:11:42 AM
Rose follows the others looking around and trying to keep out of the way of the creeping vines and trying not to step in rotten fruit.
listen: 9 move silent: 15 spot: 10
Vorelle d20+10=28 d20+10=20 d20+9=18 d20+9=11 Friday June 17th, 2005 3:47:58 AM
Vorelle's feelings are oddly mixed as she walks through the changed city. Yes, the smell of rot and decay is appalling, but at the same time it's nice to see green and growing things in the filth and squalor of the city.
She approaches the Market with her usual stealth [Hide 28, Move Silently 20], and watches the scene before her. Mindful of Dietrich's instructions, she tries to note the general layout, the number of fey, and what kind of equipment or magic they seem to have. [Spot 18, Listen 11]
Dietrich d20+4=9 Friday June 17th, 2005 7:27:29 AM
Dietrich walks to the appartment, cursing the rotten smell, grabing weed and general situation. He's more than slightly worried with the City's battle readiness, considering that there is going to be a major attack in some days.
Spot 9
But the warrior focuses on the here and now and moves to get some stuff.
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=21 Friday June 17th, 2005 9:09:10 AM
Theodore hoofs it back to their apartment, stopping for a moment to ponder over the new grafitti that has sprung up.
"Hmmm..." he says to himself, with a shrug, before continuing on.
Once at the apartment, he lets his pack fall to the ground and spends a couple minutes just lieing on his bed, a goofy grin spread across his face. Then, with a deep sigh, he pushes himself up from the bed and begins to prepare himself for the inevitable plight ahead.
Berlon d20+3=10 Friday June 17th, 2005 10:08:15 AM
Berlon's trip back to his lab worries him greatly, with more evidence of the Fey King extending even Below. And does it somehow actually smell *worse*? He will burn off some of the incense he usually saves for Augury or he will never get to sleep later.
He performs his rituals as stated before, and slowly drifts off to sleep.
Spot 10
Vauhwyt and Mookie (AC25 HP24) Unseen Servant, Mage Armor, Shrunk, Message x3 d20+1=4 d20+10=17 d20+17=34 d20+1=7 Friday June 17th, 2005 10:26:13 AM
Walking through the streets, Vauhwyt wrinkles her cute little nose at the stench of rot. So gross is it that she notices nothing else (spot 4).
Before the group gets too close to the Pumpkin, Vauhwyt casts three Message cantrips so that she can oh-so-quietly whisper to Vorelle, Rose, and Fiedel.
Vauhwyt sees the small holes. "how about i cast a reduce person spell on vorelle and then we check out a small hole, just for a quick in and out?" If Vorelle says yes, Vauhwyt will read a Reduce Person scroll to shrink Vorelle to half size. She tells her it will only last a minute.
Mookie says, "Boss! If you had a Reduce scroll, why didn't you use it to shrink yourself and jump through the hoop?"
Vauhwyt looks sheepish. "i forgot i had it," she says in an even tinier voice. "then i remembered, but that gnome lady beat me to it. oh well."
Then, nearing the Pumpkin, tiny Vauhwyt tells Mookie to keep behind her. She creepcreepcreeps closer to the pumpkin. She is pretty quiet (move silent 17) and very hard to see (hide 34). So intent is Vauhwyt on being stealthy that she forgets to look around very well (spot 7).
DM Kup: Vorelle, feel free to answer Vauhwyt's suggestion. If I have to post before you can, I'll assume you agreed to be shrunk.
Vorelle [illegal second post] Friday June 17th, 2005 12:09:03 PM
Vorelle frowns. Shrink her to Rose's size?
"Wh-wh-what about R-R-R-Rose?" she whispers in response.
Vauhwyt [illegal second post] Friday June 17th, 2005 12:21:00 PM
"uh, well, i could shrink rose to my size? i have two scrolls," Vauhwyt whispers back, a little confused, in her tiny voice.
[OOC: LOL! Kathy, you make me laugh!]
Linus's Dream? (DM Kup) Friday June 17th, 2005 3:41:30 PM As I've mentioned, I'll be posting early on Fridays. Olyn, feel free to post retroactively, if you wish.
Together, Rose, Vorelle, Vauhwyt, and Fiedel crept their way through the overgrown vines toward the perimeter of the Full Moon Market. Vauhwyt, through a sorcerous whisper, suggested to the others that they shrink Vorelle and sneak in for a closer look. Skeptical of the offer, however, Vorelle blanched, and the scouts proceeded without further diminution. As the group crept closer to the pumpkin through the silent and darkened stalls of the market, they found themselves mercifully ignored by the revelers, who were occupied with chanting, dancing, and rhythmically pounding on drums that, upon closer examination, looked suspiciously like hollowed overgrown fruits. Fiedel signaled a halt behind the ledges of an abandoned stall at the edge of the market's central clearing. "We dare not approach any closer or risk revealing ourselves," he whispered. The scouts would have to content themselves with the view from where they were.
Upon their closer look, it became clear to the scouts that most of the humanoid revelers, perhaps three dozen in all, were elves--City-folk, it would appear. Most were not overtly armed, but there were obvious members of some of the more militant Houses represented, and so a few--perhaps a half-dozen--appeared well-armed and armored. From what the scouts could see, all of the revelers' faces were contorted in masks of joy and adulation as they danced around the giant pumpkin. The fey creatures were harder to identify from a distance, being smaller (no more than perhaps four feet in stature), overhead, and shrouded in the glare of the pumpkin's glow. Each of the fey were each winged and otherwise vaguely humanoid in shape. Some were fairer in appearance than others, and a few trailed some kind of dust in their wakes. In total, there were perhaps a dozen of these creatures circling above, maybe more.
As for the pumpkin itself ... few additional details revealed themselves to the scouts without approaching and crossing the circle of dancers. However, the scouts were able to see what seemed to be creatures moving in and out of the holes they had previously observed, and the shadowed forms of these creatures would quickly disappear from view, suggesting that there were curving tunnels within the flesh of the pumpkin itself. Other than the revelers themselves, there were no obvious guards, as such, at any of these entrances or exits to the gourd. After a few minutes of close study, Fiedel inclined his head back in the direction of the perimeter of the market, and--assuming that the others followed--led them back away from the eerie orange glow. A brief whispered recap of their observations later, Fiedel wished the adventurers a bon chance and departed into the darkness.
Back at the apartment, Dietrich, like a good soldier, did what a good soldier does whenever he gets the chance--he slept. Theodore busily prepared spells and other matters for the seemingly inevitable battle to come, as did Berlon at his lab, before each in their own turn addressed themselves to their respective pillows. Olyn was still not to be seen.
Assume, unless someone has other ideas, that the next post is morning.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday June 17th, 2005 3:51:54 PM
As the group steps safely back and away, Vauhwyt casts Enlarge Person on herself, hoping to cancel the effects of the magic that has shrunken her.
"Well, that's an eye-openerr, I have to say." Vauhwyt frowns. "I'm just glad that Olyn was not out there dancing. Those folk seem a little TOO happy, if you get my drift."
"Thanks for showing us that, Fiedel," says Vauhwyt, as the halfling makes his good-byes.
"Well, I have a couple errands to run tonight, and I think I'll stop by at church and say a prayerr," says Vauhwyt to Rose and Vorelle." So maybe I'll see you at our apartment laterr."
Vauhwyt gets home very late indeed -- or maybe she just arrives home at the crack of dawn. She looks tired.
[OOC: Kup, see my e-mail to you.]
Rose Friday June 17th, 2005 4:06:00 PM "I'm going to see my parents so I may not be back tonight. I hope that the others got my ribbon at the catacombs." Rose heads to her parents sure that she will have a nice big dinner before falling to sleep in her old room.
Something mysterious happening to Vauhwyt d20+2=6 d20+5=14 d6=3 2d6(1+1)=2 2d6(6+3)=9 Sunday June 19th, 2005 8:36:29 AM
Secret Rolls per e-mail with DM Kup!
First one, at +2 ... a 6!
Second one, at +5 ... a 14!
Dietrich Sunday June 19th, 2005 10:06:43 AM
Dietrich awakens rested from a good night of sleep. He does some exercises, goes over his weapons and armour, has a hearty breakfast and awaits the report of his scouting friends.
"Let's draw a map and hold a little warcouncil. Any ideas how we could get there without having to cut our way through these guys? Perhaps a distraction, or disguises?"
Vorelle d20+10=17 d20+10=15 Sunday June 19th, 2005 11:59:49 AM
First Fiedel melts away into the darkness, then Vauhwyt disappears toward the temple. Then Rose announces her intention of going home and departs for the Halfling quarter. Vorelle is left alone in the darkness of Dirt City.
She doesn't normally mind being on her own, but recent events have made her wary. Eyes in the sky, and people falling into trances, and evil books, and waves of ash, and now spreading vines and the smell of decay. Fortunately, there are few people about, but Vorelle knows her city well and realizes that if she does happen to encounter anybody, that person will likely be in a very dangerous state of mind. Dirt City folk tend to solve their problems with their fists or a good sharp blade, and if they can't attack the problem--well, they'll attack whoever's handy.
Cautionsly, Vorelle makes her way through the streets, trying to pass unseen [Hide 17, Move Silenty 15]. She is relieved to arrive home at last.
It's a bit late to visit a bathhouse, so she cleans up as best she can with what's on hand. Her last act before falling asleep is to make sure the door is locked. I hope Vauhwyt has her key, she thinks, because there's no way I'm leaving this unlocked.
Theodore and Macaw Sunday June 19th, 2005 1:59:32 PM
The next morning, Theodore spends an hour sifting through his spellbook, mouthing arcane chants, and absorbing the power therein.
When Dietrich calls a pow-wow to go over strategies, Theodore pipes up a suggestion, "I can make myself appear to be an elf," he says. "Then I can get close enough, perhaps with Olyn, as well, to enchant some of the fey creatures to go elsewhere for a while. That should buy us time to slip in and out."
Berlon Sunday June 19th, 2005 7:09:26 PM
Once the group gets together in the morning to discuss strategy, Berlon gives his two cents.
"Theodore, I think the time for subtlety has passed. Once we get as close as we can without being noticed, the spellcasters can cast their various protective and enhancement magics on the party."
"Once that is done, I can cast Sound Burst twice, which will damage and potentially stun everything around the pumpkin. As that is happening, I recommend the rest of the party hurl oil, followed by a Fireball from the scroll I gave Theodore."
"Just a thought...."
Breakfast Table Strategizing (DM Kup) Monday June 20th, 2005 12:03:59 PM ooc: As I've mentioned, I'll post earlier in the day when I can in order to move things along, so long as everyone's posted. We're only missing Olyn again, so I'll move forward. (Olyn, e-mail me regarding the issue we discussed.)
The night passed. For Rose, it had not been easy--she learned that her brother Petorin, her aunt Gracekain, and her uncle Vicbin had all become ill from the strange fruit. Other than Rose's parents and her brother Ianven, the rest of her family was devoted over to taking care of their loved ones. The family had kept the news from Junior--no sense in worrying him as he worked day and night at the Temple of Wardd on a cure--but as Rose was right in front of them, it was impossible to keep the secret from her. Her parents, naturally, were supportive of her own efforts to find a cure--but that didn't cure their own parental anxieties.
In the morning, Rose's parents met her at the door. "Are you sure that you know what you're doing?" a concerned Brecaryn asked, a worried look creasing her brow. Her mother stroked Rose's hair and adjusted the ribbons in it as she spoke. "It's dangerous out there."
Her father just smiled. "Come on, 'Caryn," Ianven said comfortingly. "Rosy's a grown woman now, and she has lots of friends to keep her safe. You just stay close to that big ol' wemic, now, you hear? She makes for good cover for a little one like you." He smiled again and chuckled--but Rose was old enough now to see the worry that flickered just beneath the surface of his eyes. He pressed a small bag into Rose's hands--the items within clinked together as it moved. "Take these," he said, looking meaningfully into Rose's eyes. "Just in case." He called over Rose's shoulder as she left, "And look out for Junior while you're at it!"
(ooc: Rose--Highlight to display spoiler: {Your Lotto winnings are in the bag, naturally.})
Coming from different directions, Rose and Berlon met at the group's apartment door at nearly the same time. The sewers were even more alien in the daytime than they were at night--nothing moved other than the strange, sinuous slither of creeping vines. Not even the omnipresent rats seemed to be moving; it was as if the entire City was locked in its sickbed.
Dietrich met the two at the door with a naked blade--no sense in taking chances--and let them in, where Vorelle and Theodore already huddled over the breakfast table. They exchanged greetings and scouting reports. A satisfying breakfast later, the group went over its plans and preparations.
There was just one problem--well, two, to be precise. Where was Vauhwyt? And where was Olyn? No one had seen them since last night.
Rose Monday June 20th, 2005 1:45:50 PM
The night before
Rose arrives at her parents and uses her key to get in "Mom, Dad I'm home!" She calls before she sees the others in the apartment. "What's wrong?" She asks anxiously. When she hears that Petorin, Aunt Grace and Uncle Vic are sick she becomes worried and goes gives each of them a hug and tells everyone not to worry as a cure will be ready soon. She eats her dinner and goes to sleep amongst her family.
this morning
Rose gets up early study's her spell book and fixes a nice porridge for everyone. When her mom comes out to start breakfast she is surprised to find it partly done. They quickly fry some bacon and put it in the warming pan to keep until the others are up and Rose fries herself an egg. Rose eats her breakfast of porridge with honey and cream, toast, bacon and egg. Then gives her mom and dad a big hug before leaving. "I'll be back soon and I'll have the cure with me." She says as she leaves. As Junior couldnt get her some clothes she first heads to the girls apartment to get changed before heading to where the group decided to meet. "Come on lets go right now!" she says as the group gathers "We have to get the cure as soon as possible."
ooc: are we going to say that some of the shopping was already done and rose has her light ribbon?
daily spells
0 level mage hand message ray of frost acid splash
level 1 mage armor shield color spray
level 2 scorching ray see invisible
Dietrich Monday June 20th, 2005 3:57:13 PM
Dietrich isn't very happy with not having either Vauhwyt or Olyn at the council. "(*&&^, why do they always have to do that?!"
He listens to his friends and is quite surprised at Berlon's anger and violent proposal. When Rose tells what is going on with her family and rushes for action, Dietrich sympathises with her, but says:
"Friends, I understand you and we'll move soon, but we won't help to fight this strange God and cure the diseased if we fail because of incomplete preparations or thoughtless planning. I agree with Theodore's suggestion. THe trick could buy us time and avoid some blood spilling. It will be risky and bloody enough as it is."
Berlon Monday June 20th, 2005 6:13:22 PM
"Blood has already been spilled, despite our best efforts at both fleeing and hog-tying. The time for stealth is over, as is the time for thinking the elves are going to be able to undo the evil they have wrought."
He digs out one of the barkskin +4 potions he identified earlier, and hands it to Dietrich.
"I agree with Rose, we must make haste. I need to return to my village to survey the damage done and..." Berlon's voice momentarily trails off, "...and get an exact body count."
"The sooner everyone realizes the Wold is at war, the better off we will all be."
Theodore & Macaw Monday June 20th, 2005 9:59:08 PM
Theodore purses his lips in a stubborn expression. "Well I won't attack ANYONE unless I'm defending myself or those I care about. Perhaps these elves and fey are simply misled. Should we slaughter them for believing in something? I won't," he says, crossing his arms. "I WON'T."
"We have a chance at saving lives here. Our own as much as theirs. They outnumber us easily. An all out battle could be disastrous to us and the City."
rose Monday June 20th, 2005 11:20:36 PM "Let's ask them for the seeds if they wont give them or attack us then Berlon can use sound burst and we'll get those seeds no matter what. But we cant use oil and a fire ball or the seeds may burn up. Now, planning is over and let's go!" Rose is clearly very impatient.
Vorelle Tuesday June 21st, 2005 1:10:42 AM
Worried, Vorelle chews her lower lip. Berlon does have a point--several in fact--but she is very reluctant to just attack the gathered Fae when there may be another way to get what they need.
"W-we sh-sh-should t-t-try to t-t-talk to th-them," she says, echoing Rose's sentiments. Of course, when she says "we," she means somebody who can talk properly, but she trusts that her companions understand that by now.
loretta Tuesday June 21st, 2005 3:59:13 AM
um, I almost forgot if dm allows then rose uses seal of blessed sleep last night before bed, it provides +1 insight bonus on all skill actions and saves entire day.
DM Kup: okay.
Vauhwyt and Mookie 9d20(20+1+12+16+15+16+9+7+6)=102 9d10(3+3+7+9+4+10+6+1+7)=50 Tuesday June 21st, 2005 7:19:42 AM
"Okay, Boss. Come on. This way. Relax. You're doing great. Take it easy. Come on over here. NO! BOSS! STOP!"
"HEY YOU! HALFLING! GET AWAY FROM HERE! GET! RUN! SAVE YOURSELF, YOU IDIOT!"
==========
OOC: Kup, was it 9d10 or 9d20? I rolled both.
An Heroic Discussion (DM Kup) Tuesday June 21st, 2005 9:18:51 AM ooc: everyone's posted again except Olyn, so off we go ...
The group discussed strategy over the breakfast table. Hands and fingers moved and pointed expressively, and faces displayed impatience, steadfastness, frustration, and inspiration in turns. This was clearly an important discussion, with much feeling on all sides. Rose and Berlon urged haste; Dietrich and Theodore favored a bit more caution. Vorelle agreed with Rose in proposing a dialogue before force. There was much exchange of ideas--but had anyone reached a consensus?
Then there was the other issue. More time had passed--it was approaching mid-morning. And still there was no sign of Olyn ... or Vauhwyt.
Berlon Tuesday June 21st, 2005 9:48:04 AM
"Of COURSE!" Berlon slaps his head at how foolish he's been, "we'll just ask them nicely. I can't believe I didn't think of that before! I should have just *asked* the Fey King's minions, 'Please, gentle possessed creatures, please stop slaughtering my kinsfolk! That would be EVER so nice....'"
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday June 21st, 2005 11:34:31 AM
Theodore can tell that Berlon is upset. That much is obvious. What isn't obvious is how to calm the irrational gnome. Theodore wonders if he would be as angry if he had seen his village attacked and friends killed.
Sighing, the young mage stands, stooped under the weight of his friends' suffering. Macaw flutters to a window and watches the debate continue. "Perhaps this discussion should wait until we know what has happened to Vauhwyt and Olyn. Olyn is probably at the temple," he says more for Berlon's benefit than anyone else's. The gnome, being the newest to the party might not be as familiar with the half-elf's routine. "I can't guess where Vauhwyt is. Can you?" he asks of Vorelle and Rose, the last of the group to have seen the liontaur.
"I sure do hope she hasn't done anything rash..."
Vorelle Tuesday June 21st, 2005 2:22:44 PM
"V-V-Vauhwyt s-s-said s-s-something about st-st-stopping at ch-ch-church," Vorelle says. She regards Berlon soberly; she is worried about him. She's worried about Olyn and Vauhwyt too. And Dirt City. And the Wold.
Rose Tuesday June 21st, 2005 3:12:10 PM "I know how to find her. Piper would you please go find Vauhwyt and Mookie for me? Ask them what's the matter and remind them of the meeting." Rose says
Dietrich d20+4=13 d20+3=9 Tuesday June 21st, 2005 3:17:40 PM
Dietrich listens to the discussion and doesn't like the way it is developing at all. Although Berlon's behaviour continues to cause him some concern, the warrior completely agrees with the gnome in regards of the impossibility of talking. It's not without reason that the city is sick and nobody managed to get the seeds...
Before things go out of hand, however, the mighty ex-soldier stands up and says authoritatevely:
"Alright! I'm calling an end to this meeting. We didn't reach any agreement, so I have to, reluctantly, remind you all about my condition as combat leader. Unfortunately, this is exactly the kind of situation we instituted the position for. I'd like to wait for Vauhwyt and Olyn too, but we have also to consider that time is running out.
So, concerning the uncoming battle, the decision is: We'll wait another 30 minutes for our friends to arrive and than move, with or without them.
Theodore will do his trick. It's not only to safe some lifes. It's not a moral question, but a tactical one. We're strongly outnumbered and outmagiked, so dividing and confusing the enemy is vital for our success.
As soon as some foes go away, the main group, consisting of me, Berlon, Rose, Vorelle and, hopefully, Vauhwyt and Olyn, move immediately in, surprising the remaining guardians and using all means necessary to get swiftly to the seeds. If possible, we take prisoners to ask about the location of the seeds...
Rose will check the way, while we others cover her with our steel and magic.
By Domi's Hammer!"
Diplomacy check 9 (not exactly inspirational...)
Dietrich continues reflecting on other tactical aspects (military knowledge 13).
ooc: Hi Kup! I'd like to ask you for a map of the pumpkin area. Thanks!
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+6=21 Tuesday June 21st, 2005 3:17:59 PM
"No, Boss, no!" Mookie shouts. "Ixnay on the elonmay!"
"uuhh ... nnnooo," says Vauhwyt.
"Ha! Stupid thing!" caws Mookie. "Go away! And take your stinking fruit with you!"
DM Kup -- quick question for Rose Tuesday June 21st, 2005 4:50:47 PM Rose, forgive a new, drowning DM. Is there a reason that Piper would be able to locate Vauhwyt, other than searching the tunnels and streets of Dirt City? Is there somewhere in particular that Piper is supposed to look? Just let me know.
rose Tuesday June 21st, 2005 7:30:49 PM
hmm, no but she might be able to just because mookie is her brother. a nest bond? (your call i think that would be fun) also i'm sure that piper knows where they usually hang out.
DM Post? DM Supplemental post? Ah, heck with it ... (DM Kup d20+7=23 Tuesday June 21st, 2005 11:11:34 PM Okay ... this was going to be a supplemental post to respond to Rose's, but seeing as everyone has posted except for Olyn again, I guess we can take this as the DM post for Wednesday--and y'all could end up with an extra post this week! Sweet!
BTW, Rose, I don't see stats for Piper on Rose's CS. You may want to think about adding Piper in on the next draft. Fortunately, I happen to know the stats for a L2 wizard's raven familiar ....
Piper searched for about an hour while the others continued the debate, and then, just as Dietrich was urging the others to action, Piper communicated back empathically to Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: {No Vauhwyt. No Mookie. Concern.} There had still not been a sign of Vauhwyt or Olyn at the apartment. It was well past the time when they ought to have arrived.
Dietrich: I will, of course, try to supply a map when distances become important, i.e, in combat. For planning purposes, local knowledge of the market will have to suffice for now: it's a large, open-air market filled with stalls and booths, mostly made of wood. The word from the scouts was that the stalls were deserted. The entire market is square, perhaps 300' from one side to the other, with a large central clearing that is about 240' across. That's where the pumpkin is, centered in the clearing. It's big--maybe 80' in diameter, and just as tall. The stalls are arranged in two concentric (um, consquaric?) rows surrounding the central clearing, with the outer stalls spaced about 10' further out than the inner row. Does that help?
oops. math error--internal square is about 240' across, as is now noted, and not 120' as previously indicated.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday June 21st, 2005 11:47:22 PM
Vauhwyt looks around. "How the heck did we end up herre, Mookie?"
"Beats me Boss," the bird answers. "I was just following you."
"Ugh! I ache. Let's get going," says Vauhwyt. "I hope we don't wake up Vorelle. Will you please *try* to be quiet?"
"Um, I don't think that will be a problem, Boss."
"It better not be!"
rose d20+7=19 d20+8=9 d20+6=16 Wednesday June 22nd, 2005 4:38:50 AM
Rose looks up in concern as Piper sends her the message "That's strange Piper cant find Vauhwyt or Mookie anywhere they would normally be." Although a little worried Rose turns her mind to getting the seeds, after all Vauhwyt can take care of herself and Mookie is smart enough to go get help if needed. However Rose has Piper keep looking for them, not only will she hopefully find them but it will keep her out of the fight. Just before they get to the market square Rose casts mage armor on herself.
listen: 19 move silently: 9, natural 1 spot: 16
Vorelle d20+10=12 d20+10=28 Wednesday June 22nd, 2005 1:44:18 PM
Vorelle paces as the time ticks by, still uncertain of the plan. It's true that negotiations would probably fail, but she'd be a lot more comfortable attacking the Fae if she knew for sure that negotiation would be a waste of time.
If the time elapses without Olyn or Vauhwyt showing up, Vorelle takes up her bow and moves with the others toward the market. On the way, as is her wont, she watches and listens for signs of trouble. [Spot 12, Listen 28]
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday June 22nd, 2005 4:15:55 PM
Theodore nods at Dietrich. "When we get near enough to the pumpkin, I'll disguise myself as an elf and hopefully enchant a few of the fey into going to the surface. Perhaps I can even get some information before we move. Anyway, you all should stay hidden until I give the signal to come forth...which will be this!" He extends the pinky and thumb of his right hand and wriggles it about.
"Is that acceptable to everyone?"
DM quick clarification Wednesday June 22nd, 2005 5:39:36 PM Just a quick point--the market is Above ground. Check the Dirt City map in Duncan's.
Your ever-lovin', ever-clarifyin' DM Kup
Berlon Wednesday June 22nd, 2005 10:37:18 PM
"Just so I understand...."
"We're going to send in our least armored member in with a low level illusion against already naturally magically inclined creatures, enslaved by something that calls itself the Fey King."
Berlon shrugs.
"Everyone better have their ropes ready..."
Rose Wednesday June 22nd, 2005 11:29:14 PM Um theo just where are you going to have them go? they're already above ground. How about we just have one or two ask for the seeds and see what happens. Rose is getting more and more worried as Vauhwyt doesnt appear, its not like her. But Rose knows that although she doesnt like it first they need to get the seeds for a cure for the city, then they'll find out what happened to Vauhwyt.
Dietrich d20+4=23 d20+3=23 Thursday June 23rd, 2005 9:43:50 AM
Listening to his friends, Dietrich shares a little of Berlon's concern, but on the other hand, he trusts Theo's abilities and is sure the wizard can take care of himself for a while. In anyway, the warrior gives Theodore the Barkskin +4 potion he received from Berlon.
"Just for sure. I don't need it that much."
Concerning Rose's comment, Dietrich really doesn't think it could work, as it has been tried before by others, and it would take away the small surprise element the party may have. Dietrich curses Vauhwyt's and Olyn's abscence and moves with the others towards the market, looking for guards and suspicious things (spot 23, listen 22). The knight will stay hidden out of sight till the action starts. He readies his longbow and waits.
The Market by Day (DM Kup) Thursday June 23rd, 2005 12:18:03 PM
Just in the interests of full disclosure to everyone: Theo has the loot from the previous adventures in the CC, and the CC staff have the values, and so the CC transaction should be able to go forward on that front. I ran into an unexpected wrinkle regarding Theo's ring of regeneration--sadly, I just don't have the institutional knowledge yet to understand what was going on with that ring, but once I have a clearer sense of that, I'll let Theo know. Sorry for the delay on that point, but hopefully the CC transaction can continue to run parallel to proceedings here and we'll find a good moment to incorporate the proceeds back into the game.
More time passed, and still no Olyn or Vauwhyt. The party resolved to press on without their companions, although there was concern on many fronts. Piper continued to search for the missing liontaur--but with an entire City to cover, both Above and Below, it was difficult to narrow the search. With weapons ready, protective spells prepared, and eyes peeled, the group made its way to the surface.
Outside the (boys') apartment, the City Below had changed again. More creepers and vines were everywhere, their tendrils pulling incessantly at the group's legs, as if hoping to clutch them up in an ivy embrace. The moans of the sick were absent, leaving an even eerier stillness in the air--like the moment of pause before the long, slow exhalation of a dying breath.
The City was locked in its death-throes.
No guards stood at the customary exits to the City Above. The sewer entrances were clogged with vines and, more than once, the group had to hack away creepers as they ascended ladder rungs and railings. On the surface, in the dust-shrouded hazy light of day, things were not better; entire buildings had vanished beneath viny coverings, and the green of the leaves mixed with the black dust to form a brackish, sickly brown. Streets and alleys were clogged and littered with debris, and vines, and rotting fruits and vegetables ....
And corpses. Now, in the light of day, the effects of the diseased fruit became clear, and stinging, black flies swarmed and massed in spots along the route where an ivy-covered mound indicated a concentration of these lost souls. Bodies of men, women, and children, of all races, ages, and descriptions, lay covered in burial shrouds of creeping vines along the sides of the streets, their stomachs bloated and distended into a gruesome mockery of beached fish. Dead eyes bulged and stared blankly up from behind leaves and shoots. Hands and legs protruded from beneath vines, not a few of which appeared to be creeping their way into nostrils, mouths, and other orifices of the dead, as if joining them to this enormous plant that was slowly consuming the City. The scouts from the previous evening noticed that they were hearing none of the drums or chanting that they had heard on their prior excursion to the Market. The distant spray of the sea was all that broke the stillness and the rank smell of death and decay.
The sun was reaching its zenith for the day as the party neared the Full Moon Market. Approaching the outer ring of stalls from the northeast (see map on e-mail), the party could see the giant pumpkin, still sitting in the middle of the market's inner square. In the light of day, the party members could see that the vines that covered the rest of the City all seemed to converge and connect to this pumpkin--as if the giant plant were nursing its life's energy from the vines that extended throughout the City. In the market, many bodies of the revelers of the previous evening lay scattered around the pumpkin--although whether they were sleeping, or had succumbed to the same ravages as the others they had seen, wasn't immediately clear. In the distance, on top of the pumpkin, a few of the winged fey creatures lay in the sun. Spot 10: Highlight to display spoiler: {Some of their wings were moving, and there was no breeze.} Down by the holes that led into the pumpkin, a few humanoids--elves, it appeared--sat upright.
The party was at the edge of the outer ring of stalls, and hidden from direct view from the pumpkin--for the moment.
Berlon d20+3=11 Thursday June 23rd, 2005 1:05:19 PM
Berlon notices the winged creatures, and a quick flash of disappointment crosses his face. (Spot check 11)
Before he goes off to do whatever it is he thinks he's going to do, Berlon casts Guidance on Theodore.
Guidance: 1 minute or until discharged, +1 bonus on an attack, save or skill check, Theo must choose to use before roll)
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, HP 29 of 32) Thursday June 23rd, 2005 2:13:17 PM
Vauhwyt makes her way through the sewers, heading for home. But it is beginning to dawn on her that something is very wrong.
"Mookie, what time is it?"
"Half past a feather. Almost midday, Boss."
The liontaur wrinkles her nose against the smell -- death and rot. Plants everywhere. Nobody to be seen.
"It's later than I thought," she says when she finds the apartments empty. "The others must have gone to that pumpkin."
She sets off fast toward the Full Moon Market. Not running, though, for fear of being tripped by a vine.
DM Kup: Assume that Vauhwyt and Mookie arrive at the Full Moon Market at the same time as the group is gathered at the edge as described above, just as Berlon casts his spell on Theo.
To the rest of the group, Vauhwyt looks extremely disheveled, tired, and dirty. She seems to have some wounds on her as well.
[OOC later from Cayzle, abusing his DMly power to edit his player post: Ooh! Then let me add some description! And stats in my header!]
When the rest of her friends see Vauhwyt, they may be struck by the fang marks marring her face (one puncture on a cheek, one on a nose). Also the way her back foreleg and her hand are all swolled up -- as if she'd been stung twice by something real mean. Her clothes, fur, and hair are an incredible mess -- as if she had slept in a sewer, and not the nice kind. Her mane, always perfectly set with one side swept back to reveal an earring and the other hanging forward, actually looks the opposite. And if you make a spot check vs. DC15, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You see that the where her hair normally hangs down, she has no ear -- just a raw old scar.}
She stinks to high heaven and says, "Hi, everybody!" seemingly utterly unaware of how she looks.
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 20 d20+6=16 Thursday June 23rd, 2005 7:02:47 PM
As the group reaches the market square Rose casts a spell and drinks a potion. Then Vauhwyt arrives and rose is shocked "Vauhwyt what happened to you and where have you been?" Rose lets piper know that Vauhwyt has arrived and that she can come back to the market then hurries over to Vauhwyt and hands her a potion (clw) "Drink this at once!" Rose says.
Active spells mage armor, 3 hrs barkskin, 30 min or 300 rounds see invisible, 30 min or 300 rounds
Theodore & Macaw HP 18/18 AC 20 d20+4=21 d20+4=21 2d4(2+4)=6 Thursday June 23rd, 2005 9:47:06 PM
Theodore quaffs the potion given by Dietrich. Seeing Vauhwyt approach, he wants to ask her about what happened, but neither does he want to waste Berlon's precious gift.
Weaving his hands, a magical spell falls over him and suddenly, Theodore is a middle-aged elf, with platinum hair, long and straight. He nods to his friends and then moves out into the open and walks towards the pumpkin, slowly and confidently.
He approaches the elves sitting at the base of the pumpkin and halts about 20 feet from them. Once he has their attention, he begins to weave another spell...
Mage Armor 4 hours Barksin +4 (not sure how long) Alter Self 40 minutes
(Cast hypnotism on whomever is looking his way. Will save 15 to negate. Affects 6 Hit Dice worth of creatures.)
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+10=27 Friday June 24th, 2005 2:16:23 AM
As she approaches the square, Vorelle easily spots the tiny fey atop the pumpkin. [Vorelle spots at +10, so she auto-succeeds a DC 10 Spot check] She isn't sure what the movement means, but she resolves to keep an eye on the little creatures as events unfold.
She is startled, and pleased, when Vauhwyt makes her appearance. She notes the liontaur's disarray [Spot 27], and makes a quick gesture at the side of her own head, hoping her friend will catch her meaning.
Dietrich ac 18, hp 40 d20+4=19 Friday June 24th, 2005 9:07:50 AM
Dietrich is disgusted by what he sees during the march and he is almost inclined to do Berlon's plan and simply kill all the (*&)( that are helping to cause all this suffering. When Vauhwyt arrives, the warrior is relieved but surprised:
"Where the (*&%^)*( have you been?!"
Then he explains her what the party will try to do.
He saw the flying things (using the spot 23 from last post?)and also notices Vauhwyt's scar, reminding him of his own ugly face.
The soldier keeps the bow ready to shoot at anyone attacking Theodore and makes a short prayer for Wardd asking for luck.
Encounter at the Pumpkin (DM Kup) d20+3=15 d20+4=12 Friday June 24th, 2005 3:34:02 PM
While the rest of the group assessed Vauhwyt or prepared to respond to a threat from the direction of the pumpkin, Theodore cast an Alter Self spell on himself to make himself appear as a middle-aged elf, and approached. The others watched him go as he passed the first ring of stalls, then the second, and then strode across the open internal market square.
(For those keeping track of spell durations, please note that walking across the courtyard to 20' from the pumpkin takes Theodore 4 rounds. Assume that the remainder of this post take 2 rounds, for a total of 6 rounds. Those observing from a distance can see the movement described here, but can hear none of the conversation or see fine detail, such as facial expressions.)
There were several bodies lying here and there along the direct path between Theodore and the pumpkin, but none moved. Theodore: Highlight to display spoiler: {As you passed these bodies, you noted that not all of them were dead, although those that were still alive seemed to be breathing very shallowly. Almost all of these were elves. Nearly all, dead or alive, had expressions of joy plastered upon their faces, as if their facial muscles were frozen in expressions of exultation and happiness.} Those in the group that were keeping watch on the winged creatures on top of the pumpkin discerned no visible movement ... yet.
Theodore came to within 20' of the pumpkin and stopped. There were two elves sitting upright on either side of a hole in the pumpkin. Both of the elves wore leather armor and were armed with rapiers, but they both wore dazed, happy expressions on their faces, and were each staring off into space, seemingly oblivious to Theodore's approach. There were rinds of several oversized melons at their feet. The hole about which they sat was about five feet in diameter--wide enough to accomodate Theo, certainly, but he would have to stoop or crawl to enter in his ordinary human form. The hole appeared to extend into the pumpkin and turn as the tunnel extended inward, before disappearing in the gloom of the pumpkin's interior. Past the two "guard" elves, on either side, lay other bodies of elves--Theo counted just four more that had any semblance of arms or armor about them--but none of them were moving, and one was clearly dead, his eyes fixed and his pupils dilated, staring blankly up to the sky with that same, excruciatingly happy expression on his face.
As Theodore stopped and prepared to weave his next spell, the two "guards" did, finally, shift their attention and focus on him, although their smiling, peaceful expressions did not change. With a gesture, an incantation, and a flash of light, Theodore cast his Hypnotism spell in the direction of the two "guards." The one on the left did not change in his demeanor, but the one on the right seemed suddenly fascinated by Theo and smiled broadly and stupidly at him.
"Greetings, brother!" said the one on the left. He struggled to his feet, although his companion made no effort to rise. His expression of happiness was largely unchanged, but his eyes betrayed a glint of some underlying, basic menace. Theodore had the impression that this one was a predator, not unlike many here in Dirt City. "I've not seen you here at our celebration before. Where are you coming from?"
At the sound of the leather-clad elf's voice, something stirred on top of the pumpkin, and Theodore heard an odd buzzing noise before seeing one of the flying fey creatures appear from the top of the pumpkin. It began floating down toward Theo and the "guard," until it hovered about 30' above the "guard." Theo observed that it was a creature with a slight, female, humanoid form, unclothed, with fluttering, gossamer wings that held it aloft. It regarded Theodore (in his altered form) with apparent curiousity. A wry smile danced upon its lips.
Now the "guard" was approaching Theodore. His expression was unchanged, but the glint in his eyes was still there, too. He stood under five feet tall--about average for an elf (as, indeed, Theodore did now, too)--and wore fair hair pulled back in a long ponytail. He had a cruel, curving scar that ran from his right eye down his cheek to his mouth. It looked to Theodore like an old knife wound. When he smiled, as he did now, it conveyed the unsettling effect of running all the way up the side of his face.
"The name's Thariol. My companion over there is Ivellimos. Get up, Ivellimos!" the elf calling himself Thariol addressed himself to the other elf, who still did not move. "Lazy sot," Thariol muttered, and returned his attention to Theodore. His eyes narrowed, although the smile still remained, as if fixed. In his left hand (his off-hand, Theodore noted, although the rapier still remained at Thariol's hip), Thariol held out a slice of a huge honeydew melon.
"Care for some melon, brother ...?" the question trailed off, as if expecting a name.
Okay folks, good luck! I'm sure there may be more information you all would like to have, so please feel free to shoot me questions via e-mail over the weekend so that I can clarify things in or before Monday's post (probably won't be able to answer things until Sunday night at the earliest--my son turns 4 on Monday, and so this weekend is heavily kids-and-grandparents time).
Congratulations on a great week of posting, by the way--other than Olyn going inactive, I think everyone posted every day! That's worth a hearty pat on the back for everyone, and maybe something more--Cayzle and Kathy, do you think Jerry would mind if I awarded an XP bonus at the next XP award for good posting?
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 20 d20+1=5 d20+1=10 d20+1=21 Sunday June 26th, 2005 2:34:26 PM
Theodore discreetly breaks a seal on his tunic. (Activate white seal of tongues.) "Greetings, brothers," he says in the Fey tongue. "I bring great tidings. We have taken the gnome village in the swamp, with the help of Varaheena. The King will be greatly pleased to see it returned to Nature."
Theodore shakes his head at the offer of the melon. "Unfortunately, I have no time to partake of such joys, brother," he now says in Elven. "I have been sent to collect four seeds from your pumpkin. We are to have one of our own in the village."
He looks to the sitting Ivellimos, "Please retrieve me four seeds." (The suggestion as per the hypnotism spell.) "I must make haste back to the village," he says to Thariol.
(Bluff check = 5. Burn a hero point to make it a 10. Diplomacy check = 21, natural 20.)
Mage Armor 4 hours Barksin +4 (not sure how long) Alter Self 40 minutes
DM Kup: good news! A Barkskin +4 potion functions as a L9 spell. Duration is 90 minutes! Please keep track, although broad estimates should be enough.
Dietrich d20+4=7 d20+2=15 Sunday June 26th, 2005 3:33:06 PM
Dietrich watches anxiouly how things develop. His fingers are nervous to fire and he just hopes Theodore knows what he's doing.
The warrior keeps his eyes and ears open to his surroundings, but is too absorved to really concentrate (spot 7, listen 15).
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+10=23 d20+10=23 Sunday June 26th, 2005 4:33:37 PM
Vorelle, too, watches and listens intently, an arrow nocked but pointed at the ground.
[Spot 23, Listen 23]
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 20 d20+6=23 d20+5=13 Sunday June 26th, 2005 9:33:45 PM
Rose keeps a lookout watching for anything suspicious or invisible.
listen: 23, +1 seal spot: 13, +1 seal
Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day.
Active spells Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor 30min
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, HP 32 of 32) d8+1=3 d20+4=17 Sunday June 26th, 2005 11:38:48 PM
Vauhwyt drinks Rose's potion with thanks.
She notices Vorelle (spot 17), and raises her hand to her mane. "Omigosh!" she squeaks, and then dashes behind a table or an alley or something. When she emerges, three rounds and a prestidigitation cantrip later, she looks much more her usual self.
Seeing that the group is focussed on Theo, she casts her blood armor spell and changes color to blood red. Mookie too.
She has her spear ready and will dash out the moment Theo is in trouble.
DM Kup pre-roll d20+8=19 Monday June 27th, 2005 11:38:16 AM Rolling a check ... I think we just need Berlon and then we'll be set to proceed.
Berlon Monday June 27th, 2005 1:37:28 PM
As Theo deals with the elves, Berlon decides it's time to get ready.
He will cast Bless, which unfortunately does not get the out-of-range Theo.
Bless: 4 minutes, range 50' radius, all allies get +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear
He will then load his crossbow, because he never *did* get to the blacksmith...
Fey talk (DM Kup) d20=10 d20+2=4 Monday June 27th, 2005 2:46:58 PM
While the rest watched anxiously, Theodore spoke to the two elves. "Greetings, brothers," he said in the Fey tongue. "I bring great tidings. We have taken the gnome village in the swamp, with the help of Varaheena. The King will be greatly pleased to see it returned to Nature." He looked to the sitting Ivellimos, "Please retrieve me four seeds."
Thariol's smile still didn't waver, but he looked puzzled. His eyes narrowed. The hand holding the melon lowered--but Theodore noticed that the elf's right hand, the one across from the rapier, still hung loose and ready. "A gnome village in a swamp, you say?" the elf responded in the same tongue. "And they are following the King? Well, that is certainly good news. It is high time that the other races began to acknowledge the King's regency...."
As Thariol pondered Theodore's words, the other elf, whom Thariol had called Ivellimos, stood shakily and nodded his head in response to Theo's suggestion. He turned and stooped, as if he were about to enter the hole around which he and Thariol had been sitting just moments before. Thariol caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and stepped backward and sideways, triangulating himself to keep both Theodore and Ivellimos in view. "Hold, Ivellimos! What are you doing?" The fey creature hovering overhead, too, reacted to this turn of events. It floated down closer--now it was just 15' above the ground, hovering in line with the hole. It was still watching Theodore with evident curiousity.
Ivellimos was a filthy, ragged elf with a crooked nose that looked beakish above the dazed, happy smile that he now wore. Sweat beaded his forehead, as if he had been in the sun for too long, or as if he had a fever. He looked at Thariol dumbly. "I was getting the seeds," he replied, nodding approvingly in Theodore's direction.
For an instant, Thariol's smile wavered and his lips curled into a snarl. The scar on Thariol's cheek curved jaggedly in response. Thariol took a step toward Ivellimos and Ivellimos cowered just slightly. Simultaneously, both elves' hands began to creep closer to the hilts of their rapiers. Then, just as suddenly as the storm of anger appeared, Thariol recovered himself. He relaxed his stance and looked back to Theodore. "Of course, brother," he said smoothly, the smile returning to his face. "If you are in such haste to serve the King, then you must retrieve the seeds for yourself, forthwith!" Thariol stepped aside and half-bowed, extending his hand (his off-hand, again, Theo couldn't help but notice) toward the hole. Theodore, roll a Sense Motive check against DC 10: Highlight to display spoiler: {The glint in Thariol's eye was unmistakably malevolent. There was something about this circumstance that involved danger, and Thariol wasn't saying what it was.}
Ivellimos looked on, the concern and fear he felt for Theo clearly overlaying his dazed, stupid expression. He gestured a few fingers while Thariol's attention was diverted, but if Ivellimos had hoped to relay a secret message, Theodore couldn't hope to decipher it. At best, Theodore got something like, "Watch."
Meanwhile, those watching from a distance might see some other developments. Spot 10: Highlight to display spoiler: {A few more of the fey creatures resting on top of the pumpkin appeared to be sitting up as the conversation below progressed. But their attention was divided--not all of them were looking down at the conversation below.}
Spot 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {There was something else moving behind the stalls in the distance. It was small--perhaps a humanoid form. Some of the fey creatures were looking in that direction.}
NOTE: If positions help any, I think of the confrontation at the pumpkin as follows--each of the "--" and letters are 5' squares:
-- -- X -- -- (<-- pumpkin, X is hole: fey creature hovering 15' above) -- -- -- I -- (<-- Ivellimos, 5' right and 5' forward from the hole in the pumpkin) -- t -- -- -- (<-- Thariol, 5' left and 10' forward from the hole in the pumpkin) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- T -- -- (<-- Theodore, 20' from hole in the pumpkin)
The rest of the group is roughly 120' behind Theodore. On the larger area map sent last week by e-mail, on the diagonal from the upper right--northeast--toward the center of the market. Note that the group remains hidden behind the farthest set of stalls. There is a second set of stalls that is roughly 20' closer--the group could move forward, but risk exposure. (For the hypertechnical, moving through the stalls rather than the rows between them would count as an "obstacle"--x2 to move normally, x3 to move silently, etc.) All of these stalls run parallel to the outer buildings of the market square. As always, let me know by e-mail if and what additional particulars you might need.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 20 d20+2=16 Monday June 27th, 2005 10:02:28 PM
Theodore gets a bad vibe from this Thariol. (sense motive 16) "I see the violence in your eyes," he says in Elven, purposefully leaving out the 'brother.' "You are not worthy of serving the King."
Theodore holds up his right hand, thumb and pinkie spread wide and wiggling, and then points it at Thariol, a blast of color shooting forth.
"Get the seeds," he says a little more emphatically to Ivellimos.
(Cast color spray against Thariol, will save 15 to resist.)
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, HP 32 of 32) d20+4=8 d20+14=19 d20+14=26 d20+14=31 d20+14=28 Monday June 27th, 2005 10:47:59 PM
[Spot check 8 -- she is oblivious!]
[DM Kup, how much time do we have here? Vauhwyt is assuming at least two rounds.]
Vauhwyt watches and takes out a scroll of Unseen Servant. She reads it and orders the magical servitor to obey Mookie.
The liontaur sees the colors that mean Theo is casting a spell. She takes a move action to get out a scroll of Reduce Person (she has her spear in one hand and the scroll in the other). Then she readies an action -- if Theo is attacked, then she will move 40 feet closer to him.
I know the obstacles in the way may stop her from moving the full 40 feet. But Vauhwyt will attempt, as part of her readied move action, to jump over obstacles quickly. Her jump checks to do so (rolling four since I have no idea how many you'll need) are 19, 26, 31, and 28. Maybe she can advance the full 40 with some fancy paw-work.
"Get your bag ready," Vauhwyt tells Mookie.
(Note to Kup for next round: If all this works out (big if), then Vauhwyt may find herself 80 feet from the confrontation for her next move. That could be a charge ending in a grapple (if the enemy is just 85 feet away) or a spear charge (if she needs the extra reach to hit a foe. I mention it because per the new special attack rules, a player should let a DM know ahead of time if possible that a special attack is a possibility. You might then choose to put enemy grapple DCs along with enemy ACs in your post, or not, at your judgement.)
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=28 d20+10=24 d20+10=25 d20+9=28 Tuesday June 28th, 2005 12:36:32 AM
Vorelle notes the fey creatures' attention wandering, then frowns when she sees what caught their eye [Spot 28]. She begins working her way around the perimeter of the Market, trying to get close enough to see what that is, and trying to move without attracting attention.
[Hide 24, Move Silently 25, Spot 28 (again)]
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 20 d20+7=17 d20+6=20 d20+8=24 d20+8=18 Tuesday June 28th, 2005 3:05:19 AM
Rose looks concerned as she sees the fey looking up and something moving by the other stalls. She carefully moves forward, drinking a potion (blur) as she moves.
Active spells Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance
Dietrich AC 18, HP 40, blessing d20+4=21 d20+5=24 d8+3=5 Tuesday June 28th, 2005 10:00:58 AM
Dietrich sees the humanoid figure (spot 21) but, as Vorelle and Rose are already going for it, he waits in order not to give their position away.
He also sees that Theodore is casting a spell and understands that sublety is over now, with a huge liontaur running and jumping in direction of the pumpkin.
The warrior receives the divine blessing, moves 20 feet and shoots at anything threatening the wizard:
hits ac 24 (+1 bless, -1 100 ft distance) damage 5
Berlon (Bless, 4m) Tuesday June 28th, 2005 10:11:23 AM
As the last of the group leaves the position, Berlon mutters. "Yes, well, this is *much* better..."
Berlon casts Summon Monster II, calling for a Celestial Eagle to appear 35' closer to the pumpkin.
(Summon Monster II, range 35', duration 4r)
OOC Cayzle Tuesday June 28th, 2005 11:30:46 AM
Hey! Vauhwyt did NOT run and jump! She only got ready to do so if Theo is attacked!
:-)
Full Moon Battle! (DM Kup) d20+4=23 d20=3 d20+3=13 Tuesday June 28th, 2005 10:04:50 PM
... And, in a moment, it had begun!
Theodore gave the signal to attack while launching a Color Spray at the disingenuous Thariol (Save 23), but the cunning elf shrugged off the flashing, colorful display. Meanwhile, Theo directed a wide-eyed Ivellimos to retrieve the seeds. Ivellimos nodded dumbly in response, but for the moment stood his ground, momentarily too dumbstruck to move.
Watching from the distant cover of the stalls, Vauhwyt created a magical servitor to obey Mookie. As Theo attacked, the liontaur pulled out another scroll and watched the unfolding scene, ready to spring. (On this round of posts and hereafter, for the duration of the combat, please post one round's worth of actions. However, this one time, I have allowed V to "backpost" the reading of the Unseen Servant scroll to the extended period of time that proceeded Theo's attack.)
Meanwhile, Vorelle began sneaking her way around the market stalls in the direction of the humanoid figure that she had seen. It was a long way off, however, and moving silently and surreptitiously necessarily slowed her movements. Perhaps owing to the commotion, or for other reasons of its own, the figure suddenly bolted and ran in the opposite direction. Whatever or whoever it was remained unknown.
Rose carefully moved forward, drinking a potion (blur) as she moved. She rounded the corner of the stalls and now had a clear line of sight toward Theodore and the unfolding circumstance before them.
Dietrich moved for a clear shot (20 feet) and shot at the fey creature still hovering near Theodore. The arrow struck the creature in the thigh, sending a splatter of bluish fluid against the pumpkin behind it. The creature howled in pain and outrage.
As that was happening, Berlon cast Summon Monster II, calling for a Celestial Eagle to appear 35' closer to the pumpkin.
The fey creature's howls of pain caught the attention of other fey creatures that were lying on top of the pumpkin. Their wings started beating and they began to move. Some pointed out in the direction of the rest of the party, and they began to move in that direction. However, one--a brownish one, trailing dust behind it as it flew--flew down to about 30' above the ground, above and slightly to the side of the creature Dietrich had just shot.
Thariol snarled with anger again once more--but this time, his ire was aimed at Theodore. Stepping forward and drawing his rapier, he thrust at the mage, (Attack 3) but missed badly.
Ivellimos seemed poised with indecision, and then, in another moment, made his decision. He, too, drew his rapier, stepped up behind Thariol--and backstabbed him! (Attack 13, a miss!) The rapier, aimed at the nape of Thariol's neck, glanced off of Thariol's protective leathers. But, at least his presence gave Theodore an ally--and a flanker, as well!
But the wounded fey creature was not finished. Flying closer to Theodore (5' in front of him and 10' up), the furious light blue fey female opened its mouth and breathed at Theo, enveloping the mage in dust and grit! (Damage 1d8, Reflex DC 12 half--this is a supernatural weapon, not magic per se.)
Watching Theo get attacked, Vauhwyt snarled and growled before leaping up and over the first set of stalls! The roaring, leaping liontaur clearly attracted the attention of the flying flock of fey, who all pointed in her direction and chattered vigorously among themselves.
And the developments kept coming. With all the commotion, some of the elves on the ground were beginning to rouse themselves. Most were unarmed and seemed fearful, dazed, and ready to run, but a few--four, to be precise, including the three that Theodore had previously noted, plus a fourth with a staff--were armed, and seemed to be paying attention to what was happening at the pumpkin.
Map coming via e-mail. Vauhwyt, please note that the only enemy combatants presently in grapple range are the elves--the four mentioned, the others moving around, and Ivellimos and Thariol. The fey creatures are all flying. The group nearest the party, F3-F6, are all 80' off the deck--F1 is 10' up, and F2 is 30' up.
Elf AC's (note that the elves on the ground are considered prone this round, which is not included in the AC's below): Unarmed elves: Highlight to display spoiler: {10} Staff elf: Highlight to display spoiler: {13} Longsword elf 1: Highlight to display spoiler: {13} Longsword elf 2: Highlight to display spoiler: {13} Longsword elf 3: Highlight to display spoiler: {13} Thariol: Highlight to display spoiler: {15} Ivellimos: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}
Elf Grapple DC = 10 + Str Modifier + Size Mod + BAB + Feats Unarmed elves: Highlight to display spoiler: {10} Staff elf: Highlight to display spoiler: {11} Longsword elf 1: Highlight to display spoiler: {13} Longsword elf 2: Highlight to display spoiler: {13} Longsword elf 3: Highlight to display spoiler: {13} Thariol: Highlight to display spoiler: {10} Ivellimos: Highlight to display spoiler: {11}
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP 32 of 32, AC20) (Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d100=14 d20+4=8 d20+3=13 3d6(6+5+5)+1=17 Tuesday June 28th, 2005 10:53:58 PM
Vauhwyt sees that she could charge an elf, but those fey have her worried. She advances 40 feet, drops the scroll, and casts her last remaining spell (Enlarge Person, shared with Mookie). She grips her now-Enlarged spear with both hands and taunts the fey.
"Hey Nambies! Your So-Called King can lick my paws!"
Aided by the unseen servant, Mookie roots around in the Bag of Tricks and tosses a fuzzy ball toward Thariol. Activating the item is a standard action, not a full round action like casting a Summon spell is, so I'm hoping the creature appears right away. If so, it is a wolverine, and Mookie tells it to attack Thariol. If the wolverine can charge the elf, then it misses (rolled an 8 with a +2 charge bonus to hit).
If Mookie has a move action left, he will direct the servant to pick up the scroll Vauhwyt dropped.
At this point, Huge Vauhwyt has a 20-foot reach with her spear. If anyone provokes an Attack of Opportunity (for example, by leaving a threatened square in her reach, or by standing up from prone in a threatened square), then she will take that AoO: If needed, she hits AC13 for 17.
WOLVERINE
Medium Animal Hit Dice: 3d8+15 (28 hp) Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 10 ft., climb 10 ft. Armor Class: 14 (+2 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 12 Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+4 Attack: Claw +4 melee (1d4+2) Full Attack: 2 claws +4 melee (1d4+2) and bite -1 melee (1d6+1) Special Attacks: Rage Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent Saves: Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2 Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10 Skills: Climb +10, Listen +6, Spot +6 Feats: Alertness, Toughness, Track
Vauhwyt and Mookie extra d20+12=25 Tuesday June 28th, 2005 11:29:06 PM
Ooh! Extra chunky tactical goodness with map data!
Vauhwyt's move action starts with a standing leap over the table. Her jump check is at +12 (not +14 like I rolled last round -- I forgot to factor in her Str damage) -- a 25 gets her 12.5 feet, enough to move to AC-AD-9-10.
From there she moves to 12-13-AA-AB to finish her 40 foot move. Then she casts the Enlarge to fill spaces 12-13-14-Z-AA-AB. Mookie throws the fuzzball at 15V, and from there the Wolverine charges up to 60 feet to attack Thariol, if allowed to summon and attack in the same round.
Note that a huge quadruped can reach up to 16 feet up (PHB p77) -- with her spear, Vauhwyt can maybe hit creatures up to 30 or 35 feet off the ground? So maybe if a fey swoops down it will find itself subject to an AoO?
Thanks for the great map, Kup!
DM Kup: No problem!
By the way--if it affects anyone else--I picture those stalls as 8' tall, with two sides of 5' each, featuring a dividing wall in between. I'm taking as a given that an enlarged V could and did just vault the thing--or if not, smashed through it easily. : )
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 24 Tuesday June 28th, 2005 11:29:19 PM
Rose moves forward 20' on the diagonal to 8AD and casts a spell on herself (shield)
ooc: moving on the diagonal is 5' one square 10' next repeat right? if not let me know and make her move as far as possible.
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min
DM Kup: Rose--it looks like you have cast two shield spells there...?
Berlon (Bless 3m 54s, Summoned Eagle 4r) Tuesday June 28th, 2005 11:34:39 PM
Momentarily stunned by thinking about the prospect of what licking Vauhwyt's paws would be like, Berlon advances forward by running, hopefully ending up in the square that the eagle started in this turn.
Run 45' max
DM Kup: Berlon, Rose already chose to end in AD8. Pick another square, or otherwise I'll just put you in AE8.
Here are the stats for your eagle--please post an action for it as well (note that, for your purposes, the most significant stats are fly speed of 80 ft. and the attack stats, +3 with talons for 1d4 damage):
Size/Type: Small Animal Hit Dice: 1d8+1 (5 hp) Initiative: +2 Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), fly 80 ft. (average) Armor Class: 14 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +1 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 12 Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-4 Attack: Talons +3 melee (1d4) Full Attack: 2 talons +3 melee (1d4) and bite -2 melee (1d4) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: -- Special Qualities: Low-light vision Saves: Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +2 Abilities: Str 10, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6 Skills: Listen +4, Spot +16 Feats: Alertness, Weapon Finesse
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 21 (dodge vs Thariol) d20+2=7 d8=2 d20+4=8 Wednesday June 29th, 2005 9:42:59 AM
Theodore is not surprised by the sudden turn of events, and is glad to hear that his friends are approaching. Taking a quick look around to see what is happening, he sees some of the elves rise and draw weapons.
"Quick," he calls out in Elven. "The enemy comes!" He points the Elves to his friends, hoping to draw their attention to the bigger party and allow himself some leeway near the pumpkin.
As he turns back, he is hit by the curious fey's breath weapon, but keeps his wits about him and manages to keep out of the way of Thariol's sword. (Reflex = 7. Didn't know if I was supposed to roll the damage from the fey, as you didn't post it. If so, I rolled a 2.)
Theodore begins to weave his fingers once again, and summons forth another protective spell. (Cast protection from chaos. Don't have the PHB in front of me, and I don't remember exactly what it gives me.) Then quickly skirts to the left of Thariol and around one of the fey to end at N24.
He tries to peer into the pumpkin to see if there is anything, or anyone, inside. (Spot 8)
Mage Armor 4 hours Barksin +4 90 minutes Alter Self 40 minutes Protection from Chaos 4 min
DM Kup: Oops! You're right--I neglected to roll the damage. Your 2 is fine. But Theo, IIRC, either casting a spell, or moving away from Thariol, will provoke an AoO. Let me know if that's not what you wanted.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+6=23 d8+1=2 Wednesday June 29th, 2005 10:27:42 AM
Seeing that the fight has started, Vorelle abandons her attempt to locate the mysterious figure and begins picking her way through the outer ring of stalls. [Movement x2, right?] She stops just inside the inner ring [AA6; I think I have enough movement to get that far].
She is still reluctant to make war on these (usually) good creatures, but she can't just stand there and attack Theo like that. She takes aim and fires at the wounded fey.
[Shoot at F1 and hit AC 23 for 2 points damage. I took a range increment penalty but not a melee combat penalty, since F1 is ten feet above Theo.]
Berlon (supplemental post) d20+3=22 d4=2 Wednesday June 29th, 2005 11:12:48 AM
(OOC: Berlon ending in AE8 is fine)
The eagle looks hungry, and flies to W13 to try to make Fae McNuggets out of F6.
The eagle takes a swipe with its talons, hitting AC 22 for 2 damage.
DM Kup -- preroll d20=14 d20+3=16 3d6(2+5+4)=11 d100=97 d4=2 d20+4=12 d8=7 d4=2 d8=2 d20+7=16 d20+7=9 d3+3=5 2d4(2+1)=3 Wednesday June 29th, 2005 11:54:14 AM Just sneaking in some pre-rolls. Folks, I've been scattering questions in your posts, so please be sure to read back and answer if there's something that needs clarifying.
Thanks for your patience. This is my first time running a combat like this on-line, and I'm learning a bit on the fly.
Theo (Answering the DM) Wednesday June 29th, 2005 1:34:33 PM
OOC - Yes, I will both cast and move, and suffer the consequences.
Loretta answering dm Wednesday June 29th, 2005 2:49:10 PM
oops, you're right Kup. So can I change that spell to Rose drew her bow as she moved and fires at F4?
DM Kup: Sure! Fire away.
Um ... I just need an attack and damage roll here ...
Full Moon Battle Round 2 (DM Kup) Wednesday June 29th, 2005 11:20:53 PM
Enlarging herself to Huge size, Vauhwyt leapt up and through the rickety market stalls, smashing the fragile wood into splinters and landing heavily on the other side! Half-awakened elves in the area screamed in terror as she waved her huge spear and taunted the fey creatures. Mookie, meanwhile, caused a wolverine to appear on the market floor. It quickly raced across the market and swiped at Thariol, but missed. (ooc: I don't think the Unseen Servant can assist Mookie with the Bag of Tricks and pick up the scroll in the same round--Mookie would lose the Bag!)
Rose moved forward and fired her bow at the blue fey creature nearest her (F4). (Rose--I rolled an Attack 22, Damage 4 for you, and promptly lost the rolls in a computer freeze.) Although her arrow struck the fey creature squarely in the chest, it did not penetrate. Meanwhile, Berlon raced up to join Rose. His conjured eagle flew ahead to engage one of the approaching fey--a thick one with a ruddy color--and raked its talons across the fey creature's chest. Although the talons would have shredded ordinary skin, they, like Rose's arrow, glanced harmlessly off of the fey creature's hide. The fey creature merely grinned in response, as the eagle screamed in frustration.
Theodore tried to cast a protective spell. Sensing an opening, Thariol swung (AoO)! (Attack 14) But the attack was clumsy, and Theodore easily evaded it. Theo moved off in the direction of the pumpkin and peered inside; the hole led into a tunnel that wound through a turn and quickly out of sight.
Vorelle picked her way forward through the stalls and fired at the blue fey creature that had attacked Theodore (F1). Although her aim was true, her arrow, too, did not penetrate the fey creature's skin, bouncing off and onto the market floor below.
Vauhwyt's intimidating appearance sent many of the newly awakened elves screaming in terror toward the exits. All of those who were awake, unarmed, and well enough to move ran at top speed away from the ferocious, monstrously sized liontaur (They are all at a dead run and will leave the combat map this turn. Running like this provokes AoO's, so let me know if anyone wants to target them.) Not so for the elf holding the staff, however; as the others fled from Vauhwyt's presence, this elf muttered an incantation and passed his hand in the air in front of him, and a translucent circle of energy appeared between him and Vauhwyt. Then he backed away, slowly. That left the three elves armed with longswords, each of whom were dressed similarly in scale mail armor; they looked from one to the other with puzzled expressions and finally hustled away from the fighting and clustered to one side, as if evaluating the situation.
Nearer to the pumpkin, Thariol and Ivellimos were locked in a fratricidal duel. Ivellimos used the presence of the summoned wolverine to his advantage and slashed at Thariol again, (attack 16!) this time slicing through Thariol's defenses. Ivellimos's attack displayed an uncanny ability to find his opponent's weaknesses (damage 11), and Thariol crumpled to the ground in a pool of blood. Ivellimos looked to Theodore with a beaming expression, then gestured at the pumpkin hole. "Go, go!" he exclaimed.
The blue fey creature that had attacked Theodore (F1) squinted its eyes closed and bunched up its facial muscles. Amazingly, anyone who watched saw that the wound inflicted by Dietrich's arrow just moments ago heal up and vanish! (If there was any other effect of the creature's squinting, it wasn't immediately apparent.) Meanwhile, the dusty fey creature nearest the pumpkin (F2) scowled down at its former ally, Ivellimos, standing over a fallen comrade horribly done in by a sneak attack. It swooped down to within 10' of the elf and sprayed a cone of dust, soot, and filth out of its mouth! Amazingly, the nimble elf dodged and rolled around the spray, seemingly suffering no ill effects. As Ivellimos recovered his feet, he urged Theodore forward toward the pumpkin hole once more. "Go!" he repeated. But just as he said these words, a queer expression came over his face, and looked at Theo quizzically, as if he were questioning to himself, "Why am I helping this guy, again?"
Overhead, one of the fey creatures remained engaged in aerial combat with the celestial eagle (F6). The two creatures wheeled around each other and screeched as they fought. The reddish fey creature swung with rock-hard claws at the eagle, and connected with a solid blow! (Attack 16, damage 5!) With a wail, the noble, golden-hued eagle plummeted from the sky and collided, lifelessly, with the ground, before vanishing from this plane of existence once more.
Now, the remaining three of the four fey creatures that had flown toward the group answered Vauhwyt's challenge (F3, F4, and F5). They swooped in at the liontaur as a group, the leader nimbly ducking past Vauhwyt's powerful, but ill-aimed attack (AoO missed). They hovered around and above the liontaur, one to a side. There was one of each of the three kinds of fey--a light blue creature to the west (F4), a dusty creature to the south (F5), and a ruddy, earthy-looking creature to the east (F3). Starting out at 80' above the ground, their descent was swift (movement is doubled when flying downwards) and they each closed to within 10' of the liontaur's enlarged head.
Then they unleashed their breath weapons! The blue creature (F4) blew a cone of dust and grit (Damage 7, Reflex DC 12 half based on CON); the dusty creature (F5) blew a cloud of dust and soot (Damage 2, Reflex DC 12 half based on CON, but failure also means -4 to AC and -2 attacks for 3 rounds from itching skin and burning eyes); and the ruddy creature (F3) blew out a stream of rock shards and pebbles (Damage 2, Reflex DC 13 half based on CON). For a moment, the air around the liontaur and her familiar was filled with debris.
(Vauhwyt: a few notes. (1) I'm assuming that you roll saves separately for Mookie? (2) Because the fey are so close, they are not in range of your spear--PHB 3.5 p.150. (3) Are they in reach of a claw attack? Hmmm ... They're presumably right at the upper limits of Vauhwyt's extended reach, with 10' plus V's extended height. Realism might dictate that they not be reachable from paws on the ground, but ... heck with it. When in doubt, I resolve rules in the PC's favor, and so the rule of leniency says that Vauhwyt can reach them with a claw attack, should she wish. (4) Does that put them within range of a grapple? ... I suppose so! It's V's hands that would be at issue, and she could presumably reach up and try to grab one. There's that rule about "moving into their space," but--with leniency--I suppose that a Huge PC who had a hold of a Small creature could simply pull it down, so, yes, I think the grapple works. (5) But can a Huge creature initiate a grapple with more than one opponent at a time (i.e., one in each hand)? Reading over the grapple rules, I'm inclined to say no.)
AC's: F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F2: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F3: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Grapple DC = 10 + Str Modifier + Size Mod + BAB + Feats
F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F2: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F3: Highlight to display spoiler: {12} F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {12}
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 24 d20+5=24 d4=4 Wednesday June 29th, 2005 11:57:53 PM
Rose grabs another arrow, this time choosing one with glitter on the feathers and fires again. She'll then run to Vauhwyt and say as she reaches up. "Help me up and get us to Theo as quickly as possible."
attack: 24, +1 magic arrow, +1 if within 30' damage: 4, +1 magic arrow, +1 if within 30'
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP 32 of 32, AC20) (Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d20+5=22 d20+5=15 d20+5=19 d20+4=24 d20+4=24 d20+4=14 d20-3=6 d20-3=16 d6+1=3 d20+5=22 d20+5=10 d20+3=6 Thursday June 30th, 2005 1:46:35 AM
"Darn it!" says Vauhwyt as her AoO misses.
And then she is a-dodging bad breaths! Vauhwyt is making Reflex saves at +5 (instead of +6) and Mookie at +4 (instead of +5) due to the dex hit that comes with the Enlarge spell.
Against the blue, dusty, and ruddy attacks, Vauhwyt rolls a 22, a 15, and a 19! "Nyaah!" she cries, inciting them further. "As big as I am, you can't touch me!"
Mookie, blowing through two natural 20s like he rolls those every day, echoes, "Fruitie-toot! What a hoot!"
With their dueling Evasion and Improved Evasion abilities, the duo suffer no ill effects at all from the breaths.
Vauhwyt says under her breath, "Fruity-toot?"
But then it is time to fight! "Mookie, help me spear the red one!" Vauhwyt calls. She rears up on her hind legs, raising up high and then higher still! She lashes out with her forepaws, reaching into the sky against the Ruddy Fey. Attacking like that is not easy (two secondary paw attacks are at -3 even with the +1 from the bless), but one paw manages to just land a sound blow (hit AC16 for 3 hp).
Then the liontaur lands on all four paws, steps back five feet, and brings her spear to bear. As she does so, Mookie dives at the ruddy one (Aid Another action roll is a 22, so Mookie gives Vauhwyt a +2 to hit). Vauwyt stabs up at the creature (+2 BAB +1 Str +1 bless +1 MW +2 AA -2 size = +5). But her effort is a miss by a mile!
Finally, Vauhwyt plucks at a button on her shirt. (Activates a Seal of the Scarecrow (see below).)
If Vauhwyt gets to make an attack of opportunity (for example, if the fey provoke one by fleeing in fear), then her attack hits AC6. Oh well.
Finally, Vauhwyt says to Rose, "Sorry, no ride for now! Shoot!"
========
• Seal of the Scarecrow. This seal when activated will radiate fear in a 10ft radius around the user (enemy must make Will DC:12 to resist or run in fear for 1 round). (Scarecrow contest prize, awarded in GG 24 Nov 04.)
Berlon (Bless 3m 48s,) Thursday June 30th, 2005 2:14:46 PM
"Fall!" Berlon yells in Elvish, casting Command on F3. (standard action)
He will then let his crossbow down at his feet (free action) and move 15' diagonally towards F3, square AC-10. He will draw his mace as he moves (move action, PNB 141 for free weapon draw)
Command - Range 35', Duration 1 round, Will save negates
DM Question Thursday June 30th, 2005 5:47:26 PM Checking in from an airplane exit row ... Berlon, what's your DC for the Command spell? And, assuming that F3 is about 25-3O' up, do you have the range to hit? Would it matter if you moved first? Just let me know.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=14 Thursday June 30th, 2005 5:55:38 PM
In a quandary, Vorelle works her way through the inner set of stalls. If her arrows are not going to be effective, then surely firing them is a waste of time. But there's nothing else she can think to do.
She angles away from the place where Vauhwyt is battling the fey, then draws her bow again. Maybe one of the closer ones....
Her shot goes wide, though, so she still doesn't know if it would have worked.
[Move to Y9 and fire at F6. Hit AC 14.]
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 21 (dodge vs nearest fey) AC 23 vs Chaotic creatures Thursday June 30th, 2005 9:36:47 PM
Theodore quickly ducks into the nearest hole of the pumpkin. Turning, he throws up his hands and a sticky web appears covering the hole, shutting him in, and everyone else outside.
(Moves into pumpkin, casts web behind him to block the hole.)
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 88 minutes Alter Self 38 minutes Protection from Chaos 3 min 9 rounds Web 40 minutes
Full Moon Battle Round 3 d20+3=7 d6=2 d6=6 d6=2 d20+3=13 d20+3=4 d20+3=10 d20+3=20 d20+4=12 d20+3=19 d20+11=12 Thursday June 30th, 2005 11:28:48 PM
(Changed the sequence of a few things here in favor of better results for the PCs--just the order of movements versus attacks.)
Rose rushed to Vauhwyt's side (AA10) and fired an arrow at the same fey creature (F4), but this time, the arrow was enchanted, and the results were much different. With (what to Rose must have been) a satisfying thud, the arrow pierced the fey creature squarely in the gut, and it screamed in anguish.
Rose asked Vauhwyt for a ride, but Vauhwyt was a trifle busy herself. Relying on her roguish training and instincts, Vauhwyt dodged the fey creatures' breath attacks with almost supernatural ease, and Mookie did as well! Vauhwyt clawed at one of the creatures, but her claws clattered off of the creature's remarkably solid hide. Her efforts to position herself for a spear thrust proved equally ineffective, even with Mookie's midair assistance.
Berlon moved forward another 15' (to AC10), drew his mace, and cast a Command spell up at the reddish fey creature (F3). "Fall!" He commanded at the creature above him. (I came up with a DC 14--if you could just let me know spell DC and effects in the future, that would be a tremendous help.) (Will save 7) The spell worked to marvelous effect, as the creature swooned and fell from its height to the ground, colliding with the earth with a heavy thud. The creature was now prone at Vauhwyt's feet! (AC12)
Vorelle moved through the stalls (Y9) and fired an arrow at the fey, missing badly. She noticed an elf to her far right with a magical shield; the elf was eyeing her cautiously.
Meanwhile, Theodore used the moment to crawl inside the pumpkin and seal up the entrance behind him with webs. He was sealed in, as much as the others were sealed out. Inside, the small, cramped tunnel led off into a fleshy, mushy gloom.
The fey were not about to take all of this punishment without a response! Or, at least--they would try not to. The fey creature that Berlon had ordered out of the sky (F3) was now subject to Vauhwyt's fear effect, (Will 13) but it overcame its fear enough to strike at Vauhwyt's side--not enough to wound, but merely in an attempt to distract. (Aid Another, 4) Its feeble effort was insufficient, however.
Its companion fey, the dusty one (F5), joined in. It flew low (10' up) and over to Vauhwyt's side alongside its prone brother (AC12), also exposing itself to Vauhwyt's fear effect. (Will 10) The scarecrow effect was enough to frighten the fey away, and it flew straight up and away from the battle as fast as it could (it ends up 100' straight up!--AoO applies here).
Then there were two. The blue fey creature whom Rose had wounded flew above and across Vauhwyt's field of vision, also subjecting itself to the fear effect. (Will 20) It conquered its fear and it, too, swiped at Vauhwyt's side (from AC11, 10' up). (Aid Another 12) This time, the tactic worked--Vauhwyt was forced to turn her attention to the crowd of fey on her left--leaving her momentarily exposed on her right.
The last nearby fey swooped in (F6, to Y12, also 10' up). (Will 19) It readily conquered Vauhwyt's scarecrow seal, and, using its superior position, tried to rake Vauhwyt's side with the same razor-sharp claws that had killed Berlon's eagle! (Attack, +2 for Aid, +2 for flanking, = 12!) And after all of that--the creature missed horribly! It screamed with rage! (Nice, V!)
Back at the pumpkin, Ivellimos looked in through Theodore's magical Webs. Theo could see the elf's face, still twisted into an expression of unbearable joy, gazing at him with surprise. "Don't know why I'm helping you," the elf muttered. "Don't know why I killed Thariol. There's magic here--did you--did you use an enchantment? I can't seem to remember. No matter. Follow the tunnel. Find your seeds. But beware--beware the Watcher. It's always there. And ... it's always hungry."
Theodore could hear the telltale hum of wings, and he could see the shadows of the two fey creatures descending behind Ivellimos. The elf looked at him meaningfully. "Go," Ivellimos said. He half-turned to spot the movement above and behind him out of the corner of his eye, and looked back at Theodore. "Go!"
In the next moment, the fey were upon him, and his dying screams filled the market square. Anyone with a moment to observe might have seen the three armed and armored elves and the lone elf mage, all watching this scene unfold from the sidelines.
AC's: F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F2: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F3: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Grapple DC = 10 + Str Modifier + Size Mod + BAB + Feats F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F2: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F3: Highlight to display spoiler: {12} F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {12}
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 24 d20+5=19 d20+6=21 d20+5=22 d4=1 Friday July 1st, 2005 5:05:47 AM
Rose glances to see how Theo is doing "Vauhwyt Theo's webbed himself inside the pumpkin! We have to help him!" Rose fires another magic arrow and runs towards the pumpkin, if Vauhwyt wishes Rose is more than willing to get a ride.
attack: 22, +1 bless, +1 point blank if applicable damage: 1, +1 magic +1 point blank if applicable
spot: 19, +1 seal listen: 21, +1 seal
Rose moves from AA10 to AA14 as Vauhwyt's 3 sizes bigger than rose there's no movement penalties for moving through the spaces. She fires at f6
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min
Dietrich AC 16 (18), HP 40, blessing d20+10=14 Friday July 1st, 2005 7:29:39 AM
OOC: sorry for missing just the combat postings!
Dietrich lets his bow down (free act) and runs, drawing his greatsword (free or fastdraw), to charge the fey at VAuhwyth's side (F4, should be able to reach AD10).
He shouts to Vorelle: "Target the spellcaster!"
He isn't sure his well balanced blade can harm the creature, but it's worth a try and he puts all his strenght in it.
In the heat of battle, he misses though: hits AC 15 (+2 flank, +2 charge, +1 bless, -3 Powerattack)
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP 32 of 32, AC20) (Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d20+5=20 d20+4=18 d20+15=17 d20+2=5 Friday July 1st, 2005 10:38:51 AM
[OOC: I was trying to figure out what F4 did after getting shot by Rose -- was it close enough to the ground for Dietrich to swing at? But I think that it took no action last turn (at least, none reported by Kup?). Well, no matter ... Vauhwyt's target is clear.]
Vauhwyt chose her spear last round in the thought that the fear and AoO combo would be effective -- and it might have been, gosh darn it, but for the vagaries of combat!
But this round the target at her feet is just too tempting! "Mookie, help me grab this Red Loserr!" she shouts, with her wemic accent pronounced in the heat of the fight.
Mookie says, "Sure, Boss!" and flies at the prone fey's eyes. That distracts the fey just enough (AA roll 20) to give the huge liontaur an opening! She grabs at the creature (touch attack at +4) and grabs it (hit AC18). Then she tries to grapple the creature (+2 BAB +1 Str +8 size +4 feat = +15) and FAILS on a natural 2!
As the fey wriggles out of Vauhwyt's clutches, Mookie says, "Boss! Come on! You're worthless in this fight!"
"I know, Mookie! I know!"
Vauhwyt calls out loudly to the fey, "Since this is getting us nowherre, how about a truce and a chat!" (untrained Diplomacy 5 LOL!)
DM Clarification Friday July 1st, 2005 12:29:42 PM F4 was in the last DM post, but not labeled as such--oops!
"Then there were two. The blue fey creature whom Rose had wounded flew above and across Vauhwyt's field of vision, also subjecting itself to the fear effect. (Will 20) It conquered its fear and it, too, swiped at Vauhwyt's side (from AC11, 10' up). (Aid Another 12) This time, the tactic worked--Vauhwyt was forced to turn her attention to the crowd of fey on her left--leaving her momentarily exposed on her right."
Folks, remember that most of these critters are flyong, at least 10' up. Hard to reach with a melee weapon unless you have the reach.
Berlon (HP 28/28, AC 20, Bless 3m 42s) d20+7=26 d6+2=3 d20+7=18 d6+2=5 Friday July 1st, 2005 12:32:27 PM
Berlon advances towards the fallen fey (move action) and tries to whomp it with his mace, (standard action) hitting it square on (Nat 19)
Mace attack hits AC 26 (28 if theres any flank involved, don't think it matters) for 3 dge.
Critical check hits AC 18 for an additional 5 damage.
DM request Friday July 1st, 2005 1:13:04 PM Sorry for multiple posts--on the road on Blackberry--Berlon, roll an AoO as well. That critter will be standing up from prone this round.
Berlon - AoO post d20+7=26 d6+2=6 d20+7=8 d20+7=8 Friday July 1st, 2005 3:09:48 PM
Berlon sees a chance for another swing, and this one looks like a direct hit as well!
Mace attack hits AC 26 (Nat 19) for 6 damage.
Crit check hits AC ac 8, nat 1.
(OOC: sorry, hit it twice, two nat 1's in a row after two crits in a row!)
Full Moon Battle Round 4 (DM Kup) d100=81 d100=71 d100=48 d100=62 d100=78 Friday July 1st, 2005 6:15:57 PM A quick post, and no map update, because I have to run.... Owing to the July 4th holiday, there will likely not be a DM post on Monday! I will try to squeeze out a map update some time this weekend, if I can--traveling again.
Rose's arrow strikes true against the newest fey creature to join the fray (F6), injuring it only slightly. Dietrich swung wildly at a flying fey creature (F4), his greatsword striking nothing but air (could he have reached his target, even if his aim were true?). Vauhwyt tried to pin the reddish fey creature on the ground by her paws (F3), but it proved too elusive for her. Berlon closed with the same creature, however, and thumped it solidly with his mace, catching it in a vulnerable portion of its temples. It looked badly injured from the combination of its fall and his strike. To add insult, as it struggled to rise, Berlon hit it again! The wound was less serious, however, and it limply gained its feet.
The fey creatures seemed angered. A wild chattering began among them, and only Theo could understand what was said: Highlight to display spoiler: {"More! Bring our brothers!"} All of the fey creatures squinted and pouted as the one had done before (and, indeed, the bluish creatures' wounds were healing, as before) -- but nothing else happened. Squeals of rage emerged from them.
Theo heard: Highlight to display spoiler: {"They refuse us! They refused to come!"}
That's it, folks! Whatever actions the fey creatures were attempting this round, there are no additional visible results, and no attacks! Good luck!
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=17 d8+1=6 Friday July 1st, 2005 7:48:07 PM
[OOC: Sorry I missed; I was not expecting the early DM post]
Vorelle decides to take Dietrich's orders literally. She targets the elf spellcaster, drawing her bow and pointing an arrow right at him. And she holds.
[Ready an action to fire at the spellcaster if he starts to cast again. If she fires, she hits AC 17 for 6 damage. It's a magic bow, if that matters.]
DM Kup: sorry, Vorelle. To the extent that it helps everyone plan, I will always post early on Fridays. Weekdays except Friday, my post will come by 9 pm Woldian at the latest; on Fridays, the post will come by around 4 pm Woldian at the latest (and even earlier in the winter!).
Dietrich AC 18, HP 40, blessing Sunday July 3rd, 2005 7:14:22 AM
Realising his stupidity for attacking the flying creatures with the sword, Dietrich swears and runs back to get his bow again...
He agrees with Rose's urging to get to the pumpkin fast. Theo has been alone on his own for long enough and the party isn't accomplishing very much against the magical "critters".
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 24 d20+6=16 d4+1=5 Sunday July 3rd, 2005 2:34:05 PM
Rose continues to fire her bow at the end of each movement. She is using the magic arrows, this time she aims at F1 and moves to 17x. If at anytime Vauhwyt decides to head towards the pumpkin Rose would be glad of a lift.
attack: 16, +1 if point blank damage: 5, +1 if point blank
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min
ooc: i've given up keeping track of rounds, however as my shortest spell has a duration of 3 minutes or 30 rounds I'm sure that I'm fine.
Rose/loretta Sunday July 3rd, 2005 2:38:14 PM
Oh I just realized I have a potion of haste. Can Rose do her actions in the above post and drink the potion also? if not I'll have her drink the potion next round.
DM Kup: sorry for not answering this directly before now--you can drink the potion next round. However, Rose, you've got company ... so drinking the potion might draw an AoO.
loretta Sunday July 3rd, 2005 2:40:09 PM
ooc again, I just realized that my weapons chart for rose's bow had the wrong base attack, could you please add +1 to my roll.
This I got. In the DM post that follows, it was the difference between a miss and a hit!
Berlon (HP 28/28, AC 20, Bless 3m 36s) d20+7=20 d6+2=8 Sunday July 3rd, 2005 6:08:04 PM
(OOC: I'm operating without a map, so I'm making a couple assumptions)
If Berlon can has a target for his mace, he will take a swing, moving up to 15' if necessary as a move action. He will prefer to hit the one he already injured, if he can.
Mace attack hits AC 20 for 8 dge.
If Berlon doesn't have a target for his mace, he will cast Monster Summoning I, calling for a Celestial Owl.
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP 32 of 32, AC20) (Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d20+5=20 d20+4=5 Monday July 4th, 2005 11:59:47 AM
d20+5=20 d20+4=18 d20+15=17 d20+2=5
Vauhwyt shouts, "Again, Mookie!"
The insolent bird replies, "Second verse, same as the firs' "
Then Mookie tries to help his master grab that slippery ruddy fey, now standing. His Aid Another attempt works fine (a 20)
Vauhwyt grabs at the fey: a natural one!
"Gosh darn it! she says, as she picks up her dropped scroll (and provokes an AoO, if the fey have the reach to take advantage of it).
Full Moon Battle Round 5 (DM Kup) Monday July 4th, 2005 5:59:33 PM Note: I began composing this post while flying from Atlanta to Washington, DC. I posted "private" but, because of BB Java limitations, I can't edit (or change my post history view). In the interests of full disclosue, I'm posting that post here so that everyone can see that the rolls came "honestly."
(As a consequence, I also can't see if Theo posted since I started composing around 2 pm Woldian. If you have, Theo--or if I've neglected to cover something else--I'll edit to include your actions.)
... Aggh! And now, I can't get the die roller to work! So, some of the results of the fey attacks will be in the next post!
Full Moon Battle Round 5 (DM Kup) d20+7=24 d3+3=6 d20+6=18 d20+9=24 d3+3=6 Monday July 4th, 2005 4:01:48 PM
With everyone but Theo having had the opportunity to check in over weekend, I was able to put together a DM post for today! Theo, please feel free to post for two rounds and we'll "backpost" as much as possible for you.
Sometimes, it is a law of unintended consequences that governs the course of a conflict. Vorelle targeted the elf spellcaster (Se), drawing her bow and pointing an arrow right at him. Seeing the threat, the elf did indeed begin preparing a spell--but what the nature of that spell was would never be known, for Vorelle anticipated him and fired! The arrow buried itself in the elf's throat and he collapsed with a gurgle of blood. The three elves standing off to one side of the conflict saw this and howled in protest.
Dietrich ran to get his bow, but that left him open to an attack from the fey creature whom Berlon was pummeling, and it swiped at him! (D, one of the creatures, F3, was at ground level at the start of the round-it was the one that Berlon had knocked from the sky--and it threatened the square you started in. I had to decide whether you "withdrew," which would mean no AoO but no opportunity to pick up your bow, or "ran," i.e., moved and picked up your bow this round. I decided that you meant the second.) Its claws raked across his back as he ran, carving a gash in his flesh (6 HP damage).
Rose continued to move toward the pumpkin and fire her bow. She targeted and hit the fey creature that had originally confronted Theodore (F1)--Rose could see, to her dismay, that it had healed completely from the arrows fired at it previously!--and struck it, the enchanted arrow burying itself deep in the creature's side. This had the decided effect of attracting the creature's attention.
Berlon swung again at the injured creature before him (F3), hitting it solidly with his mace. It struggled to maintain its ground, but did so, barely. EDITED TO REFLECT F3 IS STILL ALIVE, AND AT AC12.
Vauhwyt struggled to grapple with one of the fey creatures, but failed again, the creatures still proving too elusive for her paws. She reached down to grab her dropped scroll, and the creatures around her tried to strike! The blue fey creature (F4) swung and missed, but that left open an attack from the ruddy creature on the other side (F6), who connected solidly, gashing Vauhwyt's shoulder (6 HP damage).
The blue fey creature that Rose had targeted (F1) and its dusty companion (F2) left Ivellimos's corpse and flew toward the halfling, easily covering the distance between them in seconds (to W17 and Y17). Showing the same flanking strategy as the other fey creatures had employed on Vauhwyt, they attacked! (Results in next post)
The dusty fey creature that had run from Vauhwyt's scarecrow effect just moments earlier (F5) gathered itself. As Berlon swung his killing stroke against the reddish fey creature, the creature plunged from the sky with claws extended! (Vauhwyt should get an AoO on the creature, but unarmed only--she's been attempting to grapple and just picked up a scroll this round!) (Results next post)
Meanwhile, the remaining two fey creatures on either side of Vauhwyt continued their coordinated attack. The first creature, a bluish one (F4) that, Vauhwyt might have noticed, was also rapidly healing from its wounds, swiped from one side (Results next post), while the reddish creature (F6) swiped from the other (Results next post).
The three elves that had stood to one side of the battle (L1, 2, &3) conferred briefly and then moved forward as a group, hustling forward ... toward Vorelle! They steered a wide berth around Vauhwyt and her surrounding fey, but they advanced as a disciplined fighting group (to U14, V14, and V15) to within a short advance of the twilight ranger, their naked steel reflecting the murder in their eyes.
This post from Blackberry at the airport--map update tonight, hopefully.
More results from Round 5 (DM Kup) d20+4=9 d20+6=21 d20+6=14 d3=1 d20+9=28 d20+9=15 d3+3=5 d20+6=7 d20+6=22 d3=2 Monday July 4th, 2005 6:07:49 PM
These from the regular (non-AoO) attacks from this round:
F5 attack on Berlon: miss
F4, two attacks on Vauhwyt: one hit for 1 HP damage (feh!)
F6, two attacks on Vauhwyt: one hit for 5 HP damage
F1, attack on Rose: miss
F2, attack on Rose: miss!
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 21 (dodge vs nearest fey) AC 23 vs Chaotic creatures Monday July 4th, 2005 8:33:34 PM
Theodore peers back through the webbing that he threw up across the pumpkin's hole. "Be careful!" he hollers. "They might have more friends coming!"
Then he turns to crawl down the passage. He casts a spell and four wisps of light appear a few feet in front of him. He looks down the passage to get a better feel of what's ahead before moving.
If he sees nothing dangerous, he moves forward until he gets to a point where he can't see further (a turn or such) his lights staying in front of him to light the way.
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 88 minutes Alter Self 37 min 8 rounds Protection from Chaos 3 min 7 rounds Web 39 min 8 rounds Dancing Lights 1 minute
DM Kup: perfect, Theo. I'll get you two rounds of moves in the next DM post. : )
DM correction Monday July 4th, 2005 9:52:47 PM Gah! Rats! Owing to a damage accounting error from all of my recent travel, I incorrectly allocated damage that Rose delivered to F4 to F3. As a result, I thought that Berlon had knocked F3 out of the battle in this past round, round 5. He did not--it is badly wounded, but still standing. I have edited the DM post above accordingly.
Because of my mistake, I will not take an action for F3 this round. However, it's still up--and ready to fight. I'll send out a corrected map. Apologies!
If it helps, here is a "visual" on each of the fey creatures:
F1--a bluish creature, now attacking Rose: previously wounded, healed, and badly wounded again last round. F2--a dusty creature, now attacking Rose: unharmed. F3--a red creature, standing toe-to-toe with Berlon and Vauhwyt: badly wounded. F4--a bluish creature, attacking Vauhwyt: was badly wounded, but rapidly spontaneously healing, now only lightly wounded. F5--a dusty creature, attacking Vauhwyt: unharmed. F6--a red creature, attacking Vauhwyt: lightly wounded.
Rose hp: 23/23 AC 24, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20+5=25 d20+5=19 d8+4=5 d8+4=11 Tuesday July 5th, 2005 2:34:56 AM
Ok this turn will be full of ifs.
If F1 and F2 are flying out of reach of a melee attack. Rose will move a few feet (dm's choice of where to hit both of them) and will cast color spray. while holding
If either F1 or F2 are in reach of a melee attack Rose will drop her bow and draw her bastard sword holding it in both hands she will viciously attack the nearest fay.
attack: 25, nat 20, add +1 for bless crit?: 19, add +1 for bless damage: 5 crit damage: 11
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP 20 of 32, AC20) (Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d20+2=20 d6+1=7 d20-1=1 d20-1=4 d20+3=12 3d6(1+3+1)+1=6 d6+1=7 d6=6 Tuesday July 5th, 2005 7:34:38 AM
[OOC: If I am reading correctly, Vauhwyt gets an AoO left over from last round, a paw attack. She hits AC20 with that AoO for 7 damage.]
Injured, annoyed at herself, and worried for Rose, Vauhwyt drops the scroll she just picked up. "Stupid." she says under her breath.
Then she takes a five-foot-step south to Z14. She yells to Mookie, "Where's that blasted wolverine?" Mookie calls for it to attack the elves with swords. (Sorry, lost track of the animal for a bit.)
Vauhwyt herself realizes that she is flanking at least one, maybe three fey. (F4, 5, and 6 are flying, right? Are they in spear range? Fist range? Is she flanking F4 and 5, or just 3?)
She attacks the fey on the ground between herself and Berlon, using her paws. She misses twice.
Then, after a five foot step south, if a F5 is in spear reach, she stabs at it. Otherwise she holds her spear in one hand and punches the fey with the free fist. Her attack hits AC12 with the spear, 14 with the spear if she is flanking, AC11 with a fist, AC13 with a fist flanking. Spear damage would be 6; fist, 7! LOL! Add 6 sneak attack damage if flanking.
WOLVERINE
Medium Animal Hit Dice: 3d8+15 (28 hp) Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 10 ft., climb 10 ft. Armor Class: 14 (+2 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 12 Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+4 Attack: Claw +4 melee (1d4+2) Full Attack: 2 claws +4 melee (1d4+2) and bite -1 melee (1d6+1) Special Attacks: Rage Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent Saves: Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2 Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10 Skills: Climb +10, Listen +6, Spot +6 Feats: Alertness, Toughness, Track
Dietrich AC 18, HP 34/40, blessing d20+9=19 2d6(5+6)+6=17 Tuesday July 5th, 2005 9:53:12 AM
Although feeling the pain, Dietrich ignores his wound and runs back to shouler his bow. He's not very happy the elves decided to attack, but at least there is an enemy he can fight.
The warrior runs back to help Vorelle out, covering her left flank.
If he gets an attack this round: hits ac 19 damage 17
Berlon (HP 28/28, AC 20, Bless 3m 30s) d20+7=10 Tuesday July 5th, 2005 6:54:54 PM
(OOC: I was waiting on an email reply that hasn't come, so I'm flying blind this round again.)
Assuming he has a target, Berlon takes another swing, preferably at the almost dead one.
Mace attack hits AC 10.
Full Moon Battle Round 6 (DM Kup) d2=2 d20+4=7 d8=2 d4=4 d20+9=23 d3+3=6 d20+9=24 d3+3=5 d8=4 d4=2 d20+9=16 d20+9=29 d20+9=19 2d3(1+1)+3=5 2d20(12+14)+3=29 d8=5 d8=1 d20+3=15 d8=3 Tuesday July 5th, 2005 11:54:02 PM Flight from Boston to DC seriously delayed, so here's another Blackberry airport special! (Map update in the am)
Theodore cast a Dancing Lights spell and peered down the passage to get a better feel of what was ahead. In the colorful light of the bobbing orbs, the interior of the pumpkin seemed enchantingly beautiful. Long, slender tendrils of flesh extended across the tunnel walls, ceiling, and floors, lending a vein-like, pulsating quality to the giant gourd. Theo could not help but be very much aware of the living, growing nature of the organism within which he now stood.
The tunnel initially wound clockwise along the exterior of the pumpkin but soon bobbed and dipped, curving out of sight and rapidly turning inward after only a few yards. Moving slowly forward to follow the tunnel, Theo noticed that the tunnel seemed to turn in unexpected directions--turning right, for example, and extending further in the new direction than he would have thought possible without passing back out of the surface of the pumpkin. Then, the tunnel would turn again--up, down, back again, sometimes even seeming to double back upon itself. Distance and direction quickly were becoming irrelevant, and even the pull of the Wold beneath Theo's feet became indeterminate as the tunnel narrowed and the mage found himself supporting his progress with both hands and feet. Theo began to gain the impression that the interior through which he was now passing was not only somehow larger than the exterior through which he had passed, but that it operated on a different set of rules than the rest of the Wold altogether. At least there had been just one tunnel to follow ...
Until now. In front of him, three narrow tunnels, each no wider than three feet across, branched outward--one to the right, one to the left, and one above the other two. There was little to distinguish among the three visually. But something was tingling at the base of Theo's neck, like the tickle of a feather. It took Theo a moment realize that it wasn't something external. In assuming an elvish form, he had acquired Elven traits! Something about the upper tunnel was somehow different--secretive somehow. Something was hidden along that tunnel--his elvish senses were certain of it.
Meanwhile, outside of the pumpkin, the battle had turned to a melee. Under attack from either side, Rose dropped her bow and drew her bastard sword, swinging it in a vicious two-handed arc. The blow struck true across the midsection of the dusty creature (F2) (I rolled a d2 to choose--Rose, your sword isn't magical is it? It will come as no surprise that these creatures have DR), wounding the creature grievously.
Watching the dusty fey drop from the sky to attack Berlon, Vauhwyt managed a swipe with a paw that bloodied the creature just behind the ear. She dropped her scroll once more and tried to position herself for an attack on the fey creatures nearby while exhorting Mookie to command his wolverine to attack. Perhaps she was attempting too much at once--her attacks hit nothing but air.
(On commanding summoned creatures: isn't there a restriction on this, even putting aside the INT restriction that Mookie might encounter? I can't research this tonight, so I'll give it to you, but let's check for the future. On flanking and range: this is a bit complicated by the size issue, both of V and her spear. I assume that she has reach with her fists/paws to at least 10', but she does not have the appropriate range to use her spear on the fey. That's the teaching of the PHB 3.5 p.150, I believe, regarding the use of reach weapons by very large combatants. My understanding of flanking is that Berlon provides V with flanking on F3 only. I will research all of this for next round. V's 5' step also raises an issue--doesn't that put her in Y12, currently occupied by F6? I'll just adjust the fey one square this round. As to the rest, V's attacks all missed this round regardless!)
The wolverine, responding to Mookie's mental command, raced across to the trailing elf warrior (move to U17, attack L3). It snarled and swiped its claws, but missed the elf.
Dietrich ran forward toward Vorelle, returning his bow to his shoulder and keeping his greatsword at the ready. He reached her side and stood guard. (Interpreting again--D cannot reach a melee combatant this round, and would not reach Vorelle (or "shoulder" his bow) without a double move. So I've given D a double move to Z9, next to Vorelle, with his greatsword at the ready. Hack away next round.)
Berlon swung his mace at the creature he had wounded previously (F3), but the creature ducked his swing readily.
Meanwhile, the blue creature threatening Rose (F1) flew 5' higher, placing it out of Rose's reach, and breathed a cloud of dust and grit at the halfling. (2 HP damage, REF 12 half.) Its dusty companion (F2) joined it, flying up 5' and also breathing acrid dust down on Rose (4 HP damage, REF 12 half, but failure also means -4 AC and -2 ATTACKS for 3 rounds).
In desperate straits and pinned between a giant liontaur and a mace-wielding gnome, the seriously wounded red fey (F3) was forced to choose its poison. It picked consistency. Stepping 5' southwest (AB13) to continue to flank the enlarged Vauhwyt, it attacked! Desperation fueled its blows, and it connected, its claws raking fresh wounds in the liontaur's flesh (two hits for 6 and 5 HP respectively!).
Its bluish companion (F4) moved to cover its flank. Stepping into the space between Berlon and the wounded creature (AC12), the blue fey creature opened its mouth and breathed a toxic plume of dust and grit at the gnome! (4 HP damage, REF 12 half.) The third fey in the area, a dusty creature (F5), stood its ground (square AC13) and added its own dusty breath to that of its companion's aimed at Berlon. (2 HP damage, REF 12 half, but failure means -4 AC and -2 attacks for 3 rounds.)
The last of the fey creatures (F6) found the liontaur moving under it to its surprise! With a guttural growl that sounded like grating stone, it countered (5' to X13) and lent its own attacks to that of its wounded companion across the liontaur. Its first swipe missed, but its second connected squarely with the wemic's side (oops, rolled as if a confirmed crit, which this was not--barely!--at 19 on the crit check. Still, another 4 HP damage.)
The elves that had moved to threaten Vorelle suddenly found themselves occupied by a furious bundle of fur and claws instead. They turned to the wolverine (move to T16, U16, and V17 respectively) and swung their longswords at the beast, each hacking away chunks of fur and flesh in the process. (3 hits for 5, 1, and 3 HP each).
The battle continued to rage, but those who could spare a glance could notice that the blue and the dusty fey creatures continued to heal from the wounds inflicted upon them. A few even began to grin as the blood dried and their wounds sealed before the adventurers' eyes!
Quick fey status update--F2 and F3 are each seriously wounded, but the rest are near full strength. Good luck!
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 24, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20+8=16 d20+8=16 d20+6=21 d8+6=14 d3+2=5 Wednesday July 6th, 2005 1:21:00 AM
Rose throws her silver dagger at F2
attack: 21, oops add +1 because i forgot bless damage: 5
ooc: ignor the d8 roll I was looking at damage for the wrong weapon. And yes Rose's bastard sword is +1 it is very pretty and identifiable as well as it has rose in red and green gold on it and the scabbard having a rose dyed on it.
DM Kup: ROSE AND EVERYONE--sorry to be a pest about this, but could you all please do me a favor and list whether the weapons with which you are attacking are magical? (In this case, Rose, is your silver dagger magical?)
By way of explanation, and to drop the DM screen for a second--the fey creatures are DR 5/magic. It makes a difference--Rose's blow last round should have killed D2 outright! (As a makeup, Rose, I'm ruling that your dagger strike kills D2 this round, irrespective of damage reduction.) It's a big help for me if you all are able to state things like magical properties in your posts, rather than having to look up the CS's each time.
Many thanks. : )
Dietrich AC 16 (18), HP 34/40 bless d20+14=29 2d6(2+4)+6=12 d20+10=22 2d6(3+1)+6=10 Wednesday July 6th, 2005 11:39:50 AM
OOC: DM, all your interpretations were right (despite Dietrich's behavior seeming to be a little stupid! I just wrote for the possibility of the elves moving and attacking the same round)
Reaching Vorelle, Dietrich shouts to all friends: "To the pumpkin entrance! We're waisting our time and energy with this magical critters and Theo is alone there!"
He continues running and charges the flank of one of the elves fighting against the wolverine (+2 flank, +2 charge, +1 bless)
hits ac 29 damage 12 (non-magical)
* If enough to drop the enemy, use of "cleave" feat against adjacent elf: hits ac 22 damage 10
Loretta Wednesday July 6th, 2005 2:07:40 PM
I'm sorry, so sorry :(
Silver dagger is not magical. Rose has some arrows and her bastard sword at +1 all the rest of her weapons arent even masterwork.
DM Kup: hey, no problem! ; ) I just want to give you your due.
D2 falls by your hand this round. Um ... for a moment, the magic of the sword must have "leaped" over to the dagger. Yeah.
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP 5 of 32, AC20) (Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) (Mookie AC17, HP16, Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d20+10=30 d20+8=15 d20+3=15 3d6(5+6+5)+1=17 d20+2=3 Wednesday July 6th, 2005 3:48:01 PM
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" calls out Vauhwyt, as insult is added to last night's injury. She looks like one more blow could take her out. "Hold On, Mookie!"
[Note: Vauhwyt's current PC sheet is in error on Tumble checks. Vauhwyt has 6 ranks, +3 dex, +2 Jump synergy, but her Dex bonus goes down to +2 when she is enlarged. So her total Tumble check is +10. Tumbling past a second opponent is at +8, per the Tumble description.]
The liontaur tumbles (considering her northwest square only) from Y12 to Y11 to Y10 to X10 to W10 to V10 to U10 to T10 to S10. That's 40 feet -- two move actions. Her Tumble check vs. F3 is a 30! (nat 20!). Her check vs F1 is a 15 -- exactly what she needs to avoid any AoO!
"Whew!" says Vauhwyt as she tumbles from between her foes and steps to the side, out of combat.
[Note: Mookie is subject to interpretation. If he is riding Vauhwyt (as I would prefer), then he uses her movement, just like a rider on a mount. That would leave Mookie with actions still to take (see below) On the other hand, it is reasonable that Mookie has to move too. But in this case, Mookie does not have to tumble, since he moves from Z13 to Z12 to Z11 to Y11 to X11 to W11 to V11 to U11 to T11 -- at all times out of enemy reach. Not having to tumble at half speed, Mookie can follow his mistress as a move action.]
Mookie follows Vauhwyt [either hanging on (free action riding) or flying just above (move action)]. Then he stows the Bag of Tricks away, with the Unseen Servant's help (move action). If he has a standard action left, then the raven takes a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds from Vauhwyt's belt pouch (second move action).
Vauhwyt herself holds her longspear in both hands, prepared to make an AoO. (Note that F6 is 15 feet from her at this point, within her 20-foot spear reach). If she gets the chance, then a spear AoO (+2 BAB +1 Str +1 MW +1 bless -2 size = +3) hits AC15 for 17 damage; a paw AoO hits AC3 (a nat one!)
The wolverine attacks the elves who just joined the fray. If it survives melee with them, it will move on to someone else.
DM Kup: On Mookie--for Mookie to ride, he'd have to be on V, and he's been spending his rounds flying around Aiding V's grapples. So he'd have to "hop on" first and then ride, or fly alongside. Either way, I think he ends up with one more standard action.
On the spear's reach--please see my response to our most recent discussion. For purposes of this combat, I'm ruling that a spear with 20' reach in the hands of a Huge liontaur may not be used to target opponents inside the spear's reach. (An enemy at or attempting to pass through the spear's reach, however, is quite a different story!)
... and, of course, no sooner did I write all that I realized that I was overlooking the Woldian rule on Taur reach. So V's assumptions were right (naturally)--15'-20' reach for the spear.
Too many rules to look up ... ; )
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) d20+4=21 Wednesday July 6th, 2005 7:26:43 PM
"Woo, boy," says Theodore under his breath as he sends the lights ahead into the upper tunnel. He pauses a moment to listen as well.
After deciding it's safe enough, he climbs into the top tunnel.
(Listen 21)
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 9 rounds Alter Self 37 min 7 rounds Protection from Chaos 3 min 6 rounds Web 39 min 7 rounds Dancing Lights 9 rounds
Berlon (HP 25/28, AC 20, Bless 3m 24s) d20+1=19 d20+1=14 d8=3 Wednesday July 6th, 2005 8:49:41 PM
Berlon is able to dodge much of both blasts. "Is this the power of your King?" he yells at the fey in Elvish. (REF saves 19 and 14)
"Vorelle! Stand back!"
ASSUMING Vauhwyt is able to move as per the above post, Berlon takes a 5 foot step to AE-12, then casts Sound Burst, trying to get the three fey in front of him with the 10' radius.
(OOC: Berlon won't cast the spell if Vauhwyt is in the 10' radius range, feel free to adjust target square if Vauhwyt can't move as desired)
Sound Burst: Range 35', Area 10' radius, 1d8 dge magical sonic damage, no save, stunned for 1 round, Fort save DC 15 negates stun (but not dge)
(OOC: Berlon should be able to get the three fey in front of him in the 10' radius range without himself getting hit. If worse comes to worst he will let himself get in the effect, I can roll a save next post if need be. Once again, he will not under any circumstance let Vauhwyt get hit with the spell.)
Sound Burst damage = 3
Full Moon Battle Round 7 (DM Kup) d20+4=8 d20+3=16 d20+3=23 d20+6=24 d4+2=6 d20+5=9 d20+5=15 d20+5=8 d20+3=12 d20+3=20 d20+3=4 d20+3=19 d20+3=6 d20+3=5 d20+7=26 d3+3=4 Wednesday July 6th, 2005 10:32:32 PM Please note the new coordinate system for the fey creatures. In an attempt to help everyone with their locations, I'm adding a vertical coordinate to indicate how many 5' squares above the ground the fey creature is located. +0 is ground level, +1 is 5' up, etc. Hope this helps.
Was this, at last, the turn of the tide?
Rose hurled her silver dagger at the dusty fey creature she had previously wounded (F2) and the dirk embedded itself in the creature's throat. With a muffled groan, it fell lifelessly to the ground. The other fey creatures let out an ululating, keening wail.
Dietrich charged (to U15) and swung his massive greatsword, catching the elf (L2) unaware and wounding him savagely. The elf still stood, however, and turned with anger in his eyes.
Vauhwyt successfully tumbled out and away from the fey threatening her and poised with her spear at the ready.
Berlon stepped back and unleashed a magical sonic blast! All three of the fey creatures near him (F3, F4, F5) were impacted, with the reddish one (F3) edging that much closer to a looming demise. The red creature was stunned, but its fellows seemed ready to respond.
The wolverine growled its appreciation for Dietrich's assistance and slashed at the same elf (L2), hitting it solidly (6 HP damage). The elf struggled to remain on his feet.
The elves turned their attention to their new opponent. Showing a militaristic discipline, they moved in formation to flank the ursine fighter! (L1 moves to T15, L2 moves to V15, and L3 moves to V16.) Using their positioning, they attacked Dietrich, trying to take advantage of the recklessness of his charge, but all three missed! (Nice, D!)
The blue fey creature engaged with Rose floated back into range of its claw attacks (F1 moves to X18 +1). But with all of the magical protections that Rose displayed, how could the creature hope to penetrate her defenses? (Y'know, looking back, I suppose that one of the attacks from before should have hit, seeing as her Shield only covered one side ... ah, bygones. My mistake, the fey's loss.) Indeed, there was no way for the fey's claws to pass Rose's nigh impenetrable dweomers.
The ruddy creature (F3, at AB13 +0) near Berlon was stunned into inaction, but its companions were not. The blue creature and its dusty kin swooped in toward Berlon (F4 to AD12 +1, F5 to AD13 +1) and raked with their claws, but failed to penetrate! (Nice, B!)
With murderous, reckless disregard to its own safety, the last of the fey (F6) pursued Vauhwyt across the market square (F6 to V13 +2). It managed to dodge Vauhwyt's spear thrust (AoO misses!) and attack the liontaur, its claws striking home! The claws slashed across the liontaur's already bloodied torso (damage 4!). The fey creature chittered and yelped with excitement as it saw the closeness of death in its opponent's eyes!
Meanwhile, inside the pumpkin, Theo stiffened his resolve and crawled forward into the upper tunnel. The tunnel curved and sloped in directions that Theo was unable to follow readily. After many yards of crawling forward, Theo came to another intersection.
There were three tunnels. One, a larger tunnel (5' in diameter), directly in front of him; and two more smaller ones (3' in diameter)--one to his right, and one above his head. The one above his head radiated that same, secretive quality that he had detected before.
AC's: F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F3: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} L1: Highlight to display spoiler: {14}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} L2: Highlight to display spoiler: {14}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} L3: Highlight to display spoiler: {14}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Grapple DC = 10 + Str Modifier + Size Mod + BAB + Feats
F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F3: Highlight to display spoiler: {12} F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {9} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {12} L1: Highlight to display spoiler: {10} L2: Highlight to display spoiler: {10} L3: Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 24, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20+5=20 d8+4=8 Wednesday July 6th, 2005 11:05:34 PM
Rose's eyes glints as one of the fae falls down dead at her feet and the other one comes within range of her bastard sword again. She swings with all her might trying to cut that blue fluttering thing down.
attack: 20, +1 bless damage: 8
loretta Wednesday July 6th, 2005 11:11:23 PM
ooc: as stated previously rose's bastard sword is +1
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP 1 of 32, AC20) (Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) (Mookie AC17, HP16, Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d20+5=25 d20+4=21 d20+15=29 d6+1=5 Thursday July 7th, 2005 12:44:39 AM
Vauhwyt is stunned to still be on her feet, and decides that drastic measures are called for. Since there is only one fey on her, she acts boldly. "Help me grab him," she shouts to Mookie.
Mookie rolls a natural 20 on his aid another check.
Vauhwyt attempts to grab the fey. Her touch attack is at +4, and that hits AC21. Her grapple check, at +15, is a 29. She grabs the fey and holds on tight (inflicts 5 hp damage, and most importantly, hopefully prevents it from doing much harm.
Her Grapple DC is 10+8size+4feat+1Str+2BAB=25.
loretta Thursday July 7th, 2005 3:28:07 AM
Hi Dm Kup,
Um is piper here yet? I believe that when Vauhwyt and Mookie appeared I recalled her.
DM Kup: True, but Piper was out searching the City, and less than a minute of game time has transpired since. I'd expect that Piper won't show up until combat is over.
Dietrich, AC 18, HP 34/40, bless d20+10=18 2d6(6+1)+6=13 d20+10=23 2d6(2+6)+6=14 Thursday July 7th, 2005 7:34:42 AM
ooc: forgot to add the sneak attack in previos post, aargh!
Dietrich doesn't have the time to worry about been surrounded, though some help from Vorelle could certainly do good... He swings his now blood covered sword at the wounded elf (L2). hits ac 18; damage 13
*Again, if enough to drop him, the blade continues its deadly movement against another elf: hits ac 23; damage 14
Berlon (HP 25/28, AC 20, Bless 3m 18s) d8=3 Thursday July 7th, 2005 8:21:11 AM
Berlon frowns slightly as he's been almost cornered, but does what needs to be done.
He will move 15' north (move action) let the AoO's fall where they may.
Once clear of the critters, he will unleash a second Sonic Burst on the same three fey again for another three damage.
Sound Burst: Range 35', Area 10' radius, 1d8 dge magical sonic damage, no save, stunned for 1 round, Fort save DC 15 negates stun (but not dge)
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) d20+4=15 Thursday July 7th, 2005 9:35:19 AM
"This is starting to get a little creepy," Theodore says quietly. "I hope the others are faring better."
Using the same tactics as last time, Theodore sends his magical lights up into the top tunnel and pauses to listen before moving into the passageway.
(Listen 15)
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 8 rounds Alter Self 37 min 6 rounds Protection from Chaos 3 min 5 rounds Web 39 min 6 rounds Dancing Lights 8 rounds
DM Kup: I'm holding here in the hope that Vorelle will able to post. Either way, I'll post by around 9 pm Woldian tonight.
Full Moon Battle Round 8 (DM Kup) d20+3=21 d3=1 d20+3=18 d8=7 d20+3=10 d20+3=4 d20+4=6 d20+5=16 d20+5=22 d8=3 d20+3=21 d3+3=4 Thursday July 7th, 2005 10:27:38 PM
Rose swung her sword and connected solidly with the blue fey creature (F1), wounding it badly.
Vauhwyt grabbed for the ruddy fey creature that dogged her (F6), and she succeeded! But the fey creature merely grinned in response; Vauhwyt's grip did not seem to harm it.
Dietrich swung his deadly blade and the arc sliced through the wounded elf's (L2's) armor like paper. The elf crumpled to the ground, and Dietrich carried his momentum in a spiraling sidestep that found the elf's phalanx-brother! (Cleave strikes L3!) The elf cried out in anguish. The wolverine tried to finish the job, but the elf was too nimble for it, and its claws clattered on the flagstones of the market instead.
Berlon moved quickly to try to avoid the fey creatures. Seeing an opening, the two fey that had confronted him struck, but Berlon managed to avoid most of the blow! (F4 hits for 1 puny HP; F5 misses!) Once in the clear, Berlon unleashed his sound burst spell once more, and, at last, it had the effect he had sought; the red fey creature (F3) fell lifelessly to the ground, and both of the other fey creatures looked seriously wounded. What's more, both of the creatures still standing were stunned! (Nice work, B!)
Perhaps too late for its own good, the blue fey creature (F1) near Rose saw its brethren fall and thought of preserving its own skin. Flying up and out of Rose's reach (Y17 +2), it raised its hands into the air in a statuesque pose. A cloud of vapor spread out from its skin, making it harder to target (vapor serves as a 20% miss chance, like Rose's own blur).
Grimly, the wounded elf stepped into his fallen brother's place (elf L3 moves to V15) and swung his longsword at Dietrich, but missed. Its companion flanking the fighter from the other side, however, aimed true, and his longsword bit through Dietrich's protections (3 HP damage).
The red fey creature in Vauhwyt's grasp did not struggle against the liontaur's grip. Instead, it did its best to rake its claws at the wounded 'taur, pinned as it was--and hit (leaving the DM with at least another day to try to determine if PHB p.156 means to prohibit more than one natural weapon attack in a grapple). The claws sunk deep (4 HP damage), and the liontaur could not stand against it; with a shudder that shook the market, the liontaur fell, and the fey creature chattered with excitement.
"I hope the others are faring better."
Inside the pumpkin, Theodore crawled gamely forward. The tunnel branched and turned once more. Again Theo found his way to an intersection, and again three tunnels emerged; this time, there was one ahead (5'), one to his left (3'), and one overhead, still radiating an elusive secret.
AC's: F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} (note 20% miss chance) F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} L1: Highlight to display spoiler: {14}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} L3: Highlight to display spoiler: {14}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 24, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20+5=23 d3=3 d100=21 d20+5=8 Friday July 8th, 2005 12:27:54 AM
Rose frowns as the blue fae flys away from her and tries to hide itself. Then smiles while she points at it and mutters a few words and an icy stream shoots from her finger. She quickly looks around to see who's nearby, if she see's that Vauhwyt is down she will start moving towards her as fast as possible.
ray of frost ranged touch attack: 23 (um, that's +1 base, +3 dex, +1 small right? If not remove the bonus I messed up on) damage: 3 spot: 8
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min
Rose continued Friday July 8th, 2005 12:29:03 AM
If she heads for Vauhwyt she takes out a potion as she moves (if allowed)
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+8=23 d6=3 Friday July 8th, 2005 2:38:41 AM i killed an elf i killed an elf i killed an elf i...
Vorelle snaps back to herself, giving a little shake of her head, managing (at last) to put her own shock and disbelief into the back of her mind. She has more important things to worry about--her friends need her.
Vauhwyt looks to be in pretty bad shape, but she's got her assailant trapped in her large paws--there's no way Vorelle can shoot the fey under those circumstances. Making up her mind, she moves toward Dietrich, drawing her left hand axe as she moves.
She can't quite flank the opponent, but she can reach him and aims a blow at him with her axe. It's a solid hit.
[Move to X14 and attack L3. Hit AC 23 for 3 points damage. Vorelle's axes are not magical or even masterwork.]
Vauhwyt and Mookie (Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP -3 of 32, Helpless, Dying, Stable) (Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) (Mookie AC17, HP16, Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d100=4 d20+5=16 Friday July 8th, 2005 6:31:30 AM
Vauhwyt falls, releasing the fey in her grip! The liontaur hits the ground wound-side down, and the pressure of her own body helps stem the flow of blood (rolled an 04 on the stabilization check! Woot!).
Mookie, freaking out, screams at the fey, "You son of a turd! You fairy freak! You'll pay for that!"
The bird actually seems slightly intimidating in its fury. (Standard action to Intimidate) [Intimidate check to Demoralize Opponent is (+7 ranks -2 Chr with no size mod since both are Small) a 16. The fey has to make an opposed roll based on hit dice, Wis bonus, etc.]
Seeing Rose hit the fey, Mookie adds, "Hah! See! You're dead meat!"
He says to Rose, "Rosie! Rose! Rose! You are the best! The Boss has a heal potion in her pouch! Right there." [Search DC 15 to find it in one round.] (Move action to talk.)
Wolverine continues to fight elves.
Dietrich AC 18, HP 31/40, blessing d20+10=21 2d6(2+2)+6=10 d6=2 d20+10=24 2d6(2+5)+6=13 Friday July 8th, 2005 7:02:19 AM
Dietrich can't help but smile behind his heavy steel helmet, as the first foe falls. Elf or not, he was an enemy.
In his excitement, the fighter almost ignores the new wound received and is happy Vorelle arrives to help him. He shouldn't be flanked anymore and, with the wolverine, trys to flank L3 himself.
hits ac 21 (23 if flanking); damage 10 (12 with sneak attack)
*Again, if dropping L3, "cleave" continues: hits ac 24; damage 13
Dietrich hasn't seen yet that Vauhwyt is down, concentrated as he is on the swordfight against the elves.
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) d20+4=24 Friday July 8th, 2005 9:59:14 AM
"Hmm. This is getting repetitive," says Theodore to himself as he comes upon another tunnel split.
Once again, he sends his lights into the top tunnel and listened before proceeding in the direction his tingling feeling was leading him.
As he crawls, he tries to note whether the tunnel tends to incline upward, as well.
(Listen 24, natural 20)
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 7 rounds Alter Self 37 min 5 rounds Protection from Chaos 3 min 4 rounds Web 39 min 5 rounds Dancing Lights 7 rounds
Berlon (HP 24/28, AC 20, Bless 3m 12s) d20+7=13 d20+7=17 d6+2=8 Friday July 8th, 2005 11:10:50 AM
(OOC: Since they are stunned this round, the two fey get -2 AC and lose their dex bonus, correct? Also, Berlon's mace is not magical.)
"Be strong, Mookie! I will be right there!" Berlon yells.
Berlon moves two squares diagonally southwest (move action) and swings his mace at the stunned F4. Since he has a small window for both the fey being stunned and the fallen Vauhwyt, Berlon uses a hero point to make sure he hits.
Attack hits AC 13, rerolled with hero point.
Attack hits AC 17 for 8 damage.
[OOC: Added name "Berlon" to header. -- Cayzle]
Full Moon Battle Round 9 (DM Kup) d20+4=15 d4+2=4 d20+3=19 d20+3=10 d20+5=13 d20+7=16 d20+7=12 d20+4=19 d20+6=23 d20+6=23 d3=3 d3=3 Friday July 8th, 2005 6:22:24 PM
Rose fired an icy ray at the blue fey creature near her (F1) and struck it solidly, its face registering shock and disbelief at the halfling's continuing ability to harm it. Hearing and feeling the heavy fall of the enlarged liontaur, Rose turn and ran in Vauhwyt's direction (to V12), avoiding enemies as she ran. (Took you on the most direct path that avoided AoOs. Sorry, can't combine retrieving a potion with a move--just weapons or shields.)
Meanwhile, Vorelle shook herself out of her reverie and moved into the fray, delivering a solid axe blow to the already wounded elf (L3).
Vauhwyt lay unconscious on the ground, the blood of her veins combining with the blood apparition of her magical armor. Mookie flapped and fluttered and attempted to distract the fey creature that had felled his master, but the fey creature seemed unfazed. (Intimidate "save" 19--interestingly, the Intimidate skill does not add to an Intimidate save? The creature has an Intimidate rank of +4 itself.)
Turning the elves' tactics against them, Dietrich moved to use Vorelle as a flanker (move to U16) and struck the wounded elf (L3), cutting him down with a single stroke. Again, Dietrich's momentum carried his blow to the sole remaining elf (L1), and his greatsword sliced through metal and leather once more! The wolverine moved to try to finish matters (move to T16). It hit the last elf, wounding him still more. The blackness closed in around the corners of the elf's eyes as he gripped his longsword with desperation.
Berlon moved to juxtapose himself between the fey creatures and Vauhwyt (move to AC11) and attacked the blue fey creature (F4). The creature was seriously wounded, but not dead yet.
The sole remaining elf fought an increasingly unlikely battle for survival. Swinging wildly at Dietrich, it missed, and the imminence of death seemed to reflect in his eyes.
Now the fey creatures redoubled their efforts. Vorelle's entry into the fray attracted the attention of the blue fey creature that Rose had been tormenting (F1), and it flew to the attack (move to X15 +1)! It snarled and clawed at the human ranger, but failed to land a blow.
At the same time, the red fey creature on Vorelle's other side (F6) turned its attention to Rose (at V13 +1). Would its blows be more effective against the elusive, enchanted halfling than its hapless counterparts? No! Its swipes struck nothing but empty air, and it snarled with rage.
Now Berlon had attracted some attention. The blue fey creature whom he had been clubbing (F4) roused itself from its stupor, as did its companion (F5). Circling around, carefully keeping a respectful distance from Berlon's wicked mace, the dusty creature (F5) positioned itself between Berlon and his allies (move circuitously to AB11 +1) and swiped its dusty claws at the gnome, just failing to penetrate his armor. The blue fey creature, intent on revenge, moved to flank (move to AD11 +1) and tried its own attacks. Aided by the distraction offered by its companion, the creature's claws raked along Berlon's side, leaving long, serrated trails (2 hits for a total of 6 HP damage).
Meanwhile, inside the pumpkin, Theodore crawled forward once more in the upper tunnel. This time, the tunnel traveled just a few body-lengths before widening. Theodore's lights danced ahead of him, and revealed a chamber impossibly massive for the interior of the pumpkin through which he had just crawled (but of course, by now Theo already felt certain that there was more to the interior of the gourd than what presented itself to the outside world). From the tunnel entrance to the chamber, Theo could see a large space--perhaps sixty feet from floor to ceiling, and perhaps equally as wide. Tunnels, much like the one through which he had just crawled, entered the space from all directions, including high on the walls and ceiling. The floor, walls, and ceiling were coated with fleshy, mesh-like structures in which massive seeds, each as large as dinner plates, were growing. There had to be hundreds, perhaps thousands, of seeds in the space. And all around these seeding structures Theodore could see odd, black balls--each as large as a man's torso, and all striated and vaguely chitinous in appearance. As many seeds as there were, there seemed to be an equal number of these strange black balls. (Got any knowledge skills you'd like to use here? How about Knowledge: Nature-- a check of 15 gets you Highlight to display spoiler: {The large black balls looked suspiciously the overlapping plates of an armadillo ... or a pill bug. But these were far too large--nah, it couldn't be that, could it?}.)
The chamber felt warm to Theo--warmer than the rest of the pumpkin as he had moved through it. And, having been listening closely as he moved, he could hear a strange rustling coming from the center of the chamber, like that of a rope being coiled.
AC's: F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} (note 20% miss chance) F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10} L1: Highlight to display spoiler: {14}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Another visual "update" on your opponents. Remember, the blue (F1, F4) and dusty (F5) creatures seem to be healing somewhat from blows as the combat continues, and all of the fey creatures demonstrate some degree of invulnerability from mundane attacks:
Rose 2d8(3+7)+3=13 Friday July 8th, 2005 8:13:22 PM
For now Rose ignores the stupid little fluttering fae and pulls out two potions from her belt pouch. she hands one to Mookie (cure moderate)"Feed this to her!" and pours the other down Vauhwyt's throat (heal for 13hp).
Mookie AC17, HP16, Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless (and Vauhwyt: Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP -3 of 32, Helpless, Dying, Stable, Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless) d20+5=14 Friday July 8th, 2005 9:57:48 PM
Mookie looks at Rose's potion and caws in hysterical laughter. "Yeah! Good idea, genius! Give it to me here IN MY HAND!"
He spends the round trying to distract the fey that felled his mistress. That way maybe he can give Rose a chance to heal Vauhwyt. [Aid Another to increase Rose's AC by two, succeeds with a roll of 14.]
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+10=14 Friday July 8th, 2005 10:26:55 PM
Dietrich and the wolverine seem to have the remaining elf pretty well contained--and the flying pests are back in force. Of course the only thing Vorelle has that will hurt them is her bow, and she can't very well use it where she's standing.
Making up her mind, Vorelle sheathes the bloody axe (grimacing a little at the thought of the clean-up job ahead of her), retreats a step, and fires at Little Blue. She hisses in annoyance as the shot goes wide.
[Sheathe axe (move-equivalent action), step to X13 (five-foot step), shoot at F1 (standard action). Get annoyed (free action).]
Rose (illegal second post) Friday July 8th, 2005 11:35:53 PM "Mookie, use that unseen servant of yours!"
Mookie (illegal second post) Saturday July 9th, 2005 8:36:43 AM
"The Boss summoned it, so only the Boss can give it new orders. Duh!"
Dietrich, AC 18; HP 31/40, blessing d20+12=29 2d6(1+2)+6=9 d6=6 Saturday July 9th, 2005 9:30:59 AM
Dietrich is completely absorbed in his deadly dance, hardly feeling any emotion as the next elf is cleaved by his heavy blade. Seeing the fear in the last foe's eyes, the fighter almost feels pity, but the adrenalin is already too much and some darker side deep inside him even enjoys the moment.
He keeps the enemy flanked between the wolverine and his own massive body, flex his muscles and aims where it hurts: hits ac 29; damage (9)15 with sneak attack
Rose (illegal 3rd post) Saturday July 9th, 2005 11:01:34 AM "She told it to obey you!"
Mookie (illegal third post) Saturday July 9th, 2005 11:51:25 AM
"Stupid servant thinks it is still helping with the stupid Bag of Tricks! The Boss got it wrong! Stupid dead Boss!" Mookie sounds like he is about to start crying.
[OOC: Per conversation with DM Kup, we agreed that you cannot command a Servant to follow other people's commands. Too much of a rules sleaze, like wishing for more wishes.]
Berlon (HP 24/28, AC 20, Bless 3m 6s) d20+7=24 d6+2=7 Saturday July 9th, 2005 1:08:41 PM
Seeing Vauhwyt being attended to by Mookie and Rose and the Unseen Servant (sort of) Berlon returns his attention to the surrounding fey.
He takes a 5-foot step diagonally northeast and takes a swing at F4.
Mace attack hits AC 24 for 7 damage. (standard action)
He then reaches into the folds of his cloak and produces a flask (move action). It isn't clear and full of red liquid like his healing potions...
In Elvish, towards F5: "Prepare to have your evil burned away..."
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) d20+5=7 d20+13=29 Sunday July 10th, 2005 1:46:39 PM
(OOC - No knowledge in nature unfortunately. Where's Vorelle when you need her?)
Theodore is momentarily awed by the enormity of the chamber that he just entered. He gazes about in disbelief for a moment before blinking his eyes and regaining his senses and his purpose for being here. He takes note of the seeds.
"I just need three," he quietly tells himself. But even his short time as an adventurer tells him that it just isn't this easy.
He tries to secure himself from sight, but fails to find anything to take shelter behind. (Hide 7) Weaving his hands, he calls forth his power to determine if their is any magic within.
(Cast Detect Magic and scan the chamber from where Theo is. Will NOT move from his current space. Spellcraft 29 to determine school of magic if Theo detects any magic within the chamber.)
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 6 rounds Alter Self 37 min 4 rounds Protection from Chaos 3 min 3 rounds Web 39 min 4 rounds Dancing Lights 6 rounds
Full Moon Battle Round 10 (DM Kup) d20+3=10 d20+3=8 d20+3=13 d20+4=14 d20+4=18 d4+2=5 d20+6=16 d20+6=23 d3=3 d4=3 d4=1 d4=4 d8=7 Sunday July 10th, 2005 3:06:37 PM Sweet! Everyone's posted, so we can get an early jump on the week!
Heedless of the possible danger to herself, Rose reached into her belt pouch and fished out two healing potions for Vauhwyt. She tried to hand one to Mookie, but the bird raspily explained why it could not use the potion and it fell to the ground, unbroken, by Vauhwyt's feet (I would have had Rose hold on to it, but that would mean that she had to drop her sword ...). While Mookie tried to protect Rose from the fey creature, Rose moved into position to deliver the other potion to Vauhwyt (but did not actually pour it yet--administering a potion to an unconscious creature is a full-round action, and Rose has already used up two move actions by pulling out the potions). Meanwhile, the red fey creature hovering nearby saw an opportunity, and slashed--but not at Rose, but rather at the potion itself!
(The rules governing this type of attack are confusing. I believe that it should be treated as a Sunder attack, but there are two types--opposed checks (presumably for weapons or shields), or against a carried object's AC (for carried or worn objects). In each case, I have assumed that the Woldian -4 penalty for special attacks from a non-specialist applies, as compensation for a "lost" AoO in response (Rose and the creature are the same size):
-- The Sunder attack against a carried object is: Attack 1d20 +7 (MAB), -4 for non-specialty v. AC 16 (AC 13 for a potion +3 for Rose's DEX mod). The attacker needs to roll a 13 to succeed. -- The Sunder attack using "opposed checks" is" Attack 1d20 +7 (MAB), -4 for non-specialty v. 14 (10 +4 Rose's MAB). There is an automatic failure on 1,2, or 3, which is not meaningful because the attacker needs to roll an 11 to succeed in any event.
It's not clear to me how this is "supposed" to work, but I resolve the ambiguities in the player's favor and in this case, use the more difficult to succeed, carried object rule. Result for this AoO: a 10, fails!) The creature slashed at the potion, but missed, and snarled at Rose.
Vorelle stepped to one side and fired an arrow at a fey creature, but missed.
Dietrich cut down the last remaining elf warrior (L1) with a mighty stroke. The wolverine joined him in a howl of triumph, then raced across the battlefield to leap and snap at a fey creature (move to W15, attack F1), landing a blow that failed to penetrate the creature's skin.
Berlon continued to swing his powerful mace at the fey creature near him (F4). Ironically, the creature seemed to heal its old wounds just as fast as Berlon could make fresh ones! Even wounded as it was, a cruel grin spread across the fey creature's face. As Berlon reached into his robes to retrieve a flask (watch out!), the creature raked at him (an AoO)! Luckily, its claws shredded only air (a miss at 14).
Undaunted by its failure to strike the potion in Rose's hand, the red fey creature near Rose (F6) countered (5' step to W12 +1), and then tried again (an 8), and again (a 13 against a needed 16)! Its claws failed to find the potion, as Rose nimbly dodged the vial away from the snatching creature's grasp.
The blue creature near Vorelle, meanwhile, took advantage of its comrade's presence and moved to put distance beween it and the wolverine and also flank the human ranger (5' step to Y14 +1). It slashed at Vorelle and gouged her in the shoulder (one hit for 3 HP damage).
The two fey creatures near Berlon kept up their own assault. His steps to elude their tactics were taking him farther from his allies, which the creatures surely judged as an advantage. Flying forward and upward out of Berlon's mace's range (move to AC10 +2), the dusty creature (F5) breathed a toxic plume of dust at Berlon! (4 HP damage, REF 12 half, but failure means -4 AC and -2 attacks for 3 rounds.) The blue creature (F4) followed suit, flying to counter above Berlon's mace (move to AE10 +2) and adding its own breath (7 HP damage, REF 12 half).
Inside the pumpkin, Theodore stood still and cast a spell to detect magic. The entire pumpkin itself radiated a form of magic--but it was divine or natural rather than arcane in origin. The black balls, the seeds, whatever might be rustling out of view in the center of the chamber--none of these things appeared to possess their own, independent magic.
Far off and to the right side, out of view beyond a tall fruiting body that held dozens of seeds, there was a slithering sound followed by a mushy plop! Were Theo's lights attracting attention?
AC's: F1: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} (note 20% miss chance) F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 32/35] d20+10=20 d100=66 d8+2=8 Sunday July 10th, 2005 4:41:22 PM At least if they're attacking me, they're staying away from Vayhwyt, Vorelle tells herself. It doesn't seem to decrease the pain in her shoulder any.
Her bow is still the only thing she has with a chance of hurting these creatures, so she steps back to try to use it again. She fires another shot at the blue imp that wounded her, this time with more success.
[Five-foot shift to Y12 (I think), and fire at F1. Hit AC 20 (made 20% miss chance) for 8 points damage. Magic bow.]
Berlon (HP 12/28, AC 16, Bless 3m, -4 AC -2 attacks 3r) d20+1=4 d20+1=5 d20+2=19 d6=3 d6=2 Sunday July 10th, 2005 4:47:31 PM
Berlon gets caught up in the first blast and start coughing. (Ref Save 4) Quickly the second one catches him fully as well (Ref Save 5).
Once the dust clears, he waves away the last of the clouds. "You're not very good at this, are you?"
He unstops the flask, and flames shoot forth instantly.
"Good thing I am."
Berlon lobs the flask at F4. (full action)
"Fire in the hole," he yells as he ducks down.
Alchemist Fire ranged touch attack hits AC 19. F4 should catch fire and take 3 damage this round and 2 damage next round unless put out. Berlon takes 1 splash damage.
(OOC: I couldn't find the formula for ranged touch attack modifiers so I just used the missile bonuses. Even if I'm wrong, and even if there's a range penalty (range is 10') I still whomped the roll by a lot, so we should be ok.
DM Kup: yeah, that should hit! "Fire" counts as an energy attack, right? (Anyone disagree, say now!)
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 24, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) Sunday July 10th, 2005 5:56:19 PM
Rose pries open Vauhwyts mouth and pours the potion down. It's a good thing Vauhwyt is on the floor or Rose would never reach.
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min
ooc: everyone post today so we can get an extra post in this week.
Rose 2d8(8+2)+3=13 Sunday July 10th, 2005 7:04:28 PM
rolled for cure moderate potion that rose is pouring down Vauhwyt's throat. If rose can she will also pick up the other potion and hand it to Vauhwyt and tell her to drink it (potion that fell is also cure moderate) If she cant pick it up she tells vauhwyt to pick it up and drink it.
Mookie AC17, HP16, Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless (and Vauhwyt: Str 13 of 16, Con 12 of 14, HP -3 of 32, Helpless, Dying, Stable, Mage Armor, Enlarge, Bless d20+5=9 Sunday July 10th, 2005 11:52:51 PM
Mookie again tries to protect Rose as she helps Vauhwyt. But this time his concern for his mistress distracts him. (Sorry, no AA this time.)
The wolverine keeps up its good work.
If Vauhwyt gets healed, she may start to come around, and act next round -- May be at 10 hp?)
Dietrich, AC 18, HP 31/40 d20+6=15 Monday July 11th, 2005 4:42:07 PM
When the last warrior falls, Dietrichs takes a quick look at their disformed corpses and feels a mixture of horror and satisfaction at the carnage. "May Gargul keep their souls!"
Realising the fight is far from over though, the fighter sheaths the deadly sword again and takes the bow. Being a strong believer in the strategic principle of concentration, he unleashes the mighty weapon at the critter near Vorelle, but misses. He shouts again to his friends:
"Move to the pumbkin!"
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) Monday July 11th, 2005 6:12:56 PM
Deciding to act, Theodore moves to the nearest mass of seeds, avoiding the black balls, and begins to collect three, stuffing them into his backpack. He sends the lights fifty feet from him, away from the entrance and the noise he heard, but still close enough to allow him to see what he's doing.
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 5 rounds Alter Self 37 min 3 rounds Protection from Chaos 3 min 2 rounds Web 39 min 3 rounds Dancing Lights 5 rounds
Vorelle stepped back and fired another shot at the blue imp that wounded her (F1), striking it square in the chest! A long slow, steady stream of blue fluid escaped from around the protruding shaft. With a gasp of surprise, the fey creature fluttered down to the ground and expired.
Following suit, Berlon lobbed a flask of smoking Alchemist Fire at the blue fey creature near him, and the flask ignited on the creature's flesh! It howled in pain as it burned, the reddish flames casting a purplish hue against the blue of the creature's skin. It looked seriously wounded.
Rose moved to administer a healing potion to Vauhwyt. Once again the ruddy fey creature tried its best to prevent Rose from succeeding in reviving her fallen comrade. (Per the previous DM post, the creature needs to roll a 16 on 1d20 +3 to hit the vial--even though, per the rules, this attack does not provoke an AoO in response! Anyway, I'll again err in favor of the player and ....) It missed again! The precious elixir trickled down the unconscious liontaur's throat and, gasping for breath, she was revived! (HP 10, prone, but because of the action lag--V should get an action immediately, as I read the rules--I won't have the fey creature attack her in the meantime. Aren't I a nice guy?)
Mookie again tried to protect Rose as she helped Vauhwyt. But this time his concern for his mistress distracted him.
Dietrich sheathed his sword and took up his bow. "Move to the pumpkin!" he cried. The wolverine, however, had bloodyminded ideas of its own. It dashed across the courtyard and attacked the ruddy fey creature near Rose (move to W13, attack fey F6), but missed.
The battle tide had clearly turned, and the outnumbered fey creatures eyed each other nervously. Still determined to try to take Berlon with it, the burning blue fey creature (F4) moved back into range of its claw attacks (stay at AE10, drop to +1), but its agony distracted it, and both missed! Its dusty companion (F5) swooped down (AC10, drop to +1) to flank and tried as well, but it, too could not connect! (Nice, B!)
The red fey creature (F6) could only hope to inflict damage on the ever-elusive Rose. But what hope was there? Its claws found naught but ensorcelled barriers, and left no marks.
As things began to look positive outside the pumpkin, unbeknownst to Theodore, the mage chose a decisive course of action. Choosing the nearest cluster of seeds, Theodore carefully crossed past the black balls. He began pulling out three of the seeds and stuffing them into his backpack.
The seeds were sticky and difficult to extract from the fruiting mass. Theodore tugged on a seed; the whole long line of seeds shook slightly. A slight surruss emanated from the middle distance, then quieted. A second seed came off in Theo's hands; again the fruiting structure shook, and again Theo heard the rustling noise--a little louder this time.
A third seed. It came away cleanly, and Theo breathed a sigh of relief. Placing it in his backpack with the other two seeds, Theo turned and prepared to leave, when he stopped.
There was a movement out of the corner of his eye.
Turning back to look, Theo saw nothing. He was about to leave again, when another movement caught his eye--this time, near his feet.
It was one of the black balls. It was--unraveling.
The ball elongated and became a narrow, sinuous thread of black chitin. Two antennae and a pair of huge mandibles were evident at one end, as were hundreds of spindly, black legs all along its length. The legs began to move and the creature--for such it was, Theo could now see--began to crawl toward the tunnel entrance. It made a raspy surrussing noise as it went.
Suddenly Theo could hear more noises, from all around the inner chamber. More balls were unfolding, sprouting legs and teeth, and began to move. In scarcely an instant, the entire chamber had transformed into infested nest of hundreds of crawling, teeming, monstrously oversized bugs.
It couldn't get worse, Theo undoubtedly thought.
There was a sudden jolt, and the whole pumpkin began trembling under Theo's feet, like the whole enchanted structure was being shaken. A low growling noise began emanating from the center of the chamber, along with a sound like a very large rope uncoiling--a sound which was growing louder.
Outside the pumpkin, in the marketplace, all of the companions could feel a sudden jolt and tremor coming from the direction of the pumpkin. The fey creatures paused for a moment and stared toward the enchanted gourd, their eyes wide with surprise.
AC's: F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
DM Postscript:
Just moments before, in the Temple of Wardd from whence the party had ventured forth just a short time before, a sudden cry pierced the deathly silence that filled the space.
"Now! Begone from my head and bother me no more! May Wardd protect me in his temple from this beast from Hell!"
The words came from an elf who had been quietly praying and meditating in a narrow alcove at the far end of the Temple. He had been standing there, motionless and trance-like, since the evening prior, attracting the mutters and worried glances of the acolytes as they passed by on their duties tending to the City's sick that had congregated there. The elf's outburst echoed in the cavernous dome, filling the space. A priest with a withered arm hurriedly shuffled forward.
"Olyn! Olyn, are you all right?" the priest asked, studying the elf's face. "It's me, Clu'eth."
Just then, a tremor shook the Temple, shaking dust from the rafters and sending nesting rock doves fluttering up into dusty rays of sunlight high in the dome. Clu'eth looked up with alarm.
"What was that?"
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 24, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20+5=25 d20+5=6 d8+3=9 d6=3 Monday July 11th, 2005 10:33:03 PM
As Vauhwyt's eyes open Rose says to her "Vahywyt, there's a potion at your feet DRINK IT NOW!" Rose then takes a step and swings her sword at that annoying little fae that kept trying to destroy the healing potion.
ooc: I cant tell if vorelle is in x or y 12 if she's in x then rose doesnt move, as they are flanking. If she's not in x then rose moves to w11 so that she's flanking with the wolverine.
attack: 25, nat 20 crit?: 6, nope damage: 9 sneak attack for flanking: 3 note that attack bonuses for flanking are not added as i'm not sure what they are. DM Kup: They're +2 to attack, add sneak attack for rogues.
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min
Olyn Tuesday July 12th, 2005 2:07:33 AM
spittle flying from his mouth he swears.
looking to Clu'eth he says in anger: How could I have been such a fool. How could I let myself be deceived into believing he came back for good. He is Not a King but instead I call him the Deceiver. He comes not to unite the world through peace but to destroy the world in war. And as Wardd is my witness, I will enter my grave before I allow myself to believe his lies. I see him for what he truly is and (pulling out a knife, and cutting a gash in his hand) I swear by my blood I will Never rest til he is removed from the Wold forever!
Looking again upon Clu'eth Olyn says: I must make haste to join my comrades in their fight against the minions of the Deceiver, where is my stuff so that I might prepare to go?
Vauhwyt (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, AC22, HP 20 of 32, Mage Armor, Bless) and Mookie (AC19, HP16, Mage Armor, Bless) 2d8(3+4)+3=10 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 7:40:51 AM
As Vauhwyt comes back to consciousness, she feels her Enlarge magic fade, and she and Mookie shrink down to normal size.
Mookie shouts, "Boss! You're alive! Drink that potion Rose dropped!"
Vauhwyt, still lying prone, sees the potion on the ground next to her. She reaches out and picks it up (move action). Then she uncorks it and drinks it (standard action). (CMW = +10 hp!)
"Thanks, Rose!" she says, still lying down.
"Get up, Boss!" caws Mookie.
"Just a minute," she replies.
Dietrich AC 18, HP 31/40, blessing d20+6=7 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 9:47:52 AM
Oblivious to the events inside the pumpkin, Dietrich moves in the direction of Berlon and fires against the burnig fey.
The sudden tremor makes him miss it by far though (nat 1). The "bear" remembers Theo is somewhere there alone and ushers his friends to move again.
"To the pumpkin!"
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) d4=4 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 9:57:11 AM
"Oh, my..." says Theodore, startled by the sudden occurences within the pumpkin. "I believe it's time to beat a hasty retreat."
He pops a seal upon his tunic and there are suddenly four more Theodores! (White seal of images: mirror image for 3 rounds: rolled 4 images)
He quickly moves back to the tunnel he came through, hoping to avoid as many of the little buggers as possible.
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 4 rounds Alter Self 37 min 2 rounds Protection from Chaos 3 min 1 rounds Web 39 min 2 rounds Dancing Lights 4 rounds
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 32/35] d20+6=9 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 10:30:39 AM
[OOC: Vorelle can't flank with anybody; she isn't holding a melee weapon.]
The tide does seem to be turning in their favor, but Berlon still has two of the little creatures to deal with. It's a tricky shot, but Vorelle fires at the nearest of the creatures, hoping for a bit of luck. Unforunetly, all her luck is bad and her arrow clatters harmlessly to the street.
She then begins moving toward the pumpkin.
[Move to square V17, avoiding squares X12 and X13 so as to avoid an AoO from F6.]
Berlon (HP 12/28, AC 16, Bless 2m 54s, -4 AC -2 attacks 2r) d20+5=6 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 11:07:21 AM
"First fey go boom, now pumpkin go boom?" Berlon asks as he takes a 5 foot step north east.
He takes a swipe at the fey (standard action) more as a distraction than anything else, as apparantly he has yet something else up his sleeve.... (retrieve item, move action)
Mace Attack hits AC 6 nat 1
Full Moon Battle Round 12 (DM Kup) d20+4=13 d20+4=9 d20+4=10 d20+4=17 d3=2 d20+6=17 d3=1 d20+6=24 d3=3 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 2:56:35 PM
In the Temple of Wardd, Olyn asked the priest Clu'eth for his gear. "It is all awaiting you in the alcove where you were praying," the priest replied with a look of concern. "They passed through here on the way to the Full Moon Market square not long ago." Another tremor shook the temple, and the priest staggered to keep his feet. There were murmurs and screams of panic from those seeking shelter within as the patchwork walls and floors of the Temple trembled (see below).
At the same moment in the Full Moon Market, Rose directed Vauhwyt to the second healing potion, took a step to one side (to W11), and swung at the reddish fey creature (F6), seriously wounding it for the first time in this fight! Vauhwyt, still lying prone and now her normal size, picked up and drank the potion. She was looking much better. Mookie's summoned wolverine swiped at the fey creature, but missed badly.
Momentarily forgetting his own command, Dietrich started moving in the direction of Berlon (to Z12) and fired an arrow at the burning fey (F4), missing wide. Then, the tremor made him recall his original instructions. "To the pumpkin!" he repeated. Vorelle obeyed, passing him going the other way (to V17) and firing a shot wide as well. Not far away, Berlon continued to try to dodge the fey creatures. He took a step away (to AE10), swung a feeble blow with his mace, and reached into his sleeve. As he had learned, dividing his attention like that invited the fey creature (F4) to attack (an AoO)! But luck was still with the gnome cleric, and he avoided the blow.
The fey creatures were now chattering furiously at one another in their own language. The red creature near Vauhwyt and Rose (F6) pointedly gestured at the pumpkin, from which rumblings were growing increasingly loud, and flew upward and away from the fight (withdraw straight up, W12 +13, i.e., 65' vertical).
The others were not as convinced. The sputtering flames of Berlon's alchemist's fire continued to burn on one of them, and the fire in their eyes cried out for revenge. Again the two creatures worked in tandem. First the blue creature (F4) moved forward (to AF9 +1) and attacked. Its claws found Berlon and gashed his arm (2 HP damage).
Then its companion followed suit, using the now-familiar flanking technique. (F5 to AD9 +1) It attacked Berlon as well, striking him with both claws (two hits for 4 HP damage total).
Meanwhile, inside the pumpkin, Theodore used a magic seal to create four mirror images of himself and dove for the tunnel entrance! The low roar behind him was growing louder, but he did not stop to look. Instead, scrambling on all fours down the narrow tube, Theo scurried as fast as he could!
The slithering, serpentine insects that Theo had seen in the seed chamber were present in the tube Theo occupied as well, but they weren't bothering him at the moment; they seemed to be scurrying just as fast--in fact, a little faster--than Theo was himself. And they weren't limited to using the tube floor, either. Without regard to Theo's presence, they clattered past on the walls and ceiling of the tube just as readily as Theo used the floor. Not a few of them crawled straight over Theo himself! (I suppose, if you really wanted to, you could try an unarmed AoO on one of them ... if you want to find out what would happen.)
Just as Theo returned to the intersection of the three smaller tubes and the single larger one, another massive shock wave came, and the force caused the entire pumpkin to rock violently. It was accompanied by a tremendous, screeching roar that sounded as if it were coming from just up the tube Theo had just crawled through!
EVERYONE, including those in market square, could hear and feel the massive tremor and roar that shook the pumpkin and the square around it. Theo and all those standing in the square must make a REF save, DC 12, to remain standing.
AC's of known opponents: F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) d20+2=18 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 3:33:40 PM
Theodore clutches at the "wall" of the tunnel to keep himself upright from the force of tremor, clenching his teeth as the familiar fear swept over him. (Reflex 18)
"What have you done?!" he berates himself.
Another part of him, a stronger part, urges him to keep moving. The mage continues to scurry, with the other vermin, down the tunnel, stifling a shudder everytime one of the little buggers climbs over him.
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 3 rounds Alter Self 37 min 1 rounds Protection from Chaos 3 min 0 rounds Web 39 min 1 rounds Dancing Lights 3 rounds White Seal of Images 2 rounds
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 32/35] d20+7=25 d20+5=19 d8+1=4 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 4:24:05 PM
Vorelle easily keeps her feet as the tremors rock the square. [Reflex safe 25].
Still concerned for Berlon, she sends another arrow toward the fey closest to her. This is a much better shot that strikes the tiny creature.
After her shot, she continues to move toward the pumpkin.
[Shoot at F5, hit AC 19 (taking into account the -4 for shooting into melee) for 4 points damage. Magic bow. Move to R21.]
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 25, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20+8=25 d20+6=18 d20+6=12 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 7:48:16 PM
Rose easily stays on her feet then turns and looks around to see what is going on. When she sees Berlon still has two fae on him she pulls out a potion and drinks it then moves to ac8 so that she and Berlon are flanking if she can she will then attack F5 but I doubt she can an anyways she would miss.
ref: 25 spot: 18 attack: 12
Drank potion of haste lasts 5 rounds
Active spells (i guessed at remaining times taking from start of fight as the fight is about over it probably doesnt matter) Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min 12 of 30 rounds Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min 12 of 300 rounds Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes 12 of 40 rounds Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance lasts 3 min 10 of 30 rounds shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min 12 of 30 rounds potion of haste: one extra attack, +1 to attack , ac and reflex saves speed increases 30' or max of double normal movement (ie total for rose is 40') 1 of 5 rounds
Berlon (HP 6/28, AC 16, Bless 2m 48s, -4 AC -2 attacks 1r) d20+1=10 d20+1=18 d20+2=11 Tuesday July 12th, 2005 11:25:35 PM
(OOC: Did you remember the 2 burn dge for the second round of Alchemist Fire?) DM Kup: Yep. These little buggers have both damage reduction and regeneration (don't blame me, I didn't think it up). Remarkably tough to kill with incremental damage.
Berlon staggers and coughs, and seems about to go down, yet somehow he manages to stay on his feet. (Ref save 10 rerolled using last hero point, Ref save rerolled 18)
Berlon launches more flaming death, but...
(OOC: I'm not quite sure what the ranged touch modifiers are, so I went by +3 base class +1 bless -2 coughing fits for a +2 with a roll of 11. If modifiers are wrong, feel free to correct...
Anywho, assuming I am right the Alchemist Fire only hits AC 11. It's best for someone other than me to figure out what happens next, but as a reminder there is 1 splash dge to all adjacent squares....)
DM Kup: Well, first of all, you want to specify your movement for the turn (you didn't yet). So, tell me if you moved before the attack, after the attack, or not at all. Also, please tell me which creature you were targeting (I'm assuming F4). Then I'll take it from there on the DM post. It's actually not that complicated--take a look at PHB 3.5 p.158 if you really want to understand how this works.
Vauhwyt (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, AC22, HP 20 of 32, Mage Armor, Bless) and Mookie (AC19, HP16, Mage Armor, Bless) d20+2=6 Wednesday July 13th, 2005 5:48:46 AM
Vauhwyt sees that Berlon is in bad shape, and decides to help him. She stands up (move action) and moves around Rose (second move action) to Z-AA-9-10. She taunts the two fey as she advances. "Hey, fey freaks! Flee now or die like your friends!"
If a fey closes on her, she hopes to get an AoO with her spear. If so, her AoO hits AC6. Oh well.
Mookie tags along. "Boss, why not drink another healing potion?"
"Hush Mookie."
Olyn Wednesday July 13th, 2005 10:30:33 AM
moving over to the alcove, Olyn grabs an acolyte to assist him in putting on his armor and gear (Kup, pg 123 of PHB, can i don hastily with assistance and have my chain shirt on in 2 rounds? i also figure with chain shirt, at 2 rounds, and my other gear, with the same assistance, itll be 5 total before i can move out)
Loretta Wednesday July 13th, 2005 2:18:55 PM
I agree with dm kup berlon throws at F4 as rose is on the other side of F5
Berlon OOC Wednesday July 13th, 2005 9:34:49 PM
OOC: Actually it said a chucked weapon was a full round action, so I'll say no movement at all. And yes, F4. Is there a flanking bonus for this?
Loretta Wednesday July 13th, 2005 10:37:10 PM
no because rose and berlon are flanking f5 and you dont want to throw it where it will splash on rosie do you?
Full Moon Battle Round 13 (DM Kup) d20+6=7 d20+6=11 d8=6 d20+6=10 d20+6=19 d3=1 d20+6=10 d20+6=24 d3=3 Wednesday July 13th, 2005 11:18:36 PM
In the Temple of Wardd, Olyn hastily donned his gear. (Let's say hastily donned and ready to go next post--call it a "story sync" issue.)
Meanwhile, back in the square, Vorelle turned, fired an arrow at the dusty fey creature attacking Berlon (F5), and then turned back to continue to move toward the pumpkin.
Rose quickly pulled out and quaffed a potion (sorry Rose, but that's as much as you can cram in--that's two actions!).
Berlon tried to lob another flask of alchemist's fire at the badly wounded blue fey creature (F4). Again the fey creatures saw an opening, and again they attacked! (Berlon, I think that throwing the alchemist's fire is a standard action--e.g., PHB 3.5 p.113. Even if it were a full round action, you'd still get a 5' step. And that's significant because, as you know by now, using a ranged weapon at melee distance provokes ... AoO's!). Luckily, both of their attacks missed (whew!) Perhaps because of the fey creatures' attacks, however, Berlon's aim went awry. Throwing the fire at the blue fey creature (F4, at AF9), the container instead went wide right and behind the fey creature (I rolled a 6 on the placement chart, p.158, which equates to square AG10). As it impacted, the splash still dealed some minor damage to the already wounded fey (1 HP damage--better than nothing!).
Vauhwyt stood and moved toward the remaining fey creatures, taunting them as she went. Mookie's wolverine joined her (move to AB11).
The ruddy fey creature that had been attacking Vauhwyt and Rose flew off to the southwest, circling the top of the pumpkin and still chattering excitedly (I've taken it off the map, but assume that it's roughly at I32.) Its comrades continued their assault on Berlon, however. The dusty one attacked, striking Berlon only once, and barely drawing blood (1 HP damage). The blue fey creature, still determined despite its injuries to bring the gnome down, attacked as well, striking once like its companion. Its claws dug deeper, and Berlon felt the icy chill of unconsciousness creeping closer (3 HP damage!).
Theodore continued to scurry down the tunnel toward the pumpkin entrance. (Theo, you haven't specified whether you're scurrying at tactical speed, i.e., double move, or just as fast as possible, which is 4x movement rate. You'd be flatfooted, but moving faster. Just let me know which. For now, I'm assuming 2x.) He dashed along, keeping a careful eye out for attacks from whatever quarter. There were many of the monstrous black vermin everywhere, but it wasn't clear to Theo whether they were coming, going, or otherwise, and he didn't have time to stop and find out. The entire pumpkin continued to shake and rumble, and it felt like the tremors were moving closer every moment.
Whatever was making that noise and causing these tremors, it couldn't possibly reach Theo in this narrow tunnel--could it? Suddenly, Theo felt a massive shock just behind him, as the tunnel walls themselves seemed to be ripped apart! Daring a look behind him, he saw the back of a massive, black-skinned creature tunneling through the pumpkin's flesh perpendicularly to the passage through which he had just passed. The creature was burrowing tremendously quickly, and the passage of its long body was a blur. The pumpkin shook with its passing.
Another massive tremor shook the pumpkin and the market. Theo had the tunnel walls to hold onto: EVERYONE ELSE, make a REF save DC 13 to avoid falling.
AC's of known opponents: F4: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F5: Highlight to display spoiler: {17}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {14} F6: Highlight to display spoiler: {16}, touch Highlight to display spoiler: {10}
Olyn Thursday July 14th, 2005 12:52:17 AM
runs full bore for to the group. wild look in his eyes, almost like that of a berserker.
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 25, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20+5=17 d8+4=8 d6=4 Thursday July 14th, 2005 1:02:49 AM
Rose moves to help Berlon and strikes at the nearest fae.
Move to AC9 Attack: 17 damage: 8 sneak attack: 4
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min 12 of 30 rounds Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min 12 of 300 rounds Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes 12 of 40 rounds Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance lasts 3 min 10 of 30 rounds shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min 12 of 30 rounds potion of haste: one extra attack, +1 to attack , ac and reflex saves speed increases 30' or max of double normal movement (ie total for rose is 40') 2 of 5 rounds
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 32/35] d20+7=26 d20+5=25 d20+5=20 3d8(2+7+7)+3=19 Thursday July 14th, 2005 2:50:57 AM
Almost without thinking about it, Vorelle steadies herself against the renewed tremors [Reflex save 26]. She glances back and forth uncertainly between the giant, rocking pumpkin and Berlon's ongoing battle with the fey.
Making up her mind, she looses another arrow, this time aiming at the other creature because she seems to have a better angle on it. It is a superb shot.
[Rolled natrual 20 to hit, critical threat. Confirmed to AC 20, taking into consideration the -4 for shooting into melee. So, if these things can be critted, that's 19 points of damage to little F4. If they can't be critted, it's only 3 points damage. And it's a magic bow.]
Dietrich, AC 18, HP 31/40, blessed d20+5=22 d20+6=20 d8+3=5 Thursday July 14th, 2005 6:55:03 AM
Years of fighting under unpredictable circumstances makes Dietrich's instincts react quickly at the new tremor and he holds his feet (ref 22).
The fighter is divided between going after Theodore in the grumbling pumpkin or helping Berlon. He swears at the fey's resilience, moves 20 ft further towards the pumpkin and to get a better angle and shoots at the worst hurt critter.
hits ac 20 -modifiers, damage 5 (non-magical)
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) Thursday July 14th, 2005 9:45:22 AM
The huge creature barrels through the part of the tunnel that Theodore was just moments before. The young wizard squeaks, completely terrified. He begins to hustle as fast as he can, the bugs running with him, over him, and around him almost forgotten.
(Will move as fast as possible.)
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 2 rounds Alter Self 37 min 0 rounds Protection from Chaos 2 min 9 rounds Web 39 min 0 rounds Dancing Lights 2 rounds White Seal of Images 1 round
Berlon (HP 2/28, AC 16, Bless 2m 42s, -4 AC -2 attacks last round) d20+5=22 d6+2=7 d8+5=10 Thursday July 14th, 2005 1:36:54 PM
"Hrmph," Berlon grunts at the fey as blood starts to trickle down the side of his head, "uglier than you have tried and failed."
"But not much uglier..."
If anything is left for after the volley, Berlon will take a swing
Heavy Mace Attack hits AC 22 for 7 damage
If he doesn't end up with a target, he will cast Cure Lt. Wounds on himself for 10 hp.
Vauhwyt (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, AC22, HP 20 of 32, Mage Armor, Bless) and Mookie (AC19, HP16, Mage Armor, Bless) d20+11=12 d20+5=24 2d6(5+4)=9 d6=2 Thursday July 14th, 2005 1:40:29 PM
Vauhwyt tumbles (nat 1!) out of the way of the charging Rose and approaches whatever fey is still a reachable target for her. She stops 10 feet away and tries to poke a fey.
She hits AC24 for 9, with another 2 sneak attack damage if se can get a flank.
Loretta Thursday July 14th, 2005 3:13:09 PM
why does vauhwyt have to get out of the way? rose is hasted, not moving in a straight line, and vauhwyt is 2 sizes bigger than rose.
OOC Cayzle Thursday July 14th, 2005 3:18:44 PM
Forgot Rose had haste and figured she had to charge to get there and swing, too. My bad!
Full Moon Battle Round 14 (DM Kup) Friday July 15th, 2005 12:36:48 AM
With his gear hastily donned, Olyn dashed out of the front doors of the Temple as the City continued to shake. He had no time to wonder at the vines that had overgrown the streets, nor the corpses that littered the way--he just ran as quickly as he could toward the market. (Still have a distance to travel, though.)
Under the effect of the Haste potion, Rose dashed across the plaza and struck at the dusty fey creature near Berlon (F5). With an uncanny sense of the creature's vitals, Rose brought the creature down in a single stroke!
Vorelle, too, added her arrows to the fight. Her arrow thrummed from her bowstring, flew across the market square, and lodged itself in the eye of the last remaining fey creature (F4). The creature had no chance to react before the arrow ended its existence. Dietrich's arrow merely confirmed the creature's demise, as did Vauhwyt's spear. Spared the fey's cruel claws, Berlon quaffed a potion of healing and began to mend.
Just then, the sounds of thousands of clattering, spindly legs assaulted the ears of the companions from the direction of the pumpkin. Those who turned to look could see hundreds of monstrously sized vermin pouring out from all of the various holes in the pumpkin, beginning to fill the market square. The long, black, chitinous beasts with large, sharp mandibles clattered in all directions, and high above the pumpkin, the sole remaining fey creature cackled and chattered at the beasts as if urging them to attack!
Meanwhile, in the pumpkin tunnel, Theodore cast caution to the wind and began sprinting as fast as possible toward the tunnel exit. Still surrounded by monstrous bugs that crawled everywhere, Theodore pounded his way down the tunnel pell-mell, careeening up, down, and sideways with the tunnel's twists and turns. Ahead of him, he could see the light from the market square, and he ran breakneck toward it ...
Completely forgetting about his own webs that blocked the exit! Theodore ran into them at full speed and was promptly lodged in them, as the bugs that had filled his tunnel began piling up behind and alongside him. He struggled against the sticky webs, just as he heard a roar and felt a rumble closing in behind him!
Theo, make your REF save against the webs, with a -2 circumstance for running at full speed. (Heh heh heh ....)
Folks, you wouldn't believe the day I've had. No map update tonight--I'm just hoping I'll get a chance to check in tomorrow afternoon. If I can't, well ... I don't like to do it, but I may have to postpone the "Friday" DM post until Saturday night.
Olyn Friday July 15th, 2005 1:25:52 AM
continues to run x4 towards the market.
Loretta Friday July 15th, 2005 2:27:58 AM
ooc: I'll post later, um does anyone remember where rose droped her bow?
Dietrich AC 18, HP 31/40, blessing d20+10=19 2d6(1+6)+6=13 d20+10=11 2d6(6+2)+6=14 Friday July 15th, 2005 9:49:58 AM
Dietrich shoulders the bow, draws the bloodied greatsword and runs towards Theodore. Seeing all the bugs, he swears aloud and would rather retreat, but they have to save him and the seeds.
The fighter can just hope for some magic support, considering the battered state of the party.
If the bugs try to attack him or Theo and he comes into melee this round: hits ac 19; damage 13 (mundane)
*if enough to drop, "cleave" continues: "hits" ac 11; damage 14
Rose Friday July 15th, 2005 3:23:17 PM
Rose starts heading for the web picking up her bow as she goes. "Theo dispell that web!"
ooc: who's joining the crossover tap besides rose?
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 32/35] Friday July 15th, 2005 5:42:06 PM
Vorelle can think of a few more useless things than shooting bugs with a bow, but not many. She puts away her bow and pulls her handaxes, hoping they'll be a little more effective.
[Quick Draw feat; Vorelle can draw a weapon as a free action.]
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 21 (dodge vs nearest fey) AC 23 vs Chaotic creatures Friday July 15th, 2005 5:52:52 PM
Theodore does as Rose tells him, dismissing the power that sustains the web. (Web is a dismissable spell.)
As the magical web disappears, he falls out of the whole and quickly scrambles away from the pumpkin yelling, "Something big!! Something VERY big is coming."
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 1 rounds Alter Self 36 min 9 rounds Protection from Chaos 2 min 8 rounds Web 38 min 9 rounds (dismissed) Dancing Lights 1 round White Seal of Images 0 round (done)
DM Kup: you're right, of course. Just a nasty DM trick to not point it out!
Savvy players. Have to find another way to kill you. Hmmmmm. >-)
Berlon (HP 12/28, AC 16, Bless 2m 36s) d8+5=9 Friday July 15th, 2005 6:51:09 PM
(OOC: Last round Berlon cast a spell, not quaffed a potion...)
While he isn't sure where Rose's stuff ended up, Berlon knows where *his* crossbow is, it's a 5 foot step to his northwest.
He casts Cure Lt. Wounds on himself again. "Mookie, tell your boss I will tend to her wounds in a moment."
Cure Lt. Wounds cast (standard action) spontaneously in place of Summon Monster I, healing 9 hp.
He then picks up his crossbow as a move action.
He squints at the fey above the pumpkin. "So, who's the best shot? I know it's not me...."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday July 15th, 2005 9:12:00 PM
Vauhwyt shakes her fist at the fey flying overhead as she takes a double move towards the pumpkin.
"Come on," she tells Mookie and the wolverine.
Full Moon Battle Round 15 (DM Kup) Saturday July 16th, 2005 10:34:53 PM Sorry for the delay in posting, as well as missing some details on the previous post. FYI, I will be traveling--again!--Monday through Wednesday. After that, things will get easier for me. For now, a bit of a generalized post:
The group drew weapons and ran toward the pumpkin just as Theo came tumbling out of the pumpkin through the dispelled webs with a horde of black, crawling, monstrously large bugs falling out along with him. "Something big! Something VERY big is coming!" he cried.
The tremors shook the plaza again, and from the top of the pumpkin a tremendous beast ripped its way forth! Like the teeming vermin that now poured out into the market, this creature was large, chitinous, and black. But it was much, much larger than even the overgrown centipedes that now swarmed the market floor. Two enormous antennae crowned the head that now swayed from side to side, and a long, webbed frill rolled along either side of its neck. Legs sprouted all along its segmented body, and the air pulsed with a power that poured off of its body. The creature opened a huge, jagged maw lined with giant mandibles and let out a roar that shook the walls of the surrounding ivy-shrouded buildings.
High above the creature's head, the sole remaining ruddy fey chattered down at the massive beast and pointed in the direction of the party. The beast rolled its head and looked down at the party. For a moment, its black, beady eyes seemed to meet Theo's.
Then it roared again, and the market shook. (EVERYONE, REF DC 14 to remain standing.)
Vauhwyt (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, AC22, HP 20 of 32, Mage Armor, Bless) and Mookie (AC19, HP16, Mage Armor, Bless) d20+6=11 Saturday July 16th, 2005 11:22:30 PM
"Vermin! Again!" Vauhwyt sounds dismayed.
She rolls with the vibrations but does not manage to stay on her feet (Reflex 11). She spends the round picking herself up and then heading away from the monster.
"Come on, let's get out of herre!" she calls out.
Berlon (HP 12/28, AC 20, Bless 2m 30s) d20+1=13 Sunday July 17th, 2005 12:24:59 AM
(OOC: Berlon wasn't running, he was healing. Can I assume I got the spell off or no? Either way just lemme know...) DM Kup: Yep, not a problem. See the "DM misses details" apologia above.
"Ok, I admit it, nothing uglier than that has ever tried to kill me..."
Berlon topples to the ground, then struggles to his feet like a wounded turtle.
Ref Check 13
Dietrich AC 18, HP 31/40, blessing d20+5=10 Sunday July 17th, 2005 7:24:58 AM
When the horrendous monster appears, Dietrich trys to stop running. But the fighter looses his balance and fells to the floor (ref 10), spending the round standing up and swearing.
He accompanies Vauhwyt's tactical retreat...
Olyn d20+6=20 Sunday July 17th, 2005 9:47:21 AM
nimbling keeping on his feet at he continues to race to the group, he hears the roar, pulls out his wand (clw) while racing (x4 move) onward.
DM Kup: just changed the post name.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 32/35] d20+7=22 Sunday July 17th, 2005 10:28:21 AM
Vorelle still has little trouble keeping her feet [Ref save 22]. Unwilling to abandon her companions, she sheathes her axes and draws her bow once again, taking a cautious step away from the giant insect.
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 25, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20+5=21 d4=2 d20+5=20 d4=3 Sunday July 17th, 2005 11:58:01 AM
If Rose picked up her bow last round she shoots a few arrows at the giant bug so theo can get away.
If Rose did not pick up her bow last round she will move the remaining distance to her bow and pick it up.
Arrows are magic, bow is not attack 1: 21, +1 magic, +1 if point blank damage: 2, +1 magic, +1 if point blank attack 2: 20, +1 magic, +1 if point blank damage: 3, +1 magic, +1 if point blank
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min 12 of 30 rounds Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min 12 of 300 rounds Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes 12 of 40 rounds Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance lasts 3 min 10 of 30 rounds shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min 12 of 30 rounds potion of haste: one extra attack, +1 to attack , ac and reflex saves speed increases 30' or max of double normal movement (ie total for rose is 40') 3 of 5 rounds
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 21 (dodge vs giant centipede) AC 23 vs Chaotic creatures d20+2=19 Sunday July 17th, 2005 12:55:57 PM
Theodore staggers, but the forward momentum of his run helps him to keep his feet under him. (Reflex 19)
Vauhwyt's plan sounds like a good one to the frightened wizard. "I have the seeds! Let's make haste back to the temple!"
He sprints away from the pumpkin, hoisting his trousers up to keep from slipping on the too-long pant legs.
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 87 min 0 rounds Alter Self 36 min 8 rounds Protection from Chaos 2 min 7 rounds Dancing Lights 0 rounds (expired)
On Topplings and Haste (DM Kup) Monday July 18th, 2005 11:36:41 PM
Gathering themselves from the tremor that had shaken several to the ground, the group started to beat a hasty retreat toward the Temple of Wardd.
Vauhwyt called for the others to head in that direction as she dusted herself off and led the way. Berlon, too, was able to regain his feet. The swarms of vermin were likely to trample the gnome had he stayed on the ground in any event. Dietrich was likewise affected by the tremors, and he joined those pulling back from the market. Vorelle changed weapons as she retreated more slowly. Rose moved to pick up her discarded bow (where?). Theo indicated his agreement with the party's direction, and joined them in all haste.
The party began to fall back, and the red fey creature--who was still hovering above the pumpkin--chattered and screeched in frustration. The massive creature whose head had emerged from the pumpkin seemed to respond; it disappeared from view once more as it dove back within the pumpkin, and, for just a moment, all grew still.
Then the tremors began again, and a pile of dirt and paving stones began uprooting themselves from the base of the pumpkin! The path of rubble began moving toward in the direction of the party's travel--it unmistakably marked the passing of a large, burrowing creature as it tunneled forward.
Not far away, Olyn continued to run down the street toward the market. There, off in the distance, he could see--a pumpkin? (Let's assume, if you continue to run full tilt, that you reach the edge of the market at the end of next round.)
Everyone else--anyone not moving at a full run out of the market, say so in your next post. The "burrowing" has moved forward 20' from the edge of the pumpkin this round. For simplicity's sake (and so I can dispense with maps while I am traveling), I will assume that the party's "average" distance from the leading edge of the tunnel is 60', although some people--Theo, notably--clearly began closer than that.
Olyn Tuesday July 19th, 2005 1:14:08 AM
keeps booking
Loretta Tuesday July 19th, 2005 2:27:40 AM
Rose's bow is where she dropped it in round 6, as I've deleted the old maps I'm not sure where it is, but it was one move from where vauhwyt had fallen. as rose is hasted I'm sure she had been able to pick it up. I'll post in the morning.
Dietrich AC 18, HP 31/40, blessing Tuesday July 19th, 2005 9:08:10 AM
Dietrich continues running towards the temple of Wardd, but stays close to the not so fast members, looking back to make sure no comrade is left behind. He is worried about the vermin burrowing in their direction and keeps his sword ready and takes care not to come in the path of the monster.
"Friends, stay together! Berlon, keep your fire prepared for when that thing comes to the surface!"
Looking at Vorelle, he points in direction of the annoying red fey..
Berlon (HP 21/28, AC 20, Bless 2m 24s) Tuesday July 19th, 2005 11:08:01 AM
"Yeah... about that..." Berlon says as he once again places his crossbow at his feet ((free action) "I don't have any left."
"At this point, I don't have anything left that wouldn't be more effective than you, me and Vauhwyt smashing it into a fine mushy paste..."
"Except for this maybe..." he draws a scroll this time (move action) and recites some Gnomish magic. (standard action)
Bull's Strength - 3m, +4 str (+2/+2)
Vauhwyt (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, AC22, HP 31 of 32, Mage Armor, Bless) and Mookie (AC19, HP16, Mage Armor, Bless) 2d8(3+1)+3=7 d8=5 d20+3=5 Tuesday July 19th, 2005 2:20:08 PM
Vauhwyt takes a second to understand what is happening. A vermin that had to be what? 50? 80? feet long poked its head out of the pumpkin, and then dived down and is now burrowing towards the party at speed!
Dietrich is running, but Berlon is taking the time to stand fast and read a scroll!!
The liontaur hesitates. If she runs, she will be a coward, leaving Berlon to face the monster alone. If she turns, she may be killed -- the thing is HUGE!
Wait! Wolverines can burrow! "Mookie! Send the Wolverine to fight the monsterr!" (Speaks as a free action)
Then she calls her unseen servant to her, if it is around, and tells it to help Mookie with the Bag of Tricks. (Speaks as a free action.)
The she tells Mookie, if she has time, "Mookie, ready another trick if the wolverine dies." (Speaks as a free action, I hope.)
Then she takes a five foot step closer to Berlon. Then she takes a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds out of her belt pouch (move action) and drinks it (standard action) (rerolling a 1, that heals 11).
She has her spear in hand. If she has any chance to make an AoO, then her roll is (+2 BAB, +1 Bless, +1 MW Spear, -1 size = +3) misses.
Mookie orders the wolverine to attack the oncoming monster. He readies an action -- activate bag of tricks if the wolverine dies. In doing so, he will position the new trick between Vauhwyt and the oncoming monster.
Mookie shouts, "Boss, you are crazy! Leaping Lem, Berlon, get out of here now!"
Finally, just to push the ultimate envelope of what can be done in one round, Vauhwyt taps a button on her shirt, activating a Seal of Feasting --
• Feasting Seal, "When you activate this seal it will produce a full turkey and all the trimmings that will feed a whole group and releave you all of hunger." (Poetry contest prize, awarded in GG 24 Dec 04.)
Maybe the monster will be distracted by the sudden appearance of a feast before it!
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 32/35] d20+9=24 d8+1=8 Tuesday July 19th, 2005 3:10:35 PM
Vorelle isn't especially interested in running from the giant insect. It's faster than we are, she thinks, so running from it is a waste of time. And even if we do get away, all we do is turn it loose on the rest of Dirt City.
She sees Dietrich's gesture, and aims an arrow at the dusty red fae.
[Hit AC 24 for 8 points damage, from a magic bow. Not sure what the range is, but even with an increment penalty, that should hit.]
DM Kup: no time to explain more fully, but I don't see the creature's movements--if it is just one creature--as inconsistent with an expected movement rate. "Falling" (repositioning, really) for a huge creature from 60' up, and then burrowing, say, 40' forward, didn't strike me as unreasonable in a single round for a creature which (hypothetically, of course) has a burrowing rate of, oh, say, about 20' for a move action.
More later, though.
Kathy--OOC Tuesday July 19th, 2005 5:26:47 PM
[Kup, I'm not sure I follow you. All I said was the critter was faster than us (or at least, Vorelle perceives it to be faster than us), not that the speed was unexpected.]
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 21 (dodge vs giant centipede) AC 23 vs Chaotic creatures Tuesday July 19th, 2005 9:34:16 PM
"I'm heading for the temple with the seeds!" hollers Theodore as he continues to run as fast as he can.
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 86 min 9 rounds Alter Self 36 min 7 rounds Protection from Chaos 2 min 6 rounds
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? (DM Kup) Tuesday July 19th, 2005 11:00:36 PM Oy, just one more day of traveling and I will be in a position to really focus down again. Sorry if I continue to miss details--just let me know if I miss something crucial.
Imagine, dear reader, the scene that the elven cleric of Wardd Olyn saw as he raced up to the northeast entrance to the Full Moon Market on this fateful day:
The familiar streets of Dirt City were covered with grimy, creeping vines. The dead littered the streets in unattended, undignified heaps. A large, orange pumpkin dominated the ivy-shrouded market.
There, not far ahead of him, Olyn could see his friend Theodore running in his direction. The mage was yelling, "I'm heading for the temple with the seeds!" Not far behind Theo, Berlon's familiar form was standing; the gnome appeared to be reciting a scroll. There, too, was Dietrich, also hustling in Olyn's direction, and as usual in a battle, the ursine warrior was shouting directions. Farther into the market, Olyn could see Rose retrieving her bow from the ground and turning to face the ground. But where were the enemy combatants? And what was Rose planning to shoot?
Vauhwyt and Mookie were standing off to one side. Vauhwyt was directing Mookie to do something. (I don't know if redirecting the Unseen Servant counts as a free action or a standard action, but let's not bother deciding that right now--the servant was already commanded to help Mookie with the Bag.) The liontaur was drinking a potion and pressing a button, and there--presto!--was a table with a dressed and stuffed turkey!. Meanwhile, Mookie, that crazy bird, was shouting something at a--a wolverine? And the oversized weasel was growling something back, as if to say, "I can't burrow through flagstones!"
Olyn could hear the thrum of a bowstring and the whistle of an arcing arrow, and his eyes were drawn to another quarter of the market. There was the silent, but deadly twilight ranger Vorelle, her bowstring still vibrating from the arrow that was now flying high above the market, finding a mark in a--a small, red, flying creature, high above the pumpkin. The creature shrieked with rage as the arrow connected with its midsection, and it flew away.
Perhaps Olyn might not have known what to make of all of this. Perhaps his attention would have been focused too much on his friends to notice other happenings about the market. But, surely, even with all of these distractions, Olyn would not have failed to notice two other, very salient details:
(1) The market was rapidly filling with thousands of huge, black, slithering bugs with giant mandibles--and they did not look friendly; and
(2) There was a loud rumbling coming from a path of upraised flagstones from the pumpkin to about 60'--no, 40'--no, 20'! from the group's present position. Whatever was causing those flagstones to become upended, it would reach the group in mere seconds.
I'm again writing without the benefit of a map (and I know you all are too, sorry!). But let's say that Rose is closest to the "burrowing," followed by Vorelle, then Vauhwyt, then Dietrich and Berlon, then Theo.
Vauhwyt (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, AC22, HP 31 of 32, Mage Armor, Bless) and Mookie (AC19, HP16, Mage Armor, Bless) Tuesday July 19th, 2005 11:32:49 PM
Vauhwyt sees that the group has one more chance to get out before the vermin horde swarmed them. She shouts in her most commanding voice, "RUN NOW! ROSE! BERLON! EVERYBODY! RUN!"
Vauhwyt turns her own tail and runs in the direction Theo went.
"Bout time, Boss," says Mookie.
Vauhwyt is too breathless from shouting and running to tell the raven to hush.
Olyn Wednesday July 20th, 2005 12:36:55 AM
turns and runs back towards the Temple as fast as he can go. movex4
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 32/35] d20+9=15 Wednesday July 20th, 2005 2:51:30 AM
Reluctant to simply abandon Dirt City to its fate, Vorelle fires once more at the fae flying high above the market. Maybe the bugs will stop without the little pest giving them orders. Her shot is good, but not good enough.
Out of time, Vorelle turns and hustles after her companions.
[Hit AC 15, which I assume isn't good enough.]
Rose hp: 20/23 AC 25, blur (concelment 20% miss chance) d20=13 4d6(4+2+5+2)=13 Wednesday July 20th, 2005 4:27:30 AM
Rose quickly casts a spell aiming for the creature that is about to attack, then runs at full speed back towards the rest of the group.
cast scorching ray for 13 fire damage ranged touch: 13, +1 base, +3 dex, +1 small, +1 haste, +1 bless = 20 (i listed everything because i'm still not quite sure about how to make them)
Active spells Seal of Blessed Sleep: Use when going to sleep to have a +1 insight on all skill actions and saving throws for the next day. Mage armor, 3 hr Shield, 3 min 12 of 30 rounds Barkskin, +2 enhancement to natural armor, 30min 12 of 300 rounds Bless, +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and save vs fear, 4 minutes 12 of 40 rounds Blur: outline appears blurred get concealment, 20% miss chance lasts 3 min 10 of 30 rounds shield: negates magic missile, +4 cover bonus to ac lasts 3 min 12 of 30 rounds potion of haste: one extra attack, +1 to attack , ac and reflex saves speed increases 30' or max of double normal movement (ie total for rose is 40') 4 of 5 rounds
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) Wednesday July 20th, 2005 4:41:26 PM
Theodore continues to run. He catches a glimpse of Olyn running ahead of him, and smiles.
[italics] I'm glad he's back to his senses, [/italics] he thinks to himself.
Mage Armor 4 hours Barkskin +4 86 min 8 rounds Alter Self 36 min 6 rounds Protection from Chaos 2 min 5 rounds
Berlon (HP 21/28, AC 20, Bless 2m 18s, Bull's Strength 3m) Wednesday July 20th, 2005 6:54:31 PM
"I'm not as fast as it is, and I'm not as good or as experienced at running as some of you. Run and hide and close your eyes and hope things magically fix themselves."
Berlon takes a 5' step around the corner of the stall where he picked up his crossbow. He'll peek around the corner trying to stay clear of the swarm of small insects, and try to focus on whatever Big Thing is causing the ground to displace.
But, just in case, Berlon casts Sanctuary.
Sanctuary - 4 rounds, attacker must make Will Save DC 14 or can not attack
The Temple of Wardd
Flight and Avoidance (DM Kup) Wednesday July 20th, 2005 10:51:06 PM
Most of the group took off running for the refuge of the Temple, with the newly returned Olyn running at their forefront. A few had literal or figurative parting shots--Vorelle's futile missile for the fey, Rose's aborted spell (no line of sight, my dear!)--but even Berlon had to see the futility of a stand-and-fight against the hordes of monstrously large centipedes and the creature that was now burrowing their way, and together, the group ran through the streets of Dirt City, stumbling and slipping on snatching, climbing vines, the burrowing of the huge creature never far behind.
(Berlon--don't you? These are not "small" bugs. Think "Medium" bugs--i.e., bigger than you--and there are hundreds of them. Thousands, in fact, counting the ones elsewhere in the courtyard. Then there's the thing burrowing under the ground. I won't force you to run, of course--if you really want to stay, just say so in your next post.)
At last, together, the group reached the relative safety of the Temple of Wardd. A concerned Clu'eth stood just inside the doors. "Inside, inside!" he waved with his good hand. "Quickly!" His eyes grew wide as he saw the burrow that was fast approaching behind them.
I'm home--at last! I should be able to catch up and regroup tomorrow. But for now, I wanted to award some Hero points from the combat sequence just recently (and presumably) completed.
In my face-to-face gaming days 15 years ago, I used Hero points very similarly to the way they're used here in the Wold. I would award them on the spot for good roleplaying, heroic actions, and just whenever I felt like it. I see no reason not to follow that practice here. In my game, players can earn hero points both for valor, cunning, ingenuity, and daring, as well just for posting darn good, readable posts! For now--
Theo: gets a hero point for braving the pumpkin by himself and using some very creative spellcasting to his advantage!
Vauhwyt: gets a hero point for helping me behind the scenes manage my way through my first Woldian combat!
And while I'm on the subject, a word about combat: I follow a policy of trying to provide a mixture of challenges for the PCs. Some will be easy; some will be challenging; some will be simply impossible! In some circumstances, the only rational behavior will be to run--or to perish. Both from the DM's inexperience with DnD, as well as general DMing philosophy, PC fatalities are a possibility. Not every decision will be a safe one. Consider yourselves warned! : )
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) Thursday July 21st, 2005 10:22:56 AM
Huffing and puffing, Theodore puts in a final burst of speed as he sprints towards and through the temple doors.
"I...I have..." He pauses a moment to catch his breath. "I have the seeds!" he exclaims. "Please take them."
Theodore retrieves the three plate-sized pumpkin seeds from his satchel and offers them to Clu'eth.
Dietrich AC 18, HP 31/40 Thursday July 21st, 2005 11:03:18 AM
Glad to have made it safely to the temple,Dietrich stops running and stays ready at the gate to protect his friends passing and stop any bugs from entering.
Probably the fight is unavoidable, but with the Warrdians on their side and better defensive position the odds are now much better.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday July 21st, 2005 7:44:05 PM
Inside the temple, Vauhwyt takes a great breath of relief, but then turns in case the holy building needs a stout defense.
"Boss! Take it easy! You were practically dead," says Mookie.
"Take it easy yourself, goofbird," says Vauhwyt. "And thanks. You did good out therre."
"But not as good as Theo! Wowsy, Theo, that was the bravest thing I saw any of us ever do!"
Rose Thursday July 21st, 2005 8:45:17 PM
Rose runs as fast as she can into the temple "Junior! Junior! We got the seeds!"
Olyn Thursday July 21st, 2005 9:20:12 PM
offers skins of water to the group members and zaps those needing healing with his wand.
Rose (illegal 2nd post) Friday July 22nd, 2005 12:11:54 AM
When Olyn offers water Rose starts washing some of the blood off of her hands, reassuring her brother that it's not her's but Vauhwyt's.
Behind Closed Doors (DM Kup) Friday July 22nd, 2005 12:34:56 AM Shegger: please note that I am subbing in for Berlon and Vorelle as both of their players take a break.
The party ran inside the heavy double doors of the Temple, and Clu'eth signaled to two young priests. "Seal the gates! Seal the gates!" he exclaimed. With the help of the other priests, Clu'eth drew the doors shut just as the line of debris from the burrowing creature drew within a few feet of the Temple steps!
The doors shut solidly and long, heavy bracing beams were drawn across them. Clu'eth muttered a few words under his breath and closed his eyes, holding his unwithered arm outstretched in the direction of the doors. A moment later, the party felt and heard a heavy thud coming from directly between, and just below, the doors themselves. The thud repeated itself once, twice, thrice--then quieted.
Clu'eth exhaled slowly. "We are blessed with Wardd's luck," he stated simply. "The wards and defenses of the Temple have held--for now." He turned to face the party and accepted Theo's proffered seeds.
"Yes," he nodded as he turned the seeds over in his hand, considering. "Yes, I can see now how these could be used. You have done well."
He handed the seeds to one of the younger priests. "Take these to the alchemists," he directed. The younger priest accepted the seeds and bowed low before turning to scamper off toward a staircase. Clu'eth faced the group again.
"We can hope that, with those seeds, we can devise an antidote to the disease that has ravaged so many--too many," he added, as he looked sadly at Rose before turning away.
"You should all rest. The seeds have attracted the attention of the King's minions, and they are not likely to be daunted by our wards and alarms forever. The alchemists tell me that they will need three days to distill an antidote, and we will need to protect their work here for that time."
As Clu'eth spoke, another young priest ran up and bowed before addressing the elder cleric. "Master Clu'eth," he began breathlessly. "The lower level is sealed. None can come in--or out."
"Good," Clu'eth nodded, and smiled at the panting young man. He placed his good hand on the young cleric's shoulder. "Tell the others to distribute weapons from the armory and set watches. We should expect to be tested by the fey, and we must be ready. With Wardd's fortune, we will prevail. Go."
Clu'eth turned back to the party. "Your assistance will be needed on the watches as well, but there will be time enough for that. For now, go--attend to your wounds and your rest. There are--those who may need your attention within." He said no more on the topic.
Vorelle looked around the group for a moment, and her face grew worried. "Wh-wh-wh-wh--where's Berlon?"
The gnome was nowhere to be seen. Indeed, as the others reflected on it--none had seen him enter the Temple doors. One moment, he had been running alongside the rest of them--and the next moment he had vanished. He was nowhere to be found inside the Temple's confines.
There are ample healing services available in the Temple, and, should you wish, each of you may find sufficient healing to recover full strength and attributes before proceeding.
Rose Friday July 22nd, 2005 5:20:03 AM
Rose looks around for Junior as the priest is speaking. "Where's Junior?" She asks the priest. Then Vorelle mentions that Berlon is missing. Rose looks around for Berlon but doesnt see him and before the priest can answer her question about her brother she asks him another one. "Did you see Berlon as we were coming in? He was with us, so where did he go?"
Dietrich d20+4=13 d20+4=11 d20+4=23 Friday July 22nd, 2005 10:27:53 AM
Dietrich is worried at Berlon's disappearance and he wonders what happenend to the stubborn Gnome. He swears and makes a short prayer, hoping that the worst didn't happen... He finally notices Olyn's return and is happy to see the old friend by their side again, specially in this strange times, where the elves seem to have been lured to evil.
He patches Theo's shoulder in recognition of his corageous (suicidal?) deed, but he says: "Next time wait for us, heh!? I wouldn't like to have to extract you from the stinking belly of a vermin!"
The warrior observes the defense preparations intensely, but before anything, he knows the group needs to recover from the last fight and he goes to have his own painful wounds healed.
On his way, Dietrich analyses the building for defensive purposes: masonry 13, carpentry 11, military knowledge 23
DM Kup Friday July 22nd, 2005 4:07:30 PM Given the last-minute nature of my previous post and the slow response up to now, I'll hold off on an official DM post for Friday until over the weekend. I think we could all use a breather anyway!
Theodore and Macaw HP 16/18 AC 20 (22 vs chaotic creatures) Friday July 22nd, 2005 8:25:16 PM
Theodore lets out a deep breath of relief. He smiles at Vauhwyt and Dietrich's compliments.
"Thank you, but it was the only thing that I could have done," he shrugs it off. He does feel proud, though. As if he's finally given something back to the friends that have always protected him so well.
Taking Clu'eth's advice, Theodore goes off in search of healing and rest.
Vauhwyt (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, AC22, HP 31 of 32, Mage Armor, Bless) and Mookie (AC19, HP16, Mage Armor, Bless) Saturday July 23rd, 2005 11:12:51 AM
The liontaur is grateful for the attentions of the clerics.
"Thank you," she says as she has a little rest.
Olyn Saturday July 23rd, 2005 5:41:57 PM
seeing that all are being tended to and a brief respite has been offered, Olyn goes to the sanctuary, sits on a pew up near the front, and begins praying for the success of the alchemist, Berlon's safe return, and the defeat of the Fey King.
In Sickness and In Health(DM Kup) Saturday July 23rd, 2005 11:42:11 PM
With the doors sealed and time for their eyes to adjust to the gloom of the Temple, the party took stock.
The Temple of Wardd was a familiar building to all of them, as it was to many in Dirt City. From the doorway antechamber where they initially stood, they could look in upon a large, central chamber, in which the main sanctuary was placed. The entire structure had been built on donations, and--typical for the God of Chance whose House it was--the donations were apparently random and diverse, and yet always seemed to come in just the appropriate time and nature to fit the need. As a result, however, the structure of beams, pillars, and joists that supported the massive dome that capped the sanctuary were wildly divergent from one another in materials, shapes, sizes, and appearances.
Much of this main sanctuary had been converted into a hospital ward. Many of the pews had been shifted to one side to make room for makeshift cots, mattresses, and blankets. All of these were filled with the sick and the dying of Dirt City. Coughs, cackles, and gasps filled the room, and the faces of the sick were contorted into the hideous, mask-like grins that the group had seen on the corpses in the streets and on the elves in the Full Moon Market as well. Priests and temple acolytes wandered through the rows of the sick, pausing only momentarily to offer some comfort, a sip of water, and a hurried prayer for the dying. High above the sanctuary, a catwalk ringed the dome. Among the nests of rock doves that roosted there, one could see moving the shadows of a few priests who were standing guard and peering out narrow windows along the catwalk.
Off to the western side of the sanctuary, a smaller chapel had been converted into another ward for the sick, and this room, too, was filled to overflowing. Most of the City folk who populated this room were ambulatory, but none of them appeared completely healthy. Here, many families lay huddled, their faces worried and morose. This chapel shared an external wall that faced out in the direction of the Market, and, standing in this room, those of the party who lingered for a moment could hear occasional distant echoes of underground thuds and scraping noises--as if something big was trying, unsuccessfully for the moment, to get in.
To the east of the main sanctuary were the priests' chambers. Clu'eth indicated that the alchemists were there, busily working with the seeds that Theo had recovered. Much of that space had been converted into housing for the time being as well, he explained; the acolytes' chambers on the floors below were being used to store foodstuffs, and still more refugees had filled the remaining space Below.
Dietrich: Highlight to display spoiler: {The priests seemed to have set wards that were beyond your military expertise. But there was no telling, just by looking, whether the priests who guard the Temple from the catwalks above really have a sufficient vantage-point to survey all the possible points of attack--nor did it seem likely to you that the attack would necessarily come from above ground in any event. The priests, too, struck you as poor soliders--they were little better than scared initiates. They wouldn't last long in a battle with the fey creatures you've encountered, you imagined.}
Rose's queries about Berlon and Junior elicited saddened looks from Clu'eth. The priest shook his head. "I did not see your friend enter, I'm afraid. I'm sorry. As to Junior ...." he paused.
"He was tending to the sick. He was determined to do all he could. He worked harder and longer than all of the rest of us, as if he were possessed. Then, this morning, just after you left, he doubled over. We took him to the the healers, and they examined him."
"He is badly infected. It must have been incubating for days. It is one of the worst infections that I had seen."
"He lays over there now--" Clu'eth indicated a spot near the altar, then pursed his lips. "There is nothing more we can do for him. Perhaps if we are able to devise an antidote in time, but ...." he shrugged, and pursed his lips again. "I am sorry."
Indeed, there seemed to be many in Junior's predictament. Rows upon rows of the sick seemed scarcely able to breathe, and the entire sanctuary had developed the pallor of a mortuary. As they passed among the rows, there were faces that were vaguely familiar among the infected: there lay a fruit-seller from the Keys Quarter; here a shipwright from the docks; there a tavern maid; here, there, and elsewhere, still others. The sick were too numerous to count, and yet ....
Theo saw him first. There, off to one side and not far from where Clu'eth had indicated Junior would be ... lay Zayne!
Rose Sunday July 24th, 2005 2:40:25 AM
When Clu'eth says that Junior is very ill Rose goes pale, shakes her head, and mouths the no a few times until he points to where Junior is laying. Rose immediatly runs over to her brother "Junior, Junior! She calls as she runs hoping for an answer, she doesnt even notice Zayne as she runs past him. When she reaches her brother she kneels down beside him and as it becomes apparent how very ill he is tears stream down her face. She sits beside him and pillows his head on her lap so that hopefully he will breathe easier. Then digs into her bag and pulls out a waterskin and a piece of cloth that she uses to cool him down and hopefully reduce his fever. All the while she murmers to him telling him that he has to get well and reminding him of things that they did as children.
Dietrich Sunday July 24th, 2005 9:28:39 AM
Dietrich is overwhelmed by the ammount of sick people in the temple and the general atmosphere of gloom and decay, despite the interesting architecture. He is worried with the Temple's battle readiness, which again reminds him of the imminent attack on the City itself. Things definetely are not looking well. The Bear makes a short prayer to Domi for the courage to keep fighting.
Dietrich feels compassion for Rose's pain and worry, but he doesn't really know how to express it and remains in the background. When he sees Zayne, the fighter moves to see how his old comrade is doing.
Shortly afterwards though, the ex-soldier prefers to direct his energy to practical matters, also as a means to escape the growing despair. He goes after the people in charge to ask some questions, in preparation of yet another council to be held soon with the party.
How many "troops" do we have? Are the clerics able to cast spells? Is there a way to produce flamable material? Is there a map of the temple area, including underground passages? Do we still have contact with the outside world, possibility of getting help from the Prince and/or House troops? How long can we hold a siege (water, food etc.)?
Theodore and Macaw Sunday July 24th, 2005 10:20:47 AM
"Zayne!" Theodore exclaims as he notices his sick friend. He kneels down beside the ranger. "We were all wondering what had become of you. You just disappeared on us!"
Only now seeming to notice the state his friend was in, concern tightened the wizard's forhead. "Oh, no. Not you, too. Take heart, Zayne! Even now they are creating an antidote to help everyone. Dirt City still needs your help."
Theodore will stay with Zayne, Rose, and Junior not knowing what else to do. "I feel so helpless," he mutters to himself as he pats Rose's hair, awkwardly.
Zayne Sunday July 24th, 2005 8:05:05 PM
Sitting there confused and barely able to piece together his recent memories of the last couple weeks. He wonders where exactly he is how he got to be here and how is he going to tell his friends what he found out about the book and the Prince.
He hears someone call his name and it doesn't really register, not until he hears it again and then he just looks at the source with a bewildered look on his face.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday July 25th, 2005 3:18:18 PM
"Zayne! Zayne! We sure did miss you!" Vauhwyt bounds up and sits next to the ill ranger. "You look horrible! Well, there is a cure going around soon. Or there will be."
In the Temple of the Lord of Chance (DM Kup) Monday July 25th, 2005 10:02:13 PM
Dietrich was asking questions. Unfortunately, there were few answers. "Troops?" came the reply. "We are priests, not soldiers. Our task is to minister to the needy, to heal, and to attend to the Lord of Chance. Alea jacta est."
"Flammable material? Look around you: there is plenty to set fire. But what would we do with all of these people if a fire were set here in the Temple? Would you burn Wardd's own House?"
"Maps? The Lord of Chance frowns upon maps. They are too ... deliberate. You are welcome to wander, however. Explore. Let chance take you." (Don't worry. I'll get you a map. ; ) )
"The Prince? The Houses? All of them were compromised by the plague. We dare not risk venturing outside with the fey creatures seeking to get in." (But of course, you are welcome to try--or to try persuading someone else....)
The Temple seems well-stocked for food. Luck shined upon the Priests--of course!--and they were able to gather unspoilt food and water just before the siege began.
Zayne was making a miraculous recovery. Theo's touch seemed to have sparked something in him. He still seemed weary and a bit weakened, but he was conscious, and the priests were giving him permission to move about.
Not so for Junior. The halfling looked sickly and pale, his face pasty and covered in sweat. He took Rose's hand weakly and chuckled, his mouth mirroring the grotesque grins of the disease's former victims. "Hiya, sis," he gasped weakly, and coughed. "Did they tell you how great I did? They're really--" he hacked again, and swallowed with difficulty. "They're really ... really proud ...." His eyes rolled up in his head, and his body began quaking. A priest nearby rushed up and asked the adventurers to step back as he ministered to Junior.
Theodore and Macaw Monday July 25th, 2005 10:55:20 PM
Theodore helps Zayne away from the crowd forming around Junior. "This way, my friend. Please take it easy. Conserve your strength."
The wizard helps his ranger friend to a less crowded space and tries to make him comfortable.
Vorelle Tuesday July 26th, 2005 12:00:09 AM
Needing to be doing something, Vorelle assists the Temple priests in caring for Zayne, then Junior.
[With her Healer's Kit, Vorelle has a +11 on her Heal checks, which means she automatically succeeeds to Aid Another.]
rose Tuesday July 26th, 2005 2:28:29 AM
Rose is trying to comfort Junior when he says that the priests are really proud of him she places a kiss on his forehead and says "Of course, they're proud of you, we all are." Then Junior starts convulsing and she moves aside to let the priests help Junior.
She thinks about this morning, how although Petorin, Aunt Grace, and Uncle Vic are sick they didnt seem so sick. She thinks of how fast this disease can kill and wonders if the cure will be made in time to heal Junior, Zayne, Petorin, Aunt Grace, Uncle Vic and all the others. And she thinks of how after the cure is ready, they still have to get through the beasts that are attacking the temple to get the cure for the rest of her family and the city.
Tears roll down Rose's face as she thinks all these things. It seems hopeless and she remember the last words her father said to her that morning ...look out for Junior... it keeps running through her mind over and over.
Olyn Tuesday July 26th, 2005 8:34:23 AM
moving to Rose, Olyn stands beside her, and like a brother puts his head on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
and stands there silently praying to Wardd for Juniors recovery saying to Wardd only: my life for his.
Zayne Tuesday July 26th, 2005 9:59:50 AM
Zanye sits up groggily and attempts to stand up,"It's good to see you guys. How long have I been gone? Seems like months." He holds his hand to his forehead, and nearly falls down the cot he was resting on is all that prevents him from hitting the floor.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday July 26th, 2005 1:51:30 PM
"i don;t think it's been more than a week or three," Vauhwyt tells Zayne. "To be truthful, I've been a little woozy myself lately."
Mookie pipes up, "You got that right, Boss!"
The liontaur responds, "Hush Mookie!"
rose (illegal 2nd post) Tuesday July 26th, 2005 4:59:25 PM
Rose keeps thinking...was there something she could have done to get the seeds faster, maybe she should have ignored the fae and went into the pumpkin with theo...maybe...maybe...maby........
Blessed Rest (DM Kup) Tuesday July 26th, 2005 10:38:48 PM
The adventurers spent much of the next few hours tending to wounds, getting rest (in some cases, much-needed rest), and ministering to the sick, including friends and loved ones. Olyn's silent prayers, this time, did not receive an answer--but was that distant laughter echoing in his head his imagination?Vorelle offered her help to some of the sick--she was able to make them comfortable, but their condition did not seem to improve.
On that subject, Zayne's condition continued to seem to improve, while Junior's continued to worsen. The priests tending to him tended to hurry by rather than meet Rose's eyes. In the already morbid Temple, the corner in which Junior lay seemed somehow darker, and more grim than the others--like the shadow of Gargul was growing ever closer.
Meanwhile, however, those who were at liberty to were free to roam the Temple. It was a truly magnificent structure, even in its present (increased) state of disarray. There was much to see. There, in one corner, stood a case holding dice once used by V'rutus "Sky" Kolchak; in an alcove formed by two pillars, here was the lucky kobold's foot once carried by the patriarch of the House of Teeth. There were relics and objects aplenty, including Wardd's Holy Tables. They were familiar to all of you--Devotion Dice, Wardd's Wheel, and the Blessed Ball. A few priests, clearly those who regularly attended these tables, hung around them morosely.
(A map of Level 1--the Above level--including the catwalk is on its way to all of you. Excel format--this map is mighty big. I'll see what I can do about providing a legible picture format.)
Rose Tuesday July 26th, 2005 10:43:20 PM
Rose stays by her brother, giving him water and talking to him. At one point she leaves him for a moment to ask the priests when they think the cure will be ready and to ask if since that morning anyother of her family members have been brought in. She then goes back to her brother and doesnt leave him except when told to so the priests can work on him.
Vauhwyt (Str 11 of 14, Con 12 of 14, AC22, HP 31 of 32, Mage Armor, Bless) and Mookie (AC19, HP16, Mage Armor, Bless) Tuesday July 26th, 2005 11:33:22 PM
With all the wound and dying laying around, Vauhwyt does not ask for healing. Still, she sure does look a mess, with three big injuries -- fang marks on cheek and nose, stings on hand and hindleg. Having been knocked unconscious in battle and then running from a horde of bugs, the weary liontaur is glad to grab a corner with a few blankets and get some rest. She is too tired to explore the cathedral.
Mookie sees that his mistress is not about to ask for help, so after Vauhwyt falls asleep (which takes all of two seconds), the bird whistles at Vorelle when he sees her nearby. "Hey toots! Do the Boss a favor and work your healing arts on her, wouldja please? You're good with a band aid, and the Boss is hurtin', if you have a chance, please."
Vorelle may not much appreciate being called "toots," but this is probably the first time she heard Mookie use the word "please," much less twice in the same breath.
Dietrich Wednesday July 27th, 2005 6:36:13 AM
Dietrich is a little annoyed by the answers he gets (he prefers clerics like Olyn,with their full plate and morningstars...), but asks for someone to heal his wounds without much hesitation. The pragmatic soldier knows they will need him at his full to battle the bugs and any impractical modesty can cost dearly in the current situation. All the scenes of suffering make him uneasy. He's seen too much of it in the past and it's something he learnt to push to the back of his mind, so as not to succumb to the feeling of impotence. Keeping cold at the surface and grabing the hold of his greatsword, he thinks: "Let the nurses do their job, I'll do mine."
Dietrich wishes Berlon and his alchemical skills were there, as something like greek fire would be great (perhaps vital) to defend the temple from the insects. In any case, he continues the inspection, looking for lamp oil and similar stuff.
Dietrich looks up at the relics and thinks: "We're really going to need your luck.."
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday July 27th, 2005 9:43:54 AM
Theodore waves off any offers for healing. A short while later, the small wound he suffered at the hands of one of the impish fey has completely disappeared. (ring of regeneration)
The young wizard splits his time between checking on Zayne's rapidly improving condition and the priests working on the antidote. As always, Theodore is insufferably curious about the process involved and attacks the clerics with numerous questions.
Vorelle d20+11=25 Wednesday July 27th, 2005 10:32:01 AM
Vorelle gladly turns her attention to Vauhwyt, binding up her wounds and making her comfortable. "G-g-get some r-rest," she tells her friend, and tends her while she does so. She also tries to get her other injured friends to rest while she watches over them.
[Heal check 25, which succeeds for "long-term care" for up to six people. It enables Vauhwyt (plus whoever else) to regain hit points at twice the normal rate.]
Olyn Wednesday July 27th, 2005 10:32:37 AM
*in a couple posts ago I said I was offering water and zapping groupmates with my healing wand, those of you who need healing, roll 1d8+1 enough times to fully heal yourself and tell me so i know how many charges to deduct. and dont say no cuz it's already been done*
fully geared up for battle, and a fresh scar on his right hand that he refuses to let anyone cure except with a bandage, Olyn approaches Dietrich.
where do you want me, im ready to kill that @$^* out there and send it back to the Fey Kings hell.
Zayne Wednesday July 27th, 2005 2:22:13 PM
Shaking off his momentary weakness,"It's proably too late if it's been that long. Were you able to keep the book out of the Prince's hands? If you werent it is too late by now and we have to kill him." Looking around at his friend's faces.
"I thought I had seen the last of you all. It is some sort of miracle that I'm here." He lets out a weak chuckle,"Somebody do me a favor and make sure I am not allowed to run around by myself again, at least not in Dirt City."
He stands up slowly this time, and it may be the shadows or some other trick of the lighting but the young ranger looks slightly taller than the last time anyone set eyes on him.
Berlon (HP 21/28) Wednesday July 27th, 2005 2:56:43 PM
A knock on the doors reveals that Berlon has made his way back to the temple. He looks around the structure with a frown and a wrinkled nose.
"Luck?" he questions, "Luck is the crutch of the unprepared. A true warrior works to eliminate the factor of luck, and these people *rely* on it. How unfortunate."
Without another word or gesture to the group or clerics around him, Berlon rests against a wall...
A Knock at the Door? (DM Kup) Wednesday July 27th, 2005 9:32:07 PM
Rose tended lovingly to her ailing brother. He did not seem to regain consciousness, however, and he only moaned softly in response to her comforts. Occasionally the corners of his mouth would twitch and tug upwards, and the tiniest of snickers would emerge. "That's the sickness," a passing priest observed. "Some call it The Laughing Death. They all get those horrid grins on their faces right before ...." He trailed off, mumbled an apologetic excuse, and moved on to assist others.
While Vorelle tended to Vauhwyt's wounds and ordered her patient to bed, Theo, meanwhile, had gone to find the alchemists that were working on the antidote. There were a set of them--curious, hunched figures with darkly stained fingers--working in one of the rooms off of the eastern vestibule (in the northeast corner on the map). The room was dominated by seemingly miles of tubing connecting intricate arrays of beakers set over small flames, and the alchemists scurried here and there checking on bubbling concoctions of all colors and viscosities. His questions were met with cross stares and waves of dismissal. (Know any alchemy, Theo?)
Olyn approached Zayne and Dietrich, who was healed and looking much better, and asked when they would get to kill something. "Soon enough," Dietrich undoubtedly thought. The fighter was silently wishing for Berlon's assistance with alchemy, when--suddenly--there Berlon was! The gnome had appeared unannounced, and apparently unexpected!
As Berlon arrived, dismissive of the domain of the god whose Temple he had just entered, Clu'eth rushed up. "You there!" he called, hurrying forward. "How did you get in here? How did you penetrate the wards? No one was to be allowed in or out!"
"I let him in," came a calm voice from behind them. It belonged to a slight elf dressed in the robes of the Temple priests. "I heard him knock at the door and let him in."
"L'laylon--you?" Clu'eth questioned. "But my directions were explicit."
"It seemed to harm none. He is of this same group of heroes. To leave him outside would mean certain death. Fortune guided my hand."
Clu'eth grimaced, his good hand reflexively stroking his withered arm. "I suppose," he admitted with a grumble. "But there was great risk in it. Not all of our enemies are visible to our eyes." With that last, Clu'eth's voice dropped to a whisper, and he looked up and around them, as if chasing phantoms.
Just then, another voice joined the discussion. "Master Clu'eth!" came the cry of yet another young priest. "There are people at the gates Below. They demand to be admitted. There are sick among them, Master--they ask for healing."
Clu'eth shook his head. "No. No, it's too dangerous. We dare not risk another breach."
"But, Master, they will die without our aid--"
"And we will all die if the dice are not with us!" Clu'eth snapped in retort. "We do not know who else is watching, Apprentice Sha'al."
The discussion continued for a time in front of the heroes.
Dietrich d20+4=9 d20+4=22 Thursday July 28th, 2005 7:34:09 AM
Dietrich smiles at Olyn's appearance and is relieved Berlon is still alive, depite the Gnome's frowning. He says: "Our situation is not very good, but I have the following basic plan. Please give your own opinions. The temple "guards" are not very battle ready, so they better stay in purely defensive positions on the catwalks, throwing stones, boiling water and oil from above at the attackers. Berlon, if you could help making some greek fire or similar the better.
The sick should be removed to the least dangerous place, and also where they don't stay in the way. People that are neither too sick, nor ready to fight, will help by looking after the wounded, bringing water, food and ammunition to the combatants.
Our party stays as a reserve in the centre of the temple, helping with archery and ready to intervene where needed and also guarding against a direct attack from below the temple. If a good opportunity arises, we can move for a combined counter-attack."
Dietrich will of course listen to everybody, but for the moment he commands some novices to help him carrying stones and other heavy objects to the catwalks, preparing cauldrons to boil water and oil, having "ammunition" ready and reinforcing weak walls etc.
masonry: 9, Carpentry 22
He's fully concentrated at the preparations and only listens halfmindedly to the discussion about taking the new sick in. It's very tough, but he has to agree with Clu'eth. In anyway, the cleric is the highest authority in the temple and the decision lies in his hands.
Olyn Thursday July 28th, 2005 12:28:54 PM
nodding to Dietrich, Olyn goes to the center of the room, putting his mace on a pew he sits down next to it. next, taking his bolt case he opens it, for easier access. then cocks his light crossbow, and with bolt in hand for quick load he readies himself for combat.
and tosses a pair of dice over his left shoulder, not knowing the results on it. saying: for luck.
Zayne Thursday July 28th, 2005 1:14:22 PM
"Somebody tell me what's going on. Why is the priest denyong healing to the sick, that's his duty I thought. Olyn why are you getting ready for a fight, we should be helping those people!"
He lools around,"Vorelle....Vorelle you..will help them wont you?" He leans against the wall for support.
Vorelle Thursday July 28th, 2005 1:18:56 PM
Vorelle hears the argument and bites her lip, uncertain what to do. She has the healing skills to help the new influx of sick people, but she is focused for the moment on tending to Vauhwyt, and that is her priority right now.
When Zayne asks her to interfere, she gestures hopelessly to Vauhwyt, trying to indicate that she already has a patient.
[OOC: Vorelle is only down 3 hit points. She'll use a wand charge if Olyn would prefer, or he can drop a few Cure Minors on her; either way.]
Theodore and Macaw Thursday July 28th, 2005 2:55:49 PM
Theodore's attention is divided between the arguing priests and Zayne's pleas to let those Below into the temple. Although he agrees with his friend, he feels helpless to do anything. Clu'eth had opened his doors to so many, already.
Looking around, Theodore could see the sick and dying crowded together. Was there room for anymore?
"I will see what I can do, but please rest, Zayne." The young wizard regains his feet with the help of his staff and shuffles over to Clu'eth and Apprentice Sha'al.
"Excuse me," Theodore weakly interjects. "Perhaps I could take a look at the situation? Mayhaps there is another way. If I could get someone to take me to the door at which these poor folk seek entrance, I would be most obliged."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday July 28th, 2005 3:12:32 PM
Vauhwyt is barely aware that Vorelle is taking care of her. She dreams that she is sick in bed back home in the apartment, and Vorelle is taking care of her.
"Tell Rose to answer the doorr," she murmurs.
Mookie just watches silently.
[OOC: I had the idea that we were settling in for the night. Was I wrong? If something big and noisy happens, Vauhwyt will wake up.]
Rose Thursday July 28th, 2005 6:28:15 PM
Rose continues to care for her brother, glancing occasionally at the room where the cure is being made. Waiting, hoping, and praying that the cure will be made in time.
Berlon (HP 21/28) Thursday July 28th, 2005 7:55:35 PM
As Olyn tosses his dice, Berlon remarks "Just another form of closing eyes and hoping things just magically work out for the best. Let me see if I can actually do something helpful, instead of just hoping for something useful to happen."
With that, he goes off to the vestibule to see what help he can offer with his Alchemy knowledge.
Preparations and Examinations (DM Kup) d20+12=24 Thursday July 28th, 2005 9:33:22 PM
As evening descended upon the Temple, the group made various preparations.
Dietrich asked for novices to help with preparations for battle. After a few questioning looks toward Clu'eth, the elder priest nodded. "He speaks wisely. Fortune favors the well-prepared." With that, the novices began collecting the items that Dietrich had mentioned. They were quickly able to find much of what he sought, owing to the ample supplies in the Temple of both water and oil, and heating fires were quickly set near the altar, while others began hoisting supplies to the catwalk. (Good thinking, D!)
Olyn, meanwhile, made his own preparations. As his dice clattered behind him, a passing novice picked them up. "Lucky seven," the novice announced. He approached Olyn and returned the dice. Smiling shyly, he pointed over to the Tables. "Care for a game to pass the time?"
Worriedly, Zayne leaned against a wall and watched the unfolding developments, while Vorelle and Rose tended to their patients. Vorelle attended the injured Vauhwyt, who was quickly slipping into deep slumber from readily apparent exhaustion. It was as if she hadn't slept in days. Junior continued to show no improvement, but Rose clung to the hope that her ministrations would help.
Berlon sauntered over to the alchemist's chamber. The sights of tubes and beakers that had bedeviled Theo's senses seemed just as equally welcoming and familiar to the gnome. His oversized nose quickly picked up familiar scents: saltpeter, sulphur, eye of newt ... but what was that other smell? He tested the air with judicious sniffs. Something ....
Yes, he thought to himself. Yes--that's it. Mistletoe and Poisoned Oak! That's what's causing the imbalance--and hence the disease! It would take but a simple reversal .... The outlines of the alchemical processes began laying themselves out in his mind.
Meanwhile, Theo followed Apprentice Sha'al down the stairs to the gates Below. There was a small crowd of novices attending the heavy doors, which were the twins to those that led to the City Above. The passage here was narrower, perhaps just five feet wider than the doors themselves. Sha'al pushed forward to the front, with Theo behind him.
A small grated viewing hole was all that allowed a view of the tunnel beyond the doors. Over Sha'al's shoulder, Theo could see crowds of people pushing their way forward. A middle-aged woman with long, brown hair was pleading with the priests.
"Please! My child is sick--he needs help!"
"We need fresh water!" said another voice. "And bread! We've heard that you have clean food and water!"
"Please," said an elderly woman. "You can't leave us out here. There are huge bugs everywhere in the City now--they're eating everything, attacking anything that moves. We're afraid to leave our homes."
"Go back to your homes," Apprentice Sha'al replied. "There is nothing that we can do for you." Shouts of protest drowned him out.
"I heard they're hoarding the food in there!" came a shouted voice.
"I heard that they have an antidote!"
"I heard that they caused this plague!"
"Yes, look at that one! Pointy-ears! They're the ones to blame!" Theo could see the priest L'laylon standing placidly nearby.
"I heard that the ones who let loose the bugs into the City are hiding inside the Temple!" came another voice.
"Let us in, please!" repeated the brown-haired woman in the front. Sha'al only shook his head.
Theo, make a Will save, DC 14: Highlight to display spoiler: {There's something odd about some of these people. There are more of them than would seem to fit in the hallway. And they are oddly thinned out in perspective, and a bit skewed ... like a figment!}
Olyn Thursday July 28th, 2005 10:40:34 PM
looking up at the Novice Olyn responds: you keep the dice, Wardd granted me my luck for now, perhaps it will echo through the rest and the city.
like a mercenary preparing for battle, Olyn begins taking note of his equipement, making sure all is within reach and at the ready.
Dietrich d20+4=19 Friday July 29th, 2005 3:24:24 PM
Supervising and helping out at the preparations, Dietrich finally smiles with some satisfaction. He didn't hear any comments from his friends though and would like to hear their oppinions and suggestions.
But then the fighter hears the commotion from outside again. The situation is getting tense and he only hopes they won't have to use the new devices against the people. Normaly he would move there and show up, just to let the impact of his massive armoured and still blood-drenched body help the priests "persuade" the crowd, but from what he hears this could even worsen the already delicate situation. So he stays in the background, observing and hoping that Wardd will guide his clerics to do the right thing. Maybe there are even some useful lads there to improve the defenses...
Although very curious about what Zayne has discovered concerning the Book, the warrior knows its not the time now and will wait to enquire about it later.
Sense motivation 19 to observe the crowd's behaviour.
rose Friday July 29th, 2005 4:20:34 PM
rose isnt paying any attention to anything except her brother.
DM Kup Friday July 29th, 2005 5:21:58 PM I'll wait again until over the weekend. It looks like that's the general preference rather than my posting early on Fridays anyway, so that's what I'll do from now on.
Vauhwyt Saturday July 30th, 2005 6:16:49 AM
"ZZZZzzzzZZZZzzzz"
... in the temple, the quiet temple, the liontaur sleeps tonight ...
Theodore and Macaw d20+6=15 d20+13=32 d20+4=13 d20+4=6 Saturday July 30th, 2005 1:17:40 PM
Will save 15
Theodore's eyes fly wide as he looks on the crowd. He sucks in a deep breath and pulls Sha'al to him.
"An illusion!" he whispers in the priest's ear. "Someone is trying to trick us into opening these doors. Please return to the temple Above and let the others know. I will stay here."
Theodore keeps with the crowd of priests at the door, gently staying any from getting too involved with the "illusion" outside. He does not divulge the secret unless a particular priest takes it upon himself to allow the "people" in, whereupon he will take the priest aside and explain the situation.
He also attempts to discern the exact spell being used. (spellcraft 32) Scanning the outside, he tries to discern fact from fiction, looking for the enemy spellcaster. (listen 13, spot 6)
It's a Trap! (DM Kup) Sunday July 31st, 2005 3:28:08 PM
Most of the adventuring comrades had settled in for the night, but Theo was downstairs, watching Sha'al and some other priests contend with an unruly mob in the corridor that led to the gates Below. Dietrich came down to join the mage just as Theo was noticing something odd about the crowd. Theodore whispered in Sha'al's ear, "An illusion!"
Just then, a firey arrow appeared, as if from nowhere, and struck down the priest just to Sha'al's left. The man shrieked hiedously as the flames caught him in the chest and he crumpled to the floor.
Dietrich's warrior eyes quickly scanned around--where had the arrow come from? The doors Below were still sealed, and there were many people standing between the casualty priest and the doors. What's more, the arrow had struck him from behind ... and above ... the ceiling?
As Theodore and Dietrich turned to look, another arrow appeared from near the ceiling, as if from nowhere, and struck the floor near Sha'al's feet. A high-pitched, wicked laugh emerged from the direction of the source of the arrow, but no opponent was yet visible. "Pixie!" one of the priests shrieked, just before a third arrow found his throat.
Robed figures were scattering everywhere and none had a moment to think! Theo doubtless would have prepared a spell, and Dietrich his sword, but suddenly, a figure stepped forward with a large, iron pole capped with a wire mesh, like something that the priests might use for beating ornate carpets. With a rush of passing air and a sickening squelching noise, the iron mesh smashed into the ceiling just at the spot where the arrows had originated. In the mesh, the shattered body of a winged pixie became visible.
At the other end of the pole, breathing hard, stood Apprentice Sha'al. "Wardd provides our fortunes," he panted. "This pole was donated just last week. It happened to be lying here. I grabbed the first thing I saw."
The other priests were tending to the victims of the pixie's arrows, novices who had each succumbed to their wounds. One person looked up. "The crowd is gone from outside," he observed. Theo and Dietrich could hear that was right--the noise from outside was gone, as were the faces that had been visible there just moments before. "But the doors remained sealed at all times. How did it get in?"
"It must have come in through the front door, when the gnome was given entrance," Sha'al responded. He looked for a long moment at the priest L'laylon, who still stood aside watching impassively, but said nothing more on the subject. "Come. We should all get rest. Brother Dietrich, if you have suggestions on setting guards or watches, I will relay them to the others."
Theo--good catch! Avoided a much bigger fight. Everyone--assume that your next post is morning.
Dietrich Sunday July 31st, 2005 4:10:17 PM
Dietrich swears as the attack starts and some novices are killed. "(*&^0 magic freaks!" Everything went just too quick to have any reaction, which is certainly not something the warrior appreciates.
Concerning the sentries, Dietrich suggests that they are placed in places with good cover and lines of sight to the outside and to other sentries, so that everybody notices if a sentry disappears or is knocked out. Torches should be ready to lighten up the area, possibly some torches should be thrown outside to iluminate the adjacent area to the temple. If possible, able people should check for magic activities from time to time, so as to avoid what just happened. At least one of the "Dirties" should always be present, with the exception of grieving Rose, Vauhwyt and rest needing spell-casters.
In the morning, Dietrich quickly gets himself battleready and takes a sound breakfast.
Olyn Monday August 1st, 2005 8:45:54 AM
prays for spells
Zayne Monday August 1st, 2005 9:03:05 AM
Despite his night of uninterrupeted sleep he does not feel as thought his sleep was restful.
He gets up and tries to stretch his legs and regain his strength.
Theodore and Macaw Monday August 1st, 2005 9:51:30 AM
Theodore wakes and stretches slightly. He yawns and scratches at his mussed hair, giving his friends a sheepish smile. He spends his normal hour preparing his spells for the day, his face becoming quite stern and thoughtful as he pours over his spellbook.
When finished with his morning preparations, he checks on Zayne, then Rose and Junior, giving his friend a supporting pat on the back. Finally, he makes his way over to Berlon and squats beside the gnome.
"I was wanting to ask you a question," he says quietly to his friend, looking about to make sure no one was within listening range. "This L'laylon, the one that let you into the temple, did you notice anything...peculiar about him when he opened the door for you. I don't know if it is truth or not, but I believe a few priests in here might suspect him of being under this Fey King's power, like the elves at the pumpkin. It is quite possible he let that sprite in on purpose."
He pauses for a moment before leaning very close to his friend. "Also quite possible that he was responsible for the illusion outside the temple."
Theodore shakes his head. "I assumed it had to be cast by someone on the outside, but L'laylon could have constructed the image from within the temple. If that is the case, I'm afraid we might be in great danger."
Vorelle d8+1=3 Monday August 1st, 2005 10:19:49 AM
Vorelle watches over her patient until Vauhwyt wakes up, then joins the others. She shakes her head in response to Theo's question; she noticed nothing odd as they were led into the temple.
[Guess I'm using a wand charge. Vorelle is back to full.]
Vauhwyt (Str 13 of 14, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (HP 17 of 17) Monday August 1st, 2005 10:40:29 AM
In the morning, thanks to Vorelle's ministrations, the liontaur is just about feeling back to normal -- just a little weak is all. Still, that fang bite on her face is probably going to scar.
Vauhwyt eats a hearty breakfast of whatever is available, and she is as curious as ever.
"How goes the medicine-making?" she asks. "And what happened with all those bugs we were running from? How are the sick people doing? Did Berlon get back okay? Hey Zayne! Old friend! How are you doing?"
Rose Monday August 1st, 2005 5:20:43 PM
Rose hasnt been paying attention to what's been happening, she keeps tending her brother and wondering when the cure will be ready.
Berlon (HP 21/28) Monday August 1st, 2005 5:43:28 PM
Berlon listens to Theodore's whispered questions, then whispers back, although loud enough for anyone around to hear.
"WELL," he begins with enthusiasm, "*maybe* if you all spent less time running around like scared schoolchildren, *maybe* you would notice such things."
"But now, I am going to meditate, as we will need some prayers, I am afraid, and my legs need rest, as they aren't as long or as well used as some..."
With that he tries to find a private corner of the temple.
loretta Monday August 1st, 2005 7:12:55 PM
ooc: as rose hasnt slept and isnt preparing spells if we get another fight soon she might not be worth much.
Morning (DM Kup) Monday August 1st, 2005 10:25:02 PM Y'know what--let's roleplay freely here for a day or so. No posting restrictions--just post away. I'll let you know when we go back to one-per-day. I want to allow y'all to interact for a bit here--I think that there might be some conversations that want having, and I don't want to stop that. So go right ahead. (P.S. If there's ever a time that you think the moment's right for something like this, just let me know. If you don't have much to say, just don't say much, and I'll get the hint.)
It was morning. The light shining in through the windows of the dome high overhead slanted long, dusty beams through the Temple.
Many of the sick had passed away during the night. Many were near to death.
On his cot, Junior gurgled at Rose's limp, exhausted form. "Rosie ... sis ... are you there?" He reached for her hand, and coughed, his body wracked with pain. His eyes gazed sightlessly upward. "I can't see anything--did the fires burn out in the torches? Where are the novices? Don't they know--" his body convulsed in hacking gasps again. "Don't they know they'll get in trouble?"
"Sis--Sis, listen, I haven't got much time. Sis, you gotta take care of Mom and Dad and the rest of them now, okay? Make sure they make it through this. Make sure--" he hacked again. "Make sure there's always food on the table for them, okay?"
"Sis--Rosie--remember--this was all worth it. We gotta do what we can for the City, y'know? 'Cause it's up to us to make sure it works for everyone else. Otherwise, it's nothing--" he spasmed again. "Nothing more than what they call it. The Dirt City."
"Sis. Find the Artist. He's real, Sis. Find him and ask him to come back to the City. Make it what it should be. Tell him--tell him that his gifts are wasted now. Remember, Sis--you gotta promise you'll remember."
"Sis--what's--what's that--what's that laughter--what's that laughter I hear...."
Junior's body, wracked as it was with coughs and desperate wheezes for air, contorted into a disfiguring stretch, his back arching uncontrollably. As he fell back to the cot, he started giggling uncontrollably and his face muscles began seizing up into a horrid mockery of a grin. His breathing became increasingly labored through the death-mask until, at last, with a gurgle, his breathing stopped.
A priest nearby moved to take Rose away. "Come away, dear. You risk infection."
rose d20+5=8 Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 1:15:08 AM
Rose holds Junior's hand and strokes his face as he starts to talk. Her eyes are filled with tears as she talks "O..of course I'll take care of everyone...." As Junior talks she tries to quiet him and calm him down and think of who the artist is "...Of course I promise, I'll find him you know that."
As Junior coughs and his back arches she holds onto him, trying to help him breathe. Then his breathing stops but she keeps holding him willing him to breathe. Finally a priest comes over and has her move. Rose goes into a corner of the temple near her friends, curls up into a ball and cries, and cries, and cries.
Dietrich Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 7:29:32 AM
Dietich is cleaning his sword, when he sees Rose returning and her state of mind. He feels really sorry for her, though not yet knowing for sure what happened. The tough man feels very weak and doesn't know how to console his friend.
Dietrich also sees Theo whispering with Berlon and he hears the Gnome's comment. The knight wonders about what it is, that they should have noticed and is finally annoyed with the indirect comments and insinuations about his own lack of courage. The fighter decides to go and ask Berlon directly:
"My friend, this attitude is not going to help. Are you questioning my honour? What exactly is your point? Despite the assumed risks and probably not the most sound plan, we managed in the end to get the seeds safely to the temple. And now we're trying to organise a defense, for which I asked your most valued comments and cooperation, but didn't get any reaction. We're all equal comrades here and speak up our minds openly, deciding collectvely except where impossible, so, let me hear!"
Eventually, Dietrich would also like to talk with Zayne about his discoveries.
Zayne Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 9:27:26 AM
OOC: I think I am following this correctly, the people outside were and illusion right? Correct me if I am wrong, it went a little fast for me. If not disregard this post.
Zayne walks around the temple, trying to piece together the last couple weeks of his life. His memories are jumbled together. No begining, no middle no end just events, seemingly to be randomly placed inside his head.
Theodore and Macaw d20+2=12 Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 10:04:56 AM
Theodore is also more than a little irritated by Berlon's continuing foul humor. He attributes it to the gnome's hard lot in being forced to leave his village behind. The wizard had never been good with words, though, and simply flushed a pretty red when Berlon moved away.
He shakes his head and sighs before standing and vowing to himself to keep an eye out for L'laylon. (sense motive 12)
He notices Rose returning to the group for the first time since entering the temple. Seeing her in such a grief stricken state, Theodore's first thought is that something has happened to Junior. His fears are verified when he goes to check up on Rose's brother. And again he is at a loss for words to console his friend.
Why am I so helpless, he thinks to himself. Master Geoffrey would know what to say in this situation.
"I'm sorry, Rose. I didn't know Junior very well, but he has helped a lot of people. Saved many lives. You should be proud of him." He awkwardly pats the sobbing girl on her back.
Finally, he moves to Zayne. So much pain. Who would possibly benefit from this?
"How are you, my friend?" he asks of the ranger. "You will have to tell us your story of how we got separated and what you've been up to. Likewise, we will bring you up to speed in regards to our own adventures." He then proceeds to inform Zayne of what's happened since they parted ways.
Olyn Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 10:34:46 AM
going over to Rose and sitting on the floor beside her, Olyn doesnt speak cuz words are of no use right now. instead, Olyn will stay with Rose, offering a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, and someone to talk with should she want to.
and cries.
Rose Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 2:01:10 PM
Rose doesnt notice much of what's happening around her, but when olyn sits beside her she curls up into him as she keeps on crying.
Vauhwyt Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 5:17:41 PM
Vauhwyt sees Rose's distress, and it makes her very angry. "This is not right!" she says. "This is just not right!"
Berlon (HP 21/28) Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 6:08:02 PM
"What is my point?"
"My point is this. You'll have to forgive my irritability. Once I find out exactly how many members of my village were slain by the Elves, perhaps my disposition will become a bit more sunny. Not the Fey King, not pixiefolk, the Elves. The Elves did this. The Elves slew my kinsfolk just as sure as the Elves choke the life out of this dirty place. If you give a monkey a crossbow and the monkey shoots someone, you do not blame the monkey."
"Have any of you paused for a moment to actually think about recent events? People magically appear and say "Give us this evil book" and you give them the book. Someone magically appears and yells "Jump through this hoop" as the Gnomes get mercilessly slaughtered and you can't flee fast enough. Did any of you pause for even a second to think that maybe, just maybe, my village is capable of defending itself? No, of course not."
"And now you want to make yet another plan."
"I thought the master plan was to just hope for dice to land on a certain number, and when they don't, simply run off screaming into the night air."
Berlon's eyes start to tear up as he looks in Rose's direction. "It's worked wonderfully so far."
Vauhwyt Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 7:52:48 PM
Vauhwyt, already mad, gets really riled at Berlon's words.
"Now look! We gave those people the book because we trusted them to do the right thing. The only reason those fey creatures were attacking your village was to get at us, so by leaving, we did our best to save your people."
Mookie says, "uh, boss."
"We were too late for Rose's brotherr, but if we had not gone after those seeds, there would be no hope for anybody!"
Mookie tugs on Vauhwyt's sleeve, but that does not distract her from her from her tirade.
"We came straight here, so as far as I know, the only person who ran off into the night was you!"
Mookie says a little louder, "Boss!"
Vauhwyt turns on her familiar. "What!"
Mookie whispers -- If you want to eavesdrop, make a Listen DC10 check and Please Highlight to display spoiler: {"Boss, they said you should not lose your temper. At church. They said to calm down, like."}
Vauhwyt deflates like a stuck bladder. "I'm sorry. We should not let our anger turn on each otherr. We should focus on those who have hurt us and do our best to make sure they never can do so again."
She holds out her hand to the gnome. "Come, friend Berlon. Let us vow to do our best to avenge our dead and protect those we still have with us."
Then she whispers to her familiar -- If you want to eavesdrop, make a Listen DC10 check and Please Highlight to display spoiler: {"Thanks Mookie. You're the best."}
Vorelle Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 8:40:43 PM
Distressed, Vorelle retreats from her shouting companions. She hates yelling. In her experience, it leads to hitting and bullying and other things she'd rather not think about right now.
Instead, she moves to kneel down next to Rose. Not liking to be touched herself, she doesn't hug her friend, or pat her hand, or anything involving physical contact. Instead, she simply sits nearby, hoping her presence will be a comfort. She keeps a wary eye on the heated discussion.
Invective and Grief (DM Kup) Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 9:29:18 PM Let's keep this up. Keep posting away freely, one more day, and we'll reassess. If you want to engage NPC's in conversation, feel free to do that--they're around. For example, L'laylon, Sha'al, and Clu'eth are all around, as could be others.
Rose Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 9:35:46 PM
Rose doesnt even notice her friends arguing as she cries and wails "I want my brother!"
loretta Tuesday August 2nd, 2005 9:36:45 PM
ooc: kup give me an idea of how long in game time this posting is going as I have some plans for rose.
DM Kup: the snively answer would be, "as long as people want it to go." The truth is, I sort of envision the next post picking up at after-breakfast/mid-morning, if it looks like the conversations are over for the moment.
Olyn Wednesday August 3rd, 2005 3:23:49 AM
holding Rose in his arms he says to her: there there Rose, let it all out.
Zayne Wednesday August 3rd, 2005 9:46:19 AM
Struggling with his memories he doesn't even notice Theo until he is in the middle of the story about what the group has been up to.
"What?! An elf-pumkin?! Are you just making things up." He bursts out. I am sure Theo will take the time to go back over everything. "Alright, sorry my mind is everywhere and nowhere at the same time, lately." He looks at Theo, then slowly around the room, he takes a deep breath,"It is good to be among friends."
Raising his voice so that everyone can hear him. "You are probably wondering where I have been and what I have been up to. If I were to tell you all that I didn't know I wouldn't be too far from the truth. My last clear memory was the day we came back into town with the book and I went off to see what I could find out about the state of affairs and the book. I came across a couple clues here and there and then I heard about it being evil and not just your'e everyday run of the mill evil, real evil and it controls people. So I started asking about the Prince's behavoir and turns aout people were saying that there is a noticabe change in his actions and there were rumors that he had the book and it had been stolen."
He pauses and grins,"Not bad for an afternoon of nosing around,eh? So I decide to come and tell you all what I heard and suddenly I was attacked by some men I did what I could to fight them off one of them tried to wrestle me to the ground and I got away, I ran towards the docks to try and lose them, but it didn't work, they caught me and roughed em up pretty good. I guess they figured I was dead or that the river would finish me off because I remember hearing one of them saying to throw me in an getting away from the scene of the crime." He looks pretty mad as he goes over this part. "That is pretty much where things get all foggy, I have memories of people's faces that I have never seen before and places that I had never been before, but those just hop around and they are just glimpses like I only had my eyes open for a moment."
He looks around,"Sorry I couldn't get here any sooner, although I honestly don't even remember traveling to get here, nor could I tell you how I got to the temple of Warrd."
Advice and Dissent (DM Kup) Wednesday August 3rd, 2005 2:07:22 PM I'll post a "real" DM post near 10 or 11 pm Woldian time tonight, but following the conversation up to now, I thought I'd add a bit. Again, feel free to post as often as you'd like for conversational purposes up until the "real" DM post tonight, at which point we'll go back to one-per-day.
The priests around the group were busy clearing away bodies and empty cots. The ranks of those ill and dying in the Temple had thinned overnight by half, but none left by the front door. The casualties, to anyone calculating, were staggering--even more so if one reflected on how this must have meant things were faring elsewhere in the City. Now, scarcely any of the cots in the main sanctuary were occupied, and many people that had survived the night seemed to edge away from the group as their discussion rose and fell in volume.
A handful of people were clustered nearby, however--close enough to hear Berlon's words. There were mutters and nods of bitter agreement.
"I lost my mother and two brothers last night--where's the justice for that?" came an angry voice.
"Most of my family has been affected by this plague," came another. "I have three sick children, and my husband lies dying. Who will care for them?"
"Where is the Prince and the Houses when we need them?" demanded yet another.
"Who's to blame?"
"It's those stinking elves!" said another voice. It belonged to an elderly woman with a pinched eye, who jabbed an accusing finger in Olyn's direction. "The gnome's right. No Fey King brought this on us--they did! Those pointy-eared freaks!"
A younger woman with tousled hair took up the complaint. "Yes! I heard one of the priests saying last night that an elf spy let in the fairy creatures to destroy us all! It killed a dozen priests before they caught it!"
"Where's that elf priest?" came the voice of burly man, his voice filled with grief. "I've seen him sneaking about here somewhere. No doubt he's planning another trap!"
"You don't see them getting sick, do you?" observed the crone. "Them filthy elves, with their filthy ears and snobbish ways--you don't see them in here with us, the sick and the dead, do ye'? And why do you suppose not, eh?"
"They're behind this!"
"Filthy elves!"
"Hang 'em all up by their ears!"
The priest L'laylon stood not far away, watching impassively.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday August 3rd, 2005 4:52:12 PM But not all of the Elves wanted the Fey King to come, Theodore thinks to himself remembering the gathering at the Giggling Ghost, watching through the campfire as the Elves argued amongst themselves.
"Just as there is good and evil within the heart of Man, so too is there a place in the heart of Elf," he says out loud. "We cannot claim that all Elves support this disaster. Olyn, here, does not. And the Elves are dying like everyone else." He remembers the bodies littering the open space around the big pumpkin.
Rumblings (DM Kup) Wednesday August 3rd, 2005 10:34:04 PM
As the group of civilians began to turn into an unruly mob, a low rumbling could be heard and felt through the floor. "The wards are breached!" A priest exclaimed.
Rose Thursday August 4th, 2005 12:37:47 AM
Rose continues crying and doesnt notice what the people are saying. After a bit she'll go to the room where the cure is being made and ask how much longer it will take, for Rose has other family members who are ill and she also has to tell them about Junior.
Dietrich, AC 18; HP 40 d20+4=14 d20+3=8 d20+4=23 d20+2=7 d20+9=26 2d6(4+4)+6=14 Thursday August 4th, 2005 9:58:13 AM
Dietrich can understand Berlon's anger and is satisfied that the Gnome isn't attacking his honour, but he nevertheless disagrees. Particularly the part about the elves is disturbing, and he remembers the cut down bodies of the elves he slayed the previous day.
Before he can say anything though, Vauhwyt starts replying in her own, more passionate, way. He also hears her conversation with Mookie (listen 12) and finally says:
"Comrades! We have to stick together! Berlon, I understand your grief, but Vauhwyt is right, our presence there only made things worse, don't you see that? As for the Book, now Zayne just confirms what we suspected and it's definetly better to have it far away and out of reach of "volatile" Dirt City folks. We'll have to reflect about what is going on, but right now we had and still have more pressing matters at hand, first to get the seeds and now to hold the temple till the cure is discovered. And yes, planning and hard work is needed for that!" He's trying to calm them down and get the clerics cooperation, unfortunately with doubtful diplomatic skills (diplomacy 8)
In the middle of the speech, he hears the unrest and commotion. The massive fighter draws his sword and shouts:
"Silence!! The first to try to break order and do anything against anyone inside this sacred place will taste the blade!"
Than, again, events catch him up, as he hears that the wards are broken.
"Everybody to his stations! Dirties, battle has reached us!"
The soldier trys to discover where the enemy will come through (spot 23, listen 7) and runs to hold the place.
"Don't let them get through!" He'll slash at anything trying to enter the temple: hits ac 26; damage 14
Olyn Thursday August 4th, 2005 10:35:15 AM
rushes up when he hears Dietrich shout the order.
Olyn prepares to defend, and die for those who would hang him.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] Thursday August 4th, 2005 2:45:43 PM
Unhappily, Vorelle moves to join her companions trying to keep the mob at bay. She doesn't want to attack townspeople if she can possibly help it, but she realizes how dangerous they can be in a mob like this.
She also realizes that this is no place for archery, so she draws her handaxes as she moves.
Vauhwyt (Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) (enlarged) and Mookie (HP 17 of 17) d100=95 Thursday August 4th, 2005 5:29:44 PM
Vauhwyt stations herself near an entrance, the one she judges most likely to spew out a mob (standard action, move up to 40 feet). As she moves, she gets out her spear (free action to draw a weapon while moving if BAB +1 or better). She casts Enlarge on herself and Mookie, the better to attack oncoming enemies and intimidate mobs (standard action).
I'm assuming we're round to round here? if not, then Vauhwyt will also cast Mage Armor on herself and Mookie if she has a second round to prepare, and pulls ut a ball of fuzz from her Bag of Tricks if she has a third round of actions -- a black bear.
Theodore and Macaw Thursday August 4th, 2005 9:28:22 PM
Theodore backs away from the rumbling and casts a protective spell upon himself. "The bug! It's got to be the bug!"
(cast mage armor)
Battle Stations! (DM Kup) Thursday August 4th, 2005 11:13:07 PM Yep, we're round to round. I think I have spells from those who pick 'em for the day--if not, get 'em in, please.
The group began to scatter, weapons were drawn, civilians were intimidated ... but it was Theodore, as ever, who put his finger on it.
"It's the bug! It's got to be the bug!"
The rumbling and the shaking grew increasingly loud, and all of the members of the party began to realize that the attack wasn't coming from one of the entrances to the Temple--
It was coming from Below!
A shudder and a massive crash filled the air, and, almost directly in the center of the sanctuary, a massive chitinous form emerged from the flagstones! Enormous, pincer-like mandibles and a glowing frill that radiated heat framed its hideous, insectoid face. A nearby priest caught its attention; with an incredibly fast movement, it snatched the surprised priest up in its jaws and swallowed him whole!
The civilians, who just a moment before were summoning the courage to attack the elves in their midst, screamed and ran for the western chapel where most of the remaining civilians remained. At the same time, the flying forms of several fey creatures darted out of the hole from where the massive bug had just emerged and flitted their way up into the dome.
That was not all. Several dozen enormous centipedes were now pouring out of the hole as well.
In the bustle of commotion, Clu'eth ran past, heading toward the northeast vestibule. "The antidote!" he cried. "They must not reach the antidote! You all must stop them--let my people protect the civilians!" He began shouting orders to the priests in the catwalk overhead as he ran.
Combat time! The map will be forthcoming, but, unsurprisingly, will be based on the Temple map previously distributed. I may not be able to distribute the map until about 7 or 8 am Woldian Friday. In the meantime, assume that the creature came up near the Temple center; if you'd like, you can post where you were when it emerged based on the earlier map, consistent with what you've posted thus far.
You know what I've said before about challenging combats, with potential fatal consequences? This is one of those! It could end up being a cakewalk, or it could be very, very costly. Be assured that I will pull no punches, and that you will be tested to the utmost! Good luck!
rose Friday August 5th, 2005 1:57:08 AM
Rose had just reached the room where the antidote is being made when the bug comes through the floor. She quickly looks around trying to remember where she left her weapons, then digs into her beltpouch looking for an item she never meant to use, a cute little wind up toy seal. She winds it up and throws it towards the giant bug.
If she can she then runs towards her weapons, unfortunatly she didnt rest or prepare any new spells today.
wind up toy seal, use once for summon monster 2. If rose gets a choice of the animal she'd like a celestial giant bee.
loretta Friday August 5th, 2005 1:57:59 AM
ooc: edit dig in beltpouch to dig in bag of holding.
Dietrich ac 16 (18), hp 40 d20+10=25 2d6(2+4)+9=15 Friday August 5th, 2005 10:30:08 AM
This kind of break-through was exactly what Dietrich wanted to hinder, but unfortunatelly he wasn't fast enough to get there. (OOC: as posted before about having the heroes as central reserve, Dietrich and some others should be there and ready to attack the bug this round) The warrior shouts: "Berlon, Olyn, Vauhwyt with me, cover your flanks and stop the bugs from getting out of the hole! Archers and wizards, concentrated fire at the fey!"
He uses Rose's monster, his friends covering and the rubble (stones thrown up by the bug when it broke from below) to protect his own flanks and charges the giant bug's side, putting some extra punch in the swing (charging +2 attack, -2 ac; flanking +2 to hit; powerattack +3 damage, -3 to hit, ) hits ac 25; damage 15
Zayne Friday August 5th, 2005 11:24:35 AM
(OOC: I had trouble discerning anything on the map as to the location of cots and beds and all that. The way I see it Zayne Is over near that main pillar leaning on it.)
Zayne clearly was not ready for an attack of any kind. As the inital shocks hit he hangs on to the pillar, and as the pass he looks around trying to gather his bearings. He spots his gear near the bed that he was using ans dives for it. (OOC: Not sure exactly how long you are going to have this take but I figur two rounds and Zayne should be able to grab what he is going to need.)
DM clarifications Friday August 5th, 2005 12:01:33 PM Map has gone out on e-mail--hopefully it should help with some of the ambiguities. As I say in the e-mail, please feel free to make positional corrections.
There will be at least two rounds of "preparation" available--one just past, and one to come in today's DM post. (Dietrich, if you want to keep your attack and damage rolls, that's fine, or you can choose to reroll as you wish.) In other words, counting yesterday and today's posts, you can "prep" two rounds' worth, or prep and attack. Hope that's clear.
Oh--and there will be one more surprise coming in the DM post today that will count as a free action. You'll see what I mean ....
Theodore and Macaw Friday August 5th, 2005 12:30:22 PM
Theodore's second spell extends from his outstretched fingers in the form of a white sticky ball, expanding and covering the hole created by the large bug.
(Cast web on the bug's hole to attempt to keep anymore baddies from coming through, and perhaps even catch some. Reflex vs 16)
OOC - Are the fey creatures visible?
DM Kup: Yes, they are. Interesting. (They're displayed on the "Catwalk" sheet. I can put them on the "floor level" sheet if it's easier, but just recall that they're at least 30' up.)
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 d20+6=20 d8+1=2 Friday August 5th, 2005 2:11:10 PM
Not wanting to have to rely on dice coming up on a hard eight (or whatever it has to end up on)Berlon takes the initiative to cast Bless just as things start to happen.
Once the critters start appearing, he mutters some more Gnomish prayers (standard action) and suddenly a shining mace appears next to the big ugly and starts swinging on its own!
Berlon will then make a move action, moving 15' due east.
"Theodore! Fry those critters with that scroll I gave you!"
Spiritual Weapon attack hits AC 20 for 2 dge.
Spiritual Weapon - Range 140', 4 rounds, +6 hit, 1d8+1 dge. No flanking bonuses caused or received by weapon.
Bless - All allies within 50' burst get +1 morale bonus to attacks and saves vs fear.
Vauhwyt (Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+3=9 Friday August 5th, 2005 5:03:45 PM
Vauhwyt casts Mage Armor on herself and Mookie, turning both blood red.
Then she moves to AO-AP-AQ-53-54-55. Her spear is in hand ... if an enemy approaches, she will take an AoO: misses with a 9.
[PS: Kup, you might want to but the big bug's grapple check DC in the next post.]
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+8=24 d8=3 Friday August 5th, 2005 5:43:04 PM
Vorelle sheathes her axes, draws her bow, and fires at the pixie closest to her.
[Vorelle has two-weapon fighting, so sheathing both axes is a move-equivalent action. She has Quick Draw, so drawing the bow is a free action. Firing is a standard action. So I think I can do all of that. :) Hit AC 24 for 3 points damage. Magic bow.]
Berlon - 2nd post Friday August 5th, 2005 6:47:10 PM
OOC: Judging by the map, am I correct in assuming that Berlon, Theo, Zayne, Vorelle and Olyn are the only ones in the bless effect? Don't forget the +1 hit bonus guys. If anything changed as far as who might be in the bless effect just let us know...
Also, the Spiritual Weapon is a magic attack not a weapon attack so it bypasses damage reduction as per the spell description.
Olyn ac24. hp32, bless d20+7=21 d8=4 Friday August 5th, 2005 7:24:17 PM
directs his dodge towards the big mammajamma.
being in front of the alter with his weapons already layed out before him, and crossbow already for combat, Olyn aims and fires a bolt at the bug, (hitting ac21 for 4 points of damage), then takes a 5' step back while he reloads.
Dietrich OOC Saturday August 6th, 2005 7:05:17 AM
OOC Hi. Can I keep both attacks, like the first (4 August) for when the monster was still emerging and the second for this round? If not, the first round would be preparing, that is, receiving Berlon's bless and moving in position to charge the bug in the flank (second round), hopefully together with some friends... so he shouldn't stay alone with the monster.
Finally, I had some disagreement with the map. Dietrich, Berlon and Vauhwyt were discussing, so they should have been together. And Theo was nearby too, he had just asked Berlon about priest. But I don't insist in changing it, as everybody has already done his actions.
Cheers!
DM Kup: Dietrich, I'm going to give you credit for one attack. There wasn't anything for you to attack in the August 4 post, except for the civilians--the creature hadn't yet broken through.
Zayne Saturday August 6th, 2005 9:16:55 AM
OOC: Seems that I am not the only one not sure of where I was. I thought we were closer to the main pillar down near the cots. So it will take Zayne three rounds to have his bow out, it's about 90ft and Zayne isn't running. I should still be in range of the bless though. I forget the duration on that.
DM Kup: No one is wrong or out of position here--we just weren't clear because we weren't referring to a map until now! So, no problem.
DM post, with all the necessary clarifications, coming in the next few hours. Stay tuned. : )
Actually, make that Sunday night. Sorry--tied up.
Temple Battle Round 1 (DM Kup) d20+2=13 d20+2=22 d20+2=10 d20+2=13 d20+2=9 d20+2=22 d20+2=15 d20+2=18 d20+2=21 d20+2=20 d20+2=11 d20+13=22 d20+23=30 Sunday August 7th, 2005 11:20:00 PM Hi everyone! The start to this battle has been a little complicated, and I apologize for that--I've been trying to give you all time to transition from roleplay to combat, and that complicated things. I'm sending out a map with corrected positions and this round's actions. Hopefully I haven't missed anything, positionally or activity-wise, but there is a lot. If I have, speak now--be specific! Like, "Olyn should be at G5," etc.--or else I'll assume we're all okay with the results.
Even as the Temple was rumbling and shaking around them, the heroes of Dirt City leapt into action.
Rose began by pulling out a wind-up toy and summoning a celestial giant bee. The bee took the air immediately and flew toward the giant bug. (Attack 13) Although it tried to sting the giant beast, the stinger failed to connect.
Dietrich charged into action and swung at the enormous bug, his heavy greatsword immediately making contact and carving a gash in the creature's side. As the creature's thick, black ichors poured down the blade, however, the sword began heating in his hands, as if it had been exposed to a blast furnace! (Dietrich: make a DC 18 FORT save for the greatsword; failure means that the blade has been destroyed!)
Zayne moved forward and grabbed his gear. He was fully armed and ready for combat now.
Thinking quickly, Theo cast an enormous Web over the hole from whence the giant bug had come, blocking the entrance of more of the monstrous vermin. (Rolled REF saves for 1/3 of the critters as a representative sample--ends up about 1/3 of those saved. Even then, though, they could only move slowly--so let's assume that they can't escape the web. Good work!) Several of the centipedes were unaffected by the spell, and still more were still moving inside the Web--but the vast bulk of them had been gummed up in the webs, and no more were emerging from below.
Berlon cast a blessing upon those who were near him, and then summoned a spiritual warhammer that began to attack the giant bug. As the warhammer made contact, it, too, came under the scorching heat of the creature! (Berlon: Roll a FORT save v. DC 18 to avoid destruction of the warhammer!)
Casting protective dweomers upon herself and Mookie, an enlarged Vauhwyt moved forward to attack. (V, I'm a little confused--but I think you had too many actions to get out the black bear in the "prep" round, and then do this stuff this round. True? If so, I've just assumed there's no bear there. If I'm counting wrong, just let me know.)
Moving with preternatural swiftness, Vorelle sheathed her axes, drew her bow, and in one fluid stroke, fired at a pixie overhead. The arrow shaft flew true--but it bounced ineffectually off of the pixie's side! Whatever protected these pixies, it was different than the red and blue fey creatures that now also circled overhead--Vorelle's magic bow wasn't sufficient.
Olyn fired a bolt at the giant bug and the shot flew true, striking the creature and causing some minor damage to its hide.
Civilians were screaming and running for the northwest entrance to the western chapel. Attracted by all of the movement, several of the centipedes that had escaped Theo's web were skittering across the sanctuary floor after them. One centipede, which had started to the south of the web, turned toward Vauhwyt and moved with surprising speed under the enlarged liontaur's spear, nearing the wemic's feet.
Overhead, the four pixies and other fey creatures (two blue, two red) were flitting around the dome. Several priests, armed with heavy crossbows, were doing their best to try to bring the creatures down--but with little success as yet. The screams of one priest as a red creature lashed into his flesh were horrifying to hear.
In the center of the room, the giant bug focused its attention on Dietrich. It moved to strike ....
... and, suddenly, things stopped.
The bugs all stopped moving for a moment. The flying fey creatures, too, hung in midair, their wings frozen in mid-beat.
A screaming woman running toward the chapel had frozen in mid-stride, her mouth stretched open but emitting no sound. All of the civilians were like that.
Time seemed to stand still.
A glow emerged from the direction of the altar, and then grew brighter. It coalesced into a humanoid form; then, as it became more distinct, the adventurers could see that it was two forms. One was taller, but the other was shorter, perhaps no bigger than a child--or a halfling.
The shorter form dimmed in brightness and became clearer. It approached Rose. From within the blinding light, Rose could see the smiling, happy face of her departed brother.
"You didn't think I would let you have all of the fun yourself, Sis, did you?" said Junior, his beatific face glowing with holy radiance. He pointed a thumb over his shoulder to the taller, brightly-glowing form. "I told the boss about what was going on down here, and I persuaded him to let me have this last trip. Can't have this stuff going on in His own Temple without helping out a little, right?"
Junior held out a pile of equipment to Rose--it was her weapons, and her spellbook. "Here, take these. You'll need them. I think you'll find that, with the Big Guy's help, you can get your spells ready faster than normal. You'd better take care of that before he has to let time start again."
With all deliberateness, Junior walked around the sanctuary floor to each of the other adventurers and handed each of them a small bag. He sniffed as he passed the massive bug and seemed like he was about to do something to it, when the tall, glowing figure made a throat-clearing noise and Junior withdrew. "Yeah, yeah, I remember the rules--help those in need, but we cannot directly interfere." He looked at Rose's companions. "See? There are rules even where I've gone. Stinks, huh?" he grinned. "But the same goes for all of you. You can take this moment to look in the bags and get your bearings--but the moment that you try to do something to anyone else, the clock starts moving again. Those are the rules here."
Anyone looking inside the bag would find three golden coins, with Wardd's symbol on one side, and a large X on the other. "These are Wardd's magic coins," Junior explained. "You can use them any time you're in trouble for a little luck. If you call upon them, they'll flip in the air--get Wardd's symbol face up, and you get a boon. Face down, and, well ... better luck next time. You get the idea. You each have three coins, so that's three chances. Use them wisely."
Junior stopped in front of Berlon last, and handed the gnome his bag of coins. "I know you don't prefer our ways. I understand and respect that. You don't have to accept these coins, or use them. Just remember, though--a little good luck can always help, and if it doesn't help you ... well, maybe it'll help a friend." He smiled, then turned back to the altar. As he reached the altar, the taller, glowing figure placed a gentle arm on Junior's shoulder. Junior turned back to the companions and waved.
"Good bye everybody," he smiled, and smiled especially warmly at Rose. Then, he added, "And ... good luck."
It's a free action to put the coins away. Like Junior said, they're lucky coins that work like Hero points. You can use them as a free action to re-roll a bad roll--one try per roll only, please. You have three each, total. To use the coin, roll a D2: 1 is success, 2 is failure.
As Junior and the other, unidentified glowing figure faded from view, sound and motion began returning to the battlefield. The huge bug creature that was poised directly over Dietrich's head opened its giant mandibles, and struck! (Attack 22) The giant pincer-like mandibles snapped shut around the ursine warrior, clutching him about the waist like a vise! The creature squeezed (start grapple, grapple check 30; per Woldian grapple rules, Dietrich takes 10 on his roll, meaning he cannot beat the monster's 30, and he is pinned! Check the Constabulary Castle for Grapple rules), and began drawing the fighter toward its horrible, deep maw!
Big Bug's Grapple: Highlight to display spoiler: {+23, has Improved Grab}
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=29 d20+9=14 d8+1=3 d8+1=8 d8+1=2 Sunday August 7th, 2005 11:59:52 PM
Vorelle sights toward the giant bug, but doesn't dare fire for fear of hitting Dietrich. Instead, she fires at the closest centipede, then edges around the room to try to get in position.
[Hit AC 29, critical threat, confirmed to AC 14, for 3 points damage or 13 points if critical hit. Move to Z-22.]
Berlon - illegal pre post Monday August 8th, 2005 12:23:17 AM
The spiritual weapon is a conjured weapon made of force as per the spell description, I don't think the bug's acid/heat/whatever is going to destroy it. Let me know either way, and if I really need to make a save I will do so in my Monday post.
DM Kup: ooops! You are so right! "A spiritual weapon cannot be attacked or harmed by physical attacks."
Never mind. : )
Vauhwyt (Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+3=19 d20+5=24 d20+16=31 d6+2=5 Monday August 8th, 2005 4:07:38 AM
[OOC: You are right, Kup -- no time last round to use the bag o tricks. I gave an excess of orders on the off chance there would be enough time. Sorry for the confusion.]
Vauhwyt looks helplessly at Dietrich -- if only this pesky centipede were not in her way, she could charge forward ... but alas.
She considers running around it, but that would open her defenses to an attack of opportunity. She could tumble around it, but she could only move 20 feet (since an accelerated tumble would impose a -10 on the check that she can't afford). Annoyed, she decides to squish it.
Vauhwyt says, "Mookie, help me grab this bug." Mookie does his best and Aids Another with a 19.
Vauhwyt reaches out with her bare hands and grabs the centipede. Her Mookie-aided touch attack hits AC24, so she grapples it. Her grapple check beats a grapple DC of 31, so she inflicts 5 hp damage (real damage, not subdual damage) to the beast and has grappled it.
As part of her grapple, Vauhwyt enters the vermin's square. I reckon that puts her at AN-AP-51-53.
DM Kup: heh. I think I misled you. The Grapple listed above is for the Big Bad Daddie, not these puny punks (they are Medium size, if it matters). You easily grappled this runt, and you squished it into jelly. More details (ewww) in the DM post. : )
Dietrich ac 18, hp 40 d20+6=7 d20+7=9 d20+7=20 Monday August 8th, 2005 7:50:47 AM
Dietrich swears as his beloved masterwork greatsword melts away! (Fort 7). Still surprised by the vermin's unnatural heat, Dietrich is really stupefied at the divine intervention he had the privilege to see. He is genuinely happy that Junior seems to be now in a much better place than the rotting Dirt City.
All this events make him slower though, and he doesn't manage to avoid the giant mandibules. He trys to get free, but the bug is too strong (grapple 9). Getting desperate, the warrior throws one of Wardd's coins (new grapple check 20), but even than he continues moving to the bug's stomach! The fighter makes his last prayers to Gargul and is disappointed with such an honourless, disgusting death...
Zayne Ac 17 Hp 19/19 Bless d20+4=23 d20+4=23 d8=6 d8=1 Monday August 8th, 2005 10:01:53 AM
Thinking tho himself,"Hades things are never easy when we all are together." He quickly pockets the coins,"I'll ask Rose how to use them later."
Suddenly thought and action are one, he draws an arrow, aims and fires in one fluid motion, and before his bowstring has stopped moving, he lets another fly. (Quickdraw and rapid shot Target is the centipede in X-27 AC 24 and 24 forgot the bless for 6 and 1 respectivly)
As he watches his arrows fly towards his target he thinks to himself,"It feels good to be at it agian." Then he sees Dietrich get swallowed whole, and he shouts, "Vorelle cover me, I'm going to help Dietrich!" His voice cracks on the last word.
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Spiritual Weapon 3r, Bless 3m 54s d20+6=11 d2=1 d20+6=24 d8+1=3 Monday August 8th, 2005 10:33:07 AM
(OOC: Can we get a summation on who is affected by the Bless? DM Kup: Without going back to the former maps, let's just say, for simplicity's sake, everyone but Vauhwyt (too far south) and Rose (too far east). Let me know if that doesn't work.)
Trying to free Dietrich, Berlon focuses (move action) to redirect the Spiritual Weapon towards the mouth. The Weapon then rears back to attack the tongue/mouth/head area; maybe if the bug gets hit there it will accidently let Dietrich go.
When the magic weapon whiffs (Attack hits AC 11) Berlon quickly mutters "I can't believe I'm doing this" and flips one of the coins over his shoulder.
Berlon shakes his head. Did the weapon just miss, or did it strike it's target true? (free action to use coin)
Spiritual Weapon Attack hits AC 24 for 3 damage.
Berlon will then take a quick five foot step southeast, and then cast Bull's Strength upon himself. (standard action)
Bull's Strength - +4 Str for 4 minutes
Olyn ac24, hp32, Bless 2d8(6+8)+3=17 d20+4=12 d2=2 d2=1 d20+4=24 Monday August 8th, 2005 11:01:42 AM
seeing his friend and combat leader in dire straights, and with tears of joy streaming down his face for seeing his God come and help them in this battle, Olyn rushes up to the giant beast.
flipping the coin over his shoulder to land on the floor, only to have it bounce from badluck to goodluck. (flipped the coin, landed on badluck, used the Luck domain special ability to reroll it)
touching the beast at its head he delivers a shot of magical energies into it. (rolled a natural 20, and being there is no crit damage to a IMW I didnt bother rolling a special damage attack)
Inflict Moderate Wounds : 17 points of damage
DM Kup: Okay, now I've seen the issue in question in the e-mail, and I agree: roll the threat and possible extra damage as well. Can't hurt.
The re-rolling the re-roll thing is a little much, but I'll let that slide .... ; )
Olyn d20+4=7 2d8(5+8)+3=16 Monday August 8th, 2005 7:41:08 PM
* had to try, being im a lucky priest * threat of 7, dam 16, doubt it hit.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 d20+11=28 Monday August 8th, 2005 9:35:20 PM
Theodore attempts to glean exactly what the creature is from the numerous tomes he's studied. (Knowledge: Arcana check 28 to determine if giant bug is a magical beast, and if so, what.)
Theodore then pulls forth the scroll Berlon gave him, but hesitates using it on the giant bug as several of his friends rush forward. He grits his teeth, and looks about for anything to save his friend Dietrich
Temple Battle Round 2 (DM Kup) 8d6(2+1+5+2+2+5+1+4)=22 d20+23=35 2d8(1+2)+12=15 8d6(3+1+5+2+2+1+1+1)=16 d20+2=3 Monday August 8th, 2005 10:53:12 PM Okay! We're getting this straightened out now!
Vorelle fired a well-aimed arrow at the nearest monstrous centipede and splattered its innards across the Temple floor. Zayne, too, made quick work of a nearby crawlie. Meanwhile, across the Temple sanctuary, Vauhwyt was doing the same with her bare hands. Her immense strength was too much for even an overgrown bug, and the chitinous carapace shattered. Green fluids splattered all over Vauhwyt's chest and Mookie's wings.
Dietrich struggled vainly in the grip of the enormous bug, his ugly fate looming ever closer. Berlon's magical warhammer struck the beast again, but the blow did not seem to daunt it. Berlon's own strength grew from his relationship with his deity.
Rose's giant bee tried to sting the giant creature again (attack 3), but failed.
Olyn, meanwhile, raced across the Temple floor to aim a touch spell of immense pain at the giant bug. (Hey! You were too far away! I'll give you the tactical move this round as a "correction," but no more, okay? : ) ) It connected with the bug and send a jolt through its side--but then Olyn felt pain like he had never felt before! The heat from the creature coursed through his arm; it was like his entire arm was melting from the fingertips upward! (22 hp heat damage!)
Theodore studied the creature. It seemed similar to something he had heard of, once--a remora? No ... no, no, something about ice and snow ... yes! a Remorhaz! These fearsome creatures were rumored to inhabit the icy wastes. Their ability to tunnel through snow and devour their prey whole was legend. Only, now, the creature was all too real, and had Theo's friend Dietrich in its clutches. (You may assume that you know anything about the remorhaz that appears in the MM or SRD.)
The remorhaz--for such it was, apparently--shifted its massive mandibles and its mouth extended. (Grapple check to swallow whole, 35!) With a sudden movement of its enormous mouth, Dietrich vanished into the creature's gullet! The soldier of fortune was immediately plunged into darkness and felt the heat and searing acids of the creature's stomach juices tearing into his sides. The creature's gizzard smashed into his sides (15 points of bludgeoning damage), and the heat was excruciating (16 points of heat damage--a total of 31 points of damage!).
Dietrich was alive, but only just. He could still feel his weapon belt at his side--any light weapons, he judged through the pain, might still be usable in the thickness of the creature's gut. He knew that he had only a moment before he blacked out--perhaps for good.
Above the melee, pixies and other fey creatures chattered with apparent delight at Dietrich's seeming demise. The priests of Wardd were still trying to bring down the flying pests, and the remaining centipedes had raced over to battle the priests guarding the civilians--but with Dietrich in grave peril, did any of that matter?
Olyn ac24, hp32/10 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 1:01:51 AM
moves to a torch burning in a sconce, Olyn retrieves it for his next action.
Dietrich ac 18, hp 9/40, bless d20+25=28 d20+5=17 d4+7=8 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 9:24:45 AM
As the stench and heat approaches Dietrich seems to see his whole life passing through his eyes, the suffering and cruelty of wars long gone by, his stern father teaching the ways of the sword, the whenches and revelling with old mates, the loves that weren't meant to be, and he also remembers all his vain dreams of glory and heroism. At least he will fall defending the people. He is swallowed and almost faints with the pain, his clothes and skin burning.
As a last deed, the warrior instinctively takes his dagger (fast draw?) and trys to cut his way out of the the bug's stomach. (powerattack +3 damage -3 to hit) "By Domi, you'll come with me to hell!" hits ac 17, damage 8
If possible, (fast drawed dagger) he also takes the last cure light wounds flask.
OOC: any fortitude tests to resist the heat damage?
DM Kup: If you use up a luck coin, I'll let you drink the potion this round. Go ahead and roll for it. I understand that it's from Berlon; unless I'm missing something, it should be 1d8+1 hp (you can also use up a luck coin to improve that roll, if it's poor).
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=15 d2=1 d20+9=22 d8+1=7 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 9:57:33 AM
Vorelle continues to move toward the creature, then fires at it. As her shot appears to be going wide, she digs one of the Wardd coins out of her pouch and tosses it. The arrow straightens and strikes true.
[Move to square AC-24. Use coin to re-roll hit; hit AC 22 for 7 damage. I'm assuming that the cots do not provide cover.]
[Oops! Make that AC 24 for 9 damage. Magical Beasts are Vorelle's favored enemy; I keep forgetting.]
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 d20+11=21 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 10:47:43 AM
Theodore takes a deep breath and begins to read from the scroll. (spellcraft check 21, needed a 14) Finishing the incantation, he looks up, points his index finger slightly to the side of the remorhaz and a small red ball screams forward and blossoms into a fiery explosion beside the attacking creature.
(DM Kup, I need your help on this one. I can't see where the remorhaz is located on the most recent map that you sent. I see Olyn, the spiritual hammer, and the celestial bee, so I assume the remorhaz is near them, however, I don't have an exact reference point. Theo would send the fireball to hit just the remorhaz, and none of his friends, which I assume is possible. Could you please locate the blast so that it damages just the Remorhaz. If necessary, the fireball can include the celestial bee or some of the other centipedes. Thanks!)
DM Kup: no problem. The remorhaz is located at AL-AM-AN 33-34-35 (Huge creature, 9 squares). Per Olyn's last post, he moved back, so at the time that you cast the spell, there is no one from the party in the immediate vicinity of the creature save for Rose's giant bee. Cast away.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 5d6(3+6+3+2+2)=16 5d6(6+2+2+2+2)=14 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 12:49:43 PM
(OOC - Forgot to roll for damage. Damage is 16. Ignore the second roll, hit it twice by accident.)
Berlon Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Spiritual Weapon 2r, Bless 3m 48s, Strength 4m) d20+6=17 d8+1=8 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 2:02:11 PM
(OOC: I don't think Berlon's ever made a cure Light potion, so the homebrews I gave out should be 2d8+4 (3rd level at the time, +1 domain). I could be wrong, in which case it would still be 1d8+4, someone who wrote it down remind us...)
*Clang!* The spiritual weapon strikes the huge beast again.
Spiritual Weapon attack hits AC 17 for 8 damage.
Careful to time his move with Theodore's spell, Berlon will then run as far as he can. Full action, 45'.
(OOC: If the cots are not obstructions and you can "run through" them, it takes Berlon just west of the square the spiritual weapon is in. If Berlon has to go around them, he can still end up in the square northwest of the weapon. Either one is fine.)
DM Kup: on the potions--great! Dietrich, you hear that? Burn a luck coin, and you get 2d8+4 healing this round (burn a second luck coin if you don't like the initial result).
The cots--yes, I figured they were low obstacles, and potential cover, too, should anyone think to flip one over on its side (the pews, too, for that matter). 'Course, I never did bother to figure out how they'd work in game mechanics. If you really want to move through them, and unless someone else has a better idea, try a Tumble pass, DC 10. Otherwise, let's end you up using your second option.
Zayne Ac 17 Hp 19/19 Bless d20+10=30 d20+10=28 d20+2=14 d8+2=8 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 2:32:51 PM
OOC:Kup have I sent you a copy of my cha sheet? What size category is this thing, I am suuuming huge bt in determining my attack roll I am rolling as if it were large. Also since this is m favorite enemy(bout time I got to attack some)let's have fun with it.
Quickly the ranger turns around and this time only lets one arrow fly. (WHOOT NATURAL 20 followed by a 28 I love fighting favored enemies Damage 24)
Afterh firing the arrow he will move ten feet towards the creature(Into AC 29)
Rose hp: 20/23 AC18 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 3:12:38 PM
ooc 1: sorry for not posting last round. ooc 2: remember for the fireball that it is a ball and will go 20' up from center, 20' down from center, and 20' around from center.
last round: Tears comes to Rose's eyes when she sees her brother. She gives him a big hug (or at least tries to) and obviously doesnt want him to leave. She watches as he hands stuff to her friends and then leaves. She then does what he said to do (after all he's been bossing her her whole life :) She quickly slides under a pew and reads her spell book (I assume it took 1 round tell me if it took more or less)
this round Rose will stand up and cast mage armor on herself as she moves towards the giant insect.
rose Tuesday August 9th, 2005 3:14:15 PM
oops forgot new spell list
cantrips: mage hand message ray of frost acid splash
level 1: mage armor (used) shield color spray
level 2: scorching ray scorching ray
DM Kup: Actually, Rose, the idea was to have Rose "learn" her spells for the day during the "time freeze." So, assume that she got off the Mage Armor last round--what will she do this round?
Vauhwyt (AC18 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC17 HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+5=13 d2=2 d20+5=12 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 5:25:47 PM
Vauhwyt charges the bug. If she is lucky, Rose or the bee may be on the other side of the Big Bug, so that her attack both flanks and is a sneak attack.
Mookie sticks close to Vauhwyt, making a double move to keep up. The familiar, alas, does not have the time this round to Aid Another.
Vauhwyt is at +2 to hit and +2 damage (and -2 AC) with the charge. If she is flanking, she gains another +2. Her attack is a +3, so she rolls -- and she hits AC13 (I'm assuming it is AC20). She flips a Warrd coin and tries again -- this time she hits AC12.
Alas. Her effort is a waste. Vauhwyt fails to penetrate the monster's thick hide.
Temple Battle Round 3 (DM Kup) d20+2=12 2d8(8+4)+4=16 8d6(3+1+1+2+1+5+2+1)=16 2d8(1+4)+12=17 d20+13=18 Wednesday August 10th, 2005 12:01:02 AM
With the terrifying remorhaz having swallowed Dietrich, Olyn fell back to grab a torch from a wall sconce. As fortune would have it--naturally--there was one not too far away, but Olyn did not reach it just yet (got you within 10' or so of a wall, but decided to treat your movement as a "withdraw," which counts as a full move--unless, of course, you'd like to provoke an AoO from the big beastie, who still looks hungry enough for seconds).
Vorelle fired an enchanted arrow, that--luckily!--uncannily sought out its target, embedding deep within the creature's flesh.
Theodore pulled out a scroll, took a deep breath, and chanted the activation phrase. The spell worked--a bead of force flashed out from his outstretched hand and flew to a point between his webbing and the massive remorhaz, before detonating into a firey sphere of carnage! The remorhaz roared and reared in pain, and many of the trapped centipedes were quickly consumed as well.
Berlon's enchanted mace swung at the giant ice-worm, but missed, while the gnome himself charged bravely forward. The giant worm turned its attention to him, with a voracious gleam in its multi-faceted eyes.
Zayne let fly an arrow of his own--and the arrow found the creature's vulnerable eye! The creature roared with pain as the missile struck. (Nice shootin', Tex! Although, I hear tell that criticals are to be rolled multiple times, rather than multiplied. Whatever.)
Meanwhile, Rose prepared herself and her spells. Her giant bee was having no luck connecting with the remorhaz (attack 12).
Vauhwyt bravely charged forward with her spear at the ready. But all the luck in the world wouldn't help her--with all of the cots and rubble to avoid, she was unable to connect with her giant target.
Deep within the remorhaz's gullet, Dietrich summoned the courage to keep fighting. With one hand, he struck out at the creature's side, hoping to cut his way to freedom--he was able to gash the creature, but not succeed in opening a hole (There's no Power Attack on Light weapons! Aaaaah!) With his other hand, he was able to take hold of and drink Berlon's exilir, and the potion gave him a much-needed burst of vitality. (I assumed that you'd want to burn the extra luck coin to use the potion--you get 16 HPs of healing!)
Dietrich's predictament was still dire, however. The creature's stomach acids were eating away at flesh and bone, and the heat was stil melting away at his very being. Dietrich could feel his life force slipping away--slipping ... slipping ... slipping ...
(Dietrich: you take 16 points of heat damage this round--sorry, no FORT save!--plus 17 points of bludgeoning damage, for a total of 33! With the healing that you received, you're at -8 HP!)
And that was nothing compared to the outside of the creature's gut. The remorhaz's one remaining good eye focused evilly on Berlon. It snatched at the gnome (as a Huge creature, it has a 10' reach!). But as the huge, gaping maw and massive mandibles reached out to grab him, Berlon saw, out of the corner of his eye, the briefest reflection of light off of one of the coins that Junior had given him. The beast must have seen it, too, because it moved to the right just as Berlon was dodging left--narrowly missing the gnome! (Attack 18!) But that couldn't have been--nah, it couldn't have been--could it?
Many of the monstrous centipedes that had tried to crawl in after the remorhaz had been fried in the webbing by Theo's fireball. Several others were engaged with the novices by the northwest entrance to the chapel. And the pixies and fey creatures, witnessing the massive damage that the adventurers had dealt to the remorhaz in the span of just a few moments, no longer seemed quite as sanguine--indeed, some were chattering and pointing downward toward the group. In an instant, the four pixies disappeared! Several of the other fey creatures began chattering among themselves and starting flying toward the northeastern portion of the Temple--and the direction of the alchemists' lab.
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+11=30 d8+3=8 Wednesday August 10th, 2005 12:39:57 AM
Still hoping to save Dietrich, Vorelle moves and fires again.
[Move to AI-25 (That's I as in Igor, not L as in Larry. Stupid sans-serif fonts). Hit AC 30 for 8 points damage.]
Rose d20+4=12 d20+5=23 d4=1 d20+5=17 d4=3 Wednesday August 10th, 2005 1:56:26 AM
Ok lets get caught up
time freeze: study spells round 1: mage armor & move
round 2: fire arrow at remorhaz & move towards it ignore the +4 roll used wrong number attack: 23, +1 arrow damage: 1, +1 arrow
round 3: Rose realizes that the flying creatures are heading towards the cure "Dont let them get to the cure!" She cries out hoping that a few of the clerics will start helping in the fight. She will move back towards the door and fire an arrow at one of the fae. attack: 17, +1 arrow damage: 3, +1 arrow
ooc: how high are the fae? do they have to go through a door or is the room open from the ceiling?
DM Kup: It's all one big central chamber, with a huge dome that starts about 30' up and continues up to about 60' or 80' up. I made a separate map to indicate that the pixies and fey were much higher than the rest of the battlefield. Next round, though, I'll put them on the main floor map.
The priests have been helping--or at least, they've been trying. But it's hard to damage the fey creatures, as you know.
Dietrich -8hp Wednesday August 10th, 2005 5:14:06 AM
Despite all Wardd's luck, the heat and the pain take their toll and Dietrich fells unconscious.
He feels as a small child again and sees a beautiful light calling him, there is no pain and burning flesh, only peace, and his soul starts moving towards it.
Zayne Ac 17 Hp 19/19 Bless d20+8=26 d20+8=26 d8+2=5 d8+2=6 Wednesday August 10th, 2005 5:48:53 AM
Watching his arrow fly true he decides that his plan is going to take too long so he has to make something happen, and that has to happen now. He stands his ground and lets an arrow fly, and in the blink of an eye there are two arrows on the exact same course(both hit AC 26 Dam 5+6=11) He shouts,"We have to get kill this thing before it can get to the sickly!"
(OOC: I forgot the bless again so that is AC 27,too bad it doesn't give +1 to damage like in 2ed. The kid is hot right now, let's see if he can keep it up, Come on I need another crit or maybe two, come on Warrd)
Vauhwyt (AC18 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC17 HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+5=15 d2=1 d20+5=10 Wednesday August 10th, 2005 6:08:01 AM
[Kup, you put V too close to the bug ... with 20 ft reach as a huge quadruped with a reach weapon, V should have ended her charge in 39-41 an-ap]DM Kup: oops. Okay, I'll change it in the next map.
Since Berlon is flanking, Vauhwyt decides to try a sneak attack. Her attack misses, so she flips her second coin, but it gives her no help.
If the big bug attacks her, V's reach advantage should give her an AoO -- if so, her att is a 10 even with flanking. oh well.
Olyn *ac23, hp32/10, Bless Wednesday August 10th, 2005 10:30:36 AM
forgetting the torch, Olyn makes a beeline towards the alchemy lab, pulling his mace off his belt loop on the way.
*am attempting to position himself in front of the door so the pixies have to fight him to get the door opened.
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Spiritual Weapon last round, Bless 3m 42s, Strength 3m 54s) d20+6=17 d8+1=3 d20+9=19 d8+4=11 Wednesday August 10th, 2005 1:18:35 PM
The spiritual weapon blinks from existence, but not before getting in one final shot at the critter.
Spiritual Weapon attack hits AC 17 for 3 dge.
Berlon grips his mace, and snarls at the bug.
"You die now."
Berlon takes a 5 foot step east and takes a swing at the bug.
Heavy Mace attack hits AC 19 for 11 damage.
(OOC: Attack bonuses from Bless and Strength increased to 19)
As a move action if the critter is dead yet, Berlon will try to help retrieve Dietrich. If it's not dead, as a move action Berlon will then retrieve a flask, a ceramic ceramic variety the group hasn't seen him use before.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 d4+1=3 d4+1=4 Wednesday August 10th, 2005 7:58:02 PM
Theodore points two of fingers at the remorhaz and two bolts of energy shoot forward and strike the giant creature. (Magic Missile 3 & 4 damage)
"Watch out for your weapons," Theodore calls out to his friends. "His body heat will burn them to a crisp."
Temple Battle Round 4 (DM Kup) d100=14 Wednesday August 10th, 2005 10:52:28 PM
Vorelle's arrow sunk deep into the remorhaz once more, and at once, the creature's eyes seemed to reflect something it had not known before--the fear of death.
Rose's arrows failed to find their target, but Zayne's did not. With a heavy shudder, the remorhaz groaned, toppled--and fell. (Nice going, everyone!)
But Dietrich was still inside, (stabilization roll 14%, fails, now at -9!) and he was still dying. His friends set out to rescue him. With Vauhwyt's spear thrust carving a hole in the creature's side (surely your attack would, in fact, have hit a dead giant worm!), Berlon was able to see Dietrich's heat-charred form within the creature's disemboweled entrails. He moved to pull the fighter from the remains.
Olyn dashed toward the alchemists' lab and set himself up in the doorway, directly next to a grim-faced Clu'eth holding a wicked looking heavy mace in his one good hand. Clu'eth nodded wordlessly at the elf.
They soon had company. Four fey creatures--two blue, two red--flittered down from the level of the catwalk and aligned themselves in the space immediately in front of Olyn and Clu'eth.
From high near the catwalk, a disembodied, high-pitched pixie's voice spoke: "Give us the seeds, or you will all be destroyed by the might of the Fey King."
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Spiritual Weapon last round, Bless 3m 36s, Strength 3m 48s) 2d8(6+8)+5=19 Thursday August 11th, 2005 12:15:39 AM
Berlon looks up at Vauhwyt.
"I will tend to Dietrich. Do not let the pixiefolk get away."
Once Dietrich is free, Berlon will cast Cure Moderate Wounds on him, healing 19 points.
(Cure Mod. spontaneously cast in place of Aid)
Rose Thursday August 11th, 2005 1:16:18 AM
Rose runs towards the fae, her eyes full of anger. As she runs towards them she reaches into her spell component pouch and starts casting a spell. As soon as she's close enough she will throw a pinch of colored sand at the fae, as she does this blinding colors fly towards them.
Rose will move so that she can get as many fae as possible (and not olyn or the cleric) with her color spray spell.
daily spells left cantrips: mage hand, message, ray of frost, acid splash level 1: shield level 2: scorching ray, scorching ray
Dietrich, ac 18, hp 10 d20+2=7 Thursday August 11th, 2005 5:13:14 AM
Just before Dietrich left this Wold for another plane of existence, the light he was seeing disappears and he feels himself returning to his old, muscular and burned body. It wasn't to be this time he would know peace though, as apparently the gods still had some task for him in Dirt City. The warrior is stunned and weak, but opens his eyes to see Berlon saving his life and the huge stinking corpse of the monster lying besides him.
"*(^%, that was *()&( close! By the anvil of Domi, I owe you my life and won't forget!"
Never one to let emotions override practical worries though, Dietrich checks if his other weapons are useable (longbow and dagger) and looks for any suitable handweapon (search 7)in reach.
OOC: I was already thinking about a new character concept! Thanks everybody for preventing this!
Vauhwyt (AC18 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC17 HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+13=29 d20+13=30 d100=85 d20+3=16 3d6(2+5+5)+3=15 d6+2=6 Thursday August 11th, 2005 6:02:08 AM
[OOC: Kup, at one point you said, "(They're displayed on the "Catwalk" sheet. I can put them on the "floor level" sheet if it's easier, but just recall that they're at least 30' up.)" I'm going to assume that the catwalks are 30 feet above floor level. Hope that's okay.]
"Thank you, Berlon," says Vauhwyt. Then the voice of an invisible pixie speaks above her. Vauhwyt looks up toward the pixie voice and concentrates on where it came from. (Since the voice spoke so clearly, I'm assuming that V has a good chance to be able to target its space. Granted, it still has a 50% miss chance, but it's a shot.)
Vauhwyt mutters a quick prayer -- "Wardd let there be a place I can reach it from" -- and looks to see if there is something ten or fifteen feet tall she can jump up on to reach the pixie (maybe in two hops?). The fey is about 30 feet overhead, I think, and Vauhwyt has a 20-foot reach, so if she can just get a little higher ... maybe onto some pews?
IF Vauhwyt thinks she can get high enough to reach the invisible pixie with a 40-foot move, then she goes for it! If she has to jump on something, her jump checks are 29 and 30! sweet! She stabs at the invisible creature (miss chance 1-50 is a miss) and may even get a good shot at it! (rolled an 85! sweet!). Then her attack ... hits AC16 for 15 damage.
IF, on the other hand, Vauhwyt does NOT think she can reach the talking pixie this round, then she takes a run action to get to 23-25 ba-bc. That puts the two fey on the ends in reach of her spear, and the two in the middle in reach of her paws. Since she ran, she gets no other action this round, but if any fey provokes an AoO, then (using her rolls above) she hits AC 16 for 15 with spear or for 6 with a paw.
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] Thursday August 11th, 2005 10:29:36 AM
Vorelle is about to pull out her healer's kit and rush to Dietrich when she sees Berlon revive him. Relief coursing through her, she instead turns and runs toward the fey. She's not entirely sure what she'll do when she gets there; her magic bow seems ineffective and anyway her quiver is ominously light.
[Run to BE-23]
Olyn ac24, hp32/24, Bless d20+7=23 2d8(7+4)+3=14 Thursday August 11th, 2005 11:25:29 AM
standing proud with Clu'eth, Olyn realizes standing with him wont be long if he doesn't heal himself quickly, so, Defensively casting (23 check) Cure Moderate Wounds, he heals himself. (14 points)
Zayne Ac 14 Hp 19/19 Bless Thursday August 11th, 2005 11:27:07 AM
As the beast falls the ranger exhales realizing that he has been holding his breath since he let his arrows fly. Nearly jumping in jubilation he holds it in, it's not over just yet. He then runs towards Rose to help her with the fey. (Using my full turn to run to BA 29)
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 Thursday August 11th, 2005 6:46:46 PM
Theodore is quite relieved that the remorhaz fell. He now concentrates his energy on the flying fey. Pulling forth another scroll, he speaks the magical words and a burst of golden glitter explodes from the point where the invisible voice emanated.
(Scroll glitterdust; outlines invisible creatures; Will save 16 or blinded for 3 rounds)
Temple Battle Round 5 (DM Kup) d20+3=9 d20+3=8 d20+3=6 d4=3 d20+4=5 d20+4=16 d100=53 d20+6=15 d20+4=23 d20+4=11 d20+8=13 d8=4 Thursday August 11th, 2005 11:56:52 PM
Berlon pulled Dietrich free of the remorhaz's corpse and cast a healing spell, dragging the fighter back from the brink of death. Dietrich's body shuddered and gasped as life returned to his tortured lungs. Although not quite fully healed, Dietrich was well enough to stand and swing a--well, a dagger. Or a longbow. He would need a replacement for his melted greatsword, and there was none immediately handy.
Rose ran forward and cast a spell of shimmering, iridescent colors at the fey creatures. (Spellcasters, do your weary DM a huge favor and list DCs and possible spell effects, okay? I'm very familiar with Color Spray, but I gotta go find Rose's CS for the DC--and it's late.... Okay, here we go: DC 15, affects fey creatures F1, F2, and F3 from the northwest to the southeast. Will saves 9, 8, and 6--they all fail!) With a screech, the two blue fey creatures and one of the red fey creatures clutched their eyes and hovered in place--they were blinded and stunned! (Nice!)
Vauhwyt used her ears and a best guess to try to place the pixie that had spoken. (Listen check = 5, nat 1! Using the luck coin to attempt a reroll--16!) She felt like she had a pretty good read on the pixie's location--it was up ahead to the north--but it was too far to reach in one charge! (I randomized which creature might have been doing the talking, assigning a 25% chance to each, and it came up on the one at AU20, about 100' feet away--too far for a charge attack this round). "Just keep talking, morrron," Vauhwyt thought. She ran across the Temple until she was closer to the speaker, and to the fey that challenged Olyn and Clu'eth (left you a square shy so as not to run into Rose, who got there first). Vorelle and Zayne, too, raced across the Temple floor--just in time to see Olyn casting a healing spell on himself.
Theodore, meanwhile, had plans for the invisible pixies. He tried to estimate where the pixie speaker was (Listen check on a +6, right? = 15), and figured it to be about the same spot that Vauhwyt had determined! Casting his spell there, he was rewarded! Two pixies came into view (at AT20 and AU20, both +5 off the floor--remember, that's 25' in the "vertical notation")! Surprised at their sudden visibility, the pixies coughed and gagged on the dust, (will saves 23 and 11) and the one on the right rubbed its eyes--it was blinded!
With a grimace, the pixie on the left made a rude gesture, and a shimmering light came over himself and his companion. But he seemed surprised that he was still visible, and screeched in outrage, rocketing high up into the dome! (Moves to +11.)
Only one of the fey creatures--the red one at the end--seemed still capable of movement. With a scowl, it breathed out a stormcloud of rocks and dust at Olyn and Clu'eth (Olyn--rock cloud causes 4 HP damage, REF 13 half.)
Nice teamwork and tactics this round, everyone!
Loretta Friday August 12th, 2005 1:24:50 AM
dm kup, since rose is small and vauhwyt is large cant we share the same square? and how high up are these fae, could you do like in the market and list their height?
DM Kup: As to the latter, the "F1 to F4" fey creatures of the now-familiar red-or-blue types are all at +1--melee combat level. The headroom in the Temple drops to 30' once you're out from under the dome, by the way--the pillars indicate the dome edges.
As to the former--truthfully, I have a hard time keeping that straight. : )
Olyn ac23, hp32/22, Bless d20+6=26 d20+5=16 d20+5=25 d20+5=21 2d8(6+3)+4=13 Friday August 12th, 2005 2:59:45 AM
reflex of 26, nat.20, took 2 damage.
smiling at the 2 fey creatures in front of him, then looking deeply into the eyes of the one that didnt breath on him, Olyn says: Wardd have pity on you this day cuz I dont. and with that said he rears back with his Morningstar with his right hand, tosses a coin over his shoulder with his left, THWACKS the creature hard, upside its noggin. *rolled a crit threat, followed it up with a 22* (shows 21 but forgot to add the +1 due to masterwork) *doing 13 points of damage*
Zayne Ac 17 Hp 19/19 Bless d20+3=13 d20+3=6 d8=7 d8=1 Friday August 12th, 2005 5:25:19 AM
As soon as the pixies become visible, Zayne fires an arrow at each(AC 13 and 6 Damage 7 and 1 Doubt either hit but it's worth a try)
Feeling his illness he tries to catch his breath.
Dietrich AC 18, HP 10, blessing d20+5=24 d20+5=9 d8+3=7 d20+2=4 Friday August 12th, 2005 9:28:39 AM
Realizing how dangerous the situation still is, Dietrich looks at Berlon, stands up, takes his bow and starts moving to the north-east (20ft). He aims at the closest stunned fey and let go, hoping to be able to harm the magical critters.
hits ac 25, crit ac 10, damage: 7 (mundane)
His eyes continue looking for a handweapon, possibly from a fallen novice (search 4!).
The knight is still too weak and a little ashamed to adopt his usual commanding posture for the moment.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 d4+1=4 d4+1=5 Friday August 12th, 2005 10:02:02 AM
Theodore takes advantage of the now visible pixies and sends to bolts of silvery energy screaming towards the pixie who wasn't blinded by the glitterdust. (Magic missile hit for 4 and 5 damage)
Seeing Dietrich looking for a weapon, Theodore draws his rapier and (if he can) tosses it toward his recently revived friend. "Dietrich!"
Theodore and Macaw (Footnote) Friday August 12th, 2005 10:23:42 AM
OOC - Glitterdust lasts for 2 more rounds. Two pixies are visible, and the one is blinded.
Vauhwyt (AC18 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC17 HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+3=18 4d6(3+1+5+1)+3=13 Friday August 12th, 2005 10:39:35 AM
Vauhwyt leaps forward up onto the pews under the blinded pixie. If she can get her forepaws at least five feet up, she should be able to poke at that blinded one! Since it is blind, it takes a -2 panalty to AC and loses its Dex bonus -- thus opening it up to sneak attacks! She lands a solid blow, if she can reach it (hits AC18) ... for 13 hp damage.
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=22 d8+1=3 d2=2 Friday August 12th, 2005 11:23:26 AM
Uncertain what else to do, Vorelle moves and fires again, although she has little hope of actually hitting these creatures. Her shot is decent, but won't do much damage. She tosses a Wardd coin, but the god is not smiling on her.
[Move to BF-24 and fire at F4. Hit AC 22 for 3 points. Used Wardd coin to try to re-roll damage, but nothing doing.]
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Bless 3m 30s, Strength 3m 42s d8+5=6 d8+5=7 Friday August 12th, 2005 11:58:12 AM
Berlon utters another spell, not wanting Dietrich to go further without additional healing.
Cure Light Wounds (std action) - cures 7 hp (first roll of 1 rerolled)
Dropping his mace and shield (free action) he then readies his heavy crossbow. (move action)
Rose d20+5=11 d8+4=7 d6=6 Friday August 12th, 2005 5:01:45 PM
Rose takes a 5' step (from BB23 to BC22) as she moves she pulls out her bastard sword and swings at F2.
Used bastard sword +1, dont know if I hit because F2 is blind and stunned attack: 11 damage: 7 sneak attack: 6
Olyn d2=1 Friday August 12th, 2005 9:54:36 PM
** i used a coin and forgot to do the d2, here it is and i rolled a 1 **
/phew
Temple Battle Round 6 (DM Kup) 3d8(8+8+4)=20 3d8(2+8+8)=18 3d8(2+1+1)+6=10 3d8(7+3+2)+6=18 d6=5 d6=2 d20+8=23 d8+2=5 d20+7=16 d20+7=9 d20+4=18 d20+8=20 Sunday August 14th, 2005 5:39:14 PM
Olyn stepped forward and delivered a crushing blow to the side of the head of the fey creature that had just breathed upon him (F4). Although his blow might have crushed the skull of most inhabitants of Dirt City, Olyn found the creature surprisingly tough--as had his companions before him, in the Full Moon Market square. Still, he could note with satisfaction that a red, clay-like substance came away from the creature's head along with his morningstar, and the creature grimaced in pain.
Zayne fired arrows at the pixies. Although the first arrow found the blinded pixie (P1, who was unable to dodge the arrow), the pointed tip bounced harmlessly off of the creature's remarkably resilient hide. (Everyone, we're dealing with damage reduction again, so if you can let me know the enchantments and/or special materials in use, that would be very helpful. Thanks!)
Dietrich moved up on the melee and fired an arrow at the first blue fey creature (F1). The arrow found its mark in the blinded and stunned creature, embedding in its thigh--but then, Dietrich had seen this before; he knew that these creatures had a remarkable ability both to blunt damage as well as to recover from it swiftly. He and his colleagues would need to be both quick and powerful to bring the fey creatures down.
Theodore unleashed the unerring power of magic missiles at the pixie that now hovered in the dome (P2). As expected, the energy bolts flew with uncanny accuracy and struck the creature in the chest. But, to the mage's surprise, the creature seemed uninjured! It snarled its defiance down at Theodore.
Taking advantage of her surroundings and her extended reach, Vauhwyt leapt up on to the stacked pews and swiped at the blinded pixie (P1) (V, although the map tends to show you as "under" the pews, in fact you are standing on them. P.S. FANTASTIC! I love it!) The blow caught the pixie utterly unaware and unprepared--it sliced through its midsection, and the creature screamed in mortal agony!
Vorelle side-stepped and aimed an arrow at the red fey creature now engaged with Olyn. As she suspected, the arrow flew true but glanced off the creature's dense hide.
Berlon chased after the rapidly moving, but not yet fully healed, Dietrich the Bear. Just barely catching the longer-limbed fighter, the gnome cleric tapped Dietrich on the back, sending more healing into the fighter's body. (Sorry, B, but Dietrich moved first, forcing you to move to catch him--and you move slower than he does! You can ready your weapons next round.)
Rose stepped forward and readied her bastard sword for an attack on the second blue fey creature (F2). With menace in her eyes, she swung a deadly arc--but even as blinded and stunned as the creature was, it barely avoided her blow! (Rats!)
Clu'eth barked orders at the priests still guarding the civilians. "Advance! Destroy the bugs! These heroes and I will dispose of the fey creatures!" Shouting affirmations, the priests on the catwalk and those on the Temple floor set to destroying the monstrous centipedes located in Theodore's web.
True to his word, the priest stepped forward to Olyn's side and aimed a blow at the fey creature that Olyn had damaged (F4). The blow smashed the creature's side (attack 23, damage 5), and Clu'eth smiled grimly at Olyn. "FOR WARDD!" cried the priest.
The lone, unstunned red fey creature (F4) clearly did not like its odds. It glanced over at its three brethren, who were still stunned and blinded. Moving sideways to use the Temple's pillar as a defensive shield (5' step to BG21), it slashed with its claws at Olyn (attack 16 & 9), but failed to connect with either one.
The blinded pixie that Vauhwyt had damaged (P1) desperately muttered some enchanted words (cast defensively, Concentration check 18, makes it!). A glowing light swept over the creature, and suddenly, its eyes focused! With a grim smile, it disappeared--it had dispelled Theodore's magic!
The other pixie (P2, at AT20 +11), however, was still visible. It squeaked down at the heroes: "Think you can destroy us? What will you do about The Watcher's sister?"
As if on cue, a low rumbling began coming from beneath Theodore's webbing--and it was growing increasingly louder!
Vauhwyt (AC18 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC17 HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+3=9 d20+3=5 d20+3=21 3d6(1+6+3)+3=13 d6+2=3 d6=1 Sunday August 14th, 2005 7:19:47 PM
Vauhwyt carefully walks 20 feet east to az-bb 21-23. (Takes a 40 ft move to move 20 feet carefully).
"Mookie, help me claw this one," she says. But Mookie's help is not enough (rolled a 9).
Seeing how ineffectual Mookie is, Vauhwt pokes her spear (MW, nothing special) at F3. Her attack (+2 BAB, +1 MW weapon, +2 Str, -2 size) is at +3, and she misses.
But her reach extends across the battle. If she gets an AoO before her next turn, she takes it -- hitting AC21 for 13 if the AoO is 15-20 feet away, or for 3 if it is in paw range. If a sneak attack, add 1.
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Bless 3m 24s, Strength 3m 36s Sunday August 14th, 2005 9:40:34 PM
At the Fey's words and rumbling from the hole, Berlon shrugs his shoulders and sighs.
"Not *another* one! Looks like I won't be needing my crossbow after all..."
Berlon holds his heavy mace up in the air, and soon it's coated in a shining purple force. (standard action)
Magic Weapon - 4 minutes, +1 to hit and attack rolls
Berlon will then advance 15 feet closer to the hole (move action), keeping his mace and shield ready instead of drawing his crossbow.
Olyn ac24, hp32/24, Bless Sunday August 14th, 2005 11:03:37 PM
as Olyn positions himself directly across from Clu'Eth on the creature they are ganging up on, Olyn screams out. THE OIL, POUR THE OIL WE HAD PREPARED DOWN THE HOLE AND LIGHT IT.
Olyn ac24, hp32/24, Bless d20+7=24 d8+2=5 d8+2=8 Sunday August 14th, 2005 11:07:21 PM
as Olyn positions himself directly across from Clu'Eth on the creature they are ganging up on, Olyn screams out. THE OIL, POUR THE OIL WE HAD PREPARED DOWN THE HOLE AND LIGHT IT.
rearing back with all the force he can muster, Olyn brings his morningstar onto the fey creature him and Clu'Eth has both struck, inflicting 8 points of damage to it.
(used a hero point of my own to reroll damage, dont forget that Clu'Eth gets an additional +2 to his attacks due to flanking)
DM Kup: As to the flanking ... actually, as I understand it, no. The creature positioned itself against the pillar, thereby avoiding flanking from its side. True flanking occurs when the two allies are on opposite sides of the opponent, and so Olyn or Clu'eth would only get a flanking bonus on F4 in this circumstance if someone were directly behind it.
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=29 d20+9=28 3d8(7+4+1)+3=15 Sunday August 14th, 2005 11:44:27 PM
Giving up on F4, Vorelle instead fires a shot at F3. It's a superb shot.
[Hit AC 29 (critical threat), confirmed critical to AC 28. 15 points damage (8 points if for some reason that wasn't a crit). Magic bow.]
DM Kup: oops! I forgot about your magic bow. In the 3.5 rules, a mundane arrow fired from a magic bow overcomes DR /magic, right? Then your last shot should have damaged the fey creature--as will this one! Sorry!
Dietrich AC 18, HP 17/40, blessing d20+6=14 d8+3=4 Monday August 15th, 2005 10:24:21 AM
Dietrich thanks Berlon again for the healing and gladly catches Theo'r rapier. The massive fighter is a little unused with the light weapon, quite different from his old great-sword, but it kills nevertheless. He sheaths it for now.
He swears at the pixies resilience and shoots again at the wounded F3, shouting: "Concentrate your fire!" hits ac 14, damage 4 (mundane)
When he hears the rumble, he suddenly feels a cold in his stomach. Seeing Berlon prepare for close combat, the Bear shouts:
"Let us pound it from a distance and avoid close fighting. If anyone of us is swallowed again, not even Wardd can help him. Perhaps we can attract it to where it gets stuck and can be surrounded and savely attacked from behind"
He agrees with Olyn's cry and adds his own voice to it. Then the soldier moves 20ft to north-west to get some cover and stays ready to shoot at the uncoming monster.
Olyn *BigTim* Monday August 15th, 2005 11:08:57 AM
any opposite side is flanking, doesnt just have to be front and back, can be side to side or diagonal
DM Kup: yes. The creature can't be flanked side to side at present, because of the pillar. You see?
Olyn*BigTim* Monday August 15th, 2005 11:17:04 AM
hit submit b4 i was done. so, if he wants to take an attack of opportunity against me as i position myself opposite of clu'eth diagonally, so be it. but clu'eth and i will have him flanked. and keep him flanked til he's dead.
*i did say i was moving to flank him in my last post*
Theodore and Macaw HP 18 AC 16 Monday August 15th, 2005 6:58:40 PM
Theodore casts a protective spell upon himself as he feels the rumbling. He then reaches down for a small rock or other piece of rubble.
(Cast Protection from Chaos)
Mage Armor 4 hours Protection from Chaos 4 min
Temple Battle Round 7 (DM Kup) d20+7=21 d20+7=21 d20+7=25 d3+3=4 Monday August 15th, 2005 10:06:00 PM
Vauhwyt carefully crossed the Temple floor, trying as hard as she could not to cause vibrations that might attract ... attention. Perhaps owing to her gingerness, her attacks were ineffective.
Berlon prepared for the coming of the second worm. His heavy mace glowed with holy power.
Olyn shouted commands for Wardd's priests. Clu'eth voiced his agreement--"Do it!" The priests on the catwalk aimed their cauldrons at the hole and did their best to pour their contents down it. The priests on the Temple floor fell back uncertainly. Clu'eth stepped back to guard the doors more closely.
Ignoring any risk to himself, Olyn raced all ... the ... way ... around ... the fey creature with whom he was battling (F4). Guess he figured the creature couldn't lay a claw on him.
Guess he was right. The creature swung, but missed (attack 21, miss). The elf must be invincible. And he even cracked the creature--again.
Vorelle fired an incredible shot at the other red creature (F3). The creature crumpled to the floor. Dietrich's own arrow flew past ineffectually. Theodore took the moment to prepare himself for whatever might come next.
The fey creature engaged with Clu'eth and Olyn seemed badly wounded, but undaunted. It tried to damage Olyn--and connected once, raking its claws across the cleric's shoulder (attack 21, miss, attack 25, damage 4).
The pixie far above the Temple floor cackled with laughter. "Now you will all be destroyed!" It flew down toward the Temple walls (AZ15 +3)
The rumbling beneath the floor of the Temple grew louder, and, seemingly shredding through Theodore's webs like tissue paper, out of the hole emerged a virtual twin to the deceased remorhaz on the floor! Its shining, multi-faceted eyes reflected the body of the dead bug and it roared with anger--and its eyes turned toward the heroes clustered toward its northeast.
Note that the big bug at AL-AN 33-35 is the dead one. It is marked in black on the map.
Olyn ac23/24 V bigbug, hp32/20, Bless Monday August 15th, 2005 10:23:43 PM
grabbing a torch out of a sconce on the pillar he is at, after seeing the Remorhaz appear out of the hole, dripping with the fresh oil on it, and ignoring any and all attacks against him, Olyn races to the creature, holding onto the torch with both hands, a deathgrip mind you, screaming: WARDD'S WILL BE DONE !
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=10 d2=1 d20+9=21 d8+3=8 Monday August 15th, 2005 11:07:01 PM Not another one!
Vorelle can scarcely believe this is happening, but soon realizes that the new monster takes priority over the fey--annoying though they may be. She heads to where she can see the creature, then fires a shot. It's a misfire, so she frantically tosses her remaining Wardd coin after it. The arrow straightens and flies true.
[Move to AZ-24. Hit AC 21 for 8 damage. The "to hit" formula is as follows: +8 (normal bow attack) +1 (Bless) +2 (Favored Enemy) -2 (range increment penalty) = +9. If those pews provide cover, there's an additional -4, and the shot misses. I'm still unclear on the extent to which that stuff provides cover.]
Vauhwyt (AC20 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC17 HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+3=21 d20-1=0 d20-3=11 2d6(5+4)+1=10 d20+3=4 d20+3=19 4d6(2+3+6+5)+3=19 2d6(2+5)+2=9 Monday August 15th, 2005 11:38:28 PM
"Mookie, help me with that one," says Vauhwyt. The raven's aid another succeeds. Vauhwyt swipes with an aided paw at F2, and misses with a natural one! Angrily, she swipes with the other paw at F2, and hits AC 11 for 10 (includes sneak attack damage) (possible vs a blinded and stunned foe, maybe.).
Then she takes a five foot step back and pokes at F2 with her spear. That's another natural one! What ineptitude!
If Vauhwyt has the chance for an AoO, her attack is a 19 for 19 (inc sneak att damage, 14 without) or an 18 with a paw for 9 (4 without sneak att).
Rose hp: 20/23 AC18 d20+5=22 d8+4=5 d6=2 d20+5=25 d8+4=10 d6=3 d20+5=22 d8+4=7 Tuesday August 16th, 2005 2:51:36 AM
ooc: sorry for not posting last round, I wasnt expecting a sunday post (although I should have) and I've been busy with family stuff.
Rose continues to swing at F2 if F2 dies then she will move 5' to attack F1.
last round attack: 22 damage: 5 sneak: 2
this round attack: 25 damage: 10 sneak: 3
any aoo's attack: 22 damage: 7
Dietrich AC 18, HP 17/40, blessing d20+6=14 d8+3=6 d20+2=4 Tuesday August 16th, 2005 9:45:05 AM
When the other monster appears, Dietrich can only hope the oil and boiling water do damage it. He fires at it: th 14, damage 6
Seeing his two clerical friends moving towards the beast, Dietrich remembers his recent experience quite vividly and he repeats himself again:
"Don't get into hand to hand with it!! Let us keep circling around it and pound missiles and fire on it from a distance! If anyone of us is swallowed again, it's certain death!
Let us try to lure it where we can imobilize him!"
He shouts to the novices:
"Concentrate your crossbow fire on the giant monster!"
Dietrich continues looking for some abandoned weapon (don't want Theodore unarmed) and for any place in the building, where the bug could be lured into and imobilized. Search 4
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Bless 3m 18s, Strength 3m 30s, Magic Weapon 4m d20+12=32 d8+7=9 d20+12=13 d2=2 d2=1 d20+12=23 d8+7=13 Tuesday August 16th, 2005 11:15:15 AM
Berlon hunches down and moves as quickly as he can 10' to AH-32. (move action)
"I hope it's a small family. Alemi, let me fix this!"
Cast Divine Favor (standard action) - +2 on attack and damage rolls, 1 minute
"C'mere stupid, come look at the nice shiny things." Berlon tosses the two remaining coins out where the worm might charge the others, yet close enough to lure the critter towards him so he can make an attack of opportunity if it passes...
(OOC: Berlon is going to try to use the dead one as cover, as hopefully the critter is focused on the larger group and Berlon can approach her at a better angle. Even more hopefully, maybe Berlon gets an AoO as the critter goes by? Also, since the mace is now (temporarily) a +1 weapon, does that protect it from heat/acid the worm has?)
AoO check hits AC 32 (nat 20) for 9 damage. Crit check hits AC 13 (nat 1) rerolled with coins. Crit check hits 23 for 13 damage.
DM Kup to Everyone: I'm going to need some checks this round. Hopefully you'll all see this. Please give me:
A FORT, REF, and WILL save A Spot check A Listen check
Dietrich (checks) d20+6=15 d20+5=21 d20+3=5 d20+4=8 d20+2=21 Tuesday August 16th, 2005 12:22:43 PM
Fort 15 Ref 21 Will 5 Spot 8 Listen 21
Vauhwyt d20+4=11 d20+5=21 d20+6=18 d20+4=15 d20+4=18 Tuesday August 16th, 2005 2:47:24 PM
Fort 11 Ref 21 Will 18 Spot 15 Listen 18
Berlon's saves d20+5=10 d20+1=14 d20+7=17 d20+3=22 d20+6=16 Tuesday August 16th, 2005 3:26:19 PM
OOC: If any of the saves are vs fear, the +1 from bless is specifically for that.
Fort 10 Ref 14 Will 17 Spot 22 Listen 16
rose d20+4=18 d20+7=16 d20+6=17 d20+6=21 d20+5=22 Tuesday August 16th, 2005 3:32:06 PM
Fort: 18, +2 against fear Ref: 16 Will: 17 listen: 21 spot: 22
Temple Battle Round 8 (DM Kup) d20+7=19 d20+7=26 d3+3=4 Tuesday August 16th, 2005 10:59:34 PM
At a dead run, Olyn took off running with a torch (boy, this elf's good fortune to have a torch nearby--it's like he was supernaturally lucky!). The red fey creature gave him a parting shot (attack 19), but still couldn't connect. Even at his dead run, however, Olyn hadn't reached the creature yet.
Vorelle fired an arrow at the second remorhaz, and even used a bit of Wardd's luck to aim her shot. But even the God of Fortune's own luck wasn't enough to guide her arrow this time--the arrow did not make solid contact with the remorhaz. (The pews are potential low cover. Think of a long, solid chair. No effect for a big ol' remorhaz, but maybe good cover for a crouching Medium creature, or a careful Small or smaller creature.)
Vauhwyt was having difficulty connecting with blinded and stunned opponents. Fortunately, her ego was still intact. Rose, on the other hand, swung a vicious blow that left nothing behind. It sliced through the blue fey creature in front of her (F2), and it was gravely wounded.
Dietrich's attention was still divided. Attempting to command the battle, search for a weapon, and fire his bow all at once, his bowshot flew wide. The novices nodded nervously at his words. A few pointed toward the front doors. "We could try to seal it out there--but how would we get it there?" Some of the novices, Dietrich couldn't help but notice, carried maces ....
Berlon cast a spell and hid behind the still-warm corpse of the dead remorhaz in a hope to ambush the newcomer, while Theodore moved to Dietrich's side; misery loves company.
The visible pixie continued to chuckle. "Destroy them!" it urged the second remorhaz. It stayed far back, and--moments later--it disappeared! The fey creatures that Rose had stunned were wiping their eyes, and they began to focus--they could see! The red fey creature that had engaged Olyn needed a new opponent, and it chose ... Rose! Flying forward (to BD23 +1), it swung a claw at the halfling, and hit her! (Attack 26, damage 4) It howled with the blood-letting.
Vauhwyt and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: {You notice that Clu'eth is staying where he was, guarding the doors to the alchemy room, but that the doors have opened just a crack.}
The remorhaz emerged from the webs and began moving toward the northeast, slithering forward and growling menacingly.
Everyone, please continue to give me FORT, REF, and WILL saves, and Spot and Listen checks with each round until further notice. Thanks!
charging the beast with a bloodlust look and emitting a bloodcurtling warcry, Olyn launches himself at the creature.
* touches the torch to the Remorhaz to light the oil on it * * needed to add +2 for the charge plus a +1 for Bless, makes my to hit a 21 *
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+11=28 d8+3=8 d20+7=22 d20+7=22 d20+2=8 d20+9=14 d20+9=27 Wednesday August 17th, 2005 12:35:54 AM
Uncertain what else to do, Vorelle moves closer and fires again. It's a better shot than the first, and she watches anxiously to see the result.
[Last turn, I'd said Vorelle moved to AZ-24. I think she had enough movement to get there; her base move is 30 and she's only wearing a chain shirt. However, the map shows her only at BA-24. I'm going to assume that's a mistake, and that Vorelle can have a full movement of 30 feet from AZ-24--in which case she'll move to AU-27. If she's moving slower for some reason, let me know. Hit AC 28 for 8 damage, magic bow.]
Fort: 22 Ref: 22 Will: 8 (9 against fear effect) Spot: 14 Listen: 27
DM Kup: no, you're right--I was off one square. Sorry.
Vauhwyt (AC20 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC17 HP 17 of 17) (both enlarged & mage armor) d20+3=20 d20-1=15 d6+2=6 d20-3=16 d6+2=7 d20+3=12 3d6(3+1+3)+3=10 d20+3=23 d20+3=5 3d6(5+3+4)+3=15 d20-3=12 d6+2=7 d20+4=12 d20+5=24 d20+6=19 d20+4=12 d20+4=11 Wednesday August 17th, 2005 6:40:47 AM
"Again, Mookie! That one!" The liontaur points at F1.
Mookie's Aid Another is a 20.
Vauhwyt's Aided paw hits AC15 for 6.
Vauhwyt's Unaided paw hits AC16 for 7.
Vauhwyt takes a five foot step back and pokes at F1 with her spear. She hits AC12 for 10.
If Vauhwyt has any opportunities for AoOs: Spear hits AC23, a crit threat, with a follow up hitting AC5 (ha!) for 15, OR a paw AoO hits AC12 for 7.
Vauhwyt calls out to Rose, "Another Color Spray! Or tumble past them, and we'll flank!"
Fort: 12 Ref: 24 Will: 19 Spot: 12 Listen: 11
Zayne Ac 17 Hp 19/19 Bless d20+5=16 d20+6=24 d20+2=3 d20+6=12 d8=3 Wednesday August 17th, 2005 8:12:58 AM
OOC:Sorry about missing the last couple days, it's been a HECTIC week at work. Kup had an idea and I like it. I don't know how often I will be able to post this week, I will try to post out the rest of the week, but in case I am not able to would anyone be willing to post for me. So that way Zayne isn't just satnding around in battle looking stupid. I will send whoever is willing a copy of his cha sheet.
Zayne shakes off his weakness and moves towards Rose and Vauhwyt, he will then fire an arrow at F1(Ac 12 damage 3)
(OOC: Kup I rolled all my saves in case you need them and they are Fort 16 Ref 24 Will 3)
Rose hp: 16/23 AC18 d20+4=10 d20+7=21 d20+6=16 d20+6=15 d20+5=17 d20+5=25 d20+5=23 d8+4=10 d8+4=5 d6=4 d20+5=11 Wednesday August 17th, 2005 1:12:12 PM "Clu'eth! The door! Shut the door!" Rose calls as she makes a swing at the red fae.
fort: 10, +2 against fear ref: 21 will: 16 listen: 15 spot: 17
ooc: DM KUP could you please put down the number of the fae that's attacking me? you still have f2 who i killed listed.
DM Kup: sorry for any misunderstanding. No, you didn't kill F2--it was "gravely wounded." Vorelle took down F3, who is off of the map. It was F4 who attacked you this past round.
F1 and F2 are both blue fey, and both appear to be stunned, but no longer blinded. F1 is not wounded; F2 is badly wounded. F4 is a red fey, and is badly wounded but otherwise active.
Hope that helps.
Dietrich, ac 18; hp 17/40, blessed d20+6=17 d20+5=21 d20+3=13 d20+4=10 d20+2=18 d20+6=25 d20+6=21 d8+3=7 d8+3=6 Wednesday August 17th, 2005 2:58:40 PM
Fort 17 Ref 21 Will 13 (14 vs fear) Spot 10 Listen 18
Dietrich shakes his head at Olyn's reckless charge and prays for Wardd...
He moves 20ft to the south-west in order to keep a clear field of sight against the monster and shoots: hits ac 25, 21 for crit, damage 7 (13 crit)
The warrior repeats his orders to the novices:
"Fire the crossbows at the monster! Put that (*&^* oil on fire!"
To the next standing one he shouts: "Toss me your mace!"
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 d20+4=24 d20+2=16 d20+6=18 d20+4=15 d20+4=14 Wednesday August 17th, 2005 3:15:12 PM
Fort 24 Reflex 16 Will 18 Spot 15 Listen 14
Theodore hears the novices speaking to Dietrich and a plan blossoms. "Maybe!"
He pulls forth another scroll and frantically reads from it. Suddenly, a giant with blue tinted skin clambers from the very hole the two remorhaz's had burst from moments before. It holds a great club in its hand.
Waving it about fiercely, the frost giant, one of the remorhaz's favorite foods, bellows a challenge to the great worm and then charges towards the front doors.
"Open the doors!" Theodore screams at those clerics standing guard over the front door.
(Scroll of minor image; Will 16 to disbelieve. Attempting to lure the remorhaz after the giant going outside of the temple.)
Mage Armor 4 hours Protection from Chaos - 3 min 8 rounds Resist Energy Fire - 39 min 9 rounds Minor Image (Frost Giant) Concentration +2 rounds
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Bless 3m 12s, Strength 3m 24s, Magic Weapon 3m 54s, Divine Favor 1m d20+7=14 d20+5=8 d20+1=15 d20+7=11 d20+3=5 d20+6=25 Wednesday August 17th, 2005 7:39:48 PM
Seeing Olyn's frantic dash, Berlon takes uses the round to withdraw a flask of oil and lobs it towards the bug.
"Incoming!"
Ranged touch attack oil flask hits AC 14.
(OOC: I don't know what the range modifier is, so the above roll doesn't take that into effect, if there is any modifier for range)
Fort 8 Ref 15 Will 11 Spot 5 Listen 25
Temple Battle Round 9 (DM Kup) d100=9 d20+13=19 Thursday August 18th, 2005 12:02:42 AM
With a deathwish, Olyn ran forward with a lit torch toward what he hoped--best case--was an oil-soaked, hungry, angry remorhaz. As determined as he was, however, his charge was perhaps a bit too reckless--his swinging torch failed to connect!
Closing with the remorhaz, Vorelle unleashed a powerful shot with her bow. The arrow disappeared into the creature's chitinous folds, but the creature barely registered the wound.
Vauhwyt raked claws at the flying--and now sighted--fey creatures, but still could not connect. Stepping back five feet to employ her spear, Vauhwyt still wasn't successful. Even worse--her opponents seemed to be rousing themselves from Rose's magical stupor. She shouted at Rose to try to renew the favor.
Trying to join the fray, Zayne stepped up and fired an arrow at Vauhwyt's favorite target. Like the liontaur, however, he found no success.
Rose shouted directions at Clu'eth. Rather than do as requested, however, the priest stood still and mumbled under his breath. "Rabba-rabbhan-nnn-nnn-nuk ... gabba ... he was a gabba-da-da-da .... hummnnnnarrr .... rrrrr ...." As the priest babbled, Rose's mighty sword found the red fey creature (F4) and laid it low. It (F4) was dead. (Dead, dead, dead! ; ) )
Dietrich moved further into the Temple and fired an arrow with deadly accuracy toward the remorhaz. It appeared to find its target; like Vorelle's, however, the creature hardly seemed to notice the arrow's prick. Shouting at a novice for a weapon, the nearest one responded. "Aye, sir!" The priest ran forward to within a few feet of Dietrich and held his mace outstretched--but his eyes were wide with fear as he stared over Dietrich's shoulder at the giant worm beyond.
Theodore spawned an ingenious idea. Using a scroll to create the image of the remorhaz's natural prey, he sent an illusionary frost giant toward the Temple's large front doors. Theodore shouted at the priests in the southern end of the Temple to go open the doors, but, somehow, they seemed ... unwilling ... to run out in front of a frost giant being chased by a remorhaz. Strange.
No matter. Theodore's plan was an ingenious ploy that would have great success 9 times out of 10. But perhaps that would require the remorhaz to be in its natural environment, or not otherwise predisposed toward another end ... whatever the reason, the remorhaz was (literally) not biting on the frost giant illusion. It made no move to follow. (But your DM loves the creativity ... remind me to explain after, if it doesn't become clear why this didn't work.)
Berlon lobbed a flask of oil at the remorhaz. The flask failed to strike the creature and instead splashed harmlessly on the floor.
The remorhaz growled fiercely at Olyn and snapped at the elven cleric (attack 19), but Olyn's incredible luck in the House of his lord continued--the creature missed! It roared and reared over the cleric's head, poised as if preparing to strike again.
Meanwhile, the two blue fey creatures remaining near Zayne, Vauhwyt, and Rose began stirring. They flexed their claws and their eyes began to focus on their opponents. They would not be staying still much longer.
From beyond the cracked-open door to the alchemist's lab, Vauhwyt, Rose, and Zayne could all hear crashing equipment and cries of dismay. An alchemist swung open the door and ran out, his face alight with panic. "They've stolen it! They've stolen the antidote!"
Dietrich ac 18; hp 17/40, blessed d20+6=22 d8+3=9 d6=1 Thursday August 18th, 2005 6:27:42 AM
Dietrich swears as the excellent shots fired at the monster don't seem to harm it very much. Than he swears more as Theo's illusion doesn't lure it away. And finally he swears even more when he hears that the antidote has been stolen.
"*&%$ we failed!"
He shouts to the newly appearing novices:
"Where have they gone?
He would like to run after the thieves immediately, but there is a Remorhaz causing havoc in the temple and if it kills the patients there won't be anymore need for a cure. After some reflection, the soldier thinks it's better to concentrate all forces and kill the monster first, instead of splitting the party against quite dangerous foes.
"Everybody, let's kill the bug together first and than together chase the thieves!
Dietrich lets Theo's rapier fall to the floor (free), continues moving 20ft south (move), staying behind the remorhaz and hopefully within 30ft of it, and fires (it killed the other one before...):
hits ac 22, damage 9 (10 with sneak attack)
DM Kup: Dietrich and everyone--Don't forget those saves and checks!
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Bless 3m 6s, Strength 3m 18s, Magic Weapon 3m 48s, Divine Favor 54s d20+5=24 d20+1=17 d20+7=22 d20+3=15 d20+6=15 Thursday August 18th, 2005 8:48:46 AM
"So I guess we do this now then..."
Berlon lifts his shield into the air, this time asking for protection. (standard action)
He will then move 15' counter clockwise around the carcass, still trying to use it as cover, to AK-33. (move action)
Cast Shield of Faith - +2 AC, 4 minutes
Fort 24 Ref 17 Will 22 Spot 15 Listen 15
Vauhwyt (AC20 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) (enlarged & mage armor) and Mookie (AC15 HP 17 of 17) d20+1=16 d20+4=11 d20+4=20 d100=63 d20+5=15 d20+7=10 d20+4=16 d20+5=23 d20+6=12 Thursday August 18th, 2005 10:02:17 AM
[Int Check 16 -- an amazing roll for Vauhwyt, who only has a +1 mod.] Vauhwyt is not distracted by the tumult of the "second bug" behind her. She feels that the only priority has to be the antidote. She struggles to put together a fast chronology.
Last round the door opened a crack (a move or standard action by an invisible pixie), and the invisible pixie (probably the one she wounded) snuck in (that's another move action).
This round the invisible pixie picked up the antidote (a move action that would have provoked AoOs, but not on an unseen pixie, especially with the alchemists inside flat-footed with surprise). Another move action might just get the pixie a standard move away from the spot where the antidote had been.
The same round that the pixie picked up the anitdote, the alchemist ran out screaming.
How fast could a pixie fly? Vauhwyt tries to guage from seeing pixies move this battle. 40 feet, maybe? And it had been at least 20 feet into the room, likely. If the alchemist took a double move out of the room, and look at where he is now, then maybe the pixie started out 30 feet into the room.
So at this very moment the invisible pixie with the antidote is within 10 to 20 feet of the door, under the balcony, headed for the exit.
But which way was it flying? West, toward her? No way, especially if this was the pixie she had speared. Southwest, towards the "bug" -- and something about that "bug" bothers Vauhwyt, but no time for that -- but the pixie would not fly toward the place where her friends were looking and listening, Vauhwyt guesses.
No, the darn invisible pixie would be flying south, toward the main exit -- the only exit, Vauhwyt thinks.
[Kup! I've been searching and searching the map -- where oh where IS the main exit? Is it to the south, between the stairs? Is there any other way out of the temple at all? Windows a flier could break? I'm assuming the only exit from the building is to the south.]
So that means the pixie with the antidote is Right There! (Vauhwyt looks at an area on the map from BF19 to BF22 on one side, and BI19 to BF22 on the other.)
Vauhwyt concentrates her best -- Listen 11, Spot 20.
What to do? What to do? "Even if I ran there myself, it would evade me easily," Vauhwyt thinks. She decides she has only one choice.
She gets out her bag of tricks (move action) and reaches in. The liontaur takes a five foot step east to BA20. Then she tosses the fuzzy ball from the bag to BE26. She wishes she could throw it closer to where she thinks the invisible pixie might be, but she does not want the animal to attack the visible fey, and this might put the animal more in the pixie's path.
Vauhwyt's fuzzy ball develops into a (rolled a 63) boar. If she had any way to talk to it, she would tell it to find the invisible flying enemy, but oh well. She can only hope it will sniff out the pixie and give some sign.
Then Vauhwyt shouts, "NO! BY LEM, NOT THE BUG! WE CAN STILL GET THE INVISIBLE PIXIE WHO STOLE THE ANTIDOTE. I THINK IT IS OVER THERRE!"
Vauhwyt points to a place toward BG21.
She says, "Rose, if you can, Glitterdust or Color Spray or Burning Hands that spot, PLEASE!"
Finally, Vauhwyt makes a very hard decision. "Mookie, fly over therre, past the boarr, due south of Clueth, and try to hear the pixie if it flies by you!"
"Boss, don't make me go!"
"Get, my friend! Get over therre!"
Mookie flies to BG26 and tries to sense an invisible pixie. (It may be a sleaze to give Mookie spot and listen checks this round considering Vauhwyt already used his Alertness bonus this round. But if possible, Mookie's Listen is a 15 and his Spot is a 10.)
[Note, Mookie shrinks back to tiny size as soon as he goes more than 5 feet from Vauhwyt. He also loses his Mage Armor.]
Finally, saves. Fort 16, Reflex 23 Will 12.
Sorry, everybody, for such a rambling post.
DM Kup: Great post as far as I'm concerned. Yes, the main doors are to the south, past the alcove. Scrolling down on the (Excel) map should show yellow lines denoting the large, double doors, which are currently barred.
There are windows high in the Temple dome. Somewhere along the way, I thought I said something about "long, slanting dusty rays of light" coming from high up--that's them. They're not designated on the map, but let's assume that there's one for every pillar on the map. Breakable? Hard to say.
Then, of course, there are the stairs to the floor Below, and the big hole in the floor--wherever that leads.
Olyn ac24, hp32/20, Bless d20+6=24 d20+6=25 d20+6=24 d20+4=22 d20+4=14 d20+5=9 d20+5=20 Thursday August 18th, 2005 11:13:54 AM
determined to strike true with his torch, and seeing the beast poise itself to strike from above, Olyn reaches the torch up and touches the creatures oil soaked scales.
hit ac21 burning torch to oil, you figure the damage
fort: 24 refl: 25 will: 24
spot: 22 listen: 14
rolled a 9 for first attack, used last luck coin for a reroll. forgot to add +1 to attack for Bless in my roll.
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+11=28 d8+3=6 d20+7=10 d20+7=11 d20+2=16 d20+9=29 d20+9=21 Thursday August 18th, 2005 11:50:48 AM The bug's about to eat Olyn. The fey are waking up. The antidote's been stolen. And there's a frost giant over there. Dietrich says take out the bug, and he has a point. Vauhwyt says get the antidote, and she has a point, too.
Paralyzed for a moment with indecision, Vorelle finally decides to shoot at the bug. It's about to eat Olyn, and there are others closer to the antidote. She'll just have to trust them to take care of it.
Her mind made up, she stays where she is and fires another shot at the Remorhaz. She hits it again.
If we hit it enough times, we ought to have some effect. I just hope we have time.
[Hit AC 28 for 6 damage.]
Fort: 10 Ref: 11 Will: 16 (17 vs fear effects) Spot: 29 (Natural 20) Listen: 21
Zayne (posted by Kathy) [Bless; AC 17; HP 19/19] d20+8=19 d20+7=20 d100=74 d8=5 d20+5=8 d20+6=16 d20+2=20 d20+8=23 d20+8=21 Thursday August 18th, 2005 11:59:27 AM
"I'll get it!" Zayne cries, and heads for the spot where Vayhwyt is pointing. He pauses and listens, trying to pinpoint the invisible fey's location. [Listen 19]
If he can hear where the fey is, he'll fire a shot at it. If not, he instead fires at F2.
[Move to BG-27. Hit AC 20 for 5 points damage. Succeeded vs the 50% miss chance for an invisible foe.]
*If Dave finds time to post today, his post will supercede this one.
Dietrich, saves d20+6=25 d20+5=9 d20+3=10 d20+4=10 d20+2=7 Thursday August 18th, 2005 12:45:32 PM
Fort 25 Ref 9 Will 10 Spot 10 Listen 7
Rose hp: 16/23 AC18 d20+4=16 d20+7=21 d20+6=11 d20+6=19 d20+5=18 d20+6=26 d4+1=4 d6=5 d20+6=15 Thursday August 18th, 2005 1:20:41 PM "I dont have any of those spells left, but wait a moment maybe this will help." Rose says. She puts her hand on a seal in the shape of an eye. "OK AS SOON AS I BREAK THIS EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THAT PIXIE SO BE READY TO GET IT!" she yells to everyone.
She breaks the seal, drops her sword, draws her bow and an arrow and fires in seconds.
Seal of true seeing: The whole party (does that include the clerics as they're helping us?) gets true seeing as per the spell
fort: 16, +2 against fear ref: 21 will: 11 listen: 19 spot: 18
bow with +1 arrow attack: 26, +1 if point blank damage: 4, +1 if point blank sneak: 5, +1 magic arrow (if i get) crit?: 15
DM Kup: Wow! That's one heck of a seal! True seeing for the entire party, per the spell? That's like 15000 gp in scrolls, all going off simultaneously! Is that the complete description?
Zayne Ac 14 Hp 19/19 Bless d20+3=20 d20+3=21 d8=8 d8=1 d20+7=16 Thursday August 18th, 2005 2:06:14 PM
The younger ranger pauses for a brief moment to catch his breath, he holds it for a count of one and then, he looks at his target and fires not one but two arrows on very nearly the same path.(Ac 20 and 21 for 8 and 1 damage)
he will then take a look around, to see if he might be needed anywhere else.(Spot 16)
Temple Battle Round 10 (DM Kup) d20+4=17 d20+4=14 d20+4=5 d20+4=18 d3=3 Thursday August 18th, 2005 10:43:54 PM Cri'sis, n.; pl. cri'ses [from krinein, to decide, separate.] 1. a serious or decisive state of things, or the turning point when an affair must soon terminate or suffer a material change; a decisive or crucial time, stage, or event.
Dietrich moved toward the enraged remorhaz and let fly another volley. His aim was true and the missile seemed to strike its target--and yet again, the remorhaz didn't even flinch. In fact, it was nearly motionless. Vorelle, too, fired another shot at the bug. Her aim was also true, and yet--again!--the arrow seemed to do no damage. The creature was still motionless! What, was it immune to any attacks?
Calling down more holy power upon himself, Berlon moved cautiously forward toward the remorhaz. Something was just not right about what he was seeing. It was hard to put his finger on it--something about the way the creature was moving ... Berlon Highlight to display spoiler: {The way it was standing motionless--it was like it frozen, almost as still as a picture.}
Vauhwyt did some quick mental calculations and decided that there must be a pixie in the vicinity. She listened and concentrated on the spot (BF19 to BF22, BI19 to BF22), but did not see any signs of an invisible presence there. On the other hand, there was still sounds of commotion coming from inside the alchemists' lab. Vauhwyt shouted to her companions to concentrate on BG21. Meanwhile, she moved 5' east and tossed a ball that created a boar (at BE26). The boar looked around for an immediate enemy--but there was none visible. It turned its attention to the flying fey, which, it seemed to be gathering, were its closest available foes. It looked like it would head toward them next.
After a bit of discussion and indecision, a reluctantly loyal Mookie flew to BG26, looking for an invisible pixie. Like her mistress, however, the raven was unsuccessful in locating anything.
Zayne, too, tried to locate the hidden pixie, without success. He turned and fired two arrows at the blue fey creature still near Rose (F2), striking it twice but only appearing to harm it once. It looked badly wounded--but with the way that its wounds healed over time, it seemed barely worse off than it had before.
Across the Temple floor, Olyn was sacrificing himself for the cause. Heedless of the danger his actions would cause himself, and in the face of what was almost certain death, Olyn determinedly thrust his torch forward toward the remorhaz's oil- soaked hide. The torch thrust true and struck the creature's side ....
... and passed right through. It was like he was passing his torch through smoke. Waving his torch back and forth, seemingly right through the creature's body, Olyn gazed at what he thought would be his ticket to oblivion with disbelief. Olyn Highlight to display spoiler: {It is an illusion.}
Rose shouted to the group. "OK AS SOON AS I BREAK THIS EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THAT PIXIE SO BE READY TO GET IT!" She broke a seal, and, in a moment, it seemed as if a veil had been lifted from everyone's eyes:
-- There was Theo's frost giant, heading toward the doors, vainly trying to coax the remorhaz to follow. The giant was translucent and immaterial, like a cloud of smoke--it was an illusion.
-- There was the dead remorhaz on the floor and the trapped centipedes in Theo's Web. They were all real enough.
-- There was the second remorhaz, motionless, in the center of the room. Like the frost giant, it revealed itself as a smoky and indistinct outline; it, too, was an illusion.
-- There was no invisible pixie revealed anywhere in the dome or the main floor of the Temple. Nothing invisible appeared to the true-seeing eyes of the adventurers.
-- But--off to one side of the Temple--there was that "alchemist," running south down the side vestibule behind the pillars that supported the dome. His form was blurry and indistinct. The magical sight granted by Rose's seal showed him for what he truly was--a pixie, carrying several beakers of fluid!
Now fully awake and free of Rose's spell, the two blue fey creatures near the door to the lab (F1 & F2) turned their attention to Rose, and attacked! But only one claw connected (attacks 17, 14, 5, and 18), causing only light damage to the halfling mage (3 HP damage).
Seeing the disbelieving looks aimed in its direction, the "alchemist" pixie cast caution to the wind, literally. It shed its polymorphed form and flew as fast as it could through the Temple. Displaying a tremendous burst of speed, the pixie flew off south along the eastern vestibule, dodging around a pillar, darting diagonally across the Temple, flitting down the easterly stairs, and out of sight.
From within the alchemists' lab, more sounds of destruction and mayhem emerged. Clu'eth seemed to shake off his confusion and ran to the doors. "Wardd's Fortune preserve us!" he cried, as he ran into the room. There was the sound of the crashing of the priest's mace.
loretta Thursday August 18th, 2005 11:10:56 PM
hey, what happened to my attack? breaking a seal & dropping sword are free actions. drawing bow & arrow are a move action so i should get my attack.
the seal isnt over powered as it only lasts 1 round (so everyone had better take advantage of it) the spell description says that it would normally last 1 min/level min level 7. the only description i have for the seal is that the party gets true seeing as the spell for 1 round. (i have no idea when i got it so i had better use it)
DM Kup: Aha! 1 round! That's what was missing! Makes much more sense.
The attack didn't penetrate the pixie's damage reduction. Sorry!
Vauhwyt (AC20 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) (enlarged & mage armor) and Mookie (AC15 HP 17 of 17) Thursday August 18th, 2005 11:20:22 PM
"Rose, you rule!" shouts Vauhwyt.
The liontaur runs southwest, then south, then southwest to the doors, hoping to get to them before the pixie can open them and escape. She runs 160 feet. Doing so may open her to an AoO from the fey that moved next to her, but she does not care.
"Come on Mookie! Come on Boarr!" she shouts. Mookie, at least, follows -- in fact, Mookie may get to the door before Vauhwyt.
[Kup, are you sure the pixie can travel that far in one round? Just checking.]
DM Kup: Pixie, Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 60 ft. (good). "Running" speed is x4, or 240 ft = 48 squares.
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+7=15 d20+7=13 d20+2=17 d20+9=25 d20+9=21 Thursday August 18th, 2005 11:47:10 PM
Cursing herself for a fool, Vorelle, too, takes off at a run.
[It's hard to count when not moving in a straight diagonal, but I think Vorelle can make it to AN-48.]
Fort: 15 Ref: 13 Will: 17 (18 vs. fear effects) Spot: 25 Listen: 21
Dietrich AC 18, HP 17/40, blessing Friday August 19th, 2005 9:18:50 AM
Dietrich curses the pixies and their &$%^% magic (thuogh still better than to have a second, real remorhaz to fight...) and runs 80 ft to south to intercept the thief.
He shouts to the novices again to keep firing at the other feys.
Olyn ac23. hp32/20, Bless Friday August 19th, 2005 10:22:09 AM
realizing the oil soaked creature is in fact the imagination of a Pixie, Olyn turns, dropping the torch and yells: Illusion, big bug is an Illusion.
turns and makes a beeline back to the alchemy lab.
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Bless 3m, Strength 3m 12s, Magic Weapon 3m 42s, Divine Favor 48s Friday August 19th, 2005 12:39:56 PM
Berlon will take the time to light the webfull of centipedes, then move as far as he can to help chase after the thief.
Rose hp: 13/23 AC18 d20+4=10 d20+4=15 d20+6=26 d20+5=22 d20+5=17 d20+6=21 d4+1=2 d6=2 d20+4=18 d20+7=13 d20+6=15 Friday August 19th, 2005 1:06:16 PM
Realizing that Vauhwyt is going after the pixie rose jumps and crawls onto Vauhwyt's back just as she takes off. rose will carefully get ready to fire another arrow as soon as the pixie comes into view.
readied attack with shortbow and +1 arrow attack: 21, +1 if point blank damage: 2, +1 if point blank sneak: 2 (if i get it)
fort: 18, +2 against fear ref: 13 will: 15
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=20 d20+2=21 d20+6=11 d20+4=10 d20+4=20 Sunday August 21st, 2005 2:30:28 PM
(OOC - Sorry for the missed post, guys!)
Trying to tempt an illusion with an illusion! Theodore almost smacks himself for not having seen it before. Seeing Vauhwyt and Vorelle take off after the pixie thief, he decides he is too far away to be of any help and instead focuses his attention on the room that Clu'eth disappeared into.
Theodore keeps his concentration focused on his own illusion and suddenly the giant has decided against retreat and is now regarding the remaining fey as a tempting treat. He begins to march north and east to get in position for a mighty blow, roaring as he goes.
Theodore moves 30' to his east.
Fort 20 Reflex 21 Will 11 Spot 8 (-2 Macaw's not nearby) Listen 18 (-2 Macaw's not nearby)
Zayne (posted by Kathy) [Bless; AC 17; HP 19/19] d20+5=21 d20+5=11 d8=7 d20+5=16 d20+6=16 d20+2=4 d20+8=20 d20+8=19 Sunday August 21st, 2005 4:01:05 PM
Zayne again fires two shots, and grins when the first one hits.
[Shoot at F2; hit AC 21 for 7 damage. The second shot hits AC 11.]
Fort: 16 Ref: 16 Will: 4 Spot: 20 Listen: 19
*If David finds time to post, his post will supercede this one.
Temple Battle Round 11 (DM Kup) d20+4=15 d20+4=6 d2=1 d20+4=12 d20+4=21 d3=1 d8=5 Sunday August 21st, 2005 11:16:55 PM
Abandoning caution, Vauhwyt dashed southward toward the stairs and the fleeing pixie. The fey behind her slashed its parting gift (attack 15), but missed. Rose jumped onto the liontaur's back, also provoking a slashing goodbye from the other fey (attack 6), but equally ineffective. She clung on as they moved south. (V and everyone: I'm working with 28.8 dialup this week! S-l-o-w. Do me a huge favor and post relevant stats, for example, for the boar and Mookie as they become relevant, okay? Checking this stuff is excruciating for me right now, and that would be a huge favor! Thanks!)
Vorelle, too, ran as far and as fast as she could. Dietrich joined them; his fastest path took him straight through the smoky unreality of the remorhaz that he had previously so feard, and that he now cursed for believing so readily.
Olyn, having come to the same realization, came to the opposition conclusion; he ran north toward the lab, from which the sounds of destruction and battle still emerged. (O, 'cause I wasn't sure what you wanted to do about the fey creatures blocking the way, I stopped you at 60'. If you want to run past them next round and risk AoO's, just say so.) Theodore moved in the same direction, his illusory giant rushing up behind him and Olyn.
Berlon moved to the oil-soaked webs and lit them, watching with satisfaction as the centipedes within writhed and shriveled in the flames. (Nice!)
Zayne fired two arrows, one of which struck (determined randomly) the first blue fey creature (F1). It barely scratched the resilient creature, however.
Left with just Zayne as a likely opponent, the blue fey creatures converged! The blue fey creature that Zayne had just targeted (F1) closed (to BA22 +1) and attacked, (attacks 12 & 21, damage 1 hp!) barely harming the ranger. The second creature (F2) also closed (to BB24 +2) and unleashed its breath weapon! (5 HP damage, REF 12 half)
More crashes and shouts could be heard from the alchemist's lab. From the stairs, there was no sign of the fleeing pixie--or of the antidote vials.
All: given the connection difficulties here, it's going to be very hard for me to supply map updates this week. Please make note of the positions that I've given here:
F1: BA22, +1 F2: BB24, +2 Theo: AR23 Zayne: BA23 Olyn: AV26 Giant illusion: AR-AT 27-29 Berlon: AH36 Dietrich: AL44 Vorelle: AN48 Vauhwyt and Rose: AS-AU 48-50 Mookie and the boar: dunno, really. At least BE46 for the boar, BG46 for Mookie.
Kathy--Clarification Monday August 22nd, 2005 1:36:32 AM
I did say that Zayne was at F2.
DM Kup: Sorry!
Dietrich AC 18, HP 17/40, blessing d20+6=17 d20+5=14 d20+5=14 d20+3=4 d20+4=21 d20+2=17 Monday August 22nd, 2005 8:37:31 AM
As the fleeing pixie doesn't appear anynore, the fighter swears and suspects it's got invisible or similar. But he continues running to block the southern exit (80ft) and trys to find the thief, feeling anger for his impotence.
Fort 17 Ref 14 Will 4 (nat 1) Spot 21 Listen 17
Vauhwyt (AC22 Str 13 of 14, HP 35 of 35) (mage armor) and Mookie (AC15 HP 17 of 17) d20+4=14 d20+4=12 Monday August 22nd, 2005 4:20:46 PM
Vauhwyt shrinks down to normal size. "Hold on, Rose!" she shouts. She dashes towards the main doors out of the cathedral, hoping to get to them and brace them shut wit her body before the pixie can get to them.
Mookie flies up close to Vauhwyt.
The liontaur tries to tell if the pixie is around. Listen 14, Spot 12.
The boar moves (charges) to attack the nearest fey.
STATS on MOOKIE
Raven (Tiny Magical Beast) Hit Dice: 4 (18 hp) Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), fly 40 ft. (average) Armor Class: 15 (+2 size, +2 Dex, +1 natural AC), touch 14, flat-footed 13 Base Attack: +6 (BAB +2, Dex +2, Size +2) Attack: Claws +6 melee (1d2-5) Space/Reach: 2-1/2 ft./0 ft. Saves: Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +4 Abilities: Str 1, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 6 Feat: Weapon Finesse Specials: Low Light Vision, Improved Evasion, Speaks Common, Share Spells, Empathic Link
STATS on BOAR
Size/Type: Medium Animal Hit Dice: 3d8+12 (25 hp) Initiative: +0 Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares) Armor Class: 16 (+6 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16 Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+4 Attack: Gore +4 melee (1d8+3) Full Attack: Gore +4 melee (1d8+3) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Ferocity Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent Saves: Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +2 Abilities: Str 15, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 4 Skills: Listen +7, Spot +5 Feats: Alertness, Toughness
Rose d20+4=9 d20+7=9 d20+6=22 d20+6=25 d20+5=10 d20+5=16 d20+6=24 d4+1=3 Monday August 22nd, 2005 4:38:05 PM
Rose wedges a foot under a strap for one of Vauhwyt's packs and keeps an eye out for that fae. She also makes sure she can shoot the thing when they are close enough.
fort: 9, +2 against fear ref: 9 will: 22 listen: 25 ride: 10 spot: 16
readied attack with shortbow & +1 arrow, range 60' attack: 24 damage: 3 add +1 attack & damage if within 30'
Vorelle [Bless; AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+7=27 d20+7=13 d20+2=9 d20+9=25 d20+9=14 Monday August 22nd, 2005 5:57:17 PM
Vorelle continues running for the door. As she gets closer, she looks and listens for signs of the fey. She also looks to see whether the doors are open or shut.
[Run to AN-68, unless that would make her collide with Vauhwyt, in which case she stops before colliding.]
Berlon AC 20 HP 28 - Bless 2m 54s, Strength 3m 6s, Magic Weapon 3m 36s, Divine Favor 42s Monday August 22nd, 2005 5:59:46 PM
Seeing the quicker members of the group rush towards the fleeing Fey, Berlon will run 60' to see if he can help with what is still going on in the Alchemist Lab.
Zayne (posted by Kathy) [Bless; AC 17; HP 16/19] d20+4=15 d20+4=24 d20+4=23 3d8(8+7+5)=20 d20+5=8 d20+6=12 d20+2=13 d20+8=23 d20+8=26 Monday August 22nd, 2005 7:40:36 PM
[I'm going to assume the 16 Ref save I rolled for Zayne yesterday was good enough to halve the breath-weapon damage.]
Zayne steps back out of reach of the fey (5-foot step), and again fires two shots at F2. The first misses, but the second all but impales his tiny foe.
[Hit AC 15 (which I assume misses). Hit AC 24 (critical threat), confirmed to AC 23, for 20 points damage (8 points damage if it isn't a critical hit).]
*If David finds time to post, his post will supercede this one.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 d20+4=18 d20+2=14 d20+6=17 d20+2=22 d20+2=15 Monday August 22nd, 2005 9:06:34 PM
Theodore continues east, drawing forth his wand of burning hands as he moves. As well, the giant continues forward.
Fort 18 Ref 14 Will 17 Spot 22 Listen 15
Overwhelming Force (DM Kup) Monday August 22nd, 2005 9:46:35 PM
While half of the party rushed south to block the doors from an escaping pixie, Zayne concentrated his firepower on the blue fey creatures. His arrow impaled the wounded one (F2), leaving just one of the original cohort of fey (F1). It eyed him warily. At the same moment, a cry of triumph and a heavy, wet thud from the alchemists' lab announced Clu'eth's victory over the second--and last--pixie there.
Wherever the pixie with the antidote had gone, it was nowhere to be seen or observed. After disappearing down the stairs to the level Below several seconds earlier, it did not re-emerge.
After several minutes of destructive fury, the Temple fell silent once more. Only the bated breath of its defenders, and the muffled wails of still-terrified civilians in the western chapel, broke the silence. The last blue fey creature, whom Zayne kept marked with an arrow, fluttered high up near the ceiling, but made no more offensive moves.
Combat over--depending on your intentions toward the last blue fey creature.
Olyn 2d8(4+7)+8=19 Monday August 22nd, 2005 11:26:01 PM
moving up to Deitrich, Olyn pulls out a scroll and reads it, then, placing his glowing hands on him he releases the magic into him, healing 19 points of damage.
Zayne Ac 17 Hp 16/19 Bless d20+8=25 d20+8=12 Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 6:07:01 AM
OOC: Thanks Kathy, for covering for me. I was going to post Sunday but I slept all day long by the time I got around to waking up the posting for Monday had already been done. Speaking of which, Kup what time do you post?
Zayne looks around for any signs of more hostility.(Listen 25 Spot 12) If he doesn't find any he will begin checking to check on any innocent folk that could have been injured in the fracass.
Dietrich AC 18, HP 36/40, blessing Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 8:18:55 AM
Dietrich thanks Olyn for bringing him back to full combat readiness. He is very distraught that apparently the party didn't manage to guard the cure, but the soldier wants to check this first.
Keeping an eye on the last blue fey, he moves towards the laboratory to ask Clueth if the antidote has really been stolen/destroyed.
If that's the case, Dietrich rushes the group to move after the pixie to the level Below. He doesn't like to go without full magic support etc., but every minute without the cure means the death of many. He also reckons that the remaining clerics can take care of themselves and the wounded now.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 10:41:59 AM
Theodore moves with Dietrich into the alchemists' room. He checks with Clu'eth as to the status of everything and looks the room over.
He ceases concentrating on the image of the giant, which remains under the remaining fey, glaring up at the little bugger.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 3:33:08 PM
[Note: In the bag of Tricks description it says, "It can follow any of the commands described in the Handle Animal skill." I'm pushing that this round!]
Vauhwyt says "Ouch! Rose! You're digging into my back! Please, dear friend, dismount!"
"In fact, could you stay here and MAKE SURE that this door does not open? Spike it shut, maybe."
Then Vauhwyt calls her boar -- COME! SEEK! TRACK!* she urges the animal. She ushers it down the stairs after the pixie.
"Come on, Mookie! Maybe we can still find it!"
=====
*Come: The animal comes to you, even if it normally would not do so.
Seek: The animal moves into an area and looks around for anything that is obviously alive or animate.
Track: The animal tracks the scent presented to it. (This requires the animal to have the scent ability)
Duration is ten minutes for the animal.
Vorelle d20+9=15 Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 5:47:47 PM A person can't be everywhere at once, Vorelle tells herself, trying to assuage the guilt she feels. It doesn't help.
The idea of "tracking" a flying creature is patently ridiculous, but, not knowing what else to do, she makes the attempt.
[Survival (Track) check of 15 to figure out where the fey went.]
Berlon Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 7:21:29 PM
Berlon makes his way closer to the remaining Fey creature. He yells, in Elvish, "Surrender now or perish!"
Rose Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 9:44:15 PM "Ok, Vauhwyt." Rose says as she hops down "Mookie since I wont be with you guys make sure Vauhwyt drinks her healing potions BEFORE she's knocked out."
Aftermath (DM Kup) Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 10:06:32 PM
The group set about attempting to ascertain the damage--whether it be the location of the stolen antidote, or the condition of the alchemists' lab.
The latter was all too painfully clear. Whether t was from the pixies' own malicious destruction, or from the valiant efforts of the Temple's defenders to defeat them, the lab had been utterly destroyed. Wrecked bottles, broken tubes, smashed flasks, demolished beakers, and miles of torn and shredded tubing lined the floors. A few frightened alchemists (one of whom looked suspiciously like the polymorphed form of the fled pixie) were busy stamping out small fires in a rainbow of colors. Clu'eth stood in the middle of the room panting over the form of a smashed pixie, its broken body still half-clinging to the head of his mace. "It's gone," he breathed heavily. "All gone."
As to the former--the other pixie, with the missing potions--a brief foray into the Temple's corridors Below revealed a long, dark burrowed tunnel leading into unknown depths. It was from this tunnel, the adventurers might surmise, that the original remorhaz and the others had come; and it was reasonable to suppose that the fled pixie had returned the same way, and none of the other doors appeared disturbed. None of the group's tracking efforts could confirm that, however. (In the meantime, a wounded L'laylon, his forehead gashed by a fey claw, put a light hand on Rose before she marred the Temple's front doors. "There is a saying among my people about halflings, tardily shut barn doors, and escaped riding dogs--I don't suppose it's true?")
Back on the Temple's main floor, Berlon was ordering the last blue fey creature in Elvish to surrender. It continued to hover, but it smirked. "And why not?" it answered in the same language. "You cannot stop the Master now. You've delivered him precisely the ingredients that he needed."
Zayne d20+5=21 Wednesday August 24th, 2005 9:40:21 AM
Unless Vauhwyt has any orders in particular for Zayne he will search through the chaos that was created for any innocent bystandards that may have been caught in the fracass.(Taking 20 if possible if not then Search 21)
Vorelle Wednesday August 24th, 2005 3:46:48 PM
Vorelle looks down the burrowed corridor, then back at Vauhwyt.
"W-we need to f-f-follow," she says. "G-g-g-get the others."
Vauhwyt (Mage Armor), Mookie, and Boar Wednesday August 24th, 2005 7:38:07 PM
"Right, Vorelle!" says Vauhwyt. "Mookie, go fly back and bring the others fast. Also get anything from that lab that smells like the antidote. Maybe a flask or something. Or pixie blood!"
For a change, Mookie does not argue, and instead just flies off fast.
"Come on!" says Vauhwyt to all her friends in shouting range. She urges her boar on into the tunnel, "SEEK! TRACK!" she urges it. She follows after the invisible pixie as fast as her boar will allow.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday August 24th, 2005 9:32:23 PM
Theodore exits from the alchemists' room and looks directly at the floating fey above him.
"Why do you do this?" he asks in Elvish. "Why do you wish to kill these people?"
Questions--and Answers? (DM Kup) Wednesday August 24th, 2005 9:53:25 PM
The corvid Mookie swiftly winged his way back to the rest of the group. "Boss says we have to track the pixie, so get the lead out!" he cawed.
The blue fey creature merely cackled. "You'll never find it," it chortled in return. "Mistilpix is the swiftest flyer around. And he's invisible, if he hasn't turned into a wolf. Or a rat. Or an alligator. You never can tell, with him. He is the King's finest servant."
(The searchers Below quickly found the pixie's unheard words to be the truth. There was no scent to follow--the pixie must have polymorphed or flown too far, too fast to leave a clear trail.)
"You'll never find the potion before the King has the chance to use it," the fey creature beamed.
"Use it for what?" came a heavy voice. Standing at the door to the alchemists' lab, Clu'eth shook his y mace at the creature. "Tell me, you thrice-accursed beast, or by Wardd, you'll join your fellows in the abyss!"
The creature gave no reply, but behind Clu'eth, one of the alchemists--the one whose form the pixie had mimicked--came forward. His face was ashen and pale. "The potion we were creating was not a simple reversal of the disease," he explained. "It was concentrated--distilled. The purpose was to place it into the water supply to effectuate a long-lasting cure for the entire population. But the formula is easily altered. A drop or two of the original serum, and ...." he shrugged. "What could have been a cure ... could serve as a catalyst--an enhancer to the disease."
The blue fey creature thrust its claws into the air in triumph. "His Majesty will use your unnatural poisons against you! He will use it to restore Nature to this unnatural place you call a city--to wipe away the pestilence of unnatural, perverse 'civilization' and restore the Wild! By midday tomorrow, the potion will be in every well in the City--spread by the King Himself, from His secret lair!"
Berlon d20+7=22 d8+2=6 Wednesday August 24th, 2005 10:41:22 PM
*thwunk*
Heavy Crossbow attack hits AC 22 for 6 damage.
"Last chance at life, little ugly one..."
Dietrich Thursday August 25th, 2005 6:19:55 AM
Dietrich completely agrees with the urge to track the cure (or possible poison) and moves towards the level below, torch in hand.
He listened to what the last pixie said, trying to get any clue, but it only rumbled around. Perhaps they could trick it into saying where that thief fled to.
"You're a little boasting pansy! Your King is just a beast, hiding in a wet cave below the city! You talk so much against our civilization, but your wussy "King" lives in our sewers, where really such a stinking dungeater belongs!"
Dietrich is not exactly the most esperienced with that, but maybe the mocking makes it reveal some info.
Vorelle Thursday August 25th, 2005 10:06:43 AM
Puzzled, Vorelle frowns down the tunnel. If they're at one end, surely this King person is at the other end?
Theodore and Macaw Thursday August 25th, 2005 12:07:58 PM
Theodore dismisses the fey with a sigh and runs after Vauhwyt and Vorelle. The image of the frost giant fades and disappears as the wizard dashes to the lower levels of the temple, holding his britches high to avoid tripping over them.
Macaw flies over head.
Olyn Thursday August 25th, 2005 12:12:57 PM
turning to Clu'Eth he says:
Locate Object. if we cant track the beast, lets track the item. and lets do it now before it gets too far out. pointing at the morphed cleric: youll have to come do the locating, you have seen the object and know it the best. better chance at finding it if you do the locating.
rushes to pick up his battle gear. and as an afterthought, zaps himself 2 times with the clw wand.
Olyn 2d8(5+3)+2=10 Thursday August 25th, 2005 12:13:37 PM
clw rolls, 10 points healing, 2 charges off wand.
Vauhwyt Thursday August 25th, 2005 7:12:07 PM
"Good thinking, Vorelle. Let's get there fast so as to give them no tie to preparre!"
In her excitement, the liontaur's accent emerges.
She follows Vorelle down into the tunnel.
Zayne Thursday August 25th, 2005 10:28:16 PM
Zayne seeing Olyn grab his gear does the same and follows the lucky cleric.
Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Misfortune (DM Kup) d8=3 Thursday August 25th, 2005 11:26:37 PM
Berlon ended the conversation with the blue fey creature barbarian style ("Enough talk!")--the heavy bolt thudded into the creature but barely pierced its formidable hide. In response, it breathed fumes all over the gnome (3 HP damage, REF 12 half).
The others tried to follow the burrowed tunnel. But not far beyond the Temple, the tunnel vanished into one of the rapidly flowing sewer tunnels. The creature could have gone anywhere from there--and with the ability to polymorph apparently at will, how would they try to track it?
Back in the Temple, Clu'eth shouted orders at the priests who had converged with their own heavy crossbows to match Berlon's own, and with a slew of bolts, brought the creature down. Its eyes glazed as it breathed its last. "My Master will restore the natural order of things. This body may fail--but I will see him ... in my dreams." The creature expired and crumpled.
Clu'eth sighed heavily. "So it is lost to us, then," he murmured. "And our City is doomed."
"No," came a voice. The elf priest L'laylon stepped forward. His face was placid as always. "The creature left its clue in the last. We brought this King to the Wold in a dream. It is in a dream that we may contact Him again and learn His plans." The elf paused, and looked at Olyn.
"You know that of which I speak."
Dietrich Friday August 26th, 2005 3:40:04 PM
Dietrich was already expecting that result from going into the tunnel, but it is disappointing nevertheless. He is also a little disappointed that his attempt to tease the annoying creature into revealing anything useful didn't work either, but at least the critter has finally been neutralized.
The warrior listens to the talks of the clerics and looks with expectation to his friends, hoping there is a way to get after the stolen cure.
Vauhwyt Friday August 26th, 2005 4:31:35 PM
Disappointed that their efforts to follow the pixie are for naught, Vauhwyt calls her boar back into its bag.
Her hopes rise at the cleroc's words, though. She looks at Olyn, wondering what this is all about.
Berlon - HP 25 AC 20 d20+1=3 Friday August 26th, 2005 6:49:40 PM
Berlon hacks and coughs as he is enveloped by the disgusting fumes (REF save 3)
As he coughs, he uses it as an excuse not to say anything to the two Elves and their discussion.
Berlon will then make his way to check out the wrecked lab.
"The alchemists you have can make use of my lab if that will help with anything."
Olyn Friday August 26th, 2005 11:22:34 PM
turning to L'laylon, Olyn nods and says: I will go into the dream world and find out the answers we need.
Vorelle Saturday August 27th, 2005 10:28:39 AM
Vorelle watches the discussion, wishing there was something she could do to help.
Theodore and Macaw Saturday August 27th, 2005 1:30:37 PM
When the remaining fey falls to the temple floor, Theodore has the sudden urge to kick the dead rascal. He manages to restrain himself from such action, though.
As he waits on the others to return, he also looks to Olyn. "What does he mean, Olyn?"
Rose Sunday August 28th, 2005 2:45:46 AM
Rose joins Vauhwyt and Vorelle as they go back to the main area of the temple. "What do we do now?" She asks brightly then sees her surroundings and looks for her brother before remembering that Junior is dead. Tears fill her eyes "Um, will I have time to go talk to my parents. I...I...have to tell them..." and rose starts crying again.
The Dreaming (DM Kup) Sunday August 28th, 2005 10:17:17 PM
L'laylon raised a hand at Olyn's words. "Hold," he said gently. "That is not what I meant. Not just you, brother. All of you must go."
The elf priest reached into his robes and held aloft a vial. "This is the essence of the Fey King's dream-stuff. There is enough here for each of you to partake and to enter the dream-Wold."
"Wait!" Clu'eth barked, marching forward. "I had no knowledge of this. Where did you get this from?" The elf ignored him. He held forth the vial.
"Take this," L'laylon continued. "The Dream King awaits you. He is growing in power in this Wold. But you may yet defeat him in the Dream Wold, where his essence has been ... diminished. Partake, and you will see what I mean."
The elf looked at each of the adventurers, but his pale blue eyes registered no emotion. The vial was held forward in his hand.
Vorelle Monday August 29th, 2005 1:50:08 AM
Vorelle hefts her quiver, which is now very light.
"A-are there m-m-m-more a-arrows?" she asks tentatively.
Dietrich d20+4=12 Monday August 29th, 2005 7:59:36 AM
Dietrich listens to the strange things the elven priest is telling and can't help but to feel suspicious, particularly after Clueth's surprise. He trys to sense his motivations (sense motive 12), after all, it wouldn't be the first time L'laylon arouses suspicion.
When Vorelle asks about arrows, the warrior is reminded that his own quiver isn't that full either and he feels the abscence of his sharp blade. The mace is just not the same...
OOC: Hi all! Just using this brief pause to ask again about that loot we were going to divide. In the end, did anyone sell the stuff in the catacombs? I never heard about it again. After the encounters with resistent pixies etc. magic weapons would come handy.
Olyn d20+3=18 Monday August 29th, 2005 11:18:32 AM
feeling uneasy about this like the Dman, Olyn tries seeing if the Lelf is trying to pull a fast one over on the group.
Sense Motive 18
Berlon - HP 25/28 Monday August 29th, 2005 1:51:10 PM
"Yeaahhhh, about that..." Berlon says sarcastically, "this may come as a shock to some people, but I'm about to tell you what you can do with that essence of Fey King dream-stuff..." he pulls up at the last minute.
"Seriously, you *can't* be serious. Just trying to break the tension, right? Right??"
Theodore and Macaw Monday August 29th, 2005 3:43:31 PM
"Whatever we do, perhaps we should set about sealing up these holes the remorhaz left. We don't need anymore...things...taking us by surprise."
"You wouldn't happen to have any big rocks or such that we might use, would you?" he asks of Clu'eth, motioning with his hands that he meant big!
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday August 29th, 2005 4:42:40 PM
The liontaur is also suspicious about taking the strange potion.
"If you don't mind me asking," she says, "why didn't you mention this beforre? Where did you get this magic from? And as an elf, what's your opinion of the Fey King?"
Mookie is more blunt. "Anybody got a detect poison spell?"
Vauhwyt does not tell her familiar to hush.
Rose Monday August 29th, 2005 8:45:08 PM
Rose waits patiently for the others to get more weapons. "Vorelle, I have some extra arrows, but their not enchanted or anything."
ooc: I dont think anybody sold the stuff in the catacombs. When is the last time we got exp? I think we got it for the baker's house, but did we get any for the swamp, or the gnome village? I know we havent got any for the pumpkin fight or this temple fight. Um, dm Kup you do know what's been happening dont you? because we were sent to the swamp to get the book for the prince and gave it to the dragons instead. He doesnt know yet because we've been helping the temple.
Truth and Consequences (DM Kup) Tuesday August 30th, 2005 12:43:22 AM
If L'laylon was expected to offer more answers, his response might have been a bit of a disappointment. "I am elf-kind, I was in the dreaming," he replied. "I know the King. Like others, I cast a vote. But a new vote must be held, and a new fate woven. That fate is not of my making, or of my kind." He looked meaningfully again at all of the adventurers.
Clu'eth stepped forward. "Brother L'laylon," he said more gently. "There are those that have questioned your motives in this Temple, and yet you fought with us. This--thing--you offer is outside of Wardd's realm. Can you not vouchsafe these heroes' passage?"
L'laylon turned to Clu'eth and nodded. "I understand, Master, and I realize the consequence of my actions. I will soon be leaving Wardd's service. But there is no malice in this vial. The Dream King awakens, his seeds are spreading in the Wold, and it is only in the seat of the Dreaming that these heroes may find the answers that they seek--the location of the serum that will save or doom this City. The passage to the Dreaming holds no danger other than what each brings there." For what it's worth, none of you sense deception in the elf's words--what sense can be made of them.
Clu'eth directed another novice to run to the armory. "Go and find what supplies these heroes might need," he instructed, and the novice ran off. H e turned to the group. "It is a small token of gratitude. You may not have yet saved the antidote, but you were able to save all of the civilians in this Temple--and what greater gift is there, that they yet live? You will find supplies to restock what ammunition you may have used--you may take it with Wardd's blessing, to whatever end."
"And one thing more," the priest continued. "Wardd has clearly blessed your struggle. I would offer you one more boon on his behalf." As the novice returned with supplies of arrows as the group might have wanted, there were also a small bag of amulets. "These are the Tokens of Wardd. They may be used once, and only by those to whom Wardd has bestowed his blessing. They will permanently enchant one weapon of your choosing. Take them, and experience Wardd's Fortune--wherever your destiny may lie." The priest looked back warily at L'laylon, who stood by impassively with the vial still outstretched.
The armory, indeed, has such resupply of ammunition as the group might desire. Consider yourselves at full ammo. There are mundane simple weapons of all kinds as well, should anyone desire them.
The Amulets of Wardd bestow a special blessing on one weapon of your choosing--the blessing is particular to each of you, and may not be transferred. Once used, the amulet disappears. Each round that you use the weapon in combat, roll a d4: 4 = the weapon functions as an additional +2 enchanted weapon that round; 3 = the weapon functions as an additional +1 enchanted weapon that round; 2 = the weapon functions as normal that round; 1 = the weapon functions at -1 less enchantment (i.e., cursed) weapon that round.
Olyn Tuesday August 30th, 2005 10:48:09 AM
*ooc did you mean 3 = +1 instead of +2?*
DM Kup: Ooops! Yes, 3 = +1. I've corrected the post above.
While I'm here, I wanted to hand out some HERO POINTS. Olyn and Dietrich both receive a hero point for absolutely (and I mean absolutely) insane bravery in the face of overwhelming odds against the remorhazes. And Rose receives a hero point for solid roleplay in a difficult circumstance! Congratulations, everyone!
having gathered his gear and restocked his crossbow bolts, completely donning his armor and making sure everyone has been fully healed. Olyn will graciously accept the token from Clu'eth. turning to L'laylon he says, im sorry I doubted your words brother, and I am sorry to see you leave his service. and takes the vial from his outstretched hand.
*Olyn will attune the amulet to his MW Light Crossbow before he enters the dream world*
Vorelle Tuesday August 30th, 2005 10:53:48 AM
Vorelle accepts her amulet solemnly. After a moment's thought, she places it on the handaxe sheathed at her right side, watching in wonder as the amulet disappears.
Then she fills her quiver from the armory and stands ready to drink her share of the liquid.
Dietrich Tuesday August 30th, 2005 3:27:44 PM
Dietrich takes a great-sword and arrows from the armoury and gladly accepts the divine token, remembering again the amazing experience of Rose's brother returning after death to help against the feys. He puts the amulett at the newly acquired sword. He weighs the weapon and trys to get a feeling of it.
Despite beeing unable to read L'aylon's intentions, in the end Dietrich slightly grudgingly accepts the idea of taking the potion and entering the dreamworld.
OOC: still about that loot, what are we going to do about it? I would just like to have it behind us and update the charactersheet.
DM Kup: Totally OOC--I expect a resolution to the DFR module--finally!--within a few more weeks. PCs (that survive) will have downtime then. Sale of goods, updates to CS's, etc., might best happen then. Okay? : )
Berlon - HP 25/28 Tuesday August 30th, 2005 7:04:43 PM
Berlon has to have the amulet placed into his hand, and he accepts it with a blank stare and open mouth. He snaps out of it at the actions of the others.
"Are you people CRAZY?" He jumps up and down after his question for added effect. "You're doing it AGAIN! GAAAH!"
He turns towards L'laylon and politely says "Yes, thank you, I will pass," and then wanders off towards the wrecked alchemist area, muttering angrily in Gnomish.
He will then check on the condition of the area, seeing what is in workable condition.
Theodore and Macaw d20+13=15 Tuesday August 30th, 2005 10:11:14 PM
"If you don't mind..." Theodore extends his hand to take the potion from L'laylon. "I would like to look this over."
If given the potion, Theodore will cast detect magic on it to determine what he can. (Spellcraft 15)
Olyn Tuesday August 30th, 2005 10:21:11 PM
* 2nd post cuz i think it needs to be said *
are you people crazy? if Clu'eth thinks its ok then its ok. we dont have time to bicker, to wander off cussing, and to cast spells to check on things. we need to find out where the potion is, how to get it back and in the process find out his plans and see how we can keep being a thorn in his side. now, quit thinking about yourselves and remember there are things we have to do now to save them. (waves his hands at all the people in the temple) then walking over to an empty cot, Olyn lays down, pops the top of his potion, and downs it.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday August 30th, 2005 10:38:16 PM
Vauhwyt accepts the token with thanks but does not use it just yet. In fact, she accepts it in a handkerchief and does not actually touch it yet.
Let it sit in a pocket for now, she thinks, until the folks at church say it is okay for me to use.
She is reluctant to trust the potion as well, but Olyn's bravery shames her. "I agree, Berlon, but what other choice do we have that presents even a chance of saving our city?"
She takes a sip of the potion.
"Here, Mookie."
"Boss, maybe I better stay here and watch over you all?"
"And what could you do if we were attacked?" Vauhwyt counters.
"Um ... uh ... um ..."
"Here, take a sip!"
"Fine." But if this kills me, I'm blaming you."
"Hush, Mookie."
The Flagon with the Dragon (DM Kup) Tuesday August 30th, 2005 11:08:16 PM
Several -- Vorelle, Olyn, Dietrich, and Vauhwyt -- stood ready to drink. Theodore sniffed and examined the potion, but his examination revealed little (identify potion is higher than 15, sorry), although it unquestionably was of a strong enchantment.
L'laylon provided a small drop of tincture to each who were ready to receive it. He laid a hand gently on Dietrich's new blade and lowered it. "You'll have no use for such things in the Dreaming," he smiled. "But then, I can see that there is no use in explaining. Go--relax your mind, empty your thoughts, and become one with the void. Remember--the only danger there is what you bring with you."
Berlon dismissed the others disparagingly and headed toward the alchemists' lab. Or, at least, what was left of it; it was a wreck. Nothing remained intact; the pixies and the clumsy defense of the Temple's protectors had seen to that. Not far from the doors to the lab, Berlon saw a young gnomish family. The mother was cradling her young child's head in her lap and was weeping. "Hold on, child, hold on," she urged him, stroking his feverish brow. "Don't give in. We'll have medicine for you soon."
"But, mother, where will we get it?" asked her older daughter. "The antidote is gone. No one will be able to cure him--"
"Hush, girl," her mother chided. "There is always hope. There is always a way." For a moment, her eyes looked up and met Berlon's, and she smiled faintly. "Isn't that what these brave protectors have shown us? There's always hope--isn't there?"
One line forming to the left, please--let me know if you drink the potion or no. There's enough folks missing posts--maybe it's the nasty weather in the Southeast--that we'll wait for tomorrow before proceeding further on the results of the potion and other matters.
Vorelle Wednesday August 31st, 2005 2:04:09 AM
Vorelle frowns at the priest's words. Weapons supposedly weren't needed Below, either, but she'd had experience to the contrary. She takes a firmer grip on her quiver. Needed or not, her weapons are coming with her.
She accepts a sip from the vial.
Rose Wednesday August 31st, 2005 4:02:59 AM
ooc: sorry for missing posts. My sis is moving and although she said she would keep her kids at home because she missed them (we had them for a whole week while she looked for an apartment) guess who has the kids? :) oh well I dont mind as their moving 6hrs away. But whenever I would sit down to post someone needed the phn or i had to watch them. Right now they're sleeping at our house and will be picked up in the morning and leave for their new home. :(
Rose will put the amulet in her beltpouch, she wants a magic bow, but she really had her heart set on a nice one made of white, black, and rose wood. If she needs it she'll use it, if not she'll wait untill she gets a pretty bow. She makes sure that she's beside Vauhwyt when she lays down and takes the potion (where's piper? anyone know?)
ooc: does the amulet have to be used on a masterwork weapon? what happens if it's used on a weapon that's already magic? can we upgrade it? I assume it just adds a +1 bonus and the special d4 feature right?
DM Kup: the expert (clearly, excluding me) explanation of the amulet/token is that it endows any single, non-natural weapon with a "(d4-2) luck bonus," i.e., it will stack with enchantment bonuses. The bonus applies to the weapon, but it is particular to the PC, i.e., the bonus will not convey to other wielders of the weapon nor can the PC reassign it to another weapon.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday August 31st, 2005 9:33:58 AM
Theodore purses his lips as he thinks deeply on what he is about to do.
I don't know enough about this dream world...the Fey King...any of it. What am I going to do?
He watches as several of his friends take sips from the potion. He also takes note of Berlon's hasty retreat.
He continues to drift further from the group. But perhaps he has the right idea this time.
He shakes his head fiercely. "I can't let you go without me. I may not be of much help, but I can't let you go without me."
His mind made up, he takes a drink of the potion.
Olyn Wednesday August 31st, 2005 11:35:05 AM
closes his eyes, with vengence on his mind, for the death of of the townsfolk ...... and Roses' brother.
Zayne Wednesday August 31st, 2005 6:51:26 PM
(OOC sorry been struggling with keeping my internet connection longer than 30 secs for the last few days. Catching up on everything at once. Tell me if I got the right of this, the amulet effect isn't permanent, if I roll a 1 it only lasts until the next round, ok nm I see you cleared that up.)
Standing there leaning slightly on his bow, the young ranger once again stands there not fully understanding everything being discussed.
he accepts the amulet, though not quite undestanding it's powers but does understand that when he makes the choice it is permanent, and quickly replenishes his stock of arrows.
When offered the potion he smiles weakly,(Still not 100% over the illness) and asks,"Like anyone really had to ask." Quaffing the offered elixir.
Berlon - HP 25/28 Wednesday August 31st, 2005 10:07:20 PM
Berlon smiles at the girl as he attends the brother. "Always, little one, always." He will then cast Cure Minor Wounds on the boy, hoping any little bit helps.
"After this, if you and your family want, you can move out of the City and live in the village I grew up in. Once this is all over..."
Cure Minor Wounds - cures 1 hp, cast spontaneously in place of Guidance
DFR Finale
The Dream (DM Kup) Wednesday August 31st, 2005 10:33:24 PM
With some preparations and more than a little reluctance, each of the heroes--save Berlon--accepted a drop of the elf priest L'laylon's soporific, and arranged themselves on the nearby cots to await the potion's effects.
At first, nothing happened.
Then the familiar tendrils of drowsiness began to creep up around the heroes' consciousness. The seductive fingers of sleep caressed their faces, relaxed their battle-weary limbs, and cradled their heads in their silky embrace. The leaden shutters of night's repose closed over their eyes, and they slept.
But not Berlon. The gnome, ever mistrustful, busied himself with everything else imaginable--tending to the wounded, clearing out the alchemist's lab, cleaning up the Temple--anything that would keep him from confronting that greatest fear that he hid within himself.
"And are you so afraid of what you may find here?" came a whispered voice in the gnome's head. "So fearful of where the truth may lie?" Wherever he might look, Berlon saw no sign of who might have spoken.
Meanwhile, his companions slept on.
They dreamed.
They drifted out of space and all imagining.
Gradually, through the mists, a vision appeared:
There, in front of them, was the satyr. Somehow, in their minds, the heroes knew instantly that it was he, The Fey King, Ebyron. He was standing in a wooded setting, with tall, berylline-trunked trees gathered stately around him. His back was to the heroes.
As their view slowly shifted, the heroes began to hear. The Fey King was speaking to someone in front of him--someone seated in a large, ornate throne that seemed to have grown out of one of the silver trees itself. Somehow, without seeing the figure seated in the throne, the heroes knew:
It was Queen Maab, The Fey King's Bride.
Ebyron's smile was both indulgent and condescending. Both emotions failed to register in his handsome eyes however, as though the eyes knew the true odds. "All this time," he began, "I knew you'd cling to that crown. My dear Queen, did you think I would not anticipate this? Did you entertain the foolish notion that I would come meekly? Be your puppet?"
The satyr king gave a sharp stamp of his cloven hoof, and nearby branches veered away fearfully, only to return, swooning, as Ebyron stretched wide his arms. "See the power I have! See nature's love for me! You have neither the right, nor the strength to deny me!"
He turned slowly, his arms still outstretched, his fingers beckoning. Energy gathered there at those fingertips - a wisp of flame, a tiny cloud of sand; drops of moisture and the tiniest, perfect little whirlwind. And with such small gestures, the entire Wold came to rest - no wind, no rain, no fire, no tremors of earth.
The elements gathered around their King, cloaking him in a strange mist. "You want me tame and compliant, my Queen?" came his voice through the billowing cloud. "Then first, you must catch me."
The blast came with no warning, bringing with it a power that only Maab could withstand without falling. Across continents, dwindled fires burst to life again, blasting outward. Seas and lakes thrashed, the earth quaked, and howling winds tore at everything in their path. Fragments burst from the cloud, being the essence of Ebyron, torn into a multitude of pieces and carried away by the elements.
In moments, it was over. But not before the fae queen had acted swiftly, gathering light into tiny, dazzling stars. "Show me," she urged. Hot on the heels of the fragments of Ebyron, the stars hurtled outward. "You can't hide," she whispered. "Not from me. Now, show them. Let your own power betray you." It took seconds for each pin point of light to reach it's destination, and once done, change trajectory and converge...
Within the walls of the Cathedral of Light, in the middle of Plateau City, the Room of Artifacts suddenly burst into life. The source? Ebyron's orb, so recently brought back, at great risk and loss of life, from a time gone by. Colours and shapes reflected on the walls, and light surrounding the orb grew outward, becoming the great disks of the Wold. Pin points of brilliance flickered here and there, scattered across the Land. Here lies Ebyron. Here. And here.
Back in the Valley, the Fae Queen Maab uncurled her fingers and looked down into the palm of her hand. Three small acorns lay there, all three enscribed with a unique rune - ATONE, SLEEP, DIE. "The choice you should have made, will now be left to others," she said, her voice tainted with a raw sadness. "Let the runes grow where they may. I have done all I can. I can do no more."
The three acorns dropped listlessly from her hand, where the ground swallowed them, and their power spread.
-----
Mists began to cloud the heroes' vision once more. They awoke. They had returned to the Temple. It was late--the lights had dimmed. Berlon was nowhere to be seen.
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: {Use spoilers to post your actions until further notice. To do so, type (spoiler)YOUR TEXT HERE(/spoiler), substituting [brackets] for the (parentheses).}
Dietrich Thursday September 1st, 2005 7:47:52 AM
Once again Dietrich is bewildered by the strange religious dreams and visions of unknown old and powerful entities. "Domi stand by me!" He surely feels uncomfortable, not understanding what is going on, and wished instead for an enemy he could fight with cold, sharp steel. But he controls himself sufficiently to pay attention to the maps projected by the orb and try to recognize and memorize where Ebyron's parts are spread.
When the warrior awakens, he is glad to be in the real wold again, despite all the destruction surrounding him.
"What the *&%%(*& Hades does this mean now?! Is this orb the cue? And this runes? And where *%%$ is Berlon again!?"
Olyn Thursday September 1st, 2005 9:51:48 AM
wakes up with a smile on his face. way to go Maab.
looking to see where Clu'eth is, Olyn gets up and intercepts him and relates the whole dream to him.
Zayne Thursday September 1st, 2005 1:14:12 PM
As he watches he wonders, about things that occurred recently as well as what he is witnessing.
He thinks to himself,"Is this real?"
Zayne Thursday September 1st, 2005 1:14:12 PM
As he watches he wonders, about things that occurred recently as well as what he is witnessing.
He thinks to himself,"Is this real?"
Rose Thursday September 1st, 2005 3:10:28 PM
Rose watches the scene, and wonders about the acorns Attone, sleep, die. the last two are easy to understand but what of the first what kind of attonement could the king make for all the deaths here and elsewhere, for surely others not in dirt city and the gnome village have died. Sleep, wasnt he asleep before that's no answer.
Vorelle d20+9=13 d20+9=16 Thursday September 1st, 2005 4:09:06 PM
Vorelle watches the events of the dream in a kind of fogged wonder. Surely such grand and important events are beyond her ability to affect.
When she awakens, she looks around warily, senses on alert.
[Spot 13, Listen 16]
Theodore and Macaw Thursday September 1st, 2005 6:33:34 PM
Theodore wipes the sleep from his eyes and looks around. So confused. Where do we go from here.
"I don't get it," he says out loud.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday September 1st, 2005 10:41:03 PM
Mookie makes his feelings clear. "Boss! This stuff is too deep for us! We're gonna get killed playing with personages like these! Can;t we just find a root celler and ride it out?"
Vauhwyt is thinking hard. Real hard. "Hush," she tells Mookie absently. She can only grapple with it all by focussing on the concrete.
"Okay," the liontaur tells her friends, "Look, we know the Fey King has our antidote. And we just saw that he was torn into a multitude of pieces and carried away by the elements. How are we going to find the antidote now? Which element has our antidote! This is impossible! I thought we could use this potion to find the antidote, but now what do we do?"
"We have to figure out which element has our antidote, find it, and get it back!"
Strange Encounters ... [DM Inge] Friday September 2nd, 2005 3:58:12 AM Ooc : warm greetings friends. As of this day I have the honor to kill ... euh ... guide you in the Dirt City. Concerning the next paragraphs ONLY read what is for you to read. My very first DM post here for Dirt City, and not an easy one to start with :-D - hope you'll enjoy yourselves !!! One last thing - due to the DM transition and the switch in DM timezone there will be only 4 DM posts this week. I usually post in the morning while most of you are still sound a sleep ... ;-) End of OOC
One by one you snap back out of your dream. But strangely enough the temple is completely deserted now! There's no trace of Berlon nor of all the others that were here when you entered the dream session. Somehow you have the impression it did not last that long for everyone to disappear ....
Spoiler for Dietrich only : Highlight to display spoiler: { "It's the bug! It's got to be the bug!" Dietrich swears he hears this faintly ... a vague memory of only a few moments ago returns to him. Yet ... this is all too real!! There's that rumbling and shaking again!!!
The Remorhaz has returned !!
was coming from Below!
A shudder and a massive crash fills the air, and, almost directly in the center of the sanctuary, a massive chitinous form emerges from the flagstones! Enormous, pincer-like mandibles and a glowing frill that radiated heat framed its hideous, insectoid face.
Immediately the hideous creature turns his head to the group and charges ... Dietrichs' companions draw their weapons and take a stance, ready to fight the creature. "Dietrich !" shouts Vauhwyt, "Get over here and fight !! You're the only one who can beat this monstrosity !!" }
Spoiler for Zayne only : Highlight to display spoiler: {Again Zayne's vision blurs - he no longer knows what is real and what is not ! When his sight turns clear again he's no longer in the temple of Wardd. His friends are no longer there ! He finds himself in prison ...
As he stands in front of the bars, looking down upon the weakened body of a man, the Prince of Thieves comes standing next to him ...
"Yes, Zayne, we have captured the Avatar of Ebryon ... This is the piece of him that fled to Dirt City and we have found him. Soon he will reveal the location for the antidote ... only a little bit of ... persuading to do", the Prince grins as he looks upon a table filled with items to torture a man ...
Then the remnant of Ebryon turns his face to Zayne ...
Zayne's Father !! }
Spoiler for Rose only : Highlight to display spoiler: {While Rose ponders the meaning of the three acorns, she hears a familiar voice whispering her name.
"Rosie ... sis ... are you there?" "Sis--what's--what's that--what's that laughter--what's that laughter I hear...."
At her feet Rosie sees the dead body of her brother Junior once again. Rose's companions are standing on the other side of the temple and are closing in. The dim light in the temple makes it unable to see their faces ...
Then she hears another very familiar voice :
"ROSE !!! JUNIOR !!! NO ... NOT MY SON !!!! ...ROSE HOW COULD YOU !! YOU LET HIM DIE !!!! .... Nooohohoohooooo "
The woman rushes forward to Rose and the body of Junior ... Rose's mother ... }
Spoiler for Vauhwyt only : Highlight to display spoiler: {Carefully Vauhwyt considers what she has seen in her dream and talks out loud to her friends. As she turns around to face them she is shocked ! Her friends are no longer standing there !! Instead there's a group of 6 Goblins eyeballing her.
"Come ", says one of the Goblins, "Come, we know where the antidote is ! We'll show you ... hurry !" }
Spoiler for Vorelle only : Highlight to display spoiler: {As she regains her wits she looks around to find her friends. Instead she sees no one ! She's all alone in the temple ?!?
Then the doors slam open ...
"THERE SHE IS !!!! HURRY TARGO ! CATCH HER !!! ... "
Several figures come rushing and surround Vorelle. Among them, Vorelle's husband Targo, her mother Lisenne, her brother Vaun, her father, ... and a few more "Grubbers" ... }
Spoiler for Theodore only : Highlight to display spoiler: {Theodore's voice echo's through the temple ... but no one answers. Slowly the walls of the temple become vague. On Theodore's left side a nice desk, a comfy chair, a big tome with magical symbols, etc ... appear ... Looks like a study of a powerful mage. As he looks closer, Theodore notices a bunch of his own personal things on top of the desk. It's his own desk !
"Well done Theodore. Now let us have a smoke. I suppose you do have great tobacco in your desk drawers no ? ... " comes a voice out of no where. It's a voice he knows well. It's the voice of his mentor Geoffery ... }
Spoiler for Olyn only : Highlight to display spoiler: {As Olyn looks around trying to find Clu'eth he sees no one else but his companions ... Suddenly he witnesses his friend's weird reactions! Dietrich draws his weapon and turns to some invisible foe, Rose cries over someone seemingly invisible, Zyane seems to be surprised by two people that aren't there, Vauhwyt's facial expression is that of a Liontaur who sees something she truly hates, Vorelle gazes in shock as she appears to panick from being surrounded and Theodore appears to be sitting in some rather comfy chair !?! What's going on here ?!?
Then he hears someone closing in on him. He hears a deep, maniacal laughter ...
"See what you have done ... Olyn ..." }
Spoiler for Berlon only : Highlight to display spoiler: { For Berlon the temple is EXACTLY the way it was the moment his friends drank the potion. Everyone is still there !!
Right as he is about to step outside, L'laylon calls out for him.
"Berlon ! Something is wrong with your friends !! Look !!"
If Berlon turns around, he sees his friends act really weird ! Dietrich draws his weapon and turns to some invisible foe, Rose cries over someone seemingly invisible, Zyane seems to be surprised by two people that aren't there, Vauhwyt's facial expression is that of a Liontaur who sees something she truly hates, Vorelle gazes in shock at two figments of her imagination and Theodore appears to be sitting in some rather comfy chair, and Olyn turns around expecting the worst ... What's happening to them ?!?
They appear to be awake yet ... it looks as if they are sleepwalking.
L'laylon clearly feels uneasy. }
please all use a spoiler for your next post. Dietrich, Vorelle, Zayne, Vauhwyt, Rose and Theodore are asked not to read other posts. Olyn can read all spoilers EXCEPT Berlons' ! Berlons can read everything.
Dietrich, ac 18, hp 40 d20+3=12 d20+5=17 d8+3=4 d6=2 Friday September 2nd, 2005 7:16:16 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Dietrich does't like the eery feeling of the empty Temple and is suspicious about what is going on. "How long has this strange vision been going on?" Hearing the familiar sound of the Remorhaz, the warrior instinctvely readies his longbow, thinking: "You won't need weapons there my $&(!", and remembering with fear and disgust what happened to him before.
But after the illusion of the second Remorhaz produced by the fleeing fey, the knight isn't that prepared to believe what seems to be a little fishy situation (where is this second bug coming from?). He trys to disbelieve it: Will 13
Suspicions or not, when he hears his friends calling for him, he moves to flank the bug and fires an arrow at the monster (hits ac 17, damage 4, 6 with sneak attack) and shouts:
"Don't get too near to it! Encircle the monster, fire what you have and keep distance!" }
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=17 Friday September 2nd, 2005 10:17:48 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Flee! Get away!
Panicked, all Vorelle can think to do is run and hide. She turns and sprints in the opposite direction of those who have come to take her back to her old life. As she runs she looks frantically for a hiding place, or any kind of escape route. [Spot 17] }
Theodore Friday September 2nd, 2005 10:56:16 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {"Master Geoffrey?" Theodore looks about for his beloved teacher. "Where are you?"
Turning back to the desk, he approaches slowly, reaching out a shaking hand towards the thick tome atop the desk.
"Is this real?" He pulls his hand back before touching the book. Again he looks around. "Am I still dreaming?"
Too many questions. And I never have any answers, he berates himself.
He shakes his head to clear the cobwebs. What now? Tobacco? That's right, he asked for tobacco. But I don't smoke.
"I don't smoke."
He should know that. Shouldn't he? "Where are you?" he asks again.}
Vauhwyt Part One d20+2=6 Friday September 2nd, 2005 12:07:05 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {[OOC: First things first -- Wisdom check to see if Vauhwyt goes bezerk. A 6 ... Yup.]
[OOC: Before I can post the technical part of Vauhwyt's turn, with attacks and all, I need to know how far away these goblins are. Five feet would let her attack with paws, then step back 5 feet and strike with spear. Are they all around, flanking her? Ten feet away would let her strike with spear and then take a five foot step forward to hit with claws. Farther away might allow a charge -- are there any obstacles in her way for a charge? Also, does she have access to the seals she just won in the Rogue Contest Tap game?
DM Inge : There's a group of 6 Goblins to your left hand side. No real need for a map, but some are within 5ft, and others at 10 ft. - Did you not see them coming ?!?
Usually seals are immediately available ... that is ... if you want ;-)
]
Vauhwyt's fur stands on end, and her tail whips in a frenzy. Her friends gone, and goblins are confronting her! Goblins! In a flash, it all comes back to her. The whipping, the mockery, the abuse. "Beast-Girl! Cat-Scat! Animal!" Her memory supplies the words branded into her brain.
Then the stink of them hits her nose, The stink of the pen. The stink of the lash. "You're not taking me back! she shouts. "I'll kill you first! I'll kill you all!
Her nerves snap, her claws bite the floor, and she readies for the fight of her life.
[OOC: Is Mookie there? If so, Vauhwyt ignores him. Also, Inge, if you need background on why Vauhwyt would react this way, let me know.]
SpoilerYes Mookie is as always glued to you ... If you have background feel free to send me. I read about 50 mails about all of you so I have a pretty good idea - but feel free to send me more ![/b]
}
Berlon HP 25/28 Friday September 2nd, 2005 7:14:47 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Once Berlon hears L'laylon's call, he comes to the elf's side to check on the others.
"So. They jump into something ill-prepared just because someone tells them to, and something goes fantastically wrong? Who could have POSSIBLY imagined."
"So," he continues dryly to L'laylon, "are you going to fix this, or just hope a dragon flying overhead sneezes and the magic dragon snot somehow magically lands on each and every one of them and somehow wakes them up? No?"
Berlon shrugs. "Ok then."
He walks over to Theodore. "HELLOOOOO! Theo! Wakey wakey!" He will shake him as hard as he can, trying to wake him up.}
Rose Saturday September 3rd, 2005 3:32:32 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: { "Junior?" Rose says when he starts to speak "What laughter?" She is startled by his sudden appearence after the scene between eberon and his wife that she just watched. Then her mom appears and starts saying how could rose have let him die. "I did the best I could Mama. I didnt want him to die." Rose cries as tears stream down her eyes.
ooc: what type of check does rose need to make to realize this is a dream?
DM Inge : You could try will saves, but they'll have to be good :-D
}
Olyn Saturday September 3rd, 2005 3:45:32 PM
ooc ok, ive never done the spoiler thingy, how do you do it to make a post?
Cayzle OOC Saturday September 3rd, 2005 5:52:19 PM
To put a post in spoilers, bracket your text with [*spoiler] and [/*spoiler] -- only take out the asterisks.
Olyn Sunday September 4th, 2005 9:56:49 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: { not finding Clu'eth anywhere, and only seeing the rest of the group, Olyn realizes they are not back in the temple they left, but a different one. perhaps still in the dream. yeah, that's it.
I did nothing to cause this. well, I may have by believing in your lies, but Wardd made me to see through your lies and nothing you can say or do anymore can make me feel responsible for your disease upon this world. in fact, again, here, I renounce you!
then, going to each person in the room Olyn will place a hand upon their shoulder saying: it's ok (insert name here) there is nothing there that can harm you. you are seeing only what the master of lies and deceit wants you to see. clear your mind of his hatred and see your surroundings for what they are.
then after the last person has been spoken to, Olyn will go to the alter, kneel before it, and pray to Wardd and all the gods for forgiveness in his misguided allowance of letting this beast into the Wold and he prays for Atonement for himself and those that see now they were wrong. he also prays that all the people in the Wold being hurt by him would get well and rise up against him in unison and the last thing Olyn prays for is that those who dont realize it now will come upon the realization that he is nothing but lies and deceit and will also take up the fight against him.
Olyn then goes, sits by his gear (if its there) and waits to see what the others do. }
Zayne d20+4=21 d20+4=20 d8=2 d8=7
Monday September 5th, 2005 2:38:49 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {(OOC First of all welcome to Dirt City! Glad to have you. Hope your stay here is a pleasent one. Oh yeah Zayne has issues with imprisionment and torture.) The young ranger stares in disbelief at the Prince at what he is asking of Zayne. This can't be happening to him.
Then to his surprise he sees no other face than the man that raised him, the only father he has ever known.
Not able to handle the flood of emotions that he feels he does what he has become famous for lately, he snaps, using some of the more colorful language he has heard since he met Dietrich, he draws his bow and lets two arrows fly, both aimed at the Prince(AC 21 and 20 respectivly Damage 2 and 7)}
It's ok ... [DM Inge] d6=1 Monday September 5th, 2005 6:30:42 AM DM ooc : it's ok to read eachothers' spoilers. It will help you to clear up the hog around you about what exactly is going on. Just remember you can not react to what happens in other peoples' posts ! ok ? Only Berlon can hear and see what the others are doing, and Olyn can only see the 6 others reactions.
Spoiler for Berlon : Highlight to display spoiler: {L'laylon's nerves are clearly on edge, and not even Berlon's funny remarks can put a smile upon his face. Instead deep wrinkles are forming on his eyebrows ... somethings not right ...
Suddenly Vauhwyt jumps up drawing his weapons ready to attack his own friends !! He turns to the others, swaying his paws, drawing his spear - ready to kill ... To make things worse Zayne shoots two arrows at Rose - she's crying frantically in her sleep and can not do anything to keep those arrows from hurting her !!
Not even the good shake Berlon gives to Theodore can wake his friend from his sleep. This is no ordinary sleep it seems. That potion ...
Then as Berlon quit shaking up Theodore from the corner of his eyes he sees L'laylon leaving the temple in a hurry !}
Spoiler for Olyn : Highlight to display spoiler: { Not seeing the one that spoke to him Olyn feels who he's dealing with and replies well. There's a hesitation in the footsteps and the laughter.
Then Olyn get's up comforting his friends hoping to get to them in their dreams.
"Now you pray to Wardd ... First you welcomed me into this Wold and now you turn to others. So quick you turn to them to ask for Atonement ... Ah Olyn don't we all seek for Atonement at one point in our lives ...
I was not the one to cause this disease that spreads through the city !
I was not the one to cause pain in this Wold !
Didn't you see how crops were flourishing !! Finally I was back, finally I could fertilise this poor soil and turn the harvest into a feast rather than a pain to see how little you have grown ...
It were those whom I thought to be my servants that have put harm to my creations !
My Queen wanted to destroy me once and forever, but she forgets the powers I hold ! She forgets that this Wold actually needs me !! Dirt City needs me !!
You have seen the choices my Queen gave me ... others will be my judges now ... "
Then the figure comes closer and kneels besides Olyn. The face of Ebryon only a few inches away from Olyns'.
"See what's happening to your friends Olyn."
Vauhwyt jumps up drawing his weapons ready to attack his own friends !! He turns to the others, swaying his paws, drawing his spear - ready to kill ... To make things worse Zayne shoots two arrows at Rose - she's crying frantically in her sleep and can not do anything to keep those arrows from hurting her !!
"Only you can bring them back from their dreams. I have them in my power. You see I am now their judge ... I can destroy them with only a snap of my fingers ... I wonder what you will do when you have that power over me." }
Spoiler for Dietrich : Highlight to display spoiler: {The monster slithers over the ground and leaps onto Dietrich !! Dietrich's friends are crying in terror as the massive maw closes on Dietrich swallowing the warrior completely ! ...
...
a floating feeling ... you fly through the belly of this monster ... you're flying above your friends now watching them all fighting this terror in panic. You see Rose nimbly closing in on it and cutting open the Remorhaz's belly only to see your own mutilated body rolling out of it ... dead ...
...
"Ah Dietrich" you hear from behind you, "you, the warrior of this ragged bunch of bold adventurers are the first to die ... again..." the man says the words "bold" and "adventurers" with so much despise they seem to cut right through Dietrich ...
"You are weak Dietrich ... But ...look what you might become !"
Then in a vision Dietrich sees himself ! Dressed in the most gorgeous armor with weapons one can only dream about. Standing victorious upon the carcass of the Remorhaz, his friends gazing at him in awe ...
"I can raise you from the dead and make you powerful again - I can make you more powerful than any of your so called friends - I can even make you stronger than the Remorhaz - you can be ... INVINCIBLE ...
Make a quick decision Dietrich ... look ... your friends are being killed down there !"
As you look down upon the frenzy you see how the Remorhaz has just devoured Vorelle !!
Then you feel a warm feeling on your shoulder as if a hand touches you and somewhere in the distance you hear : "It's ok Dietrich ..."}
Spoiler for Vorelle : Highlight to display spoiler: {In complete panick Vorelle runs to the West wing of Wardd's temple (you still have the map most likely) hoping to escape from her husband and relatives. Eventually she ducks away behind a few benches but soon she hears the stomping feet of her relatives as they start to throw the benches around to find her !! It's only a matter of time ...
The she hears someone approach her from behind gently talking to her : "My dearest Vorelle ... how scared you are ... why? Shall I call for them so you can face them ? They are only humans ... they are unimportant in the turning of the Wold.
I can end this pain for you my dear ... no more fear ... no more hiding. One word from you and they will be gone ..."
Then you feel a warm feeling on your shoulder as if a hand touches you and somewhere in the distance you hear : "It's ok Vorelle ..."}
Spoiler for Vauhwyt : Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt's anger is immense. The Goblins back away in fear squeaking, "What ... what ... what are you doing ?!? We know the way to the Antidote !! Don't kill us !!"
... ooc if you want to attack them the attack comes here. I'll alter the post afterwards if you like ...
Vauhwyt then hears someone laughing behind him : "Kill then Vauhwyt ... they are the ones who called you a mishap of nature ... kill them all ..."
Then you feel a warm feeling on your shoulder as if a hand touches you and somewhere in the distance you hear : "It's ok Vauhwyt ..." }
Spoiler for Theodore : Highlight to display spoiler: {"Now now Theodore ... don't you remember we had a smoke when you passed the High Mages tests ? Ah I can still remember the day you passed them ... no one thought you would be able to - yet I always believed in you !! I can foresee you will once take his place at the head of the council ..."
Slowly the spell book opens revealing the first page ... in ornate writing he can see his first initials ...
Slowly Geoffrey enters Theodore's study taking a seat in a soft fauteuil in the corner.
"Don't you enjoy this Theodore ? It's all yours ..."[/b]
Then you feel a warm feeling on your shoulder as if a hand touches you and somewhere in the distance you hear : "It's ok Theodore ..." }
Spoiler for Rose : Highlight to display spoiler: {Rose cries over the dead body of her brother and because of her mothers' accusations.
Suddenly Rose sees a ghostly figure of Junior detaching himself from his dead body.
"Sis ... sis ... why didn't you take the antidote sooner !
Without noticing someone else kneeled beside her. If Rose looks up she sees Ebryon next to her watching the departure of Junior's ghost.
"You know ... I can bring him back Rose ... you want me to bring him back ? Only one word will do ... "
Then you feel a warm feeling on your shoulder as if a hand touches you and somewhere in the distance you hear : "It's ok Rose ..." But then Rose feels a nasty sting in her side. As if two arrows connect to her body ! (rose takes 9 HP damage)}
Spoiler for Zayne : Highlight to display spoiler: {The moment Zayne sees his fathers' face he releases two arrows ! Both strike hurting the Prince besides him ! The Prince winks in pain and curses Zayne !
"What are you doing ?!? That there is the Avatar !!! We need to interrogate him to find the location of the Antidote !!", the Prince draws no weapon ....
Instead Zayne's father turns to his son : "Yes my boy ! Kill the Prince. He's plotting against the City - he's going to destroy the houses - he will destroy you !! Only I can help you. "
Then you feel a warm feeling on your shoulder as if a hand touches you and somewhere in the distance you hear : "It's ok Zayne ..."}
Dietrich Monday September 5th, 2005 8:48:34 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {
At first Dietrich can't believe the bug got him again! He swears strongly and is disappointed and angry. But then the fighter realizes it can't be normal reallity, as he can see himself dead. Despite all the warrior training and despite for death, seeing his mutilated body been dragged out by Rose still touches him.
"What's that? Where am I? This doesn't look like Domi's paradise!"
He listens to the malign voice and draws the greatsword as a symbolic act of selfprotection and defiance. Seeing the scenes of himself in a possible powerful future changes his posture a little though and he gulps. It is very tempting indeed and he feels the fight of honour against ambition and glory inside him.
But the sight of Vorelle (still his secret crush) being killed finally pushes him to the right side.
"Noo you &^%%^$! I'd rather rot and be forgotten than betray my friends and serve a foul evil honourless animal!
}
OOC Dietrich Monday September 5th, 2005 8:49:51 AM
Oops, didn't work.. DM Inge, could you please fix it?
[OOC: I (Cayzle) fixed it without reading it. Hope that's okay.]
sure - Inge
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] Monday September 5th, 2005 11:22:07 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Heart pounding, Vorelle watches her attackers approach.
Please, please, please don't let them get me. Please don't let them get me.
Then she hears the voice, promising to make them all go away. For a moment, she is tempted. But she was born and raised in Dirt City, and knows better than to trust in the promises whispered by strangers. "Want some candy, little girl?" "I've got a pretty dress for you, sweetheart." "Just come with me and we'll have some fun." "Just be a good girl for me, just for a little bit..."
Vorelle shakes her head. No. Vague promises won't help her here. Gathering herself together, she bolts from her hiding place, sprinting toward the Alchemy lab. Maybe she can shut and bar the door....}
Theodore Monday September 5th, 2005 2:41:38 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Theodore watches as Geoffrey takes a seat.
"I...I passed?" his brows furrow as his hand raises to his forhead. "When...how? I...I can't remember."
This is so strange. It doesn't feel...right. Something's not right.
"Where are my friends? Where's Vauhwyt and Vorelle?" He turns about trying to see, trying to make sense of it all. "Where's Rose, where's Dietrich?" He puts his hands before him as if he were walking in darkness, trying to find his way by touch. "Zayne...Olyn...Berlon!!" he calls.
"Where are they?" he turns back to Geoffrey.}
Rose hp: 4/23 AC18 d20+6=21 Monday September 5th, 2005 3:17:44 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: { Rose cries as her mother and junior blame her for his death. She sees Eberon saying he can make Junior live again. She doesnt believe him, "It's your fault he's dead!" She yells to Eberon just as she feels a comforting touch on her shoulder and hears someone say that everything will be ok.
Will save: 21, +2 against fear }
Berlon - 25/28HP Monday September 5th, 2005 4:47:20 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Pointing at L'laylon, Berlon shouts to any cleric/peasant that might be nearby, "Stop him! Do not let him flee!" Berlon will then chase after him. "Don't make me shoot you.."}
Vauhwyt (and no Mookie) Monday September 5th, 2005 6:42:17 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Something is not right ... where is Mookie? ... what is this new voice? ... what is this second new voice? ... Who is touching her?
So confusing ... confusing ...
Then Vauhwyt has a brainstorm ... a flashback ... an idea! This is the Testing! She is in the middle of the Test! That's why she is confused. That's why her friends are missing.
This is the Test -- but can she be cold like ice? Can she temper her anger and be patient? Can she serve her revenge cold? Or will she lose control again? Will she fail?
No! She will not! Vauhwyt is determined to pass the Test. She will not let her emotions rule her!
The liontaur holds her spear ready. She whirls around trying to see who is where. She is calm and quiet. She sets her spear and readies an attack against any who attack her.
Then she says a prayer. "Lady, let me serve you. Let me be cool like you. Let me honor you with restraint before the sting."}
Olyn Monday September 5th, 2005 10:09:49 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: { in all things a time comes when everyone must atone for what they have done in their life. and I pray that you are asking for atonement. yes, I remember seeing crops flourishing. yes, I remember seeing the graineries being filled and hunger falling from the eyes, and hearts that were in its throes. but I also saw death and destruction being sown in your name
are you telling me you came to help nature and the people of the Wold to flourish together? that it was Maab who seeks to destroy and deceive?
whispering in the ears of each of the groupmates: remember Wardd giving us the pouch with the 3 coins, that was real, what you are seeing now is not real. fight the visions you are seeing and wake up. }
"Fight the Visions and Wake up !" ... [DM Inge] Tuesday September 6th, 2005 6:32:17 AM OOC : Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Theodore and Zayne Make Will saves DC20
Spoiler for Berlon : Highlight to display spoiler: {L'laylon doesn't stop when Berlon orders him to and leaves ! Now what ?!? Berlons' friends still appear to be sleeping and fighting their own demons. There's not much Berlon can do here to comfort them. Should he stay here waiting till they wake up - or ... should he follow L'Laylon ... ah choices ... Why is he leaving ?!? Where is he going ?!? }
Spoiler for Olyn : Highlight to display spoiler: {"Yes, death and destruction was sown I my name, but there's always some pain needed in order to make some changes. Changes that are good for the City. You can not grow a field rich with crops without first removing the weeds ...
As Olyn mentions Queen Maab a sad look appears on Ebryon's face.
"Yes ... my Queen only sees the bad things that happened. She never understood the power I have and the fact that without me nature will be dead. Yes Olyn ... nature will be dead without me. While I was put to sleep Dirt City had many problems to have a decent harvest. Without me things will go from bad to worse. I'm the only one that can help the City. Think twice before you make a choice when it comes down to this ..."
Looking at his friends Olyn sees they are fighting their won demons now. Though it seems the comforting hand he placed on their shoulders had a positive effect on them. Again Olyn speaks to his friends through their dreams : " fight the visions you are seeing and wake up"
"I'm the only one who can bring them back Olyn. If you would talk reason into them to make the right choices for Dirt City I will do so ... "}
Spoiler for Dietrich : Highlight to display spoiler: {"Noo you &^%%^$! I'd rather rot and be forgotten than betray my friends and serve a foul evil honourless animal!"
Dietrich's words echo in the void and he can hear laughter. As if he was magically teleported here, Ebryon pops up next to the ghost of Dietrich.
"So Dietrich, you would rather see your friends die than pledge allegiance to me in return for power and glory. Only a strong man can make such choices. There's more power in you that you think."
Ebryon then puts a hand on Dietrich shoulder and gently talks more to him :
"You see Dietrich, sacrifices are needed to make the right choices. To do what is best for the Wold. Remember this when the time comes to descide."
With this said, Ebryon turns around and walks over to Dietrich's friends whom are still fighting the Remorhaz. Vorelle has been consumed, Zayne faces the same end. Suddenly Ebryon puts his hand up to the remorhaz to pat it on the head. Instead the touch of his hand makes the creature shudder in terror !! Within seconds the monster's life force has been drained and falls life less on the ground. Ebryon instructs Vauhwyt to cut open the Remorhaz to retrieve the others ...
The brutally mutilated bodies of Vorelle and Zayne fall to the ground. Ebryon touches them as well, and slowly life returns to them !
"See Dietrich, I hold the power of Life and Death. I give you back your friends. Think about ..."
Someone speaks to him from out of no where : " fight the visions you are seeing and wake up"
Slowly the Ghostly figure starts to float back towards the dead body and the image begins to blur. (make a will save DC18 to be able to comprehend what happens next)
In the distance you can hear Olyn talking to someone. You can't see them yet, but the voice is strangely familiar to you ... Ebryon ...}
Spoiler for Vorelle : Highlight to display spoiler: {Vorelle shrugs of the tempting feeling to have her attackers disappear, but she choses to face them on her own. She runs to the Alchemy Lab and bars the door.
A few moments later she can hear her husband and brother banging on the Lab door !! They are very strong, and they will get through that door soon.
Then beside her Ebryon appears. "You are brave Vorelle. You'd rather face those you are terrified for than me. Only a strong woman like you can do this. Yet you are hiding here ... Go to the door Vorelle ! Open it ! Face your demons and conquer them. I'm here to help you ! Have faith in me ... have faith in yourself ... "
Then someone speaks to Vorelle from out of no where : " fight the visions you are seeing and wake up"}
Spoiler for Vauhwyt : Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt resists to the temptation to kill the Goblins ! For once the Liontaur manages to controle her anger.
Suddenly Ebryon appears next to her whispering to her :
"Well done Vauhwyt ... only a strong being can controle her anger like this. There's no need to kill that what you hate so much. You were the Goblins' judge, and you descided to let them live. Why ? Why do you allow a creature that has done soo much wrong to you and the Wold live ? Think about this Vauhwyt until the time comes for you to decide ..."
Then someone speaks to her from out of no where : " fight the visions you are seeing and wake up"}
Spoiler for Theodore : Highlight to display spoiler: {"Your friends ?!? My dear Theodore ... what happened to you ? Don't you remember you ... you ... "sacrificed" them to the Fey King to reach your personal goal ?"
Suddenly the image freezes and Ebryon appears next to Theodore.
"Don't you like this Theodore ? Would you rather be a hopeless mage than this powerful conjurer ? Sometimes sacrifices must be made in order to be able to make some changes ... "
Then someone speaks to Theodore from out of no where : " fight the visions you are seeing and wake up"}
Spoiler for Rose : Highlight to display spoiler: {"Now now, Rose ... some sacrifices were needed to achieve the change that is happening. I am not ... "
suddenly the image of Ebryon blurs as Rose tries to shrug of the drug inside her. To help her someone speaks to her out of no where : " fight the visions you are seeing and wake up"
She recognizes the voice of Olyn and fights hard to snap out of this nightmare !!
Ebryon yells one last cry to her : "I could have brought your brother back Rose !! Now YOU are responsible for not helping him !!! Explain THAT to your parents ... WHUAHAHAHAHA .... "
The insults fade ... the dead body of her brother fades ... no one is blaming her anymore ...
Suddenly she hears Olyn talking to someone !
ooc : you have now returned to the first level of sleeping.}
Spoiler for Zayne : Highlight to display spoiler: {Zayne now hesitates ... that weren't his fathers' words. He would never say he's the only one who can help him. What's going on here. He sees the Prince holding the two arrows in his side with a painfull grin.
[b]"Let me out of here son ! Release me !! We'll look for the antidote together !! Open this door !!{/b]
Then someone speaks to Zayne out of no where : " fight the visions you are seeing and wake up" }
New player !! [DM Inge] Tuesday September 6th, 2005 7:13:45 AM
Hey guys. DaveT is working on his new character to join us in Dirt City. If you would like to get a feeling of him please go have a look in the Catacombs where he is purchasing a few items.
(star last week thursday)
He'll be making his entrance in DC shortly.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+2=7 d20+9=21 Tuesday September 6th, 2005 9:38:26 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Vorelle leans up against the door, bracing it, looking around for tables or other furniture she can pile up in front of the door. She also looks to see if there is a window or another way out. (Spot 21)
The promising voice is now telling her to fight her fears, which is the silliest idea Vorelle has heard in a while. She doesn't want to fight Vaun. He is her brother, and in spite of everything, she does still love him. The thought of pulling her handaxes and chopping into him makes her shudder.
As for fighting Targo....it can't be done. Waves of cold, black, terror creep over her at the mere thought. Targo is strong and ruthless, and he has connections. Through quickness, resoursfulness, and a good bit of luck, she had once managed to escape him, but that was the best a person could hope for.
Dimly, she hears a voice telling her not to believe any of this, but the shouts on the other side of the door, the feeling of wooden planks at her back, the sights and smells of the Alchemy lab, are all too real to her. (Will Save 7)}
Olyn Tuesday September 6th, 2005 10:33:31 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: { Ebryon, Maab did to you what I wish I could of done to you and that's to shred your body into millions of dots of light and spread you across the sky. I see that as a reminder of who and what you were and to not take what we have for granted. I said this once before and I say it now.
I RENOUNCE YOU
Leave me you vile creature of deceit. You spread falsehood amongst everyone you touch and don't even know the difference anymore between truth and lies. I see now why they put you to sleep the first time and now YOUR destruction is what the Wold needs most.
Olyn will go to each member of the group. He will drop to his knees in front of them. He will place both his hands on them, one hand on their Heart, one hand on their Head. (save for Vauhwyt, i'll have to stand to do it) and will pray to ALL the god's to help each person to see the Truth. }
Theodore d20+6=9 Tuesday September 6th, 2005 12:27:04 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {(Will Save 9)
Theodore's knees give out and he sinks to the floor. "I...sacrificed my friends? No, I don't...believe you. I couldn't, would never do such a thing."
Then Eberyon appears. Theodore looks up at the Fey King through his tousled hair. "I've never wanted power." Haven't you? "I've searched for knowledge. Knowledge to help those I care about." Doesn't power come to those with knowledge? Can you separate the two?
Theodore turns to his Geoffrey, "Master, please tell him. Tell me that this is not so. How could I be so cold hearted?"}
Zayne d20+2=21 Tuesday September 6th, 2005 1:48:59 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Zayne looks at his "father", and asks,"Why are you not acting like yourself? Something about this feels all wrong." Keeping his bow droawn on the Prince,"You stay where you are! Not another word, and don't move an inch!"
As the young ranger stands there thinking to himself,"What is going on? Why is dad acting funny, and where in blazes did the Prince come from? Then he screams "WHY?!?!?!?" }
Vauhwyt (and no Mookie) d20+6=12 Tuesday September 6th, 2005 3:07:47 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt does not know who is talking to her, but she knows good advice from bad.
She tries to make herself believe that all this is an illusion. (Will save 12)
She remains alert to attack any who attack her first.}
[OOC: Hi Dave! Welcome!]
Berlon - 25/28 HP Tuesday September 6th, 2005 6:47:19 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Berlon mutters under his breath, and quickly rushes after L'laylon, crossbow ready...}
Rose hp: 4/23 AC18 Wednesday September 7th, 2005 3:25:26 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: { Rose looks up and sees Olyn talking to Eberon "Olyn! Dont you believe a word he says!" She cries as she hops out of bed and runs to him.
}
Dietrich d20+3=23 Wednesday September 7th, 2005 4:50:50 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {
Dietrich feels uncomfortable with the strange and most probably evil god talking to him in that "friendly" way and he trys to avoid beeing touched or having any other friendly contact, frowning at the satyrlike entity. But the speech makes sense, as he knows all too well that sacrifices are necessary in life and war.
The warrior is angry and sad to see other of his friends die. This makes his will stronger though (will save 23, nat 20) and, as they are returned to life by Ebyron, Dietrich realizes the incongruencies of the whole situation. He hears Olyn's voice and suddenly knows it all is just a dream.
Dietrich the Bear laughs and laughs with relieve.
}
Are you awake now ?!? ... [DM Inge] Wednesday September 7th, 2005 8:44:54 AM
Spoiler for Berlon and Jack : Highlight to display spoiler: {Berlon rushes after L'Laylon and takes out his crossbow ... ready to shoot if the Priest doesn't stop ! L'laylon has left the Temple of Wardd taking the exit to the City Above !!
The moment Berlon also rushes out the door he bumps in to a 6ft, 200lbs fighter !! (ooc Berlon say hi to DaveT our latest addition to the game)
The man (Jack) is rather tall for a human. Long black hair with a beard dressed in various shades of blue. This man clearly is used to fighting or at least he must have had some military training.
All he says is : "Well this is the second time in only a few second someone comes rushing out that door and bumping into me ! What's going on in there ?!? Looks fun ! HAHahaa"
Then the man notices the expression on Berlon's face and the crossbow in his hands ... : "euh ... need some help ?"
Berlon just sees L'laylon run in the direction of the Full Moon Market ! He can try to shoot L'laylon but he's trying to get away.}
Olyn is bravely resisting to the Fey Kings' words - be they truth or lies - and doesn't notice his words of comfort towards his friends finally start to pay of. Rose wakes up from her nightmare, overhears parts of what Ebryon says to Olyn and she yells out to Olyn to keep resisting to Ebryon ! Both are now taking strength about each other's presence and the Fey King looks distressed. Has he failed ?!?
"So be it ...", he says and with the blink of an eye his image disappears !!
The both of you can hear the moaning of your friends who still appear to be having this nightmare. But ... neither of you know what is real and what is a dream. With the sudden disappearance of Ebryon a shudder goes all of your friends. They appear to be thorn from their dreams in shock !! Theodore is sitting on the ground looking very distressed at some imaginable figure, Vorelle is no where to be found but you can hear her cry somewhere in the distance ! Vauhwyt stands ready to attack all of you and only her mental strength keeps her from doing so. Zayne is looking very angry at Rose and Theodore screaming at them : "WHY ?!?!?!?!?". The only one not to be found is Berlon, and the temple is still deserted ! Now ... are you awake or are you still sleeping ?!?! This is getting rather embarrassing !!
Spoiler for Rose and Olyn, Highlight to display spoiler: { In the back of your heads you both can hear the voice of Clu'eth !
"Come back friends !! Come back !! Wake up ! ... bring me a few buckets of water ! Maybe a cold shower will wake them from their sleep !! Go find that girl in the lab too and give her a shower as well !!"
(Rose and Olyn make a will save DC14 - if you succeed you wake up just in time to see Clu'eth about to drench you all in water !)}
As Dietrich starts to laugh at this figment of his imagination there's clearly distress in the eyes of the Fey King ! He back up and slowly his image starts to fade ...
"Remember what I told you Dietrich !!! " are the last words Dietrich hears ...
Zayne is thorn between his own father and the prince and no longer knows who speaks truth and who's lying. He screams his lungs out looking for answers. This scream was not only to be heard in his dream and he actually wakes up from his own cry !! He shrugs of the effects of the drug and the image of his father and the Prince starts to face !
Slowly both Zayne and Dietrich begin to regain consciousness. The temple is still deserted, and you can hear faint voices of Rose and Olyn talking to someone ...
Vorelle keeps fighting internally with herself and her demons, and resists to follow Ebryon's soothing voice. The door starts to crack !! It's just a matter of time now before they break through !!!
Vauhwyt continues to resist to the temptation of killing these Goblins. They are laughing at her now !! "freak ! four legged mishap ! monster ! you're ugly !!"
Panic starts to race through Theodore's mind ! Did he really kill his friends !?! As he asks his master Geoffrey for more answers this last one starts to laugh out loud !!
...
suddenly the image distorts ... something's wrong ... Vorelle, Vauhwyt and Theodore are thorn out of their dreams and feel their minds are shredded to pieces in one split second ! Their hearts are pounding madly in their chests and heavily breathing they appear to be waking up from this nightmare !
(Vorelle, Vauhwyt and Theodore have failed to either break out of the dream of conquer their demons and wake up by themselves. You're completely disorientated and no longer have any clue about reality ! This has been a terrible drain on your mental health and you feel weakened. For one hour you suffer -2 Str, -2 Wis and -2 on Will Saves)
Olyn and Rose can see how distressed Vauhwyt and Theodore are. From the look upon their faces they have gone through something terrible. Dietrich and Zayne seem to be doing a lot better as just before Ebryon vanished they were able to free themselves from their dream. And there's no trace of Vorelle ...
Vorelle d20+10=16 Wednesday September 7th, 2005 9:19:07 AM
Vorelle awakens with a start, looking frantically around for those who attacked her. She doesn't see anyone, but that is little comfort.
She moves to the most shadowy corner of the room, and tries to conceal herself behind whatever tables or other furniture might be nearby. [Hide 16]
Olyn d20+6=14 Wednesday September 7th, 2005 9:57:57 AM
opening his eyes and seeing Clu'eth standing over him with a bucket of water, he puts up both hands up saying: that wont be necessary Clu'eth.
sitting up with a start, he looks around him and sees he is back at the temple.
Clu'eth, we gotta help the others. I and Rose was able to resist his words but the others are still in between. we must wake them but we gotta be delicate in the way we do that. we dont need to have them here, but some of their spirit remain in the sleep world.
and with that said, Olyn rushes to the bed where Vorelle is lying in, and solely begins doing whatever he can to comfort her. to assure her, to get her safely back.
DM Inge : Vorelle is not on her bed at all. She's no where to be found yet you do hear her crying somewhere. And Clu'eth allready ordered someone to "find that girl in the lab and give her a shower as well !!
Olyn d20+6=16 d20+6=16 d20+6=9 Wednesday September 7th, 2005 10:28:41 AM
Inge, ill do a spot of 16 and a listen of 16 to find out where she is, then rush to her side. disregard the 9.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday September 7th, 2005 10:50:59 AM
Theodore's eyes roll up into his head when the image of Ebryon and Geoffrey disappears. He slides helplessly to the floor of the temple in a dead faint.
Macaw flutters down to the limp form of his friend and struts back and forth cawing shrilly. He picks at the wizard's clothes, attempting to bring him back to consciousness.
Rose hp: 4/23 AC18 d20+6=16 Wednesday September 7th, 2005 12:47:21 PM
Rose wakes up and looks around "Where's Vorelle!" Rose cries as she hops off her bed just before getting drenched. Then she hears someone saying to find a girl in the lab and she starts running towards the lab. "Dont! You'll scare her!" Rose calls as she runs.
Mad Jack Wednesday September 7th, 2005 3:41:09 PM
As his eyes watch the fleeing man his mind works. Now if the fleeing man were an honest one, would he not be yelling for assisstance?
His body begins to turn toward the market. His mind is made up, and he enters in the chase.
"Follow me soldier!" He shouted that over his shoulder, at the crossbow wielding man. "And please, dont pierce me hide with your missiles."
By now he is in full pursuit. Because of his tall frame, and bowwed legs, he appears to run like an ape.
(OOC: Hello all, I'm Dave. I hope to bring the game some flavoring. And I hope all love the taste, hehehe. )
Vauhwyt (AC22 Str 13 of 14, HP 35 of 35, -2 Str, -2 Wis and -2 on Will Saves for one hour) (mage armor) and Mookie (AC15 HP 17 of 17) Wednesday September 7th, 2005 4:43:24 PM
Vauhwyt stumbles as she understand that she has been asleep, or something. She props herself up with her spear. Trying to get over her confusion, she looks for the elf with the potion, L'laylon, that was his name.
"We were supposed to drink the potion and then go find the antidote. Instead, there was some strange vision of the King and Queen of the Fey. And then some kind of hallucinations. What is going on?"
"Where is L'laylon? His potion did not work! Now what will we do? We still need the antidote!"
"Mookie, where did that elf go?"
Mookie is speechless.
Berlon -- 25/28 HP Wednesday September 7th, 2005 5:39:01 PM
"Oof!"
Berlon bumps into the huge man and sprawls to the ground. He shakes his head and tries to get his bearings, only to see the huge man lumber after L'laylon. While still seated on the ground, he raises a finger and opens his mouth to speak. He thinks better of it and picks himself up, then returns to see how the group is doing.
Zayne Wednesday September 7th, 2005 10:55:48 PM
Zayne sits up and is sweating. he looks around the room, blinking and rubbing his eyes.
Seeing most of the group he gets out of his cot and walks around the room, not actually trying to go anywhere, just to shake off the res tof his dream.
After a few trips around the room he stops and asks"This time it's real right? We are really awake? What was that stuff we drank? Who in blazes is Ebyron, and what is he doing in my head?" He stops suddenly hearing Rose,"I'll go with you come on. As he begins to pass Rose he stops and picks up the small halfling, "It's faster this way."
Rose, post two Thursday September 8th, 2005 12:50:25 AM
As Zayne picks up Rose she grabs hold of him. "Hurry up Zayne. You know Vorelle has the most awful nightmares sometimes."
Where's Laylon ?!? ... [DM Inge] Thursday September 8th, 2005 8:28:34 AM
Spoiler for Mad Jack : Highlight to display spoiler: {Apparently Berlon, the one you just bumped in to is not giving in to the chase and returns to the temple ! Something fishy is going on here in this city and you realize that Elf you follow means no good.
L'laylon looks back and sees Berlon stop the chase, but now he sees Cap'n Jack coming ! "Leave my master alone ... human !!! "
Looks like L'Laylon thinks you're part of the gang. Little does he know !
He's taking the turn on the Full Moon Market and heads towards the docks !
You're chase ends when you see L'Laylon hop on a barque that has docked in the harbour.
Suddenly you realise that from that bump against Berlon, you seem to have lost your belt pouch with gold ! If you hurry back you may catch that man back in the Temple of Wardd. }
Olyn and Rose manage to stop Clu'eth from giving you all a shower. As both Olyn and Rose warn him that their friends have to be woken carefully, he realizes they are right. They have to be brought back with some caution. Even as we speak they still don't know dream from reality !!
Dietrich and Zayne are the first to finally really wake up. Dietich feels slightly dazed as well. Ebryon's last words keep ringing in his mind : "Remember what I told you Dietrich"
Vauhwyt and Theodore are next. Gently they are brought back to reality. Dazed they finally open their eyes. Mookie wakes up next to Vauhwyt and apparently he had a rather pleasant dream ! No nightmares for him it seems. Macaw picks at Theodore's clothes ... Both Vauwhyt and Theodore seem to be a mess ... the sudden disappearance of Ebryon from their dream was too abrupt for their minds to understand.
Now where's Vorelle ?!?
Olyn can hear her and runs towards the Lab - as that's where Vorelle's cries come from. Rose picks up Zayne and the 3 of them rush to go see Vorelle. There's someone at the blocked door with a bucket in his hands. Olyn explains him he can't do that as it would rupture Vorelle's mind even more. Gently they knock on the door and speak soothing words to Vorelle.
At last Vorelle's mind is able to return to reality hearing her friends voices. Neither Olyn nor Zayne or Rose nor anyone else can enter the room as the door appears to be blocked from the inside !! (you could try to break it down though - put your shoulders against it if you like)
Theodore, Dietrich and Vauhwyt are the last ones to remain in the temple. Much to their surprise the temple is exactly the way it was when you drank that foul potion ! Clu'eth looks at you ... he seems to be worried.
"Something was wrong with that potion. L'Laylon ran outside the moment you all seemed to have nightmares. What happened to you ? Did you see Ebryon ? What did he say ? Do you know where the antidote is ?? We'll soon find out where L'Laylon went as Berlon went after him. Hopefully he can catch him ... I have a hunch he knows where they Avatar of Ebryon is hiding and where the antidote is !! "
Right at that moment the temple door swings open and in comes ... Berlon ... alone ... without L'Laylon ... with little clue where L'Laylon went ...
Spoiler for Berlon Highlight to display spoiler: {the moment you enter the temple you notice you have a large beltpouch with gold dangeling on your own belt ... maybe that's fom that large man you bumped into ...}
Olyn Thursday September 8th, 2005 9:46:35 AM
knocking on the door gently, and giving harsh looks to anyone trying to break the door down, Olyn will talk calmly to Vorelle. assuring her that all is well on this side and that the group needs her to open up the door and come out.
Vorelle Thursday September 8th, 2005 10:06:42 AM
Vorelle is startled when she again hears knocking on the door, but relaxes when she hears the voices of her friends. Had it been them all along? Was this part of the dream?
Cautiously, she moves from her hiding place, shifts the barricades out of the way, and opens the door. When she sees that it is, indeed, her friends on the other side, she smiles in relief.
Rose hp: 4/23 AC18 Thursday September 8th, 2005 2:25:32 PM
Rose launches herself from Zayne to Vorelle "Vorelle I was so worried about you" Cries the injured little halfling. "Are you ok?" She asks wincing as a partly healed wound opens a bit more.
Dietrich Thursday September 8th, 2005 4:29:14 PM
OOC: sorry for missing post
Startled though he still is, Dietrich is really glad to see Zayne still alive and as confused as he is himself.
"That *(&^*& potion had quite some side effect! Worse than "orcish burnt"!
He thinks quietly: "Remember those lies for what? (*&(& stinking goat!" But deeper inside the words had their impact...
When he doesn't see Vorelle, he is more concerned and joins the guys running to the laboratory. The fighter is worried, but lets Olyn do his job and tend to the brave ranger's soul.
Then Dietrich sees Rose's serious wounds and wonders what the *(& has really been going on.
"Rose, are you alright? What happened to you!?"
He listens to Clueth's and Vauhwyt's (who looks even more crazy than usual..) comments and can only share them.
Mad Jack Thursday September 8th, 2005 6:06:00 PM
As the elf boards his little ship and is definsately unreachable, Jack raises his hand in greeting. "Good bye, goodbye, safe trip, thanks for the gift."
He turns and walks odd. As he looks at the food in the market he realizes his purse is gone. Thinking, he can not remeber bumping into anyone while chasing the elf, he had concentrated on not doing that. Then it came to him, the man with the crossbow.
Running back to the doorway he had encountered the man, he unsheathes his scimitar. Afterall the man had had a quarrel at the ready to shoot. Opening the door he slips in and then to the right. Before moving any further he allows his eyes to adjust to the light.
Berlon 25/28 Thursday September 8th, 2005 8:07:18 PM
As he starts back towards the group, the gnome finds a priest, preferably Clu'eth, and gives the priest the beltpouch. "That big fellow I bumped into dropped this. If he comes back, please give it to him. If not, consider it a donation, I suppose. I don't think we'll be hanging around here very long..."
Berlon will take note of the priest's name (if it's not Clu'eth) then address the group.
"So."
"Everyone have fun?"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday September 8th, 2005 9:06:22 PM
Vauhwyt is very discouraged. No antidote for the disease, and those who do not die of the disease will die after drinking the poison the Fey King plans to add to the water.
"But maybe we can mitigate this calamity," Vauhwyt says to everybody there.
"The fey creature said that by noon tomorrow, the potion will be in every well in the city. So if we can stop the citizens from drinking the waterr, the worst damage can be avoided. And with enough time, the priests of the city can cast Purification spells on all the wells -- or at least on enough water for people to drink."
"So we have two jobs. Warn the city not to drink the waterr, and begin production and distribution of clean waterr. Not heroic, maybe, but needed."
"Who can we go to for this? Brother Clueth, can you help make clean water? I can go to the WLA. What about the Prince? Dare we approach the Wolves?"
Theodore and Macaw Thursday September 8th, 2005 9:07:01 PM
Macaw continues to tug at his master's clothes. Eventually, he moves to Theodore's head. After tugging free a few hairs, the wizard groggily comes to.
Theodore pushes himself weakly to a sitting position. He covers his eyes with a shaking hand and can be heard repeating to himself, "Just a dream, just a dream, just a dream..."
There's Mad Jack ... [DM Inge] Friday September 9th, 2005 8:28:56 AM
Slowly things are starting to get back to normal. With the soothing words from her friends Vorelle finally opens the door. It looks no one was banging on that door ! ... there are no cracks in the door ... only her friends are on the other side looking very worried to her.
Much to Vauhwyt's dissapointment they did not find the antidote's location in their dream. And her plan to keep the city from drinking the poisonous water looks like a gigantic task ... nearly impossible. Theodore sits on the ground convincing himself that it was all a dream.
As Clu'eth sees Berlon enter the temple again he walks over to him.
"Where have you been ? Did you catch L'Laylon ? Have you seen where he went ? Guess he was not what I thought him to be. The moment your friends here got their nightmares he ran away, and I bet he went straight towards his master ... presumably the Avatar ! And ... where he went, I'm sure the antidote is to ... Now ... where did he go ?"
Berlon hands the belt pouch to Clu'eth and then goes over to see where his friends are. They are looking bewildered, distressed, tired, and Rose appears to be wounded more than when she drank from the potion. (Rose got an arrow in her side shot by Zayne !)
"Berlon ! Where's L'Laylon ?", asks Clu'eth once more. This time you can feel distress in his voice. "You weren't able to run that fast ... is it that ? Is the antidote really lost then ?"
Spoiler for Jack : Highlight to display spoiler: {You see the Gnome that bumped into you earlier (Berlon) talking to a priest (Clu'eth) and you can hear that Clu'eth is inquiring about the man you chased (L'Laylon) back to his boat. You hear things about an antidote, about not drinking water, about an avatar ... wow ... these guys appear to be in some kind of trouble and they need to know where the man you chased went ... looks like an ideal way to make friends or make money ... Now that boat DID NOT sail out to sea ! It is still docked in the harbor. L'Laylon only jumped on board ...[/b]}
Spoiler everyone EXCEPT Jack and Berlon : make a spot DC12 to highlight : Highlight to display spoiler: { suddenly you can see a large man, looking rather tough with a drawn scimitar in his hand, sneaking up behind Berlon ...}
Vorelle d20+9=18 d20+8=19 d8+1=4 Friday September 9th, 2005 9:19:00 AM
Vorelle makes the Spot check (Spot 18).
Highlight to display spoiler: {Seeing the man sneaking up behind Berlon, Vorelle acts. She gets to her feet (move action), draws her bow (free action--Quick Draw feat), and fires (standard action). It's a decent shot, but not a great one, and Vorelle watches anxiously to see the effect. (Hit AC 19 for 4 points damage)}
Olyn d20+6=13 d20+5=12 d20+5=24 d20+5=20 2d8(4+8)+2=14 Friday September 9th, 2005 9:53:13 AM
Retrieving his light crossbow from its holder at his side, and it being still loaded from when he prepared it before entering the dream state, and seeing the individual sneaking up on Berlon, he aims and shoots his light crossbow at him, shouting to Berlon at the same time: Behind you Berlon, duck!
spot of 12 used hero point to reroll attack. hit with a 24, possible crit, followed up with a 20, a crit for 14 points of damage.
*ooc i gotta say one thing, if this is the new guy, ive never helped kill a pc so soon after having them join the group*
Dietrich, ac 18, HP 40 d20+4=22 Friday September 9th, 2005 12:46:55 PM
Dietrich makes the test (spot 22)
When Dietrich sees the man approaching and his friends firing, he draws his greatsword (fast draw, free), getting ready for another fight, and shouts too:
"Berlon, behind you!"
The armoured knight runs (up to 80ft)to get close to the mighty warrior with the scimitar (roughly the same size as himself, a rare sight indeed), swearing that they never have a minute of rest, and shouts to him:
"Drop your *(^(*& weapon if you want to live!"
Berlon -- 25/28 HP Friday September 9th, 2005 1:32:13 PM
Berlon angrily advances on Clu'eth. "Listen here, Luck Boy, I don't think you're in any position to start laying blame. I'm not the one summoning evil kings, or passing out foul potions..."
It's a good thing he's so mad, as confronting Clu'eth might have taken him out of harm's way...
Rose d20+6=13 d20+5=25 d20=6 d20=15 d20=20 Friday September 9th, 2005 3:01:04 PM
Rose sees a man with a scimitar coming up behind Berlon "Berlon watch out!" She calls as she jumps down from whoever is holding her at the moment and starts running towards him.
listen: 13 spot: 25, nat 20
rolls for a game without a dice roller inititive: 6 wisdom: 15 gruesome fate: 20 (lucky me)
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=11 Friday September 9th, 2005 6:41:48 PM
Theodore is too distracted to notice anything unusual, though he does lift his head at the shouting from his friends.
Mad Jack Friday September 9th, 2005 8:27:46 PM
After his eyes have adjusted to the rooms light he starts toward the little man. In no hurry now, seeing the man is not going anywgere.
Just as he is about to say hello and introduce himself he is struck by something, and pain fills his body. Another pain rips through him and he is seeing stars. As he falls to his knees a warrior comes running up, looking to take his head it seems. Not knowing what else to say, he merely says, "I know where the man you seek is."
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+4=14 Friday September 9th, 2005 10:12:44 PM
Vauhwyt sees the newcomer, and sees that even after he is attacked, he tries to talk instead of fighting.
Vauhwyt leaps forward. "Hold, my friends! Don't kill him until we hear what he has to say!"
The large liontaur addresses the bleeding kneeling person. "Who are you, stranger? If you are a friend, then we will heal you and hear you. If you are a foe, you have already tasted our angerr, and if you value your life, will tell us why you have come!"
Mad Jack Saturday September 10th, 2005 1:30:28 AM
Jack is wounded but feels he may live. Now this montrous carhuman apparition is talking. Sounds to be the leader.
"Umm, I was, was stanfing outside that door back there, when someone opened it and ran out. Then that little man bursted from same door, nearly knocked me down. When I seen his crossbow loaded, I figured trouble. So I chased after the first man."
He pauses to catch hus breath qand wet his lips, He does feel a bit lightheded.
"The chase ended, so I looked for that man over there, but he had not given chase as I supposed he would. Then I knew why, my purse was gone. I came here to talk to him, to find out why he needed money so badly. And now you people are shooting at me." He stands but he does not lower hus blade.
"So my judge ,do I die or live?"
Zayne d20+8=22 Saturday September 10th, 2005 4:11:55 AM
Running his hands along the door testing for a weak spot to break though, but having no luck.
Seeing the large man walking with a drawn weapon forces Zayne to do the same, Having Dietrich and Olyn in the way forces him to draw his battle axe, and move closer.(Spot 22)
"i don't know who you are, but I suggest dropping that sword, and standing very still." In his head he is agreeing wholeheartidly with Dietrich about there never being a moments rest.
Vauhwyt (AC22 Str 13 of 14, HP 35 of 35, -2 Str, -2 Wis and -2 on Will Saves for one hour) (mage armor) and Mookie (AC15 HP 17 of 17) (illegal second post) Saturday September 10th, 2005 7:26:27 AM
[OOC: In general, Wold policy is that you are allowed one post per day (or one post between DM posts, more accurately). But a kindly DM may not mind an extra post for role play reasons. I hope this is okay, Inge!]
Vauhwyt is surprised. "Wowsy! You say Berlon here stole your purse!"
The liontaur looks like a centaur, but instead of half-horse, she is half-lion. She has no armor and carries a spear. There's a black bird on her shoulder.
And she is red in color -- skin, fur, clothes -- from head to toe. It looks like she was recently dipped in blood -- this is actually a side effect of a spell she cast a while ago, but the newcomer won't know that yet.
"Okay, how does this sound," Vauhwyt continues. "Everybody puts away their weapons, we get this newcomer a bandage, and we talk about it some. The priests of Wardd here in the Temple can help, maybe even cast a Truth spell for us." She nods to Clueth when she says that, and she puts away her spear.
"Look, friend, there are strange forces about in Dirt City these days. The fey are at war with people, and there are tricks and illusions all around. We'll get to the bottom of this, but it may be possible that an invisible pixie or sprite stole your purse."
"Brother Clueth, what about that Truth spell? Any lucky chance you happened to prepare one of those today?"
"And stranger, do you know where that first man went? He was an elf, right? And by the way, my name is Vauhwyt. What's yours?"
The crow on her shoulder coughs.
"Oh, yeah," says Vauhwyt. "And this is Mookie."
"About time I got some recognition," says Mookie sarcastically.
(PS: When Vauhwyt says her name, it sounds like "vow-wet.")
Rose hp: 4/23 (now 17/23) AC18 2d8(5+1)+3=9 d8=5 Sunday September 11th, 2005 2:35:14 PM
While Rose listens to everyone talking she starts to feel a bit dizzy. So she reaches into her belt pouch for a potion which she drinks.
cure moderate wounds, rerolled the 1 13 hp healed
"My name is Jack ... Mad Jack" ... [DM Inge] Monday September 12th, 2005 6:46:12 AM
The moment Jack closes in on Berlon to ask him about his pouch Olyn and Vorelle make quick descisions ! One arrow and one bolt are suddenly aimed at him with deadly accuracy !!
Lucky for Jack, Vauhwyt notices the fact he's not fighting back and descides to talk ... right ... shoot first, ask questions later. I HAS kept the Dirty City gang alive for soo long ...
As things slowly unfold it turns out, Jack here lost his pouch and was simply retrieving it. The good thing is ... he did see where L'Laylon went !!
The moment Clu'eth hears this, he neglects Berlon's remarks and quickly turns to Jack : "Did you see where L'Laylon went ?!? Hurry my good friend, tell us. I will make sure you are healed if you do !!"
(Jack if you tell them everthing you know you are back at full health afterwards)
Well ... all welcome Jack ... Mad Jack ...
(inge ooc : to reply to Cayzle's remarks about multiple posts. as long as you are in RP mode I do not object at all. On the contrary, it give you a chance to role play more and make good team descisions. Only in combat I don't want a second post - unless you have a good reason.)
Theodore and Macaw Monday September 12th, 2005 10:43:37 PM
Theodore slowly regains his feet as the stranger speaks.
"L'laylon...this was his goal from the beginning, then?" Theodore hangs his head. "We must reclaim that antidote."
His hand clenches and his knuckles go white as a purpose runs through the normally timid wizard.
Vorelle Monday September 12th, 2005 10:44:58 PM
Vorelle starts to feel bad about that arrow she fired, then thinks better of it. The stranger will need to learn not to walk around Below with unsheated weapons, or he'll get worse than a stray arrow.
She watches and listens to see what will happen next.
Olyn Monday September 12th, 2005 10:57:09 PM
reloads his crossbow and stands at the ready. listening to what, if anything, the stranger has to say.
Mad Jack Tuesday September 13th, 2005 2:41:06 AM
Scratchung the top of his head with his free hand, he thinks iver his options.
"So, if I tell you where this socalled enemy of yours is, then you will heal me." Looking at the priest, "And I would have to assime my money pouch in your hand would be given back to me as well?"
Looking at the others, "Lets say I help out, Are the assassin archers in this group going to cut me down anyway?"
Sheathing his sword he steps toward the priest. "The man you seek ran through the market and boarded a ship. The ship or boat, or skiff, whatever you want to call it, is boxed in from all sides so Im sure he hasnt gone anywhere. Thats all the info I have. I would have done more, but the little man over there didnt follow me, so I figured it was of no importance."
Rose 17/23 hp Tuesday September 13th, 2005 3:49:43 AM "Now nobody would have hurt you if you weren't below ground and in a temple with an unsheathed weapon. Thats something everybody knows." Rose says to Jack "And you guys need to be a bit more careful, even if he was going to attack us it's better to have prisoners to question than dead assassins." Says rose turning to the others in the group.
When Rose hears that L'laylon is at the shipyards she almost heads straight out the door, but then pauses and asks Clu'eth if he could heal her first.
DM Inge - WAITING FOR MORE POSTS Tuesday September 13th, 2005 7:43:53 AM
c'mon lads and lasses - get those posts in !
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday September 13th, 2005 8:35:45 AM
Vauhwyt smiles at the stranger. "If you are helping us find that fellow who ran to that boat, then fear not! We won't hurt you."
"At least, not on purpose," adds Mookie.
"Hush, Mookie," says Vauhwyt.
"It is true," she says, "that here underground, no one is suppose to carry a naked blade. It's against the law."
Mookie says, "Yeah, we obey that law all the time. We never draw weapons underground, ever. At least, I never did. Though if I had hands, it would be a different story."
Vauhwyt says, "Why are we standing around? Good Brother Clueth, please help us with what curing you can give, then let's race after this L'laylon villain! Come on!"
Vauhwyt urges the group to follow the new guy's directions asap!
Come ... do not fear ... [DM Inge] 2d8(2+2)+6=10 Tuesday September 13th, 2005 10:11:29 AM
Introductions are made, and Vauhwyt, Rose and Vorelle explain Jack that drawing weapons in the City Below is something not allowed. You just can't help thinking about Berlon rushing outside the temple with his crossbow in his hand, and about Vorelle and Olyn shooting first and asking questions later ... strange people !
But things are set straight, and Jack is being healed. Clu'eth looks around to see who is hurt and while listening to Jack's bearings he casts a CMW on Rose (healing 10HP).
Listening to all, Clu'eth then concludes by saying : "So L'laylon went over to the docks ... let's hustle then. If at least a piece of your dreams were true, than that's where the Dirt City Avatar is ... and with him ... the antidote. And most likely that's where you will have to judge over Ebryon ..."
Then he turns to Jack : "You, a stranger in this great city, have brought new hope to us. Here's the pouch that appears to belong to you. Now, lead the way friend !"
Those of you who agree to follow Jack and Clu'eth are taken along the way that Jack chased L'laylon. Leaving the temple to the City Above, passing the Full Crescent Market, leaving the Backstab Quarter to your left, and then arriving in the docks from the West.
Jack points out the boat ... but look ! There's L'laylon ... he stands on the deck ! Two more Elves are at his side ... they look right at you !!
L'laylon calls out to you : "Welcome. Our master awaits you ... please join us ..."
He and the other two elves wait for you. No weapons are drawn ...
The boat itself is beautifully decorated with branches, leaves, flowers ... little fey are hovering over the deck carrying lot's of things to the deck below. None of them even care about you all ...
"Come ... do not fear ... "
Olyn Tuesday September 13th, 2005 11:02:19 AM
without fear, Olyn smiles and proceeds towards to boat and the confrontation he knows will ensue. passing L'laylon he stops, points at him saying: you, ill kill after. then proceeds to the Avatar.
Berlon (25/28 HP) Tuesday September 13th, 2005 5:22:08 PM
Berlon turns to Jack. "Sorry about the misunderstanding. I gave the pouch to the priest in case we left before you showed up." He looks to make sure Jack is sufficiently healed, and points over his shoulder to the rest of the group. "They tend to shoot first and ask questions later, as you can tell."
He then looks over L'laylon and the boat. "And THIS is the part where they blindly do whatever they're told. It gets fun to watch after awhile..."
Berlon is NOT getting on the boat yet...
Mad Jack Tuesday September 13th, 2005 5:50:12 PM
Looking down at the little man, Jack says, "Thanks for the apology. You seem like a good sort. By the way my name is Jack, some call me Mad Jack. What do you go by? And thanks for the warning."
Looking around he spots the raven.
"Mookie! I think thats what she called you. Anyway since a ravewn can speak to a man, guess I can talk to a raven. No dream here. Amy way Bird, er Mookie, on the boat there, looks like cousins of yours can you tell me anything about them?" As he looks away he thinks he sees the raven roll his eyes at him, refering to the fey as cousins of the raven.
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=9 d20+4=10 Tuesday September 13th, 2005 6:00:17 PM
OOC - How much time has passed from the last battle to now? How much time has passed from waking from the dream to now? I want to know if some of my spells are still in effect or not.
Theodore is a little hesitant and grimaces when Olyn marches into potential danger. "I'm running low on useful spells," he mumbles to no one in particular.
He scans the ship to determine as much as he can before taking any unneccessary actions.
(Spot 9, Listen 10; Are the fey similar to the ones we've been fighting for the last few battles?)
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday September 13th, 2005 6:20:58 PM
Vauhwyt is adamantly opposed to blindly obeying this elf. "The last time we did whatever this guy said, we were poisoned with his fake magic potion! And HE ran away! We wouldn't even be here except we were lucky berlon was suspicious and the new guy followed this elf."
"Olyn! Stop! This is madness! Don't go down therre! We've killed these fey before, and this elf fled rather than face us. What we have to do now is defeat them all in combat. Just take the elves alive so we can make them tell us where the antidote is!"
"The last thing I'm going to do is go on some boat just because poisoners and disease-spreaders said so!"
Mookie gapes in amazement! "Jeezum Crow!" the bird says. "For the first time in her life, the Boss wises up! I never thought I'd see the day!"
"Hush!" says Vauhwyt to the bird. Then the liontaur casts Enlarge Person (the third of her four first level spells today). With her reach, she is ready to attack next round.
Mookie rotates his head and tilts it at the new guy when he speaks to the raven. "Man," the bird says, "you don't know, Jack!"
OOC: Vauhwyt still has her Mage Armor up, I think? From the Worm battle? Oh, and note that Vauhwyt likes to grapple, so enemy grapple DCs might be a handy thing.
Vorelle Tuesday September 13th, 2005 9:41:03 PM
[OOC: Just to clarify, Vorelle did not explain about the weapons. Vorelle does not explain things. Or, you know, talk especially well. :) ]
As is her wont with strangers, Vorelle keeps a wary eye on the newcomer as the group makes its way to the docks. From her place near the back of the group, she watches L'laylon make his invitation.
He's kidding, right? she thinks, eyeing the boat dubiously.
Rose hp: 23/23 AC18 Wednesday September 14th, 2005 2:07:12 AM
ooc: since technically we were sleeping do we get some spells back from the fight in the temple? if not is rose's mage armor still active it lasts 3hrs.
Rose almost laughs when asked to join the group on the boat. As Vauhwyt, has already stated her opinions Rose moves forward and grabs Olyn "Stop, dont go on that boat, are you crazy! I'm not going to explain to the temple how we let you get killed." scolds the tiny halfling.
The Docks part 1 ... [DM Inge] Wednesday September 14th, 2005 11:09:06 AM
L'laylon just spoke, and immediately Olyn moves forward accepting the invitation of the one who administered the sleeping potion. Could it be L'laylon suddenly is to be trusted again ?!? Quickly Olyn is brought back to reason by both Vauhwyt and Rose. Berlon is wrong, for once his friends do not rush in headlong and instead think twice before accepting L'laylon's offer.
Berlon and Jack get acquainted and settle things that happened before this.
It is questionable though ... the search for the Avatar was much too easy. His appearance in their dreams made them realize he still has some strength in him, even though he is but a fragment of the once so powerful being Ebryon was.
Spells are running low, wounds were taken from the battle before ... though it appears that temple battle was a long time ago, only 1 hour has passed since then. (ooc : please let me know what active spells you all have now -- 1 hour has passed).
Clu'eth looks at you all ... begging you to go in and retrieve the antidote. Without it, the city will be doomed. He follows Olyn, ready to go and claim the antidote by himself if he has to.
Pixies come and go ... to the decks below and back up ... as if they are preparing the boat for a trip to the open sea !
(make spot check DC18 for spoiler) Highlight to display spoiler: {You can see L'laylon whispering to the two elves beside him. Afterwards, L'laylon turns around and appears to prepare to go below deck}
As you are watching L'laylon and his companions you also notice the boat is starting to drift away from the docks !! Allready it is 1,5 ft from the side ...
"Fare Thee well my friends" L'laylon says, "soon this city will be gone ... ha ... ha ... ha ...". Then he turns around and goes to the stairs to go below deck.
OOC Inge : please put your AC and HP in your next post as usual (current and full) - I will do as Cayzle asks and Kup did before me and write down the AC's and grapple AC's as spoilers next turn.
Olyn ac23, hp32 Wednesday September 14th, 2005 12:22:16 PM
turning to Rose and then the others when they proceed to slow his advance. and looking over his shoulder to see the ship beginning to go and then says to all:
you stand there wanting to make some sort of plan while they leave. get your rears in gear and do something now! /pointing to Berlon and says: you want to be a part of this group but since day 1 you have not participated as a member of this group. you go off doing your own thing while the rest of us perform as a team. you need to decide, are you a member of this team or not. if not hit the road. turning to Clu'eth and says: come master, lets do what we came here to do or die trying. Wardd's will be done.
and with that said, Olyn turns and rushes towards the departing ship.
Vauhwyt (AC16 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC13 HP 17 of 17) (enlarge person) d20+14=27 d20+4=12 d20+3=8 d20+3=18 3d6(3+6+1)+3=13 Wednesday September 14th, 2005 12:34:15 PM
Vauhwyt sees that the ship is starting to move off. "Oh no you don't!" she says.
The huge liontaur backs up five feet, then runs 20 feet toward the water and then leaps! Her jump check is 27, so her leap of 27 feet easily makes it across the open water and onto the ship. In fact, it gives her enough elevation that the hits the rear mast and sail, and with the remainder of her move she climbs the mast and sail, grabbing and clawing at the ropes, wooden mast, and sailcoth with hands and paws. (Climb check 12 to do so.)
(All of this comprises two move actions for this round.)
Vauhwyt is glad that no enemies are standing next to the mast, or else she might have provoked attacks of opportunity as she moved.
"Boss!" Mookie says, flying close by his mistress. "I thought you were sensible at last, and now you do a tomfool thing like this!" The irate enlarged crow nonetheless keeps an eye out for his boss (Aid Another action to boost Vauhwyt's AC fails with roll of 8).
With any luck, Vauhwyt will travel her full 80 feet this round -- 25 feet on shore, 27 feet through the air, and then climbing at half speed 14 feet up the mast and sails.
"Well," Vauhwyt thinks, "if my 5,760 pounds (2.88 tons) are too heavy for the mast and sails, and I rip them down or topple the mast, or even sink the boat, then that's fine! I've got a Seal of Swimming to use to get back to shore! That's if the water is over my head."
"In fact, ripping down the sails sounds like a good idea to do next!"
She keeps her spear in her hand (drawing a weapon while moving is a free action) so that if any creatures move around within 20 feet of her, she can get an Attack of Opportunity as the enemy moves. Rolling out the potential AoO just in case, Vauhwyt hits AC 18 for 13 damage. Since she is only 14 feet up at most, she figures she might be able to hit people moving on the deck below with her 20-foot reach. [Possible +1 to hit from above would boost her attack to hit AC19; possible penalties for attacking while clinging to mast, sails, and ropes with four sets of claws = ??]
Mad Jack 34hp 16 ac Wednesday September 14th, 2005 2:57:32 PM
"Looks like I hit a nerve with the bird" Jack says to Berlon.
He watches as the lion creature expands its size, along with the raven. Then she leaps onto the boat.
Jack continues to stand and watch.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 17 (mage armor & dodge) d20+4=24 d20+6=24 Wednesday September 14th, 2005 9:23:34 PM
Theodore spots the whisperings of L'laylon. (Spot 24) "They're planning something," he says to those around.
Seeing Olyn, Clu'eth, and Vauhwyt starting towards the boat, the young wizard takes a deep breath, "This has got to be the longest day, ever."
He takes a hard look at the boat and the pixies swarming about, trying to discern real from false. (Will save 22 (forgot to -2 for bad dream) to disbelieve any illusions.)
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20+9=14 Thursday September 15th, 2005 1:21:29 AM
Vorelle does not spot L'laylon's actions; she is busy fretting about Vauhwyt. Once again, the liontaur has rushed in where angels fear to tread, and Vorelle is fearful of what may happen to her friend.
I hate boats!
Gathering her courage, Vorelle begins to move toward the dock. [Double move, getting to Q-12.]
Berlon - AC 20 HP 25/28 d20+4=14 d10=9 Thursday September 15th, 2005 8:34:30 AM
"Oh, I'm sorry, Olyn. Being responsible for so much death probably makes one cranky."
Berlon takes a 5' step south and fires his crossbow at E1.
Crossbow attack hits AC 14 for 9 dge.
The Docks part 2 ... [DM Inge] Thursday September 15th, 2005 9:31:35 AM Olyn is furious about the hesitation of his friends. Getting on this boat is probably the only way to get the antidote on time -- no matter what lies ahead, he feels they have to get the antidote at all cost. Insulting Berlon though may not be the best way to solve the man's ... euhm ... keen senses to avoid trouble ?
Olyn rushes together with Clu'eth towards the boat.
Suddenly the boat's nose rises a few inches from the water, tilting the entire deck slightly upwards ! The one to blame is the massive body of Vauhwyt who has skillfully jumped on the deck and climbed into the mast. The back sail is torn by the Lion Taurs paws !
The moment L'laylon saw the incoming Lion Taur he backs away from the stair waving his hands not to attack them !
In all this frenzy Berlon fires a bolt at one of the Elves on deck, but the bolt got tangled up in the collapsing sail leaving the Elf unharmed. Then, both manage to leap on deck !
The Elves back away too, and two of the Pixies that were hovering over the deck have gone below. Neither L'laylon, the other two elves nor the Pixies draw their weapons ! They look at you ... but do not attack ... instead, they urge you all to be quiet !! Waving with their hands not to attack them ... not speaking ... ?!?
Vorelle, Zayne and Dietrich all make an attempt to get as close to the boat as possible before it leaves the docks. Meanwhile the boar is 3ft away from the edge ... Jack, Theodore and Rose are unable to act ... almost as if they know something's strange ! Why aren't the Elves and the Pixies attacking ?!?
Clu'eth scowls at L'laylon to make him return the Antidote.
Spoiler for Vauhwyt and Olyn : Highlight to display spoiler: { Suddenly you hear the soft voice of a younf woman coming up from below the deck : "What's going on up there ? Please be quite ... he is finally sleeping ... "}
Mad Jack 34 hp 16 ac Thursday September 15th, 2005 3:28:45 PM
Jack watches from a safe distance.
Olyn ac23, hp32 Thursday September 15th, 2005 4:49:36 PM
waits to see where and what Clu'eth does, and follows his lead.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 17 (mage armor & dodge) Thursday September 15th, 2005 9:36:49 PM
Theodore moves quickly down the dock, pulling forth his wand as he moves.
I suppose I can always set the thing on fire.
Vorelle [AC 17; HP 35/35] d20=10 Thursday September 15th, 2005 11:50:42 PM
Vorelle continues toward the ship, jumping the last distance from the dock [Jump 10, counting the penalty].
DM Inge Friday September 16th, 2005 6:12:46 AM
only 4 posts ... posts from Dietrich and Zayne are accounted for as they are unable to post. What's up with the rest of ya ?!?
Vauhwyt (AC20 Str 15 of 16, HP 35 of 35) and Mookie (AC17 HP 17 of 17) (mage armor, enlarge person) d20+3=15 3d6(6+2+6)+3=17 d20+3=4 Friday September 16th, 2005 7:36:17 AM
Last round -- Vauhwyt certainly does take an Attack of Opportunity if the chance presents itself -- hits AC18 for 13 damage.
This round -- Vauhwyt climbs down to the deck (move action) and casts Mage Armor. She and Mookie turn blood red as a result of the spell's special side effect on her.
If she has another chance at an AoO, she will take that too -- hits AC15 for 17 hp.
Mookie keeps alert and tries to protect his mistress, but fails in his Aid Another check for the second round in a row!
The Avatar ! ... [DM Inge] Friday September 16th, 2005 12:34:54 PM
One of the Elves is knocked backwards by the massive Liontaur's strength and wobbles on his knees -- and this is not due to the shaking of the boat.
Vorelle, Dietrich and Zayne now join Clu'eth , Vauhwyt and Olyn on board the ship. Theodore strongly considers torching the damned thing ... Jack keeps observing the spectacle at Berlon's side. They appear to be hestating to go any further.
Suddenly, a young woman comes up the stairs holding a little baby in her hands ...
"So ... these are the ones who have come to judge ... behold Clu'eth ... The Avatar ..." and she shows the little baby ...
" the time has come to judge ... " she says to those already on the boat (a boat that continues to drift away), " He came to you in your dreams with his last strength ... you have fought your own demons and bravely fought his minions in the temple. There's no more fighting left ... You are the ones ... the ones to judge his life ..."
She beacons to the one elf that still stands : Go fetch the Runes of Maab ..."
The elf goes below the deck and soon returns with 9 sets of 3 acorns in his hands. Upon each of them there is a rune ... Sleep ... Atone ... Die ... With it he also brings the Antidote !
The young woman sits down on the deck with the little baby Avatar in her hands and looks at you ... : "You have deserved the cure of the City - you have defeated Ebryon - Now would you kill such an innocent baby ? Will you kill my baby ... ?"
Mad Jack 34hp 16 ac Friday September 16th, 2005 8:42:02 PM
Looking over at Berlon, "I have absolutely no clue what is goin on here. But that vrazy bird and Van are in a mess. I think I'll get a bit closer."
Walking over to the edge of the pier he removes his bow from off his back and nocks an arrow. He will wait there for further developments.
Berlon AC 20 HP 25/28 Friday September 16th, 2005 11:59:17 PM
"'Vrazy bird and Van'?"
Berlon just stands there. His head hurts.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+18=24 Saturday September 17th, 2005 7:38:06 AM
Vauhwyt's initial temptation is to continue to attack, but they are not fighting back. "This is too much like the goblins that turned out to be my friends," the liontaur thinks.
But she sees the antidote! So she comes forward and holds out her hands. "Give it to me," she says, holding out her hand (the other hand holds her spear). "Give it to me or I'll give this spear to you! And tell the truth -- is this really the antidote?"
Intimidate check 24 (includes a +8 from being huge).
Note: as she approaches, Vauhwyt provokes attacks of opportunity by moving through threatened spaces. That's fine my her, since if they take a swing, she'll feel happy to be able to fight.
Olyn Saturday September 17th, 2005 11:18:08 AM
through his frustration, through his anger, Olyn composes himself and walks up to the woman. looking at the antidote, and then at the baby, then at the runes.
and he picks up 1 of the runes.
I and I alone choose this rune. not for compassion of a child, not for pity sake for He (pointing to the child) would not and did not have compassion when he was brought forth. I choose this rune for the sole purpose that everyone, through the will of the Gods', should have a chance to do so. to prove that even the darkest of souls can change, and I hope he will remember my decision when the time comes to judge me.
he hands the woman the Atone rune.
and then walks over to the person holding the antidote, takes it (if offered) or stands there with hand out to receive it.
Vorelle Saturday September 17th, 2005 11:07:31 PM
Frowning in concentration, Vorelle eyes the infant. This is the King person everybody was talking about? This little baby caused the plague? Sent the giant bug that nearly killed Dietrich?
She shakes her head, not entirely believing it.
Where's the real King? she wonders.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 17 (mage armor & dodge) d20=20 Sunday September 18th, 2005 4:02:31 PM
Seeing the boat drift slowly from shore, Theodore makes up his mind to get onboard. He puts his head down and begins to pump his arms for speed. Reaching the end of the pier, he trips on the hem of his pants and goes sailing into the air with a look of absolute terror etched upon his face. Somehow, he tucks into a ball and somersaults twice before landing without a hitch on the boat's deck. (Jump 20, natural 20!)
He looks about, completely perplexed, having expected to end up in the water. "Hmmm...That was easy enough."
Macaw flaps down onto the top of Theodore's head as the wizard marches to stand with the rest of his friends on the boat.
Seeing the offered acorns, he also chooses the one that says Atone. "Make things right. That's all anyone can do."
Kill : 0 / Sleep : 0 / Atone : 2 .... [DM Inge] Monday September 19th, 2005 8:08:06 AM
The young woman's appearance with the baby Avatar in her hands did not miss their effect. Vauhwyt realizes they are not fighting back anymore -- this battle has been fought before, and this avatars strength has been drained in his previous attempts to either slay you or talk reason into you ...
The moment Vauhwyt sees the Antidote, he stretches out his hand, lowering his defences exposing himself to an assault, yet nothing happens. Instead L'laylon offers Vauhwyt the antidote ! Clu'eth cheers with joy, begs Vauhwyt to hand it over to him so he can create the cure to save this city !
Jack notices something is going on near the boat and decides it might be best to come a little closer. Hearing what the others are talking about it seems this is where you are all supposed to judge the Avatar's destiny ... Berlon keeps his distance, suffering from a major headache.
Olyn is the first to judge. Atone. He wants to hand the young woman the Rune, but she refuses to accept it. As she sees the choice Olyn has made she smiles. "Thank you brave One ... This little baby here has every right to be alive and every chance to grow. He will be good for the City bringing prosperity once again !"
Theodore chooses the same Rune. Again the woman gratefully smiles at him.
"Take these Runes with you and hold on to them. In time, the rest of the Wold will judge their avatars. Then your Runes will display the final choice the Wold has made. Take the antidote, and summon your friends to come closer and make their own choices. Then we will set sail out to the open sea -- waiting for whatever destiny awaits us."
(ooc : who is willing to cast a vote for Dietrich and Zayne ?)
Vorelle Monday September 19th, 2005 9:21:35 AM
Glad to have the antidote back, Vorelle fingers the three acorns in her pocket. She's still doubtful that this infant is the King, but she realizes that she needs to cast her vote nonetheless.
Atone....Vorelle thinks of the dead and dying in the streets and sewers of Dirt City, of Rose's poor brother. Atone? "I promise I'll be better?" Vorelle has heard such promises before, and doesn't set much store by them. No.
Die...A single death to balance the deaths that had come before. If she were stronger, more ruthless, this would be the option she would choose. She has a nagging feeling that she should choose it, infant or no. But she's not a vindictive person, and can't quite bring herself to pull out this particular acorn. Which leaves....
Sleep...Put this King, or whatever he is, back to sleep. Vorelle sighs. It's a temporary solution at best, but it's the only one she can bring herself to choose. She pulls the SLEEP acorn out of her pocket and holds it out on her open palm.
Olyn Monday September 19th, 2005 10:29:22 AM
rushes with Clu'eth to help in finishing the cure, and to help distribute it.
on the way says this: might wanna have that checked to see if it was tainted while it was out of sight just to be on the safe side.
*ooc i wouldnt be a good choice for zayne and D. think Cayzle would have a better understanding how they play their characters and could give a better decision on what they'd pull*
Mad Jack Monday September 19th, 2005 11:16:37 AM
Listening to the people talk, Jack gets more and more confused. Atone? It is hard to imagine a baby would have anything to atone for. Maybe the rest of these strange creatures, but not a baby.
Looking over to the woman in the group who talks little, he can see the exhaustion. Or maybe fatigue, or who really can tell such things. He does see the intenssity of her gaze, and is impressed. He had known many men who talked little, but when they were needed, they surely were counted on.
"If I get a vote, I go with the young lady there, she looks capable of making decisions." Jack points in the direction of Vorelle.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday September 19th, 2005 2:17:19 PM
The liontaur gives the antidote to Clueth and wishes the cleric well, with thanks.
Vauhwyt listens to the discussion of the choices and scoffs. "This! This baby! This is the Fae King!"
"This infant turned Berlon's kin into a tree and attacked his village and killed his people?"
"This infant tried to hunt us down and kill us?"
"This infant tried to infect all of Dirt City with rotting fruit? Tried to destroy the temple with a monsterr? Stole our antidote and tried to poison all the city's waterr? Made me think my friends were goblins -- and tried to tell me to kill them?"
"You're telling me this infant killed Rose's brotherr!
Vauhwyt's anger is clear in her accent -- the Rs get longer at pauses in her speech.
Mookie says, "You tell 'em, Boss!"
Vauhwyt turns to her friends. "I do not believe these evil-doers. I do not believe this baby is the King. I bet the King is hiding or fled. But I'll play this game."
Vauhwyt returns to the woman holding the tray of runes. "I for one, know the best answer. Die!"
She takes the acorn maked with death.
Then Vauhwyt says. "Why should you be allowed to flee in your boat! No! We take you into our custody now, and you will await the Prince's judgement. If you do not like that, my spear and claws have an answer for you. At the least, we can sell this boat of yours to pay for the funerals and to repair the temple."
Vauhwyt suggests that a person who is smaller than she is right now should search belowdecks in case the so-called King is hiding.
Olyn Monday September 19th, 2005 6:06:07 PM
turning to Vauhwyt before he jumps off the boat Olyn will look up and into her eyes and says:
when we were in the dream, Maab rendered him into fragments of his being, spreading his essence across the wold. the child you see before you is the Fae King, but only a fraction of his being. searching the ship for the real Fae King will prove fruitless. what you see before you is him.
(turns to continue following Clu'eth) (and turns back to Vauhwyt)
you can try and apprehend this boat and the people on board, but I think you'll find you dont have the power to. even with all of us combined.
(then jumps off the boat and follows Clu'eth)
Cayzle's OOC opinion on Dietrich and Zayne Monday September 19th, 2005 6:31:44 PM
Zayne is young, impulsive, and has a huge chip on his shoulder. He gets angry and holds a grudge. I could see him choosing death. On the other hand, he is a ranger, right? His connection with nature might mitigate that to sleep, in my opinion.
Dietrich is practical, thoughtful, and deliberate. I think he would listen to everyone else before making a choice. I do not know how he would choose.
Inge, how about e-mailing them both? I'm pretty sure Peter, playing Dietrich, is accessible via e-mail. Let me know if you want his address.
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 16 Monday September 19th, 2005 10:15:56 PM
Theodore watches as first Vorelle and then Vauhwyt make their decisions.
"I will go with Olyn and Clu'eth. I don't know that there's anything more that I can do here."
He goes with Olyn, though Macaw perches above on the mast to keep an eye on things at the boat.
Kill : 2 / Sleep : 2 / Atone : 2 .... [DM Inge] Tuesday September 20th, 2005 9:50:01 AM
Watching Olyn and Theodore pick a rune, Vorelle is the next to judge Ebryon's future. She carefully considers all the options and descides to return back to "normal" and sending Ebryon back to sleep. Probably a safe option, with little changes to the Wold.
After taking a Rune Olyn jumps of the boat with Clu'eth happy to have retrieved the Antidote. Happy this will now save the city and cure all those who are ill. Clu'eth acknowledges Olyn's remark and shouts to Olyn as he returns to the temple : "I will examine this closely Olyn! Don't worry! We will not be deceived again!! Come join us later to witness the cure for the first people."
For Jack all this is a little awkward. He comes to visit the city, bumps in against a Gnome with drawn crossbow, then gets an arrow and a bolt in his side, and now has to descide over the future of a creature he has not seen before ! Oh he heard about it, and noticed the strange effects on nature, but never before did he come so close to warriors who have been so close to all this. He feels Vorelle has made a good choice, and follows her judgement. A Sleep rune disappears in his pockets.
All this greatly annoys Vauhwyt! Oh it's so simple to just pick up a rune, leave the ship, and watch the Avatar set sail to the open Sea ?!? Then what !! She has little compassion to the little child and doubts this actually is the Fey King's avatar. She refuses to leave the ship but regardless if this is the Fey Avatar or not, Death is the only right way to soften the pain Ebryon has caused to the City, to Vauhwyt, to her friends. She grabs a rune marked with Death ... Olyn tries to calm his friend Vauhwyt convincing her this actually is the Avatar. Why not can this baby be the Avatar? He came to the city in this shape and used his mental strength to summon monsters, invade your dreams, and destroy the city. Vauhwyt remains on the deck expecting something to happen. Yet -- the elves gaze at the Avatar with compassion and guilt, the Pixies fly on and off, the younf woman looks at the huge liontaur with respect and fear.
Suddenly the baby turns his head straight at Vauhwyt and she hears a voice inside her head : "So Vauhwyt, you whish death to come over me ... remember what I have shown you in your dreams. Remember what I have told your friends in their dreams! I am the cure for this city -- not for it's inhabitants. I can bring back prosperity and make life luscious in this dirt. No longer would it be called Dirt City ! Yet, you seek to destroy me. One day you will realize your mistake ..."
Watching Vauhwyt's reaction, Dietrich votes for the complete destruction of Ebyron to. He´s a warrior and knows the risk of letting business unfinished. Also, the temptation the evil God offered is too dangerous and Dietrich prefers to get rid of it.
Six have made their choice.
Rose watches from a distance, caught in thoughts she considers the best choice. Berlon, still gazing all that happens from a distance, fighting the terrible headache stays indecisive, Zayne is also thouroughly thinking everything through.
The young woman looks up to all of you, hoping you will not take her baby away : "I never was able to get a child. One day, a little star came to visit me, and a soft voice asked me if I wanted to give birth to the most beautiful creature in the Wold. Look at his face ... so pure ... so peaceful ... there's no evil hidden in this child."
(ooc : I mailed Zayne and Dietrich to cast their votes.)
Olyn Tuesday September 20th, 2005 10:13:35 AM
sets about the temple, helping those that are there to be more comfortable. assuring them a cure is at hand and soon they will be going home.
turning to the makeshift guards in the temple, he whispers to them. keep a wary eye out for we dont want any of the houses to think they can cash in on the cure. it will be used for the sake of the city, not to help 1 house get power over the rest!
Theodore and Macaw HP 18/18 AC 20 Tuesday September 20th, 2005 9:48:05 PM
Theodore accompanies Olyn and Clu'eth back to the temple, assisting in anyway he can.
Macaw sticks with the rest of the group to keep an eye on things.
Vauwyt and Mookie Wednesday September 21st, 2005 12:26:23 AM
Vauhwyt asks Olyn and Theo to look for the Prince's men, or the peace-enforcers (Sharps or Keens) of the House of Knives, and to send them here to take these villains into custody.
In the meantime, she supervises the tying of the boat to the dock. She herself throws ropes to those on the dock (Vorelle? Berlon?) and asks them to tie the boat up securely.
She does this while waiting for everyone to take their acorn.
Vorelle Wednesday September 21st, 2005 9:14:38 AM
Vorelle stayed on the ship after she cast her vote, reluctant to leave Vauhwyt there by herself. When the time comes to tie up the ship, though, she gladly goes ashore to do so.
Holiday !! ... [DM Inge] Wednesday September 21st, 2005 11:45:05 AM Olyn and Theodore closely follow Clu'eth to the temple of Wardd again and go to help administering the cure.
Vauhwyt and Vorelle make sure the boat won't go anywhere, and soon they are aided by a few men from the House of the Knives. The Princes man are no where to be seen. In fact ... you have not seen any of his man helping in any way during this whole mess with Ebryon ! The least thing you could expect from him would be to actively hunt the avatar, or make sure to retrieve the antidote?!? Wouldn't you??
Together they manage to hold the boat tied at the docks. The elfs and L'laylon do not resist to this. It seems they feel their destiny is already written.
"We will hold them here", the men say to Vauhwyt., "They will not go anywhere! Not before the cure has been tested!"
Ah ... holiday ... you can all feel it in the tip of your toes. Maybe it's time to get back home, gather your strength, heal, train ... Many adventures await you in Dirt City.
(ooc: We're still waiting for votes from Rose, Zayne and Berlon -- unless you want to stay with the boat you can all start thinking about what to do with your downtime. Your votes will be joined with all other votes from all around the Wold. Some are not anywhere near voting yet, so ... I figure you would have to wait a really long time in Real life with that boat before you will see the outcome - that's why I wanted to get rid of the boat ;-)
Enjoy some downtime now - make plans, meetings all you want. Strengthen, train, I will ask Kup to hand out the Xp so you can level up ... maybe ;-) )
BigTim aka Olyn Wednesday September 21st, 2005 4:00:50 PM
*due to some real life issues, I will be going on hiatus from the wold for an unspecified amount of time. keep up the good work and ill see you all when i get back*
Tim
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday September 21st, 2005 8:07:16 PM
Once things are under control in the temple, Theodore returns to his friends to inform them that the antidote is safe.
He then reminds his friends of the threat of the coming horde that the captured lizardman. "We need to inform the city."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday September 21st, 2005 10:21:37 PM
Vauhwyt is glad to surrender the boat to the Knives. "Thanks!" she tells them.
Then she joins her friends at the Temple. "Come on," she says to Vorelle and Rose. "Let's see if the good clerics need a hand."
That evening she hopes to return to the girls' apartment for some dreadfully needed sleep. Then, tomorrow, she suggests that the party pay a visit to the Prince's palace.
Rose Thursday September 22nd, 2005 12:06:59 AM
ooc: Everyone I'm sorry I havent posted recently. I have depression and unfortunatly this last week I spent sleeping and when awake I would sometimes read. Although I thought about all my dnd games once in awhile it just seemed like to much effort to even turn on my computer. Monday I slept at least 16 hours, but today has been better. This has happened before, but not often. (remember last december when I didnt post for about 2 weeks?) Hopefully it wont happen again any time soon. Loretta
Rose listens to her friends and the woman and thinks. She isnt sure if the baby is the fae king or not, but she knows she has to help decide his fate. As she listens she thinks about what she should decide then she speaks her thoughts aloud so that everyone including her friends can know why she makes her decision.
ATONE, how can he possibly atone for all the deaths here in dirt city, in the gnome village, and everywhere else. For surely this destruction wasnt confined to our home but is everywhere.
SLEEP, how can putting him to sleep be the answer. It has already been tried at least once and look what happened when he awoke.
DEATH, wont fix things and it wont bring peace to the living. But it will prevent this from happening again.
I choose death, so that this will never happen again.
Rose, continued Thursday September 22nd, 2005 12:14:09 AM
Back at the temple Rose goes and sees Junior and says goodbye to him with tears in her eyes, then turns to her friends and says "Could you go with me to my parents? I have to tell them about Junior and find out if the others are still alive."
Rose (and hopefully others) will go to her parents to tell them about Junior's death, that a cure is almost ready, and find out if her brother Petorin, Aunt Grace, and Uncle Vic are still alive or if this disease has killed them as well. She tries not to think that others in her family who were not sick may have gotten sick and died in the last day as Junior did.
Vorelle Thursday September 22nd, 2005 9:14:05 AM
Vorelle is eager for a little rest, but recognizes there's work to do yet. She accompanies Rose to her home to help break the news of Junior's death. Then she goes to the temple to see if she can be of any help in distributing the antidote.
Visits of all sorts ... [DM Inge] Thursday September 22nd, 2005 11:07:27 AM
At last Rose wakes up from her thoughts ... "DEATH I chose so this never happens again !" Kill : 3 / Sleep : 2 / Atone : 2
Witnessing the creation of the cure for the entire City, Olyn finally feels he's getting really tired. Time for a rest. "Let's call it a day" he thinks and returns home. (ooc great another one gone ...)
Theodore realizes why they were coming back soo quickly for in the first place! The Lizardmen ... Vauhwyt also feels it's about time to get to the Prince and inform him about the lost book they were supposed to retrieve for him. Maybe both these things will intrest him greatly! Besides, it's about time he actually takes charge when it comes to "defending" the city!! Vauhwyt suggests Theodore to wait till morning. A good night sleep first, and then they can visit the Prince with their heads clear. All that has happened so far becomes too much even for a sturdy Liontaut like Vauhwyt.
Rose decides it's about time to go to her family and check up on them. Vorelle agrees to go along with her. First they go to the temple of Wardd to get the antidote. There has been no time yet to administer the antidote to the entire city, the clerics of Wardd are working over time to get this done, so they are quite happy to see Rose is willing to take the antidote home. After a little walk they arrive at the door of Rose's home ...
(ooc : I hope it is correct that Rose's family lives in a house with a front door ? ;-) )
(ooc 2 : We're still waiting for votes from Zayne and Berlon -- unless you want to stay with the boat you can all start thinking about what to do with your downtime.)
(ooc 3 : What's wrong with the posting lately ?!? Hang in there guys, the DFR is almost over ...I promise there are fun times ahead ! )
Mad Jack Thursday September 22nd, 2005 3:58:39 PM
OOC After the Holiday post, I thought that was the end, havent been reading board since, sorry.
Jack watches as the others walk away from the deck. He shakes his head in exasperation. Well, what did he expect an explanation? Smiling to himself the answer was yes.
One thing stuck in his mind. He returned to the temple doors. Standing just outside the doors he paused. Openng the door he peers in to the spot where he had entered. It was curious indeed. Looking over his shoulder he can see people lining the streets. So to the best of his knowledge the temple looks to be on the same level as the street. As he figured the last time, drawing a weapon should be ok, it was the city down under, that required the law of no drawn weapons. The crazies he had just left on the docks, must count that rule for both cities. thinking about it, it was sound judgement.
Turning he waits to ask passerbys, if anyone knows how to enter the city below. After he gets his instructions, a multitude of them, he wanders off looking for himself. The merchant he had travelled with coming to the city, had spoken of houses that ruled the city. Jack figured it was high time to investigate that story.
Theodore and Macaw Thursday September 22nd, 2005 5:10:58 PM
"Well, we did send that pigeon back with a note to the Prince," he says in response to Vauhwyt's suggestion to take the rest of the day off. Perhaps he got that. You're probably right. We'll need all of our faculties to deal with the Prince."
He does not relish the thought of speaking with the Prince after all that has happened.
"I will head back home, then. Anyone else coming?"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday September 22nd, 2005 7:29:24 PM
OOC: Vauhwyt would wait for Zayne and Berlon before leaving the boat. The following assumes that they are done and all of us have left the wharf.
Vauhwyt agrees with Theo, and she says she'll be going back to the apartments very soon to sleep. Then she stops by the cathedral and checks in with Rose and Vorelle. She wants to tell them to come home and sleep. Let the clerics finish their brewery and distribution of the potion.
But her friends have gone to Rose's family's house. The liontaur tries to catch up to them there. Vauhwyt stuffs Mookie into a pouch and gets ready to pay her respects.
After visiting Rose's family, she hopes she can convince Vorelle and Rose to come home and sleep. Tomorrow they have to see the Prince, and they'll need to be wide awake and sharp for that.
Rose Thursday September 22nd, 2005 8:48:53 PM
Rose heads towards her parents with Vorelle. She walks slowly to delay the time that her parents have before finding out that Junior is dead and so Vauhwyt has plenty of time to catch up. As she enters the halfing quarter she says hello to any friends she might see but heads straight for home.
As she uses her key to open the door she calls out "Mama. Papa. I'm home." and whispers to Vauhwyt and Vorelle "Watch your heads."
When she sees her parents Rose will ask "How are Petorin, Aunt Grace, and Uncle Vic? I have the anitdote lets give it to them right away."
Rose will use the cure on everyone who needs it in her house before turning to her parents "Mama, Papa we have to talk." and will then tell her parents about Junior.
ooc: how much antidote does Rose have and what were the instructions on using it? does she have some single doses if so how many? does she have concentrated stuff for the wells? Does she have both?
Vorelle Thursday September 22nd, 2005 11:49:30 PM
Having been to Rose's home before, Vorelle knows when to duck and how to keep from knocking over furniture. She stays quietly in the background, ready to lend Rose what support she needs.
Visits of all sorts part 2 ... [DM Inge] Friday September 23rd, 2005 6:26:02 AM
(OOC : DavidT, I understand your mistake -- I should have explained this more clearly. Now's the time for you and the others to visit the city, learn more about eachother, buy stuff, level up, things like that. For Jack this is the ideal moment to learn more about the City ! Carry on exploring :-D !!)
Jack suddenly feels somewhat alone in this strange city. He heard tales about it claiming this was a dangerous place to live in. Especially the City Above was told to be a cradle for thugs, thieves, and murderers ... With no place to sleep, and those crazies heading of in various directions Jack realizes he ought to get to the City Below and find a place to crash. He's curious to know if what he heard about the Houses in this City was correct !
Returning to the Temple he asks how to get to the City below. Apparently this very Temple of Wardd has an exit to both ! One of the Clerics of Wardd working in the temple leads Jack to the level below. Once there, Jack enters the City Below for the very first time !
This isn't at all like he imagined a "sewer" to be! These underground tunnels are like roads, nicely paved with tiles, not smelly at all! Ahead of him there's a fairly straight tunnel that leads away from the Temple of Wardd. Along the path there are various bookshops, stores, establishments, inns ... everything you can find in a normal city you can find it here as well. He looks around for signs about the various houses in the City, but deep down he knows that he could not expect a simple road sign pointing him into the right directions ...
Maybe it's time for Jack to find a place to sleep ... after all, Pubs are known to be frequented by all sorts of people, and they are probably the best place to learn more about the city ... Along the tunnel he sees a couple of pubs that offer a place to sleep as well : "The Dancing Knives", the "Cloak'n Dagger", "Naia's Hideout", ...
That crazy lot he met earlier is no where in sight ...
Theodore and Vauhwyt agree to have a good night sleep first, but then Vauhwyt notices the other girls are first going to pay Rose's family a visit and catches up with them.
As they are walking towards the Halfling Quarter several people smile and shake hands with the group. Seems word has traveled fast, and many seem to know what the party has done. Yet despite all this, Rose's heart is raging in her chest. She doesn't know how much her parents already know, and if they are allright ...
Rose slowly turns the key and walks inside ... Vauhwyt and Vorelle follow her into the house carefully avoiding the low ceilings.
The moment Rose calls out, her mother runs towards her : "ROSE !! Are you ok ? We have heard so many things! Where's Junior? He was with you in the temple right? Have the Clerics in the temple already made the cure?"
As she hears Rose saying she brought the cure with her (the Clerics have given her a diluted version of the cure with the correct way to administer the potion -- have each patient take two sips of this potion and you ought to see improvement in 1 hour -- there are at least 10 doses) her mother grabs Rose by the arm and brings her before Aunt Grace and Uncle Vic. They appear to be very ill and this cure comes right on time! Hopefully you are not too late. Petorin is ill too, but appears to be slightly better than the others. Still there's no time to waste.
While administering the potion, Rose's father in a firm voice asks Rose : "Where's Junior?"
Olyn, Dietrich and Zayne have left for the boy's apartment. Sadly enough there's no trace of Berlon. Last time you saw him he was observing the spectacle at the boat and suffering from a terrible headache ...
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday September 23rd, 2005 6:58:46 AM
Vauhwyt waits for Rose to break the news.
After that, if the family wants to return to the Temple to get Rose's brother, Vauhwyt would be happy to help escort them and then help carry their burden, if need be.
If Vauhwyt ends up at the Temple again, and if she sees Jack there, she will say to him, "Oh, there you arre. Why don't you meet us here in the morning and then come with us to see the Prince? You have a part of this tale to tell, too, so the Prince may want to talk with you. Who knows, there might be a reward."
Dietrich Friday September 23rd, 2005 9:32:40 AM
OOC: Hi guys! I think I´ll come back in 1-2 weeks, but till there, I´ll just post what Dietrich does. See you all soon!
After the fighting and voting, Dietrich is glad all is over and they got the cure. He´s worried about his family in the Windbourne Hills and decides to take a look at them. The warrior warmly says farewell to his friends and will take a boat aboveground.
Dietrich will use the free time to continue training his weapons and body, particularly the divine Greatsword. Also, the journey will probably have enough opportunity to train his intimidation skills and fighting...
Mad Jack Saturday September 24th, 2005 3:04:01 AM
At seeing the tavern called 'The Dancing Knives" his curiosity finds him enteringt the establishment. Once inside he is a little surprised at all the activity. Not looking anyone in the eye, he walks up to a barmaid. Since she is leaning on a post, he asks her about a room.
Moving just in time, he misses the slap meant for his face. Making a horrible and disgusting sound he moves off toward the main bar.
Then what he said dawned on him, and he chuckled. Finally he gets to the barkeep, orders ale, a meal, and a room for the night. Having the ale in hand he moves over to an empty table, where he can hear several conversations at once. Across the room, he can see men throwing little darts at what looks like a board with circles drawn on it. Odd.
Vorelle Sunday September 25th, 2005 12:32:08 AM
Vorelle stays with Rose for as long as she needs to, then takes a vial of the antidote and heads for Grubber territory.
Probably everybody else has forgotten them, she thinks.
Berlon Sunday September 25th, 2005 5:24:00 PM
Berlon makes his way back to his lab, since he hasn't been back home in what seems like forever. He will check on the condition of the lab, and start deciding on what he is going to do with his future.
Theodore and Macaw Sunday September 25th, 2005 7:27:49 PM
Theodore takes a much needed sleep at the apartment. In the morning, he makes a quick visit to his Master Geoffrey to check on his condition and inquire about current events before meeting back up with the rest of the group to confront the Prince.
Rose Monday September 26th, 2005 1:44:27 AM
Rose gives the antidote to Aunt Grace, Uncle Vic, and Petorin then hands the vial to Vauhwyt or Vorelle. As she looks up her eyes fill with tears and she starts to cry. "He got sick so fast and the antidote wasnt ready. I tried to make him get better...." Rose says as she breaks down crying.
Visits of all sorts part 2 ... [DM Inge] Monday September 26th, 2005 11:50:03 AM
Once the trouble in the City has settled, and after taking a nice sleep Dietrich decides it's best to go and see his family in the Windbourne Hills. He says a warm farewell to his friends promising to return soon.
Rose helps curing her own family, but when asked about her brother Junior she breaks. Crying she tells the whole story... Her mother bursts out in tears, and Rose's father jumps up from his chair! The chair he was sitting on crashes against the cupboard behind him breaking several glasses that were in there. "WHY DIDN'T YOU PAY BETTER ATTENTION TO HIM !!!" he cries out to Rose, "He was a promising cleric at that temple! HE could have become someone! Someone to be proud of!! You run around the city with this rubble leaving a mess wherever you go!" Then he turns his back on Rose, stepping over to his wife to comfort her and mumbles between his teeth "It should have been you instead" .
"GET OUT OF HERE !!" he suddenly shouts at Rose and her friends. He pushes you all outside though he feels reluctant to push Vauhwyt around and changes his tone : "Please do go outside now Rose. Mother is really distressed. You may not have been able to help Junior, but right now you'd better leave. Go."
Vauhwyt and Vorelle are shocked about Rose's parents reaction. After all they could not help Junior! Things will calm down once they are over the first shock ... hopefully. They end up outside all three of them with the remaining antidote ...
Vorelle decides to take it up to the Grubbers in this city. Walking through the streets she gives to antidote to the area's cleric. He immediately casts a loving smile on Vorelle and thanks her for bringing the vial to him : 'It's not much, but we'll be able to safe some at least ! Thanks dear"
Then Vorelle turns around to leave the Grubber place to head for their apartment and stands eye in eye with Targo Flatjaw ... "Well well ... Vorelle ... you remember me?", he carefully looks at the impressive Liontaur and says to Vorelle : "You wait and see. I will be a well known adventurer in this city too!" and he walks away without waiting for her reaction ...
Berlon goes back to his lab thinking things through. So many things have happened in this city. He met a few great people. Done some impressive things. Still ... doubt creeps down his spine. Why is he here? What is his future in this City? Is he needed here or has he got a future elsewhere? His lab needs quite some repairs. He grabs an armchair and quietly sits down to have some serious thinking.
Jack has entered the Dancing Knives. Skillfully dodges an angry lady's hand -- "never ask a woman to your room without proper intro Jack" he thinks to himself.
"Aye mate. Where you from?" the bartender asks as Jack orders meal and a room. "You're not from around the city now are you? Too little dirt in y're eyes . harharhar" He hands Jack a key to room 13 : "First floor, room on the far left. Bathroom is accros the hall. Girls c'n be found down if you can pay"
Then he finds an empty table and enjoys his meal. Beans, bacon, bread, ale ... an adventurers feast. Inside there are several people drinking and talking out load.
[b]"Har ... screw that Prince ... "someone says and his mates laugh out loud, "he can put his bloody rules where the sun won't shine ... HAHRHARHAHRA ... " they are stomping their feet, patting each other on their shoulders, spilling bear. Yup real macho's. Those in the far corner throwing darts look around as well smiling at the drunk bunch.
The Bartender comes up to Jack's table : "ya forgot y're key mate. Don't mind them ... the're usually sober ... harharhar"
Rose Monday September 26th, 2005 3:04:36 PM
Rose just breaks down crying and runs out of the house. She'll make her way to the girls apartment and just cry and cry and cry.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday September 26th, 2005 4:49:16 PM
Vauhwyt is flabbercasted. But sometimes catastrophe brings out the dark side of people, she comments in a whisper to Vorelle.
She makes sure that Rose gets back to the apartment ok. "Hey, Rose," she says, "He didn't mean it. he is just upset. Give him a little time."
But before she goes to bed, she goes a-looking for the boys at their apartment, and for Berlon at his shop, and for the new guy, Jack, at the Temple, to ask them all to meet in the morning to go visit the Prince.
Berlon Monday September 26th, 2005 6:48:40 PM
Berlon sighs as he rests in his chair. "Always so much to do..." he mutters to himself.
"Well, the work won't do itself..."
Berlon takes a blank piece of parchment and a small pouch and lays them on his lab table. After about half an hour and two spells later, he takes his signet ring and some ink, and makes a mark on both the parchment and the pouch. The mark is upside down, to remind Berlon what both items are for.
He will then start working on whatever minor repairs to his lab he can do himself.
OOC: Glyph of Warding cast once on blank scroll and once on pouch, both marked with signet ring and ink.
Glyph of Warding - Duration permanent until discharged, each item enchanted with Blast Glyph, which does 2d8 sonic damage to all within 5 foot radius. Glyph is triggered when scroll is unrolled for scroll, and when pouch is opened for pouch. Reflex save vs DC 16 for 1/2 damage.
Mad Jack Tuesday September 27th, 2005 12:50:23 AM
Thanking the innkeeper for bringing his key, he sits and listens to the man laugh. After a moment he decides to ask a few questions.
"Yes, I am new here, and I have a few questions. If you dont mind answering them of course. I will be needing a place to stay, so I may use your inn for some time. Will this be ok? Do you have a stable nearby? Secondly I heard those men badmouthiing this so called prince. Who is he, and why the bad comments. And thirdly, I have heard of a secret society, er, house as you call them here. The one I am most interested in is the house of Darts. Can you give me any information?"
Vorelle Tuesday September 27th, 2005 9:53:13 AM
Vorelle goes to the Grubber section of town, ready to administer the antidote. She is surprised, and a little distressed, when a priest shows up and all but snatches the vial away from her. The clerics in this part of town are not known for their dedication, or even their honesty. Vorelle tries to take the vial back.
When she sees Targo (who is not her father), Vorelle stops, rooted to the spot. Her stomach gives a sickening lurch, and her heart begins to pound wildly. Escape, she knows, is her only alternative. Caught unawares like this, she knows she is unlikely to succeed, but she has to try.
But before she can flee, Targo merely makes some cryptic remarks about adventurers and then leaves. Of his own accord.
Somehow, that makes Vorelle even more frightened. What can he mean by that? What is he up to? What would make him act so oddly? She has never seen Targo voluntarily give up on something he wanted, yet he'd turned and walked away from her.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday September 27th, 2005 10:45:23 AM
At his Master Geoffrey's, Theodore questions the man about events in the city while he was gone. He explains the happenings since he last saw his master, but neglects to include the potion induced dream which Geoffrey was a part of.
After he catches up, he promises to return shortly and heads back to the apartments to meet up with the rest of the group.
Visits of all sorts part 3 ... [DM Inge] Tuesday September 27th, 2005 11:47:27 AM Rose is struck by lightning at her father's remarks and runs over to the Girls apartment in tears. After all she could not help Junior even though she wanted to. In time her father will cool down ...
Vauhwyt accompanies Vorelle first to see the Grubbers and then checks up on Rose. When she has assured Rose is calm Vauhwyt goes out for an evening walk. The boy's place is deserted. No trace of Dietrich, Olyn and Zayne. Jack's disspeared too. The moment Vauhwyt decides to leave the place and check on Berlon she bumps into Theodore.
He has been talking to his mentor Geoffrey about all that has happened in the city in these past few days. Geoffrey is most pleased about his apprentice. He has taught him well. (ooc : what did you want Geoffrey to answer?)
And now he's back at their place. The Liontaur stands alone outside the boy's apartment seemingly trying to find all group members.
In the Grubber area Vorelle first sees her vial of antidote being taken by a priest. He looks at Vorelle as she wants to take the Vial back from him questioning her why he is not allowed to cure those who need it most : "Am I not good enough to administer this much needed antidote ? Don't you want to see these people cured ?!?" But then Vorelle bumped into Targo forgetting all about the whining priest and the antidote. She's amazed by his odd behavior." That's nothing like Targo", but hasn't got a clue what he was on about.
Jack beacons the innkeeper and starts to ask questions to the good man : "aye no man asks soo many questions without a fine reason lad. Don't mind th'm th're drunk. You want stables, I can give ya a place for y're horse or whatever. It'll cost ya 5 silver a day -- by the way lad, that room's 2 gold per day pay in advance if ya will. This city is dangerous for lads that question around like you ...
The Prince ... hush lad ... don't think lightly about Him. He's the most cunning and powerful thief around here. You don't want to mess with that man, he knows everything that goes around. These 're drunk, won't serve'm more."
Then Jack mentions the House of Darts. The Innkeeper carefully looks to the ones in the back of the room and whispers to Jack : "aye lad, if ya really want you have a word with them go talk to them. But then I'd like to see at least 2 gold and 5 silver now ... ya know ... just in case ... "
Mad Jack Tuesday September 27th, 2005 5:37:00 PM
"Dont be so sensitive man. That is why I asked you and not them. I figured you a man of discresion. As far as the room goes let me reserve it a couple of nights. I am not in the need of a stable at the moment, but plan to be in the near future."
He reaches into his pouch, that he now wears around his neck, under his armor. Since that would be thief at the temple took it the first time, he had become more vigilant. Taking out 10 gold pieces, he hands them to the man.
"Ok, there is enough for 5 nights. Reserve the room for 4, the other 2 are yours for continued discression, yes?" He asks the last as a confirmation of their deal.
Then he walks over to the men that have been pointed out to him. Once there he offers a greeting. After pleasantries are given, he then tells an abbreviated tale from his life in the badlands. Jack knows that if these so called 'houses' were worth their salt, they would know of him from the merchants he has escorted in the past years. Once he has told his story whether or not they recognize the name, he will simply ask, "now that I am here, I would like to volunteer my services to one of the houses. Know of any recruiting?"
Vauhwyt Tuesday September 27th, 2005 7:15:26 PM
Vauhwyt is glad to share Vorelle's company in the seedier parts of Dirt City. Frankly, the liontaur would hesitate to come here alone herself. She shrugs as she meets that fellow, not really knowing what to make of that, but glad to avoid a fight -- Vauhwyt is tired and still feeling under the weather.
She does what she can to gather everyone together, mostly by leaving notes at the boys' apartment and at Berlon's shop. She tells Theo in person when she meets him. The message: Tomorrow afternoon, meet at the girls' apartment and then we'll all head over to see the Prince.
Berlon Tuesday September 27th, 2005 9:16:46 PM
After fixing up whatever minor repairs Berlon can take care of himself, he tucks away the newly warded items. He then checks his raw materials for potions and alchemical goodies, but he is just about out. He checks his purse, and that is all but empty as well.
"So much I could do," he sighs, "if I weren't flat broke." He makes a mental note to make sure all the loot the group has accumulated gets identified and dealt with...
Vorelle Wednesday September 28th, 2005 2:30:55 AM
Whatever Targo is up to, it can't be good. Vorelle shivers, and feels a sudden need for the safety of their lodgings. She returns there with Vauhwyt, hoping the cleric really will dispense the medicine rather than selling it.
Rose Wednesday September 28th, 2005 2:52:25 AM
Rose is on her bed asleep. It has been a long hard day in so many ways. Her brothers death, the fight for the antidote, the loss of the antidote, confronting the fae king (if it was him) and choosing what to do, and telling her parents about Junior's death.
When Vauhwyt and Vorelle check up on Rose they can tell that she cried herself to sleep. She is still fully dressed, including weapons and she is laying in what looks to be a most uncomfortable position.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday September 28th, 2005 10:02:07 AM
Theodore specifically asks Geoffrey about the Prince's actions, or lack thereof, during the latest crisis. "Why did the Prince seclude himself when people began to get sick. It doesn't look too good for him."
Armed with this new knowledge, he informs the rest of the group when he meets up with them.
Visits of all sorts part 4 ... [DM Inge] Wednesday September 28th, 2005 11:46:47 AM
The innkeeper looks surprised to Jack as this strange man from out of town hands him over 10 gold at once. "hmm .. guess he thinks to survive in the city the way he's behaving ". He takes a little bow to Jack and chuckles as he goes back to his counter with the gold in his hands.
The ones in the far corner are apparently not really talkative when Jack comes towards them. Their discussion seems to come to a sudden end when Jack comes within hearing range. All Jack was able to pick up was : "with that we'll show him a lesson .. hush ... that guy's coming towards us."
As Jack mentions the Houses of the City they look at each other not knowing how to answer to that. Apparently these men, who seem to be rather young or at least no really hardened adventurers yet (about your own strength) don't know you nor what you have done in the past. But when they hear you escorted quite a few merchants over here a wicked grin appears around their mouths.
"recruiting ?!?" the only woman suddenly says. Until now she has been quiet listening to the conversation and observing what happens in the Inn. She saw Jack enter and talking to the innkeeper. The moment she begins to talk, the others fall silent. She clearly is the most experienced of this group and their leader "The Houses doesn't recruit lad. You are CHOSEN if you are worthy enough.
Have a seat Mr. Jack. I'm Thurid. Member of the House of Darts. What are you looking for in this City ? Why do you want to join our House ? How far are you willing to go ... " She clearly has a lot in her mind and surely isn't spilling much.
Theodore's gathering with his mentor only caused Theo to have even more questions in his mind. Geoffrey said that the Prince isn't to be spoken lightly about. You don't just think of him as a member of a political party! Yet he could not answer the question either. "He should have helped defeating Ebryon's avatar indeed but his tower has been closed ever since. He has not been seen in the City for quite some time now ... at least not in public. But you never know when and where he will pop up. Oh he will show up eventually. Besides, in 8 days from now it's Mural day! Remember that Theo? Ah I can't wait! Festivities, parties ... I wonder who will win this year?"
Vauhwyt makes one last stop at Berlon's shop noticing the state his lab is in. Berlon's sitting in an armchair seemingly pondering on how in the Wold he will get everything done with soo little funds ... Vauhwyt asks Berlon to join her and the others to go and see the Prince first thing in the morning.
Then later that night Vorelle and Vauhwyt finally arrive at the girls apartment and see Rose laying fully dressed on her bed. Her eyes, red and swollen from crying. Rest ... finally ...
Inge OOC Wednesday September 28th, 2005 12:18:10 PM
tomorrow post will be a late one as I will be away on a business trip. I'll make the post at home or even at work when I get back.
Mad Jack Wednesday September 28th, 2005 6:20:34 PM
Looking at the woman he can tell she is interested. Definately the men were, for whatever reason. Next comes the hard part. How much does he give away? How much is needed? Well only time could tell.
"Ms Thurid, I'm a man of little means. I want more, alot more. I am looking for the best way to do so. One merchant named Jebus, talked at length of the importance of the houses, here in the city. Out of all the houses, this is the only one I am interested in. I also plan on learning magic, or about magic, or even how to get magic items. I have lofty goals my dear. With lofty goals comes danger. People may need to be eliminated in order to achieve my goals. How far am I willing to go? Well little one as far as need be. As long as the benefit outweighs the burden. I am sure that any house that is properly set up, is also properly networked with informants. Knowledge is power after all. Your turn, what can you tell me?
Berlon Wednesday September 28th, 2005 9:00:26 PM
After Vauhwyt's visit, Berlon is even more crestfallen. "Great. The Prince. Fantastic." Berlon tells Vauhwyt that he'll be there, and that maybe the rest of the crew should get together after that to make sure all the loot is identified and cataloged.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday September 28th, 2005 10:18:50 PM
Theodore thanks Geoffrey for the information and promises to return later for a more casual conversation.
He meets the others at the apartments. "I didn't learn anymore than we already knew. The Prince has been holed up since the bad times began. We're going to have to be especially tactful."
Vorelle Wednesday September 28th, 2005 11:40:30 PM
Carefully, Vorelle removes Rose's shoes and unfastens her cloak. She finds a spare blanket and covers the halfling.
She tries to sleep, but finds herself fretting about the change in Targo. Too much to hope for, that he may have mellowed. Far more likely that he's up to something truly vile. Vorelle tries to think what he could be planning, but her thoughts are fuzzy from lack of sleep.
Unable to fall asleep, and too tired to do anything useful, Vorelle lays quietly in the dark, wishing she didn't have to go talk to the Prince tomorrow.
Rose Wednesday September 28th, 2005 11:58:19 PM
Rose sleeps through the night unwaking and unaware that Vorelle or Vauhwyt have returned. However she may waken Vauhwyt and Vorelle as she cries and calls out for Junior, her mom, and her dad in her dreams.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday September 29th, 2005 12:13:07 AM
The liontaur lifts the sleeping Mookie from her pouch and sets him down to sleep. Then she herself collapses. Boy has it been a long day!
And tomorrow! The Prince.
She wonders if it is too early to go back to church.
[OOC: I promise I will send out info on recent undivided loot tomorrow (well, later today).]
one long meeting and then ... sleep at last [DM Inge] Thursday September 29th, 2005 2:16:58 PM Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Rose, Theodore and Berlon finally call it a day. They fall a sleep ... Dream about a fey king avatar, a giant monster attacking them, a city filled with dead people, rose's angry parents ... no pretty dreams. So much has happened to them in these past days !
Jack on the other hand has a late night chat with Thurid.
She listens to Jack closely and nods occasionally. She's clearly honored that Jack admires the House of Darts the most, but is a little worried about his "Guarding merchants" past.
"So you're willing to make some changes then my friend. However, you have guarded merchants coming to this city ... the Darts just happened to do the opposite ... " she attentively looks for Jack's reaction to this.
"Did you come to the city alone? In that case I guess you could go with some friends you know right? Remember you're not just invited into the House of Darts. We are mostly family members ... you WILL have to deserve it." again she looks for Jack's reaction.
"You are right to be most interested in the House of Darts. We can give you training and of course teach you how to use magic ... though I'm a little worried about your stealth my friend. You did little to keep a low profile here in the bar. Something that is usually best in this city.
Drink with us tonight so we get to know each other. Let's have some rest, and tomorrow we'll talk business."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday September 29th, 2005 8:04:29 PM
Vauhwyt meets with Rose, Vorelle, and Theo in the morning before going over to Berlon's.
"I hope Dietrich is having a safe trip home to the Windy Hills." she says. "Theo, with just yourself and Macaw in the boy's apartment, is it safe for you to be alone at night? Why don't you sleep at our place until Zayne or Olyn pop back in."
"Those two always seem to be coming and going!"
She tries her best to get everyone to Berlon's shop in the morning, although sometimes getting her friends to do what she wants is like herding cats. Once at Berlon's she wishes the gnome a good day and brings up the topic of the new guy.
"I tried to find that Jack fellow to come see the Prince with us, but I didn't find him. Should we look for him before we go see the Prince?"
She also goes over all the loot and asks Berlon if he can figure out what this yellow potion is (see e-mail). If Berlon asks for the masterwork weapon, Vauhwyt has no problem giving it to him.
"Another thing to think about is trying to find a buyer for this skull. The best fences in the City are in the Teeth, right? -- anyone have contacts with them?"
And then it is time to visit the Prince's palace.
Berlon Thursday September 29th, 2005 9:24:31 PM
Berlon welcomes Vauhwyt and Mookie, although there really isn't anyplace comfortable for Vauhwyt to sit. Berlon tosses a small reddish looking lump of something towards Mookie. It seems to be something like a small piece of candy or cracker. "Berry flavored. I make them myself."
"As far as that Jack person goes, frankly, I don't know why the Prince would want us to bring someone that's a total stranger to us, never mind to him..." he says as he retrieves his High Woldian holy symbol, "on the other hand, we *are* short handed..."
With that he touches the symbol to the potion. He mutters some gnomish prayers, then wrinkles his nose. "Foul necromancy. The potion is a curse that saps the intelligence of its victim. I'm not quite sure if it affects the drinker, or allows the drinker to curse someone else, let me do some research and I will know more in the morning."
"As far as the ruby goes," Berlon says with a long pause, "I really think we should consider holding onto it. I think perhaps everyone did not realize what we were seeing. I think we should sell all the other gems, but not that one. I think I might have use for it at a later date..."
"Whatever we do, we need to generate some gold as quickly as possible. I am way behind where I want to be as far as scrolls and potions for both myself and the party, and, well, I *do* like to be prepared..."
Berlon then exchanges his old, worn mace with the shiny new masterwork mace. "I don't know if used weapons are worth anything," he says as he gives Vauhwyt the old one, "but we might as well keep everything together."
Theodore and Macaw Thursday September 29th, 2005 10:11:13 PM
"I don't want to be a bother to you," Theodore says in response to Vauhwyt's invitation to stay at the girl's apartment. "But if you think it's safer..."
When they reach Berlon's store, the wizard gives the gnome a wide grin and a nod. "Hi!"
He doesn't really have anything to say about the skull ruby, but will be happy to get a little money to buy some more goodies.
Rose Friday September 30th, 2005 12:53:37 AM
Rose will do whatever Vauhwyt says, she has a very sad look in her eyes and doesnt speak. She will try to stay close to any of the goup, very close right up and holding their hand as if she's afraid their going to leave her. Whenever she has to go near the halfling quarters you can see her looking down them until she cant see it any more.
Vorelle Friday September 30th, 2005 2:18:28 AM
After a largely sleepless night, Vorelle cleans herself up as best as she can before departing with the others. She sticks close to Rose, looking even more troubled than usual.
Mad Jack Friday September 30th, 2005 2:56:06 AM
Looking at the woman sitting opposite him, he listens intently to her questions.
"Firstly, I must correct your assumption. I said I had escorted merchants. I never said to where, or from where. I did say this is my first time in the city though. I did come to the city alone. I am not expecting to leave any time soon. In fact I will most likely be finding a place to stay. As far as deserving, yes, I can agree with that. Once you see my work you will be asking me for your acceptance."
He pauses a moment and drinks a little ale. When the liquid flows doewn his throat, the refreshment loosens his tongue once again.
"Ha, of course I was brash and loud. One does not sneak up on people he knows that are dangerous. You have to admit you seen me coming. And anyway, logic says if your doing business in a mans establishment, there must be a great deal of trust with said man, am I wrong? He and you are the only ones who know of my desire."
Quickly he makes a decision, it could make or break his oppurtunity here.
"Well the best way to get to know me is to observe."
Saying this he jumps to his feet and looks toward the dart players. Walking over to them, he places them in between himself and Thurid. Looking toward the bar he says softly, Sue, is that you? Sue!!" he reaches for someone.
"Oh darling I have missed you so, come give me a hug." Odd as it is, noone can see this Sue. He now turns so he is facing the men playing darts, talking to an imaginary person it would seem. "So, my dear you made the trip safely, I just knew you would." Bowing his head, he reaches with both hands down to the girls head and kisses her lightly on the lips, or what one would figure, a girls lips would be.
He steps back, after the kiss, and exclaims, "No, no, that is just a crazy old woman who wants to pay me to bed her. I was just asking for more money she smells of the squallor." He glances up at the men, and whether or not they beleive his charade, it is evident they all have heard the comment, and bloodlust is in their eyes. Ah yes, and Thurid has heard it to.
"Now go up to my room, its number 52. I will be up shortly, and we can, well, you know." He winks at her and watches as she leaves the room. Looking at the men playing darts, as he passes by he says, "Now that one is a keeper."
Taking his seat back at the table across from Thurid, he raises a hand, before she can speak.
"So, whether or not you believe I just kissed a ghost, it matters not. Your attention, and the attention of your men were strictly on me. So I pose the question, did you notice the boy who came up to you and tugged on your dress during my performance? I see by the look in your eye you did not. So then, had that been my accomplice, you could be dead, or worse yet poisoned. So stealth can be achieved in many ways yes? I will leave you to think on what has happened tonight. I am not a drinker of spirits, I like to have a clear head. Hehe, get that clear head? Haha. Well mayhaps I will be seeing you tommorow, Goodnight."
As he leaves he glances back one time. His smile widens as he turns for his room. Whether or not she believed him, she doubts herself right now. So he finds himslf to his room. lies on the bed, and chuckles himself to sleep.
A new day in the City ... [co-DM Inge] Friday September 30th, 2005 3:32:46 PM
Jack's little charade surely made the desired effect on Thurid. She's intrigued by Jack's witty behaviour and senses some sort of potential ... perhaps he's worth checking in to.
The next morning when Jack wakes up he finds a note under his door asking him to wait for her at noon at the Crescent Moon market.
The rest is getting back together the next morning as well and discuss all that is to be done as soon as possible. Berlon and Vauhwyt start to check out all the items they have gathered over these past few days. Soo many things to do ... and not to forget the visit they owe the Prince !
If it's up to Vauhwyt they are going to see him this morning ... time to go and find him ?
ooc Inge : Next week SteveK will start DM posting for the next two weeks. When Kup started DM'ing he and SteveK aggreed to co-DM once SteveK got back. I have taken this DM job under the same terms. So now it's SteveK's turn to start posting.
Be glad my friends ... right now you have 2 DM's actively working on this game, and one stealth DM (kup commenting behind the scenes).
ENOY !!!
Mad Jack Sunday October 2nd, 2005 12:51:54 AM
Jack rolls out of bed early. The bed had been soft, and he had slept well. going down to the bar he orders a breakfast. Cheese and bread and cold clear water. He asks the innkeeper where this market of the Cresent Moon is. After he eats his fill, he left goes off wandering, checking out the shops, and orienting himself to the city. At one shop he buys 2 nooks on mafic use. They were thick, and would provide hours of reading.
As the noon hour was approaching, he had to ask several people, not having the sun to go by, he found himself in the market. Finding a seat, he begins to study the people in earnest.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Sunday October 2nd, 2005 9:02:50 AM [OOC to Berlon -- I have no problem with Berlon getting the weapon. But really the other PCs should agree too.]
In the morning, Vauhwyt hustles Vorelle, Rose, and Theo (who is sleeping over) through breakfast -- which is only mediocre if Rose does not make it, since Vauhwyt is no cook. The eggs Vauhwyt makes are a little runny, and the bread a little too toasty.
Then is it time to dress in decent clothes, pick up Berlon, and head to the Palace. Vauhwyt puts on her nice embroidered white shirt and her glowing scales earring. Vauhwyt hopes Rose notices that it is the one Rose made for her. She peace bonds her weapon, of course, while the group is underground.
As they walk to the Palace, Vauhwyt asks Berlon if he has any clue what the Yellow Potion is yet. If he tells her that it removes Intelligence, then she laughs and says, "Whoa! Keep that away from Mookie! He has precious little Intelligence as it is!"
Mookie says, "Ha ha. Funny as a broken rock, Boss. You really crack me up."
At the Palace, Vauhwyt looks for the usual guards and announces that she and her friends are here to report to the Prince on the mission on which he recently sent them."
Plans and Plots [SteveK] Sunday October 2nd, 2005 11:02:46 AM
(OOC: Hello everyone from the sands of Kuwait! Army has kept me pretty busy and away from computers that can access the Wold. Right now, my access is limited to an Internet Cafe that has 20,000 other Soldiers all wanting to use it as well. Since this is the case, I'm going to do my Monday post early. I apologize for the missed post for many of you because of the change. :) )
Morning in the City Below, and the people awake to begin rebuilding and renewing thier lives. As Mad Jack, Zayne, Berlon, Vauhwyt, Theodore, Vorelle, and Rose move outside thier respective living areas, they can see the destruction of thier City and the hope of renewal. (Sense Motive or Local Knowledge check DC 15; Highlight to display spoiler: { and a sense of unrest and growing anger }
Moving through the tunnels of the City Below, you are able to see the affect of the Fey King's rampage. Vines and roots choke tunnels, walls in some have collapsed forcing detours to other less well known areas. Funerals are plentiful in the City as well; for though many people were saved by the antidote, many also succumbed to the insidious natural attack by the Fey King.
When questioned, one of the workmen responds in short gasps while working. "If'n dey 'ave glim or mates to see 'em right; well dey gen'rally 'ave der own place, ya see." He tosses a body on his wheelbarrow and wipes his forehead with a dirty rag. "If'n like dis one", pointing a meaty thumb at his barrow, "'ees 'auled up ter der battlefield an' der is a hole what been dug where we toss 'em in." The man shrugs and gets back to his work.
Yet hope springs anew, even in Dirt City. At the entrance of homes, people are clearing the vines, sweeping the loose dirt out of their apartments. In the tunnels, work gangs (usually headed by a House member of one sort or another) are shoring up the tunnels and paring the roots.
And children are out and about in the City Below, running with brush and dye, until they find a newly smoothed wall and begin painting over every inch they can find. Inept and expert, cute and horrid, the mural is dependant on the child, yet most elect to draw something happy, somthing that will give them hope for the future. And one girl is drawing eight figures with armor and weapons, two of them short and one looking like a smeary centaur...
Dietrich: Highlight to display spoiler: { The Bear has nearly reached his journey's end into the Windborne Hills, the familiar sights and sounds of his early years come back to him full force. Hills, trees, and small brooks here have little that is changed since the last time you were here. And up ahead, your destination... }
Zayne: Highlight to display spoiler: { Getting away from the others for a short period of time could be a good idea. It allows Zayne to renew his street contacts and the ties that are so very important to survival in the City... }
Mad Jack; Highlight to display spoiler: { Finishing breakfast, Mad rises to go out when the bartender meets him at the door. "Peace tie your weapon before going into the City Below", he warns Mad Jack, "Mural Day is around the corner and I'll not have any blood on my door."
Wandering about the City you get a feel of the people and ever swirling dirt. Asking for the Cresent Moon Market gets you looks ranging from pity to assessment, and once you hear a bet going on behind you on how long it will take before Mad Jack will be robbed blind.
Two hefty books on magic are yours after a little dickering with the shopkeep. "I'll give you the purple one for 30gp, and the Green leather for 50gp. A bargain, these are, at this price!" (Reduce your money accordinly)
Mad Jack finds the Market and sees that it isn't nearly as busy as it could be; many people are obviously cleaning instead of buying. As such, it is easy to see Thurid in leather breeches, green shirt and a hunter's cap with a white feather in it as she walks past at a liesurely pace. When she is close enough, she whispers "Follow Me", and continues on her path. }
All Others; Highlight to display spoiler: { Gathering at Berlon's alchemical shop, the group moves off towards the Prince's residence. A collapsed tunnel forces you to the City Above, there to continue the last few steps in the open air and swirling dust. (Spot DC 12 to see what looks like Mad Jack moving out of sight around a corner with a serious looking girl...)
The Prince's Men look tough but undisciplined in a motley assortment of armor and weapons, and nothing is wrong with thier intelligence either. "Da 'eroes." one of them says to his buddies, and the dozen men laugh. The talker walks forward and talks to the group in general. "Yer on the list to be expected. Jarl here will take you in.
Jarl turns out to be a lanky human over six and a half feet tall who holds a bastard sword like a toothpick. Without a word he moves off, letting you follow as best you are able, into the heart of the Prince of Thieves Castle. }
Rose Sunday October 2nd, 2005 1:52:10 PM
When Rose awakes there are tearstains on her face and her eyes are so sad. She mechanically gets dressed in her nicest clothes, straightens Vauhwyts shirt, and tells Vorelle to put on something a little nicer. And goes with the others, if the vines and stuff gets to thick she'll ask Vauhwyt to carry her.
Theodore and Macaw d20+9=28 d20+4=5 Sunday October 2nd, 2005 3:23:59 PM
He dresses in his finest white robe that he had purchased some months ago. For once, he looks somewhat dapper, save for his hair.
Theodore sighs as he surveys the destruction and the anger caused by it. "This is perhaps the last thing Dirt City needs right now." (Local Knowledge 28)
He follows Jarl, a tight feeling taking hold of his stomach as they enter the Prince's domain.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+2=20 d20+4=18 d20+2=10 d20+14=26 Sunday October 2nd, 2005 3:55:26 PM
Vauhwyt walks through the streets underground, and as she watches the funerals and sees the destruction, she fingers the Acorn in her pocket marked with the rune that means death to the Fae King, and she is glad she chose that one.
Her perception is finely-tuned today [OOC: Sense Motive check is a 20], and her own emotions match those of many others -- so it is clear to her that people are angry.
"Do you sense it?" she asks her friends. "There is rage in the city. There is only one cure for this. The people need justice. They need closurre. They need to strike down the Fae King and his minions, so that this cannot happen again."
Vauhwyt sees the girl's drawing of what is probably meant to be her and her friends. The liontaur's scowl deepens. "We don't need to be on any wall," she mutters.
"Boss, you're that girl's hero!" says Mookie.
"Lem's Lumps! I'm no hero!" The liontaur marks this place in her head and vows to return at night to erase this mural.
Above ground, she sees Mad Jack. [Rolled a Wis check, a 10, to see if she intrudes.] "Hey Jack," she calls. If she can, she will invite him to come to the Palace. Or if he will not, then to meet them tonight -- how about at the Blue Eel, tonight?
At the Palace, it does not make Vauhwyt happy to hear the armed men call her and her friends heroes. "Hero Schmero!" she says to the warriors, visibly irked. "We work for cash, and we earned ours while you were under your beds hiding from the fairies and butterflies. We'll have the Prince's reward when we come back out, so if anyone wants to double their salary, we'll be looking for porters. We could use some guards, too, if any of you know where some men with courage can be found." She looks the guards up and down. "Nah, no way, forget that last part."
[Intimidate check 26 includes a +4 size bonus]
She leads the way past the bums into the Palace.
Mookie whispers, "Boss, is that smart to tick off the Prince's guards?"
"Hush up, Mookie!" says Vauhwyt.
Vorelle d20+2=5 Sunday October 2nd, 2005 10:40:39 PM
Vorelle had really put her best foot forward for her meeting with the Prince. She donned the pretty shirt Rose made for her, along with a clean jacket and a pair of trousers that she only wears in town. She had cleaned her boots and re-braided her hair.
Of course, she then spoiled the entire effect by throwing her old, oversized cloak on top of the whole thing, effectively hiding her entire outfit.
She does not sense the dangerous mood of the city, but listens soberly as Vauhwyt explains it. She would like to believe that the people need Justice, but she is desperately afraid that most of them would settle for a good stiff drink and somebody to smack around. This is Dirt City, after all.
But she doesn't really have time to worry about all that; she's too busy worrying about seeing the Prince. She looks about her uneasily as she follows Jarl through the stone hallways, wondering if she'll ever come out again.
Mad Jack Monday October 3rd, 2005 12:38:24 AM
Jack spots Thurid. He chuckles as she walks by, telling him to follow her. Since she obviouslt wants to keep their meeting secretive, Javk follows her nonchalantly. He continues looking at the wares in the market as he walks.
Berlon Monday October 3rd, 2005 4:44:41 PM
"You people dress up for this guy?" Berlon asks, shaking his head.
As the group is presented before the Prince's men, Berlon howls with laughter, joining in with the guards laughs. He continues a few awkward seconds after the rest of the laughs die down.
"Heh, woooo! Thanks, guys, I needed a good laugh. Just this morning I helped bury one of my neighbor's children. She was three, I think. I was a little sad, but it's good to know you guys can laugh in the face of so much death and destruction."
As the group moves on again with Jarl, Berlon starts hooting and guffawing even louder.
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