Homecoming (DM MikeK) Thursday September 29th, 2005 7:36:47 PM
The sensation is completely different than when The Bloodpack arrived. That time, the shift was instantaneous, undetectable. One second they were facing a forest of trees, and the next second they were in a freezing cold cave in the Ice Vein. But this time... This time the group finds themselves speeding through a tunnel of pulsing light-white, blue, green, red. No one is moving, and yet all can feel a wind in their faces, as if traveling at breakneck speed.
The effect continues for ten heartbeats, then twenty. Plenty of time to contemplate what may be coming, and what has been left. The wolf stays planted beside Gilan, ears back, tail tucked under his legs. He's not a happy camper. Neither is Galea. Mac can feel her tiny claws embedded in his skin despite the bag that contains her. Flea wrestles with her own thoughts.
Without warning, a male halfling dressed in a blue three piece suit with a white button down shirt and a red power tie emerges from the tunnel wall next to Grymash. "Delivery from The Catacombs," he squeaks, and taps the half-orc's double bladed axe with a wand. There is a flash of purple light, and the halfling is gone. [Grymash has his upgraded axe now]
A mere five heartbeats are allowed for that little episode to register in the brain, and suddenly the tunnel evaporates.
The Bloodpack stands on the familiar lip of the Rattledam, looking out on a city in shambles. Huge trees (giant sequoias) form a grove to the group's left, where the Temple to Pantheon should be standing. Instead, the forty or so huge trees stand towering into the sky, some the width of large houses. These trees have grown through the carefully woven dome above the town, obliterating half of it. Within this grove, a battle rages. Monks and Packs fight ruthlessly against living trees and tiny, tiny humanoids of some sort. Across Rattledam, swarms of bees, wasps, locusts, and bloodflies descend upon screaming citizens, only to be driven off, isolated, and immolated by more monks and guards from the trading vessels unlucky enough to be in port.
Smoke from various fires - some intentional, some not -- billows skyward and pours through the opening above Rattledam newly created by those majestic trees.
The Bloodpack's method of transportation was evidently somewhat loud, as nearly every figure within earshot is looking at the group. Their arrival is accompanied by a short, unnatural silence, and then bedlam as battling groups reorient on one another. Two voices, however, pierce the din and are obviously directed at the group.
Ironically, both voices bellow one word -- "YOU!" -- in perfect unison.
The first voice comes from the grove of sequoia. It is a pure baritone bellow, sounded by a figure in monks' robes. His hood is down, revealing two elvish ears and piercing, accusing brooding eyes. All but Mac instantly recognize the headmaster Galafar, some six and a half feet in height, his Pantheon medallion bouncing on his chest as he points aggressively at the pack.
The second voice is a piercing soprano, and sounds from the road leading to the Traders Quarter. It emerges from a shorter, black haired woman, also dressed in monk's robes. It is Malafret, the Bloodpack's advisor and protector. Her normal unruffled appearance is gone, her hair is awry and her face and robes are stained with smoke and dirt. But her face is that of a determined leader, totally confident in her actions and decisions.
Again, in perfect harmony, both Galafar and Malafret sound the same chorus. It is a command, and the tone leaves absolutely no doubt about the expectation of immediate obedience. "Follow me. Now."
Both monks turn and head for the port, and within a dozen strides they are walking side by side. It never occurs to either one to check if the Bloodpack is following.
Still in stride, Malafret extends her arm, pointing to a girl flying into the scene through the giant trees. The surprises have come at such a rapid pace that the appearance of Tishe barely registers a second glance. "You too" the female monk commands as she continues purposefully toward the port gate.
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) Thursday September 29th, 2005 9:12:50 PM
Ulgren slides his goggles down over his eyes and pulls the hood of his cloak over his head, remembering the stern warning the monks gave him about leaving Ulgren shudders at being cast out and wordlessly slips to the back of the pack as they hurry in the direction of the monk summoning them.
Gilan Thursday September 29th, 2005 9:46:58 PM
Gilan does not like the ride anymore than his wolf friend. He keeps a hand upon the wolve's head and closes his own eyes.
When at last they pop out of the realm between he shakes his head. The picture before him is one of devestation and he notes the trees. "Nooo..." The words are spoken without thought and in a whisper. His eyes harden as he hears the first voice and he looks to Galafar without any passion. The next voice though is one that he can feel passion for everyone in...that of Malafret.
Looking to the others as she calls them to action he falls into a run to catch her. "At my heel Ciaran...we have work to do." He glances to the rest and gives them a half smile. "This was not the homecoming I had hoped for." As he pulls up near Malafret with Ciaran at his side he speaks as he runs. "What do we face?" He knows that the pack is well rested, well to an extent but what is it that they will face...this avatar surely.
Flea Thursday September 29th, 2005 10:50:27 PM
Flea travels through the portal with the rest of the pack, but her mind is in a state of unrest, and her heart heavy.
On arriving, she runs the sleeve of her coat under her nose with a *sniffle*. Grabbing the end of her red sash, she lifts it to her face and gives her eyes a wipe. The rogue glances sideways, curiously, as the drow slips to the back of the pack. Pulling her hooked hammer, a look of grim determination on her face, Flea trots after the party as they follow the Rattledam monks to the gate.
Tishe' Friday September 30th, 2005 1:22:12 AM
The battle sounds are greater as the small woman weaves her way through the branches of the giant trees. Trees that she had only seen in that land of Ant-taurs and Dragons! How would the people of Rattledam reacted to this unnatural growth?
She gets through the last branches and sees a battle. Turning in air, she looks around at who is defending Rattledam and spies Malafret.
"You Too", and the monk is walking rapidly away.
Without hesitation, Tishe' flies down to float demurely a pace behind the monks. They obviously know what is happening!
Concentrating on Malafret and the battle, she is completely oblivious to the others following in the monk's wake.
Anuk Friday September 30th, 2005 12:46:53 PM
The trip through the tunnel reminds Anuk of riding on Shady's back. The swooping sensation in his stomach is odd but a little exhilarating, too. Then, as suddenly as it began, it ends.
Heat? Oh, thank Domi, yes..heat! Wait...fire? Trees? Where is this place?
It takes a moment to get his bearings, and another for the horror of what has happened to Rattledam to sink in. The combined voices of Malafret and Galafar snap him into action. He automatically draws his bow, nocks an arrow, and follows the monks.
"What has happened to our home?" he asks grimly.
Trellus Friday September 30th, 2005 4:39:42 PM
Trellus endures the tunnel trip in silence. They are going back. Well, he hopes they are. Light, they could end up anywhere for all he...
knows...
Light.
"What?"
Trellus' mouth stops working as he tries to grasp the multiple emotions rushing in upon him. The voice of the two monks pierce his confusion. With the habit of a lifetime, the cleric takes several loping steps toward Malafret before it even occurs to him he's moving.
Wait. What about my folks? What about Jenny? What's going on? Where are you taking us now? Questions race through his mind.
And yet, Trellus recognizes that sometimes you just don't have time to explain and you need people to move. Judging by Malafret's tone, this is one of those times. He hurries after the pack's mentor, hoping she'll at least answer Gilan.
Jake Friday September 30th, 2005 8:39:05 PM
Jake looks about and is instantly stricken silent. Bugs! All over the place! It's worse than anything he can imagine. Biting and chewing, and killing people. Just looking at it makes him wish he had a torch or something, but fire's deadly on the plains too. He instinctively looks at all the people and takes a step forward, darting his hand towards his sword. But it'd be useless, he realizes, just as Malafret and Galabonehead call them. Automatically, he tilts his head slightly downward obediently at the call and trudges after them, along with the others. "Sunbaked," he mutters. "Where's Jenny? Where's the Blackpack? Where are we going?"
Mac Saturday October 1st, 2005 6:10:50 PM
Mac tries to take it all in, and falls into the line that is following the monks.
He gives Tishe' a smile of recognition as she joins them, but with all the questions flying he remains silent and as the heat begins to sink through the furs he tries to coax Galea out of her pouch and back into her carrier.
The Chase is On (DM MikeK) Sunday October 2nd, 2005 4:49:32 PM
Ulgren guiltily drops to the back of the group, keeping as many of his new found friends between himself and the monks as possible. Meanwhile Tishe swoops down behind Malafret. Only then does the wizard look about and note, with some surprise, that she is surrounded by her friends.
Everyone else obediently hurries after Malafret and Galafar. But questions abound in the minds of the Bloodpack, and several voice those questions aloud.
Galafar's head snaps around. One does not question the commands of the Headmaster. But his intended retort is cut off before he can utter a sound. Malafret answers without hesitation, without disapproval. It will take a moment to internalize, but she trusts the Bloodpack, and she needs them. In clipped tones, she answers Gilan's query. "We face a monster. Nature uncontrolled. He appeared, and brought that" -- an arm wave toward the trees. "We opposed him and he brought these" -- another arm wave toward the swarms of insects. "He looks like an elf, riding a giant spider."
The quickly moving group approaches the dome wall to the east of the Trader's Quarter. A 20' hole has been blasted through it. On the other side, a swath of Grass about 10' wide towers 50' high, more than twice the normal height expected. It extends off to the horizon, a ten foot wide band of green. A trader ship sits on the regular sized grass next to the elevated path, and a gangplank extends from the ship down to the hole in the side of Rattledam. Galafar and Malafret ascend.
At the top of the gangplank, the ship's captain stands rigid with rage. "What's the meaning of...." He has more to say, but Malafret cuts him off.
"We will have your ship," she informs the captain imperiously. "You will follow the trail of that tall grass and catch the one who made it." The captain sputters, red-faced. "You can't just.......
Malafret's tone doesn't change. "Galafar." The headmaster is very, very fast. In the blink of an eye, Galafar extends his right foot, latches on the captain's lapels, twists, and in an extraordinarily graceful move launches the man off the side of the ship. The captain hasn't even hit ground yet before Malafret is standing before the first mate. "Follow that trail," she commands stonily.
"Y-yes, ma'am." He stutters in reply (thud)
Malafret rounds on the nine members of the Bloodpack.
"We will control the symptoms," she directs them, nodding toward the havoc that is Rattledam. "You find the disease. Find this creature, this nature gone wild. Find him and exterminate him. He is four hours ahead of you."
Galafar and Malafret descend the gangplank. They're feet haven't hit ground for more than two heartbeats before the first mate has the ship underway.
Gilan Sunday October 2nd, 2005 5:07:33 PM
Gilan moves along listening as Malafret speaks. He is numbed by what he hears and his head shakes slightly. "At least we know a little that we face...that may turn the tide in Rattledams' favor." He slips up onto the ship with his wolf in tow and then stops to see what will happen next.
Galafar's reaction to the Captain is not unexpected since he is not use to be disobeyed. The fact that Malafret gave the order, more or less, lends to the need for speed in this mission.
As she speaks again his right hand slams over his heart in a fist and his left covers it. "It shall be as you command." He bows his head slightly to Malafret though he does not turn his gaze to Galafar. His head snaps back to regard Trellus with a little smile. "Ready to put an avatar in his place?" He looks back out at the town with a sad look. His mind wanders to those that he knows that maybe hurt....or dead. "No...cannot think that way." His voice is harsh with himself and he grips the railing in an iron vice, knuckles turning white. The wolf growls at his side, sensing his friends mood.
Flea Sunday October 2nd, 2005 10:17:33 PM
Jumping on board, Flea turns 'round quickly, but not before Malafret and Galafar have departed.
Find the disease. Find him and exterminate him.
Bloody Hell! thinks Flea. We've only just got back, and we're off again? Emotions vie for precedence on the gnome's face--anger, disappointment, bitterness, confusion. Her mouth works soundlessly, as she struggles to say something. Something white faced, mean and twisted. Something that would hurt those who dragged her back from Ice Vein and her Bohdi.
But...there is something in the cleric's eye, and something in the druid's demeanor. Something serious, desperate, and profoundly unsettling and the rogue keeps her tongue quiet and her thoughts to herself.
Grymash Monday October 3rd, 2005 1:21:06 AM
After climbing aboard the ship, Grymash throws off damp furs that he was wearing. The ice covering them having quickly melted in the hot sun of the Sargrass. He looks back at Rattledam and hears the panic-filled screams from the villagers. He turns back out toward the horizon, across the endless expanse of grass swaying like water in the wind. Grymash then turns back to face his Bloodpack. He takes in a deep breath and exhales. A huge toothy grin forms across his mouth and he says, "Weez be really back home!! It be gute ta be home!!"
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) d20+14=19 d20+9=19 Monday October 3rd, 2005 7:34:02 AM
A surge of fear grips Ulgren as he follows behind the monk and woman but Ulgren remains quiet, sure that he is being cast out again. The drow takes a deep breath knowing that he will have to start anew again. Ulgren walks slowly up the gangplank and takes a look around sure that this is his last time to see Rattledam and realizes that he will miss this quiet town more than anything or anyone; this includes the old trader who taught him and Ulgren sobs quietly. The drow watches the captain sail over the edge of the ship and smiles knowing that he has a reprieve, and a mission. Ulgren throws back his hood as the First Mate, gets the ship under way and Ulgren falls back into the swaying walk of an experienced sailor. Ulgren walks to the bow of the ship and looks toward the horizon the green band of grass runs towards,<Knowledge Geography DC 19>. Ulgren then surveys the crew and the ship trying to ascertain the competence of the crew,<Craft DC 19>.
Trellus Monday October 3rd, 2005 10:45:14 AM
Trellus hurries after the two monks, his mind still buzzing with questions. An elf riding a spider?
He too reads the actions of the monks as a dictum for speed. Malafret is totally shuttlecocked.
The ship is already on the move before his mind can fully grasp that they're on the way again. The young man looks back at the receeding Rattledam - my folks?.
Malafret's words - Find him and exterminate him, - and Gilan's - "Ready to put an avatar in his place?", replay in his mind. The cleric's face sets into a mask of determination.
"Truly," he replies with conviction. "This treadle's thread is as good as cut."
Anuk d20+11=12 d20+11=23 Monday October 3rd, 2005 11:32:57 AM
*sigh*
The thought of rest was appealing, and Anuk looks over the stern of the ship toward his burning home as it recedes in the distance. After a moment, he turns around and looks out on the vast grass sea.
"Let's get this done," he says. "I need a good night's rest and it's not gonna happen till this spider guy is taken care of."
As they depart, he scans the area for clues about their prey, but finds little in the smoke and destruction.
spot 12 (nat 1) listen 23
Mac Monday October 3rd, 2005 5:20:27 PM
"Agreed!" he says to Anuk, and pitches in hauling on ropes the crew are working. It is only when the ship is well underway that he finally takes a break witht he rest of the pack.
Eventually he breaks into conversation with a concern. "Sorry t' ask, but was tha' He looks like an elf, riding a giant spider. or He looks like an elf riding a giant spider."
The Avatar (DM MikeK) Monday October 3rd, 2005 7:14:18 PM
Most of the Bloodpack look eagerly to meeting this Avatar, under the opinion that the sooner he is dealt with, the sooner they can truly go home. Mac set his considerable strength toward assisting the ship's crew, while Ulgren watches to judge their skill. The drow finds the crew to be quite competent as they bustle about on their various tasks. While some crewmen find a good use for the taur's strength, most avoid the adventurers like the plague. It takes only a short while to realize most of them are scared to death of the nine heroes that have taken their ship and ejected their captian.
The trail of sky high grass is not difficult to follow, and the trading ship makes good time as it slides across the Sargass Plains. Most of the Bloodpack notes they are traveling in a generally southwestern direction. And yet, no sign of this elf spider is seen. The trail continues to lead off to the horizon. Mac spends of bit of time reflecting on Malafret's words, and draws the conclusion she separated "elf" and "spider" into two distinct entities.
The ship moves on, allowing ample time to contemplate the undeniable fact that they are most definitely back in the Sargass Plains. Perhaps they are moving away from Rattledam at the moment, but they are doing so on a boat of Singing Oak, across swaths of Grass (purple, red, green, gold), and under a properly hot sun.
That sun eventually dips below the horizon, and the boat slows. Slows, but doesn't stop as a ship normally would at night in the Sargass. For the crew is well aware that these heroes, and the monks who sent them, are in a sunbaked hurry. The dawn breaks, and there before the ship is the end of the tall grass path. Within a hour they reach it, and the boat stops at the edge of a ledge in the Grass. A swath of Mini Grass lies in front of the boat. Only a couple inches high, Mini Grass presents a serious navigational hazard to ships because there is not enough of it to repel any but the smallest skiffs.
About 500' into this swath stands a spider. Its general appearance is that of a standard Trap Door Spider. The spider is fairly common, digging holes in the Plains and ambushing its unsuspecting victims from below. More than one member of the Bloodpack on a late night excursion has had the willies scared out of him by a sudden appearance of this creature. Normally the size of Grymash's hand, they pack a fairly serious bite. Since this particular spider is 10' across, its an attention getter.
Mounted on top of this arachnid monstrosity is a very good looking male elf. He wears Steelgrass armor and carries a wooden shield. His voice is golden, melodious, and powerful as he sounds a plaintive cry across the intervening space.
"Would you people please leave me ALONE?"
DM Note - Everyone got time for their morning spells.
Tishe' [ Mage Armor] (AC 19, HP 46/46) d20+2=18 Monday October 3rd, 2005 8:03:04 PM
The plain-faced girl is overjoyed at seeing her companions again. In spite of the dire straits of the city she takes Mac's proferred hand on her shoulder (and half her back) and hugs it fiercely.
Malafret gets them all on the boat so quickly that her head is spinning, but more than anything, she agrees that nature out of kilter is as bad as the barons. "Even the Barons haven't breeched Rattledam", she wonderingly states aloud.
The mousey brown-haired spellweaver takes the day to renew her friendships with the pack, heart-touches going amongst them. Everyone gets a hug, even Jake, with special attention given to Mac and Flea. She shows Grymash her red silk scarf that she wears around her waist. "Never took it off, sweetie." Tishe' bows to Gilan and offers her hand to the Wolf (Wild Empathy; 18)
And she turns to meet Ulgren, her brown eyes dancing in curiosity and excitement. "Many Shadows", she begins formally, "I am Tishe' Weaver, a daughter of magical Hook City and an adopted member of the Bloodpack. It seems they tend to pick up every stray for a days walk, and I was no different."
The morning dawns and Tishe' opens her spellbook and contemplates her custodianship of Mother Wold.
At the appearance of the spider and elf, she awaits Trellus' words and weaves magic around herself for protection [Mage Armor]
Arcane White: Acid Splash, Light, Mending, Ray of Frost, Prestidigitation Red: Shield, Mage Armor*, Summon I, Magic Missle, Grease Orange: Web, Knock, See Invisible, Scorching Ray Yellow: Summon III, Dispel Magic, Lightning Bolt
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) Monday October 3rd, 2005 8:48:07 PM
Ulgren watches the crew long enough to be confident in their skills then turns around to his companions, "I was...umm... told to not leave ...again," the drow swallows heavily, "I was a trader until the ship I sailed on began to treat me like a slave and I bolted. Rattledam was, is my refuge and I fight to save her and maybe I can still be welcome." Ulgren settles in for the night and in the morning takes the time to introduce himself to Tishe and memorize spells. The drow cast his customary extended Mage Armour. Ulgren walks to the bow of the ship as it slows and whistles softly at the size of the spider. "I can enlarge two people, probably Mac and Grymash would be best." Ulgren whispers to his companions, " oh! I can get us all to him in a blink if you want either at his feet or at his head."
Gilan [barkskin] Monday October 3rd, 2005 8:56:29 PM
Gilan finds himself once again up early in the morning setting upon the ships deck, greeting the rising sun. He lets a song pass his lips again this morning as he smiles, his prayers of late have come in the form of song...sung to the accompanyment of his wolf.
At last he turns from that to the railing and he accepts the bow of Tishe' with a bow of his own. The wolf nuzzles her hand and licks the palm. "It is good to see you back." He stares over the railing as the approach an area of short grass. Feeling nature pulse in him he draws it around him and then pushes it into his skin, hardening it to the consistancy of wood.
It is then that he notices the elf on a spider in the center of it. He shakes his head as the elf speaks. "That could be arranged if you relent upon Rattledam." He takes no real hope that this elf will agree to what he has said and he is not sure he could allow it anyways.
Flea d20+23=43 Monday October 3rd, 2005 10:14:09 PM
Half trusting that the sailors know what they are about, and half not caring, Flea finds a dark nook away from the pack and any prying eyes. (Hide=43, nat. 20) The gnome has a good cry over the abrupt separation from Bohdi. Exhausted and emotionally spent, she falls into a dreamless sleep.
The rogue wakes the next morning feeling quite rested, but there is a sadness in her eyes, now dark in her white face, devoid of its customary freckles and tan after the lengthy stay in the cold country.
Flea looks over the bow at the strange apparition as she fastens the last of the buckles on her leather armour. Tying her crimson sash about her waist, she speaks to the leaders of her pack, "he does seem to be heading away from Rattledam, but where is he heading too?"
Grymash Tuesday October 4th, 2005 2:02:26 AM
Spying a first glance at the monstrous spider mount of the elf's, Grymash's eyes go wide! "Ohhhh, Gry want one!! Is dat cryin', skinny treadle on top bad? Gry take da ride as Gry's prize! No hurt da pretty ride ... unless da ride try ta eat ya! Then weez EAT it!" His gaze darts back at the newest member of the Bloodpack, Ulgren. How ya like da meat? If ya be wit us, then ya shoulda gets uh taste for da blood, ha ha haaha! Mores bloody da meat da better, WOOOOO!!" Its been a long time since the barbarian has had a fine Sargrassian meal. He almost cant contain himself. He isnt sure if he wants to ride it more or eat it. The severity of the situation hasn't really hit him. Its only one pointy-earred elf after all. And a little, skinny one at that.
Trellus (Magic Vestment - extended) Tuesday October 4th, 2005 12:14:21 PM
Trellus gives Tishe a welcome hug. "We missed you out there," he tells her with a grin.
The night passes, and the cleric starts getting impatient. He is able to calm down somewhat during his morning prayers session. But, no sooner is he finished, then there the treadle is.
Quickly, he casts a defensive spell on his shield. Then, he tries to figure out what to do. Ulgren's words get the blond man's full attention, because it was the question of how to cross all that open space that was foremost in his mind.
"Don't worry about the Enlarge spells right now," he answers the drow. "If you got a pick to get us right behind him, weave that waxed thing."
Trellus calls everyone over to Ulgren and waits. Put Grymash and Mac within axe swinging distance, he tells himself, and this little talk should go a lot easier.
Jake d20+15=30 Tuesday October 4th, 2005 12:57:32 PM
The first thing Jake notices after they board is himself. He's still wearing all those ridiculous clothes! He tosses them off, and even takes off his full plate. Ah, it's nice to be warm. He eyes the full plate, and wishes he could get rid of it...but he'd need something else, some other armor to wear in its place. Something light...like that grassteel armor. Oh well, not gonna find any around here. So he ends up putting it on after a few hours chase. The next morning, though, the first thought that pops into his head as they see the figure bursts out loud for him. "Dibs on his armor!" he softly comments to his pack. Then a thought strikes him. Maybe they gotta get closer to this guy...he's probably a whaddyacall mage or priest or something. Avatar, that means...hmm. A representation of somethign else. So, he's probably a druid-thing. Maybe it's better to get in close so he can hit him a few times. Or maybe they can talk him out of fighting. "Hey, guys, let me try speaking to him first..." he says to the rest after a second. Then, the half-elf hops off the boat, and takes a few steps along the thin grass tentatively. He stands ahead of the rest of the group, and with a very open motion, unbuckles and holds up his sword-belt, then drops it to the ground so that the guy can clearly see it. "Wait a second, Spiderman. See, ah'm putting down my sword for a second. Now, can't we all just, git alon'? Perhaps we can solve our problems through discussion rather than concussions." As usual, Jake's voice is pure honey gold amd when he needs to, he can be captivating and honest-seeming as anyone. It's just part of being a half-elf, knowing people. Then there's all that practice at wooing of girls. His hat has also been enchanted so that somehow he seems more confident and assured as well. (Diplomacy 30)
Anuk d20+11=14 d20+11=22 Tuesday October 4th, 2005 2:10:38 PM
Grateful to see that Tishe' is alive and well, Anuk spends much of the evening with the others in catching up. He also spends some time in regaling Ulgren with the pack's adventures on the plains and elsewhere, and listening to the dark elf's own tales.
Anuk's furs make for a soft and comfortable mat for sleeping...at least until it gets too hot during the night. Waking in a sweat he casts them aside and returns to sleep on the wooden floor. When he awakes in the morning he stows the furs in his pack and meditates for a while, enjoying the warmth of his surroundings. (prepares entangle, pass without trace)
When they meet the avatar, Anuk lets Jake do the talking, while he scans the low grass area for evidence of anyone who might be hiding along its periphery.
spot 14 listen 22
Tishe' [ Mage Armor] (AC 19, HP 46/46) Tuesday October 4th, 2005 4:05:32 PM
(OOC: Second Post because I'm not going to make the next day}
Tishe' looks with new respect at the honor and bravery of Jake, striding out on the grass and putting down his weapon. And while she agrees with Gilan that words should be used first, her brown eyes are hard with the knowledge that it probably won't help.
"Words only work with a piggie after she has been spanked. I don't think this White Hand has ever been spanked before. Power without control or responsibility."
The short girl lets the fighters crowd around Ulgren. She stands near the ship's side and readies a Dispel Magic to counter anything the Avatar may try magically.
Arcane White: Acid Splash, Light, Mending, Ray of Frost, Prestidigitation Red: Shield, Mage Armor*, Summon I, Magic Missle, Grease Orange: Web, Knock, See Invisible, Scorching Ray Yellow: Summon III, Dispel Magic, Lightning Bolt
Mac Tuesday October 4th, 2005 5:28:14 PM
Mac drifts along on the shore of sleep - the ship stills, spells are discussed, and Jake jumps off to go and talk to the Avatar. Mac wakes with a jolt. Leaving Galea, the furs and backpack on the deck, he stands to observe and sighs a deep sigh. In a hushed voice he says, "The brightness! I can do nothing against this man and beast while the entreaty to talk stands!"
Parley (DM MikeK) 2d6(3+6)=9 Tuesday October 4th, 2005 9:29:36 PM
Ulgren and Trellus plan a way to get up to the elf-spider quickly. Flea and Anuk stand by, while Gilan asks for reassurance from the creature that it will spare Rattledam. Grymash calls dibs on the spider. Meanwhile, Jake hops over the side of the ship and drops to the ground to confront the avatar face to face. His actions come somewhat as a surprise to the rest of the group.
Given that the distance between "side of ship" and "ground" is a good thirty feet, this particular maneuver proves somewhat painful. [9 hp damage from the fall] Despite the discomfort, the half-elf slips easily into his "friendly mode", and tries to get the Avatar to be nice.
Across the intervening distance, the avatar regards Jake and his friends. He seems perfectly inclined to just sit there and talk for the time being.
"You people are chasing me, not the other way around," he points out with amusement. "And you, druid. I have been leaving that starved little town of yours for a day now, and have no intention of returning."
The elf regards Gilan for a few moments. "How can you defend them, druid?" he asks curiously. "They are stagnant, dying. Nature requires freedom, surely you know that."
"All of you. You are children withering in the bosom of an uncaring mother. Look around you!" he opens his arms to indicate the Grass. "This I have brought you! I can make it better, wilder, untamed! The Cycle waxed as the night soil! You cannot really want this to end. Let me go. Persecute me no more."
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) Tuesday October 4th, 2005 11:21:14 PM
Ulgren watches Anuk jump over the side of the boat and smiles briefly remembering a time when he did the same. Ulgren watches Anuk carefully as he attempts to reason with the elf, however he continues to prepare for a fight. Ulgren readies himself to cast Dimension Door at Trellus command and looks out at the elf. "I was stunned by the size of the spider that I miscalculated I can only bring myself and 2 others with me through the door, I suggest Grymash, Trellus and myself if we use it."
Flea Wednesday October 5th, 2005 12:29:39 AM
Flea listens to the elf and thinks about the sights she has seen. The mountains with the great trees, the river, the fields. She thinks about the place they had just been, with its cold and snow, and then she looks around at the vast and unrelenting vista of prairie that is the Sargrass Plains, that she had pledged her life to defend.
Creeping up to those who knew more of the place, she asks Trellus, native of Rattledam. "Is what he says so sunbaked? You know, the cycle, only better? Maybe more Moths and Drakes?" Tugging on the sash dangling from Gillan's waist, she asks, "would a few trees be so very bad? Maybe he could do something about the barons and their men?"
Grymash d20+7=26 d20+14=24 d20+7=24 d20+3=15 Wednesday October 5th, 2005 12:55:07 AM
('Jump down' Jump check 26, to negate 10-ft of fall damage.)
With his arms outspread, Grymash also jumps off the edge of the boat. Being an accomplished 'fallguy', he makes a grab for the tops of the taller and thicker stalks of grass (Grapple 24. Strength check 24 to hang on. Dex check 15, to ride down gracefully). Grymash hopes the grass provides enough resistance to slow his fall.
When Grymash gets to the ground, he steps up next to Jake with a toothy grin cut across his face. His sharp, piercing gaze fixed firmly on the spider-mounted elf. The barbarian's horned helm and spiked steelgrass armor makes him look especially menacing. "Gry not know whooz yooz be. An Gry not know why yooz talkin' 'bout! An Gry already killed momma when Gry was birthed. But IF ya lookin' for WILD ... yooz jus found it!!"
Jake Wednesday October 5th, 2005 5:57:04 AM
(Heh, I saw that it was 30 feet strands, but I thought the fall would be less... dunno why it didn't really set in. :P)
"Hey, ya baked treadle, you've gone so far Walker, you don't know what we want. Malafret said you had caused all that devastation, so we gotta reign you in. Don'tcha see, yer stupid magic is makin' everythin' all freaky and too suntouched ta live with. We don't need big insects or even taller grass, we're happy without ya. Now go on, quit using yer magic before we have ta give ya a whalloping." Jake is glad Grymash is by his side, and draws his shield and sword, to add menace to his words. "Gry, which tastes better, spider legs, or spider sides..."
Trellus (Magic Vestment) Wednesday October 5th, 2005 10:45:54 AM
Trellus mouth curls in annoyance. Now we got two on the ground, three zipping over there, and four on the ship. So much for the Bloodpack rule - Thou shalt not split up.
And since Jake and Gry have moved from talking to threatening, it looks to the cleric like this meeting is about to get unpleasant. Which is just fine by him.
"Mac. You and me with Ulgren. Let's weave." He yells at a nearby sailor. "Get that plank thing down so we don't have to jump."
In response to Flea, he can only sigh and shrug. "I don't know. Gry and Jake are gonna get him all shuttlecocked though. We'll get me and Mac and Ulgren over there, and maybe we can talk some more. If not, we'll keep him occupied while everyone else is coming to help."
"Let's go, Mac" Trellus gives Ulgren the nod.
Anuk Wednesday October 5th, 2005 12:37:22 PM
"Looks like things are gettin' warped," says Anuk. "Be ready."
He follows Trellus and the others, bow in hand.
Mac Wednesday October 5th, 2005 5:15:23 PM
"We're weavin' an' goin'!"
Mac moves with Ulgren and Trellus, and he starts seriously sizing up the elf and spider.
Gilan [barkskin] Wednesday October 5th, 2005 6:10:55 PM
Gilan takes in the elf's words and then to the pull on his sash. He shakes his head. "It will take powerful magics to allow trees to grow here...the grass would strangle out any trees that tried." He looks out to the high wall of grass that has marked the passage of this being and he shakes his head again. "There must always be balance in nature...if it runs too wild than things could turn bad all around, chocking out civilization...let it be too weak and it will slowly sicken and die."
Tears flow lightly down his face as he shakes his head. "What he wishes would turn this into a primal area...inhospitable to almost all life." He lays a hand upon Flea's shoulder and then looks to the others. "For once I think that this avatar has overstepped his bounds...if he would allow the balance to stay then I would not speak against him...still to die or sleep..." He shakes his head not really sure of the route that would be best.
He cries out to the being in front of them. "Yes nature does need freedom...but she also requires balance...you are going too far to the extreme...let the balance stay but help what is here flourish." His eyes harden as he looks back in the direction of the city they call home. "You, a being of nature, should realize and feel the difference of this place....trees are not natural here and you are in essence destroying something that needs feeding to flourish...not a hand in destruction." He says no more as he waits for the plank to be lowered.
Tishe' [ Mage Armor] (AC 19, HP 46/46) Wednesday October 5th, 2005 7:47:50 PM
The brown-haired girl condsiders the words from the Avatar and the responses of her friends. "And how is nature untamed the only way of Mother Wold? Isn't a cultivated garden a devotion to the Wold, yet it is peaceful with purpose. Your unbridled life would destroy the careful balance of all that live here; bounder and orphan, manfri and rapke. You must give up your thread or the tapestry will be ruined."
She moves to the side and takes the gangplank down to stand behind Jake, still watching to counter any magical spell the creature may use.
Arcane White: Acid Splash, Light, Mending, Ray of Frost, Prestidigitation Red: Shield, Mage Armor*, Summon I, Magic Missle, Grease Orange: Web, Knock, See Invisible, Scorching Ray Yellow: Summon III, Dispel Magic, Lightning Bolt
Parlay needs work (DM MikeK) d100=24 Gry's jump Wednesday October 5th, 2005 10:22:18 PM
Grymash leaps down to Jake's side. The half-orc grabs onto a nearby stalk of grass, and attempts to "ride" it down to the ground. The barbarian is pretty heavy, but fortunately manages to snare one of the biggest plants in the area, and finds himself safely lowered to the ground. Side by side, half orc and half elf switch from "friendly voice" to "don't mess with us" voice.
Flea wonders aloud if perhaps the Avatar has a point, but the rest of the Bloodpack remains unconvinced. At Trellus' command, the crew lowers the gangplank. Meanwhile the cleric joins with Mac and Ulgren and gives the nod. However, the drow is fully aware that although he told Trellus "two other people", he MEANT "two other regular sized people". The wizard can't take taur and cleric.
The Avatar sits on his spider, still 480 feet away from Grymash and Jake.
"Balance?!?" His incredulous cry sounds at the words of Tishe and Gilan. "Who are you to judge if this place is in balance? You're children! All of you! You spout nothing more than the gibberish fed you by those isolationists in that town. How can you know what good may happen should the Grass be truly freed? The Baron is nothing compared to us! Nothing!"
The elf flings up his hands in exasperation.
"And you have still been given power over me! Should you prevail, or should I allow it, your choice will be my fate. Reform, Sleep, or Die...phah! Your choices are all too apparent. I think not. I will choose. I choose freedom. I choose life."
The spider begins to scuttle toward the boat, covering 60'.
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) Wednesday October 5th, 2005 11:06:22 PM
Ulgren watches for Trellus' nod and when he sees it raises both hands side by side and separates them quickly. A door appears infront of the mage and the other infront of the spider at ground level. Grabbing both Mac and Trellus by the hand Ulgren pushes them through and follows right behind arriving directly infront of the spider. "Enlarge coming up next Mac, just stay between me and him for a few seconds!" Ulgren spits out eyeing the giant spider carefully.
DM Note Thursday October 6th, 2005 7:50:23 AM
Ulgren pushes Mac and Trellus toward the door.
Mac and Ulgren pass through.
It closes before Trellus can enter.
Mac and Ulgren are 10' behind the spider.
OOC - Mac is a Large creature and counts as two Mediums per the spell description.
Jake (53/62, AC 26) Thursday October 6th, 2005 2:07:01 PM
"Okay, Gry, you and me, doubleteaming this guy. He'll probably charge straight for you, so let's split and ah'll try ta get his back. Ah'll go left, you go right." Jake glances up at the ship. Looks like they're still up there... Jake splits up from Grymash at a diagonal-forward parallel. (Hoping Gry does the same, only faster because Gry is unarmored) He rushes forward as best as he can, which, in this heavy armor, seems to make him incredibly slow. (only 60 feet this round... Whereas normally I'd go 120, and I think Gry goes like 180...) (I was just looking at my character sheet, I tihnk I went up a level. Woo!)
Gilan [barkskin] 8d6(1+6+3+2+1+4+6+6)=29 Thursday October 6th, 2005 4:14:35 PM
Gilan slides down the plank as he listens and then shakes his head. This is getting them nowhere and though he has felt the power of nature of late he cannot believe that it will not come without a cost.
His eye light as he sees the elf and spider start to scuttle their direction. Nature answers his call as he thrusts his right fist forward, calling on powers that he thought he would never use on a nature being. "Mother Wold forgive me." Tears stream down his face as he calls the wrath of nature down in a column of flame. His true cause is to slow them so that those that can do the real damage can get in close.
[barkskin - +3 AC, 798 rounds] [flamestrike - 29, reflex DC 20 for half damage]
Mac (AC:21, HP:75/75) d20+7=24 3d6(5+6+1)+23=35 Thursday October 6th, 2005 5:51:16 PM
Leting the momentum of the step through carry him forward an additional 5', and staying between Ulgren and the Avatar, Mac goes with his gut feeling: he can't attack the Avatar from behind, but the same doesn't hold true for the spider. With a bellow he swings a mighty blow.
Attack (PA:6) hits AC:24 for 35 damage.
Flea Thursday October 6th, 2005 6:35:41 PM
Flea trails after Tishe' as the spellweaver makes her way down the gang plank. In a worried voice she frets, "are you sure this is the right thing to do? All he's done is make some things grow...a few trees...the grass..."
The gnome takes her hammer in hand, and takes a back up position to the fighters, but she can't shake her doubts.
I wish Bohdi were here, she thinks.
Grymash (ac 24, hp94, protection from evil) Thursday October 6th, 2005 7:44:49 PM "Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul!!" growls Grymash (in proper orc). A spark from his eyes and a flash from a hand striking his chest, and the magik of his protective ward comes to life (casting Protection from Evil). He turns to Jake and answers, "Hmmmm, da legs be tasty and chewy. Da side be tender an juicy!" Then a grim chuckle. "Weez can use da elf head as uh center piece. Da gurls, like Grand Maw, likes stuff likes dat." Gry nudges Jake with his elbow. "Ya knows, it make da atmossphere ripe for love touchin'!!" Grymash chuckles again, thinking he was speaking Jake's language.
With that being said, Grymash steps forward 40-ft and awaits the oncoming spider-mounted elf with his double axe drawn.
(OOC Question: is the spider running along the tops of the grass or down on the ground?)
Trellus (Magic Vestment) Thursday October 6th, 2005 8:23:25 PM
Trellus is stunned when Ulgren's magic door closes without him. He looks out at the avatar, and finds his two friends.
"Oh, Light!" he cries. "C'mon dudes! We gotta get up there!"
The cleric scuttles down the ramp, and takes off toward the spider and its rider at a run.
The Avatar - rd 1 (DM MikeK) 13d6(3+5+2+5+4+4+2+1+4+5+4+6+1)=46 Thursday October 6th, 2005 9:06:11 PM
The scene is now set. Sitting atop the Grass is the Trading ship, halted at the top side of a grass escarpment. A gangplank has been lowered from the ship to the Mini Grass plain on its eastern flank. All of the Bloodpack now stand on that plain of Mini Grass, facing the elf and his arachnid mount.
Ulgren and Mac step out directly behind the two. Ulgren needs a moment to recover from the spell, but With a bellow, Mac attacks the spider with his huge axe. But in the swing, the taur hits some kind of energy shield surrounding the elf and his mount. Mac's arms bounce back from the shield, while his axe passes through, but not nearly far enough to come into contact with his foe. Mac cannot get physically closer than five feet to the spider.
Trellus runs down the slope and onto the Mini Grass plain in pursuit of Grymash and Jake, who are advancing. All three are still over three hundred feet from the enemy.
Gilan thinks about casting a spell, but realizes the Avatar is out of range. He advances behind Jake and Grymash.
Anuk and Flea follow Trellus.
The elf looks back at Mac's bellow, and smirks slightly when the taur is stopped cold.
"Fools", he comments.
Then he casts a spell, and a pillar of fire slams down upon drow and taur. [Flame Strike (empowered) -- Ulgren and Mac take 69 hp damage. Reflex DC 20 halves.]
Map coming
Mac (AC:21, HP:40/75) d20+5=15 d20+5=22 Thursday October 6th, 2005 9:28:24 PM
Refl Save:15... spend the Hero Point. Refl Save:22 for half damage (35)
Actions coming later.
Anuk (AC 21, HP 43/43) Friday October 7th, 2005 10:45:47 AM
From his spot in the distance, Anuk sees the sudden flash of light as flame suddenly erupts near the avatar. Unsure of what may be happening, he charges forward 60', simultaneously preparing to fire his bow.
Jake Friday October 7th, 2005 2:08:38 PM
Jake watches the guy unleash a quite awful torrent of magic from far away and realizes something quite sadly. There's no way he'll get to them in time. (He runs about 60 feet a round... that'll be 6 rounds just to get to the guy... unless he comes to them, which he won't if Mac is already there.) He runs forward anyways this round, figurikng maybe it'll come to him, or maybe something lucky will happen...
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps -/33 Mage Armour(extended) d20+9=23 Friday October 7th, 2005 5:01:06 PM
Ulgren manages to dodge the worst of the flames, reflex DC 23, but the drow wizard doesn't move fast enough and succumbs to the heat dropping behind Mac in a ball his cloths still smoldering.
Mac (AC:21, HP:40/75) Friday October 7th, 2005 7:44:52 PM
"Well, now we get to see your true colours." Mac bend down and picks up Ulgren, draping him over his left shoulder. "I'm taking him back to our people. You call us children - stay back here and try not to kill us out of hand." Mac walks off (30') in the direction of the ship doesn't look back.
Gilan [barkskin] Friday October 7th, 2005 9:42:45 PM
Gilan shakes his head as he was going to cast that very spell that he sees strike in the distance. He continues to move as he tries a different spell instead. His stride lengthens as his spells is finished.
Tishe' [ Mage Armor] (AC 19, HP 46/46) d20+15=24 d20=7 d20=4 Friday October 7th, 2005 11:48:31 PM
If the Avatar could have said anything to Tishe', that last argument just crushed it. "Ha!" She cries in small triumph, "thats the same argument the Baron's men tried when they were stealing the secret of Rattledam!"
And then Ulgren and Machasthai is struck by the ferocious spell before she can do anything. From the level of the grass and with the great spider hurtling towards them, there is little Tishe' can see, but she knows a magical barrier when she sees it (Spellcraft: 24)
Her hands raise and being a graceful weaving through the air, ending in a decicive gesture to wipe away the magics around the elf and spider (Dispel Magic; area; DC 11 (d20+int); use a hero point to reroll DC 8 (arrgh!)
Arcane White: Acid Splash, Light, Mending, Ray of Frost, Prestidigitation Red: Shield, Mage Armor*, Summon I, Magic Missle, Grease Orange: Web, Knock, See Invisible, Scorching Ray Yellow: Summon III, Dispel Magic, Lightning Bolt
Flea (AC19, 20/35 HP) Saturday October 8th, 2005 12:38:46 AM
Flea stands next to Tishe' her mouth agape at the violence unleashed by the elf guy on the spider. Remembering how ineffectual her arrows were in the last couple of encounters in which they found themselves, Flea takes a different tactic.
One of their group is down. The new guy, the drow she doesn't yet know very well. But he is one of them just the same and he proved his worth back in the ice cave. Flea presses the gem embedded in her chest and concentrates on the form slung over Mac's shoulder.
[Heart Gem - HP transfer (used 15 of Flea's) at a rate of 3/1 for a healing of 5 to Ulgren]
Grymash (ac24, hp96, prot from evil, true strike) Saturday October 8th, 2005 1:52:19 AM
Grymash growls when he sees the column of flame strike his mates. He understands now that this is going to be more than a normal combat decided with blades. While dashing forward (another 40-ft), the barbarian draws his composite longbow from the largest compartment on his magik quiver (its a free action to draw a weapon when combined with a move action). Grymash stops and drops his double axe to the ground at his feet (free action). Again from his magik quiver, he draws an arrow and holds it up to his face (drawing ammunition for a range weapon is a free action). Grymash mutters a few magik words of his own and his eyes, and the arrow, lite up with a faint glow (casting True Strike, +20 to next attack roll). "Come on Piggie! Come ta Gry! Make dis shot easier!"
Trellus (Magic Vestment) Sunday October 9th, 2005 2:11:32 PM
Trellus cringes with the spell, feeling the effect on Mac and Ulgren. The cleric's hand move to his chest, but then he feels Flea's effort.
Everyone in the pack seems to be weaving every pick they can. Nothing left to do then but run. The blond man sprints forward. [Run - 80']
The Avatar - rd2 (DM MikeK) Sunday October 9th, 2005 2:55:30 PM
Mac and Ulgren avoid the brunt of the elf's spell. But it is still strong enough to knock the drow unconscious. Scolding the Avatar, Mac throws Ulgren over his shoulder and begins walking back to the Bloodpack.
Anuk and Grymash unlimber bows and arrows as they move forward.
Gilan casts a spell on himself and moves ahead.
Trellus and Jake just run.
Tishe thinks of casting a spell, but like Gilan, belatedly realizes the distance is simply too great. [Tishe did not cast the spell] She hurries forward.
Meanwhile, Flea puts her hand to her gemstone to heal Ulgren. Only then does the gnome remember that Ulgren doesn't have a Tear. In frustration, she chases after her packmates.
The Avatar snorts at Mac's comment. "Well excuuuuuuuse meeeeeeee," he remarks sarcastically. "Let's all remember who chased whom across the grass for a day, who teleported behind whom, and who tried to plant a very large axe into whom's friend."
His tone becomes cold. "It don't wash taur."
And then lightens again. "But your concern for your friend touches me, and besides, this here spell takes a moment. So in the spirit of friendliness I'll warn you that if you value his life, you might want to set him down and step clear so he don't get caught in your butt-kickin."
The elf's eyes roll back and he commences calling out the intricate phrases of another spell while his fingers weave a precise accompaniment.
Flea (AC15, 35/35 HP /Sub/Al) Sunday October 9th, 2005 3:23:34 PM No Heart Tear! Flea does a quick mental forehead slap. A very quick mental forehead slap, as time is of the essence and the weave the elf guys is pulling together has that not-good look to it.
Clicking her heels together, Flea puts on the speed. Leaving a rippling wake through the grass behind her, she zips in the direction of the bad things happening with only the vaguest of ideas of what she's going to do once she gets there.
(Activate Boots of Speed as free action. Run 200 feet toward Ulgren. Lose Dex to AC due to Run.)
Boots of Speed 9/10
Gilan [barkskin, longstrider] Sunday October 9th, 2005 3:56:56 PM
Unconcerned for his own safety he plunges on ahead, now at a full out run. He finds that with this new spell the ground is easier to cover and his lips pull back in a feral grin. "Keep it coming bub...the hurt will be there in a minute." He is suddenly glad that he left his wolf back on the ship. This new territory would have thrown the poor thing off.
If possible he will get to within thirty feet of the elf and spider then stop. He has another little idea that may help to even the odds, or at least buy some time for the real pain.
Mac Sunday October 9th, 2005 7:42:11 PM
"No, that doesnae wash! You knew my axe was no threat to you or your spidey, and your story neatly avoided mention of the punishment you have already dealt us for not harming either of you..."
Light dawns in the primeval forest! Mac's eyes grow wide with loathing. "An arse-kickin' for a non-threat donnae make sense, 'cause the only real arsekickin' you could give me is having me watch while you kill my friend with nothin' I could do 'bout it! So, if you're attacking him anyway, then I got no choice but to try to get him away from here!"
Mac puts his head down and runs (120') in the direction of the party and ship.
Anuk (AC 21, HP 43/43) Sunday October 9th, 2005 8:39:54 PM
Anuk watches as Mac charges back toward the party and the avatar seems lost in concentration. He stops short and concentrates on the form of the avatar's spider mount. He mutters a few words about life and greenery, and stretches out then raises his hand.
"With any luck, all this wildly growing vegetation will work for us this time," he says.
(casts Entangle. Duration, 3 minutes)
(Entangle: Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level) Area: Plants in a 40-ft.-radius spread Duration: 1 min./level (D) Saving Throw: Reflex partial; see text Spell Resistance: No
Grasses, weeds, bushes, and even trees wrap, twist, and entwine about creatures in the area or those that enter the area, holding them fast and causing them to become entangled. The creature can break free and move half its normal speed by using a full-round action to make a DC 20 Strength check or a DC 20 Escape Artist check. A creature that succeeds on a Reflex save is not entangled but can still move at only half speed through the area. Each round on your turn, the plants once again attempt to entangle all creatures that have avoided or escaped entanglement. )
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps -2/33 Mage Armour(extended) d100=88 Sunday October 9th, 2005 10:22:00 PM
Ulgren continues to smolder as Mac carries him towards relative safety. Stabilize 88 miss.
Tishe' [ Mage Armor, lose Dex for run] (AC 17, HP 46/46) Sunday October 9th, 2005 11:13:32 PM
"We need to weave together or he will pick us apart one thread at a time!" The spellweaver sees a lot of running to and from the spider. Hopefully the Pack will be relatively together after it is all done! She wieghs her actions of advancing while still defensive or getting closer to affect the battle with her magics quickly. And support of her friends wins out. Running as fast as she can (x4 speed) she follows her packmates towards danger 120'
Mage Armor [299 minutes] +4 AC
Jake Monday October 10th, 2005 5:19:20 AM
Unfortunately, Jake is running too much to give any good lines or chatter. Indeed, running in full plate, with a big old sword and shield ready, is a bit gruesome in the Plains. Still, the thin human tries to keep up the pace, running on towards the guy. (another sixty feet. yay!)
Grymash (ac24, hp96, prot from evil) d20+27=43 d8+7=14 d20+8=19 d8+7=14 Monday October 10th, 2005 8:00:22 AM
Grymash takes careful aim and lets fly his glowing missile. "Dis will get ya attention!"
(-4 due to range, subtract more if not enough. HitAC: 43, for 14 points of damage. 2nd arrow HitAC: 19 for 14 points of damage.)
Grymash grins with satisfaction.
Anuk (2nd illegal post) Monday October 10th, 2005 10:08:38 AM
A thought strikes the curly-haired ranger.
"Anyone got any water? Maybe this guy needs to be fighting the bugs out here instead of us?"
Trellus (Magic Vestment) Monday October 10th, 2005 4:00:10 PM
Gilan and Flea have taken off, and Mac is coming back with Ulgren.
Trellus keeps running. He's gotta fix up Ulgren's thread, so that's where he heads.
[Run - 80']
The Avatar - rd 3 d20+6=19 d20+5=10 d20+16=20 d20+2=12 Monday October 10th, 2005 8:33:43 PM
Flea, Jake, Gilan, Trellus, and Tishe concentrate on closing the distance from the Avatar as quickly as possible. Mac concentrates on increasing his distance from the Avatar as quickly as possible.
Anuk casts a spell. A very large hunk of the Mini Grass suddenly grows and twists, attempting to wrap up the spider and its rider. From his perch, the elf manages to avoid the flailing grasses, but the spider is snared. [Please send me your PC sheet. Also please provide DC in the future. I'm guessing its 15 here]
From a couple hundred feet away, Grymash launches two arrows from his huge bow. The first one slams into the elf's shoulder, while the second falls a bit short of its target. The shot comes as a complete surprise to the elf, who flinches in pain - which interrupts his spell - which really ticks the guy off.
"You little....." he snarls. Lips pressed together in fury, the Avatar surveys the approaching, and fleeing, members of the Bloodpack.
Again, he starts another spell.
The spider struggles ineffectually against the entwining grasses.
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps -3/33 Mage Armour(extended) d100=70 Monday October 10th, 2005 8:59:00 PM
Ulgren drifts ever closer to his family and in his unconscious a slight smile plays on the drows face. <Failed Stabalize>.
Tishe' [ Mage Armor] (AC 19, HP 46/46) 3d4(4+2+4)+3=13 Monday October 10th, 2005 11:31:00 PM
Tishe' slows when she sees the impact of Grymash's arrow; "he interrupted the spell!", she shouts in a tone that says I-should-have-thought-of-that. And the Avatar starts another one which looks like it will be something better not done. Guaging the distance, she moves forward another 30' and weaves a faster spell, casting three Magic Missles and a prayer to Pantheon trying to interrupt another spell. (13 damage)
OOC: I don't have the map with me :( Hoping Tishe' is in range
Mage Armor [299 minutes] +4 AC
Grymash (ac24, hp96, prot from evil) Tuesday October 11th, 2005 2:09:22 AM
Grymash decides he way to far removed from the battle. Even though his arrow struck a nerve in the Avatar. "WOOOHH!! GRY TAKE FIRST BLOOD!! NOW GRY COMES FOR MORES!!" That's right, get him mad. Get him furious. Get him to lose control. Not be able to cast his magik. Grymash scoops up his double axe (move action) and runs 40ft closer to the action.
Jake Tuesday October 11th, 2005 4:16:48 AM
Still closing the distance...
You know, this wouldn't be so bad if each of those trees had pretty dryad girls for them, like that lake they'd visited... (another 60 feet forward. Sorry not saying much today, but I'm a bit busy)
Flea (AC19, 35/35 HP /Sub/Al) Tuesday October 11th, 2005 10:38:03 AM
Still infused with the speed of her boots, Flea slows and the wake behind her collapses in a wave of grass.
Reaching behind her she picks a potion off the top layer of her haversack.
"Mac! Potion!" The strawberry blonde gnome waves the vial in the air and prepares for another burst of speed.
(Move 50 feet toward Mac/Ulgren. Draw potion of CMW.)
Boots of Speed 8/10
Begin at 500 feet Flea runs 200 feet toward Avatar Mac runs 120 feet away from Avatar Flea moves 50 feet toward Avatar Distance 130 from Flea to Mac/Ulgren
Anuk (HP 43/43, AC 21) Tuesday October 11th, 2005 12:57:45 PM
Anuk smiles at the sight of the grass entangling the giant spider. "Just gotta get a little closer now," he says to himself.
He charges forward another 60'.
Mac (HP:40/75) Tuesday October 11th, 2005 5:15:50 PM
Mac belts forward another 120' towards Flea's call. At the end he says, "Magic shield stops me getting close enough to hit them. Axe goes through it though. Need reach, range and magic!"
He readies to put Ulgren down and looks to the ship - where his bow and quiver sit idly by.
Trellus Tuesday October 11th, 2005 6:02:35 PM
Trellus keeps running.
The Avatar - rd 4 d20+2=6 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 8:26:25 PM OOC DM Note -- Well, I might of got the distances off, but the heck with it. I'm going with what the map says.
Tishe calls to everyone to strike at the Avatar. Unfortunately, she is too far away to be able to heed her own advice. The mage must content herself with moving forward [60'].
Grymash hoots at the success of his shot and scrambles forward.
Jake, Anuk, and Trellus keep running.
Flea yells to get Mac's attention, and then sprints forward to link up with the taur. The wiry gnome pulls out a potion as she runs.
Gilan moves forward.
The Avatar completes his spell, and the section of Mini Grass occupied by most of the Bloodpack becomes filled with a whirling, clacking cloud of voracious grasshopper like insects. Instantly they creatures get into eyes, hair, clothes, mouths. And they bite, too.
Mac, Flea, Tishe, and Trellus lose 2d6 and make a Fort save DC12 or become nauseated 1 round. Nauseated -- cannot attack, cast spells or doing anything else requiring attention. Can only make a single move action.
The elf starts casting again.
The spider again tries to break free of the entangling grass. It can't
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps -3/33 Mage Armour(extended) d100=85 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 9:14:58 PM
Ulgren fails his attempt to stabilize and continues to drift ever closer to his lost family.
Flea ( AC19, 33/35 HP, Hasted, Evasion) d20+3=8 2d6(1+1)=2 3d8(3+3+5)+5=16 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 10:25:17 PM
Flea starts to gag and wretch when the insects engulf her and her friends. (Failed Fort Save-8) She puts everything she has into getting the vial of liquid into the unconscious drow. (Cure Moderate Wounds=16 pts restored)
(OOC: is the 2d6 HP dmg?)
Gilan [barkskin, longstrider] 8d6(2+4+3+2+6+1+5+6)=29 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 11:05:20 PM
Gilan judges the distance between himself and the avatar and figures it maybe close enough for what he needs to do.
He flings out a single fist, summoning forth power that he had been saving. He is hoping to send a pillar of fire smashing into both of the creatures that they face.
Sorry for missing yesterday and not getting a chance to see the map for today. Have been dealing with cleaning my grandmother's house. She has alzheimers and is soon to move into a home. I will try to keep up as best I can. :(
Tishe' [ Mage Armor] (AC 19, HP 35/46) d20+8=24 2d6(6+5)=11 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 11:40:49 PM
Grasshoppers swirl around Tishe', biting small bites but they are everywhere! She manages to hold onto her lunch(Fort 24), but suffers from her lack of protective clothing(dam 11) Keeping her thoughts on Mother Wold keeps her stong enough and gets her head going.
She turns around and runs back toward her slower companions, away from the spider, insects, and avatar. "We need everyone!" she pants. All this running is making her tired! A burst of speed, and she hopes to get out of the grasshoppers (Run x4 until get out of the 'hoppers)
Mage Armor [299 minutes] +4 AC
Grymash (ac24, hp96, prot from evil) Wednesday October 12th, 2005 12:44:05 AM
From the back of the pack, Grymash rushes to the front at full speed, avoiding the swarm. (Run x4 movement: 160 feet)
Jake Wednesday October 12th, 2005 2:35:39 AM
Great. A huge field of entangling stuff surrounds the spider. "Gilan, was that your dumb idea to block our way to the guy? Now Grym and ah can't get near enough to hack off its spider's legs..." Jake yells this all while running, in about a dozen breaths. (Another sixty feet... PLATE MAIL IS SLOW!)
DM is a doofus 2d6(2+1)=3 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 8:11:46 AM
I can't believe I forgot the damage roll.
OK - Trellus, Tishe, Flea, and Mac lose...3 hp.
Ulgren is not effected because he is outside the area of effect. I know it doesn't make logical sense but I'm sticking with the map style and Mac occupies 10'x10' and Ulgren is in the upper half that isn't in the area of effect.
I'd say Mac's left side is covered in locusts and Ulgren is over his right shoulder.
Mac (HP:40... 37/75) d20+9=29 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 8:38:47 AM
[Fort Save: 29 - Nat 20 - sheesh!]
Mac steps out of the cloud insects, putting Ulgren down
"More healing for Ulgren an' m'self, please. We've got some information, now I'm open to something resembling a plan."
Trellus (Ac 23, 64/67 hp, magic vestment) d20+8=12 2d8(5+1)+8=14 d8=1 d8=8 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 10:52:53 AM
Fort 12
Trellus stumbles out of the cloud of bugs, spits a couple out, and swallows a couple more.
"Gil's got the idea," he tells Mac. "Let's start with weaving some magic on that treadle."
Which means get Ulgren up and back in the fight.
The cleric steps over and casts a healing spell on the drow.
[CMW over Bulls Strength - 21 hp healed.]
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) d20+7=25 7d6(5+3+3+5+3+5+4)=28 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 12:55:14 PM
Ulgren's eyes flutter as the rogue and the cleric pour healing into the drow. "Thank you very much.." Ulgren stammers as he stands and turns to face the spider mounted elf. "That whitehand needs a taste of his own medicine." Ulgren nods at Trellus, "lets see how this does." The drow sets his jaw and raises his right hand. Carefully mouthing the incantation, an orange colored, pea sized ball springs from the drows hand and flies at the elf. (SR 25, Dmg 28, Reflex 19)
Anuk (HP 43/43, AC 21) Wednesday October 12th, 2005 2:34:00 PM
Putting on a burst of speed to catch up with the rest of the pack, Anuk runs ahead another 120', keeping to the left side of the bug swarm.
(run x4)
Avatar - rd 5 (DM MikeK) d20+6=9 d20+5=22 d20+6=21 d20+5=15 d20+16=35 d20+11=31 d20+11=26 d8+6=10 d8+6=11 d20+11=25 d8+6=10 d20+6=22 2d4(3+2)+3=8 d6=2 13d6(4+2+6+4+3+4+3+5+1+2+4+6+6)=50 d20+2=17 d20=4 d20=14 d8+6=10 d8+6=12 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 9:56:46 PM
Mac steps out of the cloud of insects and sets down Ulgren. Trellus and Flea quickly close on the drow. With healing spells and potions, the get the wizard back on his feet.
Nearly getting fried to a crisp has put Ulgren in a bad mood. A fireball streaks from his fingers and explodes around the Avatar. Simultaneously, Gilan's pillar of flame slams down upon elf and spider.
Both spells hit, and yet the flames appear to be sucked into some kind of field encompassing both creatures. The fireball is completely absorbed, and the flames of the Flame Strike spell as well. Only the white Divine Energy of Gilan's spell punches through to cause any harm on the Avatar. And that is not enough to break his concentration.
Tishe moves forward 10', freeing herself from the swarm and pulling even with Gilan. The two are 150' away from the Avatar.
Jake, Grymash, and Anuk charge forward. As Grymash goes flying past, Jake starts seriously wondering about his choice of armor.
The Avatar, smoldering slightly, points a finger at Gilan. Appearing in front of druid and Tishe is an absolutely huge scorpion. 15' long and 10' wide, the creature grabs at both members of the Bloodpack, while also trying to impale Gilan on its seriously large stinger.
Tishe - claw hit ac 31, crit threat ac26 for 21 hp damage. [Grapple check succeeded] Tishe is caught tight and squeezed for another 10 hp.
Gilan - claw hit ac 25 for 10 hp damage. [Grapple check succeeded] Gilan is caught tight and squeezed for another 12 hp damage. stinger hit ac 22 for 8 hp damage + Fort DC 18 or -2 CON.
[OOC - Grapple: By house rules, the scorpion's grapple check of 21 exceeds the Grapple DC of both Tishe and Gilan, and therefore fails only on a natural 1,2 or 3. I rolled a 4 for Tishe and a 14 for Gilan.]
"Ah, the one with the bow," the elf remarks as Grymash approaches. "Welcome to the party."
Another pillar of fire crashes down from the heavens, engulfing Grymash and Jake.
Grymash and Jake - 50 hp flame damage. Reflex DC 20 halves.
The spider is still unable to free itself from the entanglement.
OOC - I'm sending a map out every round. Let me know if you're not getting it.
Tishe' [ Mage Armor] (AC 19, HP 13/46) 5d8(6+3+4+5+5)=23 d20+6=7 d20+6=11 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 11:29:45 PM
OOC: I've been seeing the map AFTER I've been posting. Silly SteveK! Looked in email first this round.
Grasshoppers and now a scorpi--- AARRGGHH!! Squeezing and crushing and got to breathe... The pain is enormous and Tishe's only thought is escape. Which is when she recalls...
As quick as thought, a White Seal is broken (Free Action) and Tishe' gains the benefit of a Freedom of Action Spell for four rounds. She wriggles free of the scorpions grasp and takes a five foot step away to settle herself, lining up the scorpion away from her companions.
Battered and staring death the face, she goes defensive and weaves a spell striking out with a Lightning Bolt at the Scorpion (23 Damage)
(Concentration if needed a Natural 1! Hero point expended is still only 11)
Mage Armor [299 minutes] +4 AC Freedom of Action [4 rounds] wins all grapple checks
Flea ( AC19, 32/35 HP, Hasted) d20+5=19 Thursday October 13th, 2005 12:43:26 AM
Flea watches as the strange creature weilds some fearsome magics at her pack. The rogue feels for her pocket. Still there...
Stop! cries Flea at the top of her voice. The gnome clicks the heels of her boots, and runs at full speed towards the elvish creature on the spider. (200 Ft?) Stop I say! I have something very powerful I want to show you!" (Bluff=19)
DM Sanity Info:
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 3/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Grymash (ac22, hp71/96, prot from evil) d20+5=20 d20+13=25 d8+25=31 Thursday October 13th, 2005 1:55:34 AM
(I dont believe it! Reflex 20, half damage.)
Grymash never really saw it coming. He ran right into the column of flame. With only a second to react, Grymash leaps to the side, twisting and spinning, to avoid the deadly attack. His uncanny ability to dodge such a blast amazes the barbarian. The pain is terrible, but still he knows it could have been much much worse. He looks up at the Avatar and gives him a wicked tusk-filled grin. "DAT DA BESTEST YOOZ CAN DO, PIGGIE!
His victory is short lived as he quickly turns to sudden appearance of a giant scorpion. His expression quickly becomes serious. Dropping his bow (free action), Grymash charges at the beast's flank.
(Charge +2hit/-2ac. Flank attack +2hit. Powerattack +7max, twohanded +14damage. HitAC:25. Damage: 31 points of damage. While grappling, does the scorpion lose his dex to ac like normal?)
Grymash shouts back at the avatar, "YOOZ NEXT!"
Gilan [HP: 37/67 - AC: 30] [barkskin, longstrider] d20+10=27 Thursday October 13th, 2005 3:43:13 AM
Gilan is startled by the sudden appearance of the scorpion and finds himself in it's pincher. "AAAhhhhhhhhh." He twists ever so slightly but cannot get away. He watches as the stinger comes in at his body but s caught by his shield.
That is a bit of luck for him but being caught is not his idea of an easy escape. Gritting his teeth he fights to just keep up enough defense to ward off that stinger again or the other pincher.
AC last round was 25 so the stinger was a miss, unless I lost my dexterity bonus in the process. My HP reflects the stinger as a hit, but I did not make it so in my post but that can change easily. :)
Mac (AC:21, HP:37/75) Thursday October 13th, 2005 9:20:11 AM
Mac moves 25' (5' towards the elf, then 20' towards the scorpion) and swings at the scorpion.
Mac: the Attack d20+7=22 3d6(3+4+4)+23=34 Thursday October 13th, 2005 9:22:56 AM
Power Attack(6) hits AC:22 for 34 damage.
"Keep the magic going forwards!"
Anuk (AC21, HP 43/43) d20+14=24 d20+9=13 d8+4=9 d8+4=7 Thursday October 13th, 2005 2:14:06 PM
When the scorpion rises, Anuk cuts his run short. His bow sings and two arrows streak toward the oversized arachnid.
"That all you got?" he cries out to the elf. "Big bugs?!"
Atk 1: hits ac24 for 9 Atk 2: hits ac 13 for 7 Bonuses: attack: +4 (+1 mw arrows, +1 point blank shot, +2 bracers of archery) damage: +4 (+1 point blank shot, +2 str, +1 bracers of archery)
Trellus (Ac 23, 64/67 hp, sprt wpn 1/8, magic vestment) d20+13=20 d8+2=7 Thursday October 13th, 2005 6:43:25 PM
"Fire's not working," Trellus notes. The scorpion is big, but with Gry, Mac and Jake closing in on it, it can't be long for this world.
Which leaves the treadle, surrounded by some kind of force field, a whole lot of growing grass, and some kind of fire shield.
The cleric goes basic. He casts a spell, and Domi's Hammer appears above the elf. The hammer swings down. [Spiritual Weapon - hit ac20 for 7 hp damage.]
The blond man then hurries toward Tishe and Gilan [without entering the locusts], while drawing out his wand of CSW. His packmates will need healing.
Endgame (DM MikeK) Thursday October 13th, 2005 9:28:22 PM
Tishe activates a magical seal, and slips loose from the crushing pincers of the monster scorpion. Backing up a step, she directs a bolt of electrical energy at the creature.
Grymash steps in and slashes into the scorpion's abdomen from one side. Mac does the same on the other side. Anuk sends two arrows at the creature. One connects, one does not, but it doesn't matter.
Just like that, the monstrous scorpion is turned into a couple pieces of curled up, smoking body parts.
Gilan drops free of the quivering claw that was holding him.
Trellus casts a spell at the Avatar, and then closes on Tishe and Gilan. He has to go around Mac, though, and so doesn't reach the two wounded mates quite yet. His spell does penetrate whatever fields surround the Avatar, rapping the elf soundly in the back.
Flea runs forward, stopping at the edge of the Entanglement spell. She calls for the Avatar to stop so she can show him what she's got in her pocket.
The Elf glances at Flea, but doesn't acknowledge her. His eyes look out at the rest of the Bloodpack. Flea is close enough to see those eyes, that face. The elf's expression changes, becomes resigned. He's thrown his best at them, and they've survived pretty much unscathed. What remains is a futile holding action.
The Avatar sighs heavily.
"Enough," he says simply, casting another spell. Anuk's entanglement spell is dispelled. The swarm of locusts disappears, as does the dead scorpion. "I yield," the Avatar tells the pack sorrowfully. "I must accept your pronouncement. But know this, your keepers in that stagnant town have not revealed all to you concerning this land. It is alive, vibrant. It wants to grow. And you and they will not let it. Allow it the opportunity. Allow me the opportunity. Yes, I fought you. I fought to live. You would do the same. Allow me that. Please."
Each member of the Bloodpack recalls the acorns in their possession. REFORM, SLEEP, DIE It is time to choose.
Flea ( AC19, 32/35 HP) Thursday October 13th, 2005 10:50:01 PM
Flea stands in front of the one who calls himself Ebyron. She watches as his face seems to crumple in resignation. What he says piques her curiousity. "What do you mean when you say, the monks haven't told us everything?"
The rogue had always wondered why there weren't any trees around, like back home, like back on the mountain where they had met Shady and his family. Maybe this elf-guy would like to grow some trees on the plains?
The hand holding the 3 acorns is shoved deep in her pocket as the gnome waits for the Avatar to speak.
Tishe' [ Mage Armor] (AC 19, HP 13/46) Thursday October 13th, 2005 10:58:23 PM
Scratched and bruised, Tishe' has to blink a second before it registers what the Avatar is saying.
"This is some sort of trick!" she says dubiously, but deep down she knows it is not. She and her pack have the acorns, and now the power to use them.
Taking them out of her satchel, she looks at her friends, her packmates. "What if the Avatar is right?", she asks worridly, "what if the land is yearning for a better life? We have each promised that we would protect the Sargrass Plains; with our lives if needs be..."
And another thought rises inside the spellweaver and she smiles at the decision she has made.
"I have pledged; the land, my life. What He is saying is My Life, the Land. The more important is himself and even defeated, he can not see beyond himself. The land may grow verdant with Ebyron in the Plains, but it would also grow more selfish, and I don't think the Barons need any help."
"I choose SLEEP. Return to your slumber and perhaps when next you wake you will remember compassion and the worth of others."
Mage Armor [298 minutes] +4 AC Freedom of Action [3 rounds] wins all grapple checks
Arcane White: Acid Splash, Light, Mending, Ray of Frost, Prestidigitation Red: Shield, Mage Armor*, Summon I, Magic Missle, Grease Orange: Web, Knock, See Invisible, Scorching Ray Yellow: Summon III, Dispel Magic, Lightning Bolt*
Jake (Hp 2/61) d20+6=12 Thursday October 13th, 2005 11:15:03 PM
Jake's looking pretty shaky and smoking a bit from that last blast, and looks pretty angry too. He rolls around and does all that stuff necessary to put out any fires, then looks angrily at the avatar. He walks on over, with the rest of the gorup,a s it is kinda hard to shout at distances. "Far as ah'm concerned, you came here lookin' to fight, messed up mah town, and probably did so in a dozen or a hundred places. Why, ain't you the cause of all that drought in that other town, and those weird snow things with the Icepack? Yeah, you're good at causing trouble and messing up peoples lives, just by being, not even by trying. "Still, you're supposed to be something of nature, and ah've got a likin' to natural things...especially dryads... so, ah'm willin' ta listen ya out. Ah know what it's like to be blamed for everything going wrong, even when you're just doing what seems natural. That thing is...well, ah gotta admit, the plains are nice, but can ya make some of those tree-fems for plains? You know? Grass Dryads?"
(Maybe Jake can be responsible for creating a new Plains-native race!)
Gilan [HP: 63/67 - AC: 30] [barkskin, longstrider] 3d8(7+6+5)+8=26 Friday October 14th, 2005 12:54:13 AM
Gilan slumps to the ground as he is dropped from the pincher. He looks to the avatar as he speaks and nods his head. With the battle at least over he casts a simple spell upon himself and smiles at the healing.
He then looks up to the avatar and looks him over critically. "I will hear your argument as to what it is that is so special about the Plains." He has often wondered about this land but has never been given a straight answer when he asked the monks. Always it was that look to the side as if to see if anyone was watching or scolding for asking questions that were none of his business. "Despite the destruction that you have caused you could go a long ways to repairing it faster than we could...besides you ended a combat that you might have been winning." That last little fact sits wrong with him as if this avatar has had enough of running and just wants it over with.
She looks to Tishe' as she casts her vote and shakes his head. "Yes he does some of this for himself...but I fear that the Barons would have less luck with what he has done...do you think the rapke would turn to them so easily." He shakes his head not having all the answers and wanting very much to understand. "Our oath is to this land...with tempering could he not do good things for it?....could he not in essence help to protect it from those that seek to destroy and use it?..." Looking to Trellus he shakes his head in confusion. "I fear that our decision here may affect our lives in Rattledam no matter what." It is a simple statement that he feels must be said but did not really want to state it. If they let him live will the be exiled from Rattledam, will they get the same if the put him to sleep so that a future generation must deal with him or could they be doing damage to the very land with his death.
Grymash Friday October 14th, 2005 2:08:57 AM Huh!? Grymash looks around in confusion. Everything has stopped! Heart beating hard in his chest. The tension of battle still fully taut in his muscles. All worked up and no kill! Grymash finds this almost obscene. Axe drawn in battle and no blood on the blades!! No satisfaction!! Was this all just some kind of tease. "AAUGHHH!" growls the half-orc. He turns to his packmates, weapon still ready to strike at any possible threat, and asks, "Whut do 'yield' mean?!"
Trellus Friday October 14th, 2005 1:13:59 PM
"It means he gives up," Trellus answers the half-orc disgustedly. "Just like that. He saw you dudes cut his big ol' bug's thread, and now he's gonna try weaving with words."
The blond cleric is not happy. And what's really got him twisted is the treadles is saying things that he's been thinking for a while now. The beaters keep secrets, that much is obvious.
But, still....
"Who's gonna temper him?" he asks Gilan. "The dude ripped open the roof of Rattledam and let every bug in the Plains in. How do we know he don't put us underwater or blow a volcano up in the middle of the place or something. Maybe we don't know everything, but we do know the cycle.
And from that we know," Trellus holds up one finger, "he ain't a part of the cycle, AND ", the cleric holds up a second finger, "everything dies."
"This dude has been asleep for a thousand years and the Grass has been doing just fine. I say we cut his thread and figure this stuff out on our own."
Anuk Friday October 14th, 2005 2:31:30 PM
Anuk is unsure...what the elf says sounds as if it could be right? Does land ever want to be a desert? He thinks back on the islands they visited with the dragons...lush fruit everywhere...harvesting would be natural...people wouldn't have to scrape a living out of that kind of land. Is that what all the land wants to be?
Then he remembers the villagers covered in ash...their homes destroyed by the sudden appearance of vegetation...their lives in chaos.
"I don't know if the land wants to grow or not," he says aloud. "But I do know that when nature runs free it is indifferent to the lives of those who inhabit the land. There is no balance there. Life in that situation would not be about us and the land, but about the land only. Malafret sent us after our friend here...I trust her judgment. 'Find the disease,' she said. 'Exterminate him.' The land to which I pledged my life is this land, not his vision of what it might be."
He pauses. "I'm with Trellus. Cut his thread."
Mac (AC:21, HP:37/75) Friday October 14th, 2005 3:07:39 PM
Mac shakes his head. "Death."
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) Saturday October 15th, 2005 1:42:51 PM
ooc: Sorry about missing the last post. I work in a prison and we had an offender killed. It makes for a lot of work especially paperwork.
Ulgren stops for a moment and listens to the rest of the pack talk. Ulgrens face scrunches up for a moment then the drow speaks, "he wasn't willing to let me sleep!" the drow exclaims. "I dont know that I could reform, but I do know that I like this form." the drow continues. "My choice is the same he offered us Death!" Ulgren looks flatly at the elf and waits the packs decision.
Gilan [HP: 63/67 - AC: 26] [barkskin, longstrider] Saturday October 15th, 2005 7:42:42 PM
Gilan shakes his head as the others speak. "No you are wrong...Tishe' has the right idea...if he does not live then we have to put him back to sleep." He looks to each of the pack that has said death. "Do you not see the control he has over nature...the land?" He points to the wall of grass they have followed and stands. "His tie to it is too strong...would you endanger the land...the very thing we all took an oath to protect." He closes his eyes and shudders.
"I am not willing to gamble the land's life or nature's life on a bet that his death will not have a bad effect upon it...by killing him we could cause all nature to go stagnant...at least with him asleep nature will continue as it has for the centuries he was alseep." He eyes narrow as he takes in each one of his packmates, except Tishe' who has voted. "Think of your oath and then tell me that you can chance that happening...I am not saying that it will...but down deep I have a feeling...if in the future he wakes and decides to go about his rebirth a different way then maybe he will stay awake." He pulls out the sleep acorn and holds it out towards the avatar. "The only true choice at this time is sleep...I just hope that you will look back upon this as you sleep...on your next rebirth please lead nature gently with all in mind."
Tears fall from his face as he closes his eyes and steadies his breathing. The land, my life...that was the oath that he swore and this avatar is too close to nature to chance making a wrong choice. He hopes he has made a better one.
Mac - illegal 2nd post Sunday October 16th, 2005 9:27:15 AM
"Gilan, what have you seen with your own eyes since the explosion? The soot, water ye cannae drink, trees growin' through houses o'ernight... Why unleash the havoc we saw when we got home? It would be all too easy to make it someone else's problem in some centuries time, but somehow that doesn't seem to be the right thing to do. I mean, who's children, or grand-children, or great-grand-children do you want this task to fall to?"
Gilan Sunday October 16th, 2005 2:59:37 PM
Looking to Mac he shakes his head. "I do not want to leave it to future generations...but you must realize that we also cannot risk the decay of nature." He closes his eyes and then speaks again. "I have seen all the destruction but there is a chance that he could learn from his mistakes...as big as they maybe." Sighing he continues. "We have two major problems here and the way I see it...if we kill him then future generations will be saved his wraith but nature will be changed...do you honestly think that this avatar has not had his hands in nature even in sleep?...Do you want to chance the very thing that we are trying to protect going into decay?...How long do you think we will survive if nature is stunted?...Crops will start to fail, forests will start to wither and die out." He slams his fist into his other hand and shakes his head. "That will just bring for the same suffering...sometimes you must pick the lesser of two evils...I say he sleeps...but we all must choose as we feel is needed but do not get caught up in the small picture...the big one is there as well."
Choices (DM MikeK) Sunday October 16th, 2005 8:56:57 PM
The acorns glow brightly in each hero's hand, silently demanding to be used, but only Tishe casts a vote.
Jake, Gilan, and Flea ask for more information. Trellus, Ulgren, Mac, and Anuk call for the death of the Avatar, but none actually cast a vote. Grymash tries to figure out why the fight stopped just as he was getting to the good part.
The Avatar seizes on the comments of Jake, Gilan, and Flea. "I don't know what they've told you. I only know what I feel in the land. And I feel trees. There was a forest here. A forest that lived long ago, back when I was alive and out in the Wold. But Maab bid me sleep, and now this desert of grass usurps the forest's place. I can bring it back. I can mold forest and desert to live in harmony with one another. Surely there is enough room here for both."
Following up on Gilan's words, he entreats the hard liners. "Putting me to sleep destroyed a forest. What will putting me to death bring. Ebryon is Nature's power. Kill me, and what remains to protect the balance you profess to love?"
Turning back to Flea and Gilan, he asks "Isn't change part of nature? All things grow. All things adapt. The Plains are trying to grow and adapt as well, but something prevents that. Something fights against the growth of this place. I could overcome that."
The acorns glow brighter. SLEEP, REFORM, DIE You must vote.
Trellus Sunday October 16th, 2005 9:04:05 PM
The blond cleric rubs the back of his head furiously. Gilan's plea has him confused. After all this, the treadle's thread should be cut. But the druid has some reasons why they shouldn't.
More importantly, his lifetime friend has asked him not to.
Trellus looks at Gilan, thinking....
and thinking...
and thinking...
Finally, he inhales deeply and lets out a long, slow breath.
"OK, Gilan," is all he says.
Trellus draws out the acorn marked SLEEP, and throws it out to the Avatar.
Tishe' Sunday October 16th, 2005 10:28:51 PM
"I don't want to put him back to sleep for Ebyron's sake, but for our own, and the sake of all in the Wold." Tishe' considers her words carefully. She is right, she knows she is, but how to explain the weave of the tapestry to her packmates?
"His thread is woven into the fabric of the Wold. There are stories of the Year of Ascension when the gods battled and died. Remember what happened when Domi died, and the others? It shook the Wold. What would happen if the bridegroom of nature dies?"
She wrings her hands "It is the Wold Mother's way that male and female are part of the creation of life. What will happen if there is only woman?" She shudders at the thought. "Can we take the chance that our choice will destroy the Sargrass we are sworn to protect?"
Flea Sunday October 16th, 2005 10:39:13 PM I only know what I feel in the land...and I feel trees...there was a forest here...forest and desert...live in harmony...surely there is enough room here for both?
Flea takes the acorns out of her pocket and looks at them in the palm of her hand. They glow, demanding she make her choice.
The Plains are trying to grow...but something fights against the growth of this place...I could overcome that.
Flea thinks on the pledge she has made. The land, my life. Isn't this what Eberyon is talking about? His life devoted to the land? Helping it become all that it could be? "I have my answer," she calls to the avatar, "I say you should live, but you should behave better!" Her eyes slide over to Ulgren and Mac, and she moves a little closer to the druid, "make things better, improve things, correct what is wrong but respect all the forms of life that exist in this place." Flea waves a hand out to the plains as she turns in a large half circle.
"Catch!" she cries, and she tosses the acorn marked REFORM at the elf.
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) Monday October 17th, 2005 10:52:34 AM
Ulgren looks over at the rest of the pack and shakes his head, "He didn't reason with Rattledam, and I wasn't given an option. I was told to hunt him down and kill him." Ulgren reaches into his pocket and draws out an acorn, Death. "This is my vote." the drow looks around waiting on a challenge.
Anuk Monday October 17th, 2005 2:05:43 PM
Anuk listens to everyone. Reform...sleep...or die? He looks the avatar in the eye and chooses.
"Reform," he says simply, tossing his acorn in with the others.
Gilan Monday October 17th, 2005 4:57:10 PM
Gilan smiles to each of his packmates and nods his head in understanding. "We must each vote as we see fit...I only asked that you remember our pledge." He looks back to the avatar and the acrons in his hand.
With the votes of three more Bloodpackers made he nods his head. Looking back at the avatar he gives him a glaring look. "I am looking to you to do the right thing...see the balance in all that you do and not just what was." He tosses the reform acorn to the avatar and then closes his eyes with a sigh. "Do not make me regret my decision...though I do it for Mother Wold, the land she be."
He steps off to the side and looks to Ulgren with a nod of his head. "You must vote as you will...as your heart leads you...I will not stop or try to sway you further...I cannot, the choice is yours and yours alone." He gives each of them an understanding smile, that despite any choices made he will not hold grudges or judgement...what comes is what is to be.
Jake Monday October 17th, 2005 5:34:05 PM
Jake is uncertain what to do. On one hand, this elf kinda told off all the Rattledam people, and he seems pretty shady. Throwing that fire and stuff. They were told to stop him, though. Others seemed to want him to reform, and some just disliked him. "Ah guess the question is, am ah happy with this crazy nature stuff we've seen so far? I dunno. If you're responsible for the elven song and all the misery we've seen since then, ah suppose you've done not much but cause a bit of messups. After all, if the only reason you exist is to cause all these messups, and you're not apologetic aobut it maybe we don't need ya." Jake looks at him and sighs. "Ah think all you wanna do is mess things up...and you're saying you need to do that, that someone needs to be there to cause messups and chaos in nature and stuff. Ah don't know if that's true. But ah do think that's the reason you have to come down to us mortals and ask us for our opinion.. To see the messups you've made, and make further mistakes. But, ya know, you'll probably turn out all right." Jake brightens. "It sounds to me like you're not really purposefully mean or evil... Just kinda an idiot, or a screwup. Seriously, Ebyron. But ah think you have the potential to step up and be a good guy, again. So, I'll go with Trellus and Gilan." He tosses the Reform acorn.
Grymash d20-2=5 d20+2=21 d20+6=18 d2+7=9 Monday October 17th, 2005 9:07:23 PM
Grymash begins to dig out his acorns as well. So this is what they're for. Alas, he can find only two of them! He digs around more frantically. Where did the other one go? Then he remembers ... he's been chewing on it. "Thems be some hard seeds. Gry thoughts it would soften up after time in mouth. But it still hard. They's no be for eatin'!!??
He takes a little time to consider everything thats been said. He mutters a short prayer to Gargul. He knows bestest. (Int 5, Wis 21) "Gry think it be Gargul's job ta decide who die! Since da decision no be decide by Gargul in battle wit Gry's axe," he looks irritatedly at the elf who gave up the fight so quickly. "Gry no want ta hurt da land, no way. But Gry want da chance ta fight dis treadle again an give Gargul 'nuther chance ta judge da piggie if he go bad. Gry no can do dat if he be sleepin. Why deny da piggie da hardness an pain of life. Then he learn ta be smart like Gry and respect da struggle against death and Gry's axe. Gry say let da piggie live wit both eyes open! Gry say Reforms ... whutever dat be!"
Grymash concludes his speech with chucking the acorn at the elf's forehead. (Improvised weapon: acorn, -4hit. Surprise attack. Ebeyron flatfooted. HitAC: 18. Damage: 9 damage.)
Waiting (DM MikeK) Monday October 17th, 2005 9:15:08 PM
All of nature holds its breath, waiting for the vote of the final member of the Bloodpack. The wind dies and all is still. The scenery itself fades slowly, imperceptably into a fuzzy gold as the gods themselves await Mac's decision.
All is totally still and silent, except for the "thwack" of an acorn popping the Avatar in the head and his instinctive muttered curse of irritation.
Flea Monday October 17th, 2005 9:23:56 PM
Despite the seriousness of it all, Flea can't help but laugh at the big doofus half-orc. She claps her hand over her mouth to stiffle her giggles.
Ulgren : AC 19 Hps 33 Mage Armour(extended) Monday October 17th, 2005 10:20:03 PM
Ulgren chuckles softly. Then the drow laughs a bit louder, and louder until the dark elf has tears running out of both eyes, gasping for air the drow looks at Grymash, then Flea and laughs again.
Tishe' Monday October 17th, 2005 10:29:39 PM
Tishe' is worried that no one else sided with her choice. Is she right? Did she act impulsively? I always jump in before I think, she chides herself. I need to notice more things around me and think before I act. What good is a good head if you don't use it, Tishe'?
Lost in her thoughts, the woman frowns and doesn't notice the byplay around her.
Mac Tuesday October 18th, 2005 4:38:05 AM
He looks at the rest of the Pack - one at a time - recognising that they won't be following the monks'... beaters' orders now, no matter what he votes.
"Just checking that we're all prepared to be banished from the city. Ulgren, I'll plead your case back home if you wish, an' if the beaters will listen. Banished, or you've got something up our collective sleeves that I cannae see to get back in their good books?"
He turns and stares at the spiderelf*. "I want a fourth acorn! These three leave a sour taste in the mouth. But I'm not going to get it, and I'll be cursed for it, so... CATCH!"
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