Where the Hehkowi..? - DM Donna Tuesday September 27th, 2005 12:23:42 AM
There is no time for debate--the all-consuming darkness is rushing up the tunnel at the Talons, so they follow Gunther & K'Nara's lead, escaping from a fatal trap once again.
The adventurers stand stock-still in the new, alien landscape that surrounds them:
The light cast by the great lavender moon is the first thing that touches the party, giving both them and their surroundings a pale, almost grey cast. Shadow is the only thing that escapes it, becoming deeper in contrast, darker, and inky black.
The air is cool, making it easy to move, but nary a breeze stirs the night...and it is indisputably night-time, as the sky is a deep indigo shade unrelieved by the familiar constellations of The Wold. The only light is the moon--and the moon is purple, casting an eerie and surreal luminescence on the odd clusters of plants - mushroom and fungi that flourish in the pale light, a palette of purples, blues and deep velvet blacks.
Looking around them, the party can see only a field of scruffy, thatch-like grass that is occasionally broken up by the sporadic patch of fungi. The "grass" is coarse and dry, and maybe about six to eight inches tall. In the distance--many leagues west, is a glimmer--something glints on the horizon like the reflective surface of a mirror. To the north, the horizon smudges with a purple-grey fog. East and south bear no signs of anything different than that which immediately surrounds the Talons--more rough grass and patches of fungi, although the landscape may have some slight, rolling hills to the east.
The scene is beautiful in its eerie, surreal way...but both Lian and Bertram are suddenly aware of how very wide and large the landscape is--how very, very lonely it all feels.
How very unnatural the whole scene appears to be.
No movement. No sound. And, when K'Nara completes her 360-degree visual reconn...no way back, for the tunnel's gateway has vanished into the night.
Falin Tuesday September 27th, 2005 11:19:33 AM
"Well, that settles it. We're staying." He says as he motions back towards where the opening used to be.
"Bertram, I to am worried about where we have gone. I am trying to keep the mood of the party light. Fear can become a party killer if it can not be controlled. It's fear of the unknown that I was worried about. I have faith that the gods will take care of our friend. After all," he says with a bit of a smile," She is an elf." With that he runs his right index finger up his right ear. "I mean no offense, just trying to keep it light."
"I have no idea where we are. I have been to quite a few places in the last hundred years or so, but I do not recognize this place. We should look at what we have with us just in case their is no way to get what we need."
Brother Bertram Tuesday September 27th, 2005 8:06:39 PM
Bertram nods at Falin's words. "Forgive me Friend Falon if I offended you. I merely want us all to escape this menace and to not get distracted. I understand that we need our mood lightened from time to time." He looks to the others, "What direction does one go in when completely lost?"
Lian (Mark) Tuesday September 27th, 2005 8:07:39 PM
Lian stands near Falin and Bertram and looks around for any clue about which direction might be more advantageous.
Ingrge Tuesday September 27th, 2005 9:35:07 PM
Brother Bertram, Every one knows that when you are lost you do not move anywhere and eventually something will come for you. Of more immediate intrest however is that Figments and My disks and servant will not last too much longer, about 4.5 hours left by my reckoning, and at that point all that we have gained will end up lying where it falls.
Figment (Kent) d20+13=27 Tuesday September 27th, 2005 9:36:58 PM
Figment looks around the alien landscape and chews his lip for a moment as he wracks his brain trying to figure out where they may have landed.
Knowledge arcana DC 27
Milo Tuesday September 27th, 2005 10:17:37 PM
Milo stands stock still, in shock at the sudden loss of his fiance to the whim of the Wold.
Gunther Wednesday September 28th, 2005 12:02:34 AM
Well, it wasn't exactly the most romantic place in the Wold...but it would do. Going behind K'nara, Gunther puts his massive arms on her shoulders and begins to give her a rather rough massage (which isn't as easy as it would sound...considering her armor). Then, he draws her in close, kissing her neck as he murmurs "Dere are vorse places to be lost. At least ve still have each oder. Vhy don't ve sneak off to some place a little more private, huh?"
In the Still of the Night - DM Donna Wednesday September 28th, 2005 1:36:21 AM
The utter unnaturalness of their surroundings sinks indelibly into the minds of the Talons...
...well, most of the Talons. K'Nara hears Gunther and then feels his hands upon her, rigid with shock for only a moment before her right hand snakes out and seizes his left, bending it backwards so that the pain of the move sends him to his knees.
"We do NOT have time for this!" she hisses angrily. "We're lost in a strange land, and Ingrge's right when he points out that we will soon lose the magic bearers of most of that treasure." The tall blade singer released Gunther and frowned. "We have to figure out which way we're going to go to find a way out of here..."
Brother Bertram Wednesday September 28th, 2005 5:56:47 PM
Bertram looks over at Ingrge, "I imagine if we havent solved this riddle in that amount of time, the loss of the treasure wont matter much. I dont like the feel of this strange place, My Friend."
Lian (Mark) Wednesday September 28th, 2005 7:24:34 PM
Lian prays to Domi for guidance, unsure of what to do next.
Milo Wednesday September 28th, 2005 8:53:06 PM
As the strangeness of the scene around them seeps into Milo's senses, the halfling's eyes begin to blink, and shaking his head, he comes out of his dazed state. Noting K'nara's observation about finding a way out, the halfling begins to crane his neck around, looking for obvious landmarks or structures to guide them by.
Lian (Mark) Wednesday September 28th, 2005 10:02:23 PM
Lian turns to Bertram with doubt and perhaps fear in his eyes, "Bertram I feel as if Domi is not even in this place, is it so for you?"
Brother Bertram Wednesday September 28th, 2005 10:08:23 PM
"Neither Domi or Gargul, Friend Lian, its as if they have abandoned us or...."Bertram pauses then continues more slowly, "Or they cannot reach us here. Another plane perhaps Friends?" He looks upset and angry as he asks.
Gunther Thursday September 29th, 2005 12:27:07 AM
The pain of K'nara's hold doesn't particularly bother the swarthy warrior, but there was something about her tone...something confusing. Gunther pulls his arm back and retreats away from the bladesinger. Perhaps he had misread her? No, she clearly liked him. But why had she chastised him so?? Gunther rubs his temple. Was it the elven ways in her that caused her to act so strangely? Perhaps. And then the light goes on. Of course...she was the chieftain. She was right...now was not the time for this...not while their lives were in danger. There would be a time...hopefully soon...he just had to bide his time. Rubbing his right wrist, Gunther sighs. Find a way out...if there was one. That certainly looks questionable right now.
Which Way to Go? - DM Donna Thursday September 29th, 2005 2:04:23 AM
The tall redhead nods at Gunther as he now seems to be back to normal...
...she hoped.
"Thank you, Gunther. Now...good Brother Bertram," K'Nara addresses the dwarf, "You seem to think that we aren't anywhere in The Wold? Another plane?" The human blade singer looks to Ingrge and Figment.
"Can it be true? And...if it is--how do we get back? Which way do we go to even begin to find out?"
Other than their voices, there is a silence that is eerie--there seems to be none of the usual calls of nocturnal critters like crickets or small animals. It's starting to make everyone wonder what kind of place the Talons have landed at...
Falin Thursday September 29th, 2005 8:32:40 AM
"I think we should rest for now right here. I don't see anything on the horizon except for that glimmer." Says Falin as he points to the west.
"I also think we should figure out a way to mark this spot so we can possible find our way back. If the entrance to the tower should open here again it would help."
"Also, we need to find a way to hide anything we don't want to take with us so it is not weighting us down. If we find a way out and the treasure is important enough to us we can always come back for it. I like to travel light."
"I suggest keeping gems. They usually spend the same everywhere. Metals fluctuate quite a bit."
Falin pauses for a second and brings up one more thing, "I am not trying to run things, merely throwing out suggestions. I will do as the group sees fit."
Brother Bertram Thursday September 29th, 2005 1:57:08 PM
Bertram turns to Falin and pushes a large hand against Falin's chest. "For someone not wanting to run things you sure are good at giving orders! The others may have forgiven you for abandoning us before, well guess what...I havent! Now why dont you shut up and let the rest of try to figure out what to do instead of handing out orders?!" Bertram turns in disgust to K'nara. "Now if you and that big dumb brute are done slobbering over each other we need to get out of this place if it isnt too much trouble. Bloody leader and all you do is flirt with that, that thing. Bertram stalks off from the group, and plops down and begins sharpening his axe, his hands trembling with rage at the way the party was behaving.
Lian (Mark) Thursday September 29th, 2005 2:08:19 PM
Lian watches the exchange between Bertram and the group, then burst out laughing, what an idiot!" He chuckles to himself then shoulders his pack shaking his head at the exchange, He looks to K'nara, "What are your orders? He tries to keep a straight face, but glances over at Gunther and a smirk flickers across his face.
Ingrge Thursday September 29th, 2005 6:33:26 PM
Raising an eyebrow at Bertram's outburst at Falin and K'nara, Ingrge shakes his head.
"Ignore him Falin, he is a bit out of sorts right now as we all are, and if Lian is right and Domi is not here then he is really going to be out of it for a bit."
"K'nara, I think that Figment has been trying to figure out where we might be. He is better than I at that sort of thing. (see Figment's previous post) As for myself, I am unsure of where we might be. It doesn't seem to have the same feel as the shadowlands or Fae Skiemier, but it definitely does not feel Woldian. I could do a scying, but I am not exactly sure what I would scry for."
Figment d20+20=39 Thursday September 29th, 2005 6:35:54 PM
Still seemngly lost in thought as he takes sightings of stars?, moons? sun? and close inspection of the nearby flora, Fignment continues to wrack his brain for anything resembling information about a place such as where they have found themselves. Knowledge arcana DC 39
DM Donna Thursday September 29th, 2005 8:11:32 PM
Figment is at a loss for where the party might possibly be, for there are no stars in the sky, only the strange lilac moon. The only flora to study is the rough, thatch-like grass that has a purplish cast to it (thanks to the off-color light of that moon). And the silence around the party only underscores how bizarre it is to be out in the middle of a vast grassy field with neither insects nor evidence of little meadow creatures.
(OOC: besides, if you're trying to determine if you've relocated to another plane, you do it with Knowledge: the planes, not Arcana.)
(well as I dont have his sheet I am going by what i remember he had from over 1 year ago, sorry. Kent)
Brother Bertram Thursday September 29th, 2005 10:22:04 PM
Bertram continues sharpening his axe, his hands trembling noticeably. He doesnt appear to notice as his hand crosses the blade, slicing it deeply, blood trickling down his knotted arm.
Lian (Mark) Thursday September 29th, 2005 10:25:21 PM
Lian looks over at Bert, his smile falling from his face as he sees blood dripping from the priests arm. "Bertram!" He runs as fast as he can to aid his friend.
Gunther AC24 d20+13=30 Thursday September 29th, 2005 11:02:29 PM
Gunther turns beet red at Bertram's words. Not one to think things through, the "big dumb brute" charges at the dwarf's back (Charge=30...success unless Bert has a Str. Mod more than 20). Setting his shoulder, Gunther slams into the cleric's back, slamming his face the few remaining feet into the ground. "You oversized gnome! You take dat back!! You take back vhat you said about her or so help me I'll scalp you right here and now!!
Milo Friday September 30th, 2005 12:29:04 AM
His composure regained, "Nothing appears to stick out. If you guys don't have any better ideas, I'm all for choosing a random direction to start headed. Maybe there is a town nearby." Milo looks doubtful even as he says the words himself.
Fight! Fight! - DM Donna Friday September 30th, 2005 12:36:44 AM
"I can't put my finger on it, but I don't like the idea of just staying he--" even as K'Nara begins to comment on Falin's suggestion of simply camping right there for the night, Gunther's exception to Bertram's comments cause the burly fighter to erupt in anger.
K'Nara blinks, feeling true horror grip her soul when she sees the attack upon the dwarven cleric.
"Stop it! Stop it right now!!!" she demands, stepping forward and tugging at Gunther in an effort to part him from Bertram.
Dread fills the hearts of those watching the physical confrontation: it's an omen of bad things to come--it must be...why else would the normally good-natured dwarf voice such an opinion...why else would the normally stoic trainer of big cats suddenly jump on the cleric?
Falin Friday September 30th, 2005 8:49:58 AM
"Gunther stop.", cries Falin, "This is not necessary. We are all a little frazzled and we are all copping in our own way. He didn't mean what he said." Falin runs over and stands between the two (facing Gunther).
Gunther d20+3=17 Friday September 30th, 2005 4:47:30 PM
"Leadership without respect leads to knives in backs..." that's what Grell used to say. His anger fueling him, Gunther side steps the well meaning Falin, dragging K'nara behind him (Str. check=17) He is intent on capitalizing the dwarf's prone position to extract a proper appology using whatever means necessary.
Brother Bertram Friday September 30th, 2005 5:32:50 PM
Bertram raises himself up slowly, his face covered in dirt, blood trickly from the corner of his mouth to match the steady drip down his fingers from the cut to his hand. He looks up at Gunther, his face covered with tears, streaking his dusty face. "My friends, what have I done! I am so sorry my friends, I just,I, I have lost my way and dont deserve to be with you." With that he turns and walks out into the night, his axe dragging the ground behind him, the corded handle all that keeps it with him. He moves towards the faint glimmer in the distance, his head down, his anguish evident to anyone choosing to look.
Gunther Saturday October 1st, 2005 2:07:01 AM
Panting heavily, Gunther stalks toward Bertram, dragging K'nara behind him...until he spots the cleric's face. Bertram's words drain the anger seething in his heart. He had won the battle but at a terrible price. He swears softly but vehemently in orcish as he kicks the nearest fungi. Grabbing K'nara's arm, Gunther gently but firmly removes her grip. Then he heads over to Bertram and stands in front of him, preventing him from moving further. Putting a hand down, Gunther picks up Bertram's axe and cuts a small gash on his arm. Then the warrior grabs the cleric's wounded hand and presses it against his freshly bleeding arm. "Ve are broders now. Vhat happened in de past is gone and buried. Ve stay togeder and ve find de vey togeder."
Hark..! - DM Donna d20+3=23 Sunday October 2nd, 2005 12:36:17 AM
K'Nara feels Gunther maneuver her about, but then pulls herself away from his well-meaning grip. (OOC: K'Nara's Strength check is a natural 20+3 for a total of 23 versus Gunther's 17.)
"It's obvious--we are WAY far away from The Wold." she points out. "Wherever we are, we have to find a way back as soon as possible. Falin may have a point about just camping here--we used up just about all our spells going through the Tower and facing that Necromancer..." She trails off as she contemplates whether or not to just camp right where the group finds itself at present.
Everyone in the party must make a Listen check versus DC18. Those who make the check will hear a strange kind of noise that is coming from the north.
Milo d20+17=32 d20+19=38 d20+17=35 Sunday October 2nd, 2005 2:06:31 AM
As they sit there for the moment, Milo takes the time to retrieve his boots of speed from his haversack, and after putting them back on, he replaces his slippers of spider climb back into the same haversack. The halfling's ears perk up at the strange noise. Bored with waiting, "Did you hear that guys? I think that I'll check it out." Without further ado, Milo heads that direction, disappearing into the surrounding landscape as he does. (OOC: Made Listen check DC 32. Made Hide and Move Silently checks at DC 38 and 35 respectively. That is with a self imposed -5 penalty for moving at full speed, rather than half speed.)
Brother Bertram Sunday October 2nd, 2005 10:14:30 AM
Bertram looks up at the big warrior through his tears for a moment, searching Gunther's face, then grips his hand tightly. From now on, my Friend, no matter what, we will find a way..together. Forgive me all of you. I felt as if my gods had forsaken me. It is a strange experience for me and I lost my senses for a bit. Please forgive a dwarven fool." He wipes his face and picks up his axe. He walks over to Falin, "Forgive me Friend Falin, my words were hurtful and most uncalled for. You have been a brave and true companion."
Falin d20+3=5 Monday October 3rd, 2005 5:45:38 PM
"Bertram, do not give it a second thought friend." says Falin as he grips his forearms in a sign of friendship. "I too know what it isike to be lost. Just know that you are not alone as long as you have us with you."
Falin is too caught up in Bertram to be able to hear anything.
Gunther d20+1=16 Monday October 3rd, 2005 9:22:15 PM
The warrior nods and smiles at Brother Bertram. He thinks he hears something, but then decides he must be mistaken (Listen=16). "Vell, den...I suppose ve should stay here. Ve need spells back and deres only von ve to do dat."
Lian (Mark) Tuesday October 4th, 2005 4:14:39 AM
Lian watches Gunther and Bertram, relieved that it was no worse than it was. He looks up and Milo runs off in the distance.
Swarm - DM Donna Wednesday October 5th, 2005 12:32:25 AM
Milo moves to the fore in order to check out the odd noise that his words bring to everyone's attention...however, as the only plants in the area are the rough grass, it's impossible for even the accomplished halfling to sufficiently Hide from sight.
The noise grows closer, bringing a chill to those who now hear it: the sound of clicking, clacking, cackling, howling and baying all rolled into one cacophony. The roiling curtain of sound billows out over the Talons, evoking fear and the sudden conviction that whatever's approaching from the north is highly unnatural.
Everyone in the party must make a Willpower save versus DC20 or become Shaken by the approaching cloud of...whatever.
Jay B (Lian) Wednesday October 5th, 2005 5:43:24 PM
OOC: Okay folks, I have returned! I think I'm ready to get back to the Wold. Let me know when you need me back. :)
Falin (shaken) d20+4=12 d20+2=12 Wednesday October 5th, 2005 10:21:49 PM
Looking out at the dark landscape and hearing the sound Falin becomes visibly shaken...
"I do not like the sound of that. It brings back nightmares of my last vist to Fae Skimier."
Falin begins to ack away from the sound. "Perhaps we light the grass on fire to screen ourselves." OOC: Int roll of 12
Gunther (AC28, HP83/83) Shaken d20+4=11 Wednesday October 5th, 2005 11:29:38 PM
In a flash, Gunther's animated shield is floating in front of him. "Vhat vas...." Gunther catches the noise, and it chills him to his very soul (Will=11). "...dat" he whispers as his hands shake.
Milo d20+12=29 Thursday October 6th, 2005 12:01:06 AM
Milo's short sword practically leaps into his hand, and the halfling stares into the darkness trying to get a look at whatever is making all the noise. (OOC: Will save DC 29)
DM Donna Thursday October 6th, 2005 2:08:33 AM
Ingrge, Figment, Bertram and Lian must make their Will saves versus DC20 as well.
Lian d20+21=25 Thursday October 6th, 2005 4:22:26 AM
Will save 25.
OOC: Is Lian there with the Talons?
Brother Bertram d20+14=21 Thursday October 6th, 2005 8:20:36 AM
Bertram feels a fear run through him as the sound approaches but is able to resist turning and running.
(Will Save 21)
Ingrge / Figment d20+16=21 d20+9=17 d20+13=27 d20+9=19 Thursday October 6th, 2005 6:15:57 PM
Ingrge will DC 21
Figment will dc 17
Ingrge still irritated by the actions of his party members and by not knowing how or where they are somhow manages to not be shaken by the apporaching noises DC 21 and tries his hardest to place the sounds he can hear. KNowledge arcana DC 27, knowlege history DC 19.
Figment caught up in the party drama unfolding around him is not really paying attention and is shaken by the sound that reach him. DC 17
(OOC: Sorry all for the lack of posts. real life reared its ugly head and bit me in the arse....)
Incoming!!! - DM Donna d20+8=26 Friday October 7th, 2005 2:38:35 AM
K'Nara, too, hears the soul-chilling sound sweeping toward the party from across the grassy plain and stiffens, her eyes momentarily widening in horror. Then she snarls and draws her sword. (OOC: K'Nara makes her Will save with 26.)
"Lucia!" she barks the name of her blade, causing it to blaze to life. "Whatever it is--it's coming in fast! Don't range too far ahead, Milo! I don't want to lose you to--"
The "cloud" that boils across the terrain is no ordinary cloud, everyone in the party suddenly realizes. It isn't a "cloud" at all:
It is a pack of flying skulls--bobbing and weaving in the air, looking from afar like a billowing cloud rolling towards the party. The clattering, clicking, sickly sound that has so unnerved too many members of the party is the sound of dozens of teeth chattering as the jaws of each skull snap open and shut. As the pack draws closer, one can make out that the majority of them are human...or, at least, humanoid. However, it's also frightfully evident that a lot of the skulls in the approaching pack are NOT human at all.
The party has one round before the pack of skulls is upon them.
Lian (AC 35, 53 hps) Friday October 7th, 2005 3:15:25 AM OOC: Thanks Mark for playing Lian while I was gone. To those who were concerned about my dad, he's doing much better. He's awake, sore and having memory issues but he's fine and off most of the machines.
(OOC: Did we reprepare spells since I left? We are in the 2nd Trial? Was there any treasure split or anything?)
Active Spells: Hide from Undead
Stunning Attacks: 8/12 used Enlarge Tat: 2/3 Bull's Str Tat: 2/2
Prepared Spells: Guidance, Create Water Divine Favor
"This place just keeps getting better and better!" [retrieves a scroll and casts hide from undead]
Milo Friday October 7th, 2005 7:32:59 PM
Milo's eyes widen as the cloud of skulls comes into view. Showing the wisdom of his kin, the halfling rogue turns and runs back toward the group yelling, "INCOMING!"
DM Donna Saturday October 8th, 2005 12:19:47 AM
Post! POST!
Gunther (AC28, HP83/83) Shaken, Hide from Undead Saturday October 8th, 2005 12:30:21 AM
Thinking that just about now Lian is about the wisest person in...well, wherever they are...Gunther fishes out a Hide from Undead potion and slams it down.
Ingrge: AC 33: HP:100 Boots of speed, spell resistance 18% 10d6(4+1+6+6+5+4+2+5+2+3)=38 Saturday October 8th, 2005 7:52:34 AM
Activating his boots of speed and looking up, Ingrge watches the approaching mass of flying skulls. Gripping his staff in one hand, he targets a point that is 20 feet behind the leading edge and sends a fireball exploding into their midst. 38 points, relfex DC 20 for 1/2 damage.
Figment: AC 15: HP:63: prot. evil (11 minutes) Saturday October 8th, 2005 8:05:24 AM
Shaken, but not disabled, Figment casts a spell upon himself Protection from evil. He then straightens up and watching Ingrge's fireball prepares for what is about to come.
Falin (shaken) Saturday October 8th, 2005 9:57:15 AM
Seeing everyone else preparing for battle he takes out his bow and knocks an arrow. Not sure how effective he will be.
Brother Bertram 10d6(6+1+4+2+6+4+4+1+5+6)+10=49 Saturday October 8th, 2005 4:33:18 PM
Bertram shudders at the prospect of facing these creatures without his god, but still calls forth the power already within him, Calling down fire from the skies upon the creatures. (Flamestrike-Damage 49 centered in middle of pack to do most damage possible)
Lian Monday October 10th, 2005 3:49:16 AM
The monk prepares for combat.
Combat Round 1 - DM Donna Monday October 10th, 2005 11:11:27 PM
Lian casts his spell--he is now effectively invisible to Undead. So is Gunther, thanks to the timely chug-a-lugging of his handy potion.
Figment is Protected From Evil (OOC: don't forget to post the duration for that, please.)
Falin prepares in spite of being shaken.
Between Ingrge's well-aimed fireball and Brother Bertram's flame strike, the cloud of skulls is considerably thinned out--only about 16 of the skulls remain now...but none of them are in the least human:
The remaining skulls are that of oversized canines--they have eyes that glow with unearthly fire and fangs that protrude in an exaggerated manner. They all bay, howl and growl as they rush the party, closing with supernatural speed...
(OOC: the players will be receiving a PDF of the combat map. Milo gets an attack of opportunity on Skulls 1 and 2 as they enter his threat range. Please remember the effects of being Shaken--you lose AC and get a combat penalty because these flying skulls are clearly nothing that could ever truly exist in The Wold and your character knows it.)
Milo (AC 30, 31 vs. #2; hp 78) d20+19=28 d4+4=7 2d8(1+5)=6 d20+20=32 d20+20=28 d20+15=28 d4+4=5 d4+4=6 d4+4=8 2d6(4+5)=9 2d6(1+1)=2 2d6(4+4)=8 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 1:01:53 AM
Milo takes his attack of opportunity, and then clicking his heals, continues to attack the skull, beating down with his holy sword. (OOC: Can only take 1 AoO without Combat Reflexes, but attacks skull #1 hitting AC 28 for the AoO, then turns on the haste, and attacks the same skull hitting AC 32, 28, and 28 for 13 hps on the AoO and 14, 8, and 16 hit points respectively for his other attacks. If all hits it is a total of 51 points of damage.)
Gunther (AC28, HP83/83) Shaken, Hide from Undead, Protection from Evil Tuesday October 11th, 2005 1:10:29 AM
Although the shaking continues, Gunther manages enough courage to find and chug yet another potion...protection from evil the label reads. Earnestly hoping that those things can't see him, Gunther snaps his fingers, and his sword is instantly in his hands.
OOC Donna, can you please tell me the specifics of being shaken (numbers please). I can't remember it off the top of my head.
(from Kent OOC: DMG p294: Shaken characters suffer a -2 on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks and ability checks)
Figment: AC 15: HP:63: prot. evil (11 minutes) 11d6(4+5+4+5+4+6+1+3+5+3+4)=44 d20+11=28 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 6:45:40 PM
Still shaken (but not stirred) Figment rips off the spell he was working on and a bolt of lightening comes streing from his hand, striking # 5 square on and then leaps to 6, 10, 13, 14, 16, 9, 12, 15, 3, & 4.
chain lightening - relex DC 25 - Spell reistance 28
#5 takes 44 points. save for 22 points
All the others take 22 points. save for 11 points.
Ingrge: AC 33: HP:100 Boots of speed, spell resistance 18% 5d6(6+2+6+6+3)=23 d20+12=25 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 6:52:17 PM
Ingrge watches as his and Bertram's spells go off and then Figment rips into the remaining skulls with his lightening.
Wanting to do something a bit different he calls forth a spell of his own centered on skull #7. And suddenly skulls 7, 8, 2, 3, 4, 11 & 12 are all being pounded by fist sized hail stones.
Ice storm - NO save: Spell resistance 27
All take 23 points damage.
Lian (AC 35, 53 hps) Tuesday October 11th, 2005 7:12:48 PM
Active Spells: Hide from Undead (9mins 54secs)
Stunning Attacks: 8/12 used Enlarge Tat: 2/3 Bull's Str Tat: 2/2
Prepared Spells: Guidance, Create Water Divine Favor
The monk works toward the back of the group of skulls. (Moves to Q25) He crosses his fingers, hoping the hide spell works against these wierd undead.
Falin AC 24 HP 58 Shaken d20+15=32 d20+10=17 d20+15=30 d20+2=5 d20+2=16 d20+2=17 d8+2=9 d8+2=6 d8+2=7 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 9:09:42 PM
Falin draws and lets loose on # 5 OOC: If #5 goes down I will continue to #6, and then #1.
AC 32 DMG 9 AC 17 DMG 6 AC 30 DMG 7
OOC Ignore the three d20+2 rolls. I forgot to change to d8
Brother Bertram 10d6(1+1+4+1+1+3+1+1+5+4)+10=32 Tuesday October 11th, 2005 10:14:52 PM
Bertram uses another of his quickly dwindling spells to try one last time to destroy the strange scary creatures.
(FLamestrike again 32 damage)
Combat Round 2 - DM Donna d20+11=30 d20+11=24 d20+10=25 d20+10=11 d20+10=20 d20+10=14 9d4(2+3+1+1+1+1+3+3+3)=18 3d6(5+2+2)=9 d20+10=12 d20+10=24 2d6(4+3)+8=15 d6=6 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 2:14:09 AM
Milo's attacks on Skull 1 all hit.
Gunther is now Protected from Evil. (OOC: Anyone who is Shaken suffers -2 on Will saves and combat rolls both melee and ranged.)
Figment's Chain Lightning spell looks absolutely spectacular, doing 22 points to the skulls listed above. (OOC: Skull 5 made its Save with 30, and the others didn't with a group Save of 24.)
Even more impressively, Ingrge's hailstorm rains down icy death upon the howling masses. It seems to do more damage than the spell normally would.
Lian moves to Q25. None of the skulls seem to be orienting on him.
Falin fires off his missiles, two of them hitting. The damage done by the arrows adds to the damage #5 suffered from that lightning.
Brother Bertram calls upon another Flame Strike...only this time, only the merest of puffs of flame appears rather than the grand column of fire that had been summoned forth before.
K'Nara takes a five-foot step to her right, ending up at S34...she's now placed herself between the oncoming bony horrors and Figment.
Skulls 3, 4, 5 and 6 advance five feet and, opening their fanged mouths wide, belch forth 30-foot cones of flame with their fiery screams, targeting Bertram, Gunther, K'Nara, Ingrge and Figment.
Bertram was the target of two Fiery Scream attacks--one hits AC11 and the other AC20.
K'Nara was the target of two Fiery Scream attacks--one hits AC11 and the other AC14.
Gunther was the target of two Fiery Scream attacks--one hits AC25 and the other AC20.
Figment was the target of one Fiery Scream attack--it hits AC14.
Ingrge was the target of one Fiery Scream attack--it hits AC25.
Anyone hit by a Fiery Scream suffers 18hp sonic damage and 9hp fire damage (Reflex Save vs DC21 for only 5hp fire damag). Intended targets must also make another Will Save vs. DC20 or become Shaken {or Frightened, if already Shaken} whether or not they're hit due to the terrifyingly unnatural howling.
Skulls 1 & 2 attack Milo by snapping at him with their oversized jaws and jagged teeth, the stench of their undead breath blowing into the halfling's face! (OOC: #1 hits AC12 and #2 hits AC24 for 15hpd + 6hp fire damage).
The other skulls continue to swarm closer to the Talons...(OOC: Brother Bertram gets an Attack of Opportunity against either Skull 15 or 16 as they have both entered the cleric's threat range.)
Lian (AC 35, 53 hps)[large, -1 AC, -2dex, +10 reach] Wednesday October 12th, 2005 5:30:40 AM
Active Spells: Hide from Undead (9mins 48secs)
Stunning Attacks: 8/12 used Enlarge Tat: 2/3 Bull's Str Tat: 2/2
Prepared Spells: Guidance, Create Water Divine Favor
The hand of Domi activates his last Enlarge Tattoo for the day and prepares for combat.
Figment: AC 15: HP:63: prot. evil (11 minutes) 13d6(4+3+1+5+1+6+6+1+6+3+2+6+3)=47 d20+13=25 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 6:01:20 PM
Thanks to his protection from evil spell, Figment manages to avoid the fiery sonic breath and takes a five foot step to his left into R35 and then casts a cone of cold above the talons' heads in order to catch only the skulls. As the cone fills in the affected area, skulls 1, 16, 5, 9, 6, 10, 13, & 14 all need to make saves.
Reflex DC 25 or take 47 points of damage. Save for 24 points.
Spell resistance 25.
Ingrge: AC 33: HP:100 Boots of speed, spell resistance 18% 5d6(2+4+6+4+6)=22 d20+12=26 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 6:07:02 PM
Ingrge easily avoids the breath aimed his way and having seen how effective his previous spell was sends a duplicate spell on its way, targeting just to the left of #4 (L31). Once again fist sized hail stones rain down upon the skulls this time hitting 12, 4, 3, 11, 15, 8, & 7 as each recieves 22 points of damage.
No save. Spell resistance 26
Milo (AC 30, 31 vs. #2; hp 57/78) d20+20=32 d20+20=36 d20+15=28 d4+4=8 d4+4=6 d4+4=7 2d6(6+6)=12 2d6(2+6)=8 2d6(5+1)=6 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 8:03:11 PM
Adjusting slightly away from skull 2, Milo clicks his heels and batters away at skull 1. (OOC: Hit ACs 32, 36, and 28 for 20, 14, and 13 hit points of damage respectively. Total of 47 hit points of damage. Five-foot stepped to R29.)
Brother Bertram AC28 68/84 HP d20+12=30 d20+12=26 d20+7=23 d10+10=18 d10+10=16 d10+10=20 2d6(2+4)=6 2d6(2+1)=3 2d6(5+6)=11 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 8:20:57 PM
Bertram dodges the fiery breath with ease and decides to try his axe. Swinging it with all of his strength he aims for the creature that dared to come within reach.(#15) He then launches a full attack on the other creature, trying to destroy it immediately(#16). (OOC Hits: AC 30-Damage 18, 24 if chaotic evil(#15) AC 26-Damage 16, 19 if chaotic evil(#16) AC 23-Damage 20, 31 if chaotic evil(#16) If creatures are indeed undead-axe has a permanent disrupt undead thrown upon it at 9th level-Will save against level or be destroyed-No magic resistance save allowed)
Falin AC 24 HP 58 Shaken d20+15=20 d20+10=19 d20+15=23 d8+2=4 d8+2=4 d8+2=8 Thursday October 13th, 2005 12:51:35 AM
Falin continues to fire on the swarm.
This time he targets #15 to help out Bertram. If #15 falls he will target #16 as well. If #16 is down then he will continue with #5, #6, and #1.
AC 20 DMG 4 AC 19 DMG 4 AC 23 DMG 8
Gunther (AC28 30 vs. Evil, HP83/83) Frightened, Hide from Undead, Protection from Evil d20+11=12 d20+6=7 d20+11=19 d20+3=11 d20+4=17 Thursday October 13th, 2005 12:57:25 AM
Thanks to his nice protective armor and his shield, Gunther finds it no problem to avoid the belches. However, the screeches are never rattling (Will=17). Taking a 5 foot step (O35), he closes with skull #8 and lays into it. But between his shaking hands and his knocking knees, the warrior has a very hard time of it (AC12, 7, 19, 11).
Combat Round 3 - DM Donna d20+7=24 d20+17=30 d10+6=11 d20+10=13 d20+10=21 d20+10=27 9d4(1+1+2+1+4+1+2+4+2)=18 3d6(6+6+6)=18 d20+10=18 d20+10=15 d20+10=27 Thursday October 13th, 2005 2:21:10 AM
Lian is now Large and prepared for combat.
Figment's Cone of Cold dishes out major damage: Skulls 5, 6 and 9 shatter into pieces, their bits of bone spraying Milo, Bertram, K'Nara and even the invisible-to-undead Lian with the calcified shrapnel.
Milo's attacks upon Skull 1 defeat that particular creature as well.
Ingrge's spell slams into the flying undead, doing a lot of damage to them--but they are all still flying.
Brother Bertram's attacks on Skull 16 polish off the thing--between the icy magic and the goodness of the cleric attacking it, the Skull bursts into dust.
Two of Falin's arrows hit Skull 15, but it's still bobbing insanely about in the air.
Gunther's fright effects his aim--none of his blows lands on Skull 8.
K'Nara charges Skull 10, hitting AC30 for 11hpd...and finds that Lucia's flames don't seem to be effecting the dog-like skull at all. She is now at U34.
Skull 2 closes with Milo and, again, opts to bite at the halfling, missing with a hit to AC13.
Skull 3 turns and aims a Fiery Scream attack at Milo, missing with only a hit to AC21. However, Milo must make a Will save vs. DC20 or become Shaken.
Skull 7 takes a 5-foot step to M35 and then--along with Skull 8--launches a Fiery Scream attack at Gunther, Ingrge, Falin & Figment. The screams hit AC27, doing 18hp sonic damage and 18hp fire damage (Reflex save vs. DC21 for 9hp fire damage). All intended targets must still make a Will save versus DC20 or become Shaken, Frightened or Panicked (penalties to Will Saves and combat rolls get worse in increments of 2.)
Skull 10 uses its own Fiery Scream attack on K'Nara, Figment and Falin, its sonic and fire energy going awry and missing all three (OOC: only hits AC18.) However, because they are the intended targets of the attack, all three must make a Will Save vs. DC20 to avoid another -2 penalty to their subsequent Will Saves & combat rolls.
Skulls 15 and 16 try biting Brother Bertram again. Both sets of unholy jaws snap on air (OOC: one hit AC15 and the other AC27.)
The rest of the skulls aren't attacking, but moving about on the battlefield, obviously jockeying for a better position to attack for the next round.
Lian (AC 33, 53 hps) d20+16=31 d20+16=32 d20+16=33 d20+13=29 3d8(5+4+7)+5=21 3d8(1+7+8)+5=21 3d8(3+2+6)+5=16 3d8(3+5+2)+5=15 Thursday October 13th, 2005 3:13:45 AM
Active Spells: Enlarge Tattoo [large, -1 AC, -2dex, +10 reach](54secs)
Stunning Attacks: 8/12 used Enlarge Tat: 3/3 Bull's Str Tat: 2/2
Prepared Spells: Guidance, Create Water Divine Favor
The monk steps to p26 and flanks Skull 2 with Milo. (reach 10 feet, hits AC 31, 32, 33 and 29 for 21, 21, 16 and 15 damage, counts as magical) He will split his attacks if possible.
[No longer hidden from undead.]
Figment: AC 15: HP:36/63: prot. evil (11 minutes) d20+9=21 d20+9=26 13d6(1+6+4+2+3+2+6+5+3+2+2+2+4)=42 d20+13=28 d20+9=25 d20+6=24 Thursday October 13th, 2005 5:44:33 PM
will DC 21 DC 25 & DC 26 last round and this round(no longer shaken?) Reflex DC 24
Wincing from the sonic and fiery breath, Figment sees the skulls spreading out and looks to see where he can do the most damage with another spell and spots one careless group and sends a pellet of ice zipping toward K7 where it explodes into a 10 ft radius burst of ice causing 42 points of damage to skull 7, 4, 11, & 12.
Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
DC 25 save for 21 points each Spell resistance 28
Ingrge: AC 33: HP:100 Boots of speed, spell resistance 18% d20+18=24 Thursday October 13th, 2005 5:59:05 PM
Dodging the firey sonic breath and ignoring the beasts' scariness Will DC 24, Ingrge rips off 2 patches (free action) from his robe (seal of fire resistance - all party members resist 1d6 fire damage for 3 rounds) and seal of evasion - everyone gets evasion bonus of +1 to AC for 3 rounds).
Looking around he sees Figment get staggered by the skulls attack Ingrge moves to L32 and points his staff at his compatriot, and suddenly Figment is very blurry and hard to place exactly.(displacement - 50 % miss chance on all attacks)
Milo (AC 30, 31 vs. #2; hp 57/78) d20+20=34 d20+20=33 d20+15=31 d4+4=5 d4+4=6 d4+4=5 2d6(3+6)=9 2d6(2+1)=3 2d6(3+3)=6 Thursday October 13th, 2005 10:48:12 PM
Milo turns, and clicking his heels, launches a new flurry of attacks at skull 2. (OOC: Milo hits AC 34, 33, and 31 for 14, 9, and 11 hit points of damage respectively. Total of 34 hit points of damage.)
Gunther (AC28 30 vs. Evil, HP83/83) Panicked, Hide from Undead, Protection from Evil d20+2=18 Thursday October 13th, 2005 11:22:18 PM
Gunther covers his ears as the screams cut through to his very soul (Will=18). "Dey see me...de see me..." he whimpers as he begins to backpedal away from the unholy skulls.
Combat Round 4 - DM Donna d20+7=20 d20+15=26 d20+11=22 d10+6=13 d10+6=8 d20+10=15 d20+10=19 d20+10=19 d20+10=11 d20+10=14 d20+10=29 2d6(4+4)+8=16 d6=3 d6=6 d20+10=28 9d4(2+3+3+2+2+1+4+3+4)=24 3d6(4+4+4)=12 d20+10=21 Friday October 14th, 2005 12:02:53 AM
Lian's attacks on Skull #2--in concert with Milo's--pulverize the massive canine skull, pounding the bone into dust between the large elf and small halfling.
Figment's sphere explodes amidst the skulls attempting to circle around the Talons. Numbers 4 and 7 shatter into pieces, and Numbers 11 and 12 are not looking too good, either. (OOC: none of the group saved versus the freezing sphere.)
Everybody in the party now has 1d6 Fire Resistance for the next three rounds, as well as a +1 AC bonus.
Ingrge casts the Blur spell on Figment, who will have only a 50% chance of any successful physical attack hitting him.
Gunther backpedals away from the skulls that seem to have a bead on him, ending up at R34 (OOC: as per the player.)
K'Nara turns the full fury of her attacks onto Skull 10, striking it twice for 13hpd and 8hpd.
Skulls 4 and 8 howl out their Fiery Screams, targeting Ingrge and Falin. They both miss (hitting AC15), but their attacks mean both Ingrge and Falin must each roll two Will Saves vs. DC20 or be subject to progressive states of terror (-2 to Will Saves & combat rolls per state {Shaken, Frightened, & Panicked}.)
Skull 7 blasts everyone in front of it with its Fiery Scream, engulfing Ingrge, Falin, Figment and the retreating Gunther in its range. It hits AC19, which misses everyone, but prompts another Will Save for everyone named (as per the instructions above.)
Skulls 3, 15 and 16 gang up on Bertram, with #3 launching its own Fiery Scream at the cleric. The energy attacks miss (the blast only hits AC19), but Bertram must roll a Will Save as per the instructions above. 15 and 16 still try to put the bite on the dwarf, but AC11 and AC14 are not good enough to hit the well-armored priest.
Skull 10 snaps its oversized jaws in K'Nara's direction, managing to latch onto her right forearm just above the decorative bracer given to her by Gunther! The empty eyesockets of the undead flare in triumph as its heated mandibles rend her arm for 16hpd. (There was 3hpd fire damage as well, but Ingrge's Seal nullifies the unholy flame with a roll of 6 on the die.)
Skull 13 takes a 5-foot step and howls its Fiery Scream at Falin and Ingrge, hitting AC28 for 24hp sonic damage, 12hp fire damage and prompting both elves to make yet another Will Save as per the instructions above.
Skull 14 takes a 5-foot step and unleashes another Fiery Scream, intending to hit Figment, Falin and Ingrge, unaware that poor Gunther is also in its path of flaming horror! The skull hits AC21, missing everyone with its energy attacks, but (again) everyone named must make another Will Save as per the instructions above.
The rest of the skulls move into new positions--the Talons are virtually surrounded by the nasty undead now!
Falin d20+2=15 d20+5=6 d20=11 d20=10 d20-2=8 d20-2=3 d20-2=10 d20+3=16 Friday October 14th, 2005 1:15:35 AM
(OOC: Round 3) Falin is hit by three sonic atacks with one of them causing damage (OOC: 36 HP with a failed reflex of 6). He then become frightened beyond all belief (OOC three failed Will saves 15, 11, 10).
Falin colapses to the ground in a jibbering mess.
(OOC: Round 4) Falin is hit with 5 more attacks with one of them causing damage. (36 HP of damage with a failed reflex save 16)
Falin slumps to the ground. No longer wimpering.
Brother Bertram d20+14=15 d20+10=28 d10+10=15 2d6(4+2)=6 d20+7=21 2d6(2+3)=5 d10+10=19 Friday October 14th, 2005 4:12:21 AM
Bertram feels the fear of the creatures taking over, sapping his will to live. He bites his lip and continues to attack half-heartedly. He makes two good swings despite his fear, and prays its enough.
(OOC Donna Earlier you said I killed 16, He is still swatting at me. Just clarify please, thanks! Hits AC 28 Damage 15, 21 if Chaotic Evil Hits AC 21 Damage 19, 24 if Chaotic Evil Also Disrupt Undead spell in effect on the Axe)
DM OOC: I just reviewed the previous round and you're correct--#16 was killed then, and shouldn't be attacking this round. (Apparently I had forgotten to remove 16 from the combat map earlier.) Please ignore the effects attributed to #16. Reassign Bert's attacks as well.
Lian (AC 33+1, 53 hps) d20+12=26 d20+7=15 3d8(6+6+4)+5=21 3d8(1+2+2)+5=10 Friday October 14th, 2005 6:56:14 AM
Active Spells: Enlarge Tattoo [large, -1 AC, -2dex, +10 reach](48secs)
Everybody in the party now has 1d6 Fire Resistance for the next three rounds, as well as a +1 AC bonus.
Stunning Attacks: 8/12 used Enlarge Tat: 3/3 Bull's Str Tat: 2/2
Prepared Spells: Guidance, Create Water Divine Favor
The monk moves to within reach of Skull 15 (moves to p29). Then attacks Skull 15. (AC 26 and 15 for 21 and 10 damage)[He will split his attacks if necessary.]
DM Donna OOC d20+10=14 d20+10=26 Friday October 14th, 2005 9:50:24 PM
Two things:
Falin, did you remember to reduce the damage suffered by one d6 (Ingrge's Seal of Fire Resistance)? Or using any Hero Points to reroll one (or more) of those saves?
And my apologies to Ingrge--he isn't subject to the attacks listed in my Combat Round 4 post, because he'd moved and I forgot to move him on the map. Instead, Ingrge is subject to two AoO's by Skulls 7 and 8 as he must move between them to get to square L32. Those AoO's are two Fiery Screams that hit AC14 and AC26--both of them miss, as Ingrge's AC is apparently 33(?)
Ingrge, of course, is now at L32 on the map.
Gunther (AC28 30 vs. Evil, HP83/83) Panicked, Hide from Undead, Protection from Evil d20+2=21 d20+2=21 2d8(3+3)+3=9 Friday October 14th, 2005 11:37:03 PM
Sweat rolling down his face, his eyes wide with terror, Gunther cowers as the skulls scream at him again. But the result is quite different this go round. Though his arms shake so bad that he can barely keep a hold of his sword, Gunther looks oddly unaffected by the latest attack (Wills=21,21). Spotting the fall of Falin, Gunther goes to his side (5 foot step to R35). Whispering "Heilen", Gunther reaches out and sends the healing magic from his tattoo into the archer's tattered body 9hp healed.
Lian Saturday October 15th, 2005 7:38:18 AM
OOC: Doh!
Milo (AC 31, 32 vs. #15; hp 57/78) d20+20=26 d20+20=37 d20+15=30 d4+4=6 d4+4=5 d4+4=7 2d6(3+5)=8 2d6(6+6)=12 2d6(1+5)=6 Saturday October 15th, 2005 1:53:49 PM
Clicking his heels, Milo steps toward skull 15 and hammers away at the foul undead creature with his holy short sword. (OOC: 5-foot step to Q30 and hit ACs 26, 37, and 30 for 14, 17, 13 hit points of damage respectively. Total 44 hit points damage.)
Figment: AC 15: HP: 36/63: shaken, prot. evil (11 minutes), displaced d20+11=25 d20+11=26 5d4(2+3+1+1+2)+5=14 d20+11=27 Saturday October 15th, 2005 2:21:19 PM
Umm can I assume that the skulls physical attacks missed Figment's ac15?)
(Using 2 hero points 1 for each will roll)
Shaking off the the screams and the fear, Figment moves 25 ft to V30 and sends a string of five magic missiles streaking at skull # 11 (14 points) Spell resistance 27
Ingrge: AC 30: HP:100 Boots of speed, spell resistance 18% d20+16=32 d20+16=31 d20+19=27 d6+8=12 d20+12=31 d20+12=25 d6+8=14 2d6(6+3)+16=25 2d10(2+7)=9 Saturday October 15th, 2005 2:31:33 PM
Will saves dc 32, 31
Shrugging off the skulls attacks as he runs out of the circle. He turns and watches with great sadness as Falin falls Ingrge instantly has his bow in hand (quiver of elhonna) and sends two arrows streaking toward skull number 3. AC 27 for 12 points, AC 31 (crit threat AC 25) for 14 If crit then 25 crit damage and 9 additional icy burst damage
(note new AC of 30 - now that his staff is no longer in hand)
Combat Round 5 - DM Donna 2d8(6+7)+8=21 d20+10=15 d20+10=23 Sunday October 16th, 2005 1:54:04 PM
Falin falls to the roughly carpeted ground. He isn't moving.
Bertram's blows damage Skull 15 severely--Lian's assistance polishes the undead thing off completely.
Gunther's attempt to heal the fallen elven archer is no good--Falin remains lifeless on the ground.
Milo moves but there is no longer a Skull 15 for him to attack, as Bertram's and Lian's attacks have destroyed it.
Figment's Magic Missiles blow Skull 11 out of the sky.
Ingrge's switch to using a bow proves very productive--Skull 3 bursts into a million icy pieces.
K'Nara moves away from Skull 10 in a straight line, stopping at map coordinate U30, then casts a Cure Moderate Wounds spell on Figment (OOC: heals 21hp damage).
"Anyone got a Silence spell?" she yells. "It would cut down on the damage these things do..!"
Skulls 7 and 8 turn their hollow eye sockets Bertram's way, both of them howling their Fiery Screams at the cleric. Neither of their energy attacks actually hit the dwarf though (as their combat rolls only hit ACs 15 and 23). Bertram must still make a Will Save versus the terrifying aspect of their combined howl (DC20 or suffer a penalty of -2 to Will Saves & subsequent combat rolls.)
The other skulls maneuver once more--it is clear that they are now concentrating their efforts on Bertram...maybe even Lian, as well.
Brother Bertram d20+12=31 d20+12=13 d20+12=28 d20+7=25 d10+10=11 d10+10=14 2d6(6+5)=11 2d6(3+5)=8 Sunday October 16th, 2005 3:26:50 PM
Bertram raises his head and looks back at the creatures, clearly back in control of his emotions and he attacks Skull 13 accordingly. He swings are powerful and well-placed. He just prays its enough.
(OOC Hit AC 28 11 damage, 22 if chaotic evil Hit AC 25 14 damage, 22 if chaotic evil Disrupt undead cast on axe, used one hero point)
Ingrge: AC 30: HP:100 Boots of speed, spell resistance 18% d20+19=35 d20+19=30 d20+12=25 3d6(5+6+6)+24=41 Sunday October 16th, 2005 9:44:21 PM
Ingrge pulls three more arrows out of his quiver and sends then racing toward skull number 12.
Ac 35, 30, 25 for total of 41 points damage.
Figment: AC 15: HP: 57/63: shaken, prot. evil (11 minutes), displaced 5d4(1+2+3+4+3)+5=18 d20+11=26 Sunday October 16th, 2005 9:46:48 PM
Figment sighs as he feels the healing rush through him and sends another volley of magic missiles arcing toward skull 10 (18 points damage. SR 26
Milo (AC 31, 32 vs. #10; hp 57/78) d20+20=26 d20+20=25 d20+15=24 d4+4=7 d4+4=7 d4+4=7 2d6(5+2)=7 2d6(4+4)=8 2d6(5+3)=8 Sunday October 16th, 2005 11:22:13 PM
Clicking his heels, Milo steps toward skull 10, and goes to town on the undead critter with his holy short sword. (OOC: 5-foot step to R31 and hit ACs 26, 25, and 24 for 14, 15, and 15 points of damage respectively. Total damage 44 points.)
Lian (AC 33+1, 53 hps) d20+12=31 d20+7=14 3d8(6+8+1)+5=20 3d8(3+8+5)+5=21 Monday October 17th, 2005 2:16:43 AM
Active Spells: Enlarge Tattoo [large, -1 AC, -2dex, +10 reach](42secs)
Everybody in the party now has 1d6 Fire Resistance for the next three rounds, as well as a +1 AC bonus.
Stunning Attacks: 8/12 used Enlarge Tat: 3/3 Bull's Str Tat: 2/2
Prepared Spells: Guidance, Create Water Divine Favor
Lian moves to O31 and attacks #8 and #12. (AC 31 and 14, for 20 and 21 damage)
He prepares for the possible feiry scream.
Gunther (AC29 31 vs. Evil, HP83/83) Panicked, Hide from Undead, Protection from Evil d20+9=10 d20+4=9 d20+9=29 d20+9=16 d20+1=10 2d8(4+5)+16=25 d8+8=14 Monday October 17th, 2005 3:15:45 PM
Pounding his fist against the ground in frustration, Gunther spots the skulls ganging up on Bertram. Though the unholy skulls shake him to the very core of his being, Gunther strides toward the nearest skull and attacks it (5 foot step to R34...attacking 13). But his shaking hands only land one blow (AC 29/16 25dam if crit. 14 if not).
Combat Round 6 - DM Donna d20+15=27 d20+11=29 d10+6=8 d10+6=9 d20+10=23 d20+10=14 Tuesday October 18th, 2005 12:14:58 AM
Brother Bertram's blows (and Gunther's as well) conquer Skull 13.
Ingre's arrows take out Skull 12.
Figment's missiles and Milo's moves combine to destroy Skull 10.
Lian's fists smack mightily into Skull 8, bursting it into dust (12 is already gone).
K'Nara takes a five-foot step to T32 and lays into Skull 14, striking twice and doing 17hp damage, chopping the bony foe in twain.
Skull 4 takes a five-foot step back and, in concert with the remaining Skull 7, unleashes a Fiery Scream. The combined Screams are aimed at Lian and Bertram, though Milo is also the target of one of the screams. All three of the mentioned Talons easily avoid the sonic and fire damage. All three must, however, make another Will Save vs. DC20 or suffer a -2 penalty to future Will Saves & combat rolls.
Falin is still dead.
Lian (AC 33+1, 53 hps) d20+21=41 d20+12=23 d20+7=9 3d8(8+2+6)+5=16 Tuesday October 18th, 2005 5:46:53 AM
Active Spells: Enlarge Tattoo [large, -1 AC, -2dex, +10 reach](36secs)
Everybody in the party now has 1d6 Fire Resistance for the next one round left, as well as a +1 AC bonus.
Stunning Attacks: 8/12 used Enlarge Tat: 3/3 Bull's Str Tat: 2/2
Prepared Spells: Guidance, Create Water Divine Favor
Will save 41. Whoa!
Lian moves to P33 and attacks #4. (AC 23 and 9, for 16 damage and miss)
Milo (AC 31, 32 vs. #7; hp 57/78) d20+12=25 d20+20=32 d4+4=6 2d6(5+4)=9 Tuesday October 18th, 2005 9:29:45 AM
Shrugging off the effects of the scream, Milo clicks his heels and rushes skull 7, attacking furiously. (OOC: Made Will save DC 25. Move to N34 and attack skull 7, hitting AC 32 for 15 hit points damage.)
Figment: AC 15: HP: 63/63: shaken, prot. evil (11 minutes), displaced d8+3=7 Tuesday October 18th, 2005 5:56:19 PM
Seeing that the others seem to have the last two skulls in hand, Figment downs one of his cure light wounds potions bringing himself back up to full strength, at least physically.
Ingrge: AC 30: HP:100 Boots of speed, spell resistance 18% d20+19=25 d6+8=12 d20+19=29 d6+8=14 d20+12=16 d6+8=12 Tuesday October 18th, 2005 6:00:19 PM
Ingrge grab several more arrows and sends the first arcing toward skull #4. His second arrow follows fast on the first. The third arrow, which may miss, he sends streaking toward #7.
#1 Ac 25 for 12 points #2 AC 29 for 14 points #3 AC 16 for 12 points
Brother Bertram AC 31 HP 64/87 d20+14=15 d20+12=23 d20+12=25 d20+12=21 d10+10=13 d10+10=15 4d6(4+3+5+5)=17 Tuesday October 18th, 2005 7:22:31 PM
Bertram is barely able to resist the fear rolling over him in a wave but does manage to resist. He cant help but notice the creatures swarming towards Lian and himself and grins at the creatures. His symbol displayed proudly upon his chest, he advances, swinging his axe as he goes. "Come Fiends, find there is nowhere to hide from the combined wrath of Gargul and Domi!" Both swings connect, damaging the creature severely.(#7) (Damage-28, 45 if chaotic evil, disrupt undead on the axe)
Gunther (AC29 31 vs. Evil, HP83/83) Panicked, Hide from Undead, Protection from Evil d20+9=26 d20+4=21 d20+9=22 d20+1=8 d20+9=15 d20+4=5 d8+8=10 2d8(4+8)+16=28 d8+8=13 d8+8=15 Tuesday October 18th, 2005 10:28:58 PM
Feeling more confident after his last attack, Gunther takes a 5 foot step forward (Q34) and engages with #4 (AC26/15 for 28 if crit. 10 if not..AC21 for 13 AC22 for 15). He smiles weakly as he cuts into the skull.
DM Donna Wednesday October 19th, 2005 1:52:28 AM
I've just been reminded of something that has a direct bearing on the battle being fought. I will post the outcome of Round 6 tomorrow.
All Over But the Shoutin' - DM Donna Friday October 21st, 2005 1:16:00 AM
The Talons rally and finally destroy the last two of the undead horrors that had attacked them. K'Nara rushes over to the fallen Falin, kneeling down and looking for a pulse.
"He's alive..." she announces, "...just barely. He needs healing--FAST!"
Lian (AC 33+1, 53 hps) d8+1=7 Friday October 21st, 2005 2:16:01 AM
Active Spells: Enlarge Tattoo [large, -1 AC, -2dex, +10 reach](30secs)
Stunning Attacks: 8/12 used Enlarge Tat: 3/3 Bull's Str Tat: 2/2
Prepared Spells: Guidance, Create Water Divine Favor
Lian retrieves his wand, moves to Falin and hits him with the tip. (Heals 7)
Falin (back from the dead) Friday October 21st, 2005 4:07:28 AM
Falin takes in a deep breath and fills his lungs with sweet life giving air.
"Thanks be to the gods," he looks to Lian, "I am forever in your debt."
He looks over the others and says, "I am in everyones debt."
(OOC: Donna how does the being scared thing work? I had still failed eight of the fear rolls. Didn't know if we were doing nervous twitches or anything :))
Lian Friday October 21st, 2005 7:38:24 AM
The hand of Domi looks at Falin, then smirks and stands up. "If we all get out of this, we'll be lucky."
"There is a strange feeling here. A feeling of loneliness that permiates this place. As if all the Great Gods are missing or obscured by the Darkness."
Milo Friday October 21st, 2005 10:29:00 AM
Unceremoniously sheathing his short sword, Milo looks around for any possible threat that may still be lurking. Once he is satisfied that all is clear for the moment, he breathes a deep sigh of relief, "I'm not sure where we are, but we need to get out."
Ingrge Friday October 21st, 2005 4:30:35 PM
Looking around at the piles of treasure now uncerimoniously dumped on the ground fro the now defunct disks, Ingrge mutters a few words and walks over to Figment for a consultation.
Sound of Silence - DM Donna 2d8(5+2)+8=15 Friday October 21st, 2005 11:26:16 PM
The silence of the area takes hold once more, unnerving in the face of such a battle.
K'Nara casts a Cure Moderate Wounds on Falin (he is now healed for another 15hp.)
"Great..." she frowns, looking at the mounds of gems and jewelry that are no longer being transported by the disks and unseen servants, "...we really ought to get going, but now we have to figure out how we're going to move all that stuff."
(OOC: since the Talons are no longer in a combat situation, the negative aspects on the Will Saves and combat rolls don't really apply anymore, but it would make sense that overcoming the overwhelming horror & fear generated by the unnatural attack would linger...at this point, Falin (and anyone else who didn't make saves during the fight) will at least be VERY jumpy and paranoid.)
Gunther d20+5=6 Saturday October 22nd, 2005 12:08:45 AM
The warrior goes over and pats Bertram on the back as his eyes scan the surrounding area (Spot=nat. 1). "Let's just leave dat stuff and dis place. Ve should get out of her as soon as possible!!"
Lian Monday October 24th, 2005 6:56:32 AM
Disappointed, Lian looks at the loot.
"Well, at least we still have whats in our packs and such. I know I put a fair share of loot in my pockets earlier. Their almost stuffed."
He then begins to look around for a direction to go.
Falin Monday October 24th, 2005 11:23:33 AM
Falin begins to brush the dirt from his pants. "Most appreciative of the zap there K'Nara" he says as she hits him with the spell.
He begins to stretch a bit and look around again. "I hope we never run into that again."
He looks himself over, at the dried blood and such. "We really need to rest. I know I don't have to memorize anything, but I am really feeling low after that encounter and I am still a bit frazzled from it."
Brother Bertram Monday October 24th, 2005 2:26:18 PM
After making sure of that everyone is in reasonable health, Bertram methodically begins taking the largest gems and replacing any inferior or smaller gems in his pack as well as losing any gold. He also works to make sure all magic items are accounted for. "K'nara will that magic bag take more of these gems?"
Milo Monday October 24th, 2005 8:27:57 PM
Milo silently assists Bertram, opening up his Haversack to fill every nook and cranny with as much of the most valuable treasure that it will hold.
Ingrge/Figment Monday October 24th, 2005 9:17:36 PM
Ingrge fills the remaining space of his Haversack's compartments with as many gems and jewelry as he can find.
----
Figment turns to the two chests that were brought and casts detect magic on their insides hoping to gat a better sense of what they should take and what should be left behind., ho
Fellow Traveler - DM Donna Monday October 24th, 2005 10:39:18 PM
Figment's idea, while sound, is circumvented by the fact that the chests are both locked.
K'Nara eyes the piles of treasure.
"This was hard-won booty." she points out with a thoughtful frown. "Indeed, 'twould be a shame to have to abandon it to this field."
"Ye don't hafta abandon nuthin', missy." says a voice. Everyone whirls to face the speaker: a wizened old woman sitting at the driver's seat of a small caravan hitched to an equally old draft horse. She could be human--but her wrinkled visage is ferociously ugly enough that she could be goblin or even troll and you couldn't actually be sure about it. Her strawlike white hair, black patch over her left eye and the smoking pipe in one corner of her mouth combine to make an already-odd picture even more bizarre, not to mention the way some of the patches of her oft-mended clothing seem to actually glow in the moonlight. There are runes and sigils carved and painted into the sides of the wooden vehicle, which is a mere thirty feet away from most of the group.
"Who are you, mother, and how did you manage to drive up to us with none of us the wiser..?" K'Nara asks suspiciously. The question causes the elderly female to cackle with robust glee--she obviously finds such a question VERY amusing.
"A herd of splay-footed centaurs could have clopped up this road an' ye'd've been unawares with that pack o' undead nippin' at your heels!" the old lady replies, then bites her index fingernail and spits. "As fer who I be--the folks in Harrowed Moon call me Gypsy Rose. I wander the saferoads of the land in search of those in need of my...services."
"What services would that be, ma'am?" K'Nara asks in a neutral voice.
"Why, fortune-tellin' an' charm-makin', of course!" Gypsy Rose says in a tone that seems to mock K'Nara's intelligence.
"You said that we don't have to abandon our...possessions..?" the leader of the Talons prompted.
"Aye, that I did." the old woman nods as she answers. "Ye have but to pitch camp on the road itself an' ye'll have naught to worry about the foul wanderin' critters of the land. The roadways be safe--ye step off 'em at yer peril."
"Camp on the road? What road?"
"Why, the road I'm on, o' course!" Gypsy Rose stands up and points down. The Talons can now see that there is, indeed a road that her caravan is on--about fifteen or so feet wide. It seems to run roughly northeast/southwest. "Camp on th' road an' regain yer strength. Ye don't even need to set a guard to that glitterin' pile of...stuff. The critters crave blood an' meat--not bits of glass an' metal. Yon piles will be untouched when ye've done restin'."
Gunther Tuesday October 25th, 2005 12:07:13 AM
As his hands continue to shake, Gunther is taken aback by the woman's arrival and her advice. "Uhhhhmmmm...ahhhhh...the road?! Uhhhhhh...I don't know."
Lian d20+10=30 Tuesday October 25th, 2005 7:20:00 AM
[Sense Motive 30, nat 20] Lian isn't convinced that the Talons were being so loud as to not hear an old wagon with a haggered horse pulling it.
Lian doesn't believe the old gypsy. However, he keeps it to himself. "Thanks for the suggestion. How does camping on this road help us with the cargo we carry?"
"Harrowed Moon... don't know if I like the sound of that." The smile fades from the monk's face.
Brother Bertram d20+13=14 d20+13=22 Tuesday October 25th, 2005 6:19:09 PM
Bertram eyes the band with suspicion "But what is to protect it from travelers such as yourself I wonder?" Bertram continues to sort the treasure as his mind races trying to recall anything he can about this Harrowed Moon, Gypsy Rose, anything that would shed light on thier predicament. (OOC after reroll and hero point-rolled a 22 check against knowledge.)
Falin Tuesday October 25th, 2005 6:29:04 PM
Falin jumps at the appearence of the gypsy and eyes her with a bit a bit of suspision. "I don't know if I like the idea of camping on the road if everyone is as quiet as you are."
Milo Tuesday October 25th, 2005 9:35:11 PM
Milo turns calmly to greet Gypsy Rose, smiling, "Greetings my fair lady. After what I've seen tonight, and in the past few days, I'm willing to take something on faith. I also wouldn't mind having my fortune told. Privately of course."
Oral Almanac - DM Donna Wednesday October 26th, 2005 1:11:39 AM
The gypsy woman's face puckered into an even more grotesque mass of scowling wrinkles before she cackled aloud.
"Ye be paranoid..." she stated the obvious, "...good, good! Harrowed Moon ain't kind t' the foolish and dull." Her one good eye fell on Lian.
"The roads be magicked, ye see." Gypsy Rose explained. "Stay on the road, an' ye won't hafta worry 'bout fighting off the undead and the critters. Ye already saw what they can do, an' here it be mid-day! Can ye imagine what they be like at night?"
"It's daytime here, now?" K'Nara gasped, looking up at the lilac moon, she noted that it had moved westward since the Talons had first materialized on the grassy plain.
"Aye." Gypsy Rose said with a nod. "Ye have only three hours b'fore the moon sets and true night descends. Ye can't see yer hand in front o' your face when that happens." Once more the old woman's eye roamed, this time picking out Brother Bertram (who, having never been in this plane of existence before, cannot recall anything even with such a nice Knowledge roll.)
"Ye can s'pose ain't nothin' that can keep baubles 'n' bits out of the hands of thieves...but none o' the critters hereabouts wants naught but food t' feed 'pon...and ain't no livin' thing in Harrowed Moon be stupid enough to roam off the roadways t' get nothin'--even if it be as large as these piles. Once the moon sets, only the truly desperate would brave the roads. Critters still stay offa the roads, but I knowed natives as been scared mindless by the horrors that toe the boundary." Once again, the old gypsy bites her index finger (her other one now) and spits on the ground. "If ye set yer shelters in the middle of the road, ye will come to no harm." Now Gypsy Rose's gaze settled on Milo and she grinned--many of her teeth are missing.
"Ahhhh...I get to ply me trade afore the moon sets..?" she crooned in an almost-pleasant voice. "Gypsy Rose knows all an' sees all...cross me palm with a bit o' silver an' know what destiny you have ahead..."
Lian Wednesday October 26th, 2005 2:05:27 AM
"My apologies to you ma'am." He bows. "Didn't mean to offend. Thanks for the information."
Milo Wednesday October 26th, 2005 11:06:00 PM
Milo smiles and swallows hard as he realizes that he may not actually want to hear what the elderly woman has to say. However, not wanting to look the fool... well afraid anyhow... the halfling steps forward, and fishing around in his purse pulls out a single shining platinum piece. "Will this do?" The halfling places the coin in the woman's hand.
Gunther Thursday October 27th, 2005 12:05:06 AM
The warrior looks down at his shaking hands in disgust. He turns over to K'nara, anxious to have something to do. "Vell, do you vant me to start moving dis stuff over to de road?"
DM Donna Thursday October 27th, 2005 12:08:04 AM
...POST!!!
Falin Thursday October 27th, 2005 1:13:08 AM
Falin walks over to Gunther and helps him move the stuff to the side in the hopes that they will set up camp for the night.
Lian Thursday October 27th, 2005 3:10:45 AM
OOC: Take care of the family Jamie. If you need someone to play Falin, let me know.
Lian begins moving the loot to the road.
Brother Bertram Thursday October 27th, 2005 6:43:57 AM
Bertram moves stuff over to the road with obvious concern regarding these strangers that appeared out of thin air. He will still pick the most choice pieces to place on his person if they never see it again.
Finding Fortune - DM Donna Friday October 28th, 2005 2:35:34 AM
The coin offered by Milo causes the wizened old gypsy's one good eye to bulge. In less than a blink of that eye, it's gone.
"Come, come, o wise one!" Gypsy Rose cackles, leaping from the driver's seat of the caravan with amazing agility for one who looks so aged. "Let us seek the counsel of my crystal ball..."
The fortuneteller moves around to the rear of her little vehicle, throwing open the door and climbing into the cramped confines of the home-on-wheels. Milo's senses swim with input: the clashing, garish colors of the various cloths, rugs and painted trim within--all of which are illuminated by a pair of magically-lit sconces; Gypsy Rose's enthusiastic mutterings mixed with the chittering of a small primate that appears to have the run of the interior; the warm and close atmosphere of the tiny space as well as the scent of herbs and exotic perfumes wafting about.
"Sit ye here, ye who brave the mysteries of Fate." Gypsy Rose pats a bench on one side of the caravan, then swings a table out from the opposite wall, over which she drapes first a tassled cloth of magenta. On this table she carefully places a sizeable crystal orb--one meant for scrying, no doubt.
The old woman sits opposite of Milo, muttering in tongues and weaving her gnarled hands over the surface of the globe. The crystal appears to fill with swirling, silvery-white smoke.
"Part...part ye mists of destiny...reveal to us the nearest danger that would threaten my patron...show us what path he should take to aid in his triumph over adversity..."
The smoke within the globe continues to swirl for a moment before appearing to shrink upon itself, revealing the eerie, lavender-lit landscape outside--and a lone figure ambling aimlessly about it. The perspective of the crystal slowly zooms in on the figure--
--it's Olana...and she looks lost, confused--and alone.
Milo must roll a Spot check versus DC18. Succeeding the check will mean that the halfling realizes that Olana is missing something very important--the Bracelet of Friends that she used to wear on her wrist.
Falin Friday October 28th, 2005 7:29:54 AM
Once the treasure piles are arranged he will be gin to help set up camp for the night.
"I know I am lookig forward to come rest for the evening." Says Falin. "I just hope I can sleep through the nightmares."
"Do you think we should bury as much of the treasure as we can? I know we can't carry it all. " Then a sheepish grin covers his face, "Unless you want to make a donation to the gypsy... Might be nice to have a friend in this unknown land."
Ingrge Friday October 28th, 2005 9:15:55 AM
Sorting moving and checking out the piles of stuff, Ingrge and Figment move as much of it as they can themselves onto the "road"
K'Nara Friday October 28th, 2005 10:41:05 AM
K'Nara opts to assist Gunther, Figment and the others in relocating the piles of treasure.
Gunther d20+5=9 d20+1=21 Friday October 28th, 2005 3:34:15 PM
The warrior smiles sheepishly as K'nara comes over to help, though he keeps his distance. Her actions of late thoroughly confuse him, and he is unsure of how to react when around her. Plus, this place just flat out give him the willies. As he begins hauling loads of treasure over onto the road, Gunther keeps his eyes and ears open for sounds of trouble (Spot=9, Listen=nat. 20).
Milo d20+15=25 Friday October 28th, 2005 8:32:27 PM
Seeing Olana wandering causes Milo's heart to leap up into his throat. Then seeing that she is completely beyond summoning the aid of her friends and fiance, a low growl begins in the halfling's chest, and builds as his fury rises. "Where is she?! How do we find her?!" Milo practically snarls, though he bites his own tongue, not meaning to be rude to the old seeress. Calming himself briefly, "What else can you show me?"
Lian Friday October 28th, 2005 9:21:05 PM
The monk meditates as the others sit with Rose.
Trading Places - DM Donna Friday October 28th, 2005 11:58:05 PM
Upon hearing Milo's outcry, K'Nara goes over to the caravan.
"Need help..?" she asks, then her hazel eyes widen at the sight of Olana within the crystal ball.
"Seems like the lass may be needin' help, aye..." Gypsy Rose nods at the leader of the Talons.
"Figment! Ingrge! Over here--NOW!!!" K'Nara barks, summoning the arcane spellcasters. "Olana's in trouble...we need to figure out how to help her!"
"The crystal reveals the uppermost challenge to yer well-bein', me lad." the fortuneteller says to Milo. "Aye...'tis clear that ye have feelin's for the elf, so obviously losin' her would be akin to...losin' yerself. A pity ye not have th' magic to summon her forth, eh..?" The withered woman cackles at her own sense of humor.
Falin Saturday October 29th, 2005 8:03:34 AM
Upon hearing the outcry Falin rushes to where everyone else is and see if there is anything he can do.
Once he figures out this is well out of his league he step back to make room for the more experienced.
Maybe I should start looking at expanding my skill set. In order to be a more useful adition to this team Falin thinks to himself.
Brother Bertram Sunday October 30th, 2005 7:16:39 AM
Bertram steps back from the crowd, realizing that he has no help to offer in this godforsaken realm. He is startled to see Falin's face reflecting his own inner turmoil. Gripping the mage by the arm he squeezes it once, understanding in his eyes. "We will find a way through this, Friend Falin. We will make ourselves useful in some other way. Be strong."
Gunther Monday October 31st, 2005 8:57:26 AM
So much treasure....so...alone??? Gunther watches as first K'nara then Bertram abandons him. He looks around at the spooky surroundings. Was that a skull he heard??? Deciding not to take any chances, Gunther heads over to the back of the wagon. "So, you going to be rich and live happily ever after?" he asks Milo.
Lian Monday October 31st, 2005 8:58:01 AM
OOC: Happy Halloween.
The monk sit quiet, now out of his meditation, he listens to what is being said.
Ingrge / Figment Monday October 31st, 2005 7:36:55 PM
Ingrge and Figment come at K'nara's call.
Ingrge listens to what is going.
"Well I am should be able to locate her through scrying as well as I know her and then perhaps Figment can try to teleport there and back."
Ingrge looks over to Figment for his thoughts.
After pondering a moment Figment nods.
"As Ingrge says that should not be too difficult a set of tasks."
Milo Monday October 31st, 2005 11:18:29 PM
Milo stands as the others rush to see. Looking about at the group, the halfling snarls, "Olana is lost, I have to find her." It is clear that the halfling hopes that the rest of the group feels the same way. Turning to Gunther, "Happily ever after? The day that evil ceases to exist, I'll live happily ever after. That is what it means to be a dragon. Get that into yer head man."
Scrying Time Again - DM Donna Monday October 31st, 2005 11:20:27 PM
K'Nara nods at the words of Ingrge and then Figment.
"Whatever--just do it...it doesn't look like Olana's on a road." Indeed, the elf maid is wandering about through rough grass that comes to mid-shin--no kind of paving in sight.
Brother Bertram Tuesday November 1st, 2005 8:27:54 AM
Bertram winces at Milo's words, and lays a hand on Gunther's arm. "Peace, Friend Gunther", he whispers.
Lian Tuesday November 1st, 2005 4:46:18 PM
The monk just waits with the others.
"Olana is alone. It is clear we must find her."
Ingrge Tuesday November 1st, 2005 4:54:01 PM
Pulling out his large scrying mirror, Ingrge gets to work moments later he is ready to go. Looking over at Milo he raises and eyebrow.
" I suppose you have a lock of her hair or something on you? If so I have need of it. Even though I know her as well as anyone here, every little bit helps."
He waits for Milo to offer up the proffered body part and then motions for Figment to stand behind him.
"Figment, you know best what you will need to be able to get done what you need to get done so focus on what appears and not what I am doing. The rest of you may watch, but there must be no noise and by no means should any of you touch the mirror."
When everyone is ready Ingrge casts his spell and begin the scrying.
Olana gets a will save at -15 vs DC 23. She gets a +5 if she is on another plane of existance.
Milo Tuesday November 1st, 2005 9:34:51 PM
Collapsing, "I don't have a lock of hair or any such thing." Turning to Gunther, "I'm sorry Gunther, that was rude of me." The halfling hops down from the wagon, hoping that someone wiser than himself will know how to solve this problem.
Gunther Tuesday November 1st, 2005 11:24:18 PM
The warrior flinches at Milo's words, but says nothing. He gives Bertram a smile for his comforting words. Then Milo apologizes, but Gunther lays a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It vas only a joke. I didn't now Miss Olana vas in danger or I vould have been more serious. Don't vorry...ve vill find her and soon. De spellcasters, dey are very good. You vill hold her in your arms soon, no doubt." Gunther watches Ingrge and Figment with rapt attention. He had never really watched spellcasters before, and this was intriguing.
Mirror, Mirror - DM Donna d20-4=10 Wednesday November 2nd, 2005 12:42:31 AM
Ingrge casts his spell, with a VERY interested Gypsy Rose looking on...and his mirror clouds up, then the obscuring mists vanish, revealing the same exact vision in the glass as there is in the globe--Olana, wandering a rough grass plain, looking lost.
"Aye, the glass makes for a bigger, clearer picture..." the wizened old woman agrees with a nod of her wiry-haired head, "...will the human mage now go to fetch the damsel? 'Tis not a good idea to leave her alone in the land--a tender morsel she be to the night life..."
Lian Wednesday November 2nd, 2005 2:24:50 AM
"Night life?! Do you mean there are Children of the Night in this place?"
Brother Bertram Wednesday November 2nd, 2005 7:24:02 PM
Bertram listens to Lian and snorts out loud, "Well if those carnivorous skulls from out of nightmare wasn't a sign....." He winks at Lian to show he is jesting and takes inventory of his use to the group. He was cutoff from his Gods, and his spells were failing. Then it was back to the one thing that had not failed him.. He unslings his axe and begins sharpening it carefully, keeping an eye on the groups new 'friends'.
Trading Places 2 - DM Donna Wednesday November 2nd, 2005 9:17:39 PM
Figment frowns as he considers the scene before him--teleportation within an unknown plane is VERY tricky, even with the familiarity of seeing an old friend in the picture. However, the wizard resolutely nods then begins to cast his spell while his colleagues and a very interested Gypsy Rose look on.
POOF!
Figment is no longer with the party.
"Where IS he?" K'Nara demands, noting that Olana is still alone. Before anyone can actually answer the blade singer, though, Figment suddenly appears in the mirror beside Olana. He smiles and speaks to her in greeting, and everyone in the party is dismayed that (1) no noise can be heard from the mirror and (2) the elven female stares blankly at the spellcaster.
"It's like she doesn't know him!" K'Nara gasps.
Indeed, the apathy with which the wizard is received is all too clear. Frowning, Figment's mouth moves and his hands gesture once more.
Both Olana AND Figment are no longer in the mirror. K'Nara turns in place, looking all around.
"Where are they?" she asks, almost frantic. "Where are they???"
POOF!
Olana is suddenly standing in the spot that once held Figment.
Figment, however, is nowhere to be seen.
Gunther d20+5=14 Thursday November 3rd, 2005 12:21:33 AM
Gunther's smile is ear to ear at the arrival of Olana. "You did it Fig... Figment, Figment vhere are you??" Gunther spins on his heels, searching for the spellcaster, whom he expects to arrive at any moment (Spot=14).
Lian Thursday November 3rd, 2005 5:46:58 AM
Lian smiles at Bert. "I mean vampires my dwarven friend."
"Oh my." Says the monk after seeing the results of Figs transport. "Hello Ola.... what's wrong with her?"
Falin Thursday November 3rd, 2005 5:13:58 PM
"Glad to see you back Olana" says Falin as he sets up camp.
Brother Bertram Thursday November 3rd, 2005 10:26:56 PM
Bertram continues sharpening his axe, glad to see Olana back with them, suddenly growing concerned along with everyone, that Figment failed to reappear. He glances over at Gypsy Rose sharply to see if he saw any signs of foul play on her part.
Reunion...of a Sort - DM Donna Thursday November 3rd, 2005 11:01:59 PM
Bert's glare falls upon empty air--Gypsy Rose AND her caravan are gone...though the road is still there.
"Figment?" K'Nara cries, then stamps her foot. "FIGMENTARY, YOU SORRY EXCUSE FOR A WIZARD!!! GET YOUR SKINNY @$$ OVER HERE...NOW!!!"
The human wizard, however, still doesn't appear.
"Olana!" the leader of the Talons then turns to the other female, clasping her slender form in a warm hug. "Olana, what happened...why are you--" K'Nara's questions falter to a stop, as she begins to realize that something is very, very wrong with the elven ranger.
Olana's eyes have a vacant, hollow look to them. They turn to peruse each of the Talons, yet not a glimmer of feeling or recognition sparks in their depths.
Not even when they alight upon Milo.
Gunther Friday November 4th, 2005 12:39:30 AM
Gunther turns to Brother Bertram, distress in his eyes as he whispers to him. "I don't understand vats going on. Vhat is vrong vith her? Is dis some kind of elven problem?" It is clear from Gunther's demeanor that he isn't trying to make light of the situation, but is clearly confused and concerned.
Lian Friday November 4th, 2005 1:58:58 AM
Lian simply shakes his head at the situation.
"Well, is it any wonder she's a vegetable?! Look how many times she's been ripped through the ether! Besides, this place is going to drive us all mad. I'd go flakey too. And on top of it, Fig hasn't reappeared. I think he's going to return in the same condition. If so, we'll have two lumps to drag along with us, on top of the treasure."
The monk shrugs and sit in the middle of the road. "I'm not moving an inch."
Brother Bertram Friday November 4th, 2005 6:56:13 AM
Bertram grabs the large hand of the distraught warrior. "I am not sure Friend Gunther. Be strong though! We will find a way through this. Let me take a look at our friend. Bertram pushes through the gaggle of people around her, roughly when need be." Getting to Olana, Bertram begins checking for pulse, and any signs of awareness. He checked to see if she would blink with sudden movements, snapped his fingers near her ears, anything he could think of desparate to find signs that Olana was ok. Finally, with no other idea what to do, Bertram presses his holy symbol to her chest, praying to Domi for her health and mind to be whole.
Ingrge d20+7=26 d20+18=30 Friday November 4th, 2005 5:06:58 PM
"What?" Ingrge is shocked at what has just occurred and has only registered that Olana has appeared and Figment hasn't. As he puts away his mirror, he can't help but wonder if he somehow was the cause of this mishap. Shaking his head he turns to welcome Olanna back when he is confronted by her blank stare and the others' faces of concern.
"Brother Bertram? Have you any ideas? Ingrge moves closer looking at her in a sllightly of kilter way, almost as if he was trying to do a preliminary identification of a possible magic item and looking for an aura. He is acutely aware of Olanna's disinterest of his perusal and in fact she doesn't even seem to register that he is peering at her so intently. Int roll 26, Knowledge Arcana 30
Falin Friday November 4th, 2005 9:30:00 PM
Looking over the group he begins to look down at his feet. Maybe if I had done things differently things would have turned out for the better. I should have been a better teammate. Falin thinks to himself.
Looking at Olana he tries to think if their is something he can do.
Figuring Things Out - DM Donna Saturday November 5th, 2005 12:32:22 AM
Ingrge ponders heavily, then becomes convinced that Olana has become the victim of a form of Magic Jar spell--her body is here and still alive, but the spirit...the essence that is Olana...is now elsewhere.
Olana's soul has been kidnapped!
K'Nara is becoming rapidly more upset. Olana is looking and blinking at people but not really seeing them--and Figment is now definitely overdue to reappear.
"Tents!" the leader of the Talons demands. "Pitch the tents--CLOSE together--pitch 'em to make one big covered space...none of us is going to be out there alone to give the things here more chances to pluck us off one by one!" She quickly puts her own orders into action, setting up the first tent as fast as she can.
The moon continues to sink inexorably into the horizon and the silence is eerie...
Lian Saturday November 5th, 2005 4:57:50 AM
The monk prepares to sleep.
"I left my bedroll in the Tower." He smiles. "I'm afraid in this place. Can I sleep with K'Nara?" He winks in jest.
Falin Saturday November 5th, 2005 9:55:41 AM
Falin quietly helps pitch the tent and unrolls his bedding.
Most of the night he just sits holding his knees to his chest and rocks, ever so slightly, back and forth.
Brother Bertram Saturday November 5th, 2005 8:15:31 PM
Bertram finds a spot to sit, making himself as comfortable as possible for a long night's vigil, keeping watch for any that would threaten his friends. He holds his holy symbol in one hand, his sharpened axe in the other. He keeps a careful eye on Olana for any signs of awareness, and occasionally would speak to her as if she were there.
Milo Sunday November 6th, 2005 11:12:42 PM
Milo waves his hand in front of Olana's face, hoping beyond hope that she'll come out of it.
Gunther d20+5=25 Monday November 7th, 2005 12:36:02 AM
Gunther quickly obeys K'nara's order. He growls mildly at Lian, but recovers quickly even chuckling a little. If Milo is willing, Gunther prepares an extra cozy space for he and Olana's body near the center of the group. Rolling up his thick animal blanket, Gunther gently places it under the elf's head for a pillow. Then, no longer able to bear her blank stares moves off to the edges of the makeshift camp to keep watch for as long as he can (Whoa...Spot=nat. 20!)
Lian Monday November 7th, 2005 6:56:27 AM
Lian prepares for bed.
Ingrge Monday November 7th, 2005 6:19:05 PM
Everyone, I believe Olanna is the victim of a spell that has seperated her spirit self from her physical self. You Humans might call it your soul. She should be able to follow directions and even fight but she probably can't make any decisions or even stop doing what she is told unless reminded. Basically it will be like she just doesn't care... about anything.
Night Life - DM Donna Monday November 7th, 2005 9:47:03 PM
Lian's comment doesn't even faze K'Nara--a testimony to how upset she is about Olana's condition and Figment's disappearance.
The tents look odd in the middle of the road, and it is even more strange that everyone is within the confines of the canvased area, but the blade singer is insistent. No more of her party members will be lost or injured if she can help it.
At one of the two open ends of the tent, Gunther looks out into the inky darkness that descends when the lavender moon sinks below the horizon. Every once in a while, he can hear the whispers of...things slinking through the grass, but they remain shapeless shadows in the night, illuminated every once in a while by a pair of feral eyes that seem to be to one side or the other of the road upon which the party is camped. None of the mostly-unseen things get any closer than that, however.
K'Nara throws herself onto her bedroll and tries to sleep without much success.
It is a long night, punctuated by the occasional sound of...things slipping through the grass.
Gunther Monday November 7th, 2005 10:28:02 PM
The large warrior trembles slightly at the eyes that peer his way. Though it takes all his might, the warrior tries to keep watch all night, buying his companions some much needed time to rest.
In the morning, the bleary eyed Gunther stumbles into the tent and collapses on the nearest unoccupied space, falling asleep instantly.
Brother Bertram Tuesday November 8th, 2005 4:05:31 AM
After a long night, Bertram too finds some much needed rest as best he can before his companions make a decision about what to do next.
Lian Tuesday November 8th, 2005 7:13:27 AM
The monk meditates for the alotted time and rises for his spell preparation. If asked, he will do a watch.
Prepared Spells: (*Prepared, #Domain) Zero Level(4): Create Water*, Detect Magic**, Guidance* First Level(4): Hide from Undead*, Protection from Evil*, Remove Fear*, Bless Water*, Enlarge Person# Second Level(3): Align Weapon*, Bear's Endurance*, Remove Paralysis*, Bull's Strength#
Ingrge Tuesday November 8th, 2005 8:12:13 PM
Making sure to lead or tell olanna to come into the tent, Ingrge looks around at everyone. Before we go to sleep are there any who still need healing? I have a few potions that can be used. I will alos take the last watch so I can rest and prepare spells for what is to come.
Milo Tuesday November 8th, 2005 9:11:39 PM
Milo assists Ingrge with getting Olana into the tent and hopefully in a state of rest. The halfling is positively beside himself, though his silence is a testimonial to his feeling of helplessness.
Lian Wednesday November 9th, 2005 4:09:22 AM
Sensing the halfling's feelings, Lian approaches Milo. "She'll be fine my friend."
Prepared Spells: (*Prepared, #Domain) Zero Level(4): Create Water*, Detect Magic**, Guidance* First Level(4): Hide from Undead*, Protection from Evil*, Remove Fear*, Bless Water*, Enlarge Person# Second Level(3): Align Weapon*, Bear's Endurance*, Remove Paralysis*, Bull's Strength#
Falin Wednesday November 9th, 2005 7:53:34 AM
Falin awakes in the morning with dark circles under his eyes. Having not gotten much sleep through te evening. Seems every time the wind blew or something could be heard just off the path he awoke in a cold sweat just on the verge of screaming.
Seems this last attack has taken quite a tole on poor Falin, but nothing compares to Olana's current plight. He can only imagine what she might be going through and poor Milo.
Safe Road - DM Donna Wednesday November 9th, 2005 11:20:27 AM
K'Nara's paranoia has people taking their watches at either end of the canvas longhouse that was erected to shelter the group. As per the words of Gypsy Rose, even though those watching clearly heard...things slipping through the rough grass (and even spotted the occasional set of glowing eyes at short distance), nothing seen or heard came any closer to the tents than that.
Still, none of the Talons got much sleep with the sole exception of Olana, who--once K'Nara told her to take a nap--slept (dare I say it?) like the dead. K'Nara (when she wasn't on watch herself) seems to meditate in a way that mimics Ingrge when he seeks his rest between adventures.
Though its light is by no means bright, it is very evident when the moon rises, for some light is clearly better than none at all. Once the lavender luminescence washes over the lonely landscape, the leader of the Talons leaps to her feet.
"Break camp!" she barks. "We're getting the heck out of here and find some kind of reasonably secure settlement or something!" The tall redhead helps to direct Olana out of the way and break down the tents that the Talons were using.
Once that is done, all eyes turn to the piles of treasure that line the road. There's a fortune in gems and jewels here and the party is understandably loathe to leave it.
"Let's see if my meditation worked." K'Nara says with a grimace, then begins to cast. First one...then two...then, eventually, four of the unseen servants that Figment had conjured to aid the party earlier await command.
"I would have picked the discs, but I know that my discs would not have held as much nor lasted as long." the human blade singer explains to Ingrge. "If you can conjure the number of discs required, these servants can help move them along..."
DM OOC: the group barely got the rest needed to replenish spells, but your spellcaster PCs have been able to "recharge." They can rearrange whatever they happen to have memorized to fit the current situation.
I forgot to post before going to bed last night (sorry!)...so I will post later today (at least twelve hours from this post) to make up for it.
Brother Bertram Wednesday November 9th, 2005 7:34:48 PM
Bertram wearily shoulders his heavy pack and prepares to journey along this 'road'. He is tired,irritable, but mainly worried, and it shows in his manner. He tries to put a smile on but it is easily seen through.
Ingrge Wednesday November 9th, 2005 10:51:45 PM
I can certainly cast the spells but we will have the same problem tonight when the disks disappear. It just almost seems like a waste of spells if we get into combat.
Gunther d20+5=8 Wednesday November 9th, 2005 11:23:48 PM
Gunther slowly peels open his bleary eyes as K'nara barks for everyone to get up. Mumbling incoherently, he shoves his head back under his makeshift pillow of his hide armor and manages to catch a few more minutes of sleep before the tents start coming down around him. Yawning and stretching, Gunther finally emerges and diligently begins to don his armor. As he helps break the makeshift camp, Gunther whispers to Bertram "I don't understand how she alvays gets up so early. Ve're going to have to vork on dat ven ve share a room. Personally, I like to sleep in a little late."
Gunther smiles goofily as K'nara proclaims success at her spellcasting. He enthusiastically claps his hands. He looks over at Milo and Olana and caps his gusto. "Now ve just need to find vere dis road leads..." he says solemly as he peers out into the freakish landscape (Spot=8).
Taking It With You When You Go - DM Donna Wednesday November 9th, 2005 11:44:45 PM
K'Nara either doesn't hear Gunther or she ignores him--it's hard to say as there IS a lot of work to do to break down the tents.
"We found out that we don't have to fight the...things that live around here if we stick to the road." K'Nara points out to Ingrge. "So I don't think that using seven low-level spells is going to put a cramp in our combat style."
Lian Thursday November 10th, 2005 2:10:24 AM
The monk helps pack up.
Falin Thursday November 10th, 2005 2:10:00 PM
Looking around at the party Falin suddenly feels a complex mixture of feelings. He is happy about the arrival of Olana, but saddened by her current state and by the loss of a party member.
He is very frustrated with himself for having become so scared during the last battle and then falling.
He is worried about the lack of contact with the gods.
Mostly he is mad at himself for seeming to fail the group and he doubles his efforts in breaking camp to somehow try to make up for it.
Trying to lighten the mood he says, "At least we don't have to worry about the sun beating down on us while we travel." Although their is a hint of fear in the tone of his voice.
Gunther Thursday November 10th, 2005 3:18:43 PM
The warrior watches the exchange between K'nara and Ingrge with mild boredom. Magic wasn't really something he understood much. Using his pinkie, he picks a random piece of food out of his teeth and notes the rumbling in his stomach. He roots through his backpack and finds some rations. As he munches on the jerky therein, he walks over to Milo and hands him the other ration. "If vat dey say about Miss Olana is true, you probably need to tell her to eat. You should eat too. Ve need you to be strong so ve can heal Miss Olana."
Brother Bertram Thursday November 10th, 2005 8:01:49 PM
Bertram looks about constantly trying to spot any movement around them.
Milo Thursday November 10th, 2005 9:23:09 PM
Nodding in agreement, "Thanks Gunther, you're probably right." Milo takes the food and moving over to Olana, gently begins attempting to feed her, or see if she will eat on her own.
Making the Effort - DM Donna Friday November 11th, 2005 12:33:13 AM
"You could be right, Ingrge..." K'Nara has to admit, "...we could just be hauling this stuff along only to have to abandon it later--but it's stuff that we earned the hard way--I'd rather see us leave because we absolutely HAD to, rather than simply leave it here without at least trying to preserve what we earned."
Everything else is packed up now. All that the Talons really need are the disks that Ingrge had conjured the day before (was it truly only just the day before? It feels to most of the Talons as though it were a LIFETIME ago...) in order for them to at least try to take some of the treasure with them.
Lian Friday November 11th, 2005 2:51:36 AM
The monk suggests hiring on Gypsy Rose for hauling the loot about or keep it until we are ready to leave. It is only a suggestion.
Ingrge Friday November 11th, 2005 7:42:07 AM
Conjuring the seven needed floating disks, Ingrge listens to K'nara. "Oh I don't disagree, I just want to be sure you understand that certain of my other spells won't be available.
Falin Friday November 11th, 2005 8:29:34 AM
"I agree with Lian," says Falin. "If she would be willing to help us for a percentage I think it would be helpful. It would also be helpful to have someone around who knows this land."
Brother Bertram Friday November 11th, 2005 1:52:58 PM
Bertram shakes his head in disagreement with both Lian and Falin. "I dont see how you feel we can trust her. I would sooner lose it than let our guard down with someone of that sort." He shrugs and keeps a lookout, slowly becoming convinced that seeking Dragon status was the biggest mistake that the group had ever made. The group had before this constantly been seeking to help others. They had helped no one since this mad questing business had begun. He hoped this would soon change...or what was the point of it all?
Gunther Friday November 11th, 2005 11:25:04 PM
The warrior listens to the conversation about the loot, not really caring one way or the other. He stamps his foot rather impatiently, very eager to get off this accursed road and somewhere...anywhere else.
On the Road Again - DM Donna Saturday November 12th, 2005 12:48:08 AM
The Talons finish packing up the tents...and then piled up their treasure onto the disks that Ingrge conjured. The unseen servants helped push/pull the disks as the entire group quickly followed the road in the direction that Gypsy Rose had come from.
"It's not that I trust that old gypsy..." K'Nara qualified aloud, "...it's just that we saw that the...things...that were out and about last night did NOT come into the road or otherwise approach the tents. They could have...but they didn't. We'll follow the road until we see where it goes."
Lian Saturday November 12th, 2005 4:54:45 AM
He looks at the group. "Rose may not be a 'good' woman, but I believe her to be straight forward."
"Truthfully, having a guide and transportation will be great. She could be paid 5% of future treasure we earn while we're here in Harrow Moon."
Brother Bertram Saturday November 12th, 2005 5:17:29 AM
Bertram snorts, "Or slit our throats while we sleep and have it all..."
Lian Saturday November 12th, 2005 8:49:26 AM
Lian grins at his sceptical dwarven friend, "That's why we still set watch. That is logical, correct? Secure our assets. Ward them. That sort of thing."
Milo Saturday November 12th, 2005 12:42:45 PM
With somewhat renewed hopefullness, Milo takes the dazed Olana by the hand and leads her as they travel down the road. He takes a position in the middle of the group; unusual for the halfling rogue that is normally at point.
Lian Monday November 14th, 2005 2:03:43 AM
The monk continues to pack the discs or assist with whatever else is going on.
Gunther Monday November 14th, 2005 9:52:15 AM
The warrior works quickly, anxious to get going.
Falin Monday November 14th, 2005 7:54:43 PM
As the group begins to set off Falin looks along the sides of the road with a scared look in his eyes. He has almost been to meet the maker once since they arrived here he doesn't want to do it again.
Long and Winding Road - DM Donna Monday November 14th, 2005 11:12:48 PM
The Talons make their way down the road, mindful of the preternatural silence that hangs over the lilac-lit landscape. Every once in a while a howl or a rattle breaks the silence, and though it is obvious from the very, very faint sounds of them that whatever makes the noise is exceedingly far away, the sudden influx of even those tiny sounds makes everyone (except Olana) jump when they are heard.
"I think I see lights ahead..." K'Nara says suddenly (after almost four hours of walking.)
Indeed, squinting up the pathway, the party can see white/yellow lights--that of torches or lanterns, perhaps. The indication of some more "normal" source of light spurs the group on to an almost double-time pace. Another hour of walking brings the Talons to within visual range of a collection of homey, simple structures--
"It's a village of some kind!" K'Nara announces with some relief.
Lian Monday November 14th, 2005 11:19:52 PM
The monk stops and looks at K'Nara. "Perhaps we *gesturing to Milo and himself* should scout ahead and get a look? Or maybe we won't have much of a choice."
Lian Tuesday November 15th, 2005 9:47:52 PM
Lian waits to see if K'Nara wants them to scout.
Gunther Tuesday November 15th, 2005 10:09:32 PM
Gunther smiles at K'nara's revelation. "Ve should go dere now. I don't like this place." Gunther states simply.
Falin Tuesday November 15th, 2005 10:38:07 PM
"Perhaps we should send someone ahead to check things out. Things haven't boded too well for us so far in this wretched eternal night land." Falin throws out with a bit of an edge at the end.
DM Donna Wednesday November 16th, 2005 1:00:00 AM
Dagnabbit...I waited until midnight Woldian time for everyone to post! POST!!!
Brother Bertram Wednesday November 16th, 2005 4:12:25 AM
Plods along with the others
Milo Wednesday November 16th, 2005 8:52:32 AM
Staying close to Olana, Milo looks around for signs of the residents, and any clues as to their collective identity, "I wonder who lives in this gods forsaken place."
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