DM Bob & Carla Tuesday February 14th, 2006 12:45:13 AM Brahmah sends Toros to gather the Chosen and then explains that regardless of the temptation, the party's resources should be spent on maps or books. Gecktar comes to the conclusion that their enemies may try to outbid them, or steal the map from them should the Chosen of Domi be successful at securing their prize. While Flat-Top stands on guard, Zeoll confides to Ban Maeve that the group has a little over 20,000 with which to enter the auction. The wemic suggests that Winterglade, unknown to Vargas' group, should bid for the party. This could prove difficult for the centaur with a stone carrying a Silence spell under his tongue!
The periapt sells for 12,500 GP. A rare deal for an item that would normally cost 16,000 GP!
"Our next item is a map by Lord Karlton Pobberington-Whyte III. It comes complete with all 17 volumes of "Journye to the Moones". This first edition set comes with the original map http://www.woldiangames.com/maps/wold/wold_map.htm Lord Karlton claimed to have drawn this map whilst floating many miles above the Wold, and that it was consequently the only entirely accurate map of the Wold ever drawn.
Do I have an opening bid?"
A middle aged gnome cloaked in grey calls out "100 GP for the set!" The price eventually rises to 1900 GP.
Going once....going twice..."
Spot vs. 12 Highlight to display spoiler: {to see Bilia, sorceress and party member of the Will of Marteus. Where Bilia is, her sister, the Wizardess Jilia is also likely to be.}
Gecktar d20+3=21 Tuesday February 14th, 2006 3:13:46 AM
<i>"I agree with Zeoll, Winterglade should go for the auction alone. Being the newest, maybe he has not been cataloged as a Chosen yet."</i> says Gecktar.
Looking around he sees Bilia and adds for the Chosen <i>"Bilia is around here, friends, Jilia should not be far..."</i>
Winterglade d20+5=12 Tuesday February 14th, 2006 3:53:24 AM
[Spot 12]
"Hmmph mph mmph!" - says the centaur and rolls his eyes [Sense Motive DC 15 to Highlight to display spoiler: {"Now they are telling Winterglade. So much for the Silence idea."}]. Then he swallows the small stone with some difficulty, praying that the pebble will have less trouble going out that it had going in.
He moves away from the rest of the party, though he strongly suspects that he has been already catalogued as one of the Chosen.
Then he strains his eyes to see if the box of incomplete maps is part of the "Journye to the Moones". If not, then he patiently waits for the box to be put on auction. If so, then he rises his hand and says: "Two thousand gold for the work of old Pobby!"
Brahmah d20+10=14 Tuesday February 14th, 2006 3:57:39 AM
"Agreed. Glade should do the auctioning."
Brahmah then notices a map going up on the block and prods Winterglade to make a bid of 2000gp. "Glade, go, bid. 2000gp." He whispers. "Oh, and no fancy stuff."
(spot 14)
If we can see them, they can see us. He thinks to himself.
Flat-top Tuesday February 14th, 2006 8:24:59 AM
Flat-top bends over as if to pick up something off the floor. But Telling both Zeoll and Winterglade "I only gave you half of my gold. I still have another 10,900gp on me. It is yours to bid with."
Then Flat-top straitens up with a little stone in his fingers, "No wonder, my hoof hurt, Look what I disloge from my shoe??".
Toros d20=2 Tuesday February 14th, 2006 8:36:26 AM
Toros also finally recognizes the importance of this auction, and tries to provide help as much as he could:
"I also have some 5.500 cash handy. Moreover, I can provide a Philter of Disguise Self, so that any of us can change appearance, and join the auction when necessary without being recognized... What do you think of that?"
Toros is so concentrated with the auction that he does not recognize anything else. (low roll for spot check)
Brahmah Tuesday February 14th, 2006 12:02:18 PM
The minotaur looks for a moneylender.
Ban Maeve d20+13=29 Tuesday February 14th, 2006 9:03:47 PM
The wemic is excited by the auction, but knows he can not participate since he gave over his funds to Zeoll for the party's common use. When he notices the wizard from the Will of Marteaus, he tries to regain his composure. "I wonter who else is here?" he murmurs. "I coult skirt around the etges of the crowt and search out others?" he suggests, looking to the leader of the Chosen for approval before taking action.
Zeoll Tuesday February 14th, 2006 11:15:16 PM
Zeoll is too nervous. He does his best to look nonchalant while he waits for the crucial lot to come up for bid.
He thinks Ban's idea is very good. Toros's idea is clever, but make sure no one is watching when you take the potion.
DM Bob and Carla Tuesday February 14th, 2006 11:51:34 PM
Prodded by Brahmah and Gecktar, Winterglade becomes the reluctant representative of the Chosen of Domi at the auction. Alas, magic continues to emanate from the swallowed stone, and radiates from the centaur's core. Complete silence prevails in a 20 ft. radius about the unfortunate. As the auctioneer passes his gaze one last time over the crowd, he catches sight of the cleric's raised hand.
"Sold! For 2000 GP! A first edition set of "Journye to the Moones" All 17 volumes, complete with the rare original map! Sold! To the gentle-taur with the white mane!"
Flat top confides to the group that he can kick in another 10,900 GP and Toros admits he has 5500 GP, bringing the party's reserves closer to 38,000 GP. The liontaur also volunteers a philtre that can effect a change of appearance on the one who imbibes it.
Gecktar mentions he has spotted another member of Vargas' group, and that there are likely others at the auction. Ban Maeve volunteers to reconnoitre the crowd to learn who else might be there from the Taur Isles.
On the horns of a dilemma, Brahmah seeks a money-man. In a shadowy corner of the cave he finds an ill looking character with bad teeth seated in a portable chair with handles sticking out to the front and the back. Two surly looking fellows look on, one leaning against the wall of the cave, the other seated on an upturned wooden crate as the minotaur shows the weapon. "Large, fine craftsmanship, and magicked. I'll give ya 1400 GP for the sword," says the man confined to the chair.
A nervous Zeoll watches as the goblin brings the box labelled Misc. Collection Chorography--Incomplete Charts & Maps and places it on a table near the auctioneer.
"With great risks come great rewards! Here we have a box of incomplete charts and maps. X marks the spot my friends! Unlimited treasure awaits he who can decipher the mysteries of these bits and pieces of parchment. Do I have an opening bid?"
A large cloaked figure partially obscured by a torch raises a thick furred arm in the air. "5000 GP!"
Winterglade Wednesday February 15th, 2006 5:02:24 AM
Winterglade sighs and dismisses the Silence spell. Then he finds himself a surprised owner of the complete set of 17 tomes of the "Journye". He wonders how it came to pass that, when he was examining the books put on auction, he saw the box among the tomes. Maybe the flicker of torchlight deceived his eyes. Well, this money will have to come out of his purse.
No matter. There is an auction to be won. He rises his hand and says: "Six thousand gold, but unlimited treasure better be there as advertised!"
Brahmah Wednesday February 15th, 2006 12:58:33 PM
"Get lost! The sword is worth at least five times that. I'm not stupid or desperate. I'll take no less than 7200gp."
He turns to Glade and prompts him to bid on the maps.
Gecktar d20+3=18 Wednesday February 15th, 2006 3:18:05 PM
Gecktar looks around to see if there is another sign of Vargas team... (OOC spot 18)
Flat-top (AC 22 96/96 HP) d20+6=8 d20+7=16 Wednesday February 15th, 2006 6:27:12 PM
Flat-top is getting into the bidding, "Go! taur Go!".
Flat-top is hoping that they'll throw in the book he was looking at!. He does not see or hear anything but the auctionier.
Spot 8
Listens 16
Ban Maeve d20+13=28 d20=19 Wednesday February 15th, 2006 9:05:58 PM
The wemic ducks his head in acknowledgement of Zeoll's endorsement and proceeds to scout around the edges of the crowd.
Spot=28 Listen=19
Toros Thursday February 16th, 2006 12:25:00 AM
The wemic follows Ban Maeve, unconsciously flexing his claws.
DM Bob & Carla Thursday February 16th, 2006 12:30:37 AM
"Heh! Heh! Heh! I see you know your weapons then!" cackles the ill-looking man in the portable chair. "Magicked times two it is, then!" The money-man rubs his grizzled chin, looking at Brahmah and then the sword in his hand. "6000 GP and not a copper more!" he offers, "I'm not the Catacombs you know!" Suddenly two large club bearing ogres descend on the pair. The porters seem to have disappeared. Pointing at Brahmah's weapon, one of the creatures asks, "how you sneak that in!" The other adds, "give it over! Now!"
The 17 tomes of Lord Karlton along with the rare map of the Wold are carried to the front of the cave where Winterglade can settle his account later, and retrieve the collection he has bought on the party's account. The Silence spell dissipated, the centaur finds his voice and makes a bid on the box of incomplete maps, cheered on by Flat-Top.
"7000...do I have 7000? 7000...8000...9000...10,000!"
The bidding continues. Besides the imposing cloaked figure in the shadows, and the Chosen there are others interested in the box of maps. A tall female half-elf in elegant mithril armour raises her hand. She seems to be bidding for a mixed group of well heeled adventurers. The wizard in the purple cloak who earlier purchased the figurine enters the fray as does a swashbuckling fellow with an outlandish curled moustache and a colourful bird on his shoulder.
"11,000...12,000...13,000...14,000. Do I have 15,000? "
Ban Maeve scouts the perimeter of the crowd, with Toros. Everyone is craning to get a look at the item inspiring the impassioned bidding and whispering speculations. The wemic catches a glimpse of a female centaur. He is pretty sure it is wizardess Jilia, and then she disappears into an alcove of the tunnel. Gecktar listens to the many voices of the excited crowd but hears nothing that piques his curiosity.
Gecktar Thursday February 16th, 2006 3:14:18 AM
Gecktar follows the rythm ofthe auction. It seems it is going too high... Sure there should be some interest in these maps if they are so numerous to bid for it.
They have to know more aboutall those auctioning. Gecktar rapidly casts Detect Evil spell and scan the assembly focusing on the one that bid for the maps.
(OOC previous post Gecktar was looking and not listen, no chance to hear anything in such a hubbub.)
Winterglade Thursday February 16th, 2006 3:58:15 AM
"Fifteen thousand gold pieces! Me shall not be outbid, no!"
"Enough to feed a small village for a year. Char's Temper is flaring all around" - he adds in a somewhat lower tone of voice.
Then he pushes his elbow into Zeoll. "Say, furball? See that party of two-legs over there? Winterglade wonders if they would agree to split the price halfsies? We take our missing part, they take whatever's left? Feeling like flapping that silver tongue of yours a bit?"
Zeoll d20+20=24 Thursday February 16th, 2006 4:31:03 AM
Zeoll is feeling nervous and worried, as well as ineffectual, when Winterglade offers a great idea!
He dashes over to the female two-legger in mithril armor. "Excuse me, fairr miss," he says clearly but quickly. "Would yourr grroup like to split the cost for this lot with my grroup? We pick one from the box, you pick the next two, then we pick one, then you pick two, until they are all divided? Togetherr we'rre surre to win."
Diplomacy 24.
Flat-top (AC 22 96/96 HP) d20+6=8 d20+7=24 Thursday February 16th, 2006 8:23:50 AM
OOC: Spot 8 - Listens 24
Flat-top is into the auction now, his heart beet faster, Untill someone in the Party said that he has seen a female CENTAUR go into an alcove??. "Alone?" he ask.
Flat-top give the rest of his gold to Winterglade telling his to use as much of it as needed.
Slowly Flat-top moves toward one of the alcoves, looking for a female center.
Brahmah Thursday February 16th, 2006 1:01:30 PM
The ogres don't phase him.
Ignoring the brute force, Brahmah continues negotiations. "You MUST be joking! Friends bled because of this sword. The blade is straight and true and the magic is powerful. Not a copper less than 7000gp."
When the brutes finally push the issue the ranger tells them, "Can't you see this isn't being used to rob, harm, maim, mutalate, or kill anyone. Your goblin doormen missed the sword. That's not my fault." He smiles cheerfully at the ogres and continues.
Ban Maeve d20+2=20 d20+13=14 Thursday February 16th, 2006 11:41:31 PM
The wemic slinks around the perimeter of the crowd searching for other taurs.
Search=20 Spot=14
Toros d20+3=22 d20+5=12 Thursday February 16th, 2006 11:44:46 PM
Toros follows Ban Maeve, trying to be as quiet as he can (Move Silently=22). He keeps trys to keep a lookout, but is distracted by the excitement of the auction (Spot=12). His heart beats quickly as the centaur raises the bid.
DM Bob and Carla d20+13=27 d4+6=10 Friday February 17th, 2006 12:29:28 AM Winterglade pushes the bidding higher.
"I have 15,000! Did you hear that! 15,000...what about 16,000?"
Zeoll springs into action when the newest member of the party suggests an alliance with another group in order to outbid the forces evil. The wemic approaches the half-elf in shining armor and uses his diplomatic skills. She is wary, even a little unfriendly at first, but listens to the proposal as does her party mates. A handsome man in unornamented yet exquisitely crafted armour stares long and hard at Domi's child before speaking. "It can be trusted, Gilia." Gilia nods quickly. "We split the cost, and split the goods, but we pick first."
16,000...17,000...18,000...do I have 19,000? 19,000 from the cloaked fellow in the shadows!"
Ban-Maeve, Toros, and Flat-Top fan out around the edge of the crowd looking for their nemesis. As Flat-Top approaches a dark alcove he is nearly bowled over as two female centaurs rapidly exit. They are followed by two mean looking minotaurs. The Chosen confirm that, without a doubt, Vargas' crew are around. The centaurs are Jilia, and Bilia. The ugly looking minotaur with the muscles is the fighter Ivianus, and the big shaggy fellow is the barbarian Hardwen. The females sneer at the three Chosen then brush past them with a horsy laugh. As the minotaurs follow, Ivianus puts a shoulder down and catches Flat-Top in the gut (Hit AC27, for 10 pts. non-lethal dmg) as he passes. The crowd shifts and the path is blocked.
Gecktar focuses his concentration on the cloaked bidder. There is no mystery there. The presence of evil coming from him is palpable.
One of the ogre's reaches out a hand to Brahmah. "Hand it over, pretty boy" he says in slow measured tones. Brahmah Sense Motive Check vs DC 5 Highlight to display spoiler: {to discern that the ogre addressing him has one nerve left, and Brahmah is stepping on it!} The other ogre just grips his club a little tighter.
Gecktar Friday February 17th, 2006 3:06:57 AM
Gecktar also focuses his spell on the party that Zeoll is trying to convince. If they can be trusted, they even could build an alliance to fight Vargas. But before suggesting that to Zeoll he must be sure that they aren't tainted.
Winterglade Friday February 17th, 2006 4:44:57 AM
Winterglade looks around and places the pouch handed to him by Flat-top in the pocket of his pants. The hooves of the centaur play an impatient staccato tune on the floor of the cave. With Flat-top going off in search of females, Brahmah picking fight with the ogres, and the auction reaching culmination Winterglade wishes he could be in three places at the same time.
"Twenty thousand gold pieces for the box of maps!"
Quietly he adds: "Twen-ty thou-sand. Winterglade has never seen that much gold in his life, he didn't. Somebody go fetch these people their common senses, 'cause they must've checked them in with the gobs at the door."
Zeoll d20+20=37 d20+9=16 Friday February 17th, 2006 5:37:15 AM
Zeoll nods at the man. "Trrick is, Two-Leggerrs, me and mine especially need one thing in that box. You can't have that one, okay? But you can make a copy of it if you want. Fairr deal?"
Diplomacy 37 this time!
Zeoll sees Gecktar looking at him (Spot 16 seems good enough to me?), so he casts a Message Cantrip letting him communicate with Winterglade, Gecktar, and Brahmah. He quickly whispers his news to all three.
Flat-top (AC 22 86/96 HP) d20+14=28 d20+10=29 d4+5=9 d4+5=8 d4+5=8 Friday February 17th, 2006 8:03:55 AM
Flat-top stands and lets the females by, when Ivianus shoulder butts him in theguts, "OFFT!" cries Flat-top as he rubs his lower stomack.
Flat-top raises his one hoof(with the speical horse shoe) and scrapes down the minotaur's leg (attack AC 28 - damages 9hp), after scratching Bull head's leg, he takes a little hop (with the other hoof with the special horse shoes), coming down on the same minotaurs foot, Flat-top come down (with his full weight) on his foot (AC 29 critical - damages 8+8=16 hp).
Still rubbing his guts, he miles at both minotaurs, "Gee! for a minute there I though you didn't like me?"
Brahmah (AC 25, Hps 93) Friday February 17th, 2006 12:49:29 PM
The minotaur turns slowly and looks at the ogres from under his brow. "LOOK!" He says with a slightly raised voice. "Would you mean to stop this man from doing his job?" He points to the man bartering with him about the sword.
Turning back to the merchant. "Okay, I need to part company with this sword quick. 6500gp. My final offer! You offered 6000gp a minute ago, what's 500 more?!" He smiles at the man. "NOW I'm desperate." He says, referring to the conversation a minute ago.
Brahmah d20+2=15 d20-2=17 d20-2=10 Friday February 17th, 2006 12:55:22 PM
Sense Motive 15, Diplomacy with ogres 17, Diplomacy with merchant 10
Brahmah adds to the merchant. "I'll need a sales slip please. Gems too if you have them."
Ban Maeve Saturday February 18th, 2006 10:53:45 PM
Ban Maeve grabs hold of his comrad, Flat-Top. "To not get us into trouble, my frient!" The wemic moves in front of the centaur in order that he does not follow Vargas' people. "Let us finish our business here, and then go home. Ban Maeve turns to watch the auction and points a paw at Winterglade, adding "our new frient is holting his own."
Flat-top (AC 22 96/96 HP) Sunday February 19th, 2006 8:18:32 AM
Flat-top watching the minotaurs leaving (with one limping) "I did not start this little bulling action! But my friend, I am A Centaur! and will not take of his bull action. He wanted a reaction and I gave it to HIM!, But your right let's get back to the others."
Flat-top will follow Ban back to the auction, But has the feeling that he has not seen the last of them.
Toros d20+5=20 Sunday February 19th, 2006 11:24:09 PM
Toros watches as the two wemics and the two minotaurs leave. He tries to see if they are joined by any others. (Spot=20) If he sees anyone else, he will tell the others.
DM Bob & Carla Sunday February 19th, 2006 11:38:22 PM
Things get interesting as Zeoll bargains with the other party for first choice from the box of maps. Gecktar discerns no evil in the half-elf or the others from her party. "That sounds reasonable to me" the party's obvious leader replies and looks to her companions for confirmation. "It's a deal then, we split the cost, and you can have first choice, but we can make a copy."
The bidding continues to escalate to dizzying heights, leaving Winterglade to question the sanity of those around him. Flat-top exchanges pleasantries with Vargas' friends and Ban Maeve and Toros watch with satisfaction as the large minotaur hobbles off nursing a sore foot.
Brahmah feels the strong arms of two ogres grab hold of him. A third ogre, somewhat larger and more heavily armored pushes through the crowd. "What goes on here?" he asks loudly, and then he spots the weapon. "Surrender your sword, or leave...now!" he commands the minotaur. "Agreed! 6500 gp for the sword, now surrender it to the guards and I will collect it later" the ill-looking man holds out a pouch to Brahmah.
"Twenty five thousand!" a voice calls from the back.
Gecktar Monday February 20th, 2006 3:55:22 AM
Gecktar now approches Zeoll and the group of adventurers. He bows slightly before the half elven and come close from Zeoll wispering in his ears :
"We should warn them that other auctioning will even ambush them later to get some maps. Maybe allying with them when we get outside will be a good idea. We will be more numerous and not an easy prey for Vargas minions if we can go with them... Maybe you can suggest it to them."
Winterglade Monday February 20th, 2006 4:11:54 AM
The young centaur trots over to Zeoll and the adventuring party he is conversing with. "Salutations. Son of the Windwalker Tribe extends his greetings."
"Winterglade understands we are now bidding for this lot together? Good. How high can we afford to go? I believe me and my fellows have a little over thirty thousand. How much are you ready to spend?"
"Twenty six thousand!" - proclaims Winterglade.
"Sigh. That fellow in the back seems to be just warming up."
Flat-top Monday February 20th, 2006 5:55:00 AM
Flat-top, Ban and Toros more or less trots back to their circle of Friends. Once there, Flat-top over hear the Young Centaur Hail Winterglade's Tribe by name, "Oh! Oh! Bad Move!" he tell his new friends, "It would be a great mistake to let people know of your tribe," Flat-top look around to see if they were over heard. "You see! my friend, We do Domi's bidding. He wants us to unite all the taurs in this wold. To this end WE have a big Reward posted on our heads, that is DEAD or Alive and our enermies would not stop to also punish our families. Let us just call our selves 'Friends' in publick. I'm telling you this because our Enermies are our High Clerics form our Taur Island, Mimotaur Island and Weimic Island. I'll tell you more when we are alone."
Flat-top look around once more, then asking "How are things comming along?"
Zeoll d20+20=27 Monday February 20th, 2006 6:47:54 AM
Zeoll says, "Agrreed!" and offers a hand to seal the deal.
Gecktar has a quiet word while Winterglade goes over the details with the otehr group. Zeoll nods to his friend and moves closer to whisper to the half-elf, "Be warrned, my new comrrade in arrms. We know some of those also bidding, and they arre an evil bunch. Be watchful forr ambush when you leave this place. Orr betterr yet, maybe we could trravel togetherr."
Diplomacy 27
Brahmah Monday February 20th, 2006 10:20:15 AM
Brahmah smiles, "thuds* the sword into the chest of an ogre and grabs the pouch. He looks at the contents and then asks, "I need your information, should something happen to these gems. I've heard of spells that turn rocks to gems then back to rocks." He smiles wide. "You haven't cheated me, have you?!"
Brahmah adds 6500gp in gems to his belongings and wanders back to the group. Moving to Zeoll, and looking happy at his sale, he says, "Got 6500 more, if we need it."
(OOC: I'll annotate that on my PC sheet. I know I got ripped a new one on the value, but oh well. I liked the exchange and the roleplay. :))
Ban Maeve Monday February 20th, 2006 11:02:51 PM
"There is power in numbers," says Ban Maeve as he follows Flat-Top to where the rest of the group is rounding up.
Toros d20+5=18 Tuesday February 21st, 2006 12:40:50 AM
Toros stands behind the others, his bright eyes scanning the crowd. Unconsciously he flexes his claws as he tries to diffuse some of his nervous energy.
Spot=18
DM Bob & Carla Tuesday February 21st, 2006 12:43:52 AM
"A deal is a deal," the ill-looking man answers Brahmah, "no trickery on my part." The ogres disappear carrying the captain's sword before them, and the money-man's bearers return. "Follow that sword, you lazy dogs!" he calls and the porters bear him off in his strange chair. The minotaur seeks out Zeoll, as does Flat-Top followed by Ban Maeve and Toros, who scans the crowd nervously.
The half elven maid shakes the wemic's paw, "I give you my word, and that of my comrades. One of yours will do the bidding?" When Zeoll and Gecktar pass along their warnings, the female looks grave, but the handsome man in armor and the stout dwarf look at each other, and the former smiles as the later gruffly responds, "Just let them try!"
"We can match your 30,000, though it would provoke me to spend as much," the half-elf says to Winterglade, "but there is information in that box that is important to us as well." A frown from the handsome man stops the half-elf from revealing more.
The wizard in purple looks pale, but raises his hand once again.
"27,000 GP...do I have another bid? 28,000 from you, sir, in the shadows....won't you step forward?"
The auctioneer looks at the purple clad magicker, who shakes his head. The swash-buckler with the bird had dropped out when the price had gone over 20,000 GP. The auctioneer tries to catch Gilia's eye, but the half-elf, shakes her head, indicating a negative answer.
"28,000 GP for the this treasure box of dreams and promises! 28,000 GP going once...28,000 GP going twice..."
Gecktar d20+9=26 Tuesday February 21st, 2006 3:29:55 AM "Allow me to introduce myself, Gecktar Cadeqa, servant of Domi. As I understood, we all have great interest in these maps. They are far from costing the price we are negociating. We too have a great interest in some pieces. I was thinking about a collaboration. We help you in your quest claiming nothing but the honor to be on your side, and you help us in our quest with the same agreement. I think our enemies will think twice before ambushing us if we ally. If you have no interest in this collaboration then be warned and do not underestimate them. They have great powers and many allies. Gecktar says to the half elven
Winterglade Tuesday February 21st, 2006 4:32:21 AM
"Your warning is noted, kin. Still, Winterglade is not afraid for his tribe. The Great Plain itself is the ally of the Windwalkers. We are forged out of tougher stuff than most. It would take powerful magic, a small army, and lots of time to seriously harm his people."
"Unite the taurs?" Winterglade's eyes widen in amazement. "Tis be the Brawler's wish and your quest? Mysterious are the ways of the Smith, but this, this -idea- is like mixing fire with water. I never heard of centaurs alone ever being of single mind about anything, no? Winterglade will definitely want to hear more about that later, yes."
Turning back to the auction the centaur smiles with satisfaction. "There might be no need to spend as much as we have. The sole remaining competitor seems to be losing breath."
The centaur grabs the hand of the half-elf. "Come, two-legs. Let us raise both our hands on this bid. Once he sees that we are working together he should lose any dreams of winning and drop out before pushing up the price any more."
"Thirty thousand gold coins!"
Flat-top Tuesday February 21st, 2006 7:59:06 AM
Now Flat-top is into the bidding again, as the Auctionere says "Going Once! - - Going Twice! - - " He holds his beath, "Oh! Come on . . One More Time!! and we got it."
BUT when He hears Winterglade (Who is holding Hands with a two legged Half elf??) Yelling "THIRTY THOUSAND GOLD COINS!!" Flat-top drops another Road Apple....
Flat-top turn to the neadest Oger "I know, where the shouvel??"
Brahmah Tuesday February 21st, 2006 2:24:33 PM
Turns his attention to the auction when he hears Flat-top's voice.
30,000 gold pieces! For a Box of paper. He thinks. Where's Glade. He's supposed to be doing the bidding.
Ban Maeve Tuesday February 21st, 2006 11:42:13 PM
Ban Maeve steps away from his centaur friend, and wrinkles his nose.
Toros Tuesday February 21st, 2006 11:46:31 PM
Toros moves forward in the crowd, anxious to get closer to the stage and collect the box, should the party win it.
DM Bob and Carla Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 12:32:40 AM
Winterglade ups the ante and Flat-Top echoes the bid, but has trouble containing his...surprise. Brahmah, rejoins the party with his pouch of gems and gold, a little confused by the noise and activity.
"SOLD! For 30,000 GP! To the man...er...with the equine physique and the lady with him!"
The auctioneer hands the box marked Misc. Collection Chorography--Incomplete Charts & Maps to a small dark suited individual. Zeoll Highlight to display spoiler: { will recognize the gnome he met earlier in the alcove near the front of the cave.} The crowd parts in front of the group as the box is brought to the Chosen of Domi.
With a bellow of frustration the figure in a long dark cloak pushes its way through the crowd as if in a hurry to get out of the cave. The recognizable figures of Jilia and Bilia, and the two minotaur fighters follow close behind. The forbidding group are soon gone and the crowd reforms after a few cries of "Watch where you're going", "Ill mannered brute!" and "Were you brought up in a barn?"
Gecktar repeats the suggestion that the two parties band together.
Looking to her companions for approval the half-elf nods her head at the taur's suggestion. "For a while...as long as our paths lie in the same direction...yes...we should travel together."
Spot Check DC 5 to noticeHighlight to display spoiler: { each of the members of the party led by the half-elven female wear a blue pin badge with the entwined letters WLA on their breast.} Knowledge Check DC 10 History, Local or other reasonable area to Highlight to display spoiler: { recognize the badge as identification of a member of the Woldian League of Adventurer's, DC 15 Guardsman level of designation!}
A gnome appears before the party, bearing the precious box of maps. "Follow me please, to arrange payment and collection of your items," he announces before taking a path around the crowd.
Winterglade d20+5=20 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 3:56:59 AM
[Spot 20]
A voice full of hurt dignity rises over the ruckus caused by the sudden exit of the other band: "Equine physique? Mighty fine joke coming from someone who's a tail shy of peeling bananas and going ook!"
The centaur follows the gnome and two groups of adventurers with a thoughtful expression on his face. "For a moment Winterglade thought that fellow in the dark was the beholder, shilling his own auction. Good thing he dropped out, Winterglade was almost ready to hit him with Dispel Magic."
"Keep that box tightly in your hands, will you? All it takes to whisk it away is an invisibility spell and nimble fingers."
"Let's find some private, secure place to discuss our next moves, no?"
Gecktar d20+3=14 d20+2=10 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 4:32:19 AM
Gecktar is happy to see that they win the autioning and also that the group they are talking to is from the WLA. He says "As far as I can see, you are from the Woldian League of Adventurers. I think you should know that we are known as the Chosen of Domi. We are on a quest to counter Vargas the dark, henchman of Marteus. I'm pleased to travel with you for a while."
He turns to Wintergale : "Good job friend, go and get back these maps so we can have a glance at them"
Zeoll d20+9=17 d20+6=25 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 5:46:20 AM
Spot 17, Bardic Lore check 25.
Zeoll goes with the gnome, seeing as he has the cash.
[OOC: Was it Gecktar who contributed 20,000? Maybe the easiest solution, cash-wise, is to use 15 of Gecktar's 20 and just owe him the next 15,000 gp the party finds. Sound fair?]
Zeoll notices that the other party seems to be aligned with a noble organization, which puts his mind further at ease.
Flat-top d20+6=16 d20=6 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 7:14:26 AM
After a good clean up, He yells "WHIIINEE Uss!" He does a little Jig Dance of Victory, before he follows the Parties into a place of safty. For some reason (Witch Flat-top cannot understand) every body is in frount of him??
Flat-top ask someone in frount of him, "What is that Blue Badge with W.L.A."
OOC: Spot 16 - Knowledge History 6 (Flat-top was sleeping in school that day)
OOC: Zeoll - You should have gold left over, because Flat-top gave you ALL his gold totaling 16,900gp.)
Brahmah Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 11:56:01 AM
Brahmah holds his head for a moment. "30000." He says stunned. Then he notices the WLA and hears Gecktar.
"The League! I've wanted to join, but have never had the opportunity. Can I ask? I'd like to become a part of you organization." He states. "I have money now." He clatters his pouch of gems happily.
Brahmah Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 11:57:03 AM
"Oh yes, Chosen, these folks do great work for the Wold and in the name of good. We should all join."
Flat-top [Part Two] Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 2:03:41 PM
Flat-top look at the Captain, Asking "Wold? League? of Adventures?, Us Join? What would Domi Say?", with a sock look on his face.
Zeoll Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 7:24:37 PM
Zeoll agrees with Flat-top. "My firrst and only loyalty must lay with ourr sacrred mission back home. I forr one do not think I can join anotherr orrganization."
Ban Maeve d20+13=21 d20+10=30 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 7:58:38 PM "For a while...as long as our paths lie in the same direction...yes...we should travel together."
"Where to your paths lie?" enquires the wemic, jockeying to find a place next to the half-elf.
Falling in step next to Flat-Top he grabs a fistfull of the braids that decorate his thick main. The beads clink together. "Those blue pins, they are like these beats, no? They are a symbol of something...special? Like belonging to a prite or a family." Ban Maeve shakes his tawny head, and smiles his yellow toothed grin, "I to not think Tomi would be so jealous that he woult grutge our captain belonging to a club." Bringing a paw to the side of his face he whispers to his friend, "besites, we neet all the frients we can get!"
Spot=21 Knowledge=30
Toros d20+5=20 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 11:54:31 PM
Toros stays in the rear, guarding the backs of his friends. He takes note of the ogres on guard. (Spot=20)
DM Bob & Carla Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 11:54:55 PM
With a genuine smile at the Chosen's exclamations over their WLA affiliation, the half-elf exclaims, "Oh! I'm sure Domi wouldn't mind. We are sworn to protect the innocent and combat evil wherever we may find it, which seems to be what you are claiming to do as well!" Seriously, she addresses Brahmah, "if you speak true, we can provide you with some elementary instruction, but we are Guardsmen of the league and not yet Officers." The half-elf rubs her finely pointed chin thoughtfully before continuing, "When we finish our business here, we are off to South Harbour to meet with a Commander, before we embark on our next mission. I could put in a word for you?"
Zeoll follows the neatly dressed gnome bearing the box of maps, while the rest of the party follow behind. Tables have been set up where the cave narrows before the weapon check area with some tagged items on display. A complement of ogres guards the items and a dozen large trunks behind the tables. The gnome stacks the box of maps on top of a wooden crate about the same size as the box. "That will be 32,000 GP, 2,000 GP for the collection "Journye to the Moones" and 30,000 GP for the miscellaneous maps. The wemic sorts through the donated funds he has collected from his party in order to make good the 17,000 GP the party owes. The half-elf makes her excuses to Brahmah, and plunks down a pouch made of leather with the question, "you accept platinum?"
When the transaction is completed, the half-elf asks, "Who will carry the maps?" When that job is taken care of, she and her party move to collect their weapons, drawing out their tokens as they approach the goblins in the alcove.
Winterglade Thursday February 23rd, 2006 6:38:40 AM
"Winterglade has his own quest, too. His allegiance, for now, is to the Windwalkers first."
"Winterglade will, uh, need you to borrow him thirteen hundred gold for the Journye. Will give back as soon as he is able."
With some difficlulty the centaur stashes all seventeen tomes in his saddlebags.
"The maps, I can put them in the pocket of my Pants. Hard to get them from there. Winterglade seldom sleeps, and when he does, he sleeps light."
Then he asks quietly: "Unite the Taurs? What exactly do you understand by that?"
Brahmah Thursday February 23rd, 2006 11:03:31 AM
"Protection is the primary goal for both Domi and the WLA. They might make a good source of information too, especially with the war and such. I'm sure the WLA has Taur members that are currently fighting.
I am and always shall be Chosen, however, I think its time for our group to evolve into something and if for no other reason, to give the WLA a chance to know taurs, Domi and his Chosen.
I think ALL of us would bring something to the League."
He looks at the maps. "I'll carry them..."
Gecktar Thursday February 23rd, 2006 12:26:28 PM "I approve you Brahmah, I thing the goals of the Chosen and the WLA are so close that we could easily wear the WLA badge and work for the greatness of Domi and the unification of the taurs at the same time."
"Winterglade, I can give you the 2,000 you need. It is simpliest for me like that. You just get them back to me as soon as you can."
"Zeoll, take my money. The group will owe me the total and I will get it back as soon as we get it."
Flat-top Thursday February 23rd, 2006 4:32:42 PM
"Don't worry, Brother Glade, if you need money, I'm ready to lend you some. Don't worry I tell you all about Domi's Plan later.
I think Captain Brahmah is right, WLA will not interfear with Domi Quest." Flat-top turns to the half elf asking, "You say, Your all going to South Harbour? Can I tag along with you people? Because there's a ship waiting foor us there!" He smiles at the Female Fighter.
Ban Maeve d20+13=14 Thursday February 23rd, 2006 10:19:16 PM
The wemic hands in his token and smiles, showing his sharp yellow teeth to the goblins who guard the weapons. Ban Maeve carefully checks out his equipment to ensure it has not been tampered with.
When he has re-armed himself, he steps out of the cave, and looks about to see if Vargas and his minions are hanging about. (Spot=14)
Zeoll Thursday February 23rd, 2006 11:06:10 PM
Zeoll is very glad to explain to Winterglade especially but also to the WLAers the sacred mission of the Chosen of Domi -- bringing peace and union to the three Taur races.
[OOC: I'd post more, but no time right now. Assume Zeoll tells you what he thinks and I'll post more later, K?]
Toros Thursday February 23rd, 2006 11:44:13 PM
Toros retrieves his weapons, and follows the party listening to the discourse regarding the League. He wonders what might be the benefits of joining with such a group.
DM Bob & Carla Thursday February 23rd, 2006 11:46:29 PM
The Chosen of Domi collect their weapons from where they have been stored and make their way back to their camp where Thadius and Thalpius have kept a small fire going. Half the day has gone by while the party was inside the cave at the auction. It is late afternoon. The sky hangs heavy and grey, and the clouds look swollen with snow. The grounds surrounding the front of the cave are wet and muddy from the many feet that have trampled the campsite. It appears a few groups have already left, but most remain; the tents, wagons, and fires tended by one or two while the rest are inside the cave.
Brahmah and Winterglade share the responsibilities of carrying the maps and books for the group, while Gecktar and Flat-Top show generosity with their purses. Flat-Top and Zeoll promise to explain the party's quest to the newest member of the group, explaining that they have been commissioned by the god himself to overcome the conflicts of their diverse taur races and unite them into one powerful force for good.
The mixed party with whom the Chosen have thrown in their lot follow the taurs to their camp site. Flat-Top volunteers that they, too, plan to return to South Harbour. "Then let us travel that way together. We can strike out tomorrow," announces Gilia, the half elf. "Build up the fire, and set some water to boil," she continues issuing some easy orders. "Bring the maps here and let us see what we have bought!"
No trace of Vargas and his group are seen, much to Ban Maeve's relief as he and Toros keep watch.
Brahmah d20+10=30 d20+10=30 d20+2=19 d20+8=12 Friday February 24th, 2006 9:52:53 AM
The Captain sit in on the map sorting session. He knows a little about maps and geography, but these maps are different. He hovers over the group like a vulture, unsure about this new alliance with the elf and her crew. He pays VERY close attention to the other group. Especially to any humans in the group (most humans are untrustworthy). (Spot 30, Listen 30, Sense Motive 19... +2 vs the humans if there are any... she IS a half-elf :))
Knowledge Geography roll to recognize any maps of importance. (12)
Winterglade Friday February 24th, 2006 11:41:44 AM
Winterglade thanks both Gecktar and Flat-top for offering their help and, to make things simple, borrows 2000 gold from Gecktar and promises to give it back as soon as possible.
When the ship is mentioned his face goes green. "Whoa whoa whoa! Ship? Did anyone say ship? Nobody mentioned a ship to Winterglade before! Do we know already where the map will direct us? Why gamble with your lives if you don't have to?"
When the maps are taken out of the box the centaur invokes Invisibility Purge just to be on the safe side should any of the Vargas's crew hoover around. Then he proceeds to look at the maps over Brahmah's shoulder.
Flat-top Friday February 24th, 2006 6:38:02 PM
Flat-top smiles at Winterglade out burst, "Not to worry Glade! We need a boat to go back to our Island and Home" Flat-top speaks softly when talkind of their Island.
But He goes back to inspecting his weapons, to see if they are tampered with or dented in any wat.
Zeoll Friday February 24th, 2006 11:33:34 PM
When there are a few minutes to spare, this is what Zeoll tells the WLAers and Winterglade, as well as any of his fellow Chosen who wish to hear the tale again.
"In the beginning of ourr adventurres, we werre taught by the god known as Tomi, Imod, and Domi. This is what he said to us, as we listened to him on the newly crreated sacrred Island of Brridges to which he had brrought us."
"My dear children," the liontaur's voice is deeper, and his accent fades away as he echoes the words spoken by a god, "You are standing in the midst of the island that will serve as headquarters to you -- my chosen ones. This island will serve as a physical confirmation of the bridge you all will be the living embodiment of ... the bridge between all Taurs.
"Once upon a time, I sought to create the ultimate warrior race -- one skilled in all aspects of war. Thus was born the Taur. I do not possess omniscience, however, but immortal power. I did not realize that the different perceptions of combat could fracture my vision of one perfect warrior into many different warriors ... thus was born the Minotaur, the Centaur ... and the Lion-taur, whom is called Wemic."
"My Heart was torn asunder because I thought I had caused irrepairable damage to the Taur, weakening that perfect warrior race ... but you have shown me that I did not weaken the Taur, but made the Taur stronger through diversity. Now it is up to you to prove that all three aspects of Taur can unite in spite of their differences ... that all three make up a nigh-unbeatable force for good in the Wold."
"Bridge Island is to be your stronghold to keep and protect, as you are the first of the separate parts of Taur to begin realizing your true potential."
Zeoll's voice returns to normal, and he says, "Then we asked the god of courrage how we would accomplish this mission, and he said that should follow ourr conscience and do ourr best, togetherr."
Zeoll does not mention in front of the the non-Taurs the sadness that he feels -- because of course, the Chosen did not keep and protect the stronghold that was given by Domi. But at least the group has kept safe both the Heart of Domi and the Children that are the group's hope for the future.
"Kenisha, Solgrin, and Kanchana will take good care of the little ones," Zeoll thinks to himself.
Flat-top Saturday February 25th, 2006 8:35:23 AM
"What Zeoll told you is all true." Flat-top now has a faraway look is his eyes, "I can still see his face, hear his voice. As he talk to us..." The centaur turn to Captain Brahmah, telling the leader, "You find that half map, that you think we are after, show it to us older Children of Domi! And we'll tell you if your right! I'll know every inch of that Home Island, and a few screcret places that you will never think exested!"
Gecktar Sunday February 26th, 2006 5:05:16 PM
Gecktar listen with pleasure to Zeoll remembering the begining of their quest. Even if he wasn't here at the begining, it's been a long time now since he is a Chosen.
He help prepare the camp and while other are looking at the maps prepare the meal.
Toros d20+5=10 d20+9=13 Sunday February 26th, 2006 9:36:13 PM
Toros stands guard, scanning the encampment. He has his back to the group, but he is able to hear Zeoll's recounting of their mission. With muscled arms crossed over his chest, he nods his head in agreement of what the bard says.
Spot=10 Listen=13
Ban Maeve Sunday February 26th, 2006 9:38:39 PM
When Ban Maeve is satisfied that the group is not being spied on, he looks over Brahmah's shoulder to see if the piece of map they seek is in the box.
DM Bob and Carla Monday February 27th, 2006 12:23:44 AM
The mixed party led by the half-elf listen, entranced, by Zeoll's tale. Everyone is silent for a moment. Winterglade weaves a spell and Toros and Ban Maeve keep watch. Flat-Top inspects his weapons. Brahmah begins the task of sifting through the box. There are about a dozen individual pieces of parchments. Many of them show lands unfamiliar to the taurs. Two show the layout of different castles including the dungeons underneath. The half-elf cries out when a very detailed and heavily inked map is revealed. The writing is elvish. (Those who read/understand Elvish Highlight to display spoiler: {The Crystal Forests of Koshe Marr})
When the half-elf removes the dark map, another is revealed underneath. It is faded and worn, however the tauric inscription about the edge is still legible, in places, though incomplete where the map has been torn
...strides to the edge of the sea-cliff. At dusk birds tell the story in darkening boughs...ridden for days to find the rock...flashes in sunset...red waves recall the blaze of that great forge where old gods are smelted down and new ones raised...he can wield the sword until the end...slash the sky in fury, scorch in afternoon...
Winterglade Monday February 27th, 2006 5:08:54 AM
The young centaur is silent for quite a while. When he finally speaks, it is in Old Tauric.
"Unite the three Taur races, eh?... Winterglade recalls from history only two reasons that can bring together several races filled with distrust. One is gold, gems, and trade, but Winterglade doesn't see Venturers of Ffloy among your ranks, no? The other is a threat large enough to spell destruction to all if not countered."
"To this point, the - how did the Captain call them? Will of the Idiot God? They might unwillingly be closer to bringing about the unification of the Taur than you."
"Is there a plan? Or do you merely wander the Ilses and try to mend what evil breaks?"
Then the missing part of map is unraveled and the centaur switches back to Common. "Winterglade would like to know what are your plans now. He gave his word that he would assist you in this quest, and now he hears about returning to the Home Island. He didn't expect there would be delays in its completion..."
Zeoll Monday February 27th, 2006 6:58:37 AM
[OOC: Maybe I did not read well, but I'm assuming that we reclaimed our weapons without incident?]
Answering Winterglade in Tauric, Zeoll says, "Now we take this half of a map and the otherr half that we alrready possess, and put them togetherr. This will lead us to the Black Sworrd that we arre sworrn to destrroy. If ourr path takes us back to South Harrborr, then we should trravel therre with these good folk." He indicates the WLAers.
"Afterr that, we must rreturrn home to put an end to Varrgas' so-called crrusade. And after *that*, we have only ourr consciences to guide us. But by then I hope to have learrned to be a full seerr, and perrhaps I will see the next step of ourr quest in a drream."
Then speaking in Common, Zeoll says to the WLAers, "It seems clearr that you have found the map you seek -- congrratulations. We have as well; this one herre is ourr firrst choice. You may copy it if you like, but I suspect that it will not interrest you."
"I suggest that we put a little distance between ourrselves and the otherr folk who attended this auction. Why don't we walk on, and make camp togetherr tonite at least. In the evening we can divide the maps and look them overr. Afterr that we will know if ourr paths lie togetherr."
Zeoll also looks for the two fauns, Thadius and Thalpius. He thanks them for guiding them so well to this place, and tells them that they got what they came for.
==========
Zeoll OOC to DMs Bob and Carla: Highlight to display spoiler: {Um, any chance for some xp? Note that by my records, the last time we got any was at the end of Chapter 9 of the last module (that is, since early August 2005). Seven months ... hmmm, at an average clip of two levels a year, maybe we are getting close to going up? Also, keep in mind that Zeoll's next level will be a Seer level, if possible, and he has to have a solitary retreat before gaining it. And since I am perusing my wish book, a long sea voyage would give poor Zeoll the time he needs to finish his two pending magic items ... :-) }
Flat-top Monday February 27th, 2006 9:31:44 AM
After making sure that his weapons is in good shape, He tell Wintergale "Friend Glade, WE get our directions from dreams, WE all get these Dreams on the same night. That is the way the Gods address us to our next Problems. Domi has told us that one day WE would return to our Island Home. Now that we finish our last request, we wait our next Dream. If you should get the same dream as the rest of us, Then my Friend, you'll know that your a Child of Domi. It's as simple as that!" Flat-top smiles at his brother Center. Now He ask Brahmah "When do we leave?."
Brahmah Monday February 27th, 2006 12:06:21 PM
"We leave as soon as the box is sorted and identified. We paid a good deal of gold for this stupid box." He looks irritated. "I hope there's something to it."
"Vargas probably has more info than us." He snaps out the next sentence. "He ALWAYS! seems to be one step ahead."
He begins talking to himself. "Am I that slow! By Domi, I'm not that slow! What are we missing?"
DM Bob & Carla Monday February 27th, 2006 10:49:28 PM
Winterglade continues his line of questioning, and struggles to understand the nature of the quest he has signed on to. Flat-Top explains the dreams they receive from Domi and Zeoll lays out the sequence of tasks as he sees them.
Both parties seem to have found what they seek from the box, although Brahmah questions the price and wonders if something has not been missed. Gilia nods to Zeoll "We have found what we came for, but if the remainder is of no interest to you we will take it to the League. We keep many maps, and members can access them at their pleasure."
The two adventuring groups pack their belongings and make their way into the Culverwood. Thadius and Thalpius linger briefly, "you can find your own way then?" Thadius asks, "back through the Wyrmsfut or the longer road?" Thalpius looks down heartened and then speaks up "Does this mean we don't get our wine?"
Gilia speaks up once again, "We take the traders route to the south of the Culverwood and across to South Harbor. You are welcome to join us if you wish."
"Why don't we make a camp forr the night? That will give us the chance to look over the maps, divide them, and figurre out wherre we arre headed next."
Zeoll says to the fauns, "Of courrse you will get yourr wine! It might take us a while to get it to you, but we pay ourr debts! Neverr you fearr! If we cannot brring it ourrselves, we will ship it to the inn to yourr attention."
Zeoll casts his Read Magic and Comp Languages and tries to put the two pieces of the map together. Where does it seem to say we have to go?
Bard Lore check 17.
Then Zeoll looks over the rest of the maps. He divides them with the other party as originally agreed, each side taking turns picking one. Zeoll tries to get any that are near the Taur Isles, or of islands and coasts, or of rivers and natural features. He picks out any that strike a chord with his bardic lore.
More Bard Lore checks: 23, 22, 9, 20, 17. Wow! Good rolls!
Zeoll also casts Detect Magic and picks any maps that have a magical aura. He also checks to see if the box itself is magic. Then he checks the box over for secret compartments or hollows. (Untrained Search check 19! Woot! He'll take 20 on that to get a 21, also.)
Gecktar d20+3=4 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 3:36:58 AM
Gecktar is now nervous, because he waits for Vargas minions intervention. He knows that they will try to put a hand on the maps.
He has no great knowledge on geography nor cartography so he let those knowledgeable to their duty.
He stands up after the meal an looks around for any odd things. But the only thing he get is some dirt in his eyes that make him cry...
OOC: Zeoll ! you stole every good rolls from the diceroller ! ;)
Zeoll OOC Tuesday February 28th, 2006 5:37:39 AM
LOL! Sorry! I sucked up all the luck for myself! :-)
Winterglade Tuesday February 28th, 2006 5:57:09 AM
"So far Winterglade didn't have any special dreams, at least not ones he would care to share in a mixed company, no."
"Make a copy of the map if you have parchment. Better safe than sorry."
"Pity we don't have any really old parchment. We could make a fake map and make sure Vargas gets it when he comes for it."
Then a sudden spark of inspiration appears in his eyes. "Winterglade stands corrected. We do have lots of old parchment. All seventeen tomes of it." He pats his saddlebags, filled with the volumes of the Journye.
"Any of you good at drawing maps? Let Winterglade have a look at the real thing. He will try to find something similar in the books."
The centaur starts to look through the tomes, checking for pages that have similar texture to the map and are at least partially blank.
"Anyone care to help? There is a lot to browse through." [Take 20 on Search: 21. So, what does it say on the first part of the map?]
Flat-top d20+4=8 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 9:23:00 AM
Flat-top smiles at the Two rother Thaduis and Thalpius, "Not to worry, I'm not mad at you for almost killing us just to get a snack! Our word is as good as gold. You shall have your wine, because you did keep your word. When we go to our Home Base, Well ship the wine to were ever place you wish to pick them up. Just tell Zeoll the port where the wine will be. Thank-you again.
Now Flat-top has some time to kill, "I'll help Gale, just tell me what to look for?"
OOC: Flat-top sherch for the paper that Winterglade wants - 8 (blind as a bat!)
Brahmah d20+10=14 d20+10=17 d20+5=10 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 10:37:58 AM
Brahmah reads maps, he doesn't draw them. He watches as the others form a plan.
(Spot 14, Listen 17, Search 10)
Ban Maeve Wednesday March 1st, 2006 12:33:52 AM
The wemic is curious about the maps, but he is illiterate. He will watch Zeoll and volunteer to help in any way he might.
Toros Wednesday March 1st, 2006 12:36:41 AM
Toros looks at the maps, and then at the books that Winterglade unpacks from the box. The words mean nothing to the barbarian. Sheepishly, he asks the centaur, "do you know how to read?"
DM Bob and Carla Wednesday March 1st, 2006 1:19:26 AM
Thadius and Thalpius shake on their deal with Flat-Top. "Send the wine to the inn at Pullman's Crossing but, mind you mark it well as ours. We don't want that old coot Armson getting at it!" The satyr's follow the Chosen of Domi and their new traveling companions for about an hour, and then take an almost imperceptible trail that branches off south and west. The party follows their new friends as they lead the way south. "We will head south, through the woods until we find the traders' route that runs just south of the forest along the northernmost part of the Emerald Kingdom," suggests the half-elf as her party's ranger sets a course.
The day is grey, with low clouds blocking the sun. None the less, it gets darker as the day progresses and Zeoll suggests making camp. A small fire is built using deadwood. A nervous Gecktar keeps a lookout but doesn't see much. A simple meal of trail rations is shared by the parties and then attention returns to the maps.
Winterglade looks through the tomes the party has collected and finds that each book has two or three blank pages at the back. The pages are a very good quality of thick parchment. The centaur also discovers a very fine http://www.woldiangames.com/maps/wold/wold_map.htm map in many vivid colours. It is one of the reasons the collection is of such value. The centaur also notices that the wooden crate that holds the tomes and map is the same size as the box that held the mysterious bits.
Zeoll pieces the two halves of the map together and discovers that it is a map of the westernmost part of the Wold with the upper and lower King's Channel marked upon it. The wemic recognizes the many isles of the area including the taur isles, with Bridge Island and the Shipwreck Shoals. There is more detail to the depiction of the islands than anything Brahmah has seen. The route marked on the map indicates the Shipwreck Shoals as the destination. There is an X marked on one of the smallest of the islands in the grouping.
Zeoll's eyes are drawn to some maps depicting lands he understands form the bay of Elenna. There is some detail provided to places called Zarthmoor and Fargunia but others are unfamiliar to him. One even appears to be a map of a subterranean kingdom. Dradah Delmah and another of what appears to be a city floating in the air marked Al Mathir. Most of the maps mean nothing to the group.
It soon gets dark, with only the light of the camp-fire and a lantern provided by the other party illuminating the night. Copying maps will have to wait for another day. Gilia assigns watches to her people splitting the party of 6 into 3 watches.
Flat-top Wednesday March 1st, 2006 8:19:36 AM
Flat-top thumbs throuh a book, not paying mush attention to the writing, When Toros ask if he knew how to read? "Yes! as I was the last-male colt in my heard. My Sire sent me to the Royal Navy School, then went into serve the Center IsIlands. I can read map better than words."
Flat-top look over to the book that Winterglade has in his hands, "WOW! Look at that map. . . It's Beautiful! Wait a minute!! There's Centaur Island and over there is Bridge Island" With a far away look in his eyes, he whispers so low that only Toros and Winterglade can hear him "There is Bridge Island... Home Base."
Winterglade Wednesday March 1st, 2006 9:37:39 AM
"Yes, but of course, Winterglade knows how to read. The Windwalkers may be called savages even by their own kin, but it's Stoneheaver's Folly to think that they will cast away a good idea just because it came from outside of their tribe. We picked up many things from our neighbors - script, the Art, smelting, herding - many things."
"Eww, the X is on an island! That means ship voyage, no? In this case Winterglade will need wine, too. Lots of it. He will drink himself flat out and wake up only when the ship reaches the shore."
Then the centaur starts to examine the legible part of the writing surrounding the edge of the map. "Should not be hard to come up with a suitable replacement, no? <...strides to the sands of the shore / the seagull cries to the East / in thy shadow seek lore / of the way in the mist ... sailed for four days and nights / arrived at the maws of hell / where among winds He rides / hidden in ancient well... only the worthy may claim / the dark blade of disaster / either by physical strain / or by the words of its Master...>. Suitably cryptic, suitably misterious, all style, no meaning whatsoever. Should do fine. Winterglade can pen it in around the edge of one of these blank pages, but somebody will have to draw the fake map. All of that, of course, only if we can get some ink."
"Winterglade allows his mind to wander for a while at dusk, but aside from that he does not need to sleep in the night and can keep watch."
Brahmah Wednesday March 1st, 2006 10:59:22 AM
The ranger yawns and stretches. "Shut eye time for me." He heads to a corner of the map room and falls asleep.
Gecktar Wednesday March 1st, 2006 11:29:14 AM
Gecktar is still anxious about the fact that Vargas minions didn't point their ears.
"I will take the first turn of guard. Who want to stay with me."
He approches the two that should be on guard with them in the other group to have company during the upcoming night.
Zeoll Wednesday March 1st, 2006 8:30:20 PM
Zeoll bids a fond farewell to the fauns, promises agian to send their wine as soon as possible, and says that he hopes they will meet again. "Please give my rregarrds to the Grreenmage," he says, "and come visit us in the Taurr Isles some time!"
Zeoll is very excited about the map now! "I thought we would be a long time away frrom home in ourr quest to destrroy the Black Sworrd, but look! It is on ourr verry doorrstep! The Shipwrreck Shoals are verry close to home!"
The liontaur is glad to tell the WLAers that the group will be travelling with them to South Port. From there the Chosen will most likely be looking for a ship!
Zeoll likes Winterglade's idea. "Arre you skilled at forrgerries and trrickerry, Glade? I like this plan of yourrs."
Then suddenly Zeoll is suspicious. This talk of forgeries makes him wonder. How old does this map look? Is it very old looking? Bridge Island was only raised from the sea by Domi in recent days ... just as the Chosen started out ... not more than half a dozen years ago.
"I lost trrack of the yearrs when I was dead," Zeoll says, "But any old map that shows Brridge Isle is eitherr prrophetic or fake!"
Toros Wednesday March 1st, 2006 11:43:12 PM
The illiterate wemic selects a tome from the box. He pages through the book hoping there might be pictures to give him an idea of the tale it tells. "Could you teach me to read?" he asks Winterglade.
Ban Maeve Thursday March 2nd, 2006 12:13:44 AM
"Zeoll?" asks the tawny wemic, "can you ment this map?" Ban Maeve looks with longing at the islands depicted on the parchment.
He clasps the piebald centaur on the shoulder and gives him a yellow-toothed grin. "Frient!" he says to Flat-Top, "I think we're going home!"
DM Bob & Carla Thursday March 2nd, 2006 12:22:15 AM
Once the taurs establish camp, they gather around the maps and those that can read do, while those that don't either wish they could or are content to allow others this role.
Once the two halves of the map are placed next to each other, the familiar outlines of the Taur Isles can be easily recognized. The writing around the edge of the map is a different matter. While it appears to be written in Tauric, other symbols grace the border and remain unintelligable despite Zeoll's attempts to decipher the script. The map has been roughly torn in half, and it is difficult to piece the two halves precisely together.
Zeoll's suspicious mind begins to question the vailidity of the map. How could a map that looks as old as this and speaks of an artifact long hidden also show Bridge Island which had only recently arisen from the ocean floor. [Zeoll please roll a Spot]
Ban Maeve suggest 'mending' the map before proceeding much further, while Winterglade explores the idea of drawing a fake map to lead Vargus' minions astray. [Does anyone have any ink? If so please make a craft check to determine just how convincing a counterfeit map is prepared]
Gecktar takes first watch and is joined by two of the members of other party, whilst Brahmah takes the opportunity to catch up on his sleep.
Zeoll d20+9=20 d20+6=8 Thursday March 2nd, 2006 12:34:39 AM
Zeoll's spot check is a 20.
[OOC: Zeoll's detect magic and search of the box yeilded nothing? (see post above) I'll assume not.]
"Hmmm," Zeoll says. "The map did not detect as magic. And yet my Comprrehend Languages spell does not reveal the meaning of these odd rrunes. My suspicion is that these rrunes arre meaningless."
[OOC to DM: Are the odd runes only on the new half of the map? How about on the old half of the map?]
"What's the chance that the bad guys stole Glade's idea, got to the map firrst, and arre trrying to foist a fake map off on us?"
Bard Lore check 8 is pretty much useless!
Gecktar Thursday March 2nd, 2006 3:22:52 AM "It sounds possible as if this was the true map, they surely want it back. And I'm still waiting for them. I'm very anxious, almost seeing a threat at each corner or behind each tree. Maybe they were at the auctioning to make us spend all our money...."
"And... thinking about this it is really a good plan, that will lead us away from our goal..."
Gecktar mood is really sad, because he thinks this was too easy. Vargas has still many cards to play... What will be the next.
"I have some means to repair the map if possible. Just tell me if you want me to do it and I will prepare the corresponding prayers."
"And I have some ink if you need some to make another map." concludes Gecktar
Winterglade Thursday March 2nd, 2006 6:59:20 AM
"Winterglade can teach you to read, yes, if you have the endurance to withstand the rants of Old Pobby." - he pats his saddlebags.
The tail of the centaur is now wagging in a slow, deliberate pattern. "Not sure, not sure, Winterglade is not sure if the map is true. It could be a fake. But also, an island only recently raised from the bottom of the sea could have been risen before. Tell me, did you see any old buildings on the Bridge Island? Ruins? Dungeons maybe?... Symbols not deciphered by Comprehend Languages need not be meaningless... their meaning may depend on context... the Windwalkers might put a High Woldian rune meaning "son of a dog of female persuasion" on the door of a greedy merchant, on a tombstone, or as part of their signature. Meaning depends on the intention of the writer..."
"Need to make sure, yes." Winterglade walks over to Brahmah and shakes him out of his sleep. "Captain, we worry if the map is a fake. You be the sailor here. Look at all that detail on the chart. Do you think Vargas could have produced such a detailed thing in a hurry?"
"Might be worth checking if the Bridge Island haven't been added on later."
"Gecktar, rest assured Vargas will show up. Winterglade thinks we only bought ourselves some time by travelling alongside WLA."
"Tomorrow morning let us prepare such magic as we can to aid in the creation of the decoy map, and let the one most skilled in calligraphy perform the deed."
Flat-top Thursday March 2nd, 2006 7:53:29 AM
Flat-top tries to remember the first time the taurs The building WAS there, he remembers the big oak double doors. "Zeoll!" he calls, "Do you remember any thing before you died? Like when we first set hooves on the Island? Gee I wish Kale was here! That Rogue was one of the first one there too! We are the origanel Party"
He remember marching on the bridge, there were alone(the taurs and the humans came later.) Opening the frount doors, the beautiful Holy Hall of Prayers, where we later pace the Heart od Domi and teaching our children. To the left was the bed stalls (rooms) for our privet use, then the big Dinning Room and also used as a Meeting Place. Then that beautiful Kitchen and it was all stock up with food and that's where we first met Kalor the one true Taur (He was part Minotaue, Part Centaue and Part Liontaur.
We had Meeting with Domi! when we went up to the top of the torett, that is when HE told us of our mission, BOY! What a sight!"
Flat-top seem to come out of his dream of home, he shakes his head then look at the others "That means that the Island was there Before we arrived to the island! That Map might be a reall and not a fake!".
Brahmah Thursday March 2nd, 2006 12:23:46 PM
Brahmah starts awake and nearly guts Glade with his kukri in response. "Huh! Waa... map? Sailor... uh, yeah, but Flat-top is a sailor too. A sailor of the Royal Navy in fact." He points to the centaur and falls back to sleep without a care, but not before mumbling, "Vargas is not sailor or even a .... topogragher.... he's a .....*#!@" He's asleep.
Brahmah Thursday March 2nd, 2006 3:16:40 PM
OOC: Does Brahmah owe the group any gold for the maps?!
I plan on going to the Catacombs if that is okay with everyone, provided the wonderful DMs allow it.
(OOC: Sorry! No visit to the Catacombs for Brahmah!-DM Carla)
DM Bob & Carla Thursday March 2nd, 2006 11:30:58 PM
The Chosen and their new allies pass an uneventful night. The sun rises over the Culverwood and a gentle breeze stirs the leaves of the trees above. Spells are prepared, prayers rendered, and the previous nights questions remain unanswered.
Is the map a fake? Can it be repaired, and if so will the very weak traces of magic that Zeoll detected about it and the odd symbols scattered through the border text on all sides become clearer? [OOC sorry for not responding to the detect magic earlier - only faint traces of magic remain on the map, including the borders]. Who will try their hand at cartography and calligraphy? And where and when might they expect an encounter with the Will of Marteus? Perhaps the new day will bring some new ideas...
Winterglade Friday March 3rd, 2006 6:00:21 AM
"Whoah, this one is in a sour mood when waken!" The centaur jumps away from Brahmah.
In the early evening Winterglade dozes off while staning up, as is his custom, arms folded on his chest. But an hour or two later, when the moon rises over the horizon, he is wide awake and not worse for the wear. He spends the rest of the night in quiet contemplation, and, when the dawn is at hand, leaves for an hour to run in the wild [standard selection of spells, but Guidance over all 0th and 1st level slots aside from domain, and Make Whole over Delay Poison].
"Winterglade can try to ask the Brawler to restore the map to its original condition. Shall he do so?" Unless advised not to, he invokes a brief, quiet, rhytmic chant over the torn chart, his hands hovering over the halves of parchment [casts Make Whole].
Then the centaur selects a blank page from the back of his book and, with visible regret, cuts it cleanly out of the tome.
"Who shall draw the map? Winterglade will ask the Smith for Guidance." [Several Guidance spells ready, should be enough to last during the whole process].
Flat-top Friday March 3rd, 2006 8:33:35 AM
Watches as Winterglade wakes (or tries to wake) Brahmah up! Flat-top (who's not too far away) Tells him, "Now you know as to why NOBODY wakes Any minotaurs from a nap or aleep. They are very bullish that way! You also have to watch the Liontaurs when you do that,They have very sharp Claws and a fast swing. Other wise they are very good friends."
When night time comes Flat-top will lean on a sturdy tree, with his trusty Morningstar in his hand, will eventuly fall asleep.
When morning come around Flat-top wakes when Wintergalde goes for his Run, Flat-top will make sure that his new friend is safe. After all they are in a strange place, full of danger.
Brahmah Friday March 3rd, 2006 11:03:09 AM
Zzzz...
(OOC: May I ask why? Are we someplace without proper access? What city are we in?)
(OOC: The party is in the middle of the Culverwood Forest.-DM Carla)
Gecktar Friday March 3rd, 2006 12:27:03 PM
Gecktar take his watch and then wake up Flat Top to replace him so he can rest and be fresh tomorrow.
In the morning (if nothing happen during the night) he take some time to pray Domi and invite Winterglade to share some quiet meditation around the Heart of Domi that they safe from the Hearthold keep.
Zeoll Friday March 3rd, 2006 8:26:12 PM
[OOC: LOL Jay! We're in the middle of the Culverwood! Miles from a city. But if we are lucky, we'll be in South Harbor soon. We might be able to stop at a town along the way, on the border of Izen and New Elenna, like, um, what's the name? ... quick look in Duncan's ... oh, yeah, Edenmoor.]
Zeoll is eager to see if the magic will mend the map. He hopes that this will be a proof of authenticity ... "Would it join the two pieces if they had neverr been one?" he asks Winterglade.
Although Zeoll liked Winterglade's idea of making a fake map, he is amused to discover that in fact none of the Taurs actually has any skill in drawing maps -- in fact, few enough even know how to write!
"Even the best idea can fail in the hands of the inept," he says to Winterglade, chuckling. "Maybe we can hirre a prroperr forrgerr in South Harrborr."
In the morning, Zeoll is more serious, and is glad to have the chance to say his morning prayers in the presence of the Heart of Domi. He explains its significance to Glade if the centaur does not fully understand its value. "This rrelic was brroken in two, half held by the centaurrs, half by the minotaurrs. We wemics had lost all claim to it due to ourr ancient sin. In the verry firrst task that Domi gave us, we brrought the two parrts togetherr so that He could make them whole."
"Of courrse, some of the entrrenched clerrgy of both rraces saw that as blasphemy, and have hated us everrr afterr."
Brahmah Saturday March 4th, 2006 10:26:59 AM
Brahmah wakes up with a start, rubbing his eyes.
Gecktar OOC Sunday March 5th, 2006 4:42:48 PM
Gilles, Lucie and their daughter Oriane are pleased to annonce the birth of Axel. The boy and his mum are fine.
Please forgive me if my posting is eratic for the next days
Cayzle OOC Sunday March 5th, 2006 5:46:53 PM
Congrats Gilles! a boy and a girl!
DM Bob & Carla Sunday March 5th, 2006 11:26:04 PM
Following his morning run, Winterglade casts Make Whole in the two pieces of the torn map. An almost imperceptible glow radiates from the map along the tear line as the fibers of the paper re-unite, reweaving in perfect alignment until the map looks as if it were drawn that day. A moment later an iridescent sheen traces its way around the symbols that occupy the borders of the map. Those that look closely can only be amazed when the map begins to change before their eyes. A sand spit begins to form a long arced tail to the south of Minotaur Island. To the east, a point on the mainland is redrawn as if it had never jutted out to sea in a region of the map that the Taurs know as a steep and daunting cliff site formed from very unstable rock. Finally, a small grey cloud forms to the north of the Shipwreck Shoals and the outline of a small jagged isle appears on the map.
Winterglade d20+2=22 Monday March 6th, 2006 8:43:35 AM
Winterglade, having come back from his run, his sides steaming and his breathing still heavy, accepts the invitation to contemplate the Heart.
His companions, however, soon find that the young centaur is not one for quiet meditation. After standing quietly for two or three minutes, he starts to shift impatiently, and finally asks: "Eh? Is something supposed to be happening? Do you now contemplate on and evaluate the progress of your quest? Is the Smith talking to you, or what? Winterglade has never been prone to spirituality. The Brawler took him one day from the Great Plain and used him like a hammer ever since; Winterglade doesn't have more choice in his life than a hammer might have in hands of a smith."
When the time comes to Make Whole the map, the centaur muses over Zeoll's question. "Winterglade does not know" - he finally admits - "though he thinks that if two parts can be fitted together, they will be. After all, the incantation Make Whole depends entirely on the powers of Transmutation, without even trace elements of Divination thrown in..."
Then he watches in silence as some kind of dormant magic is stirred up and brought to the surface of the chart. "Well, that answers the question about the authenticity of the map, I think."
"It looks as if it has the power to update itself with every change in the real world. Winterglade wonders if it can be set to point to any other items aside from the sword? Chosen, you might have in your hands something worth much more than fifteen thousand gold. Winterglade would love to take a good look at it using Detect Magic, but he doesn't have any handy today."
Winterglade takes the box carrying the Journye from his backpack and puts it on the grass, forming a makeshift table. Then, assuming Gecktar is still willing to lend his inks, he gets busy drawing a fake map, interrupting his work every minute or so in order to improve his skill by praying for Guidance. Some five minutes later he is extremely pleased with the effects of his work [Forgery 22]. Holding his creation by the corners, he sprinkles some sand on it to remove the last remaining drops of ink. Then he examines it critically. "The picture is drawn well, but far from being able to fool an experienced sailor. If we decide to use it, we should make sure it is either thrown in a fire or water before the others get their hands on it."
Brahmah Monday March 6th, 2006 11:11:21 AM
The minotaur seems extremely delighted. "This is a sign! A sign. This map updates itself. This was truly a divine gift to the Chosen. Worth every copper!"
He adds. "And Glade is truly a member of the Chosen. Sent to help us." He actually embraises the newest member of the group.
"Just think Flat-top. Now we can navigate our our small ship if we buy one." :)
Flat-top Monday March 6th, 2006 1:16:07 PM
Is Looking at the map with Brahmah, they watch the way it changes Old familuar places and some new places. Snaping out of his day dream of Heart keep.
He listens to the Captain about going back to the island, WITH their owm boat! "Wow! Our own boat. You as the Captain and I as the First mate, the others will learn on how to Sail the Boat. I'm in, and going back to Heart keep."
Toros Monday March 6th, 2006 11:27:37 PM
Toros watches as Winterglade casts his magic and repairs the map.
Ban Maeve Monday March 6th, 2006 11:29:43 PM
"Let us make for home as quickly as possible," urges the wemic. He packs his gear and gets ready to hit the trail. "Shall I scout aheat?"
Zeoll Monday March 6th, 2006 11:30:17 PM
Zeoll is very glad to see that this is a magical map, and that it is the map that the party needs.
He is convinced that the party is on the right track now. "Once we get to South Harrborr we can find a ship and head forr home at last!"
DM Bob & Carla Monday March 6th, 2006 11:32:51 PM
Winterglade's magic mends the map, and more of it's magic is revealed. The centaur wonders what further magic it might contain, but without further examination the secrets will not be revealed. Instead he sets to work on his forgery and draws a fair semblance of the map, albeit with a few misplaced details and without the magical properties imbued in the original. Still, it is a pretty fair map and might be useful should a ruse be required.
Brahmah and Flat-top are quite pleased with Winterglade's efforts and welcome him as one of the Chosen, sure that his hand must be guided by Domi.
Ban Maeve, Zeoll, and Toros seem less easily impressed and the former suggests they make haste and break camp as Gilia and her companions have already packed their gear and appear ready to go.
"It is about two days of hard travel to make it to South Harbor" The half-elf addresses Brahmah, "Two and a half if we must wait to have our portraits drawn", she nods her head in Winterglades direction as he packs up the last of the ink and stows the forged map in a safe place.
Flat-top Tuesday March 7th, 2006 7:31:40 AM
Flat-top watches over Winterglade as he mend the map, As the map mends it's self, Flat-top whispers to his new friend, "Now I know for sure that Domi has Chosen you. Now you are one of us Now and for ever, or when Domi let's you go."
But to the rest of the party, "Now Let's go Home to Heartkeep!"
Winterglade Tuesday March 7th, 2006 8:21:58 AM
The centaur, a bit surprised, returns the hug, careful not to get a horn in his eye. "Char's Temper is yours, Captain. Winterglade won't be of much use on deck, though. He suffers terribly every time he has to board a ship, and even worse afterwards. And yes, he was chosen, too. In more ways than one, he suspects..."
Winterglade folds the forged map and tucks it into one of his saddlebags, leaving a bit of it sticking out. To Gilia, he replies casually: "A portrait? Gladly, if such be your desire. Winterglade is best at acts. Whenever you be ready, lady, just say the word."
The centaur checks his saddlebags and gets ready to depart the campsite.
Brahmah d20+11=21 d20+7=12 Tuesday March 7th, 2006 11:22:22 AM
Brahmah pats Glade on the shoulder. "I might be able to find the remedy Kanchana used to use for sea-sickness on the other wemics. It's a mint leaf of sorts."
The ranger begins looking for it. (Survival to avoid poisonous plants 21, Knowledge Nature 12) So far, not much luck.
(OOC: I believe Eunice(Kanchana's player) used some sort of remedy to help versus seasickness)
DM Bob & Carla Tuesday March 7th, 2006 11:40:34 PM
Desirous to leave, the Chosen set forth on the long journey home. Winterglade has the forged map tucked casually in his saddlebag, one end jutting out. [Who has the real map? and where?]
Brahmah searches for the herb Kanchana used to avoid sickness at sea, but the pace is quick and there is little time to search effectively. Perhaps when they rest.
Gilia and her group make good time through the forest. For those that look behind, their trail seems to have vanished, and for those that tarry, the group ahead is easily lost, as if the forest itself is trying to separate them from each other.
Please make survival check vs DC 15 to avoid losing contact with each other.
Zeoll d20+5=16 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 12:42:43 AM
[D'Oh! Missed a post! Sorry!]
Zeoll is amazed at the magical nature of the map, and sees this as a sign that the Chosen are on the right track!
Zeoll does his best to help the party find its way. [Rolled a 16!] He wishes he were more experienced so that he could talk to the trees and maybe end their animosity. And he wishes that Kanchana the Greenmage were here. But wishes do not down the gazelle, as his father used to say.
It is more important that the Chosen stay together than that they stay with the WLAers.
Unless someone else wants to, Zeoll will carry the magical map and the other maps from the box ... especially the ones of the lands near the Taur Isles.
Who has the box? Was that magical? Did Zeoll find any secret compartments in it? (I think I remember rolling a nice Search check on that a few days ago?)
Gecktar d20+3=5 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 7:33:42 AM
Gecktar is still suspicious about what could happen at anytime. They must stay together but some strange events seem to hinder their progression...
(Survival DC5)
Winterglade d20+7=11 d20+5=16 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 8:25:43 AM
One of Winterglade's saddlebags gets caught up in a thornbush near the path, and even though it takes him only a moment to untangle it, he realizes with some frustration that the party is already gone without trace [Survival 11].
Climbing the nearest tree is, of course, not an option. Calling out doesn't feel like a good idea, either. Winterglade eventually decides that it would be best to try to make loud animal noises. There is a problem with that, too: having been brought up in the steppes he does not know how to imitate forest animals. So:
A sad howling of the woldian singing prairie dog rises to the gloomy canopy of leaves, spooking flocks of birds that scatter in all directions. Winterglade is advancing steadily forward, listening for a response [Listen 16]
Flat-top d20+3=12 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 9:10:07 AM
Flat-top is happy that they are going back to Heartkeep, When he sees that Winterglade and Gectar are missing? He trots back a few feets, but no where in sight?? He turns to tell the Captain, But the party is nowhere in sight??? "Oh! No! Brahmah is going to kill me!"
When the Howling statrs. "I wonder if Wolves like horse meat? What am I thinking of course they love meat!!"
Flat-top takes his Morning Star, now he's will try to find his friens (The Lost ones).
Brahmah Wednesday March 8th, 2006 1:45:29 PM
The Captain of the Chosen has the real map.
Flat-top can't be found, but Brahmah figures he's leaving a trail of road apples and is to busy to follow the group.
Brahmah waits when he notices a straggling party member. He knows if they leave anyone behind, it could mean an ambush might claim the straggler even before the party knows theres an ambush. "Come on Chosen."
Toros d20+3=9 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 8:47:15 PM
Toros follows the group, or at least tries to. (Survival=9) He looks over his shoulder for a moment, and when her turns around he can not see the one who a moment before was in front of him. Turning around in a slow circle, all he sees are the trees...and then a lonesome howling. The barbarian adjusts his buckler, and reaches for a weapon.
Ban Maeve d20+6=17 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 8:50:57 PM
Ban Maeve tries to scout the way down the trail without getting too far ahead of the party. (Survival=17)
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