Lian Monday March 13th, 2006 10:56:05 AM
"Umm, well Gunther, things here are hard to sense."
Milo d20+1=21 Monday March 13th, 2006 11:47:57 PM
Milo listens carefully to the song, attempting to memorize it, even as he analyzes the verse for clues.
(OOC: Int check DC 21)
Out of the Mouths of Babes - DM Donna Tuesday March 14th, 2006 12:18:13 AM
OOC: the roll needed to even recall all the clues was a natural 20...which Milo got. So:
Milo begins to review in his head all the things that they know so far about Harrowed Moon and its residents:
1) It's always night here, whether or not the moon is out. 2) Lady Fidelia charms everyone she meets...none of the residents can speak ill of her. 3) There's an annual Birthday Hunt in which humans are not allowed to be hurt/killed. 4) The childrens' song says Lady Fidelia doesn't sleep on the night of the Hunt. 5) The childrens' song also says that whatever Lady Fidelia finds, she keeps.
Milo's quick halfling brain adds up all these clues and comes up with a disturbing couple of questions:
What is it that only comes out at night and prefers to have living human prey..? Something with the inhuman stamina to stalk its food all night long..?
Falin Tuesday March 14th, 2006 8:07:12 AM
"So, what your saying is we are going to be up against a Vampire?" Falin shakes his head slowly back and forth. "We I guess we have a better idea of what to prepare for now, huh? Does anyone know anything about fighting Vampires? I only know the basic stuff. Like sunlight and holy water. Other than that I am useless."
Lian d20+9=28 d20+19=39 Tuesday March 14th, 2006 10:16:09 AM
Lian's smiles levels his face. "Vampires. She is a vampire... WONDERFUL!" The monk is getting agitated. "You know how fast and deadly those are?! And she leads this bunch? The sheriff, Amalee is likely a lower guardian of this Fidelia, isn't she? What sorts of beasts watch over vampires? We still have no idea about this Collecto person, other than the fact he's a really nasty bloak." He thinks for only a minute.
"Lets put this together. The Lady Fidelia is a vampire, most likely powerful and old. She saves the humans for meals and doesn't have a taste for other races, killing the rest or allows her Enforcer to kill the rest for sport. The best tracker in the realm works well at night... has deputies... a group.... a, a pack.
Hang on!"
The math is adding up for Lian. "Werewolves makes most sense! A pack of werewolves? Trackers with a sense of smell. Great! Geez, the sheriff likely adds to her numbers and feed on the rest! The moon is out all the time here.
Is it full on the Hunt??
I hate this place more and more." He finishes, beginning to pace, wide eyes darting around. The elf's senses are quite attune today. (Spot 28, Listen 39)
Milo Tuesday March 14th, 2006 7:59:58 PM
As Milo ticks the facts off on his fingers one by one, his demeanor becomes more and more somber. "I'm not sure I like the sound of this."
Ingrge Tuesday March 14th, 2006 9:27:36 PM
when finished Ingrge goes to bed.
Gunther Tuesday March 14th, 2006 11:05:08 PM
Visibly shaken at Milo and Lian's revelations, Gunther tries to keep a cool exterior. Looking over at Brother Bertram, the warrior pats him on the back. "I guess dat makes you von very important man about now... Just tell me you know how to make holy vater."
Telepathy Abounds? - DM Donna Wednesday March 15th, 2006 12:59:13 AM DM OOC: hmmmm...I don't recall anyone else other than Milo figuring out the clues, as HE was the only one to roll the required natural 20. Congratulations on your PCs suddenly developing the ability to read the minds of halflings! ;D
Once Milo points out the painfully obvious, K'Nara stares at him, stunned. Then she lets loose a stream of invectives that would have withered nearby plantlife...had there been any in the forsaken land that the Talons are currently trapped in.
"Great--just GREAT!" K'Nara grouses, then turns on her heel and goes back to the hostel where the group is staying, muttering all the way. "It figures that something like this was coming along...dangnabbit! No wonder she doesn't want the humans hurt during the Hunt...who wants their dinner mangled by hounds?" The blade singer snorts and stomps and fumes, pacing about and obviously trying to come up with SOME kind of strategy.
"We have to find out if that rumor is true--" she tells the party, "--the one that, if we can get to the Twilight Palace before the Hunters catch us, we've beaten the Hunters at their own game. Heading for that Palace may be our only hope..."
Falin Wednesday March 15th, 2006 1:03:02 AM
He follows the bladesinger back to the inn.
Olana Wednesday March 15th, 2006 1:46:05 AM
"The Palace!" shouts Olana, reacting to her fellow Talons. Then her face clouds over, as though she's wondering why she just yelled out like that.
Brother Bertram Wednesday March 15th, 2006 3:58:36 AM
Bertram ponders everything that happens and does the only thing he knows to do. He prays fervently to Domi and Gargul, knowing that it may not work, but as always, trying.
Lian Wednesday March 15th, 2006 10:45:39 AM
Sigh...
Lian follows, still pondering his epiphany.
Milo Wednesday March 15th, 2006 9:57:08 PM
"Perhaps we should start sharpening stakes now." Milo's smile is somewhat forced.
Gunther Thursday March 16th, 2006 12:34:08 AM
As K'nara stomps back to the Inn, Gunther tromps along behind. She'll find a way...she's smart...she'll figure out how to save us all... Somewhat comforted by his mental affirmations, Gunther pulls the bladesinger aside looking very serious. "Ummmm... K'nara...I need you to promise me someting.. If she...ahem...catches me, I vant you to promise dat you'll kill me. Don't let dem make me von of dem."
Lian Thursday March 16th, 2006 5:12:16 PM
As if hearing Gunther's thoughts, the monk, who is so frequently positive, chimes in with no smile on his face. "We're doomed."
Olana Friday March 17th, 2006 12:21:55 AM
"Doomed," adds Olana, nodding her head.
Pondering Alternatives - DM Donna Friday March 17th, 2006 1:00:44 AM
For a moment K'Nara just stares at Gunther...then she looks like she just wants to smack him.
"Don't talk like that." the leader of the Talons says decisively. "We will NOT fall prey to any vampire, even if Lian's right about her possibly having werewolves to help hunt us. We are the Emerald Talons and we'll stand our ground. We can beat these bozos at their own game AND we'll find a way home--ALL of us."
The tall redhead grabs the very rough map of the area and goes over it.
"Okay...it looks like we need to go northeast of this Crystal Forest to get to that Palace...this diagram says there's some kind of fungi field and some swamplands between the Forest and the Palace. We might have to skirt the fungi field, though--remember that Teser said some of the fungi seems to be able to move or trap the unwary if they get too close to them..."
(DM OOC: Technically Teser didn't say that in my previous posts, but she would have since she knew the Talons don't come from Harrowed Moon and, thus, wouldn't have the same "common knowledge" that natives do. As an addendum, my apologies for not posting until today, I've been a bit under the weather.
If your PC has any spells they specifically wish to memorize for the upcoming Hunt, please email them to me. Also email me if you wish for your character to be equipped with specific Items or Found & Identified Weapons that are currently not on their CSes.
The Grand Hunt posts will start on Monday. Have your changes (if any) sent to me by then or your PC won't have that +25 Garlic Bulb handy simply because it's not on MY copy of your PC's sheet!)
Lian Friday March 17th, 2006 4:34:51 PM
Lian stays silent.
Brother Bertram Friday March 17th, 2006 6:57:32 PM
"No we will not fail", Bertram whispers, as much to himself as to anyone else.
Olana Sunday March 19th, 2006 11:33:26 PM
Soaking up the wariness and frustration of her comrades, Olana slides a dagger out of one of the in-built leather sheathes of her tunic. She stares at it for a moment, then finds the closest door jamb, then slams the blade into the wood. Wrenching the embedded blade out of the wood, she slams it in again, and on it goes...
Gunther d20+1=3 Monday March 20th, 2006 12:01:16 AM
Gunther crumples at K'nara's reprimand. "Yes, of course...you're right. I just...it vas stupid..." Though his exterior reflects defeat, deep in the recesses of his mind, a small, virtually unused portion of the warrior's brain begins to slowly turn the problem over. Examining it this way, turning it upside down, desperately trying to come up with some strategy to keep them from becoming vampire chow. It is very slow, trying work...and for the current moment, unfruitful (Int.=3).
Milo Monday March 20th, 2006 1:00:21 AM
Alarmed at Olana's reaction to the groups communal apprehension, Milo moves quickly over to the elf and begins to quietly attempt to soothe her, and get her to sheath her weapon.
Falin Monday March 20th, 2006 5:01:34 AM Compuiter crashedd this weekend and I finally got the OS restored this morning. I am at work now and will ensure all is well with the CS. If I say something that is not on there then it is my fault.
"Well, what resources do we have? I think we should keep the fact that we know what our huntress is a secret. That can work to our advantage until the time is right." Looking over his inventory of items...
"I have the ability to fly because of my armor, but not for long periods of time. I also have the imovable rods. And if they are tracking us by smell we could use cantrip to render us without smell or make us smell like goblins and such."
"Something else I have been thinking about since we saw that forest was the trees. The leaves and such are crystaline. I bet if you place a light spell or some other type of light producing spell inside the leaves it would blind anyone around if they weren't expecting it."
He looks around with a slight smile on his face. "I think we have a really good chance of making it out of this perdicament."
Lian Monday March 20th, 2006 1:08:13 PM
The monk thinks a moment about everything being said, then says, "Besides the magical, there are simple mundane ways around being tracked. Scentbreakers. Smoke. Both can be employed to disturb a dog's sensitive nose. Tanglefoot bags. Booby traps. Pungy pits. These can slow them down, especially if she's on that massive horse.
What do you think K'Nara?"
Ingrge Monday March 20th, 2006 4:57:57 PM
Waiting of for theothers to return, Ingrge starts preparing what he will need in order to rapidly cast the spells he has prepared for the group.
Olana Monday March 20th, 2006 10:11:11 PM
"Vampires," Olana says quietly to Milo, her face a picture of solumnity, like she was almost there, almost. But then she breaks into a smile. "Knife," she adds, stopping her destruction of the door frame when he tells her to.
The Night Before... - DM Donna d20=15 Tuesday March 21st, 2006 12:13:18 AM
Bonecrusher (all this time) has been putting out bowls of some kind of stew, sober due to the fact that it was beginning to dawn on him that, perhaps, the Grand Hunt was NOT so "grand" after all. He smiles at Milo for helping to divert Olana from her using the doorframe as a pincushion.
K'Nara's hazel eyes fall on the steaming bowls, and she frowns thoughtfully, an idea forming in her head...(OOC: voluntary Intelligence check of 15.)
"Garlic..?" she asks the erstwhile innkeeper. "Do you have garlic to put in this stew..?"
"Garlic?" Bonecrusher echoes, shaking his head. "Nope...just tarragon and fennel and pepper and parsley--"
"PEPPER!" K'Nara barks suddenly, her face lighting up. "How much pepper do you have..?"
"Well...uh...um...I just got the yearly shipment of supplies last month..." the troll replies, obviously confused by the way that the redheaded blade singer is suddenly, rather intensely interested in his spices...
OOC: the group--the entire group--is now more or less reunited at their temporary home...Ingrge doesn't have to "wait" for anyone as they are all right there with him in the house.
Lian d20+2=6 Tuesday March 21st, 2006 1:14:30 AM
"How much salt and garlic do you have Bonecrusher?" He askes. (Int check 6) "Wait, was it garlic or mustard for vampires?!"
"Are there any rivers or creeks near the castle?"
Ingrge Tuesday March 21st, 2006 6:59:30 AM
(ooc how much time before the hunt begins?)
K'nara, I have a few ideas on avoiding these guys that I will innitiate an hour before we head out. By the way do you, olanna and Milo still have those non detection scavres the Tines gave us so long ago? I believe mine is in my pack somewhere.
Brother Bertram Tuesday March 21st, 2006 8:32:07 PM
"We also need to think about lessening our loads as well Friends. I am forseeing alot of running and activity."
Gunther d20+1=17 Tuesday March 21st, 2006 11:15:55 PM
The warrior continues to contemplate, and this time finds it quite a bit easier (Int.=17). He looks over at Ingrge and Bertram. "Is dere some kind of vay to make magic sunshine? Or does dat vork vhen dere is no sun?" Continuing to think, Gunther ponders. "She keeps vat she finds.... Vell den, I suppose ve shouldn't be found... Vat if ve polymorphed ourselves? Could dey still track us if ve took a different form?"
Milo Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 12:03:43 AM
"Yes, my dear love... vampires." Milo's face is a mask of concern. Concern about the challenge they must know face. Concern for his friends in the hunt. But mostly, concern for Olana, and her well being. "Lets go find some stakes Olana. Anyone else coming?" Milo sets out looking for wood suitable for carving into stakes.
Brainstorming - DM Donna Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 12:05:42 AM
Bonecrusher looks at Lian rather oddly, since he JUST got finished answering K'Nara's question out loud about how he has NO garlic.
"I, uh, have a barrel of salt in the stores," he says, adding: "And there aren't any rivers or such in Harrowed Moon--closest thing to a body of water is the rancid muck that makes up the swamps that surround the Twilight Palace..."
K'Nara thinks carefully at Ingrge's question.
"I do believe that I still have mine..." she answers with a nod.
Bonecrusher agrees with Bertram that having the lightest load when you're running is usually best. Gunther's ideas make the troll rub his chin thoughtfully.
"Well, I'm no expert at tracking, mind you," the host says, "But it seems to me that, even if you change your appearance, you'd still have your own scent..."
Olana Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 12:42:13 AM
Olana's current limited cognitive thought capacity seems to think it could handle the acquisition of stakes quite well, and so she smiles, and follows Milo.
Lian Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 2:41:09 AM
Lian looks between K'Nara and Bonecrusher, then turns red in embarrassment.
Turning to Milo, "I'll come along."
Falin Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 10:56:13 PM
Falin begins to go over his items and determine what he can leave behind, if anything.
Gunther d20+1=15 Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 11:28:04 PM
"Ah...ummm..yeah, I can see dat." Gunther racks his brain, but his well is dry (Int.=15) so he heads over to Milo's group to start making stakes.
Milo Wednesday March 22nd, 2006 11:51:22 PM
Once outside, Milo sets about the task of finding a dozen or so sturdy sticks for carving into stakes, and directs those who followed to do the same. All the while he keeps an eye on Olana, making sure she doesn't wander too far in her search.
Stake Out - DM Donna Thursday March 23rd, 2006 12:35:05 AM
Poking out and about the confines of Reston reveals that there isn't too much wood to be had--trees are practically non-existent in Harrowed Moon. Fuel that is used for cooking or keeping warm is dried fungi.
Meanwhile, K'Nara is speaking to Bonecrusher, and the troll reluctantly agrees to let the blade singer have enough pepper to create two miniature "drop bags" per Talon. K'Nara explains that tossing a bag on the ground (or at any target) will cause the bag to bust open and spread pepper in a five-foot radius.
"Pepper should make it VERY hard for hounds to sniff you out..." she says with a nod.
(OOC: each PC will have two bags--when the PC chooses to throw a bag, the bag bursts open upon a successful hit to its target. If the target is simply the ground itself, then the PC rolls d100--the bag has a 99% chance to bust open.)
Lian Thursday March 23rd, 2006 1:15:08 AM
OOC: The inn MUST have beds, tables and the like that are made out of wood!? Right? What is the inn itself made out of again? I know we were told back when the description was given, but I've forgotten since.
"Do you have any silverware lying around, Bonecrusher?" The monk smiles. "Anything you have would be of great assistance."
Brother Bertram Thursday March 23rd, 2006 1:08:35 PM
Bertram prepares along with the others taking the bags of pepper, placing them where he could easily get to them. He then gingerly removes 5 vials from his pack placing them about his person. Satisfied, He kneels and prays to Domi for strength, then a curiously longer prayer to Gargul, giving thanks that at last he would have an opportunity to repay his debts.
Falin d20+11=27 d20+11=18 d20+11=22 d20+11=23 d20+11=27 d20+11=25 d20+11=30 d20+11=17 d20+11=26 d20+11=18 d20+11=18 d20+11=16 d20+11=23 d20+11=12 d20+11=22 d20+11=12 d20+11=27 d20+11=14 d20+11=22 d20+11=24 Thursday March 23rd, 2006 1:57:36 PM
Falin looks over the remaining 47 arrows he has in his quiver. He takes a hint from the rest of the party and begins to remove the heads off of twenty (20) of them. He will sharpen the tips and then keep them separated from the rest.
Donna, I went ahead and made 20 craft rolls. I don't know what you wanted for a DC. The book places the difficulty for missile weapons at 12. I got a 27, 18, 22, 23, 27, 25, 30, 17, 26, 18, 18, 16, 23, 12, 22, 12, 27, 14, 22, 24. I don't know how long it will take either. If I don't have enough time to do all of them just let me know how many I got made. Thanks.
Olana Thursday March 23rd, 2006 7:31:37 PM
Olana has arrows too, not that the woolly-headed elf would think to do anything similar, unless told to do so.
Gunther Thursday March 23rd, 2006 10:51:28 PM
The warrior grins at K'nara as he accepts the pepper packets. "So vhat's de overall strategy here? Head tovard de palace and den clobber de guards?"
Lian Friday March 24th, 2006 1:48:28 AM
"I'd be willing to place wager on the fact the guards won't be your everyday sword wielding buffoons, Gunther. Remember, she's undead.
I'll take those." He pick up the drop bags. "What about the silverware?"
DM Donna Friday March 24th, 2006 7:51:01 AM
(OOC: my apologies...will post later today.)
{ OOC: ADM Adam checking in. }
Falin d20+2=21 Sunday March 26th, 2006 6:14:51 AM
Rumaging through his haversack Falin tells Lian, "I think I understand what it is you are doing." Int Roll 21
"I don't have anymore silver coin on me, but does anyone else have any?"
Last Minute Preparations - DM Donna Sunday March 26th, 2006 11:13:59 AM
The dwellings of the village are constructed primarily by putting a mixture of mud & thatch over a framework to create a crude but effective sort of plaster. The roofs are thatched.
Bonecrusher's only item made of wood that could be broken up for use as stakes is his dinner table, and he states categorically that he will NOT allow that to get harmed--it took him almost eight months to obtain it in the first place, since it was an import, and imported items require a minimum of six months' time for an order to be filled.
Falin is able to convert 20 of his arrows so that they are now (essentially) "flying stakes".
Bonecrusher regretfully informs the group that the only utensils that he has available are whatever his current dinnerware and pots & pans are made of. A quick examination of them reveals that the pots and pans are iron and his "silverware" is base metal.
"I DO have a nice silver platter..." he says, fetching an oval platter that has some simple but pretty etching on it, "...but I don't think it's going to do you much good."
Indeed, unless the party has access to some smithworks and someone in the party knows how to smelt silver, it would appear that there isn't much you will be able to do with a whole silver platter.
"You have the way of it, Gunther," K'Nara confirms the burly fighter's comment, "Once they give the word, our objective is to get our butts to the Twilight Palace. We'll take care of the guards or whatever once we're there. We need to end the Hunt as soon as possible...before any of us become 'snack food'..."
(OOC: once again my apologies for the late post--life has a way of interrupting at the most inconvenient times. The Grand Hunt will begin on Monday. In game time it will be just at moonrise, or at Harrowed Moon's version of dawn. Technically, the party will be able to get a good night's rest of at least 10 hours.)
Lian Monday March 27th, 2006 10:16:01 AM
"How much for the platter? Is there a silversmith or black smith in the village?"
Brother Bertram Monday March 27th, 2006 1:18:42 PM
Bertram's hand closes on the hilt of the sword. "This is all the silver needed..."
Olana Monday March 27th, 2006 7:18:06 PM
Picking up a mixture of the questions that are currently flying about, Olana takes out her money pouch, calmly sits down cross-legged on the floor, empties the pouch of coin onto the floor, and sets about sorting it into three little piles - gold pieces over here, silver in a little pile in the middle, and coppers all stacked up over there. She pushes the coins with her finger tips, sorting them accurately at high speed, then she starts to sort them out all over again - putting the silver over here, the gold in the middle, etc etc.
((Olana has 12 silver, last time I looked.))
Ingrge (sub Jan) Kent's comp is on the blink Monday March 27th, 2006 8:24:17 PM
As the others make preperations, Ingrge looks up at one point, after doing a fair bit of spell learning and computation. "Before we set off on this wild escapade," he says, "I have spells here that might help. So don't go dashing off without them."
Milo Monday March 27th, 2006 11:58:59 PM
The lack of wood for stakes leaves Milo at a loss for words. The halfling sullenly awaits the time when the hunt begins, watching as others make preparations, "Silver coins won't due, you'd need alchemical silver,which is much harder to come by."
Taking Stock of Stuff - DM Donna Tuesday March 28th, 2006 12:25:17 AM
The troll holding the silver platter contemplates...he recalls trading a bushel of fresh vegetables for the platter.
"Smitty is Reston's blacksmith." Bonecrusher answers Lian with a thoughtful frown. "He doesn't actually smelt anything himself...but I suppose if any of you people know how to do that, his shop could be used..."
"I know that I don't know anything about melting metal..." K'Nara says, "...do any of you...?" Her hazel eyes take in the others as she asks the question.
SO FAR: Bertram has offered up 5 vials of what I'm assuming is Holy Water--plus he's armed with the silver sword that the party ID'd from the treasure taken from Bone Tower.
K'Nara's had Bonecrusher create and distribute two pepper pouches per Talon.
And anything done to this silver tray will require a skill check using Weaponsmithing (can use their Intelligence bonus but not the Weaponsmithing ranks) or Profession: Silversmith (full bonus) or at least possess the Item Creation Feat of Forge Ring (can add Intelligence bonus to roll.)
"It's getting late and we need to rest up for this Hunt tomorrow." K'Nara says with a grimace. "Let's hit the sack, then..."
Gunther Tuesday March 28th, 2006 12:51:54 AM
Having no abilities to help out in the smithing department, Gunther agrees with K'nara's assessment. Time to hit the sack. Looking over at her, he winks. "K'nara...I'm scared...can I sleep with you?"
Ingrge d4=4 Tuesday March 28th, 2006 7:46:27 AM
Well I can melt the stuff and then I suppose we just dip arrows in it while it is still hot. Though I'm not all sure how practical using a fireball to melt the stuff would be.
Ok everyone, I need to cast some spells on you so step forward when you are called.
Ingrge - non detection (scarf), Misdirection, prying eyes (48) K'nara - non detection (scroll) Bertram - non detection (scroll), Misdirection Lian - non detection (scroll) Milo - non detection (scroll), Misdirection Gunther - non detection (scroll) Falin - non detection (potion) Olana - non detection (spell)
Lian Tuesday March 28th, 2006 10:51:27 AM
Lian looks at Milo, a disappointed look on his face. "Silver is silver. Whats the difference? Besides, this realm is a bit different than home, maybe its all we need?"
Looking at Bertram. "You going to pass the sword around every time some else needs it are you?" He askes scatheingly. "Besides, I am considering all options. I have no bladed weapons, but I would certainly feel better in this place if I had even a silver dagger!" He looks are Bonecrusher.
He happily takes the scroll from Ingrge and looks at it. "Whats this? I don't know this spell."
Falin Tuesday March 28th, 2006 9:50:11 PM
Falin steps up to Ingrge when called. "Thanks" He says as he steps back to his gear and finishes getting ready for the hunt.
Falin Tuesday March 28th, 2006 9:50:11 PM
Falin steps up to Ingrge when called. "Thanks" He says as he steps back to his gear and finishes getting ready for the hunt.
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