A new beginning. (DM Jim) Wednesday May 24th, 2006 12:43:03 AM
Morning comes a little too early for everyone as the WLAers had brought out some good glassgrass wine, green gnomish and an amber brose. The partying had went on well into the night as the fishermen would be up the next day for the first day of fishing in a long time.
As the group wakes they find Graze in the main room of the Mug having a light breakfast and obviously nursing a hangover. He looks up at the group as they come down and then motions Trellus over. He holds out a rolled piece of paper for him to take. "That Rayla left this before she left for you...it is a map to thier village." He stabs at the eggs on his plate and then pushes the plate away...deciding to eat some bread and drink a little weak ale.
Wandering outside will lead you to the WLA members as they prepare to be off. Grainz nods to each of you and then moves over to address the group. "We are going to look into the crab ordeal for you...just remember to stop in at an official office to register with the League and Guild." Soon his group is moving off along the coast in the direction that they hope will lead to answers or maybe Marli had divined something from Domi on this.
An older man comes forward just before the Pack is to leave and eyes Jake as he moves to stand before him. "Jhana says that you agreed to marry her two days ago on Lookout Hill." He points a thumb at his daughter, a pretty young brunette with pouty lips and big blue eyes. Those that can remember the past week will remember that Jake was often in the company of this young woman. The man looks Jake up and down and then sighs. "You are not the ideal match for my daughter but she loves you and I think you know each other very well." You cannot miss the point to that last little bit.
Ulgren Wednesday May 24th, 2006 8:42:01 AM
Ulgren smiles as he and his packmates take the oath an d become members of the WLA and a slightly bigger smile as he is taken in as a member of the SMG. Afterwards Ulgren looks upwards, and smiles as tears run down his face. "Sorry I have been so distant," the mage says to his friends, "but this training has had me bushed." Ulgren looks around but hopefully all this training is worth it. The next morning Ulgren carefully packs his bags and memorizes his spells. "Umm Jake, marrige?" the drow whispers, I think I can conjure a mount to get you out of here, just say the word."
OOC Ulgren hit 8th level. Adjusting his character sheet today.
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday May 24th, 2006 6:02:39 PM
Gilan glances to Trellus as he most likely moves over to see Graze. He instead moves over to stand near Flea. "So...looking forward to returning home or are you ready to get rid of me?" His eyes twinkle with mirth as he jokes around with the one packmate that he has offered his home to. "Believe me...I know that you would throw me out of my own home in a flash if a certain gnome showed up?" He lays a hand upon her shoulder as he chuckles lightly at his own joke. He fingers the faded blue ribbon in her hair, if she is wearing it, and shakes his head. "How are those ribbons I gave you holding up?" He dearly cares for the young gnome and hopes that she is happy with her lot in the Pack.
Ciaran nudges his way between the two and looks up at both with expectant eyes. He can feel the bond that they share and all he wants it a little attention of his own. An itch on his ears could use some scratching if one of them will take note of the twitch of his ears.
Standing outside the Mug he moves over to shake hands with Grainz, Kertan and Marli. He is proudly displaying the blue badge upon his green armor. "I will try my best to be worthy of this honor." He moves back to let the others have a few words with the WLA members if they want. Then he hears the bombshell that Jake is to marry or at least that is the direction that it seems to be going.
Rolling his eyes he looks first to Jake and then to Trellus. He uses his friends favorite saying when things are not going the way they should. "Light." Looking around at the crowd they are drawing he shakes his head and sends Ciaran off towards the grass with a hand signal. "Well...do we leave him here or bail him out again." He whispers it just loud enough that Jake can hear him and Trellus who he is standing near. Now they need to get Jake out of trouble again...which brings a smile to his face. "Same old Jake." He laughs a little about it but tries to cover most of it with his hand.
Trellus Wednesday May 24th, 2006 9:08:54 PM
The cleric indeed converges on Graze, and takes the paper. Curious, he opens it up and reads the contents to the pack.
Outside, he shakes everyone's hand again. "We'll be at Hook City as soon as we can," he promises Grainz.
Then, the girls father shows up. The blond man shares Gilan's look, and his own "Light" sounds at the same instant as the druid's. A similiar half smile graces his face as well. But other than that, Trellus doesn't say a word.
Its a non-tactic he's used many times before. And a clear signal to his childhood friends that he intends to let the half-elf twist for a bit.
DM NOTICE Wednesday May 24th, 2006 9:27:43 PM
Wanted to let you know that storms are moving in again so I will most likely make my DM post tomorrow morning sometime.
If anyone has a problem with my late posts or me posting after 10:00PM, please let me know.
Jake Thursday May 25th, 2006 12:24:59 PM
(Sorry I can't post immediately, I'm busy in Canada but will post as soon as I can, a nice long post!)
The old ball and chain. (DM Jim) Thursday May 25th, 2006 1:05:23 PM
It seems that most of the pack is going to let Jake flap in the wind for awhile on this one. Noone speaks up to take Jake's side in this little story and Jake himself is silent. Maybe his mind is working overtime with trying to come up with a way out of this. He has had practice but not for awhile...since leaving Rattledam for so long.
Jhana moves over and circles her arm around Jake's arm, taking his hand as she does. "You said you would marry me Jakie." She is a foot shorter than Jake so is looking up into his face with those pouting eyes and lips. It does not help that the dress she is wearing is cut just low enough to expose skin and she is close enough that Jake can see...
The WLA group has moved out by now and are long gone down the beach. You cannot see them from where you are standing near the Mug.
You do notice that several of the young woman of the village seems jealous of Jhana and you wonder how many of them Jake might have told he loved them. There is that cute freckled redhead that Trellus had stayed with a few nights and she is even now trying to get his attention. If you pay attention you may notice that her father is frowning at this display of emotion from his daughter to one not of the village. But you can also see him appraising the possibilities...seeing as how Trellus is a cleric of Domi.
Mac Thursday May 25th, 2006 6:02:47 PM
Packed for the road, Mac pauses while the good-byes take place. Except they are not good-byes.
After a long silence of his own, to Trellus he says, "The Lady Baron... the rescuing of the children... you swore a promise."
Grymash Thursday May 25th, 2006 7:19:53 PM "Hmmmm," mumbles the half-orc. "Ya knows ... if more girlies show up claimin' Jake, weez maybe need ta divy Jake up ta keeps thems from fightin'!" Grymash draws a dagger along with a big goofy grin on his face. He gently and playfully twirls the knife between his fingers. "Whoz ever gets ta cut, da other gets ta pick which half ... dat only fairs!" Grymash continues to grin, but now many yellowish tusk and teeth are showing. Evidentally very proud and tickled of his rapier wit.
Jake Thursday May 25th, 2006 7:48:22 PM
Acceptance into the WLA is greeted by whoops and cheers by the young half-elf. Then, the bad news comes along. Ulgren whispers to Jake and for the first time since they'd gotten the heart-touch ability for the pack, Jake uses it to send a silent affirmative message. To the entire pack. PREPARE TO RUN! is the message he empathically sends over the link. Meanwhile, though, he's fast-talking the father and daughter. He lets the pack get a bit of distance, a head start on him. While speaking to the villagers in thanks. Telling Jhana how pretty she is and how much she means to him, and him how he'll take care of her and promise to be a good husband... Then Ulgren will summon his mount, and before anyone can react, Jake jumps up! "Heigh Ho, Bloodpack away!" And he starts dashing off after his packmates. He turns, waving his hat to the villagers... "Ah'm sorry, Jhana, but ah have to follow my packmates..."
Trellus d20+10=29 Thursday May 25th, 2006 8:31:53 PM THAT'S your smooth-talking exit?!? Trellus wonders incredulously.
"I'm sorry," he apologizes to the gathering crowd. "Jake just isn't a good fit for marraige. He's likely to go Walker at any moment." To forstall any other efforts, the cleric decides to go for the ol' standby.
"We love it here. We really do. You dudes have treated us like packmates. So much so that Anuk has decided to remain to help you. But we can't all stay. Like Mac said, we promised to help the Barons. They have children missing, and we've got to help them, as we helped you. Please. We must go. Think of the children." [Diplomacy 29]
With that, Trellus waves, turns, and trots toward the Baron Lady.
"Let's weave, dudes."
Ammendment. (DM Jim) Friday May 26th, 2006 2:20:03 AM
Though Jake tries to send out a heart touch to the rest of his pack, but Ulgren, none of them feel a thing from him. Jake is not aware of any of this...though he will notice that noone moved.
Gilan and Ciaran Friday May 26th, 2006 4:10:45 PM
Gilan rolls his eyes at the way Jake attempts negotiations. "Light." He looks over when Trellus starts talking and thanks Domi that at least one of his friends has a brain. "That boy is going to get us killed yet." As Trellus starts to leave Gilan gives a curt bow to the villagers and then turns himself to leave. Part of him is wondering just how far they will get before someone tries to stop them. "Just when you could truely use a Baron and one is not around." He gives a short whistle that brings Ciaran back to his side, now that they are twenty feet from the villagers.
Ulgren: Mount Tuesday May 30th, 2006 12:12:18 PM
An Ulgren smile at Jake and with a flourish conjures a mount. The drow then swings up in the saddle and waves to the villagers, "Thanks, you have been wonderful." Ulgren then rides towards the plains and the groups promise to the baroness.
having problems pulling up my character sheet. Will post spells tonight.
Grymash Tuesday May 30th, 2006 7:26:57 PM
Grymash looks at Jake staring back at him ... as if he was trying to tell him something. "What!?" The half-orc thinks for a bit and continues in a lower voice, "pack betters get gute an gone, now!"
Into the Grass. (DM Jim) Tuesday May 30th, 2006 8:34:22 PM
The older man seems at a loss for words as the pack say their final farewells and then move towards the grass. By the time that he is able to get his voice back the pack is well into the grass and moving away from the village. "That dirty skunk...if he comes back to this village he will marry my daughter." He stomps off with a determined look upon his face but also a hint of a smile.
Trellus is leading the group for once as he still has the map tucked into his belt. There had been other more pressing things to deal with. The group has traveled at least fifty feet from the village and into the grass. It had appeared to Trellus that this Baron village is sort of northeast from thier current location.
Flea d20+9=10 d20+11=20 Wednesday May 31st, 2006 7:43:33 AM
Flea shakes her head, and then rubs the back of it, in unconscious immitation of two of her pack-mates. "Dirty skunk," she mutters, repeating the words of the man from town as she turns to follow her friends back into the grass.
Flea will trail along behind the others, keeping an eye on the backtrail. Her mind is pre-occupied, wondering what a certain gnome is up too and wondering, too, if he still thinks of her, so whe doesn't catch much (spot=10, nat. 1, Listen=20).
Jake Wednesday May 31st, 2006 12:33:55 PM
Jake is happy to be off again. "Too much time spent cooped up in one town... it's time to hit the road my friends!" He laughs lightheartedly, and uses a stick of super-hard, dried glass as walking stick to gain a bit of distance. The half-elf glances at the village as it sinks into the distance, grinning wistfully. "Well, so far, travelling outside of rattledam, we've seen angry crabs, evil ants, dragons, gods, even snow! What do you guys think will be next on the menu?"
Mac Wednesday May 31st, 2006 5:42:40 PM
Mac paces on at the tail of the pack, prepared to pick up stragglers. At Jake's question he quickly replies, "Lava?", not that he has seen anything like that since... the soot.
Trellus Wednesday May 31st, 2006 9:34:56 PM
"Half-elf", Trellus responds with a grunt and a slightly disbelieving shake of his head. "Light, Jake. It don't take much thread for you to make a twisted mess, does it?"
The cleric figures he can crash through Grass just as easily as the next dude, especially with Anuk staying behind. So, he takes an occasional glance at the map and blunders on ahead.
Unless someone else is willing to volunteer.....
Tishe (sub MikeK) Wednesday May 31st, 2006 9:36:14 PM
A bit saddened by the departure of Anuk, and a bit cross at the idiocy of Jake - boys, hmph - Tishe stays near the middle and lets her mind wander.
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday May 31st, 2006 10:04:56 PM
Gilan stays near Trellus as the travel along through the grass most of the time. He does fall back on occassion and check upon the others.
Slipping up next to Flea he shoots her a smile. "Thinking about Bodhi?" He figures as quiet as she has been lately it has to be the reason. He wonders how easy it would be to get back to this Ice Vein so that she could see the gnome again. He lays a hand upon her shoulder as they move along. "I have been thinking about how to send him a message...I am still puzzling it out but have a couple of ideas." He gives her a smile as he moves off to check on the others.
Ciaran stays on by Flea's side and leans lightly into her. For some reason he can feel the sadness that touches her...most likely through his brother, but it is still there.
A few days travel. (DM Jim) Thursday June 1st, 2006 12:39:21 AM
The group has been moving now for three days and have made it a fair piece from the coastal village. According to the map the village that you are traveling too is nearer the Crystal Mountains.
It is after noon on the fourth day of travel when you hit a patch of short grass. Directly in the middle of it is what appears to be a dragon. It is not moving and is gray in coloration with wings spread as if in flight or getting ready to take off. The mouth is open as well as if it has let out a roar or breathed death upon something.
The grass around this odd statue does not seem to be harmed in anyway. In fact nothing seems to be out of place here and there is a sense of peace about it.
Trellus Thursday June 1st, 2006 8:46:20 PM
"What in the Wold is THAT?" Trellus wonders aloud. The cleric looks right and left and right again across the short grass, checking for some sign of, well, somebody.
At a loss, he turns back to the gnome. She's keeps telling him this is what she does. "Flea? Think you can check it out?"
If she agrees, he lays a hand on her shoulder, whispering "Domi protect you." [Domain Feat - Protective Ward: +9 bonus on next save roll] "Gry, watch the right side. Mac, watch the left."
Trellus keeps an eye on the rogue/bard.
Tishe Thursday June 1st, 2006 8:46:59 PM
The small, brown haired girl watches curiously.
Ulgren d20+15=20 Thursday June 1st, 2006 11:03:59 PM
The drow falls quickly into the steady moving that is required to move across the plains. the mage makes sure to keep his water skin handy and drinks only a little at a time to spread it out. Ulgren spends much of his time talking to Tishe' about spells and componets but makes sure that he gets to know each of his packmates better. As they come across the gray colored dragon teh mages gasps and begins wracking his mind for any lore he might have on a creature such as this, <Knowledge Arcana: DC 20> Spells Memorized: 0- Messagex2, Pestidigitationx2 1- Mage Armorx1,Mountx1,Shieldx2, Roses Tempx1, Enlarge personx1 2- Scorching rayx3, Blurx2 3- Fireballx2, Hastex1, Dispel Magicx1 4- Envenerationx2, Leomoundsx1
having problems pulling up my character sheet. Will post spells tonight.
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday June 1st, 2006 11:37:44 PM
Gilan keeps pace easily with the rest till they reach that clearing. He takes in the sight and then shakes his head. "Is that a statue?" He does not move any closer but lets Flea do her job as Trellus asks her about it.
Ciaran stays near his brother's side and looks up at him. He is wondering why everyone is looking at this thing so strangely. Really he does not smell anything.
DM post maybe a little slow as I will be needing reactions from a few different people before moving on. :)
Flea (Protective Ward) d20+23=32 d20+14=29 d20+9=18 d20+13=24 Thursday June 1st, 2006 11:57:46 PM
"Uh, yeah. Sure." Flea answers moving from the back of the line to stand by the leader of the Bloodpack.
The rogue accepts the cleric's protection and moves cautiously towards the stone dragon, circling in such a way that she approaches it from behind and to one side, opposite to where it may be staring with its stoney eyes. The rogue is very careful with her approach, in case there is some sort of trap
From Trellus-Protective Ward: +9 bonus on next save roll
Mac d20+6=25 d20+1=8 Friday June 2nd, 2006 12:15:37 AM
Looking and carefully steping wide around the left side of the statue, Mac keeps his eyes and ears keen. [Spot:25, Listen:8]
The Stone. (DM Jim) Friday June 2nd, 2006 1:42:02 PM
Flea slowly circles the dragon as she stays as much hidden as possible in this open area. But the thing never moves and as she draws closer she would guess it to be a statue. There are no obvious traps or anything of the like around or on the statue.
The others wait silently at the edge of the grass but are more than ready to come to Flea's aid if this turns bad.
If Flea gets close enough to the front to see the things mouth she will have noticed the glint of something inside the mouth.
Jake d20+7=12 d20+2=20 Saturday June 3rd, 2006 5:35:04 AM
The half-elf sees the thing and is impatient to move forward...but Flea is the sneakiest, he knows. He draws his sword and shield and stands ready, ears and senses poised... (listen 12, spot 20)
Trellus d20+7=16 d20+7=26 d20+7=25 Sunday June 4th, 2006 3:26:42 PM
The eyes of the cleric are fixed on Flea and the statue the small gnome circles.
He wonders about the statue, searching his memory for any stories or tales about it. [Knowledge Arcana: 16 Knowledge Religion: 26 Knowledge Sargass Plains: 25]
Ulgren Sunday June 4th, 2006 10:06:56 PM
The drow takes a few moments to cast an extended Mage Armor on himself and then watches the dragon as Flea makes her way around the dragon.
Tishe' and Stripes (SteveK is back) Sunday June 4th, 2006 11:16:50 PM
Keeping as quiet as she may, Tishe' crouches in the grass with Stripes, idly rubbing at a bruise from the bastard sword practices and climbing walls.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday June 5th, 2006 8:09:48 PM
Gilan watches and waits with the rest of the group, though he finds it hard. One hand rests between the shoulders of Ciaran as if set for an attack. In fact from the look, both are ready to make an attack as if reading the other. "Surely it sensed her...or is it truely stone?" He is muttering low to himself but the people to each side of him will hear.
Flea (Protective Ward) d20+9=25 Monday June 5th, 2006 11:05:40 PM
Flea circles the stone statue with care, then spots something in it's mouth (Spot=25, should be good enough?) "Hey guys," she calls to her friends, "look at this!" The gnome moves towards the statue, and reaches out towards the shiny thing in it's mouth...
DM Sanity Info:
From Trellus-Protective Ward: +9 bonus on next save roll
Grymash d20+2=16 d20+5=16 Monday June 5th, 2006 11:47:29 PM
(sorry for not posting. Ive been feeling under the weather lately. walking pneumonia to be exact.)
Grymash moves forward with the rest with his double axe now drawn. He sends a silent message to Flea saying, "be quick an dodgy flea. not all dragon be nice likes grand maw!"
(Spot 16, Listen 16)
Snap Dragon. (DM Jim) 2d6(4+4)=8 2d6(4+4)=8 Tuesday June 6th, 2006 1:56:45 AM
Flea notices the red gem inside of the thing's mouth. The gem must be at least two feet inside of the mouth and down the thing's throat. She is close enough to realize now that the thing is most definitely a statue as it has not moved.
The rest of the group hang out around the edge of the grass till Flea speaks up. Grymash is the first to move in a little ways as he mentally sends a message to Flea.
As Flea's hand nears the dragon's mouth she notices nothing out of the ordinary. Her eyes continue to scan for danger that does not present itself. No more than her hand, up to her wrist, gets inside the things mouth and it snaps shut. Otherwise the dragon does not movea muscle in any other way.
Reflex DC 16 or get your hand caught in the thing's mouth and 8 damage is taken. Your hand will then be caught and an additional 8 damage will be dealt to your wrist.
I assume that Grymash is not sending a message through the heart gem but is just thinking?
Trellus Tuesday June 6th, 2006 8:36:19 PM
The statue snaps shut and Trellus involuntary flinches in sympathy with the rogue.
Should she be caught, he rushes forward to help.
Should she escape, he waits anxiously.
Flea (Evasion) d20+11=20 d20+6=16 d20+15=26 Tuesday June 6th, 2006 10:54:37 PM
"Oh no you don't" squeels the rogue as she quickly draws back her hand. (Reflex=20, Sleight of Hand=16). Tumbling out of the way (Tumble=26), just in case, the rogue pops up somewhere near Trellus. Flea unclasps her hand, and looks down...
Had she been fast enough to snatch the shiney trinket from the dragon's jaws?
Grymash Wednesday June 7th, 2006 12:19:15 AM
Grymash also flinches when the jaws snap shut. He forces himself not to charge on the statue. The statue not showing any other aggression helps fortify his will. But his gloves creak under the strain of his grip on his weapon.
Mac Wednesday June 7th, 2006 2:00:43 AM
Mac has begun estimating how much force it might take to move the form when he hears a noise and sees Flea retreating (gracefully and apparently intact) towards the rest of the pack.
Tishe' and Stripes d20+6=10 d20+6=19 Wednesday June 7th, 2006 6:28:08 AM
a 'snap' is heard over the 'grass, and Tishe' quickly looks up from her reverie with Stripes.
Whew! Flea is safe, but this is obviously a trap of some kind, and deliberately placed in the party's path.
Looking around, the spellweaver looks to see if they are in another ambush (Spot: 10, Listen: 19)
"Could it be Barons or the underground slavers that put this trap in our way?" she wonders aloud.
Mac Thursday June 8th, 2006 5:13:27 AM
"Might be a lost Dragon's Tear?" Mac ventures.
Jake Thursday June 8th, 2006 7:21:40 PM
"Flea!" Jake automatically yells in surprise/shock, but then looks grateful. He steps forward to meet the halfling and rustles her hair happily. "Looks like ya kept all yer fingers..."
All fingers present and accounted for (ADM MikeK) Thursday June 8th, 2006 8:55:50 PM
Grymash - Wisdom check 12 Highlight to display spoiler: { Flea doesn't react in any way to the Heart Touch, which is unusual for her}
Faster than thought, the diminutive gnome snatches her hand away as the stone jaws snap shut. Breathlessly, she opens her fist to reveal....
nothing.
The jaws of the statue open, and the red gem still beckons from deep inside the throat of the statue. Flea figures she'd have to get her arm in up to her shoulder in order to reach it - And that just ain't gonnna happen with it snapping shut like that.
Tishe' and Snout Friday June 9th, 2006 3:39:49 AM
The brown eyes light up when Mac mentions a Dragon's Tear. "Amazing thought! Could Grand Maw have placed this here for Ulgren?"
"Ulgren! Perhaps you should try getting the gem."
To better explain herself, Tishe' shucks her tunic and shows the red tear-shaped gem embedded in her chest just over her bound breasts. "A dragon gave each of us this magical gem. It lets us help each other with strength and health and lets us talk like a Message spell, too."
Trellus Friday June 9th, 2006 2:17:08 PM
Trellus is relieved Flea is OK, but just a tad skeptical about Mac's idea.
"Dudes, we're the middle of the sunblasted Grass. The odds of just happening on a Tear are," the cleric's eyes flick to the sky as he tries to come up with a suitable description. "Well, not very good," he finishes lamely.
Still, if it IS a Tear.
"Maybe we can shine some light down there and get a better look," he suggests.
Flea Friday June 9th, 2006 6:27:24 PM
Flea looks to her empty palm, and sticks out her lower lip in a pout. "Must be loosing my touch," she mutters. The rogue stands beside Jake, and sulks as the others talk strategy.
Tishe' and Stripes (2nd Post) Friday June 9th, 2006 11:30:16 PM
OOC: DFR3 is over. Tishe' is going to have the 2,700gp per person to the Bloodpack. Is that 'just' gold or experience too? :) Pending DM approval...
"We could check to see if the gem is the same colour and shape as a Dragon Tear." suggests Tishe', "and how many dragon statues (or anything looking like a dragon and not a Sarg Moth) have you seen on the Plains?"
"Maybe Grymash can see if the statue looks like Grand Maw?" Uncharacteristically, the short girl giggles. "He got the closest look of her after all."
Thinking...... (ADM MikeK) Sunday June 11th, 2006 8:56:22 PM
As an annoyed Flea mumbles to herself, Trellus and Tishe discuss how to find out if Mac's idea is correct.
Meanwhile, Mac, Grymash, Ulgren, Jake, and Gilan keep their thoughts to themselves.
Flea - Int check 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { the stone inside the statue's mouth does seem to resemble a Tear in its size, shape, and color. }
Grymash thinks this is highly unusual. Flea didn't hear his silent message! The half-orc whispers to the others. "Flea no hear Gry talk! An Gry no hear Flea talk! Whut dis be?" Grymash answers Tishe by saying, "Gry no think it be Grand Maw! Grand Maw be prettier ... an moves more! Dis dragon no be movin'! Look! Grand Maw moves a lots!"
(Search 18, examining the dragons details. Nat. 20.)
Flea d20+3=12 Monday June 12th, 2006 9:22:06 PM
Flea stops grumbling, and frankly, the rogue's curiousity gets the better of her. Slowly the gnome circles the statue, on tip-toes, in order to see inside the thing's mouth. "Look! Look!" she calls out, pointing. "I think Mac is right!" Flea tugs at her leather armour, and then the ties at her shirt, in order to reveal the red gem embedded in her chest. "It looks just the same!"
Int. Check=12
Tishe' and Stripes Tuesday June 13th, 2006 3:18:05 AM
Tishe' cocks her head to one side and wonders about Grymash's comment. "Well of course the real Grand Maw would move more than a statue, but why do you say she moves lots if..."
Blushing deep crimson, the brown-haired girl abruptly stops wondering and becomes intensely interested in the types of grasslings at her feet.
Jake Tuesday June 13th, 2006 3:32:01 PM
Jake looks at Flea somewhat worriedly. Maybe Flea's a doppleganger or shapechanger, sent to infiltrate them! Doesn't make much sense, but the heart thing isn't working? Jake sends out a heart pulse to her, trying very hard. If there's no response, he tries sending a pulse out toe ach other member of the team, then everyone at once...
"Do we really need this gem? It's probably magical and evil, otherwise nobody'd leave it here."
Grymash Tuesday June 13th, 2006 8:22:24 PM "Uhh!?" wonders the dim half-orc. "Ohhh! Yeah ... moves lots, much lots, hee hee!"
Trellus d20+12=18 Tuesday June 13th, 2006 8:56:30 PM
"I dunno, Jake" the cleric replies dubiously as he hears Flea's agreement with the taur. "Maybe Mac is on to something."
Trellus approaches the statue, motioning for Ulgren to do the same. He looks over to Grymash with a frown as well. Something about Flea is bugging the half orc too?
One thing at a time.
"Whaddya think?" he asks the drow. "Any ideas on how to get past that trap?"
The blond man gives the statue the once over, but has a hard time concentrating. [Spellcraft check 18] Tishe has given him a visual image he's finding very difficult to block out.
How about that? (ADM MikeK) Tuesday June 13th, 2006 9:02:01 PM
Grymash quietly voices his concerns regarding Flea. Jake sends out heart touches to everybody, only to find nobody is reacting to them.
While that is going on, Tishe and Grymash have a rather interesting misinterpretation of each other's words.
Meanwhile, Trellus and Ulgren approach the statue. The cleric tries to figure out how to broach the trap. Suddenly, Ulgren solves the dilemma by casually sticking his hand down the statue's throat, grabbing the gem, and hauling it back out again.
The statue's jaws never move.
In his hand, Ulgren holds what looks all the Wold like a Dragon Tear.
Tishe' and Stripes Wednesday June 14th, 2006 3:30:25 AM
Blushing all the way down to her bared chest, Tishe' is oblivious to the goings on around her. Instead, she is trying VERY hard to block out the picture forming in her mind of Grymash and GrandMaw being an... intimate couple. She mumbles something about "Lari" and blushes still further until it would be difficult to see her ruby Dragon Tear on her ruby-flushed chest.
Knowing something is bothering his human without any notion of what it is, Stripes the hyena hovers and whines encouragingly.
Trellus Wednesday June 14th, 2006 12:25:33 PM
Trellus cannot believe Ulgren is doing what he's doing. "Dude! Are you," he begins angrily. But, as he speaks, the drow is already withdrawing his arm. With the gem. The cleric's voice falls and he finsihes the sentence with a quiet, disbelieving, "sunbaked?"
"Um, OK then. Guess we're done. Let's weave."
Trellus pulls out the map, and heads off in the direction of the Barons.
Flea Wednesday June 14th, 2006 5:36:23 PM
Open mouthed, Flea stares at the drow as he removes the gem from the stone dragon's mouth. "How'd you do that?" she asks, then turning to follow Trellus, she skips along beside him, asking, "How'd he do that?"
Flea moves back and forth between her pack mates as the marching order forms up. Suddenly animated she asks, to no one in particular, "and where are we off to now? What next? Tunnels? Rattledam? Baron's? The weird lady with the dogs?"
Grymash Wednesday June 14th, 2006 7:23:10 PM
The half-orc is perplexed. Flea should have heard him. So he tries it again .. but mentally louder! Pointing at Flea very forcibly now, Gry lets out ..."FLEEAA!! DO YAZ HEAR DA WORDS COMIN' OUT OF GRY'S HEAD?!!" The throbbing veins on his forehead is the only indication of his mental volume.
What up with Grymash? (ADM MikeK) Wednesday June 14th, 2006 8:21:46 PM
Ulgren quietly slips the stone into his pack. The drow has apparently not quite decided if he wants a rock sticking out of his chest.
Trellus starts walking toward the grass, obviously with some kind of destination in mind, although Flea isn't aware of it.
Flea would like to know how Ulgren managed not to get his arm chopped off. But no one is answering.
No one is answer Grymash either. But, its becoming seriously apparent to the whole pack that the half-orc has a problem. Fists clenched and neck muscles straining with effort, the barbarian is staring down Flea as if trying to squash her with his mere thought.
The half-orc isn't a loremaster, but even he can tell his little gnome friend has no idea what he's doing.
Tishe' and Stripes Wednesday June 14th, 2006 10:57:41 PM
Moving through the Sargrass seems to calm Tishe' somewhat. She recovers herself and is generally pleased about the satisfactory end to the dragon statue episode. "Seems that there was some dragon magic involved that would only give the gem to Ulgren. No fault of yours, Flea." she continues consolingly and then looks at Grymash.
Seeing the half-orc going through the beginning stages of apoplexy, the small woman is alarmed. "Grymash! What's wrong! Trellus! We need a healer here!" The plain-faced woman moves to put a hand on Gry's green arm in concern.
Jake Thursday June 15th, 2006 12:29:55 AM
"No, Gry's all right... It's just, um, the heart touch thing isn't working. Ah mean, ah tried it on you guys, and it didn't work for me...here or back at the village, ah guess? And now it didn't work from Gry to Flea, huh? So, something must be wrong.. It could be 'cause we got so far from home, or it could be something happened to the druids themselves..." Jake looks at the others, and realizes he's speculating when they should be the ones who always speculate such bad stuff. Usually, Trell or Gil says something like that. It's his job to say what follows, which is, "aww, dust, it's probably nuttin' but some magic messed up or something." Jake also examines the dragon tear. "So, what are we gonna do with these ones? Implant 'em again? That sounds kinda greedy. Think they'll fix the missing heart link?"
(To remind all those who forgot what Dragon Tears do, like I did:
The Tears of the dragon
Once the gem is "installed or implanted" into the chest the character's will have the following abilities.
As a standard action, the Tear bearer will be able to send a message like the message spell in PhB 3 times a day. The message can only go to other characters who have the tear imbedded in their chests.
Any character who has been graced with a tear will be able to tell the general health and emotional state of another tear wearing character
Once per day, as a standard action, any Tear bearer can send strength and/or hitpoints to another character with the tear. It can only be sent on a 3/1 ratio. Example would be Grymash could send 3 strength points to Anuk and Anuk would receive one. Same with hitpoints,
The recipient's temporary hit points and strength will fade after one hour.
People who send strength with get it back naturally 1 point per day. A restoration spell will restore it but only after it has faded from the character who received it. Hitpoints sent can be recovered immediately by means of healing spells/potions.
If a character dies, while implanted, all the others will feel immense pain and take 5 points of permanent hp loss. Only a wish will restore these lost hitpoints.)
Flea Thursday June 15th, 2006 2:18:06 AM
"What'd I do? What'd I do?" cries Flea, as she backs away from the red-face half-orc.
Without taking her eyes off Grymash, Flea hears what Jake has to say.
"What do you mean it doesn't work anymore?" she asks. Moving her tunic so that the gem is exposed, she knocks on its gleaming red surface and then squeezing her eyes shut, she tries to send out the heart touch. The rogue stands very still, eyes shut, waiting for the strange, but comforting sensation of her friends' responding messages.
Mac Thursday June 15th, 2006 7:06:30 AM Curious... the taur muses to himself.
After a few moments he begins to chuckle, then laugh... louder and louder. Just when it looked like he was about to settle down he spies Gry about to burst blood vessels or worse... and he starts laughing all over again - but even louder!
Eventually he drops to his knees, laughing so hard he's fighting to draw breath. Rolling over onto his back he draws one deep breath, and waits for the laughter to die down, or to see Gry again.
Ulgren Thursday June 15th, 2006 9:50:45 AM
Ulgren takes teh gem out of his pack and looks at his friends, "You actually placed this in you chest?" The drow shakes his head in surprise. "If your tears aren't workign does that mean mine won't? Because if thats the case there is no point in placing one in my chest, is there?" Ulgren waits on a replay as he studies the gem.
Trellus Thursday June 15th, 2006 11:41:37 AM
Turing, Trellus' heart sinks as Gry looks like he's getting all shuttlecocked. Unlike Tishe, he makes no hasty moves toward his friend, and he definitely doesn't touch him.
As Jake speaks, the blond man starts figuring it out. And quickly tries some experiments. Trellus tries the heart touch with each of his packmates, and then tries a message via the Tear to Flea.
He frowns at Mac. Its not really that funny. But he doesn't say anything.
And then a thought occurs to him. "Maybe its not working because we don't all have one," he comments while looking at Ulgren.
Mac (additional post) Thursday June 15th, 2006 7:27:27 PM
In amongst the subsiding laughter Mac interjects, "Maybe its not working because of something that happened at the fishing village. Heck, maybe its the price the Gargulus Girl put on us for not responding soon enough for her liking!"
OOC: It is good to be happy when things go right. Mac wasn't initially laughing at anyone in particular, but once the humour took hold and he saw Gry it just escalated. The topic of Grand Maw had nothing to do with it - perhaps that was just bad timing.
A mystery within an enigma (ADM MikeK) Thursday June 15th, 2006 9:04:42 PM
The resolution of the mystery of Grymash's behavior only leads to a greater mystery. After some quick experimentation, it becomes obvious that neither the Heart Touch, nor the Dragon Tear are effective any longer. Not even questioning thoughts toward Anuk are answered, and everyone becomes aware they cannot sense each other as before.
Several packmates offer various explanations, while Ulgren questions the need to go through with his own implantation.
Somebody is gonna have to do something eventually, unless the Bloodpack wishes to join the unspeaking statue in its eternal vigil.
Tishe and Stripes Thursday June 15th, 2006 10:21:57 PM
With some experiments and conference (assuming trying all the different powers of the Dragon Tears), Tishe' comes up with some conclusions. "The Dragon Tears and the Heart-touch of the Circle have spun thier picks since Ulgren has been with us, so it is not because he is not implanted. Besides, being implanted with a Dragon Tear wouldn't affect the heart-touch at all (which is from the monks in Rattledam, Ulgren.)".
"Weaveing the same, the Dragon Tear worked when fighting the slavers since I spun my health to Grymash during that fight. Has anyone successfully picked either since our visit to Gargul's Domain? [OOC: I'm assuming a 'no' here] Then that is our answer to the problem. Now," and she pauses to look at the others "I don't know of any way to string this loom, so let's not get shuttlecocked in the middle of the Sargrass, and continue our walk to the Baron's stronghold."
She stands and readies herself for travel. "Ulgren, I would recommend you put the Dragon's Tear on your chest like the rest of the pack. If nothing else, it would mark you as the Bloodpack and currently weaving on the same loom as the Barons. Otherwise, they may think you are a lone prariepig to be taken."
Grymash d20-2=4 Thursday June 15th, 2006 10:38:21 PM "BLLAAAGGGHH!!" erupts the bulging-eyed half-orc. Grymash seems to deflat before everyones eyes. "AAUUGGGHKK! ... pooyie!" He brings his big hands up to his face and starts rubbing his aching head. "piggie dumps ...Gry no get da think-talkin' ta work!! Been tryin' all dis time ta send thinkin' words ta Flea! Owww, Gry think me broke sumethin'."
(Int check: 4) Grymash pauses only to catch his breath before thinking to ask, "Whut weez been talkin' bout? Gry's head hurts."
Ulgren Friday June 16th, 2006 9:07:56 AM
Ulgren smiles at Tishe', "if you say so." The drow places the tear in the dead center of his chest, takes a deep breath, and pushes straight in.
Trellus Friday June 16th, 2006 2:21:30 PM
The blond man watches intently as Ulgren installs the gem. When the drow is done, Trellus exhales slowly. He hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath.
"Well," he mutters, "here goes nothin'"
Trellus sends a heart touch to Grymash, and then a message to Flea - Can you hear me now?
Gilan and Ciaran Friday June 16th, 2006 5:56:44 PM
Gilan looks around at that rest of the group with thoughts of his own. He watches as Ulgren places the gem into his chest and then gives a smile. "I think that makes it extra official...Ulgren is truely one of us and noone can argue that point." With a look to Trellus he indicates the map at his belt. "Guess you should show that to everyone here so that we all have an idea of where we are going...I for one am interested."
Ciaran just stands near his brother's right leg and watches everyone as they go about their own business. He does not understand anything that is going on and is not sure he ever will with this pack.
Tishe' and Stripes Friday June 16th, 2006 11:29:38 PM
Tishe' is pleased that Ulgren marks himself like the rest of them, but is more impatient to be off and getting to the Baron's stronghold.
She keeps her equipment about her and patiently waits for her packmates to begin the trek.
The Mark of Blood. (DM Jim) Saturday June 17th, 2006 1:17:38 AM
The group starts a discussion on the possible reasons for the inability to use the heart-touch or speak through the gems. Many ideas are thrown out but none of them can be proven at this time but one...that Ulgren is ungemed.
Ulgren looks to the rest of the group and then places the gem to his chest. As he gently presses it to his skin he feels the sudden burning sensation that spreads out across his skin. Even if he pulls away the gem continues to settle into place and the burning slowly increases. Then as if it has always been there the burning stops and the gem is flush with the rest of his skin, with only a slight raise where the gem is located. The burning is gone and a soothing cool is replacing it, with a sense of peace as well.
Trellus concentrates on his own gem and tries to send out a message to both Flea and Grymash. Though he watches them closely neither of them seem to react to his mental question.
Grymash finds that his head is still hurting from thinking so hard at Flea. If he did not know better he would think that he had just drank a small barrel of glassgrass wine...warm that is.
Most of the group is a little disturbed by the way that a power has stopped working. Others seem to be trying to put more pressing matters ahead of it. Maybe they can work it out as the group moves along. Speaking of which...Trellus knows that they must continue to head in a northeasterly direction for a good distance more.
There was money gained for the DFR 3 from two different players. I am going to award it to the group at this time and you can do shopping if you want. Be warned that I will not approve any new purchases till we reach the Baron Village. I will also be needing updated Character Sheets from everyone as well.
Tishe' - 2700 gold per Bloodpacker Gilan - 3600 gold per Bloodpacker
Those were the rewards for the two Bloodpack members that were in the DFR 3.
Jake Sunday June 18th, 2006 3:55:26 AM
Jake gives Gry a light slap on the back of his hard skull. "Stop thinkin' so hard, Gry, ya know it ain't good for yer health." He glances over and nods to Tishe.. "Yah, yer probably right. We'd better head on, anyways..." He takes a stalk of grass and chews on the end, pondering. "Hmmmm, so, what do you think we'll find next? Care to place a bet? Barons or monsters?"
Flea d20+9=11 Sunday June 18th, 2006 9:04:19 PM
Disconcerted and distracted, Flea ques up, and follows the leaders out into the Sargrass Plain. After one last glance over her shoulder at the stone dragon,(Spot=11) her thoughts turn inwards.
Maybe something happened to Grandmaw? she thinks, as she glances covertly at Grymash. Maybe the dragon magic is dead? Better not say anything to the half-orc!
As Flea marches along, she wonders if she would know if something ever happened to Bodhi, in the gods forsaken place his party called Ice Vein.
Mac Sunday June 18th, 2006 9:17:23 PM
Mac falls into step near the rear of the pack, feeling just a little pleased that he has gotten something right.
Tishe' and Stripes d20+6=21 Sunday June 18th, 2006 11:22:42 PM
Putting a stray lock of wavy brown hair behind her ear, Tishe' falls in the trek through the Sargrass. Keeping her crossbow loaded, she scans the grass for any signs of danger. (Spot: 21)
Pacing easily beside her, Stripes complements his human's watchful silence.
Gilan and Ciaran d20+10=20 d20+10=28 d20+3=6 d20+3=8 Monday June 19th, 2006 5:16:38 PM
Gilan falls into step with the rest of the pack. He thinks over the past few events that have happened and wonders how soon the tears and heart-touch stopped working. Lost in though he does not pay attention to much or at least it appears that way to him. He does pass along the lines of his packmates and sees what they have to say...asking each the following question. "When did you last use the tear or heart-touch and it worked?" Otherwise he tries to keep a check upon his packmates to make sure they are holding up well in the heat.
Ciaran is more worried about dangers than anything else and keeps his attention focused upon the grasses themselves. He knows that his brother has other problems and he is filling in for that lack of attention.
[Gilan listen 20 and spot 28] [Ciaran listen 6 and spot 8]
Grymash d20-2=16 Monday June 19th, 2006 8:10:52 PM
Grymash darts Jake a hard stare after he re-adjusts his helmet from his little slap. Gry's thoughts quickly change to visions of pulling someones undergarmets up in a violently taut and painful way. But like most his thoughts, they soon pass.
As the Bloodpack continue on through the Sargrass, his attention falls upon the large, serated dragon fang hanging on a leather cord around his neck. Red scaly hide remains wrapped tight around its thick base serving as its loop. Stray memories begin to flutter back of an epic battle. Almost like a dream, but way too real. Even in the cool of night, the fang stayed warm to the touch. Like a torch whose Flame was just snuffed out. Grymash smiles. These are bloody memories for sure. "Hmmm, blood ... and fire," he mutters.
Tishe' and Stripes Monday June 19th, 2006 10:51:38 PM
Tishe' is also thinking hard on when the last time she has successfully used a Dragon Tear or Hearttouch. She looks around startled when Gilan asks her much the same question. "Ummm... I gave health to Grymash when battling the slavers, and I tried to give health to Mac when he was caught in the crab claw, but I can't remember if it worked."
[DM: I really can't remember....]
Ulgren Monday June 19th, 2006 11:02:51 PM
Ulgren takes a deep breath as the gem finally settles into his chest. The drow falls into place with his comrades, rubbing his chest slightly as he follows his packmates.
A Dome of a Different Type. (DM Jim) d100=54 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 12:25:34 AM
The pack has been moving through the grass now for at least four days with no sight of anything...hostile or otherwise. It is getting late into the morning, about noon, when the pack sees something in the distance.
In the distance the group can make out what appears to be a dome in the high grasses ahead. It is still about a mile away but easy to make out the upper parts of it in some of the shorter grasses you pass through. From this distance you can not make out a lot of detail but it does appear to be shaped like the top of the dome that covers Rattledam...your home.
The past few days have also yielded a few answers to some questions that have been passing throughout the group. The last time anyone remembers using a heart-touch or the gem for any reason and it working was during the crab fight. The person that used the gem then was Tishe' and she sent healing to Mac that sustained him in the fight.
Spot DC 18:If you succeed.Highlight to display spoiler: {You spot a couple of grass pods just exiting the ground ten feet away. They look like glasswine pods but you are not sure as to what color it is.}
Mac d20+6=10 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 3:43:59 AM [Spot:10]
"Rattledam?" the taur wonders. "Looks better without the fires an' havok!"
Fixed by DM Jim as requested. I think this is what you wanted Graham?
Trellus d20+9=29 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 10:43:11 AM
Trellus continues to work the heart-touch mystery as the Bloodpack walks toward the Baron Lady's home. One evening, he pulls Gry's dagger and draws it across his own forearm - not too bad, but enough to bleed.
"OK dudes, everyone take turns trying to send me healing - Gry first, then Jake, Gilan, Flea, Mac, Ulgren, and Tishe." When that reveals whatever it reveals, the cleric will ask Gry to cut himself, and attempt to use the Tear to heal him.
-- The dome comes into view. "I don't think its Rattledam, Mac", Trellus answers doubtfully. We'd a hit a farm or something by now."
The cleric looks around carefully, trying to spot something familiar looking. [Spot 29, nat 20] "Say, are those glasswine pods?" he asks, pointing to a couple pods about ten feet from the pack.
Jake d20+4=12 d20+7=14 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 12:13:21 PM
"Ah can't tell, Trell, but it looks like some kinda place. Wha do ou think, shortstuff?" Jake casually asks Flea, and will give her, if needed, a boost onto his or Mac's shoulders if she needs a better vantage point.
He also tries Trell's experiment, with only a little enthusiasm.
Gilan and Ciaran d20+10=30 d20+10=15 d20+3=4 d20+3=20 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 5:15:16 PM
Gilan had stopped for a few minutes to take in the view of the dome shape in the distance. It looked like Rattledam's dome or at least from here it did. "We cannot be that far off course...could we?" He does not believe that this could be Rattledam...I mean they have been traveling in the wrong direction for some time now.
Gilan also spots a couple of bladders near them that maybe grasswine. Great, two different things of interest and how much time do they have to investigate both? "Should we check out those bladders and the grass that they grow from...remember how brittle they are." It is a warning that he really did not need to give but you could get shredded pretty good by the crystal grass that most of the wines are made from.
Ciaran is suddenly too interested in an itch to take notice of much of anything. He chew at it as he now has a few spare minutes with everyone stopped.
[Gilan - spot 30 and listen 15] [Ciaran - spot 4 and listen 20]
Flea d20+9=19 d20+4=7 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 11:23:53 PM
Flea winces when the cleric cuts himself. She does as he asks, and tries to focus on healing the blonde man's cut. The rogue has a flashback of the pack's audience with the grey-eyed lord of the realm of shadows, and she wonders if somehow she has let her pack down, and Gargul is punishing her.
Flea accepts Jake's boost, and looks at what he is pointing at. The rogue thinks on some of her recent knowledge (Bardic Knowledge=7) but then tales of things on the Sargrass Plains are pretty thin, and she had only just started her study of poetry and song.
Instead she spots some pod things (Spot=19). Pointing them out to the thin fighter from the vantage point of his shoulders, Flea asks, "Jake, what do you make of those? You figure glass grass?"
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