DM JohnP Thursday August 31st, 2006 9:37:39 PM
Interim exp awards will be distributed to everyone by e-mail. I'll get in touch if there are bounces.
Please update your character sheets and send them in if this award results in a level increase. You might as well send them all in anyway so that I know that your sheets are current.
Through the Portal (DM JohnP) Thursday August 31st, 2006 9:57:42 PM
Everyone lines and makes their way through the portal, handing over the money and stating their names. Belkior dashes back from the Catacombs just before the group passes through. The halfling cleric with the strange legs tells Angus, "I bought most of those things that you suggested. If you think we need more, we can pick them up in Floating City before we head across the Lake."
The transition is accomplished with little sensation. So little, in fact, that the disorientation from suddenly changing their surroundings is more profound. The Plateau City portal was located in the basement of a building. Here in Floating City, the portal is open to the sky up on Open Air Level. The sky is blue with barely a cloud in sight. A slight wind blows, ruffling the hair and tossing the cloaks of everyone.
Some Floating City guards step forward, motioning towards the bundles of supplies. Thunir allows them to search everything and they don't find anything of interest.
Thunir looks at everyone, but mainly the Floating City people.
"Where to?"
Mira Thursday August 31st, 2006 10:09:51 PM
Mira stands on the edge of the teleport on her arrival. She is taken aback by the devastation as Angus points out his home city to her. "And I thought Plateau City was in bad shape," she says, as she does a slow three-sixty. Realizing that she is holding up the queue, she follows the Crimson Shield's wizard.
"I suspect we'll try to find lodgings at the Giggling Ghost," she responds to Thar. "I've been there before. Sort-of." How does she explain the strange phenomena that is the Giggling Ghost, to this newcomer to their party? Before she can get into it, she is moved along, propelled forward by the throng exiting the teleport.
In answer to Thunir's question, Mira looks to Angus and asks, "The GG? Maybe your crew can show us about, and we can make some enquiries about the...cult?" Mira brushes at a stray whisp of hair, and adjusts her spectacles. "We can compare notes and formulate strategy over dinner...and escort Mr. Thunir, here, to these strange woods first thing in the morning?" Mira waits for the Shield's caster to comment, deferring to Angus' knowledge of his home.
Ash Thursday August 31st, 2006 10:53:00 PM
"Where to?", the guard asked Ash that question; "Where to?". That is a good question. The only problem is that Ash has no idea where he is going and as such, no idea on how to answer. To this point he has followed these new friends of his wherever they went, and so far, that has been to his advantage. He decides to follow Mira until such time as he decides where he is going.
Xenia Thursday August 31st, 2006 11:05:35 PM
HOME!
"We're HOME!" Xenia hugs Wynn. All wrecked up as it is, it still fills the rogue with a rush of belonging, of homeness!
"Wooooo!" Xenia does a little dance and leaps up into the air. "You can just feel the water nearby, can't you? Feel that. Smell that. And you can see how you feel just that much closer to the sky up here on Open Level. It's like you're living up in the sky."
"That's Domi's Amphitemple of Courage over there and Alemi's Temple of Truth on the other corner. And you see in the center? That's the Overlord's Palace. It's over top of the Underamp which is where we got to go to get down through the Central Pillar to the other Levels."
Xenia kicks up a slim leg and snaps her fingers in rhythm as she dances in a snaking circle.
"We're back!"
"C'mon, lets go." She grabs Mira by one hand and Arm by the other and begins dragging them up the street in a direction generally toward the center of the city. "We got three Levels to go down before we get to Fence and the Giggling Ghost."
Syr Thursday August 31st, 2006 11:33:33 PM
Syr walks over to where Mira and Angus are huddled an announces, "Here is what the Catacombs was able to identify,
Unless someone tells me otherwise, I'm going to go ahead and liquidate the lot?"
Kadaz Friday September 1st, 2006 5:05:04 AM
Kadaz looks interestedly around at the new surroundings. While it's no Plateau City it does look interesting, and Xenia does certainly seem to like it here. Well, he's willing to keep an open mind. Sort of.
Kadaz picks up his gear and prepares to move on. "Syr, I say sell everything. Then buy the items Belkior thinks we need."
He looks around again. Where's the nearest tavern? He wonders if it'll be half a comfortable as Sampson's.
Arm Friday September 1st, 2006 6:00:54 AM
Arm stumbles along, led by Xenia. If he manages to catch Mira's eye, he cocks an inquisitive eyebrow at her, wondering if she's really all that familiar with their new friend.
Wynn Friday September 1st, 2006 9:54:43 AM
Wynn smiles. Xenia's obvious joy at being home is not something he shares. His true home is leagues away in the Windbourne Hills. Yet her enthusiasm is contagious... and a bards' home is wherever his pack is stowed... and the Giggling Ghost always felt like the Inn around the corner.
He follows the rogue to the central pillar and down towards the fence level. "The further we descend the closer you want to keep your purse", he remarks to their new companions from Plateau City.
Conner Friday September 1st, 2006 10:01:37 AM
Having grown up in the vineyards that surround Plateau City, the 'Float' is very foreign to him. His short stint with the military was spent in far flung outposts, far from heavily populated areas, and the idea that you could stack people one upon the other is, to say the least, amazing.
Conner follows the group downwards, his head on a swivel as he takes in the sights and sounds of this strange place.
Belkior (Sub/Al) Friday September 1st, 2006 11:16:02 AM
Floating City again. From habit, Belkior forms his hands in the symbol of Alemi as he faces in the direction of the Temple of Truth. The smaller temple of Alemi on Gold Level is more comforting in its scale, but there is a great deal to be said for the grandeur of the Temple of Truth here and the Temple of Light in Plateau City.
Scrolls of Delay Poison, Neutralize Poison, and Restoration, Lesser.
He himself will be the only one capable of casting a spell from the single scroll of Restoration, and it will have to be saved for battlefield emergencies.
Aside from that, the halfling cleric things to himself, Ash, Thar ... and Lang. He would have to meet with them to read over the scrolls, ensure that each had the capability to cast them, and to distribute them in a wise and strategic manner. Yes, once they were at the Giggling Ghost, perhaps.
The thought of the inn brings a small rumble to Belkior's tummy and he looks up at the sun to gauge the time of day. Time for a snack, perhaps.
Day's Spells 0 Level: Detect Magic**, Detect poison*, Light*, Read Magic*, Resistance* 1st Level: Bless**, Detect Undead*, Hide from Undead*, Magic Stone*, Sanctuary*, (Protection from Evil+) 2nd Level: Hold Person*, Owl's Wisdom*, Silence, Spiritual Weapon* (Aid*) 3rd Level: Dispel Magic*, Prayer*, Searing Light*, Speak with Dead (Magic Circle against Evil+*) 4th Level: Death Ward*, Freedom of Movement*, Summon Monster IV+, (Holy Smite+*)
Turning 4/4 per day
Angus d20+9=17 Friday September 1st, 2006 11:53:23 AM
Angus enjoys the teleportation sensation and comments mostly to himself "That will be fun when I can do that myself."
Angus explains some of the plant battles to Mira "There were the gaint trees that sent vines that grabbed hold of the city and attempted to topple it. They also sent in humanoid shaped pods that carried away anything living to feed the main trees. It was tough. The vines were eventually severed, but it caused the city to snap back and caused tremendous damage to life and property."
On a happier note Angus takes out his flute and begins to play his flute (perform 17). It is a light and airy tune.
Angus addds to Mira "Lets go see Happy at the GG and see if he can put us all up. The GG was still standing when we left to see your fair City."
After Syr updates himself and Mira he adds "I think we should sell the lot and pool the resouces for the supplies that Belkior just purchased. They will help with the spiders and undead. Whatever we do not use we can sell and distribute the money."
Shadow d20+3=19 Friday September 1st, 2006 12:53:31 PM
Shadow is not prepared for the sudden transportation (even though he thought he would be), and once through staggers a little and moves to the side to make sure he is all there. He pats himslef down to make sure he is whole and then starts checking all the gear he has on his person. "We were not meant to do that." he mumbles to himself.
Seeing Xenia react so positively to returning Shadow can not help himself and smile. He gives himselfa shake and realizes that they are here and he instinctively starts scanning the area for any signs of trouble. He then will follow Xenia who has Mira and Arm in tow.
Activites Spot=19
Edmund Friday September 1st, 2006 9:10:15 PM
Edmund steps from the teleportation portal without much ado. If it bothered him, he certainly isn't showing it. Of course, he is a Wizard, so he is probably used to being Teleported around.
Content to look around, Edmund says things such as, "Good heavens!" and "I say!" when confronted with the various sights of Floating City. If asked, he'll beging talking about the finer points of architecture. At length.
Otherwise, he follows along with the party, content to make remarks primarily to himself.
Ash (naughty second post) Sunday September 3rd, 2006 9:22:26 PM
After about 10 minutes or so of stunned amazement at the sights, Ash overhears Syr describing what he found and approaches him, asking "kind sir, if I may, I would be interested in examining one of the kukri".
DM inquiry: am I correct in assuming that a kukri falls under dagger skill?
{ DM Adam to Jeff: Well, it's a Martial Weapon (as opposed to a Simple Weapon) ... but, sure - it's dagger-like. It's a heavy, foot-long, curved knife that is slightly deflected at an angle of around 20°. }
DM sanity:
Brahmah's Tattoo Type (B) infused with Cure Light Wounds
Level 0: Cure Minor Wounds,Flare, Guidance, Read Magic
Level 3: Cure Moderate Wounds, Summon Nature's Ally III
Thar Sunday September 3rd, 2006 9:23:20 PM
Puzzled by his new surroundings, Thar tries not to gape too much. Once has his bearings, he remains silent, following the group to the GG or wherever they lead him to. He does make a mental note to himself "I should see if we have a temple of my faith here, as it would be good to get any intel that they may have re: the cult."
For now though, he follows in silence, but very wary of his surroundings and watching all passerby's for any suspicous behavior.
Floating City and the Ghost (DM Adam) Monday September 4th, 2006 12:30:08 PM
{ OOC: Erm ... I posted on Friday - admittedly it was late on Friday - but, my post seems to have vanished. Very, very strange ... Here it is again (sorry, folks). }
Several votes for heading to the Giggling Ghost are heard as everyone makes their way down from the portal platform. Thunir simply nods and follows Xenia's lead as they head towards the Underamp.
Xenia's excitement at returning home brings a smile to several of the others. However, as she points out landmarks, the group can't help but notice the damaged state of Floating City. Many non-Teucri buildings have collapsed entirely, while others exhibit obvious signs of structural damage. Dust is occasionally whipped up by the light wind and it hampers the progress of the few strong souls who have turned their attention to repairs and rebuilding.
For most though, it is still a time of grief.
Navigating around large mounds of obstructive rubble and side-stepping large cracks in the pavement, the group makes their way under the Overlord's Palace by way of the Underamp. Descending the Central Pillar further reveals the Floating City phenomenon: massive levels for dwelling stacked upon one another!
Angus' tune is a welcome distraction from the scenes of damage and the group leaves Open Air Level behind. They pass threeotherlevels, each with distinct differences in social classes, before arriving at Fence Level. For the unfamiliar, Wynn's earlier caution about 'keeping purses close' now makes perfect sense: Fence Level is a rough area and home to many shady-looking characters. It also smells of fish.
Heading down Crook Street, the group turns right into Dagger's Point and stands before a familiar looking tavern, the Giggling Ghost.
Inside, Happy - the tavern owner - greets them with enthusiasm. "Welcome to the Giggling Ghost!" With a wave of his hand he gestures for them to find seats. "Someone will be with you shortly." Taking in the sights and smells, the group notices the bar wraps around in an "L-shape" and runs alongside a balcony. The entrance they have just stepped through is close to two sets of stairs: one leading down to the Tavern and the other leading up to the Inn. There is plenty of seating at the bar, but the noises downstairs may be tempting ...
A pixie soon flits up from the stairwell to the sound of pots and pans crashing in the distance. She distractedly chews her lip - trying to ignore whatever disaster just occurred. "Hi-ImSparklescanItakeyourorders?" She asks rapidly.
Shadow Monday September 4th, 2006 12:58:29 PM
Shadow is overwhelmed by the new city, not having been outside Platuea City much at all. He seems to be following along and trying not to look around, but keeps finding himself not paying attention to anything but.
When the group descends to Fence level he starts feeling more at home. He looks at his companions and makes sure they don't see, but he makes a symbol with his hands quickly and scans to see if anyone recognizes it.
Once the group arrives at the GG he will wait with the group and once the pixie asks for orders Shadow will say, "I will have some ale." he then shakes his head, "Please" he adds.
Edmund Monday September 4th, 2006 5:15:02 PM
Edmund stays close to Mira. Occasionally, he remarks to the others upon various things which interest him, including the architecture, populace, flora, weather, and fashion of the inhabitants.
Entirely new to Floating City, he will not be keen to explore the city without taking along someone who is familiar with the location.
Lang & Sunshine Monday September 4th, 2006 5:30:39 PM
Lang drinks in the sight of the Giggling Ghost and Happy. Last time they were here there were plant creatures and vines all over the place.
Lang glances down at Sunshine and says, "Come on boy. Let's find a table and get some food."
Mira Monday September 4th, 2006 6:27:14 PM
Mira lets herself be dragged by the enthusiastic half-drow for a while. Once the group reaches the Fence level though, she wriggles free, and looking at the bard, Arm, she reaches out a hand for him to take. The sorcerer looks around for her friends from Plateau City and once she is satisfied they are all together, she presses on after Angus, Xenia, Wynn, and the other Crimson Shields.
It is with a sigh of relief that she enters the familiar environs of the Giggling Ghost. "One of the private rooms" she volunteers when the pixie makes her enquiry. "A couple bottles of wine, a keg of ale, some cider, and spring water, please!" she adds, tossing the pixie a small velvet pouch containing 10 GP. Mira tries to catch Angus' eye, adding, "This should get us started."
(OOC: have subtracted 10 GP from Mira's swag.-Carla
Xenia Monday September 4th, 2006 8:14:41 PM
"Happy!" Xenia throws her arms around the not inconsiderable girth of the proprietor of the Giggling Ghost. "We're back."
"We went to Plateau City," she adds, lifting her face. "In case you didn't know. We got the orphans settled on a plantation out there. They got a big house, fields, a barn, a stream and pond. They even got a windmill out there. And we made sure they had tutors too. They'll learn something out there. They'll learn a trade and stuff. Plateau City's nice. It's a good setup. They'll ... they'll do good out there."
The dark rogue steps back. "They'll ... do good." Her green eyes are sort of far a way, looking off to another place.
"Um, these are folks we met in Plateau City. They do kinda the same thing over there that we do here. This is Mira, and Arm, and Shadow, Ed, and Thar. That one over there is Ash. He don't talk much. That's Conner and Kaz. The dog, his name's Birdie and the leopard's um ... Shelya. I think."
"Good folks."
"Um, you know, I was thinking it would be nice to sit down and find out what's been happening in the Float. I mean, since we've been gone for a while. Must be lots of stuff on the build, huh?"
"But, um," Xenia steps in a circle, turning to glance at the door to the inn, "I think, before that, I'm gonna step around the corner. Take a look at the old apartments. What's left of them."
"I'll be right back, Wynn. Won't be long."
Xenia walks down the road, only recognizable as a road by the piles of rubble flanking both sides. It's a short walk to the crumbled heap of brick and mortar that was once their home. But instead of climbing the heap to the place where once her room was, or to the old garden, or the place on the roof where she used to go to look at the stars on the Level ceiling, instead of these things, Xenia turns to the other side of the street and walks into the open memorial space that marks the resting places of Mother Flaust and the five orphans who had died in the arson fire set by the Anvil Hearts. The grass is littered with bits of once flying detritus, but the rogue finds a clear spot, and seats herself on the ground in front of the crumbled mausoleum.
After a time, sitting in the stillness, Xenia looks up. "I'm gonna miss you guys," she says, speaking from her heart to all of them, all of the orphans, to Florin, and Tionel, and Gordo. All of them.
Kadaz d20+1=3 Monday September 4th, 2006 8:46:44 PM
Kadaz watches his path carefully, trying to remember the way back to the portal. He also keeps an eye out for guards snd guardposts on the way. But he's too distracted by the new surroundings, and their broken condition, to really note much of anything useful. (spot 3)
Once in the GG he goes with the group to their room. "Thanks Mira" he says to her for providing initial funds. This should be an interesting party. He takes a chair with back to the wall and leans his axe and shield against it. He takes off his helm and puts it on the table. "So, what's good here?" he asks the natives.
Thar ail Baerer Monday September 4th, 2006 9:09:12 PM
Still trying to absorb everything around him, Thar follows the group to the GG and thanks Mira for the private room.
"I'll take an ale with some oatmeal or whatever other simple soup that you have, thanks," he says to the barmaid.
Looking at Ed, Thar says "I'll go exploring with you later, if you are interested. I'd like to see my temple, if there is one here."
Role Call - ADM Scott the Southern - UnShadow Monday September 4th, 2006 10:01:09 PM
Crimson Shields: Syr X0XXX Xenia Perfect Lang XXXX0 Wynn XX0XX Belk Perfect Angus Perfect
I think that's two straight weeks for Famina not posting... Did I miss her leaving the game?
Tourists: Shadow Perfect Edmund Perfect Mira 0X0XX Ash 0X0XX Arm Perfect Thar X0XXX Conner XX0XX Kadaz X0XXX
Al - OoC Monday September 4th, 2006 10:10:43 PM
Yeah, you missed her leaving the game. Mikey's busy so Famina went to the Plantation to live with the orphans for a while.
Conner Monday September 4th, 2006 11:48:26 PM
Conner enters the familiar confines of the Giggling Ghost, although this is the first time he has not used the fireplace as an entrance. He wonders what would happen if he were to leave that way, but thinks better of it and orders a pitcher of ale instead.
Wynn Tuesday September 5th, 2006 12:07:55 AM
Wynn takes a seat at the table, motions for a second pitcher and sits down next to Kadaz and Conner. "Strange place isn't it. All piled up on top of itself. It was even stranger when the whole place was leaning to one side." The bard indicates a 45 degree angle with his hand before continuing. "Did I tell you that we likely saved the entire city?"
Wynn proceeds to tell the Plateau City folks of the Crimson Shields' heroic part in saving Floating City. How they barricaded themselves inside the Giggling Ghost to protect the orphans from the orcwarts that over-ran the city. How they saved Pek, a halfling alchemist who invented the serum that killed the vines that threatened to pull the city over, and how he and the others climbed out onto the vines to apply Pek's concoction.
The bard grows more animated as he continues the tale. "It was a good thing Xenia was able to use her seal of fly, or many of us would have been lost when the vines snapped and the city swung upright." He illustrated the whipsaw motion of the city with his arm.
"It was during that time when we ran into that witch and her 'Knot of Druiss'...turned Lang into a bugbear, gave me these..." he exposes the gills on his neck, "and gave poor Belkior those damn cat legs. Doesn't look like there's anything to do about it either!"
Syr Tuesday September 5th, 2006 2:26:29 AM
Syr watches as Wynn uses his story telling prowess to entertain their guests. He occasionally points to locations around the room that Wynn mentions in his stories.
Syr leans back in his chair and orders an ale. He stares blankly at the wall and thinks of the destruction caused by the Fey King.
Asking no one in particular, "Any idea as to what we are going to do for lodging? I mean, I'm sure Happy is grateful that we saved his life but grateful enough to cut us a permanent deal?
Arm d20+4=21 Tuesday September 5th, 2006 6:03:37 AM
Having been many places before, Arm still has never seen a city such as this, and he can only assume that Xenia's enthusiasm is for the outer environs of the city, and not areas such as they are in at the moment. Wanting to keep his wits about him, he seats himself next to Mira and partakes of some water, keeping a watchful eye open until they retire to a private room. He then listens to Wynn's story with interest, noting many of the events that happened back home as well. (spot=21)
Ash Tuesday September 5th, 2006 7:34:09 AM
Ash bows and returns the Kukri to Syr. He then continues his rubbernecking,trying to see everything, all the while keeping up with Mira et al. Only having been to Plateau city before, he has no real comparison, but this place is defintely different than Platau City.
Shelya sniffs about than proceeds to follow Ash.
Angus d20+9=25 Tuesday September 5th, 2006 8:48:09 AM
Angus just beams when he sees Happy "Good to see you are well. What is the news of the City? Is it getting back on its feet? We still saw lot of destructions on our way down here."
Angus waits for Happy's response and then adds. "We do need a place to stay for a few days, before heading out again with our new friends from the Plateau City. I trust it will not be a problem to put us all up."
In more conspiratorial tone, Angus adds "We are helping them with some problem folk that came through the gate recently. Have you heard anything about death cultist or anyone causing trouble in the city or on the shore."
gather information 25
Angus will also go to see the Ghost Daphne "How are you doing girl? Lokking beautiful as always."
Belkior Tuesday September 5th, 2006 9:54:13 AM
The halfling cleric looks around as the group clears the teleportal and starts walking through Floating City. So much destruction, so many people gone, Belkior thinks to himself.
It was difficult not going to the Temples to assist with all of the injured who must be there. But, from the sounds of things, they need to leave the city as soon as possible to keep up with the cultists.
"Edmund, if you want to go exploring someone should be able to go with you tomorrow. Just remember, don't go downramp from here. I can show you and Thar some of the temples, if you like." Belkior nods to both the Plateau City folk as he says this.
After they arrive at the Ghost, Belkior notices that Xenia slips away. He is pretty certain what she is up to but decides to let her do this alone. Maybe he will go there tomorrow at dawn to complete his prayers.
Belkior seats himself close to Thar and Ash inside the Ghost. The halfling asks Sparkles for a double stack of halfling pancakes with fruit and a large side order of Happy's famous baked beans.
"Can't get these in Plateau City, not that I could tell," Belkior says after he mutters a prayer over the meal.
"When we go out in the jungle, you two should be pretty comfortable. Unless it's like the Crying Woods, where no one is comfortable. But Thunir didn't mention anything about that."
"So, when we're out there, I can handle most of the healing and curing. I picked up most of the scrolls that we wanted and I can probably get more here in the Float. Of course, if something should happen to me, you should know that I carry most of my healing magics in my haversack."
"Have either of you spent much time in the jungle?"
Belkior (Illegal Second Post) Tuesday September 5th, 2006 10:39:37 AM
Belkior hears Angus suggesting that the pooled money be used to purchase the scrolls and other curative magics.
"I've already bought most of that, Angus. But if people want to use the money for that, I can pick up the rest of the list."
"At the end, any of the unused scrolls can be either be split between the two groups or sold and the money distributed out."
"Does that sound okay to people?"
Please indicate in a post, so that Belkior can go shopping.
DM Announcement Tuesday September 5th, 2006 10:40:25 AM
Adam, please keep posting this week. My home computer died over the weekend and it will probably be a couple days before it's up and running again.
{ OOC - Adam to John: Will do. Hope it's back up and running soon. }
A Private Breakfast (DM Adam) Tuesday September 5th, 2006 3:52:33 PM
Shadow receives a discreet sign in response, and gets the feeling at least one of them may have otherwise been a target. He can't help but eye Edmund.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Happy blinks rapidly several times before bursting into laughter. "Oh, it's you!" He beams and affectionately returns Xenia's hug. "Sorry, I haven't been myself lately; I didn't ..." He pauses. "I mean, I have been a platypus recently!" He looks up and notices a few vacant expressions. "Erm, perhaps it's best if you don't ask about that!" The tall wizard bartender adds with a smile. "Suffice to say, it's always good to see the Crimson Shields and their friends." He bows slightly for the Plateau City group. "Some familiar faces here, I see. Welcome to the Ghost!" He approaches the heroes and makes to shake hands. However, much back-slapping and hugging ensues. After a moment, it is quite obvious something has rattled him and he does his best to shrug it off. When Xenia mentions news of the orphans he visibly relaxes. "I'm so happy to hear it!" And he laughs again. "I really am, you know." He says with a wink. "Now, let me check I've got enough room for you all tonight, while Sparkles here gets some food and drink into you all. I'll join you in a bit and we can talk about the Float ... or, what's left of it." He finishes quietly and hurries towards the kitchen. "Daphne! Brussels! The Shields are here!" He calls out behind closed doors.
Sparkles flits erratically around the group in a zig-zag motion as she takes down everyone's order. A teeny pencil frequently becomes a blur of activity in her tiny hands. After Belkior's order she finally looks up and clears her throat with a squeak. "Aleinthesecondprivateroomdownstairswithbottles andbottlesandbottlesofwinebothredandwhiteand greenandorageandmaybepinkifwehaveitinkegsofale andciderandsomespringwaterforoatmealsoupanda coupleofpitchersofaleandsomestacksofpancakes withfruitandbeansbakedontheside." She fires off the list so fast it is difficult to understand anything and before anyone can modify their order, she zips back down through the stairwell.
By the time the group makes their way downstairs, their table has already been laid with enough food and drink for all: wine, ale, cider and water; breads, meats, pancakes and other pastrie sweets, fruit and vegetables, baked beans, two soups, a large bowl of oatmeal, and bacon and eggs. On the way there, Arm notes a man at the bar, another man, a halfling and a dwarf stepping into a large golden tapestry hung on the wall and a woman with an ugly toad on her shoulder and an even uglier dog-like animal with no tail and extra large head step through the green flames of one of the fireplaces.
Inside the booth, Thunir looks up from the table to Mira. "Good choice!" The dwarf smiles.
Settling down for a meal and a drink, the group soon notices a familiar face peeking through one of the booth walls. "Hellooo, Angus! Heheheeee!" A ghostly barmaid calls.
{ OOC: Sorry - I'd write more, but I'm wayyy out of (and over) time. Am I moving too slow? Please email feedback to adam#designstorm.com.au }
Angus d20+9=23 Tuesday September 5th, 2006 4:17:44 PM
Angus seems relieved somehow, the city is a wreck, the the GG does just feel so much like home.
Upon hearing Belkior talk about all of the curative and protective items he purchased Angus adds. "Those items will help both groups. I feel we should chip in so gold each and then distribute the items to the clerics. I think we will need as much protection as possible when fighting undead and spiders. We can split up the items or sell them after our foray. I think it amounts to 300 or so gp per person. Is that correct Belkior?"
Angus goes over to Happy again as starts asking about how people are doing on the big float and then turns the converstation again. "Any word about the death cultist I mentioned earlier or giant spiders or problems with undead on the shore?"
gather information 23 (25 in lst post)
Ash Tuesday September 5th, 2006 7:14:33 PM
Following in the wake of everyone, Ash can't help look at everyone and everything. This place is amazing to him and he can't help but hide his fascination.
Kadaz Tuesday September 5th, 2006 7:15:06 PM
In the relaxing atmosphere of the Giggling Ghost Kadaz decides it's ok to take a break. He leans over the table and decides to give the halfling a run. He piles a plate high of food and sits down beside the cleric. "So Belkior, go buy me something useful. But hurry or there won't be any food left for you." Kadaz grins at Belkior and digs in.
Thar ail Baerer Tuesday September 5th, 2006 8:50:06 PM
Thar sits and enjoys listening to the tales of bravery by the Crimson Shields. Glad that he has met them, he is assured that he is doing the right thing by traveling with all of the newcomers.
In response to Belkior, he says "No, I haven't spent a lot of time in the jungle, but I would enjoy spending some time out exploring in it and learning about its fauna and creatures. Anything to get me out of these oppressively tight human cities. On the other hand, I too can heal, but I have had to split my time between healing people and learning how to survive in the woods and exploring the countryside."
After a moment he adds "No offense to anyone by that city comment, but I don't like small spaces where there are so many people."
OOC - I'm confused about the money. Did we sell items yet and the 300 gp will come out of that? Or do we need to take our current money and give that?
Edmund Tuesday September 5th, 2006 9:33:06 PM
Edmund smiles warmly at Shadow as they carry on with the rest of the party.
When they arrive at the GG, Edmund throws himself into one of the chairs with a considerable crash. "Thanks, Mira!" he exclaims when she pays up for the room. "Good to know someone around here is willing to cover all the bases, seeing as I haven't a bean. Spent it all on parchment, actually. Haven't a brass farthing left."
Edmund smiles broadly at everyone, including Shadow. He then leans back on his chair, rocking it on its legs. "Much better, this. Much better. Why bother chasing after Evil Elf Sorceress Queens or Invincible Lich Kings, when we've the nicety of this fine inn. I could get used to it, i could. Nice place. Fantastic stuff. Let's stay a while, what? No need to hurry, as I can see. No rush!"
When Thar offers to explore later, Edmund nods enthusiastically. "Oh yes, and especially any libraries. I'd like to do some more research for my invention. If it comes down to it, I've got a fantastic idea for draining the lake!"
Xenia Tuesday September 5th, 2006 10:53:03 PM
"Hiya, Daphne." Returning to the inn Xenia gives a little wave of her hand to the ghost as she floats on by. She wanders to the buffet and gets a kinda sorta biggish plate of strawberries and a dish of cream, then wanders around poking her head into places until she finds the private room where everyone's got themselves settled.
One dish in each hand, Xenia slides along the outside of the table till she's next to Mira and Arm. She puts the strawberries and cream out for everyone and then plucks a big plump red one from the pile and dips it into the cream. It's sweet and juicy.
She watches Wynn (her fave thing to do) as he tells about them rescuing the weird little guy and the making the Crying Woods let go of the city.
"Don't forget the Tiger, Wynn," she adds. "Don't forget the tiger you and Syr scared away."
Then she plucks up another strawberry.
"Hey, what do you guys thing of getting a pirate outfit? I mean, for the boat? You know, one of those shirts with the big puffy sleeves. Crimson sash and crimson bandana. Maybe even one of those black three corner hats." The girl rogue grins. "Pretty swank, huh?"
[ OoC: What time is it? We took the teleport pad in the morning, didn't we? ]
{ OOC - Adam to Al: It's mid-morning. }
Syr Tuesday September 5th, 2006 11:20:45 PM
Syr sips on his ale and updates the group about the sale, "I'm not sure about the spoils but I'm still waiting to finalize the deal. Ash over there asked to examine a Kukri and never got back to me. I've held off finalizing until he says so."
Backing up Xenia's story he echoes, "We had some hairy moments in the jungle but made it out alive. Ask Angus what it feels like to be dropped on your head by a plant from 20'."
Leaning forward in his chair, the elf cuffs Edward softly before laughing, "Drain the lake? Look around you, do you realize how much commerce and trade comes from the lake? You would be lynched before sunrise for such a deed! Now draining my nose during the cold months, that would be something!"
Arm Wednesday September 6th, 2006 10:02:34 AM
Arm partakes of some of the fruit, and grabs a piece or two of the bacon as well. To Syr, he says, "I don't think any of us would mind if you'd drain Edmund's head there....perhaps we'd finally find a brain, or something close to it at least.".
Thinking about the remarks regarding spiders, he says to Mira, "What say we make a stop for some anti-venom before we head out?".
Belkior Wednesday September 6th, 2006 12:12:22 PM
The halfling cleric looks over at the elven monk. "Syr, I think Ash gave the kukri back to you. But I think that was while we were placing our orders, and what not."
"How about I take all of the money that Syr got from the sale, buy protective and curative magics and bring it all back here. The scrolls and such are probably best carried by Thar or myself, but maybe we should spread the antitoxins around."
Belkior leans over to where Thar and Ash are sitting.
"Say, dear fellows. Did you want to spread out the healing magics, or did you want me to hold them all?"
"Out there in the jungle, are you two more likely to be fighting or staying in the back with me and healing people?"
OOC - I will use the money from the sale, buy everything listed and more. As stated before, any leftovers will be either shared out or sold and the cash distributed.
No one needs to thrown in any money right now.
Happy Answers? (DM Adam) Wednesday September 6th, 2006 12:29:12 PM
"Well, then ..." Happy says as he takes a place at the table. "We're basically a full-house, but I've still managed to organise two of the suites on the third floor for you all. It'll be cramped, but it's the best I can do for half-price. How long do you think you'll need them?" He takes a sip from his mug and frowns. "It seems terrible to charge even half-price for shelter when people need it so badly, but I am setting aside some of the profits for the rest of the Fence - it's the least I can do." He adds. "Now, you have some questions?"
With great patience, Angus repeats his queries and the bartender wizard finally responds with a sigh. "Not much has changed, I'm afraid. Here and there people have started rebuilding their homes and businesses - there's even a group spearheading a relief effort of sorts, but they're mainly concerning themselves with the upper-levels, from what I hear. Call themselves the 'Red Cross', or something. Down here on the Fence, most are just trying to make it from one day to the next. I get the impression they're waiting for something, or someone, to just make it all right again. Somehow, I don't think that's going to happen ... not this time. That kind of desperate hope can be dangerous, if you ask me."
When Angus asks Happy if he has heard news of death cults, giant spiders, or undead in the city, Happy raises an eyebrow. "So, nothing serious then?" He grins briefly. "No, I've not heard of any such things and I don't hope to."
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
While Happy answers any other questions the group may have, Thunir turns to Mira. "Will we be leaving in the morning, then?" The slight human asks.
Everyone else enjoys a late breakfast and discusses their movements for the rest of the day.
Mira Wednesday September 6th, 2006 1:26:35 PM
Mira sits quietly nursing a glass of wine and listening to what the others and Happy have to say. When the owner of the Giggling Ghost indicates only two rooms are available, and that the parties must share, her lips make a little moue.
Mira squeezes Arm's hand, just a little, and then releases it when Thunir addresses her. Steepling her fingers, and leaning forward with elbows on the table. "Though I'd personally like to see more of the city, I sense some of my companions are chaffing at the bit!" Mira smiles over at the newest members to the party, Ash and Thar, and winks at Edmund. "The woods it is, then. Bright and early." Turning to Angus, she asks, "do you think we have enough time to do a little exploring before retiring for the night? If so, I want an account of what everyone will be doing...and no one goes anywhere alone!"
Mira settles back into her seat, fills her goblet, and sighs, "tomorrow morning, the docks at sunrise...or whatever passes for sunrise in this place!"
(Mira is grateful that Belkior is looking after managing the party trust and setting up a first aid kit!-Carla)
Kadaz Wednesday September 6th, 2006 3:37:04 PM
The trip to come is finally penetrating into Kadaz's skull. "Wait, a jungle? Big trees all around? No roads or pavement or houses nearby? That sounds grim!" Kadaz is used to living in a city and his idea of nature is a small, well tended park.
"Good thing I've got a big axe. Maybe I can take care of some of those excess trees. And Birdie knows the proper use for a tree." Kadaz picks up a good chunk of meat and puts it on the floor for Birdie. "There, build up some strength to take on those trees." he orders the dog.
Xenia Wednesday September 6th, 2006 4:05:30 PM
There's so much to do here. Folks need help. Folks need to see someone helping out. They need so see someone on their side.
And there's Prillana still out there somewhere. Poor girl, about to have given up and insorbed by the Crying Woods to take the place of her mother gone wack crazy. That's brave. That's really brave.
But they promised the Plateau City guys they'd hunt the Lich Spider Cult with 'em. And it's not like that's not important too, you know. If these guys can get Gargul turned around to being evil the Wold might be crawling like with undead in everyone's laps and stuff. That would be bad.
"Tomorrow." Xenia stands next to Mira. "Looks like we'll only be needing the rooms for one night, Happy," Xenia replies.
"Anything in particular you wanna see, Mira? We're gonna see the docks tomorrow anyway. We got a Star Mages Guild and a League of Adventurers here. Maybe you just wanna wander the levels and see what's out there. Wonder if there's folks out there who need any help?"
Angus Wednesday September 6th, 2006 4:21:37 PM
Angus is happy that Happy answered his question, but not much he can do if the innkeeper has not heard of those the group pursues. "I am glad to hear you have not heard of these nasty folk we seek. They must have just passed through, and we will do the same. We will head out in the morning."
Angus looks over to Mira "Lets not leave too early, this is the last time we may be sleeping in a soft bed for awhile."
Angus listens to Xenia extoll the virtures of the Floating City to Mira "Just be carefull when you climb over all of the collasped buildings on your way to and fro. It is a good idea to buddy up here. We broke up a thieves guild on the lower levels, but we saw several of the out and about after the jail was destroyed."
Angus leans back in his chair and looks like he is in for some serious relaxing.
-----------------
OOC: Will Catacomb purchases catch up with us on the road or ship?
Shadow Wednesday September 6th, 2006 5:01:46 PM
(OOC: Sorry for the silence, but my work computer went down [I am on my bosses computer right now, so very brief] and I was not home yesterday except for sleeping, laugh.)
Shadow follows the group to the private room and finds his place to sit. He will observe what is going on in the room. (I hopefully will be able to post more tomorrow.)
Ash Wednesday September 6th, 2006 6:37:32 PM
Ash takes the opportunity to meditate. He has seen so much and has not had time to digest it.
Shelya relaxes beside him.
Edmund Wednesday September 6th, 2006 7:32:58 PM
Edmund raises an eyebrow at Syr and is about to respond when Arm speaks. It is then, with an expression of shock and disgust, Edmund stands up abruptly.
"I'm sorry for trying to help, but we can't all follow your sterling example, Arm, seeing as we don't have the sense to go about drinking from cursed chalices and doing our best to kill unarmed people. --Must be because our brains have all drained out, but if that's the case, better to go without brains, I say, than to end up a murderer and a wretch."
Turning to the rest of the party, Edmund shakes his head angrily. "If you will excuse me, ladies, gentlemen, I've better things to do than to sit here suffering insults for my efforts to help things along. When you want my assistance, you will probably know where to find me."
That said, Edmund turns on his heels and exits directly, and if unimpeded will return to Plateau City to take up residence at Sampson's where he will return to the various odd jobs he had been doing to earn his keep.
Wynn Wednesday September 6th, 2006 7:37:50 PM
"I agree. Tomorrow we visit the Crying Woods and start our quest. We should stop by the elven city in the trees first, and seek out Prionel and Prillana. They may be able to provide safe passage...course they may not since Xenia decked Prillana, and now Prillana's the spiritual guardian of the place. It's worth a shot...she probably still likes me", he gives Xenia a playful poke with his foot under the table.
"I wouldn't take to chopping down any trees while you're in there Kadaz, they chop back!"
Conner Wednesday September 6th, 2006 7:48:19 PM
Conner remains quiet throughout much of the conversation. He looks about for a barmaid but only sees pixies and ghosts, neither of which have ample enough bosoms for his tastes.
He sighs, takes another drink and wonders what Wynn sees in the skinny half-drow. His thoughts go to Amy...
Mira (2nd illegal post) d20+8=21 Wednesday September 6th, 2006 8:04:38 PM
Mira rolls her eyes, thinking "here we go again" as she jumps up and dashes after the wizard. Taking up a position between Edmund and whatever exit he chooses, she does a little dance, moving her body this way and that as he tries to dodge around her.
"Don't be like that, Edmund, please?" she pleads. (Diplomacy=21) Mira reaches out her hands, to grab those of the young wizard, and she blurts out, "I've been the only magiker with...those guys," still holding Edmund's long, thin hands in hers, she swings her head to one side, indicating most of the group from Plateau City with the gesture, "for ever so long," she stares up at the mage through her little round spectacles, her eyes large and green, "since the beginning, really." Letting go of his hands, she lets hers drop at her sides, and hangs her head, "there used to be a paladin, Uriel, with us. He understood Arm, and seemed to be able to keep him in line." Mira, looks up at Edmund, her eyes shiny and brimming with tears, "I've tried my best...but...but..." maybe it is the stress, but the tears start to slip down her cheek, "please don't leave. We...I...need you."
Edmund (2nd, illegal post) Wednesday September 6th, 2006 8:36:51 PM
Edmund is more than a little shocked by the interposition of the sorceress between himself and the door, and tries, unsuccessfully, to step around her. Once she starts speaking, however, he stops and listens, making a rather pained face as she asks him to stay.
"I... well..." Edmund furrows his brows for a moment, trying to figure out what he should do. Unwarranted insults are not to be borne lightly, but neither is the request of a trustworthy lady so easily dismissed. He wrangles with this internal struggle for a moment, before looking up and doing his best to smile.
"Very well, then. Far be it for me to refuse the request of a lady--and our leader, as well. It would be tantamount to disobeying orders, and I would not want to be responsible for shaming my family, would I?"
"Besides," he adds with a more genuine smile, "What would you do without me? Fight the Invincible Lich King and the Evil Elf Sorceress Queen on your own? I think not!"
"Now, about the lake. What if, instead of draining the water, we just moved it all up in the air? I bet we could find a spell that would let us teleport the water. Then, we could teleport it up into the sky, which should give us plenty of time to investigate. If we were quick, by the time we left, all of the water would come back down and land in the lakebed, and there you have it. Just as we found it!"
"If you give me a bit of time, I can even tell you how far up we'd have to teleport the water. There's a formula for it... and then... well, even better, we could just all take umbrellas! Then, we could take all the time we need!"
Edmund seems to be feeling better already, excited about the prospect of doing something to help out once again.
Lang & Sunshine Wednesday September 6th, 2006 8:56:43 PM
Lang enjoys the food, slipping some to Sunshine every now and then.
"Do we have all the supplies we need? I think I will mosey on over to the catacombs and make a purchase."
Xenia (2nd Illegal Post) Wednesday September 6th, 2006 9:32:46 PM beah Xenia sticks a pink tongue out at Wynn.
"Yeah, and I bet you really liked that kiss she gave you, Mister Smarmy Wynn Brightsong." Xenia's two feet clamp around Wynn's one and she grins as she tries to get him in a scissor hold. Not much chance of that when her attention is drawn to Mira as she runs out after Ed. So he talks a lot, at least they don't have to worry about him going whacko vengeance on them like Jancassis Boy. Glad he's gone.
"I don't think Prillana would hold a grudge, Wynn," the girl rogue says in a more serious tone. "She was an elfish princess, noble and self sacrificing. I think she be, you know, above that, don't you think?"
Thar ail Baerer Wednesday September 6th, 2006 9:59:07 PM
To Belkior, Thar responds "I think we should split the healing items, as I'll be mostly in back helping heal, while firing an occasional arrow or casting a spell to bless our group. I'd say you should have 2/3 of the scrolls and I'll take 1/3. Your healing is more potent than mine and if I need to enter battle, I can."
Thinking of his love for the trees, Thar asks Kadaz "Let's not get too hasty in cutting down trees. A lot of them have been my friends and I'm sure there are some sentient ones here. All I ask is that we take our time on the thinning out of trees."
He sits back and watches the interactions b/t Ed and shakes his head as he thinks to himself "I think I'm going to puke here, as I'll never understand the whole human bonding, dating or mating rituals, or whatever that is. Oh well, as long as people are happy," he concludes.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the Crying Woods tomorrow, so what time are we leaving?"
Thar ail Baerer Wednesday September 6th, 2006 9:59:52 PM
(Sorry, left a few words out of my post. It was the interactions b/t Ed, Mira and Ash.)
Syr Thursday September 7th, 2006 1:04:09 AM
Syr smirks at Thar's comments, "We certainly do see things in the same light. Aww don't mind them. The Dark Lady and Fish Face used to be much more dramatic. They've settled down some It's much more romance than drama. Heck, even Angus chases less tail now that he's stepped into Florin's old spot. Me, I don't see much use to it, I mean life is long, plenty of time, right?"
Looking at their playful interaction his eyes smile as he whispers, "Although, don't get me wrong. Those two are some of the truest friends that I've ever had."
"It is interesting to look at the group dymnamics. Take your mage friend over there, for someone so new to the group, he sure has an ego. Of course, for someone that actually invents RAIN, I guess he should."
Arm Thursday September 7th, 2006 6:07:09 AM
Arm snorts into his drink as he wishes he partook of something stronger, as that seems to be the only thing that allows someone to deal with Edmund.
Cocking his head in his direction as he once again prattles on about draining the lake in spite of what was previously said, Arm murmurs to Syr, "See what I mean?".
Angus (second Illegal Post) d20+9=15 Thursday September 7th, 2006 8:40:33 AM
Angus watches the interplay between Ed, Mira and Arm and thinks to himself, interesting, but it bears watching as we can not have any flare ups at a critical situation. Angus continues to watch from across the room, before calling for Daphne.
"Hi again, Ghost girl, still beautiful I see. Have you heard about any newcomers to the Big Float that were interested in Gargul and the old times?" Angus will order another wine whatever the answer is.
gather information 15
Belkior Thursday September 7th, 2006 9:04:56 AM
The halfling cleric watches the interplay between Mira, Arm and Edmund with some concern. Belkior thinks that he'll have enough problems keeping this lot alive and healthy without some of them storming off. Maybe I should proposes a diversion ...
"Edmund! You wanted to see the Float? I was going to walk to the Catacombs to pick up the rest of the healing supplies. Did you want to come with me? I can tell you a bit about the Float while we walk. And I could probably use a hand carrying everything back."
"Thar, did you want to come too? We can split the healing supplies up then, if you want."
Xenia (3rd Illegal Post) Thursday September 7th, 2006 12:26:22 PM
The girl rogue gives her favorite bard one last mock pout before standing up and moving around the table. On the way around she pokes an elbow into Syr from behind.
"Don't call him that," she berrates her elfish collegue in a harsh whisper. "He's sensitive."
"Hi, Ed." The dark rogue comes the rest of the way around the table to where the Plateau City Wizard Guy is. "You know there's caves under the lake and all. Lots of caves. And, you know, if you can make the water rise up into the air, even for a little time, maybe that would be a good way of exploring those caves."
"You think you could, maybe, explain a bit more on how you'd do that teleporting water thing?"
Daphne (DM Adam) Thursday September 7th, 2006 1:11:09 PM
"Oh yooou!Heheheeee!" The shimmering ghost of Daphne laughs as she drifts down from the ceiling and onto Angus' lap. "Do you really think I'm beautiful?" She queries dramatically, raising her arms into the air and striking (what she thinks) is a flattering pose. When she realises Angus is instead waiting for an answer to his question she firmly plants her tongue in her translucent cheek and frowns. "'Newcomers' ... hmm ... let me seee ... heheee! Well, there's those new helpers, but Happy got them wrong. They're not the Red Cross, they're Red Cloaks! I should know - I saw two of them talking outside our porch one night. And, their cloaks were red. No spiders though ... except in the store-room! Heheheeee!" Bored with the lack of attention, she twirls through the table and floats up towards the ceiling again.
Roaming the Float (DM JohnP) Thursday September 7th, 2006 2:35:11 PM
Strange as it may seem, the atmosphere inside the Ghost is getting a little strained. Belkior and some others suggest getting out and walking Floating City.
Those that accompany the halfling cleric easily keep pace as his little cat-legs mince along the streets of Floating City. Down here on Fence level, over half of the buildings have collapsed from the jungle's attack when the Fae King awoke. Clusters of people are picking through the rubble, looking up as the small party passes by. From the street it's not possible to tell if these people are starting to rebuild or merely picking through the rubble.
It's only a short distance to the Catacombs outlet on Fence Level. Those that go inside are amazed at how ... similar ... it is compared to the one in Plateau City. Part of the magic, they guess. Belkior hurriedly conducts his transaction and transfers part of the healing magic to Thar.
After a bit of discussion, Belkior first heads over to the docks area. If nothing else, everyone can look out on New Turtle Lake and see where they've going to be sailing. Walking around Fence Level shows more of the destruction caused by the plants. Here, particularly, since some of the plant creatures gained entrance through the docks. The smell of the water or, rather, the fish that feed most of the City, grows in intensity as they group walks closer to the water. Finally, they're at the water's edge.
Those from Floating City think that there are fewer boats than before, but it's difficult to tell. It looks like refugees are still coming back from the land where they were evacuated too during the attacks. It doesn't take much for Belkior to attract a small crowd and he is quickly busy dealing with minor complaints. He thinks to ask about people sailing from the City.
"Nasty business, that. Bunch of toughs came down two nights back, stole a couple boats, including Fred's there, and took them out on the lake. Less'n they could see at night, don't know where they'd go at night."
Another fisherman looks up from mending a net and nods in agreement. His face is bruised and his voice is slurred from some missing teeth.
"'Speshly at night. Da Woods be worst at night, donya know. An' da centre da lake be not safe, nei'der. Too deep ta fish, loose nets ev'ry time ya set there. Me pals look for me boat, but I t'ink ish gone."
Angus Thursday September 7th, 2006 4:30:27 PM
Angus continues to people watch and do some serious relaxing. Angus is very interested in watching the young lass with the pink dress, very interesting.
Angus watches for the conclusion of the Mira, Arm, Ed situation.
Angus waves to Belkior as he and some of the group head out into the city. "Have Fun." Angus call after the group as he flags down Daphne for another wine "Where is my beautiful ghostly barmaid?"
Angus will while away the hours in the GG and then retire to the suites and he wants as much sack time in a bed as he can store up. Sleeping on the ground with out the comforts of a bath and a tavern are almost too much for Angus to bear.
Mira Thursday September 7th, 2006 5:48:52 PM
"Did you say red cloaks?" Mira looks 'round to the ghostly girl sitting on the wizard's lap. "Not red cross? And, on some upper level?"
The sorcerer lets Edmund be led off by the little cleric halfling bound for the Catacombs.
"Shadow?" Mira seeks the party rogue, "you up for a little recon?" "Angus?" she turns to the wizard with the ghost on his lap, "who from your party knows these...what are they called...upper levels...best? Just some scouting mind you," she adds, adjusting her glasses, "not like last time...in the tenement, okay? And, be on the docks in the morning!"
Shadow Thursday September 7th, 2006 6:38:18 PM
Shadow was relaxing until Mira calls his name, "Oh yes, I can do that with a little help from one of our friends here." He will look to the new companions and see which one will show him the upper levels. "Hopefully we can get an idea of what they are doing here."
Edmund Thursday September 7th, 2006 6:51:32 PM
Edmund looks to Belkior and nods enthusiastically. "Catacombs, eh? I'd love to. Probably lots of books there, what what? Let's go. I'm ready!"
Edmund will accompany Belkior, waving to Xenia as they go. "I'll explain when we get back! It'll be brilliant, just you wait and see. I'll have to do some research of course, but no fear there!"
Wynn Thursday September 7th, 2006 8:40:08 PM
Wynn's peaceful demeanour is jarred by Syr's crude depiction of the mutations he suffered from the Knot of Druiss. His first reaction is anger followed immediately by shame. He pulls the collar of his shirt up to hide the gills on his neck. When Mira suggests a trip to the upper levels he seizes the opportunity to free himself from the uncomfortable situation and volunteers to go.
Conner Thursday September 7th, 2006 8:42:17 PM
"I'll go to the catacombs" he looks up from his ale. "They still owe me a quiver and 18 javelins and I don't want to go into the jungle without them!"
Xenia d20+7=17 Thursday September 7th, 2006 9:16:58 PM
"I'll be waiting, Ed," Xenia waves a gloved hand as the wizard guy makes his escape. "I'll be waiting."
"I'll go with Shadow too, Mira." The rogue purses her lips, eyes still on the door through which the funny wizard had gone. Then she shrugs. "I did a ... a survey of a good part of Gold Level a month or two ago. Think maybe I still got the map I drew around here somewhere."
"If them Red Cloak guys are with the Death Cult, then I don't think they'd be on Barrack's Level. That's almost all City Guard there. Could be Merchant Level. But, you know, I think if your Lady Lilliona is with them, then I'm betting they're spending most of their time on Gold Level."
"What do you think, Wynn?" Xenia takes the bard's arm and heads to the door. "We can maybe, you know, talk to folks and see if they can lead us to a place where the Cloakies can mostly be found. Might be a clue in that."
(Gather Information 17)
Lang & Sunshine Thursday September 7th, 2006 9:21:48 PM
Lang grows impatient as the catacombs' staff seems to be busy elsewhere and not helping their customers.
He waits though as his purchases are important for the upcoming trip.
Thar ail Baerer Thursday September 7th, 2006 9:29:43 PM
"Sure, I'd love to go there. That way, I'll be able to explore the city some more and maybe visit my temple."
He follows Belkior, Ed and whomever is going with them on their journey.
Arm Friday September 8th, 2006 5:56:16 AM
Arm takes a final sip of his water, and rises to join Mira, pausing to make sure that his sword is securely fastened at his belt. "At least that meddlesome fool is gone for the moment," he thinks as he accompanies her out the door.
Kadaz Friday September 8th, 2006 6:04:29 AM
With the information from the ghost now available it's time to get to work. "Mira, I can't be quiet or fast, but if you;d like some backup I'm willing to go with you and search the upper levels for the cult members." Kadaz finishes off his mug, puts down knife and fork, and starts gathering his gear. Birdie, not quite ready to stop, picks up a beef bone in his mouth and plans to carry it along.
Belkior Friday September 8th, 2006 9:26:18 AM
The halfling cleric takes delivery of his scrolls at the Catacombs. He looks over at Thar while attempting to hold them all.
"I'll just hold on to the antitoxins. I bought a total of 15 antitoxins. I was planning on passing them out to everyone once we were all in the boat."
"Here's some of the healing scrolls. This is what I got with the money: five scrolls each of Delay Poison, Neutralize Poison and Lesser Restoration; 3 scrolls of Remove Disease and 2 scrolls of Restoration. So how about you carry 2 scrolls each of the Delay Poison, Neutralize Poison and Lesser Restoration, and one of the Remove Disease scrolls. Did you want one of the Restoration scrolls?"
Mira (2nd illegal post) Friday September 8th, 2006 12:56:40 PM
"Sure Kadaz," says Mira, "you and Birdie be backup for Shadow, Wynn, Xenia, and anyone else going to the upper level." As the groups heads out, she calls, "remember, tact and diplomacy are likely to get you further up there, then brute strength and muscle."
As Arm approaches, ready to go with the group heading to recon the upper levels, Mira pokes a finger in his chest, and blocks the way. "You, Mr. Armathan Ebano, are staying here with me!" Mira's tone is light, but there is an undertone of seriousness. She smiles a crooked smile, but her eyes are dark, and there is a little crease of worry that is becoming a permanant feature, on her brow.
"We have to talk."
Angus (second Illegal post) Friday September 8th, 2006 2:22:15 PM
At Mira's inquiry, Angus adds "Xenia and Syr are the best to accompany shadow. Make sure no one draws weapons on the upper levels as they may find themselves in whatever is passing for a jail now a days. Just go find out information."
Angus then separates Mira from the rest of the group and in low tones adds "You know, we can always have Lang sit on Arm if he gets out of hand. Just look at that anchor of his." Angus finishes smiling. In a more serious tone "We need to keep the group working together and not causing strife."
Angus catches Belkior before he heads out again. "Belkior can you get a scroll or two of the spell that warded Lang from some of the vampires powers in the last battle (death ward)? It was helpful."
Belkior - 2nd Illegal Post Friday September 8th, 2006 2:35:59 PM
Belkior looks over to Angus before leaving.
"Sure, I can pick up a couple of those scrolls, too. Even if there aren't any vampires, we know there are death cultists out there somewhere in the jungle. And that spell will keep us safe from things like Inflict Wounds spells."
Thar Friday September 8th, 2006 2:44:07 PM
Responding to Belkior's query, Thar says "Sure that sounds good to me (to carry 2 scrolls each of the Delay Poison, Neutralize Poison and Lesser Restoration, and one of the Remove Disease scrolls. I can't cast Restoration yet, so you should hold onto those scrolls."
Looking at Angus and Belkior, he says "What other sorts of spells do you recommend we pray for, especially to fight the vampires or other bad guys we're likely to meet. I'd hate for us to duplicate our magic and miss something important."
Angus (thrid illegal post) Friday September 8th, 2006 7:17:17 PM
Angus smiles at Thar "Thats what I like, a man who thinks ahead. That is a man that will get ahead. I would take spell that will be useful against cultists, undead and spiders, athough the scrolls may take care of the spiders already. I worry about opponents that think for themselves like the cultists and high level undead, you know like lich kings."
Angus laughs and slaps Thar on the back good naturedly and looking at Angus's arms, Thar barely felt the slap.
Edmund (2nd, illegal post) Friday September 8th, 2006 9:13:53 PM
Once they reach the catacombs, Edmund wanders off, leaving Belkior to try and hold everything. Stepping behind a counter to examine the bottles there, he also starts poking through some of the scrolls available for sale, and looks about to investigate for books of interest.
"Good heavens, what's all this?" he says, as he picks up first one bottle, then another. Edmund is clearly excited. "I've never even heard of some of these things!"
Thelonius, Catacombs Staffer Friday September 8th, 2006 9:52:50 PM
Near seven feet tall and equally as broad, bald as an egg even down to his eyebrows, an extremely large man wearing a kelly green work apron across the expanse of his chest steps quietly up behind the overly curious wizard. Firm hands pink with burn scars come down upon the wizard's shoulders.
"I'm terribly sorry, Sir." Those same very very strong hands steer the wizard gently, but with a decided instance, back around to the customer side of the counter. The voice is deep and mellifluous. "I'm afraid this side of the counter is restricted to Catacombs staff, save by expressed invitation. My name is Thelonius Johnson. Did you wish to make a purchase? How can the Catacombs be of service to you today?"
Edmund (3rd, illegal post) Friday September 8th, 2006 10:34:36 PM
"Eh, wot?" Edmund is entirely surprised as he finds himself being manoeuvred around the counter and back to the other side.
"Oh! Very sorry! Quite sorry. My apologies. Thought it was more of a research laboratory than a shoppe. No one explained, you see. Purchase? No, no, no purchases. Well, I mean, yes. We have done, though--don't think we have any more purchases to make, do we? Belkior?"
Edmund squeaks a bit, looking to the halfing for an answer, his cheeks reddened with embarassment.
Thelonius, Catacombs Staffer Saturday September 9th, 2006 9:05:16 AM
"No apologies necessary, Good Sir." A smile as spreads across the expansive face of Thelonius Johnson. "None at all. Great Curiosity and the Thirst for Knowledge are great patrons of the Catacombs and therefore any friends of theirs are friends of ours."
"May I ... provide a demonstration while you wait for your friend to conduct his transaction, Sir? I am not a practitioner of magics, Arcane or Divine. However ... " There is the wooden sound of a sliding drawer and Thelonius lifts a ring from behind the counter. The plain band of steel expands to fit one of his thick and meaty fingers as he slides it onto his hand.
"With this ring upon my finger ... " He turns his hand to hide the bright pink scar-flesh that covers his palms, remnants of what at one time must have been a horrible burn. " ... I am granted the ability to lift, move and hold things with my mind."
Thelonius speaks a control word and then glances with concentration at the snack bar. A brown cookie rises of its own accord from the table. Slowly then, but with deliberation, the confectionary floats across the room into Thelonius' hand.
"Chocolate with walnuts, I believe." Thelonius offers the cookie to the wizard customer. "Ring of Telekinesis." The large man removes the steel band from his finger. "75,000 gold. Not an inconsiderable price."
Syr Saturday September 9th, 2006 9:38:19 AM
Syr rolls his eyes as Wynn flees the scene, "I really should think more before I speak. I just assumed he was more than two and had accepted it by now. After all what's better than living on a city in the middle of the water and be able to BREATHE it?"
Staying behind to speak with Happy for a few seconds, "Any specific deeds that these Red cloaks have done? I for one am interested in helping the rebuilding process."
Edmund (4th!, illegal post) Sunday September 10th, 2006 3:04:44 AM
Edmund takes the cookie in a state of shock, whilst still goggling from the demonstration of the ring.
"Ring... of... Telekin-- oh, most useful. Actually, actually, that sort of thing, that sort of thing might be... what is the limit on it? I mean, what can it lift--could it lift, say... oh, I dunno... a large body of water? Could I lift a lake with it? If so, I cou-- SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND GOLD PIECES!?"
As the price finally sinks in, Edmund is shocked out of his goggling. "Good God. Seventy-Five thousand... no, no. Far too expensive. Must be a better way. I'll have to learn a spell, perhaps. Some research in the libraries. No way around it. Seventy-Five thousand . . ."
Edmund looks mournfully at the ring, before thanking Thelonius for the kind demonstration. Then, with one last, avaricious glance, he turns and hurries over to help Belkior.
DM Blurb (JohnP) Sunday September 10th, 2006 3:12:28 PM
No time for a DM post this afternoon as I'm simply taking a break from yardwork, housework, cooking Sunday dinner and looking after the kids. Expect to see DM post tomorrow night, chivvying you along to depart from the city and get moving again.
Any Catacombs transactions that are initiated before the party departs from Floating City will be delivered. After departure, there will be no Catacombs access.
Now, I have to run because my nose tells me that there is work to do with the youngest one's diaper.
Arm Monday September 11th, 2006 5:52:34 AM
Smiling broadly at Mira, Arm replies, "I wouldn't want to be any place else BUT with you, my dear.". His smile falters a bit though as he accompanies her as he wonders if he's angered her.
After Angus pulls her aside for his conversation, he attempts some light conversation at first, then heads for the meat of the issue, "What is troubling you, my dear? I'm sorry we haven't had the chance to speak before now, but this business with the cultists is really bothering me. They are rapidly reaching the status of orcs in my mind, and you KNOW how I feel about that issue.".
Lang & Sunshine Monday September 11th, 2006 8:23:21 PM
Lang & Sunshine head back to the group after their catacombs transaction is completed.
Shadow Monday September 11th, 2006 9:21:32 PM
Shadow waits for the local rogue to take the lead and will follow along until needed.
Xenia Monday September 11th, 2006 10:01:31 PM
Instead of heading back to Crook Street, Xenia turns right onto Dagger Point.
"You can go up and down the levels through the four corner pillars too," she explains. "We'll take the northwest pillar up to Gold Level then after looking around a bit there we'll work our way back down to Merchant."
"Always worth knowing more than one way in and out of a place, you know what I mean," Xenia whispers to Shadow.
Edmund Monday September 11th, 2006 10:19:21 PM
Edmund looks about for Belkior and follows along meekly, entirely embarassed from his interchange with the Catacombs staff.
Mira Monday September 11th, 2006 10:29:00 PM
Mira returns to Arm as soon as she can, "we've got to talk," she repeats to the bard. Looking about, she finds a small vacant table in a dark corner and leads the bard to it where she takes one seat. Taking the bard's hand, she unconciously turns it palm side up, and starts to trace the lines with her index finger.
..an almond shaped hand signifying delicacy and grace, and yet with the square base of someone who values energy...long slim fingers that signify an emotional and somewhat aggressive nature...the ring finger is interesting...longer than normal it signifies an artistic talent, but also a reckless and wild nature...
Mira sighs. "Arm," she starts, "everyone in the group wants to find Iliona, the Red Cloaks, and set things to rights. The Crimson Shields, our people." The woman pauses to think, and then continues, "people are different from each other, and no amount of getting after them is going to change them. Nor is there any reason to change them, because the differences are probably good, not bad. We need everyone to work together, and stay in the group...even Edmund."
"Don't laugh!" she chides, poking at the bard across the table. "You may not see his value, but until now, I've been the only magiker in our group!" Mira lowers her voice, and staring at the lines on the bard's palm, continues quietly, "I want to be with you Arm, but, your anger scares me."
Walking Round the Floating Town (DM JohnP) Monday September 11th, 2006 10:37:26 PM
The two groups, those from Floating City and those from Plateau City, have split and recombined and spread in a variety of directions. Or else simply stayed put in the Giggling Ghost.
Thunir tells everyone that he is off to visit with some suppliers here in Floating City. Although, from the tone of his voice, it sounds more like he is simply checking to see if these people are still alive.
Angus is one of those who stayed in the Ghost, trying to strike up conversation with the serving staff. Syr stays behind, too, wondering about how his words affect others. Not much happens there, although it's amusing to watch how much Ash and Shelya act like one another as they both "meditate" in a warm patch of sunlight.
++++++
Belkior leads Edmund off on a little trip around Fence Level, intending to show him the sights. Conner, Lang and Thar go along too because they have business in the Catacombs. Belkior and Lang manage to conduct their business in the Catacombs. While they're doing this, Edmund wanders off behind the counter and gets into a metaphysical debate with one of the staffers. And Conner is filing a complaint form with the management about the tardy delivery of a previous order. The management calmly states that all deliveries will be made before Conner and the others leave town.
Walking on towards the docks, the group hears about the theft of some boats a couple nights before. People readily volunteer to Belkior that a pair of boats, each capable of holding 10 or so people, were taken. And the descriptions are familiar -- red cloaks and magic to cloak sight and sound. From what the dockhands say, the thieves rowed out under the cover of magic and darkness.
++++++
Mira looked up when Daphne mentions the red-cloaked visitors. She persuades Shadow to go on a scouting expedition. Wynn[b] decides to tag along, partly to cool off after Syr's remarks. And [b]Xenia volunteers to go along, too, to use her knowledge of the upper levels of the Float. Arm joins up with Mira and the others, looking back at Edmund as he chatters to Belkior. Kadaz volunteers to go along, too.
As the party heads out, Xenia takes the lead and shows off the sites on Fence Level. They retrace their steps, heading back up the ramps that they descended after arriving. Periodically, Xenia and the other locals will exchange words with some people that they recognize, or dart into a shop. Over time, they manage to find some traces of the death cultists. A glimpse in the street, small purchases and the like is all that they hear. From what they can piece together, the death cultists might have stayed briefly someplace on Merchant Level but then left a couple days before.
++++++
After a couple hours, everyone makes their way back to the Ghost. Before ordering an evening meal, everyone shares what they have learned. Thunir comes back, too. When he hears what each group has to say, he thinks for a moment.
"Sounds like they'll be two days ahead of us. How much distance that means depends on things like winds and currents but mainly whether they stop at night. Safer and better to stop ashore at night, but they might press straight across the lake."
"We really should be getting after them. How soon do you want to sail, tonight or tomorrow? Or do you want to wait some more?"
People begin debating this when Happy walks over to the table. The proprietor of the Ghost looks around at the grim faces.
"Hopefully not something that you ate, these long faces. Should I tell you what we're serving tonight, or send Daphne later? Oh, and there's some messengers looking for some of you."
Happy barely dances aside as a procession of small winged creatures lug some heavy packages to the tables. Packages are dropped for Conner, Lang and anyone else who purchased something at the Catacombs. When Conner opens his package, he finds a quiver and some javelins. And, in way of an apology, a thin package whose wrapper states "Finest Elven Trail Rations -- Chocolate".
Xenia Monday September 11th, 2006 11:19:28 PM
Long day. Xenia sits in the Ghost next to Wynn a ceramic cup of grape drink in her hands. It had been a long day. Wandering around Gold before finally coming down to Merchant. Looks like the Cloakies hadn't stayed on Gold after all. The rogue turns the cup of drink between the palms of her hands as her mind goes back to earlier that afternoon, passing the site of the orphanage. The second orphanage, they'd just built it up after the fire. Brand new up on Merchant Level. Then the plants came and shook the tower. The memory reflects in the green of Xenia's eyes. The first floor of the orphanage had given way and been flattened under the weight of the upper floors. Later they had heard how Gordo had held up the ceiling with his body while the children escaped up the stairs. But eventually the weight had been too much. Gordo hadn't made it.
"How do you ... " Xenia's voice comes out thick with emotion. She stops. Breathes. Clears herself of emotion before continuing. "Can you sail at night?" she asks Thunir. "I mean, like, how can you see to steer? We been out on the lake at night on turtle ferries before. But that's turtles."
"If we can go, I say we go now."
Edmund Monday September 11th, 2006 11:19:39 PM
Edmund smiles broadly at Belkior as they head back, grateful for having been dragged along on what other people might have considered a rather boring outing. Edmund is always interested in seeing new things, even if they are seventy-five thousand gold pieces out of his price range.
When they get back to the GG, Edmund addresses the whole group--but Xenia in particular.
"Now, as for my idea for cleaning out those tunnels for you--I don't see why one couldn't teleport the water out of the way, or even use telekinesis to shove it out of the way. Of course, I'd need to do some research to learn the necessary spell, but I imagine the libraries around here would have just the sort of thing.
Of course, if not, there's always a backup plan. As I mentioned to the rest of my group back when I agreed to come along, Xenia, I've built plenty of little machines for this or that job. I bet I could make a pump, maybe even steam-driven, which we could use to empty out the caves if I can't find a spell quickly enough."
Edmund smiles broadly, leaning back in his chair with a bright smile.
"So, what do you think? It's very likely guaranteed to probably succeed!"
Angus Monday September 11th, 2006 11:21:42 PM
Angus watches the Shields and those of Plateau City make their way back to the GG. Once all are assembled and information exchanged, Angus adds to all "It sounds like we have some time to make up. Lets get a good night sleep and leave early after once of Happy's excellent breakfast's. It may be awhile before someone cooks for us."
Angus calls happy over before retiring himself and wants to have Happy send someone to deliver a note to their boat benefactor "Happy I hope this note is not too much trouble for you."
In the morning, Angus packs up his possesions in his new haversack and heads downstairs to collect all of his friends new and old and announces "lets go find our ride. If you get seasick sit at the prow of the boat as I will be in the back." Angus places his big floppy leather hat on his head and heads out of the inn, eager to find some answers on the far shore.
Xenia Monday September 11th, 2006 11:32:45 PM
The rogue turns her head and listens in silence to Edmund's idea ... ideas.
"Sure, Ed," she replies as he finishes. "Tell you what, can you work up some sketches? Maybe a demonstration of what you're talkin' 'bout? Folks aren't likely to buy what they can't see. Know what I mean?"
The dark rogue turns her attention back to the discussion of when they would be leaving. Good ideas come from all over. Never hurts to listen. But, then again, Marcus The Fixer Merryman didn't raise his daughter to buy a pig in a poke either.
Kadaz Tuesday September 12th, 2006 5:48:25 AM
"The Red Cloaks have 2 days on us. Once they get to their destination they'll have time to set up and prepare for us. So time is vital. We should go now if traveling by night isn't too dangerous." Kadaz looks around to see if others are swayed by his logic.
Belkior Tuesday September 12th, 2006 10:32:41 AM
The halfling cleric ponders what Thunir has said. No more or less than anyone else, Belkior doesn't want the cultists to get too much of a lead. But his cautious nature wonders what the risks might be if they sail at night.
"Thunir, what do you mean about it being better and safer to stop ashore at night? Are you concerned about being able to navigate? Or what?"
Belkior looks around at his companions, trying to gauge what they're thinking.
"How long, exactly, do you think it will take to sail down the lake?"
Thunir's Response (DM JohnP) Tuesday September 12th, 2006 10:49:22 AM
Thunir Von Otten rubs his chin and scowls. The expression looks a little unusual on his "human" face. The Shields, who remember his real appearance, realize that it's in character for the dwarf.
"Took me over a week to sail back, last time. And I wasn't nearly as far as we're thinking to go."
"Of course, now the winds seem to be better and favouring us so there won't be as much need to tack and lose time."
The dwarf looks around at the assembled group.
"Do any of you know how to sail? I can teach you the basics, easily enough. But having another experienced sailor would be nice. And there's enough of you who can see well at night that we could easily sail then."
"I figure three days straight sailing, day and night. Or a week, at least, if we stop on shore every night. We lose a good part of sailing time, not to mention having to travel farther."
When Belkior asks about specific problems, the disguised dwarf smiles briefly.
"My boat's not too big, and there's how many of you? Fourteen, now that the big lass with the big sword has gone. Plus two dogs and a wolf. We'll be too cramped for sleeping easily. So you wizards probably won't be able to meditate, or whatever it is you do, to regain spells."
"And the locals say the center of the lake is haunted. Or cursed. Or just plain bad luck. Not just the fishermen from here in the Float, but the local tribes too. Don't rightly know, but I'd like to see for myself."
DM Addendum - I ran out of time last night. Feel free to make additional posts in light of this information.
Angus Tuesday September 12th, 2006 10:57:26 AM
Angus smiles at Thunir "We can sail day and night if you like. We will not have to change spells unless we use some. I trust you are taking us by a way that is not fraught with danger, or are you holding back on us? Is there something out on the water that we need to prepare for?" Angus cocks his head to the side and raises one eyebrow while waiting for an answer from the disguised dwarf.
Angus adds "If it is safe to do so we can sleep and practice sailing in shifts, or should we rent a bigger boat?"
Arm Tuesday September 12th, 2006 2:17:19 PM
Arm's grin drops almost instantly at Mira's last comment. He takes both her hands in his and says, "My dear, I'm am eternally sorry to put you through such distress. It's just that I worry that we are not doing enough to rid the Wold of this cult. If even ONE member is to escape, that can be the cultist that one day ends your life, and that would be something that I am FAR from prepared to deal with. Any that are allowed to go free could warn Ilonia of us, and we can be chasing her from one end of the Wold to the next and NEVER be closer than days behind her. THAT is why I feel we need to systematically rid this place of them, one way or another.".
Pausing for a moment, he continues, "As far as the group is concerned, I'm OK for the most part with them. The only ones I have problems with are Edmund and Angus. Whatever spell your little wizard tried to cast upon me, THAT will not be forgotten. Who's to say that HE is not a member of the cult himself? That would explain his general incompetence and ability to provide any benefit of much worth to the group. Also, what better way for Ilonia to keep tabs on our plans than to have a spy in our very midst? Nay, I fear I shall NEVER be able to trust him. Perhaps I should pay more attention to my magical studies so as to aid you when needed...at least you know I am not part of the cult. As far as Angus goes, well...he'd best mind his tongue around me, or the next time he may not be keeping it, so it's best that we avoid each other."
Squeezing her hands as tenderly as he can, he concludes, "I hope you can understand what I'm feeling right now. If any harm were to come to you or to any of our 'home group', excluding Edmund of course, especially if I could have prevented it, I'd never forgive myself.".
Xenia Tuesday September 12th, 2006 3:44:06 PM
The slim rogue takes a sip of her drink before standing and beginning a slow walk around the table.
"Alright. We know they got a two day head start. We know they nabbed a boat at night, so they ain't afraid to sail at night either. That gives them at least two days on us that we know of."
"We also know that they're going 'cause they want to find this At-mah-lan-to elven wizard lich guy. They have to find him and find out from him how to turn Gargul back to the way he was before the ... um ... the Fifth Age."
"What we don't know is how long this might take them, right? I mean, getting in to see an Evil Lich can't be too easy. Even if you're evil yourself, you think? Then finding from him a way to turn a god back to what he was before. That don't sound too easy either. Even if At-mah-lan-to has things like that just lying around after ump-teen I don't know how many years."
"But, can we risk it? This is big stuff. I think we're talking undead rising up all over the Wold sorta stuff. Can we risk thinking that they're not gonna walk right in and get what they want with us just a couple hours behind?"
"And if we do wait till morning, what are we gonna gain from it? Is the gain worth the risk?"
"Remember, we're not just trying to catch these guys. We're trying to stop something very very bad from happening."
Syr Tuesday September 12th, 2006 4:30:18 PM
Syr listens to the debate around him and nods at Kadaz, "Well, if it was nearby, I'd worry about sailing into a possible ambush but that doesn't really make much sense. Are there any reasons why these Red Cloaks expect to be followed? I'd say nope. Now is the time to give chase and make up ground, or water if you prefer."
With a grin, he gives a brief salute, "Captain, I'm one to volunteer as a sailor, at the very least I can swim. This doesn't mean that we have to swab the decks and such do we?"
Wynn Tuesday September 12th, 2006 5:58:45 PM
The bard listens to the various points made on either side of the argument before having his say. "Sounds like it's as well to leave now as morning. I've everything I need and can leave now if that is the group's desire. As for sailing, I have little experience and what there was ended in being shipwrecked, but these gills must be of some use and I am a strong swimmer if need be."
The bard secures the buckles and drawchords of his pack to emphasize his readiness.
Conner Tuesday September 12th, 2006 6:10:59 PM
The fighter grunts with satisfaction when he opens the package from the catacombs. He balances one of the javelins in his hand, feeling it's weight and judging the trueness of the shaft. The hint of a smile crosses his face before he places the javelin's, 18 in all, into the quiver. He then places his bow into a second compartment and finally loads approximately 50 finely fletched arrows into the third compartment.
Once the quiver is loaded, Conner examines the various potions that were delivered, checking their labels and finally storing them in his belt pouches, vest pockets or pack, depending on their contents.
"I've never sailed before, but I'm more than happy to learn. Just keep us out afloat is all I ask!" Conner is clearly ready to go whenever they decide to move out.
Lang & Sunshine Tuesday September 12th, 2006 7:45:41 PM
Lang accepts the package from the catacombs representative. He opens it up and finds the two items in purchased inside. He takes out the armor and calls Susnhine to his side.
"Here ya go boy. This should help out a little against any nasties we meet."
Lang puts the newly magicked armor on Sunshine.
He takes the other item out of the package and fastens it to his cloak.
Mira Tuesday September 12th, 2006 7:48:18 PM
Mira takes one last look at the palm of the bard and the lines that prophesize his future. Curling his fingers to cover the lines, she sighs. "For our sake, keep your head and keep the peace, Arm."
Mira rises from her seat, and goes to join the others. Soberly she informs those nearby, "I've had some experience on the Endless River in Plateau City, but I know nothing of your lake or the dangers it holds. As such, I will defer to whatever course the Crimson Shield's and Mr. Thunir think best.
The sorcerer seeks out Conner, and finds him admiring his new aquisitions. "What's that!?" she calls excitedly, pointing to the thin package of trail rations. Mira reads the elvish print, and draping an arm over the burly fighter's muscled shoulder, she asks, "are you going to share?"
The Last Supper (DM JohnP) Tuesday September 12th, 2006 10:23:17 PM
The debate goes back and forth about whether to leave immediately or wait until morning. Not much really changes when Thunir responds to Belkior's questions. Trust the Halfling cleric to see both advantages and disadvantages to either option.
On the side advocating immediate departure are Xenia, Kadaz, Syr, and Wynn.
Angus first advocates for early departure.
Edmund doesn't really care, either way. Nor do Conner, Lang or Mira. From his questions, Belkior simply wants to get on the lake and sailing. The others remain silent.
Thunir listens to this debate and then nods. "Well, sounds like we're going tonight. Might as well eat supper before we sail. Unless you think that you might have a weak stomach."
"Doubt we can rent a boat. Not if the fishermen hear what we want to do. We'll manage, one way or the other."
Thunir gestures to summon Daphne or another server to the table. "Drinks are on me! I'll have tonight's special and I think some others are hungry too."
"We'll head over to the docks after the meal. If any of you have business that you still want to attend to, better do it quick. We'll head out right quick, now that you've decided."
Thar ail Baerer Tuesday September 12th, 2006 11:47:25 PM
Thar sits for a while, thinking about what the heck a steam powered thingy is that Edmund's talking about. Eventually, he adds "I'd like to go tonight too, as I don't want them to get to far ahead. I would be interested in learning to sail from Belkior though, as that's a skill that I have little experience in. Anything to get me out of the city."
He sits back and waits to hear what the final decision is.
Angus Tuesday September 12th, 2006 11:50:23 PM
Angus listens to Thunir and the others and exclaims "I take a wine my dear Daphne, as it looks like I will miss out on my good night sleep. I will be trading my feather bed for planks at the bottom of the boat. Time to deaden the pain." Angus holds up his flagon to Thunir and finishes "Lets get this party on the road....lake."
After packing Angus pulls Syr and Lang aside and talks to them in low tones "Keep and eye on that Arm character. If he acts up again and causes problems in a bad spot, we may have to sit on him so that we he does not hurt himself or anyone else. Keep your eyes opem for more important things though, like giant spiders, evil red cloaks and the occasional lich king."
Angus holds the door open at the GG for all to leave and head to the docks.
Syr Wednesday September 13th, 2006 12:33:32 AM
At Wynn's comments about his own gills Syr's ears perk up. As he turns to speak to Angus and away from Wynn, he says through a smile, "Will do boss!" He nods quickly and departs with the others for the dock.
As they are leaving, he reaches down and squeezes a finger in between Sunshine's armor giving the dog a quick scratch. "Hey Lang, nice new duds, Sunshine seems to move a bit easier now too."
Kadaz Wednesday September 13th, 2006 5:38:28 AM
Kadaz looks up at the decision to leave sooner rather than later. "Great. But just one thing, the water's not very deep, right?"
Arm Wednesday September 13th, 2006 6:04:14 AM
Arm doesn't know how to respond to Mira, except to say, "Well, for you..I'll keep the peace. That does NOT mean that I'm turning a blind eye to them, though.". Sighing, he continues, "Is there anything else we may need before we leave?".
Conner Wednesday September 13th, 2006 7:52:56 AM
The fighter looks puzzled at Mira's request. "Say's here they're elven trail rations. Last time I tried those I thought I'd choke. You're more than welcome to the whole lot."
Wynn Wednesday September 13th, 2006 7:55:07 AM
The bard retreats to the corner of the inn and opens his journal. He flips to a new page and starts...
The Lich King
Shadow Wednesday September 13th, 2006 8:30:32 AM
Shadow makes sure his last meal in town is a good one, and will order what the special is. He is apprehensive and at the same time a little excited to be heading out. He remembers the last time he left the civilized areas and wonders what awaits this time.
Xenia Wednesday September 13th, 2006 12:53:43 PM
The best and most tender cuts of the beef, soft, warm fresh baked bread, sharp cream white cheddar and some soft cheese that smells of dill. Xenia fixes two plates. Small pickles. Some strawberries. Two bowls of steaming corn and potato stew.
The rogue gathers her haul and balances it over to the place Wynn has staked out in the corner. Without a disturbing word, she places the food within easy reach. Then she seats herself nearby to eat and watch.
Belkior Wednesday September 13th, 2006 2:53:12 PM
The halfling cleric orders a doubel stack of halfling pancakes with fruit syrups. And a extra large bowl of Happy's famous baked beans. They're going to be spending the next while out of doors living rough so this wonderful food won't be available. And no one will really complain, either.
Since it's a special occasion, Belkior also orders a mug of the hardened cider. Probably going to be hard to get, following the destruction that occurred with the Fae King's coming. Once all of this arrives, Belkior settles down to clear his plate and bowl after muttering a quiet prayer over his meal.
After eating, he goes over to check on Ash and Shelya. Even if they are simply "meditating", someone needs to make sure that they eat before setting sail.
Mira Wednesday September 13th, 2006 7:27:05 PM
Mira makes up a plate for herself and gathering up an opened bottle and a glass, she finds a seat and tries to enjoy the meal. Her mind is preoccupied however by the things that Thunir has said. She thinks on the used Quall Feather Token that made a boat for her party when the Endless River overflowed its banks, and she wishes she had another. She still had the anchor, but what good would it be? And then there was the matter of crowding. She only needed 2 hours of rest to be at her best, thanks to her new ring, but what about Edmund, and Angus, or any of the others who depended on a good night's rest for the restoration of their powers?
Letting her mind wander, the sorcerer worries about her party and the tensions that threaten to undermine their ability to work as a team. Mira had tried diplomacy, but Arm and Edmund were so different one from the other. Being stuck in the cramped quarter's of the boat weren't going to help matters. Thar and Ash, seemed to anticipate the forest adventure, so no worries there, but a boat for 3 days or more was another matter. Shadow was so quiet, you would hardly know he was there half the time. But he liked to be off by himself a lot. Could the introverted rogue handle close proximity to so many?
Mira's eyes move over Conner and Kadaz, and the dwarf's dog. The woman shudders at the thought of the smell after a couple of days without bathing. The sorcerer makes a mental note to situate herself near the front of the vessel, and with a sigh drains her glass.
Lang & Sunshine Wednesday September 13th, 2006 9:10:09 PM
Lang nods his head in agreement after hearing Angus's concern of 1 of the other groups' members.
He enjoys the meal at the Giggling Ghost, knowing it may be his last warm one for a while.
Thar ail Baerer Wednesday September 13th, 2006 10:20:37 PM
Thar sits and ponders the comments about Arm that he's been hearing. "I'm not comfortable with a lot of the negative things that are being said about my companions, especially Arm and Ed."
Deciding to make sure that both know where he stands, he goes over to Arm and says "I know you're having some difficult times, but I want you to know I've got your back and know that you've got mine. We've fought in several battles and I'll stick by your side."
He goes over to Edmund and echoes his comments that were said to Arm, hoping that both realize that he's on their side and won't let anyone abuse either of them.
He offers to pray with either one of them, hoping to help dissolve any fears or trepidations that they might have.
Onto Turtle Lake (DM JohnP) Wednesday September 13th, 2006 11:01:31 PM
After everyone finishes their meals, Thunir pats his vest pocket to ensure that the box is still there. Then he stands, motioning to Daphne and the other servers. When they approach, he passes a couple platinum coins into their palms. The money is more than enough to pay for the meals of everyone at the table. Wynn finishes scribing in his book and then closes it with a snap.
"Let's get going. I hope that everyone is ready to go."
Thunir walks to the door of the Ghost as Angus holds it open. He turns west on Dagger Street and veryone follows him out of the street. Syr reaches down to pat Sunshine as the dog follows Lang from the Ghost.
Thunir looks over to Kadaz as they walk and jokes, "It's deep enough. Over our heads, anyway."
They keep walking and turn on Rogue's Alley to head towards the water. Mira walks close to Arm and Conner, thinking to herself. But she's not so wrapped up that she doesn't reach out for the trail rations.
Shadow walks in the back, trailing behind everyone else with Syr. Thar and Belkior are in the middle of the pack, keeping an eye on Ash and Shelya. Xenia also keeps an eye on everyone else.
Finally the group reaches the dock area. Thunir moves towards an open area where no boat is docked. He climbs down a ladder and hangs from it with one hand while pulling the box from his vest. He mutters the Dwarven word <Azhar> ("open") and lets go of the box as it unfolds into a small boat suitable for four people. Thunir smiles up at the group.
"Don't worry, it'll be big enough."
Then he mutters another Dwarven word, <Ukbar> ("Bigger") and the boat expands into a small ship. The ship contains five benches with oars, a small cabin and a mast with a furled sail.
"Don't usually sail this way, but we can manage. Come on board, stow your gear in the cabin. There should be some hammocks in there already."
"Some of you bigger types better take an oar. We'll need to row out aways before we can put the sail up. The rest of you should stay out of the way while we're getting out. Once the sail's up, you can move around a bit."
As people enter the boat, Thunir moves about and directs them. His suggestions start to sound more and more like orders, especially as Belkior gets in the way more than once before he is banished to the cabin. Finally, though, everyone is loaded and the animals are persuaded to board also.
The people on the oars start pulling and Thunir gets even more exasperated.
"Okay! Okay! I'm going to call the stroke and you try to keep up."
"Stroke!"
"Stroke!"
"Stroke!"
"Harder on the left, stroke!"
"Keep pulling, stroke!"
Eventually the rowers get the rhythm and the boat moves more quickly, if not more gracefully. Finally it is far enough out from shore and Thunir moves from the steering oar to the sail.
"Someone help me and we'll get this up."
It's not long before the evening wind pushes the boat along. The speed isn't great but it is steady. The lights of the Floating City recede in the distance. The dark shoreline also shrinks as the sound of wind and waves fills the air. With the darkness, the boat seems to be alone upon the waters of Turtle Lake. But everyone knows that there a couple boats two days ahead, also heading to the same destination.
As the boat settles into sailing, Thunir moves about adjusting ropes and securing things. The constant motion of the boat moving through the water is almost soothing. Although some people are beginning to experience some discomfort.
Fortitude DC 5 save or experience seasickness
Mira d20-1=4 d20+3=9 d20+5=20 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 11:26:56 PM
Mira stows the rations, and makes her way on board. The sorcerer isn't one of the 'bigger types' but there are 5 benches after all, and what harm could be done, right?
Str=4 Dex=9
The woman makes a complete muddle of the exercise and red faced, retreats into the stuffy darkness of the cabin. The gentle rocking of the boat isn't so bad though.
Fort.=20
Finding an unoccupied hammock, Mira wraps herself up in her voluminous cloak, and settles in for a snooze.
Edmund d20+4=5 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 11:34:03 PM
((OOC: DC Fortitude 5 save vs. sea-sickness yields a CRITICAL MISS, which I suspect results in an automatic fail, yes? I am not familiar with the 3.5 rules on such things, so I am going to write this post as if I failed the roll.))
Edmund is disappointed by not having the time to do teleport spell research or build a mock-up pump for Xenia, but doesn't grumble overmuch when it comes time to leave. After all, his experience with the Navy no doubt leaves him feeling confident.
Of course, as for that experience with the Navy, it must have been a long time ago, for not long after sitting down in the boat, Edmund beguns to look a little green, his eyes glassy and unfocused as he does his best to row in time, which he seems entirely unable to do.
"Not... quite much like... sort of thing I'm used to... putting about in rowboats... used to... sails... ugh."
Edmund looks more than a little queasy, and leans over the bulwark a bit, unable to handle his oar any longer. "I think... must have gotten... bad sausage for breakfast... Someone else... take over?"
He looks almost as bad as he feels. Almost.
Conner d20+4=20 d20+3=20 d20+4=17 d20+7=12 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 11:43:35 PM
Conner welcomes the opportunity to use his muscles after a couple of days of relative inactivity. He puts all 190 lbs. of muscle on his 5ft. 8 in. frame to work on the oars. (St.=20, Dex.=20). Later, when Thunir calls for help with the sail, Conner is the first to volunteer. (St.=17)
The rolling of the deck underfoot is disconcerting, but doesn't cause the fighter any real problems. (Fort=12)
Angus d20+9=16 d20+4=19 Thursday September 14th, 2006 1:05:12 AM
Angus makes no effort to grab and oar as his frame speak volumes that it would be a futile effort. Instead after stowing his gear, he pulls out his flute and picks a tune to go with the beat of Thunir drum.
Perform 16
Between notes Angus calls out "Any words of encouragement for this new crew Wynn?"
Fort save 19
Angus keeps his meager dinner down and goes over to the rail by Edmund and pats the wizard on the back "Don't worry it passes in a few days. It happens to all of us at one point or another."
Angus goes into the cabin and finds a hammock and lies down for a good rest. "Night Mira. Sleep well." Angus places his big hat on his head and quickly dozes off.
Arm d20+2=7 Thursday September 14th, 2006 6:03:27 AM
Arm makes himself as comfortable as possible on the boat, feeling a minor discomfort but not to the point of being debilitating (fort=7). Glancing momentarity at Edmund, he shakes his head and takes a seat near Thar, saying that he will take him up on the offer of prayer, even though he is not a 'religious man'. As time goes on, he relates to Thar much of his life's story...his parents death at the hands of orcs and his subsequent hatred of them, his visions after drinking from the chalice (where HAS that cursed object gotten to, by the way?), and his current concerns. Perhaps he can provide some solace for him that has been missing since Uriel left the party.
Kadaz d20+8=11 d20+4=10 Thursday September 14th, 2006 7:00:49 AM
Kadaz takes his place at the oars, finding a position suitable for one of his relatively short height. He grasps the wood shaft of the oar strongly and pulls as directed. (fort save 11)
Kadaz keeps rowing in a very focused manner with his eyes closed. He finds that if he concentrates on the feel of the wood in his hands he can almost ignore the presence of water under him, water so deep that it would swallow him up with no trace, water that his little armored body would sink into faster than a rock, water hiding sea monsters that could crush their ship effortlessly, water so deep that ... . He gulps and rows a bit harder. Once the rowing is done Kadaz stays in his seat, grasping the oar, eyes closed. He quitely mutters a prayer to Domi.
Birdie, on the other other hand, is enjoying this trip. He sits at the very bow of the ship feeling the wind in his hair, eagerly looking into the darkness trying to see what is out there. (fort save 10)
Wynn d20+5=22 Thursday September 14th, 2006 7:51:40 AM
His pack at his feet, Wynn takes a seat on the hard bench behind an oar. At Angus' bidding, he breaks into a song, with a wink at Xenia:
Anne Bonney's the queen of the pirates Anne Bonney flies over the sea Anne Bonney will teach you Yes, let me beseech you To come be a pirate with me.
Well, first you need a ship And then you need a crew And only a leaky, creaky ship And a nasty crew will do!
And then you need a chest Full of lots of gold and loot And a flag with a skull And a few seagulls And a dirty old pipe to toot!
To the ship! To the ship! To the ship, ship, ship!
Aye, some would say we're mean And some would say we're bad But they all admit When they're trying it It's the most fun they've ever had had!
Fort=22
Xenia d20+3=20 d20+9=19 d20+8=28 d20+19=28 Thursday September 14th, 2006 10:40:25 AM
"Lots of gold and loot!"
Xenia echoes the lyrics to Wynn's song and breaks into a jig. Her feet drum a beat against the deck of the ship, rhythm to fill the weaving melodies of Wynn's song and Angus' flute.
"We're pirates!" She laughs as she dances on the rolling deck of the ship.
When the dwarf in human clothing calls for help with the sail, Xenia springs to the big pole thing in the middle of the ship.
"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" she salutes and sets about learning the sail part of this sailing thing. Booms and masts and cleats and rigging. Xenia handles the ropes with ease.
And when the sail finally goes up, filling with wind and swelling out into a beautiful curving arc beneath the starlit sky, Xenia heads for the bow.
"Hey, Guy." She ruffles the fur on Birdie's head as they both face into the wind and spray. It's a bigger boat than the one they took with that old pervo Minos, but it's the same feeling. A wind in your face sorta feeling. A big grin spreads across the rogue's dark features. She pats Birdie's side. "You know the place to be. Doncha?"
Standing in the prow, Xenia keeps watch as the ship cleaves the dark waters of Turtle Lake.
Rolls and Actions Fort 20 Perform(Dance) 19 Use Rope 28 /Nat 20 Spot 28
Belkior d20+15=17 d20+21=23 Thursday September 14th, 2006 2:38:49 PM
The halfling cleric enjoys the wind in his face. Seeing that Edmund is a little ... green ... Belkior skips across the deck, his claws gripping the wood.
"So, feeling a mite unwell? Did you have too much to drink? Oh, bad sausage ... of course. You know, if you didn't eat meat that wouldn't happen. Never met a pancake or baked beans that would do that to you."
Belkior stretches up to put a hand on Edmund's forehead. After some tsking under his breath, Belkior leans back.
"Maybe you should stay out here. Thunir doesn't seem too friendly and I doubt that he would like it if you .... ah, decorated ... the cabin. Besides, feeling the wind and seeing the horizon should do you some good."
Belkior then makes the rounds of the rest of the boat, making sure that everyone is okay. When Kadaz starts frettign about armor and water, that gets Belkior thinking. He moves into the cabin and removes his breastplate, figuring that they should have time to get re-armored before meeting any danger.
Fort = 17 Heal = 23
Ash d20+6=19 Thursday September 14th, 2006 5:16:28 PM
Ash continues his fascinated examination of his environs, speaking not a word to anyone.
OOC: Sorry everyone, I've been out of sorts this week, but will try to post regularly from now on.
Fort=19
Syr d20=18 Thursday September 14th, 2006 7:01:06 PM
Syr makes his way to the bow of the boat and motions with a nod to Lang to take the opposing first oar. From there, he is able to keep an eye on Arm but does so very casually and only because he promised Angus.
Handling the rolling waves easily (save 20+) he sees Edmund move to the edge and empty his stomach. He winces in sympathy, calling out, "Just let it come up. Whatever you do, don't lie down. It only gets worse then. I've been there before, standing and flexing your knees with the waves is the best way to beat it. Look on the bright side, you've got a few days of practice coming up!" He grins once at the sickly mage, "Ya know, if we had worked out the details of the water teleportation then we COULD be walking now." His voice trails off into a sympathetic cchuckle and a slight shake of his head.
Lang & Sunshine d20+14=32 d20+7=9 Thursday September 14th, 2006 8:51:17 PM
Lang and Sunshine nimbly jump onto the boat after the magic expands it.
"Neat, where can I get one of these?"
Lang slides into an oar position near Syr, dropping his backpack by his feet. Now this is more like it, he thinks. A little exercise to get the blood flowing. Sunshine finds a spot near Lang, but out of the way and lays down to watch all the activity.
"Come on Syr let's get this boat a rockin."
Lang helps row the boat. With his new strength and great size, he almost feels he could row the boat himself. The gently rocking of the boat reminds him of the forest and how the wind would blow through the tall grass. The rocking, however, keeps Sunshine from dozing off in the warm sun.
Fort 32 Fort (Sunshine) 9
"Nope, no sailing experience here."
Thar ail Baerer d20+9=10 Thursday September 14th, 2006 10:19:10 PM
Thar will laugh at his companions, who are singing a range of sailing and campfire songs. He does feel better now that everyone is being merry, instead of fighting and feuding.
When Arm joins him, Thar says "I understand my friend. Life often throws us curves and it is never easy. But these challenges make us all the better for it."
After a moment, he pulls out his cross, folds his hands and begins praying softly with Arm, praying for a safe journey for their group, thanks for the friendship he and everyone else has with Arm and for the gifts that YHWH has given Arm. He asks for guidance in re: to Arm's life and that blessings be placed upon Arm throughout the coming days. Lastly, he asks for grace and compassion, as well as healing be given to Arm, as he is a good man who has had some tough times in his recent life.
After Arm adds anything he desires, Thar will get up, shake Arm's hand and tell him "I'm here for you when you need me." He then gets up and tries to begin learning how to sail this contraption, as he loves the wide open lake. After a moment though, he feels quesy and runs to the edge of the boat, vomiting up most of his previous meal. "Crap, this must be what it's like sailing. I'm not sure I'm going to like this," he adds as he continues vomiting over the side.
(OK, I rolled a one on my Fort save vs. the seasickness. I assume I failed it, even with a +9 on my fortitude save.)
Blue Sky Above, Blue Water Below (DM JohnP) Thursday September 14th, 2006 10:43:01 PM DM Note - Yes, a roll of 1 is an automatic failure, just like a 20 is an automatic success.
When the sun rises above the distant mountains, the Floating City is no longer in view behind the boat. In fact, the west shore is no more than a distant green smudge on the horizon. Ahead of the boat, the tops of the mountain range can already be seen above the waves.
The sky is like a blue bowl upended over the boat, the only clouds far behind them. The clouds were briefly lit pink by the sunrise and then faded to grey smudges. The water around the boat is blue and featureless, just a light swell on the water. But that swell was enough to cause Edmund some discomfort. Who is joined by Thar, after the cleric spends some time speaking with Arm.
People have pretty much sorted themselves out by now. Some assisted Thunir with the sailing while others simply stayed out of the way. Thunir suggested that those with darkvision or low-light vision do the night shift with him, while the others do the day. Sometime during the night, the scout let the disguise go so that he now is a dwarf again.
Mira was one who simply stayed out of the way, along with Belkior and Angus. Arm heads to the front of the boat, well away and definitely upwind of Edmund. Ash and Shelya also keep out of the way.
Conner and Kadaz both pulled on the oars, with Wynn lending a song to encourage everyone's efforts. Xenia turns out to be very good with the rigging of the boat and helps get the sail arranged to Thunir's liking. Syr and Lang take seats near the front of the boat.
Actually, once the sails are set there is very little to do. The wind doesn't change much during the night hours and Thunir retires to the cabin some time after the sun rises.
It's actually a pretty lazy day. The wind stays constant although it does pick up speed. No adjustments of the sail are needed and the rhythmic motion of the boat is enough to make everyone drowsy. If they aren't seasick, of course.
DC 10 Fort save, -2 if already seasick
Anyone keeping watch notice nothing more than distant flocks of birds flying across the sky.
Those people who do fall asleep do rest easily. Those who are susceptible face an unsettling dream.
Will save DC 15 or Highlight to display spoiler: {You are barely asleep when you begin falling.
Falling ....
Falling endlessly.
Far below you, through the blackness, you begin to see something. Something moving ...
As you continue to fall, the movement resolves into a great mass of scaled flesh ... snakes or something similar ... winding endlessly over and back across each other. But no head nor tail is evident, simply a great mass of writhing scaled flesh.
You continue to fall and the immense scale of the scaled flesh becomes evident. This serpent, if that is what it is, is greater in size than anything that you have seen before. It is greater than the entire Float ...
And then, seemingly just before you strike the coils of scaled flesh, you snap awake ....}
Angus d20+9=19 d20+4=5 Thursday September 14th, 2006 11:09:10 PM
Angus snaps awake and grabs his hat that was covering his face. Angus sits up and practically falls out of the hammock. "What was that!" Angus stammers, now fully awake.
Angus goes outside the cabin and has a look around to make sure everything is ok. "Anyone see any snakes or dragons out here?" Angus asks those minding the sails and the watch, not even recognizing who is on deck.
Angus explains "That dream was just too vivid. Dragon or snake coils going on forever. I have never had dreams like that, at least not since I was younger and those were took a much more interest tract. Anyone else have strange dreams too?"
Angus then feel the rocking of the boat and heads to the rail and dry heaves for a few minutes.
Fort save 5 (natural 1)
Arm d20+5=11 Friday September 15th, 2006 6:01:22 AM
Thankful for the courtesy provided by Thar, Arm smiles at him, but bows his head in silence when asked for his own intentions. He prays to whomever will listen for strength that he may endure the coming trials, then thanks Thar profusely for his kindness.
After he leaves, Arm leans against the side of the boat and falls into a fitful sleep, where he dreams not the usual dream, but something eerily similar. He jerks awake, reaching for his sword until he realizes where he is. Standing up, he says to those within earshot, "Did anyone else feel that?" realizing that 'feel' is probably the wrong term to use, but sufficient for the moment. Depending on what the others say, he then heads off to find Mira to report what happened to him (will=11).
Kadaz d20+3=20 d20+4=11 Friday September 15th, 2006 6:46:28 AM
Kadaz rows and watches during the night. Come daylight he wanders into the cabin and rolls out a blanket on the foor. He is more than ready to sleep in order to take his mind off this unnatural situation. He drops his head onto the side of the boat and nods off. His sleep is thankfully dreamfree - a welcome break from his fears of being so far away from firm land. (didn't try to make fort save, accepted it; 20 will save)
In the bow of the boat Birdie gets drowsie but is too interested in watching the birds and the waves. He occasionally barks at a larger swell. When Xenia comes by he goes to her feet and wags his tale, shamelessly begging for a bit of attention. (fort 11)
Belkior d20+15=21 d20+15=28 Friday September 15th, 2006 9:34:48 AM
[Fort = 21, Will = 28]
The halfling cleric stirs just before the sun peeks above the distant mountains and finds a spot on deck where he can pray. Settling himself into a comfortable pose, he begins his meditations and silent prayers to Alemi. Somehow, he expects that he will need much assistance from the God of Healing in the coming days.
After completing his devotions, Belkior moves about the boat to check on his companions. Unfortunately, more of his companions are now suffering from nausea. And, since they've been unable to eat, dry retching.
Ginger. That might work, but I'll have to persuade them to eat it somehow. I'll have to check the supplies to see if we have any with the food."
Belkior goes to the cabin and starts examining the food rations. Really, not too much here but the woodsy types should be able to get something once they make it to shore.
As teh day wears on, Belkior decides that a nap might be nice. He finds a quiet corner of the deck, out of the way of the others, and curls up. He sleeps peacefully, untroubled by any dreams.
When his companions report their dreams, it's apparent to Belkior that everyone has experienced the same thing. Maybe he will have to assist his companions so that they can rest.
Xenia d20+4=14 d20+3=15 d20+19=31 Friday September 15th, 2006 11:33:54 AM
[Fort 14, Will 15, Spot 31]
The warm pup and her Comfy Cloak had been ample guard against the night chill. Woulda been better with Wynn. But, when you're keeping watch you gotta keep watch, you know?
The sun comes up and folks start movin' about. The water could be, like, this big dark really smooth humpy floor. The girl rogue can almost imagine walkin' out onto it, 'cept that it's always moving. Be nice to stick a hand into it. But the sides on this boat are a bit high.
The rogue does a stretchy cat yawn. Time to sleep. Maybe wake up when it starts to get warm. The hammocks are novel. And the spark off lots of ideas in the slim rogue's head. None of them they can use here, 'cause there's just too many folks with 'em to be private. So Xenia just curls up in the dark cabin and drifts off to the gentle sway of the boat.
Later in the day the rogue wakes to reports of dreams. Dragon-snake dreams and other stuff that's got folks upset. Xenia unbinds her hair and lets the red curls blow in the wind as she scans the horizon in all directions.
"I didn't dream nothing," she replies.
Edmund d20+2=19 d20+5=11 Friday September 15th, 2006 2:12:02 PM
Edmund manages tolerably as a result of Belkior and Syr's advice, comforted most of all by the fresh air. Soon enough, however, he drifts off to an unfit sleep accompanied by a miserable dream. (Will Save: 11) Waking up with a startled cry, he looks around, evidently shocked. He is not accustomed to having nightmares.
"Good heavens!" he says breathlessly, lying down again with one hand pressed over his eyes. "What a miserable outing this is turning out to be!"
Despite the unsettled sleep, the seasickness seems to have gone away for the present. (Fort Save: 19) "There's a mercy," Edmund thinks to himself, closing his eyes once more as he attempts to put the dream out of his mind.
Syr d20+8=25 Friday September 15th, 2006 8:16:45 PM
Syr stays where he is and stretches out on the bench. Nodding to the bugbear, he says, "Wake me after your watch?" He then rests in peace for the next 4 hours letting the gentle motion of the waves rock him.
Thar ail Baerer d20+9=28 Friday September 15th, 2006 9:49:12 PM
Thar takes his turn at watch during the night and during his reverie (in between bouts of vomiting), has some eerie dreams of snakes and falling in water. "I've never heard of sea sickness being this bad and I don't think I'm looking forward to going through that again. Now I know why I've avoided the sea before," he comments to his nearest companion.
In the morning, he awakens and suddenly feels refreshed, as the sea sickness appears to be gone. "All I needed was a good night of reverie, albet with bad dreams", he thinks to himself. (For save 28-2 = 26 - Forgot the -2 on my initial roll)
After eating a light meal, he continues to watch the surrounding sky, hoping to spot anything suspicous or dangerous to the crew. After a while, he takes a break and does his morning prayers, along with thanks for the group's safety last night.
Wynn d20+5=17 d20+6=18 Friday September 15th, 2006 9:59:16 PM
Wynn turns in for the night, finding a dark corner of the ship and using his pack as a pillow. His sleep is uninterrupted and he awakes refreshed and ready for a new day.
The bard scans the horizon for the masts of other ships, or the outline of far away lands. "Isn't this great?" he slaps Edmund across the back of his shoulder. "The wind in your face, the rocking of the waves...have you ever breathed air as fresh as this?" Wynn is clearly in his elements on board the ship.
[Fort=17, Will=18]
Conner d20+7=20 d20+3=17 Friday September 15th, 2006 10:03:30 PM
Conner finds a spot against the cabin wall and falls asleep. The cool night air and the gentle rocking of the boat more than make up for the hard planks beneath him, and the incessant snoring of his companions. [Fort=20, Will=17]
Mira d20+5=9 d20+7=14 Friday September 15th, 2006 11:06:27 PM
Mira tosses and turns, finding the hammock an uncomfortable fit. When she finally falls asleep, her sleep is plagued by dreams of an enormous serpent (Will Check=14). She wakes up, and wrapping herself in her cloak, exits the cabin to find Arm. Making her way across the deck, the wave action gets the better of her, and she feels a wave a nausea overcome her. (Fort Check=9)
Pale, with dark circles under her eyes, Mira grips the half-elf's arm for support, leaning heavily against him, as he tells her about his dream.
Edmund (2nd, illegal post) Saturday September 16th, 2006 1:19:30 AM
Edmund finds himself unable to sleep after so disturbing and unuusal an event as the past nightmare, and so takes to his feet to walk about the ship a bit. In the doing, he bumps into the surprisingly jovial Wynn.
Whilst Wynn enthusiastically lauds the joys of seafaring life, Edmund stares at him as if listening to the ravings of an instutitionalised maniac. Unable to formulate a cogent, thoughtful, eloquent response to Wynns, "Isn't this great?" after a day of seasickness and a night of ill-tempered dreams, Edmund purses his lips.
"It's rubbish."
Edmund apparently considers this an end to the conversation, for he makes his way aft to the larboard quarter, there to stare into the water. He is careful to keep windward of his ill companions so as to avoid experiencing the smell of sick, which would doubtless unsettle his only recently-calmed stomach.
Lang & Sunshine d20+14=27 d20+7=20 d20+4=15 Saturday September 16th, 2006 5:05:05 PM
Lang rests comfortably after the sails are put up. He is only slightly winded from the oaring. Lang's sleep is uninterrupted. He is surprised when others in the group report having a strange dream.
Ash relaxes on the boat, watching the birds fly and trying to classify the birds. "Are they seagulls? Or another type of bird? Hmmm" (Knowledge: Nature =24)
Arm d20+5=6 Monday September 18th, 2006 6:02:31 AM
Perhaps it is the bumping so suddenly into Mira as she exits the cabin, or perhaps moreso it is from the rocking of the ship and the feeling of dread after the dream, Arm joins his love at the railing to rid himself of what little he has eaten (fort=6, nat. 1). After the waves of nausea have passed, at least for the moment, Arm relates to her what he dreamt, but from the look in her eyes, she has experienced much the same, "It is eerily similar to MY dream, yet worse somehow. I wonder if that means that we are fast approaching the danger I have dreaded?".
DM Apology (DM JohnP) Monday September 18th, 2006 7:58:15 AM
Mea culpa.
Okay, you'd think that I would have learned by now. If I don't make the DM post on Friday night, I'm never going to find enough time on the weekend to make it.
Feel free to make roleplay posts today, and we'll return to the regular DM post schedule tonight.
Lang & Sunshine Monday September 18th, 2006 6:21:19 PM
"Did everyone really have the same dream?"
"Belkior is there any religious significance to these dreams?"
Xenia Monday September 18th, 2006 6:29:16 PM
"I didn't have no dream, Lang," Xenia replies. Standing next to Mira and Arm, she rubs their backs with the flat of her hand in the way that Sliver used to confort her when she was younger.
"I know, it's not much fun being sick. We'll be on dry land soon enough and it'll be over."
Wynn d20+5=20 d20+6=23 Monday September 18th, 2006 7:13:28 PM
The cool sea breeze invigorates the bard and he clambers to the top of the main mast [Climb=20]. Standing atop the main spar, one hand firmly clenched around a rope, he scans the horizon for signs of life [Spot= 23]
"Ahoy!, Xenia" he calls out to the small figures below." "Shiver me timbers and call me a keel-hauled octopus!" He has no idea what that might mean, but it seems to fit the circumstances.
Conner Monday September 18th, 2006 7:16:28 PM
The burly fighter looks up from honing the blade of his sword and wonders just what Wynn is blathering about. When it is clear that no danger is immediate he returns to his work, spitting on the whetstone before rubbing it along the blade in long smooth strokes.
Kadaz Monday September 18th, 2006 7:53:45 PM
Kadaz wakes around noon and comes out onto the main deck. He leaves his armor behind in the hope that he might sink a little less slowly without it.
He looks around at all of the water and decides to sit down on the nearest bench. "Birdie, come here" he orders. How can that dog not be disturbed by this? he wonders. And who is that fool on top of that stick in the middle of the floor? It makes him dizzy to look up.
At least Conner has the right idea. Kadaz moves to sit beside him, pulls out his whetstone, and starts sharpening his axe. "Do you like fish?" he asks Conner, passing the time.
Birdie tears himself away from the bow and moves back to greet Kadaz. He tries to get Kadaz interested in moving forward to feel the breeze but the dwarf has no interest in moving away from the center of the boat. Birdie quickly loses interest and moves back to the bow to sniff the wind.
Edmund Monday September 18th, 2006 7:58:04 PM
Edmund looks up at Wynn and shakes his head, raising an eyebrow a bit before carrying on his little walk around the ship. Happily (for Edmund, at least), he bumps into Conner, who, Edmund notices, was also looking at Wynn.
"Nonsense that, what? Shiver me timbers--it's an exclamation referring to the planks of a ship coming to bits, and keel-hauling is a punishment whereby one is dragged under the keel of the ship from stem to stern. As for Ahoy, it's a sort of salutation and call to attention which implies the target can be seen."
Edmund grins broadly, winking at Conner before continuing. "I know you'd love to know more about the terminology of the seas--I can see the excitement in your eyes--but I want to have a look from near the prow--the front, you see--and see the water rushing away. So, maybe some other time, what!"
Glancing up at Wynn, Edmund puts one hand to his mouth and calls out to him. "'Vast shouting there! Don't call alarum unless there's something worth calling alarum about!"
Still grinning, Edmund makes his way forward to negotiate his way into a vantage point where he can see the water racing past.
Xenia Monday September 18th, 2006 9:32:08 PM
Xenia turns from Mira and Arm and waves with big sweeps of her arm up at Wynn on top of the Mast Thingie.
Hey you Crazy Weirdo! Whachoo saying up there?" Xenia's smile sparkles in the sunshine. She shades her eyes with one hand while, with the other, she blows him a kiss.
Sailing, Sailing, Sailing upon the Blue (DM JohnP) Monday September 18th, 2006 10:15:06 PM
The remainder of the first full day on the water passes like the morning did. Quiet, gently rocking and distant flocks of what Ash thinks are ducks or geese.
Angus jumps awake and moves about the boat. Either the dream or the motion of the boat sends him to joins Kadaz at the gunwale of the boat, hoping that the fresh air and light will help settle his stomach.
Arm and Edmund also experience the same dream of endless reptilian coils lying beneath the earth. But at least Edmund has stopped being sick, maybe because there's nothing left to lose.
Others like Belkior, Xenia, Wynn, Conner, Lang, and Ash escape both seasickness and the dream. The elves, Syr and Thar, don't need to sleep and manage to resist the motion of the boat.
Mira suffers from both seasickness and the bad dream. When she compares what she experienced with both Arm and Edmund, they quickly realize that everyone experienced the same dream. When they discuss it with Belkior, the little cleric can't recall anything from his religious education. Thurin wasn't bothered by either the seasickness or the dream but he thinks that this might be the reason that the centre of the lake is considered 'haunted'.
Still, it's a pretty relaxing day on the water. The afternoon passes uneventfully and the wind eases as the sun sets. Thunir expects that the crossing should take at least one more day. That would be followed by sailing along the shore to locate where the cultists put ashore.
The wind has eased enough that even those who suffered the worst from seasickness recover and almost enjoy this trip. However, sleep still holds terrors for those who are neither elves nor strong-willed.
Everyone who sleeps will need to make a Will save DC 15 -- or experience the same dream.
Anyone who has now failed 2 such saves is now Fatigued (cannot Run or Charge, -2 DEX, -2 STR) until you manage to sleep. Of course, where would you run or charge on the boat?
Arcane spellcasters who fail this save cannot recover or change spells.
For others, though, the first night in the centre of the lake holds no terrors.
+++++++
The morning of the second full day on the water again dawns clear and bright. The sailing continues without problem. More flocks of birds are sighted now and those on watch notice some distant things.
Spot DC 20 -- Highlight to display spoiler: {In the distance, you spot an extremely large fish or other water creature break the surface and fall back into the water, throwing spray high into the air.}
Spot DC 25 -- Highlight to display spoiler: {Just before sunset, when the last light of the day highlights the distant mountain peaks, you catch sight of a very large flying creature. It seems to be gliding or soaring on the winds rising up the mountains and you only notice the reflection of light from its wide wings.}
Thunir is certain that you should sight shore tomorrow and can begin searching for the boats used by the cultists.
DM Addendum (DM JohnP) Monday September 18th, 2006 10:40:59 PM Someone (I can't remember who) asked a while back about the chalice. Syr attempted to sell it in the Catacombs but it was deemed to be worthless to them.
So the chalice is: a) still being carried by someone b) tucked safely away in the apartment in Plateau City c) stored in Happy's safety deposit box (that no one knew existed)
Allow yourselves some retroactive decision making about this.
Xenia - OoC Monday September 18th, 2006 10:45:22 PM
Recollections:
Arm was the one who asked about the Chalice. Xenia was the last to be holding it. It was in her Haversack. But she'll gladly have relinquished it to whomever might have asked for it.
Arm d20+4=9 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 5:58:44 AM
Relieved to be feeling better, Arm hopes that Mira is feeling the same. Turning to Xenia, he smiles at her and nods his thanks for her gesture of comfort, thereby missing anything else that is going on (spot=9).
Wynn d20+6=12 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 7:28:34 AM
Wynn spends the day learning how to set and trim sail and the art of navigating the vessel in such a featureless environment. He also spends a little time penning a sea shanty for later.
That night he falls into a fitfull sleep, plagued by dreams of a giant serpent [Will=12, OOC not sure I needed to make this roll - Wynn made the roll on the first night and is 1/2 elf]
Mira d20+7=26 d20+2=20 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 7:45:12 AM
Quiet throughout the day, Mira studies the dynamics of the group confined to the boat, glad when her stomach eventually settles. That night, when she eventually falls asleep, it is a dreamless and restorative sleep. (Will Save-26)
On the second day, Mira points out the spot where she sees the large fish (Spot-20) and tries to explain what she sees to the others.
Kadaz d20+3=22 d20+1=19 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 7:46:25 AM
Kadaz spends a a long and boring day with naught to do but sharpen all of his weapons (twice!) and then moving onto maintenance of both sets of armor. During the day he'll talk tactics with the other fighters, then ask Belkior about the Gods.
That night Kadaz sleeps the sleep of the just with no dreams. He awakens refreshed in the morning, wondering what all the fuss is about. (will save 22, spot 19).
Conner d20+3=16 d20+4=20 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 7:51:26 AM
The day wears long for the fighter. The endless monotony of the waves wears thin on Conner. To combat the boredom he moves forward and keeps a watch where he spots a large fish breaking the surface of the water in the distance. He excitedly points it out to those around him.
Conner's dreams that night are of home [WILL=16]
Angus d20+2=5 d20+2=17 d20+9=28 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 8:22:08 AM
Angus just spends the day relaxing. Just after mid day Angus takes out two bottles of red wine from his new haversack and several pounds of chocolate. "Snack time." Angus announces as he recleans his own mug and pours himself a glass of wine and will pour one for any one who wants one. Angus lays the chocolate out on a cloth napkin and nibbles away.
Angus is oblivious to his surroundings as he spends most of the day with hisbig floppy hat hung low over his eyes. (Spot 5 and 17)
Angus has no problems avoiding the dream on the second night and awakes refreshed. With a stretch, Angus exclaims to the new sun "That was much better."
Belkior d20+15=33 d20+15=17 d20+6=11 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 11:22:14 AM
The halfling cleric is still not bothered by either the motion of the boat as it crosses New Turtle Lake. Belkior still avoids doing anything with the rigging or other parts of the boat - Thunir's words from the night they departed the Floating City still rankle. Besides, with thirteen other people aboard there are more than enough people to serve as crew.
Belkior instead ministers to the health and wellbeing of the crew. He reminds everyone about not getting too hot, or too much sun or too little sleep. Of course, his sleep isn't burdened by any bad dreams. Try as he might, he cannot recall anything from his education that might explain the dreams.
During quiet moments, Belkior plans for the coming days. No one really knows what to expect. Thunir did mention giant reptiles or snakes, and the big spiders of course. And, since they're chasing death cultists there will surely be undead. Maybe he should concentrate on protecting people? Or maybe lead from the front if he would be unaffected by poison or whatever they are going to face?
Xenia d20+4=7 d20+19=27 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 1:10:04 PM
The second night is different from the first. Xenia takes an early watch shift, keepin' a green eye peeled for any danger that might approach across the star-lit waves. Early shift is good. 'Cause it means she can curl up with Wynn for at least part of the night.
But Wynn doesn't look like he's sleeping so good. The rogue rolls a caress across his cheek and places as soft kiss upon his brow. She settles in to watch over him, in case he needs her when he wakes. The ship rocks, though. And it's snuggly next to Wynn. Xenia drifts down into darkness. A darkness filled with snakes. (Will 7)
Xenia wakes with a start, arms and legs pulled into a fetal ball.
"Snakes," she whispers. "I seen 'em now. Snakes."
The next day reveals even more stuff. This time, they are not in dream.
"I seen it Mira," she says, "it was, like, this big dark spraying thing that just come rolling up and then slipped back down into the water, right?"
Then there's the big flying thing up in the mountains. From how far away it is, it must be pretty big. Xenia points, but she wonders how many of the others actually see it. (Spot 27)
Shadow d20=12 d20=16 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 2:39:38 PM
(OOC: Sorry had to go out of town and missed Friday-Monday, but trying to catch up)
Seems like Shadow did not have a great first night on the boat, but his second night is better. He is still not feeling all that great on the third day aboard the ship. He listens and watches what is going on seeming to be sulleng to everyone. He now knows that he does not enjoy being surrounded by water.
Edmund d20+3=11 d20+5=15 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 3:01:02 PM
Edmund's position near the prow gives him a pretty good view ahead, but Edmund seems far less interested in the horizon than the water, and consequently notices nothing (Spot=11).
Having thus occupied himself, he moves aft again, deciding to try sleep once more. This time, he sleeps the sleep of the just--or at least the mostly-just. At any rate, he doesn't experience unpleasant dreams. (Will Save=15)
Ash Tuesday September 19th, 2006 4:10:57 PM
Ash continues to study the scenery.
Thar d20+10=21 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 9:01:28 PM
Thar will continue to enjoy the outdoors, now that he isn't seasick and finally is used to the waves.
He'll keep working with the crew and learning about sailing, since there is little else to do.
Spot = 21
Syr d20+8=27 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 9:30:02 PM
Done with sleep for the time being, Syr spends his time watching the others and keeping watch on the horizon. despite the lulling motion, his keen eyes spot the large bird in the distance and he points it out to those that will listen.
Dawn of a New Day (DM JohnP) Tuesday September 19th, 2006 10:35:20 PM
The second full day on the water passes without much of note. More water creatures are spotted by the observant, including what might have been a large sea serpent. It was too far away to tell for sure and it certainly wasn't interested in the boat.
The mountains ahead loom higher and higher. Through some trick of the light, the mountains sometimes appear close enough to touch but Thunir assures everyone that at least another day of sailing is required before shore is sighted. The weather has been very nice, especially considering what it might be like to be stuck in a boat for such a time. Whether it is the change in the weather or just the time spent on the water, no one is bothered by the motion of the boat any longer.
The second night in the centre of the lake is much like the first. Terrors still lurk in sleep for those who are not strong-willed.
Everyone sleeping, please make DC 15 Will save -- or experience the same dream. Failing this two nights in a row results in being Fatigued.
++++++
The third day on the water bodes well. The boat is now close enough to the mountains that some details are visible as the sun rises in the morning. The peaks are high and rugged, seeming to present a barrier to travel beyond. More flocks of birds are seen, including some that the rangers and druid think are shorebirds.
Finally, just after the midday meal, a green smudge can be seen on the horizon. "Land, ho!", shouts the lookout.
Thunir nimbly climbs the mast and peers ahead, studying the distant shore. After spending more than thirty minutes up there, he comes down and adjust course southwards. "We'll make shore before sunset, then head south. Maybe we'll anchor for the night, don't want to miss them in the darkness. Unless some of you want to keep pressing."
As the boat approaches the wild shore, a group of flying creatures can be seen diving into the water. Presumably the creatures are after fish, but they are not birds or more common creatures. The flyers have bat-like wings, long tails and large beaks but seem to be reptiles.
The distance to shore is deceiving, as well, because the trees are much taller than anyone expected. The nearest trees appear to be several hundred feet high and the forest stretches to the mountains. Nothing can yet be seen through the trees, so the forest remains a mystery.
As night falls, Thunir looks for a good spot to prepare for setting anchor. Having seen the shore, he's not too keen on camping there before he needs to. Of course, if people insist and volunteer to watch the shore, he will try to keep moving along the shore.
Edmund d20+5=12 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 11:59:06 PM
On the final night, Edmund rests and, after the pleasant night before, has the unpleasant dream again (Will Save=12), waking with a start in the morning. "Ugh!" he says to himself, shaking his head and rising to the day.
When Edmund sees land, he is pleased, but this rapidly gives way to horror when he sees the flying creatures diving into the water. "My God," he exclaims, "Cockatrices!!"
Edmund immediately goes into panic mode and dashes aft and below to avoid having to deal with the 'Cockatrices'. He will be extremely difficult to coax out, whatever the case may be.
Mira d20+7=13 d20+8=23 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 12:17:37 AM
Mira tries to delay sleep as long as possible, but eventually she succumbs. Alas, the nightmare returns (Will=13, fail). The sorcerer seeks out Angus and Edmund for a conference. Remembering the Wold wide shared dream of the elves, she asks the magikers if they have any speculation regarding the provenance of such dreams, as she puzzles over the matter herself. (Knowledge Arcana=23).
Though anxious to put ashore (just to feel firm ground under her feet), the woman defers to the decision of the Crimson Shield's. Finding Xenia, she asks, "you've been here before, right?"
Wynn d20+6=25 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 12:25:54 AM
Wynn is more subdued after a fitful night plagued by dreams of a great serpent. The beautiful day soon restores his spirits, and he can't resist referring to his ship-mates as "sprogs" and "scurvy dogs" when the opportunity presents itself. When Xenia passes by, the half-elf smacks his hand loudly on her skinny bottom, and refers to her as his "bonnie wench."
Conner d20+3=14 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 12:35:06 AM
Conner is glad of the opportunity to talk strategy and combat tactics with the dwarf, Kadaz. He beckons for Lang to join the discussion, figuring him for the only real muscle in the other party. Later he suggests that Syr and Shadow be included in the discussion.
That night, he dreams of an enormous scaled serpent. (Will=14) In the morning, he listens to what the others have to say, but doesn't volunteer that he, too, shared the dream.
"We camp on the beach tonight?" he asks, when land is sighted.
Kadaz d20+3=17 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 5:51:42 AM
The last night on board Kadaz sleeps much easier knowing that land is in sight. Again he sleeps soundly, undisturbed by bad dreams. Guess these dreams just don't come to dwarves.(will save 17)
As land gets closer and closer the next day Kadaz starts to feel much more relaxed on the water. A bit boring certainly, but not too bad.
Once Edmund runs quaking in fear for shelter Kadaz looks more closely at the flying creatures. It seems best to do exactly the opposite of what Edmund says, he's just the sort of person to get everything exactly wrong. But just in case, Kadaz gets his crossbow out and keeps watch.
Arm d20+5=17 d20+4=15 d20+11=15 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 5:57:19 AM
Arm spends the rest of his time talking with Mira about the finer points of Majiking, hoping to be of more use to the party that way. He doesn't think he can roll his eyes up any higher in his head when he notices Edmund heading for ze hills, but out of respect for Mira, he says nothing. When he DOES sleep, he is thankfully dreamless (will=17).
Once they are on dry land, he helps Mira alight from the boat then looks around their new environment, his hand on the pommel of his sword in case it is needed (spot=15, listen=15).
Angus d20+9=28 d20+8=17 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 9:28:12 AM
Angus wiles away the day and head off to sleep (Will save 28) and has no problem keeping the reptilian terrors away for a second night.
When Mira comes for a meeting on the dream in the morning, Angus give her reasoning deep consideration (Arcane Knowledge 19). "Mira, you a a nice line of thought going there about the dream. I do think that the dream effected those that are not spell users too, but more food for thought."
Angus looks to Thunir "So, now that it is morning, how do we get to land. I am not keen on swimming, If I can avoid it."
Angus call all of the adventurers together "Good Morning Everyone. We are going into an area we are not familiar with. I suggest that once we hit shore, we send out our trackers to see if they can find any trails or sign of the Red Cloaks. Who is best suited for tracking besides Lang?"
Shadow d20=19 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 10:43:45 AM
Shadow has a good nights rest, so is feeling very good in the morning looking at the mountains. He hopes this will be the last day without true sight of land. Knowing how to swim and being able to make it to land are too different things, and is looking forward to be able to step once more on land, even if it is wilderness and not a proper city.
"I would really like to sleep on solid ground, but understand if it is too risky out here." He says when the group discusses the matter.
Lang & Sunshine d20+4=21 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 1:06:20 PM
Lang gets another nights good rest and is unaffected by the strange dream.
"Sure Angus, I will scout out the area and see if I can pick up any trails."
Xenia d20+4=23 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 2:09:04 PM
"Yipe!"
The rogue jumps like a cat at the sharp spank to her bottom. She whirls and leaps at her attacker, wrapping her legs about his waist and kissing him full on the lips.
"Mmmm. You're yummy."
Then freefall. Xenia lets go and falls backwards, turning it into a roll across the deck of the ship. It's good to wake up after a good night's sleep. (Will 23)
"Cock-a-whoozis?" The rogues eyes follow Edmunds. Flying lizards. Her eyes scan the trees. Big as anything she's ever seen. Land of the Giant Lizards.
"We're in the Land of the Giant Lizards." The words are as much for herself as for anybody else. "Thundering Lizards. Thunder Lizards." Xenia chants the quiet mantra as she walks toward the bow of the ship taking in the towering forest. It make her feel so small. Who knows what big lizard heads might emerge from amidst the massive boles of the trees.
"Um, I can spot tracks, Angus," Xenia calls over her shoulder. Her voice sounds hushed to her own ears, awed before the mysterious new land. "I dunno if I'd know what they meant or anything. But I can find tracks with the best of 'em."
Belkior d20+8=26 d20+15=18 d20+5=16 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 2:43:34 PM
The halfling cleric looks ahead at the strange shore of the lost forest. To Belkior, all trees are tall so it doesn't matter too much that these ones are a hundred times his height compared to the usual ten times. Even the flying reptiles aren't too bothersome, especially since they take little notice of the boat and its passengers. When Edmund runs muttering and jibbering into the cabin, Belkior follows after him. The reptiles looked nothing like what he recalled of cockatrices.
"I don't think that those are really cockatrices, Edmund. I mean, cockatrices have feathers on ... well, at least part of their bodies. These things have nothing like that. Maybe Xenia's right about them." Knowledge Nature = 26, Diplomacy = 16
He'd slept well the previous evening (Will save = 18) so Belkior is pretty refreshed. When the others start suggesting that they camp ashore rather than stay on board the boat, his cautious nature comes forth.
"Isn't it too late to ask Lang and Thar to check things out? Who really knows what is lurking under those trees. Don't you see how dark it is under there? I mean, if there's giant spiders doesn't it make sense that there are little ones too? Not to mention other poisonous things?"
"I vote for staying on board tonight. Then we can go tomorrow and find where the cultists left their boat."
Edmund (2nd, illegal post) Wednesday September 20th, 2006 3:23:18 PM
When Belkior tries to convince Edmund about the cockatrices, Edmund shakes his head and refuses to leave the cabin.
"Beaks! Bat wings! Long tails! Reptilian! No, they are the very definition of cockatrices, and I'm certainly not going to muck about with them. They'll attack anyone who comes near them, and I, for one, have no desire to spend the rest of eternity as a statue, being worn away by the wind and rain. No, sir. They are cockatrices!
Edmund steadfastly refuses to go out whilst the cockatrices are in sight, unless someone can conclusively and decidedly prove they are not what he claims they are.
Syr d20+7=11 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 5:32:57 PM
The elf has a fitful night as he shares the same dream that the others have been discussing during the day.
Relieved to be included, Syr welcomes the tactics discussion gladly, "Normally, we are partnered together and try to double team anything we face. It also helps to have someone watching your back. Unfortunately, my partner was Famina..." He lapses into silence as he mutters, "I lose alot of partners... I wonder why?"
Coasting (DM JohnP) Wednesday September 20th, 2006 10:18:25 PM
As the boat approaches shore, everyone debates whether to anchor for the night or keep sailing. Actually, most of the debate is whether to go ashore and camp or to stay on board the boat.
Edmund, of course, can't be coaxed out of the boat's cabin for any reason. Belkior tries to talk him out and the Halfling cleric is in favor of staying on the boat.
Wynn doesn't care either way about going ashore, possibly because he seems to enjoy playing pirate. Kadaz keeps watch but the flying reptiles don't bother with the boat. The "flock" dwindles as the creatures fly off towards the distant mountain until, just before evening, none remain over the water.
Mira would like to go ashore but is willing to listen to everyone else. Angus wants to plan for the future, rather than actually going ashore or staying aboard. Syr also wants to plan. Shadow also defers to the group although, like Mira, he would like to go ashore.
Conner wants to camp ashore, as does Arm. Lang volunteers to scout the shore area, as does Xenia.
Bowing to the majority who seem to want to go ashore, Thunir anchors close to a small wooded point of land that juts out into the lake. The trees are thinner here and smaller than farther back from the shore. While it may not be the most comfortable, it would probably be more defensible from land-borne predators. The dwarven ranger brings the boat in close enough that the bottom can be seen through the clear water. At this point, it would be no more than chest deep on Lang.
Those who want to scout can slip over the side of the boat and go ashore without much difficulty. Looking around, there is no sign of intelligent creatures on the small point. There are numerous small reptiles and amphibians in the undergrowth but none that seem overtly aggressive to the visitors. Insects, spiders and other similar creatures are also numerous. As soon as the scouts plunge into the undergrowth they are surrounded by clouds of small insects that land and try to bite. Nothing more than annoyances, right now. All in all, it looks like a safe place to camp for the night.
While the scouts are ashore, Mira and Angus think back on the dreams, realizing that they only occurred when the boat was far from shore. No one complained of any dreams during the first night when the boat was still relatively close to the Floating City. Maybe tonight will be safe, too.
All those who want to camp ashore can do so. Thunir mutters something about "staying in his comfortable hammock" and stays on the boat. Although he does later complain about Edmund's whimpering.
++++++
The night passes without problem. At least, no one experiences any bad dreams and no danger presents itself while people are sleeping. The sounds of the nighttime forest, though, are unfamiliar and loud. There seems to be an continuous chorus of squeaking, chirping, rasping, croaking and other noises from all the creatures that live on this point.
++++++
Morning dawns late, this close to the mountains and the tall forest that lines the shore. When it does, what are probably birds start calling in a cacophony of sound that serves better than any alarm or crier. Thunir deigns to come ashore to share in whatever breakfast meal is prepared.
"I'm thinking that we should head south along the shore. From what the dockhands said, the stolen boats are big enough to spot pretty easy. Unless, of course, they hauled them up a creek or something. But, from the sounds of it, they're in a hurry."
"But we'll have to row for a bit, at least until the wind comes around."
After breaking camp and boarding the boat again, Thunir directs the bigger party members to the oars and steers the boat southwards. The boat coasts by the shore, allowing everyone to see the large trees. Occasionally, they can see where a large tree has fallen and created a small clearing. At these points, the party can see that the largest trees loom over a thicker mass of trees whose tops are barely over one hundred feet above the ground. Under them is a mass of short trees, shrubs and giant ferns that coat the ground. Scale is difficult to determine, but everyone thinks that these lowest trees would be above their heads.
After several false alarms, someone finally spots three boats pulled up onto a narrow stretch of sand. The boats seem to be abandoned but it's difficult to tell much from a distance. Thunir carefully approaches, hugging the shore as close as he dares without grounding the boat. Finally, the boats can be clearly seen.
Who chooses to go ashore first? What do they want to examine, and how do they go about it?
Please make Spot and Listen rolls, Search if it seems appropriate
Xenia d20+19=21 d20+14=27 d20+12=27 d20+16=32 d20+16=20 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 10:38:29 PM
Xenia squints as she scans the treeline. (Spot 21)
"I'll take a look at the boats, Angus," the dark rogue offers. Maybe they left something on board that could tell us where they're headed. Probs not, but I can take a quick look."
With her eyes otherwise occupied searching through things, she relies on her hearing to alert her to trouble. (Search 27, Listen 27) The girl rogue stays to the shadows, quietly rifling through things as she moves from boat to boat. (Hide 32, Move Silently 20)
Thar ail Baerer d20+10=20 d20+7=8 d20+10=11 d20+4=23 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 10:51:23 PM
Now that the gorup has a chance to spend some time on dry land, Thar will gladly leave the boat and assist Xenia in searching the boat and watching the surrounding treeline.
He'll als try to discover more about the flying animals that frightened Edmund. He will attempt to calm him and describe what a real cockatrice looks like and then show why these creatures aren't really what Ed thinks. If necessary, he'll embellish it slightly, hoping to calm down his friend.
Spot=20 Search=8 (1 failed) Listen=11 (another 1? what's with the dice roller?) Know (Nature) = 23
Syr d20+4=15 Thursday September 21st, 2006 12:27:46 AM
The elf moves as 'Captain' directs and takes a front oar again. Grinning he challenges Lang, "Have at it big guy, let's see what you are made of?" The elf then pushes the pace forcing the bugbear to keep up (str 15).
With his back turned around, he misses the initial appearance of the boats and is content to listen to the other's commentary.
Seeing the boats, he suggests to Angus, "It would be interesting if we borrowed the opposition's transportation. At the very least it gives us barginning power... Why not just anchor them well offshore and let Thunir be the ferryman? It keeps him out of harm's way and still allows us to get the job done."
Arm d20=13 d20+4=5 d20+11=27 Thursday September 21st, 2006 6:51:03 AM
Glancing at Mira to see if she will be staying on the boat again (OOC: sorry about the last post...I misread what was happening), Arm alights and begins looking around yet again for trouble (search=13, spot=5, listen=27).
Kadaz Thursday September 21st, 2006 6:51:28 AM
Kadaz is tense the entire first night on shore. Too many trees, too many strange noises. Birdie, however, is enchanted by the many new spells. He finally finds something chewy hidden in the sand, digs it up, and enjoys a little snack.
Once the small boats are sighted Kadaz knows the vacation is over. "They're probably inland somewhere. But Xenia, be careful. They may have left a guard or trap on the boats."
Angus Thursday September 21st, 2006 8:44:33 AM
Angus is glad to catch sight of their quarries mode of transportation and Syr gives him an idea. "We should move the boats, up or down shore, so that we know where they are and the Red Cloaks can not easily use them again. Syr it was your idea, can you find a place to move the boats and keep them hidden?"
Angus looks to Thar and Lang "Why don't you two go help Xenia and see if you can pick up the Red Cloaks trail. The rest of us can move the boats."
Angus seeks out Mira. "Lets go see Thunir." Once the two sorcerers find the disguised dwarf Angus begins "So what are your plans now that we found the Red Cloaks trailhead? We do want to pursue the cultists, but you have your own agenda too? How can we continue to work together as I think this arrangement has been working out nicely. Thanks again for the use of your boat."
Shadow d20+3=11 d20+3=16 d20+10=21 d20+10=18 d20+9=26 Thursday September 21st, 2006 10:16:48 AM
Shadow will follow Xenia and search the boats trying to stay out of sight. He will try and match the female rogue stealth.
Mira d20+2=14 d20+2=7 d20+2=11 Thursday September 21st, 2006 5:46:46 PM
Despite the possible dangers lurking in this new place, Mira is anxious to get on dry land. She finds a spot to camp that is close to shore, and sets up the two-man tent that was a Winter Solstice party prize. When it appears most folks are retiring for the night she locates the bard, Arm and inclines her head in the direction of the tent.
*****
The requirement for sleep having been minimized by the aquisition of the bauble worn on her right hand, Mira wakes early. Taking her fishing net, she inexpertly tries her hand at the art (Survival=14) until the rest of the large party wake. Hopefully, she will have something to offer at breakfast time!
Back on board the boat Mira watches as the more adventurous check out the shore. She grabs Conner before he heads out and repeats Syr and Angus' suggestion. "I have rope and an anchor!" she volunteers.
Mira is one of the last to depart, and will try to coax the reluctant Edmund out of hiding (cautioning him to keep quiet!)
Wynn leaves the boat soon after Xenia has slipped overboard. The half-elf leaves the rogue to her work, skirting the boats and while still staying on the beach, moves closer to the forest where he scans the green gloom.
Edmund Thursday September 21st, 2006 7:19:38 PM
Edmund listens to Thar patiently, but remains decidedly unconvinced that the creatures outside were not cockatrices. However, upon hearing they have moved away, Edmund calms almost instantly.
"Ah! That's good news. They generally only attack in self-defence. We just have to avoid blundering into their nests!"
When Mira shows up to lend her weight to getting him to leave the ship, Edmund aquiesces, and makes ready to go ashore, giving his crossbow a quick once-over first.
Lang & Sunshine d20+6=25 d20+14=27 d20+14=26 d20+14=21 d20+6=22 Thursday September 21st, 2006 9:55:01 PM
Lang hops lightly off the boat onto the beach. He surveys the area as some of the group inspects the 3 boats that were probably used by the red cloaks.
Spot 25 Listen 22
Assuming the coast is clear, he whistles softly for Sunshine. The large dog in his newly magicked armor also jumps to shore. The two or them do what they do best, track.
"Everyone stay off the beach area for a few moments. If there are any tracks here I do not want them disturbed."
Lang starts scanning the sand for tracks. If he finds some he will try to determine type and quantity.
Track: 27 Track (additional if needed): 26 & 21
Belkior Thursday September 21st, 2006 10:16:11 PM
The halfling cleric waits impatiently on the boat. As he does so, he repeatedly checks his pouch, scroll case and pack to ensure that all of his healing magics are in place.
"Before we go too far into the jungle, I should distribute the antitoxins. Don't drink them right away, these potions are only good for a limited time. But they will help resist poison if we are attacked by spiders or snakes. Or anything like that."
On the Beach (DM JohnP) Thursday September 21st, 2006 10:38:26 PM
Thunir gently guides the boat towards the sand beach where the cultists' boats are drawn up. Everyone seems to be holding their breath as they watch the scouts slip from the boat and cross the strand towards the boats. Kadaz cautions the scouts before they leave.
Xenia leads the way, carefully studying the jungle as she prepares to slide from the boat. She moves quietly across the sand, sliding silently up to the boats. As she does, she can hear sounds from a short distance inside the jungle. Looking in that direction, she can see a path roughly hacked through the undergrowth leading into the depths of the forest. There are many small creatures moving about what looks like an abandoned camp just inside the treeline. Searching the boats reveals nothing but discarded junk -- broken buckles and straps, some red fibres snagged on a protruding nail and similar things. The cultists seem to have completely unloaded their boats.
As Xenia does this, Thar quietly talks to Edmund and then joins the rogue on the shore. He doesn't learn anything beyond what Xenia has already seen. Arm and Shadow later join them and also don't learn anything more from the boats on the beach.
Conner and Wynn splash ashore. The fighter stands to guard the scouts from anything in the forest, while the bard looks into the gloom.
Birdie and Shelya both whine excitedly from the boat. They smell something interesting in the jungle. Lang and Sunshine jump ashore and move to examine any tracks left by the cultists. The ranger announces that he sees many different bootprints in the sand, too many to count. Moving to the edge of the trees, he can see the prints more clearly and can estimate numbers. It looks to be at least 15 cultists, ranging in size from a barefooted child or halfling to big dwarf boots. Mixed in with the other prints, he can see the signs of a finely made woman's city boot totally unsuited for jungle travel. And his nose tells him more, now that he is on the edge of the jungle.
Lang -- Highlight to display spoiler: {Your nose picks up the Scent of blood, lots of it and spilled about two days before. There's also the acrid smell of decaying insects or spiders and something else, something wild and different.
Your eyes are keen enough in the half light under the jungle canopies to see more of the abandoned campsite ahead. There are all sorts of small reptiles, other animals and insects crawling over crumpled bodies laying about the clearing. There are both humanoid corpses and the bodies of giant spiders and some kind of large reptile. But you don't see any guards ... still alive, anyway.
In your professional opinion, a person skilled in survival could follow this trail (DC 10) hacked through the undergrowth. But a ranger's skill would be required to see details, or determine if anyone left the party.}
Waiting on the boat, Syr suggests moving the cultists' boats, anchoring them out away from shore. Thunir looks over at this suggestion. Angus thinks this is a good suggestion and suggests that Syr look after it.
Mira continues to speak with Edmund, trying to get him out of the boat. She is successful and the wizard comes on deck. He is visibly relieved to be away from the flying reptiles. Those things looked to have been at least 10 feet long, with a wingspan at least double that, even if they were rather lightly built. Still, his courage is up and he ventures onto the sandy beach with his crossbow.
Belkior, of course, is cautious. He thinks that now would be a good time to distribute the protective potions. Ash stands beside him, looking into the jungle.
Thunir looks at Angus and Mira. "I want to come with you. From the looks of it, I wouldn't be able to travel here myself and it looks very interesting. Besides, I can take my boat with me when we don't need it any longer, don't you know. You might need me out in the woods and, besides, the family isn't all that keen on these cultists."
Thar ail Baerer d20+6=21 Friday September 22nd, 2006 12:05:01 AM
Once he has finished searching the boats, Thar will join Lang and help him look at the tracks. He admits that he is a less skilled ranger than Lang, but does have some training in identifying tracks and following them to their source.
"Do you want to move into the jungle and we take point, along w/ Xenia and perhaps Shadow?"
Survival (Track) = 21
Arm d20=9 d20+4=11 d20+11=31 Friday September 22nd, 2006 6:02:19 AM
A broad smile passes over Arm's face when Mira suggests the tent, but as they enter, he is overcome with a deep feeling of weariness. Relishing in the closeness and comfort of his love, he falls quickly to sleep...that being a thankfully dreamless one.
Come morning, he exits the tent and quickly scans the area to see if anything has changed overnight (search=9, spot=11, listen=31 nat. 20).
Kadaz Friday September 22nd, 2006 7:28:23 AM
Kadaz watches the activity on the shore carefully, and finally makes his way to the beach. He gladly takes one of the antitoxins from Belkor and stores it carefully in pouch with his other potions.
Onshore, he takes a guard position near the jungle, axe at the ready. "Lang, lead on, we'll all follow."
Birdie is going a bit hyper at Kadaz's feet. There are many, many new smells here and he has no idea which way to look first.
Angus Friday September 22nd, 2006 8:14:46 AM
After the inital search and recon, Angus splashes to shore and has a look around. "Excellent job everyone, very professional."
Angus lets everyone mill about for a minute or two and then calls out. "Lets get ourselves organized to move out. Syr had an excellent idea of moving or hiding the boats. What are your plans Syr. Once the boats are taken care of we need to head out. I suggest that Lang and Thar lead the way so they can help each other track our quarry. I would say that would make them combat buddies in the future."
Angus pulls Thunir and Mira aside once again. "I am glad you want to come with us Thunir, but what are your capabilities in things turn ugly. Do we have to protect you? What do you have that can help the group?" Then to Mira, Angus adds. "We normally fight in pairs or small groups. The fighters paired to support the spell users. Belkior and I are a buddy pair. Wynn and Xenia are a reserve. We are without two of our number recently so Lang and Syr need combat partners. I think Thar makes sence for Lang. What do you suggest for Syr and the others?" Angus waits patiently for Mira's answer and he seems to be giving this great improtance.
Belkior d20+7=11 Friday September 22nd, 2006 9:15:12 AM
The halfling cleric jumps nimbly ashore, almost making the beach without getting wet. Ever since he gained these cat-feet, Belkior has been reluctant to get them wet. Jump = 14
The Paragon moves up onto the beach, shaking his feet and flickign water droplets about. Unfortunately, the sand is clinging to his wet fur and starting to bother him. The others watch in amusement as Belkior hops from foot to foot, trying to get the offending sand grains off his feet.
Once he is on the beach, Belkior reaches into his pack and removes the bundle of potions. He passes them around so that each person has 1 antitoxin. As he does so, he reminds them to save the potion until they're facing snakes or spiders or other poisonous things.
Belkior then hauls his armor from his haversack and starts donning it. While he does so, he listens absently to his companions.
"Lang, what did you see up ahead? Do you want me to check for undead?"
Edmund d20+3=12 d20+3=6 Friday September 22nd, 2006 9:41:27 AM
Once Edmund gets ashore and receives his Antitoxin, he stands near the party but looks about furtively, perhaps worried that the cockatrices might return.
"Giant Cockatrices, Giant Trees..." he mutters.
(Spot=12, Listen=6)
NPC Thunir Friday September 22nd, 2006 9:47:20 AM
Seeing that there is no immediate danger, the dwarven ranger goes into the cabin of the boat and starts moving supply bags out to the deck of the boat. Looking over at the people on the beach, he tosses the bags and packs across into a pile.
When he gets to a haversack, he reaches inside and withdraws a pair of waraxes attacehd to a complicated harness. Thunir withdraws a thick composite bow from the pack, placing it carefully on the deck. Finally, he withdraws a long, strange-looking tool or weapon with a pointed shaft and an axehead. After some convolutions, Thunir gets himself into the weapon harness and haversack. The end result is that the two waraxes hang at his sides but don't interfere with his movement while the bow is also easy to reach.
"I should be able to protect myself. Remember, I normally work alone."
The ranger hops ashore, more nimbly than would be expected for a dwrf loaded down with so much gear. He takes a look at the tracks on the beach and concurs with Lang's assessment.
"So, big guy, you gonna lead the way or am I?"
Xenia d20+16=26 d20+16=19 d20+19=38 d20+14=30 Friday September 22nd, 2006 10:08:04 AM
"Nothing in here." Xenia hops out of the last of the captured fishing boats, and tracks across the sand to take a vial from Belkior.
"But, you know, I'm thinking that we should maybe wait on moving the boats, til Lang gives us the go." Her eyes turn to the bugbear ranger standing at the edge of the Big Tree forest. He's looking in like he's seeing more than just the trees.
"In case we need to pull back off the beach that is. Know what I mean? Always leave yourself a way out." Xenia winks at Shadow. "Right?"
"Whacha got, Lang?" Voice at a whisper, the dark rogue pads up the beach behind Lang. She angles herself to keep him between herself and the opening in the brush. Concealment. And as much quiet as you can get while whispering up a beach. (Hide 26, Move Silently 19) Her eyes and ears are peeled for spider or giant lizard action. (Spot 38, Listen 30)
Syr Friday September 22nd, 2006 3:06:06 PM
After Xenia gives the all clear Syr slips over the side to the other boats, "Hey, anyone want to help here and speed up the process I'd like a person per boat and then Thunir to pick us up? Let's get these moved out of sight." He proceeds to push a boat into the water and hop into it. Then as he sees the dwarf get out of the boat, he looks up perplexed, "Thunir! Does that mean my ride back is now a swim?"
Wynn d20+6=8 d20+2=20 Friday September 22nd, 2006 8:22:24 PM
The bard accepts an antitoxin from the halfling and stores it in his vest. The gloom of the jungle is unsettling and he draws his sword in anticipation of danger. He readies to follow Lang and Thunir and will assume a position near the front of the column, counting on his agility and ability to see in low light to protect him. [Spot=8, Listen =20]
Conner Friday September 22nd, 2006 8:26:20 PM
The fighter helps Thunir ferry packs and other supplies from the boat and distributes them among the party. He then readies himself for the journey ahead. He secures his shield to his left forearm and shoulders his quiver,testing his ability to withdraw a javelin if needed. "Ready" he announces.
Thar ail Baerer d20+10=12 d20+8=26 d20+10=14 d20+8=18 Saturday September 23rd, 2006 3:34:04 PM
Thar will follow Xenia and Belkior, hoping to spot anything of interest. He'll do his best to remain silent and hidden, while moving behind the point position.
Spot = 12 MS = 26 Listen = 14 HiS = 18
Ash Saturday September 23rd, 2006 10:43:43 PM
Ash continues to study everything for learning is the greatest gift.
The Campsite Battle (DM JohnP) Saturday September 23rd, 2006 10:53:47 PM
The scene in the abandoned campsite has rendered Lang silent. The other scouts, Thar and Xenia creep forward and begin to investigate the campsite. They see the scene of a battle. The corpses of brown-skinned elves and spiders are laid out around the small clearing, bearing the signs of both battle and magical injury. The two do a quick survey and count seven dead elves and what might be four giant spiders. It's difficult to tell because the spider corpses have begun to decay due to the heat and the forest life that is teeming over them.
Off to one side is the body of some kind of reptile. Like the spiders, this body is bloated and attacked by the scavengers of the forest. Looking more closely, the two think that someone has arranged the bodies of the elves and spiders.
The others start to come into the clearing. Kadaz, Conner and Wynn have moved up and prepare to support the scouts. The trio looks around the clearing, seeing the same things. What seem to be missing are the bodies of any cultists. But when the scouts look more closely, they see ample evidence of the cultists being injured and probably killed. When Belkior comes up, he mutters something about undead, that the cultists probably took their dead with them.
Arm sticks close to Mira. Edmund stands nearby, scanning the sky for more flying reptiles. He's relieved when they go under the trees, at least until he sees some of the insects and small creatures on the corpses. Angus comes along, organizing and planning as he does so.
Back on the beach, Thunir finishes the unloading of the boat when Syr asks about being brought back. "Go ahead and move them, I'll pick you up in a bit." He goes back to moving the packs around and then touches the boat, muttering a dwarven word that causes the boat to shrink back down in size. Thunir clambers aboard and grabs the oars, sculling the boat over to where Syr has moved the cultists' boats. After waiting for the monk to board, he brings Syr back to the beach. When the two step out, he mutters another word and the boat folds itself up into the box again. Thunir tucks the box into his vest before turning and following everyone into the clearing.
Ash brings up the rear, accompanied by Shelya. The hacked trail clearly leaves the campsite, heading away from the water and deeper into the forest.
Make Search, Spot, Survival (Track) rolls as desired to investigate the clearing more closely.
Edmund Sunday September 24th, 2006 12:11:16 AM
When Edmund sees the bodies of the elves, spiders, and reptile, his stomach turns and he goes a rather ghastly shade of green. Quickly turning away, he moves to sit down on a rock near the edge of the clearing, his back to the corpses.
After this latest development, Edmund is clearly not interested in searching for, spotting, or tracking anything. Instead, he looks like he might be sick. He just sits on the rock, shaking his head occasionally, silent and miserable.
Kadaz d20+1=21 d20+5=22 Sunday September 24th, 2006 8:01:46 AM
Kadaz and Birdie take up position where the hacked trail leads deeper into the jungle. They watch carefully, on guard for spiders or lizards or anything else unfriendly. (spot 21 for Kadaz, spot 22 for Birdie)
Syr Sunday September 24th, 2006 9:58:02 AM
As his foot touches the shore he calls out to Angus, "All done, let's see them try and swim back three days!"
Coming back from moving the boats, the elf sidles up to Lang, "How long have they been here? I mean if it's less than a day then we have an advantage assuming they already used up their magic. I figure a battle this bloody and afterwards animating the dead would use up alot of magic." Looking at the tracks, "Heck at the very least you should be able to track them easier with a few walking corpses along. Or can you tell if they are riding?"
Lang & Sunshine d20+14=23 d20+14=34 d20+14=26 d20+6=10 d20+6=7 d20+6=16 d20+6=25 d20+6=9 d20+6=23 d20+6=26 Sunday September 24th, 2006 11:03:43 AM
OOC - Sorry for the missed post
"This battle occurred about 2 days ago. There is a trail off the clearing that we should be able to follow fairly easily. Hopefully, I will be able to tell if any of the group in front of us break off from the path."
But before they move down the trail there may be more information that can be found from the dead bodies and battle scene.
Lang scouts out the campsite and then searches/views each of the dead bodies.
Xenia d20+19=25 d20+14=31 d20+17=35 d20+2=20 Sunday September 24th, 2006 3:09:34 PM
Xenia stands in the middle of the clearing, in the middle of the old blood and bug scavenger covered carnage. Slowly she turns, taking in the trees around them, all the confusing multiple layers green and brown shades, listening to the chitter and whish and the crack and drop of leaves and branches. (Spot 25, Listen 31) She turns, poised, you know, like you'd imagine deers and stuff would, listening in a place that just smells of danger.
Then she takes off her lenses, and swaps them out for a pair of goggles. And Xenia begins going over the ground, looking for things the Cultists might have dropped and quickly looking over the bodies of the elves. (Search 35) Thorough, methodical, and professional. Afterwards, she stands, pulling the goggles off of her head and stepping back. The goggles go back into her pouch and the lenses go back on the bridge of her nose.
"Hey, anybody here think these bodies have been arranged in some sort of pattern here?" She waves her hand to take in the dead bodies. "Wonder what for?" She takes another step back to look at it all from a wider angle. (INT 20, to figure out why the bodies might have been "arranged".)
"What do you think ... " She turns, but the rest of her question goes unfinished. Her gaze is on the wizard, sitting with his back to the clearing. The girl rogue walks across the clearing and sits on the rock next to Edmund.
"Hey, Ed." She pulls her black bandana from a pouch and begins folding it on her lap. "Not liking this much, huh?" Black cloth in a folded square upon her lap, she reaches back and binds her hair back tight. "I mean, yeah, it's not the best place in the Wold to be. We come all this way to a Giant Lizard Forest and first thing we find is this battle site where folks are all, like, killed. And you can't help thinking, well, that could be me. What am I doing here? Did I come all this way to be eaten by bugs and lizards? I could be home eating strawberries in a hot bath, or making a steam-pump-driving thing, or ... you know, something."
The dark rogue lifts the cloth off her lap and carefully positions the folded front edge against her brow before tying it in place behind her head.
"And, you know, when I ask myself those questions, I look around at the guys I'm with. They're my friends, and ... well, I don't know what your sitch is like, you know, but we got something special. All of us. Together. Didn't start out that way. I remember first time we killed someone, I tossed everything I had in my stomach onto the forest floor. Only ones who remember that probs are Syr and Angus. Since then, we've gone through lots of different stuff. We've met good folks and bad folks. We've seen stuff that's really shake your knees bad, we've seen stuff that's so beautiful it'd just melt your heart, and we've done stuff that's really important. And every time I think of being somewhere else, I a'member these things. I 'member these things, and I think that there's no place else I'd rather be than with my friends. And if I'm gonna die, there's no place I'd rather die than with them."
Xenia stands and holds a gloved hand out to Edmund.
"But we'll make it through. We always do. 'Cause we work together, and that makes us strong."
"Why don't you hang with Belkie for a bit, huh Ed?" She waves her other hand in the direction of the Cat-Legged halfling. "He's a good solid guy. And he knows stuff. He and Angus are usually the center of our protection. It's a good place to be."
Shadow d20+3=8 d20+3=7 d20+10=22 Sunday September 24th, 2006 3:15:31 PM
Shadow is very disturbed by the staging of the battle and asks, "So do we think the cultists killed all of these?" He points to the bodies of the elves and the spiders. He knows the answer to his question. "I think we should follow them, and if they have undead it should be fairly easy for our two rangers to track them." He will follow the group knowing that he usually would be in a scout position but in the forest he thinks he should follow the up true scouts. Keeping his eyes open as they enter the forest.
Actions: Listen=8 Spot=7 Search=22
Thar d20+10=17 d20+6=19 d20+4=23 Sunday September 24th, 2006 3:48:52 PM
Thar, seeing that Xenia and lange searching the bodies, helps out by looking at both the tracks and the pattern of arranged bodies, hoping to decipher why they are in that pattern. Maybe they could be related to a ritual or something else related to undead creation.
"Shadow, I agree with you. I'm not comfortable standing around here, especially now knowing what's really going on."
To the rest of the group, he says "We should move soon, and I'm comfortable backing up Lang or Xenia in tracking our foes. We should keep a close eye out for ambushes though."
Wynn d20+3=23 Sunday September 24th, 2006 5:23:53 PM
The bard follows Xenia into the clearing and moves methodically from body to body, examining each of the elves to determine what precisely caused their deaths. He also tries to determine if they are of the same tribe that watches over the Crying Woods from Elvenguard [Search = 23; Nat 20]
Conner d20+4=18 d20+3=19 Sunday September 24th, 2006 5:29:43 PM
Conner takes in the aftermath of the battle and it's effect on the newestr member of the party. He'd seen his share of massacres while patrolling with the military. The scene was always the same, bodies bloated in the heat as they decomposed, the thick smell of dried blood, and the insects...always there were insects.
He instinctively takes a position on the left flank and stays alert for any new danger, even though it is unlikely that the victors of this battle would be returning.
[Spot=18, Listen=19]
Mira Sunday September 24th, 2006 7:56:53 PM
One of the last out of the boat and across the shore, Mira leaves the initial investigations to the scouts.
After a quick look at the bodies of the casualties, she goes to stand near Edmond and Xenia. "I wonder who, or what, was fighting whom? You know?" she says, looking at the dark drow and then turning to see who else if around from the Crimson Shields. "You guys have been here before, right?" she says, making eye contact with the half-elven bard, Wynn. "Did the forest elves ally with other creatures? Would they be more likely to ally with one like this?" the woman points to the lizard, "or ones like these?" Mira points to the spiders.
Mira turns back to the bodies, and placing her fingers against her temples she scans the bodies for magical auras. (Detect Magic)
Xenia (2nd Illegal Post) Sunday September 24th, 2006 8:38:01 PM
"Not this part of the shore, Mira," the girl rogue answers. "Other side of the lake. Crying Woods side. This could be completely different. Bet it probs is. Soon as you step off the beach the Crying Woods lets you know if it wants you or not. You can feel it."
Xenia looks around again.
"Don't feel nothing here. That's good and bad. Good 'cause the Crying Woods can be nasty. Bad 'cause the Crying Woods controls what's in it. It don't want you there, you aren't there. Here ... " she shrugs. "Could be anything here."
"Whaddya think, Wynn?" She waves a finger at he bodies. "I think it's Spiders, Lizards and Elves against Cultists. Things already here against things that just come." She kneels and picks a twig up off the ground, twirling it between her fingers. "That could mean that the elves have some way of controlling the spiders and the lizards. Don't make 'em bad, though. 'Specially from what we know about the Cultists."
"Whatcha think, Thunir," Xenia asks the dwarf. "You heard of any elf tribes living on these shores?"
Ash Sunday September 24th, 2006 9:57:38 PM
"Hmmm....more violence. It seems to follow us wherever we go." Ash mutters as he steps around the bodies.
"Any evidence of survivors?"
Shelya sniffs around the bodies.
Angus Monday September 25th, 2006 12:22:23 AM
Angus surveys the scene and lets the rangers and rouge do their work. Angus calls out to the rangers "Lang and Thar can you lead the way? I suggest you two get to know one another as you most likely will be helping each other in a scrap. I bet the walking dead slow down the cultist or maybe they are ment to slow us down. Be wary you two."
Angus slaps the wet back of Syr. "Good job with the boats. See if you can introduce yourself to one of the fighting folk from the Plateau City. You need a new fighting partner."
Angus then searches out Thunir. "You look ready for the road. What can you tell us about the lay of the land and these nasty inhabitants? Are the elves hostile or just defending their turf? Thunir it may be best if you follow behind Lang and Thar and tell them what you know of the area and its creatures."
Angus seeks out Belkior, Ash, Mira and Ed. "I suggest that we stay in the middle of the group so that we can use our varied talents to help all the warriors."
Angus calls out to all "We need a strong pair of warrior for rear guard. Any volunteers? Xenia and Wynn, you two want to be in front of us spell users, maybe even add Shadow to your group. Talk to him, I bet he would work well with you two. Everyone ready? Lang, Thar, lead on."
Arm d20=3 d20+4=5 Monday September 25th, 2006 5:56:00 AM
Poking among the bodies, Arm cannot help but get a feeling of revulsion at the carnage, even if it IS the drow, whom he doesn't particularly care for in the first place, "Even here, elves are murdered..." he thinks. Searching the area a bit more, he fails to find anything (search=3 spot=5), then joins the rear of the group for wherever they may be heading.
Belkior d20+8=27 d20+21=41 Monday September 25th, 2006 7:57:27 AM
The halfling cleric mvoes towards the bodies once he's been given the all-clear by the scouts. Belkior crouches beside the nearest one, waving away the flies that rise from the gaping wound in the body. Bending close, he examines how the body was arranged and then peers into the wound. Knowledge Religion - 27, Heal = 41 (natural 20)
"Hmm, interesting ..."
When Angus and the others suggest pursuing immediately, Belkior stands and nods.
"Yep, we should be going as soon as possible. If nothing else, the cultists won't be going any faster if they raised their dead to fight for them. They might even be able to keep going longer than normal since they now have porters who don't tire."
Belkior looks down at the elf bodies, looking pensive.
"If they raised their own companions, why wouldn't they do that to their opponents? I mean, they should be able to unless ... well, I can think of a couple reasons. Maybe they used up all of their components. Or they'd reached their limit for controlling undead. Lang, can you count how many undead walked away from here? Or how many cultists died in battle?"
Or ... hmm, maybe they tried and couldn't raise these things." Belkior bends down and grimaces as he forces the mouth of the elven corpse open. "Nope, no onyx or other gems in here. Why didn't they try to raise these things?"
After carefully cleaning his hands, Belkior stands and looks around. "Let's get moving. Thar, I hope that you're up to some undead hunting."
Angus (second illegal post) Monday September 25th, 2006 9:54:31 AM
After the group forms up and prepares to follow the rangers as they track, Angus will cast mage armor on himself. Angus comments to Mira and Edmund after casting his spell. "Can never be too careful. Never know when a spider will drop from the trees?" Angus smiles at the two spellcasters and them moves to form up with Belkior and then waits for Mira and Edmund to catch up.
Kadaz (2nd post) Monday September 25th, 2006 9:54:41 AM
Kadaz, while watching ahead for danger, hears what the others are saying in the clearing. In reply to Angus' questions he says "Angus, Birdie and I will take rear guard."
Scott the Southern one Monday September 25th, 2006 7:25:16 PM
Plateau City Residents Arm XXXXX Kadaz XXXXX Ash XOOXX Mira XXX0X Conner XXXXX Thar XOXXX Shadow XXXOX Edmund XXXXX 88.5% EFFECTIVE
Floating City Syr XXXXX Xenia XXXXX Lang OXXOX Wynn XXXXX Angus XXXXX BelkiorXXXXX 93% EFFECTIVE
Edmund (2nd, illegal post) Monday September 25th, 2006 8:51:26 PM
Edmund nods to Xenia and shakes her hand when it is offered.
"Thank you. I appreciate everything you've said. It's just that I never really expected to run into this sort of thing. I suppose adventures are not all flash and glory, what?"
Edmund stands up swiftly, taking a deep breath.
"All right, then. I suppose I had better find Belkior. No reason to give those villains another elf target to pick off so easily. When we run into them, I'm going to do my best to ensure they never leave this island."
Edmund moves over to Angus and Belkior, taking out his crossbow as he does so, just to be sure. He fully intends not to be caught unawares with nothing but his support magic.
DM Sanity Info L.0: Daze(x2), Detect Magic, Read Magic (x2) L.1: Charm Person (x2), Colour Spray (x2), Obscuring Mist, Sleep L.2: Daze Monster (x2), Hypnotic Pattern, Web L.3: Hold Person, Slow, Suggestion
Jungle Trekking (DM JohnP) Monday September 25th, 2006 10:27:59 PM
The adventurers look around the scene of the battle. Some look for information, while others simply stare at the bodies of the fallen elves.
Kadaz and Birdie look deeper into the jungle along the trail left by the cultists when they left their first campsite. Both of them spot nothing out of the ordinary -- simply birds and insects flying through the beams of sunlight that shine through the forest canopies far overhead. Conner takes a position on the opposite side of the clearing, but sees nothing different.
Syr comes up beside Lang as the ranger examines the tracks in the clearing. Lang recounts what he learned before as he bends to examine the ground. The signs left by the cultists are pretty clear. From what he can tell, he thinks that eight living cultists -- including the woman in the fancy boots -- walked from the clearing and were followed by ten undead, probably zombies.
The ranger then moves over to the bodies of the elves and examines them with Xenia and Wynn. Each looks to have been laid out, arranged on the ground with their arms roughly at their sides. Each has one or more broken weapons on the ground beside them. The weapons are serviceable, made with crudely forged iron and steel but with great attention to the wooden portions. Besides that, no other goods besides some trinkets and remnants of clothing remain on the bodies. The strangest thing, from what the ranger's examination can tell, is that the elven bodies were arranged by a spider, not by elves.
Xenia and Wynn don't recognize what family or kin group these elves are from. They look nothing like the elves in the Crying Woods on the opposite side of New Turtle Lake. And they are brown-skinned, not black like Xenia's full-blooded relatives.
The lizard body was hacked to pieces. Lang thinks that it is some kind of giant lizard that died out in most parts of the Wold but supposedly lingered on in others, which might be the case here. If these things are around it could be trouble because it has big claws on both front and rear feet, not to mention a mouthful of teeth.
Mira comes over and magically examines the bodies and clearing. She detects no sign of magical items, besides what the party carries with them, and no lingering magical auras. And Thunir fairly blazes with signs of magical enhancements on his gear.
After Xenia finishes her examination, she walks over to where Edmund sits to one side, keeping out of the way of the others who are investigating. She talks with the wizard for a bit, trying to calm his fears.
Thar and Belkior move in for their examination of the bodies. They both feel that the bodies were arranged ritually, maybe as if for funeral rites, but it's not any method that they are familiar with. The Halfling cleric observes both wounds and magical destruction on the bodies. In his opinion, the bodies were either hacked after death or somehow survived much more damage than he would have expected.
Shadow also stays out of the way of the rangers. He starts thinking of the trip through the jungle and how he is more comfortable in the city. Ash also stays out of the way, even though he sends Shelya to pick up the scent of the cultists. Arm pokes around for a bit and then joins them.
After watching the examinations, several of the party including Angus share some theories about what they see here. The sorcerer suggests a marching order for when they decide to move out.
There are a couple hours of daylight left to the party before darkness comes. The rangers and Ash think that night will come quickly here under the tree canopies.
++++++
The party strikes off into the forest. Lang and Thar find that the trail is very easy to follow, especially with the shuffling and dragging steps of the zombies that now make up most of the cultist party. They don't see any sign of anyone leaving the party. And nothing like an ambush materializes.
Marching through the jungle is an unusual experience. The party usually cannot see more than 15 or 20 feet in any direction because of the thickness of the undergrowth. The jungle floor is damp, formed from rotting leaves and other debris. Insects and other small creatures are commonly spotted on the ground and ferns that make up much of this layer in the jungle. Most are recognizable, albeit larger than any of them have seen before. The worst thing was a yellow and black mass sliding across the path on a trail of slime. It gave even Thar and Lang a fright until they realized that the foot long thing was a harmless slug -- although the biggest one that they had ever seen.
Occasionally there are gaps in the undergrowth and the party spends some time walking through the giant trees. The largest ones, the ones whose tops are 300 feet or more overhead, are more than 15 feet through at the base. Even the smaller trees, the ones whose tops form the second canopy only 150 feet or so above the ground are each more than five feet across.
All the while, the birds and other creatures high in the canopies overhead continue to sing and call to one another. With their steps silenced by the soft ground, the party is walking through a strange landscape. What is unusual for the city types, particularly, is the absence of any stone, pavement or other hard surface. Thunir explains that the bedrock is often deep underground in forests like this, even this close to the mountains.
After two or three hours of walking, the light begins to dim. Looking ahead, Lang and Thar spot a large boulder, the first one that they have seen since beginning this trek through the forest. There is an open area in the undergrowth and it's not too far back the last stream that they crossed. The two rangers suggest that this is a good camp to spend the night. The boulder is so large, easily 30 feet on a side, and looks easily climbed so it would serve as a defensible position if they were attacked in the night.
DM Request Monday September 25th, 2006 10:31:41 PM
Adam S, please contact me by e-mail at petherick AT personainternet DOT com.
Thar ail Baerer Monday September 25th, 2006 10:49:23 PM
"I think we should stay here for the night and set up some sort of watch schedule, maybe intermingling humans and non-humans, to get the advantage of our lowlight vision. Do you agree, Lang?" he asks his ranger companion.
"I'm going to set up a "hide" in a tree for my watch, as that'll give me the best angle. I'll also volunteer to take 1st watch w/ someone else," he adds.
After helping scout out the nearest area and gathering some firewood, he waits to see what his companions say.
Xenia d20+7=16 d20+16=36 d20+16=33 d20+19=30 d20+14=28 Monday September 25th, 2006 11:00:35 PM
Xenia unshoulders a shortbow as the party moves out through the forest after Lang and Thar. Maybe it's walking next to Wynn. That always seems to make things better than they maybe might look, but ... this place could be kinda beautiful in a way. If you weren't always worried something's gonna come along and eat you, that is. The big old trees, and the birds and stuff. It's nice. In a jungle sorta way. Sure not as creepy grody as the Crying Woods.
The call comes up for camp, and they make their way toward this really big rock.
"I'm gonna climb up the rock and have a look around," the dark rogue whispers to Angus and Wynn. "Anybody else comes up, tell 'em to keep a low profile. Thing about places high up is, you see, you can see a long ways around you, but others can see you pretty easy too if you're not careful."
The rogue skins the rock face like she'd go up a brick wall on a second story job, finding the shadowy places, going slow and close, so you're part of the stone. (Climb 16, Hide 36 /Nat 20, Move Silently 33) At the top, she keeps flat on her belly, creeping round low on all fours, like just another one of them lizards. Going to all four points of the compass, the girl rogue takes a look at what can be seen from above. (Spot 30, Listen 28)
Coming back down, she looks for a place she can jam a stick or something, someplace she can place an anchor around which she can tie a rope. That way, maybe, the folks less liable to be climbers might have an easier time going up if the need should arise.
Wynn d20+6=20 d20+2=15 Monday September 25th, 2006 11:04:09 PM
The bard keeps his own countenance during the trip. Any thoughts he might have as to his observations at the campsite would be little more than conjecture and serve little purpose.
He offers to one of the last watches to best take advantage of his visual acuity [Spot=20, Listen=15]
Conner Monday September 25th, 2006 11:08:20 PM
The fighter marches in silence, keeping his eyes and ears open to danger. When he arrives at the rock he watches Xenia scout the surroundings and nods his head in appreciation of her talent. For his part he scouts out the immdeiate surroundings, looking for lanes of fire and areas that might offer additional concealment should they be attacked [Take 20 on Search = 21]
Arm d20=4 d20+4=6 d20+11=26 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 5:53:56 AM
Sensing Lang's confusion at the placement of the bodies, he attempts to explain in a friendly way, "Don't let the placement of the bodies bother you. The drow consider spiders to be their brethren, and vice versa.".
As they trek through the jungle, he cannot help but be amazed at his surroundings. Even though he has spent much of his life in the forests, he has never seen foilage as dense as this. Keeping a firm grip on his sword, he is ever-watchful for trouble (search=4, spot=6, listen=26).
Kadaz Tuesday September 26th, 2006 7:15:30 AM
On the march Kadaz keeps his mind busy by imagining just how long it would take to drop one of those big trees. And how much noise would it make? And how many chairs could you build out of one? At the back of the party he mutters to Arm "I miss Sampsons right now. How about you?"
At the rock Kadaz is comforted to see something that isn't green. He gets ready for the night by gathering firewood and setting up 2 piles of wood, one near one side of the rock and the other on top of it just in case they need fire in the night to keep safe.
"I'll take middle watch" he volunteers.
Mira Tuesday September 26th, 2006 8:31:05 AM
Mira treks along with the rest, trying not to trip over any exposed roots along the way. When the group sets up camp, she asks Arm to help her with the little tent, choosing a spot close to where others are setting up.
In a low voice Mira speaks to the bard, if he agrees to help her with the tent. "Arm?" she says, "I don't think the elves who perished were, drow. You know? Their skin was brown like they might get out in the sun or something. There wasn't much gear around, either. I figure them for locals, right?"
Later, she will help make the cooking fire, and prepare any food the party are able to cobble together.
Angus d20+9=24 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 8:41:57 AM
Angus rubs his sore calf muscules when they reach the rock as he is not use to all this physical activity.
Angus is happy to see what Xenia is setting up and thanks her "That looks like a good idea, as there is no way I can climb that rock all by myself."
Upon hearing talk of the watch Angus suggests "The spell users should have first watch in order to recover their spell come morning."
Angus casts two light spells in the dying light to aid in setting up camp.
Angus looks to Lang and Thar "Do you two want to recon a bit to make sure the area is safe. There is nothing stopping a spider from climbing up a rock. Also can you two determine if we are gaining on the cultists? Are we having a fire? Do you think it is safe or will it attract unwanted attention from the local creatures?"
Once everyone is on the rock, Angus gets everyones attention. "We are going up agains a formidable foe in these cultists, especially is they just created 10 zombies. We have to be prepared. I suggest we form up in teams to 2 or 3 so that there is always someone to watch your back. If we get into a fight, we keep the spell users in the middle to support the warriors. In the past, we have used Xenia and Wynn as our reserve to plug any holes in our line and to support as needed. I think Shadow can be an excellent addition to that group. We have Lang Thar and Thunir up front. We also have Kadaz for rear guard. Who can help support Kadaz as rear guard? We should also form at least one more fighting group? Any suggestions?"
Angus waits for an answer from the group and takes out his flute and plays a light tune.
perform 24
Belkior Tuesday September 26th, 2006 9:04:52 AM
The halfling cleric easily keeps up with the party as they move through the jungle. Belkior might even have an easier time of it, down below the tops of most of the undergrowth. Of course, he gets and even better view of the giant slug when he passes it. The thing is almost as big as he is ... and Belkior really hopes that it prefers plants rather than halfling flesh.
The only annoyance is how all the leaf litter on the jungle floor gets into his fur. Belkior hadn't needed to do much to keep his furry legs neat when he was in the city but he now wishes that he had purchased that comb and brush set.
Once the campsite is reached, Belkior will assist with making it ready. While someone gets the fire going, Belkior asks if someone will go with him to fetch water from the last stream. Some warm water for washing might be nice and they can also make a spot of tea.
When he overhears Angus' suggestions, Belkior agrees with the notion of keeping the healers and spellcasters in the centre. He has some suggestions of his own, though.
"Angus, what about Ash? He and his companion could fight, or he could stay in the centre with us and cast spells."
Shadow Tuesday September 26th, 2006 9:36:37 AM
As the group moves off into the jungle, Shadow tries to concentrate on the keeping an eye out for anything that could be dangerous to the group. However, his mind keeps coming back to the closeness of the jungle, he is getting more and more edgy as the group moves away from the clearing. Even though the thief is used to cramp places, that are stone and not living wood and plants. He is also disturbed by the groups inability to see very far into the jungle. The day finally ends at the boulder the group determines would be the best place to set up camp. He sees Xenia climb up the boulder, and is about to follow. He decides that he will search around the boulder instead. He will then help gather fire wood and start setting up what needs to be set up.
"I am not sure when would be best for me to take watch, so let me know." He will then sit down and make sure his gear is taken care of.
Angus (second illegal post) Tuesday September 26th, 2006 11:31:08 AM
Angus smiles down on his halfling battle partner "An excellent suggest about Ash, but I was hoping to hear from him on the subject. Maybe he has a battle partner among his plateau city friends or maybe Syr wants to buddy up with him. I am just trying to get a feel for the groups strenghts and weakness before we run into the cultists."
Xenia (2nd Illegal Post) d20+16=19 d20+16=29 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 12:07:08 PM
Xenia hops down off the rock face.
"I'll take watch with Wynn," she offers, and flashes a the bard a smile.
"Hey, Belkie, you want clean, we can do this." From her haversack she draws a wand. She kneels next to Belkior. "Here you go." She wraps her tongue around a trigger word. (UMD 19)
Nothing.
"Fram," the dark rogue whispers a curse. "This works. I've done it." Again, she tries. (UMD 29) This time, she feels the magic enter her hands. "Gotcha!"
Sweeping her hands over Belkior's legs in even downward motions, Xenia removes the dirt and grime from the fur with the magic from the wand.
(Prestidigitation: Burned two charges)
Lang & Sunshine d20+14=28 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 12:21:05 PM
Lang finishes up his examination of the battle scene and takes the lead as the large group follows the trail of the cultists and zombies. His confusion on why the bodies were displayed that way is cleared up by Arm.
"Arm, I hope you are tight and that is the reason. It is strange though. I will have to remember that for the future."
The trail is easy to follow and fairly easy on the body with the ground being so soft. Visibility is at a minimum so Lang hikes with his quarterstaff in his hands. Lang is comfortable with the fact that it will be hard for an armored group to approach them with it being so quiet and everything. But then same goes for their group.
When the slug goes by on the trail, Lang wonders if he will ever see a forest like the one he grew up in. So far he is 0 for 2 as the Crying Woods and now this forest are extremely different from what he has encountered in his past. Near dark the group approaches the large boulder. The three all agree it would make a decent place to camp.
"If we need a fire we can build it close to the boulder and that will block most of the light."
Lang scouts out the rock and the area looking for any signs of the cultists. He tries to determine where they went, if they camped here and how long ago it may have been.
Track 28
"My biggest concern of camping here or anywhere in this forest is the tree tops. They are quite a ways off the ground and anything can be moving up there without us hearing or seeing it. Spiders can easily drop in on us at any moment. So be alert to the trees along with the path when you are on guard duty. As Sunshine cannot climb the rock I will make camp at the base of the boulder. I would like first sleep and will pull a double guard duty in the middle of the night into morning."
Lang rolls out his bedroll and he and Sunshine hunker down for some rest until it is time for their guard duty.
OOC -- How big is the clearing around the boulder?
Edmund Tuesday September 26th, 2006 6:47:12 PM
Edmund finds himself a place to sit relatively quickly, only too happy to stop walking. Looking around, he feels safe enough, all things considered.
(OOC: Sorry about the brevity of the above post, but it's crunch time and I have to write a paper and study for some tests tonight. Expect more thorough posts after this week is done with!)
Thar ail Baerer d20+6=12 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 8:54:48 PM
In response to Angus' plans, Thar says "I'm not sure if I'm the best person to be in the front lines of a battle. I'm one of only two healers and would be best used in a reserve capacity. Last time I took on a fighter, I got my rear kicked pretty good and Arm pulled me out of a mess."
"I'll take the first watch, and yes (to Xenia), I'll be careful up high in my "hide" and thank you for the advice.
Thar joins Lang in scouting out the area, looking for tracks and trying to get a feel of the drow group's movements. Also, he'll try to ensure find a spot that he can get a good view of any possible approaches.
"Who wants to take first watch with me? Arm and/or Mira, would one of you all like to join me?
Track = 12
(OOC - John, how high up on the trees does the thick foilage start? I'd like to get up 30-50' up, but it depends on the foilage.
My plan, if foilage is available, to climb up the tree, make a hide and once concealed, tie my rope to the tree and make a slipknot around myself, anchoring me to the tree. The knot will be arranged so that with a twist, the rope will be loosened from the tree (but not me) and I can rappel down the tree if needed to get into battle quickly)
Ash Tuesday September 26th, 2006 8:58:58 PM
Ash breaths deeply of the forest air. Both he and Shelya seem, despite the violence they have seen, happy to be back in the forest, even if it isn't their home forest.
Syr Tuesday September 26th, 2006 9:51:00 PM
Syr looks at the corpses and then at Xenia. "Nope, don't look alike at all." Looking down at his own white skin, "Not like this elf either. Maybe it's a new elf. I mean nature has sure been chaotic of late."
Hearing Angus' suggestion for the watch he shrugs, "Sure, I'll hang with Ash. he seems comfortable enough. How about we reserve last watch. I like to rest with no interruptions."
Camping at the Rock (DM JohnP) Tuesday September 26th, 2006 10:58:08 PM
Everyone starts to prepare the evening campsite against the large rock. There is an open area, roughly 40 feet in diameter on one side of the rock that looks like the best place to camp. There is no sign that the cultists stopped here.
As watch schedules are discussed, Thar thinks that he would like to take first watch from a hide in a tree. However, the lowest branches are 50 or 60 feet above the ground on thick trunks. Climbing up would be a real trial and the shorter trees are too thin to support his weight. If he wanted, he might be able to scale one of the large trunked ferns that are close by.
On the ground, Conner pores over the clear area and beyond, looking for cover and other little tricks of ground that might hold surprises if it comes to a battle. He finds nothing besides some rotting logs.
Wynn takes one of the last watches while Kadaz volunteers for the middle watch. The dwarf busies himself with finding deadwood that can be used for the fire. As he does so, he notices that the rock seems oddly shaped, not at all like it would be if it was here for natural reasons.
Xenia clambers up onto the rock to examine the surrounding area from a higher vantage point. As she climbs, she spots another of the giant slugs squeezed into a crevice of the rock. As she looks out over the forest floor, something about the rock seems odd. It doesn't make sense until she stops for a moment and looks at the rock ... the crevice with slug could be a .... and that's a ... there's a depression there, and another there. The rogue then realizes that she is crouched on top of an immense carved stone sculpture of a man's face and head, toppled onto one side. Moving around and brushing some leaves out of the way, she finds a pointed ear and what might be an attempt to depict a circlet.
Arm settles in to the camp, helping Mira with her small tent. As he does so, he and Mira discuss whether the dead elves were drow or some other unknown variety of elf. After he scouts the immediate area of the rock, Shadow sits down with them also. Syr drifts up to hear the tail end of the conversation between Arm and Mira, contributing a few thoughts himself.
Angus plops down to rest his legs when they arrive at the campsite, tired from the unaccustomed exercise of walking in the jungle. He suggests that the spellcasters take the first watch to ensure their being rested. He asks the rangers to scout the area, perhaps a bit farther out than Conner has already done. And he continues to fret over the combined groups will work in combat. Belkior sits down beside him after helping get the fire going. The Halfling cleric is relieved when Xenia uses some magic to clean the twigs and leaves from his legs. Edmund also rests his weary feet.
The bugbear ranger looks up when Angus asks about the cultists. From what Lang can tell, they haven't gained much time on the cultists so far. The cultists did not camp here and they haven't passed a campsite yet.
Ash isn't troubled by the jungle and neither his companion. While he would be as comfortable sleeping out under the ferns, he does camp with his friend.
++++++
The night passes quietly, with nothing more than the sounds of insects and night birds to disturb sleep. Morning dawns gradually under the trees, with the light slowly growing in intensity until it is possible to distinguish fine details.
Arm Wednesday September 27th, 2006 5:54:58 AM
Smiling at Mira, he graciously agrees to help Mira set up the tent. Once she mentions his slip-up, however, he slumps down on the nearest rock and rubs his eyes, feeling an ache that goes from the front to the back of his skull, "I'm sorry, my dear...of course you are correct.".
When Thar requests his help, Arm agrees...hoping that this will take his mind off of things. After making sure that Mira is settled, he says to her, "I'll be back soon," kissing her on the lips then joining his friend for their turn at watch. Once that is completed, he crawls into their tent, once again thankful for finding someone like Mira.
Kadaz Wednesday September 27th, 2006 7:10:41 AM
Before nightfall Kadaz walks around the stone very carefully, looking for any indication that it has 'woken up' in the past and moved by itself. That would be quite a nasty surprise in the middle of the night. "This stone is a bit odd," he announces to the rest of the party as he inspects it.
Kadaz spends his watch looking out into the darkness at small nocturnal animals going about their normal activities. He wonders just how much bigger this jungle can be having spent an entire day going into it. The other side of it must be close.
In the morning Kadaz spends some time making sure no rust gets a chance to start on his metalwork.
Birdie is getting tired of this new environment. He's smelled the smells and licked what seemed tasty. Now his paws are getting a bit tender. He misses his bed back in Plateau City.
Xenia Wednesday September 27th, 2006 7:51:39 AM
"Hey, look! Hey!" In the morning light, the dark rogue makes the second of two turns around the big stone, looking up at it from below.
Yup. Sure enough.
"Lookit that!" Xenia points at a ledge-ish sort of pointed bit of rock. "Dun't that look like a nose? And that one over there's an ear. It's a head. This rocks a big, like, statue head. It's an elf head."
"And whazzat? It's, like wearing a tiara or sump'in."
Xenia backs up to the edge of the clearing for a wider angle, and stands, hands on hips taking in the scale of the thing.
"Wouldja look at that. Wonder what this place used to be? Must be something underneath us, some lost city or something maybe, you think?"
Angus Wednesday September 27th, 2006 9:28:32 AM
In the morning, Angus rolls up his bedroll and dons his oversized floppy leather hat. Angus streches and exclaims "Where is my feather bed when you need it."
Angus then smiles up at Xenia on top of the big rock "So Girlie, it appears that you found evidence of an ancient cililization. I believe that gives you the right to name them, as the discoverer that is, think of a good one for the elves."
Angus walks up to the rangers before everyone set out. "Thar you have nothing to worry about if you are by Lang and Thunir, not to mention Sunshine. This is the tip of the spear and they will need a cleric is things get rough. Do not worry about us in the back as we have Belkior and Wynn can do a bit of curing if need be." Angus slaps Lang and Thar each on the back and adds "Happy hunting. Lead on and lets make up some time."
Angus moves back to the middle of the group with Mira, Belkior, and Edmund.
Angus waves to Syr and Ash as it seems they are getting better acquainted.
Angus calls Conner over "Good Sir, can you or one of your fellows bolster the rear guard today. Kadaz looked a bit lonely back there yesterday."
Edmund Wednesday September 27th, 2006 2:30:36 PM
Edmund looks over to Angus as he speaks with Xenia about the stone head.
"All elven civilisations are ancient--and I think you should ask them what they call themselves before you go about naming them arrogantly. Clearly they are still here... Or were, until recently. Let's hope they still are. All the more reason to hurry on."
The discovery of the giant stone head only worries Edmund. He finds himself thinking of the dead elves they found earlier. Occupied with feelings of grief and anger, his fears diminish and leave him impatient to stop the cultists before they can harm any more of the Elven inhabitants. Edmund might only be half-elven, but he has always identified more with his elven heritage than the human side of his ancestry.
"I'm ready to go when you are," he says grimly, crossbow in hand. "Let's find them and put a stop to this."
Shadow Wednesday September 27th, 2006 3:58:46 PM
Shadow takes his turn at watch (not sure), and is relieved that nothign occurs during the night. Especially with undead around.
In the morning he is refreshed (especially since they are not on the boat during the night and have solid ground under them).
He will take out his weapons and make sure they are in order and then puts them back in place and makes sure they are at the ready. "Does anyone feel we will catch them today?" He asks the group.
Lang & Sunshine d20+14=30 Wednesday September 27th, 2006 9:28:24 PM
Lang enjoys the nights rest under the stars. He is surpised to find out that the boulder is in fact a statue.
"Angus perhaps you should fly up there and see what it looks like from above."
Lang takes his palce in the front when the group moves out. He picks up the cultists trail fairly easily.
Track 30
Syr Wednesday September 27th, 2006 9:47:19 PM
"How about both of us?" he responds to Angus. "I've always had a fondness for three letter names. Whatcha think Ash? Feel like being in the back for a while?"
Once everyone is awake he asks the groups, "Any sign of the brown elves last night or anything else for that matter?"
Thar ail Baerer d20+6=11 Wednesday September 27th, 2006 9:48:04 PM
After an uneventful night (maybe?), Thar feels relieved that they are back to hunting the cultists.
"Xenia, great job figuring out where we were staying. Do you think there is anything under this rocky area, maybe hidden? Lang, what do you think?"
Taking a lead position with Lang, he heads out and begins tracking.
Track = 11 (another crappy roll...)
Belkior Wednesday September 27th, 2006 10:08:24 PM
The halfling cleric is excited about Xenia's discovery. He fairly bounces up and down on his feet, wondering how this might be linked with the elves currently living in this area. He also tries to see what he can of the massive statue but it's eroded with time. Aside from the ear, there's no sign that this was an elf.
Belkior wakes before it's light here, deep beneath the canopies. Years of waking at dawn for prayers have conditioned him and he no longer needs light or anything else to wake. He completes his prayers while the birds are waking and then stirs the fire and begins brewing tea for the others.
When the parties strike out on the trail, he takes up his usual spot in the middle. Now that his interest has been piqued, he continues to look for signs of past glories in this jungle.
Trekking - Day 2 (DM JohnP) d20+3=9 Wednesday September 27th, 2006 10:36:11 PM DM Note - Sorry for the short post. Busy tonight, getting ready for a quick trip out of town.
The second day of jungle trekking proceeds more smoothly. Everyone now has a bit of experience walking through the undergrowth and have recovered from the days of idleness aboard the boat. Now that they know what to look for, they spot two more massive pieces of stone. One is another head with similar features while the second looks like a massive hand.
At the front of the party, Lang and Thar easily follow the trail left by the cultists. The zombies have cleared a wide path through the undergrowth. From all signs, the cultists are setting a fairly quick pass and they see no signs of them stopping for more than brief rests. Certainly, by midday Lang is convinced that the cultists did not stop overnight and continued travelling at night.
Everyone else follows along, not complaining (too much) about the pace. After midday, it is evident that they are slowly climbing. Not steep, by any means, but they must be getting closer to the foothills of the mountains.
Near the end of the day, the party can see light through the trees ahead. Slowly, they approach an open area in the jungle, a gap in the forest giants arching high overhead. The clearing is covered in thick ferns and other, strange plants that look like fern-trees. Lang calls a halt before proceeding, even though the cultist's trail continues directly across the clearing.
Standing there, the party sees the open sky for the first time in two days. Birds and small flying creatures fill the air above the clearing. Edmund ducks when they see a small flock of the flying reptiles approach, gliding on the air currents above the forest. The flyers circle above the clearing and then begin descending. Scale is difficult to judge, after so many days under trees, but the outdoors types figure the flyers to have a wingspan over 10 feet.
The flyers are down below the treetops when one must have got too close to the trees. Instead of the graceful glide, it suddenly crumples and drops until it jerks to a stop above the ground.
Spot DC 9 - Highlight to display spoiler: {A spider crouches on the trunk of a giant tree across the clearing, a thick rope of webbing connecting it to the flyer that it has caught. It seems small until you realize that the treetrunk is probably the same size as the ones you've walked past all day - making the spider's body easily 10 feet across and it's legs that much or more.}
Edmund d20+3=15 Wednesday September 27th, 2006 11:00:53 PM
As the reptiles fly over head, Edmund instinctively ducks, pointing his crossbow up above his head in a manner entirely inconsistent with the user manual.
When the 'cockatrices' pass by, Edmund looks up to see the lizard crumpled and stuck some distance above the ground. Squinting, Edmund points at the lizard with his crossbow. (Spot=15)
"Look at that! It's stuck in a spider-web... only... at this distance... the spider would have to be HUGE! Good God. And it's just over there. There's likely to be more!"
Edmund turns around, looking for more spiders elsewhere, brandishing his crossbow at every thing which moves, makes noise, or gives him cause for alarm.
Arm d20+4=14 d20+11=29 Thursday September 28th, 2006 5:52:50 AM
As the realization dawns that the rock is actually a stone head, and an elven one at that, Arm removes his hat and touches the tips of his ears lightly while he looks at Mira to see if she has any input.
Choosing to leave the hat off, he tucks it away and falls in with Mira in their journey. His sharp eyes pick out the spider in the tree as well (spot=14), and he grips his sword that much tighter while he scans for possibly more of the spiders (listen=29).
Kadaz d20+1=10 Thursday September 28th, 2006 7:10:09 AM
Being short, and at the rear of the party, Kadaz doesn't have a good view of what's ahead until they're already upon it. But he tries to keep a sharp eye out for what is behind them.
Once they're in the clearing he looks up, finally glad to see the sky again. But the appearance of giant spiders makes it clear he's very far from Plateau City. (spot 10)
"Hey guys" he says to his fellows. "This kinda reminds me of when we were shrunk and everything else was very large. I wonder what happened to this area."
Angus - Mage Armor d20+3=19 Thursday September 28th, 2006 9:14:01 AM
Angus laughs when Edmund scolds him about elves. "You have to take life a bit less seriously there Ed and you just might enjoy it more." Angus goes and takes his place in the march.
Angus trudges on through the day and is one of the people that doesn't complain too much, but he still does. "This is tough on the feet." and aa little later "Lang are we catching up to the cultists yet?."
At the clearing, Angus spots the spiders attack and its huge size. Angus whispers forward "Lang, Thar, can you two lead us around and still pick up the trail? We do not want to lose time fighting all of the forest creatures." Angus is a bit frustrated when Edmund calls out.
Angus looks at Mira and then Edmund "Ed keep it down, we do not want to alert every creature in the forest to our presence."
Angus casts mage armor on himself. "Always good to be prepared." Angus smiles at Mira.
Xenia d20+19=32 d20+14=22 d20+16=17 d20+16=17 Thursday September 28th, 2006 10:29:05 AM
Xenia is eyes and ears as the group moves through the forest, shortbow in hand. But something in the light today tricks her eye, and the shadows are hard to find. (Spot 32, Listen 22, Hide 17 /Nat 1, Move Silently 17 /Nat 1)
At the edge of the clearing, the dark rogue turns a frowny mean look on Angus as he berates Edmund in a tone that can only cause more distraction at a time when they all need to be working together. She puts her finger to her lips, then she turns to Edmund.
"Cool. Quiet. Focused," she whispers. "This is an unsecured area." Then she flashes him a wink and a quick thumbs-up.
Then the dark rogue turns her gaze straight up to see whether the same kind of spider nesting on the tree across the clearing might not be on the trees directly above them at this very moment. (See previous Spot Roll.)
Wynn d20+6=7 d20+6=15 Thursday September 28th, 2006 3:44:34 PM
The bard considers the carved elven heads he has seen and wonders if they are connected in some way to what they have learned back at the library. [Bardic Knowledge = 7 Nat 1].
When they reach the clearing he stands by Xenia and searches the treetops for more spiders [Spot=15]
Lang & Sunshine d20+14=20 d20+6=17 Thursday September 28th, 2006 9:46:12 PM
Lang contemplates Thar's question about what may be underneath the boulder.
"I guess anything is possible. I am not sure how we can go about trying to move something that large though."
Lang could follow the cultist's trail in his sleep. Between the quantity of the cultist's, the soft ground they are walking over and them not really trying to hide their trail, it makes for easy tracking. Perhaps when they get to the mountains the trail will go over some rocks and then he can test his ability to track.
The clearing comes up and Lang and Thar call for the group to halt. Everyone gathers around and one by one start to point or gasp towards the flying creature as it gets trapped by the spider (spot 17).
Lang is one or two steps into the clearing before he realizes he has drawn his swords, itching to fight either the spider or the flying lizard or maybe even both. Lang turns around rather sheepishly and gets back in place.
He watches to see what happens when the spider tries to claim his prize.
"Does anyone see any evidence of the cultist's being attacked as they crossed the clearing?"
Syr Thursday September 28th, 2006 10:18:53 PM
Syr matches along silently matching Kadaz's easy pace. "Being at the rear has it's advantages, look at all the people in front to wear down the trail for us... Anyway you were saying about 'shrunk'? What happened to you guys? Some evil Wizard?"
Belkior d20+6=21 Thursday September 28th, 2006 10:27:29 PM
The halfling cleric stares across the clearing, a strange mix of feelings playing on his face. While he realizes that the natural world includes predators that consume other beings, it doesn't mean that he has to like it. Not the mention the deep instinctive fear that a creature weighing less than 35 pounds has when confronted with a much larger beast.
Belkior quietly whispers to Angus and the others nearby, "Maybe it will be satisfied and not bother hunting us."
Still, as he watches the struggling flyer drawn up by the spider, he can't help but check the locations of the healing magics on his person.
Under the Open Sky (DM JohnP) Thursday September 28th, 2006 10:43:08 PM DM Note - not waiting for the laggards. A couple have let me know they aren't able to post.
Nearly everyone is taken aback by the sight of the spider capturing the reptile flyer. Once it has drawn the struggling flyer up close enough, they can see it biting and the struggles slow. Then the spider retreats into the canopy. Only Xenia is able to follow it's movements through the treetops. She also spots an unusual movement in the tall undergrowth, off to one side of the cultists' trail.
Edmund whirls around with his crossbow up and loaded, looking for more giant spiders. But none are in sight and, despite how skilled it might be, something that large isn't easy to hide. Angus and Belkior are both nearby, the sorcerer casting a protective spell on himself.
Arm, standing near the silent Mira, also looks about for more spiders. Wynn has been thinking about the statues, trying to remember anything about what he learned about the history of this area back in Plateau City. There were those mentions of a great city ruled by a necromancer but nothing specifically about elves.
At the back of the party, Kadaz and Syr look ahead at the others. Kadaz notices Birdie whining and acting nervous abou something that he cannot see. Ahead of them, the druid's companion wolf is also acting strangely.
At the front of the party, Lang draws his weapons and steps into the clearing before he realizes what he is doing. He is just asking the others about whether they've spotted signs of combat when he pauses, Sunshine stiff at his side.
Lang only - Highlight to display spoiler: {Your nose catches a wild Scent in the clearing, just like you smelled back at the campsite. You don't know what direction it is coming from, but the wind is at your back blowing across the clearing.}
Thar ail Baerer d20+10=20 d20+6=17 Thursday September 28th, 2006 10:51:00 PM
As everyone starts taking about a spider above them, Thar looks up and sees what they were referring to(Spot 20). "We need to get moving, as I don't feel like getting into a fight with one of these things. Let's keep on the cultists trail and get past this clearing" he urges.
"There!" The dark rogue's voice is a low hiss. "Angus. Wynn. Lang. Movement. In the grass. I'll mark it."
She draws a feathered shaft back to her ear and lets fly at the spot at which she had seen the movement. (If you need: Hit AC30, Miss Chance 48 /51 and Greater is a Miss)
Quickly drawing another arrow, she does a quick turn to scan the surroundings in all directions. (Spot 37, Listen 31.)
Edmund d20+4=23 d20+4=21 d4=4 d20+4=23 d4=3 Friday September 29th, 2006 12:08:30 AM
When Xenia whispers and shoots, Edmund also whirls and lowers his crossbow on the indicated area. No one has ever actually seen him use this crossbow, and in fact, Edmund has never spoken about what sort of weapons training he has, so it is quite up in the air as to whether he has any idea what he is doing or not.
Edmund doesn't fire yet. Perhaps this is because he is waiting to see the outcome of Xenia's shot, or maybe it is because he is paralyzed by fear, or just possibly he simply doesn't know how to operate the crossbow. It is clear he knows how to load it, at the very least, and his aim seems fairly steady. He certainly doesn't look like he's fooling around--his features express more anger than anyone in the party has ever seen from him.
But still, he doesn't shoot.
Edmund will, if provoked, fire his crossbow at any enemy which should attack or approach in a threatening fashion. (AC=23 causes Threat (Nat. 19), Threat Roll AC=21, Dmg. Roll=4, Crit. Dmg. [if threat succeeds] Roll=3) He will not fire until such an enemy is visually identified and until that enemy makes some sort of threatening move.
(OOC: Ignore that second d20+4=23 roll, I meant to hit the d4 button instead. Sorry!)
Arm d20+4=6 d20+11=14 Friday September 29th, 2006 6:06:30 AM
Arm cannot help but think that they are slowly and methodically being surrounded. Trying as best he can, he struggles to identify threats, but doesn't seem to be able to (spot=6, listen=14).
Kadaz d20+1=9 Friday September 29th, 2006 7:19:01 AM
Birdie is rarely wrong and Kadaz knows that the dog's senses are better than his. "Danger is close. Get ready." he announces in a clear voice easily heard by most of the party. And then, a bit more softly, "Syr, I'll tell you the story another time. We're going to be in battle soon I fear."
Kadaz turns around and faces the rear, feet planted squarely in the path and axe held ready to strike. He peers into the undergrowth trying to see any threats. (spot 9)
Angus Mage Armor & Message Friday September 29th, 2006 8:01:49 AM
Angus is concerned, the tracker are watching a potential foe and now the rear guard is alarmed. Angus quickly casts message on himself and points to Lang, Thar, Mira, Belkior, Ash, Syr, Xenia and Kadaz. Angus then speaks in hushed tones "What is going on? Can we make it through or do we go around?"
Shadow d20+3=10 d20+3=18 d20+3=8 Friday September 29th, 2006 12:35:33 PM
Not wanting to take a chance with huge spiders, Shadow agrees with Thar about moving to the clearing. Quietly Shadow says, "We do need to move out from here because we don't know what is above us." He readies his bow by nocking an arrow hoping not to have to use it. 'I hate spiders, and now these creatures' he thinks to himself as he shudders from the dread of these things attacking.
Lang & Sunshine d20+6=22 d20+6=17 d20=10 Friday September 29th, 2006 6:10:29 PM
Lang freezes as soon as the smell invades his nose. He draws his two short swords and tries to pin point where the smell is coming from.
Lang also hears Xenia's warning and sees her shoot an arrow into the brush.
"Something is approaching. It has a smell similar to a scent I smelled back at the battle scene. Fighters spread out, but stay close. Non-combatants get in the middle."
Lang takes up position facing the brush where the movement came from.
Spot 22 Listen 17 Scent 10
Syr Friday September 29th, 2006 7:33:28 PM
Syr rolls his eyes as Kadaz turns serious. "Bah! it's just a bunch of spiders at worst. I was moving the boats, did Lang ever figure out if the Spiders attacked the undead or were they allied with them? That might play a small role." He pinches his fingers close together to further illustrate the point. "Besides the last forest we were in tried to eat Angus, this place is so peaceful compared to that... nothing to worry about." Contrary to his words and casual attitude the elf focuses on the rear of the group and in particular, threats from above.
Mira (Mage Armour AC 17, 40 HP) d20+2=5 Friday September 29th, 2006 10:56:21 PM
Mira looks about nervously (Spot=5). Then, as if to block out any distractions, she closes her eyes. Selecting a dry, curled, piece of cured leather from her velvet spell componant pouch, she wraps herself in an invisible field of force.
DM Sanity Info:
Mage Armour (cast on self) - 6 hours duration Position: middle, to end of group formation
Spells: (0-level 6 per day, 1st level 6+1 per day, 2nd level 5+1 per day, 3rd level 3+1 per day) 0-level (DC 14): Detect Magic(#), Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Open/Close, Ray of Frost, 1st-level (DC 15) Magic Missile, Burning Hands, Mage Armour#, Sheild 2nd-level (DC 16) Glitterdust, Invisibility 3rd-level (DC 17): Fireball
Thar ail Baerer Saturday September 30th, 2006 9:51:35 AM
Knowing that trouble is about to arise, Thar will ready his swords and says "Let's not stop and keep moving everyone. If we wait, they'll likely encircle us!"
Ash Saturday September 30th, 2006 12:14:10 PM
Shelya growls warning. Ash attempts to convince the spiders that easier food can be found elsewhere.
OOC: Not sure exactly how it works but am trying to use Wild Empathy on the spiders.
Xenia (2nd Illegal Post) Saturday September 30th, 2006 1:17:09 PM
As the dark rogue scans their surroundings, she takes in the whole of it with a tactical eye.
Nothing up above. But that don't mean nothing couldn't come around and over them. But for now, above is not a problem. What is a problem is the tall grass and big ferns along the side of the trail. They're hiding stuff. There's the fliers up over head too. And the spider most definitely up above the exit from the clearing on the other side.
"No! Hold here," Xenia whispers. "We maybe got cover here. We try to cross and we'll be walking right into whatever's in the brush at the side of the trail. One thing that we do know is that there's a really big spider in the trees just above where we need to go and there's some flying things circling around up above.
What do you think, Angus? Think there's time to get an invisible flying scout in to the air to take a look first?"
=== Questions ===
1) How much cover do the trees give us now? 2) How much concealment do the ferns and grasses give anything at the sides of the trail? That is to say, how far can we see into the undergrowth at the sides of the trail? 3) Is the undergrowth such that within it we might take concealment from attacks from above? 4) How big is the clearing? 5) How wide is the trail?
Wynn [AC=21; HP=59] d20+6=25 Saturday September 30th, 2006 8:36:25 PM
Wynn reacts instantly to Xenia's release of an arrow. His eyes scan the general vicinity of the arrow for any signs of movement[Spot=25] as he unshoulders his bow and knocks an arrow. The bard edges slightly away from the rest of the group but not into the clearing.
"May be best to spread out just in case one of these spiders has a mind to trap us all in a web"
Conner [AC=22 HP=62] d20+10=29 d6+4=7 d20+4=16 Saturday September 30th, 2006 8:46:47 PM
Conner raises his shield arm in defence and spins to face the new danger. He reaches into his quiver and withdraws a javelin.
It's black wooden shaft is tapered at both ends and fitted with a small pointed spearhead. The smooth wood rests comfortably in his hand as he awaits what may come. If an attacker emerges from the jungle within 30 feet of him, he will hurl the javelin at it.
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