A new beginning. (DM Jim) Wednesday May 24th, 2006 12:43:03 AM
Morning comes a little too early for everyone as the WLAers had brought out some good glassgrass wine, green gnomish and an amber brose. The partying had went on well into the night as the fishermen would be up the next day for the first day of fishing in a long time.
As the group wakes they find Graze in the main room of the Mug having a light breakfast and obviously nursing a hangover. He looks up at the group as they come down and then motions Trellus over. He holds out a rolled piece of paper for him to take. "That Rayla left this before she left for you...it is a map to thier village." He stabs at the eggs on his plate and then pushes the plate away...deciding to eat some bread and drink a little weak ale.
Wandering outside will lead you to the WLA members as they prepare to be off. Grainz nods to each of you and then moves over to address the group. "We are going to look into the crab ordeal for you...just remember to stop in at an official office to register with the League and Guild." Soon his group is moving off along the coast in the direction that they hope will lead to answers or maybe Marli had divined something from Domi on this.
An older man comes forward just before the Pack is to leave and eyes Jake as he moves to stand before him. "Jhana says that you agreed to marry her two days ago on Lookout Hill." He points a thumb at his daughter, a pretty young brunette with pouty lips and big blue eyes. Those that can remember the past week will remember that Jake was often in the company of this young woman. The man looks Jake up and down and then sighs. "You are not the ideal match for my daughter but she loves you and I think you know each other very well." You cannot miss the point to that last little bit.
Ulgren Wednesday May 24th, 2006 8:42:01 AM
Ulgren smiles as he and his packmates take the oath an d become members of the WLA and a slightly bigger smile as he is taken in as a member of the SMG. Afterwards Ulgren looks upwards, and smiles as tears run down his face. "Sorry I have been so distant," the mage says to his friends, "but this training has had me bushed." Ulgren looks around but hopefully all this training is worth it. The next morning Ulgren carefully packs his bags and memorizes his spells. "Umm Jake, marrige?" the drow whispers, I think I can conjure a mount to get you out of here, just say the word."
OOC Ulgren hit 8th level. Adjusting his character sheet today.
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday May 24th, 2006 6:02:39 PM
Gilan glances to Trellus as he most likely moves over to see Graze. He instead moves over to stand near Flea. "So...looking forward to returning home or are you ready to get rid of me?" His eyes twinkle with mirth as he jokes around with the one packmate that he has offered his home to. "Believe me...I know that you would throw me out of my own home in a flash if a certain gnome showed up?" He lays a hand upon her shoulder as he chuckles lightly at his own joke. He fingers the faded blue ribbon in her hair, if she is wearing it, and shakes his head. "How are those ribbons I gave you holding up?" He dearly cares for the young gnome and hopes that she is happy with her lot in the Pack.
Ciaran nudges his way between the two and looks up at both with expectant eyes. He can feel the bond that they share and all he wants it a little attention of his own. An itch on his ears could use some scratching if one of them will take note of the twitch of his ears.
Standing outside the Mug he moves over to shake hands with Grainz, Kertan and Marli. He is proudly displaying the blue badge upon his green armor. "I will try my best to be worthy of this honor." He moves back to let the others have a few words with the WLA members if they want. Then he hears the bombshell that Jake is to marry or at least that is the direction that it seems to be going.
Rolling his eyes he looks first to Jake and then to Trellus. He uses his friends favorite saying when things are not going the way they should. "Light." Looking around at the crowd they are drawing he shakes his head and sends Ciaran off towards the grass with a hand signal. "Well...do we leave him here or bail him out again." He whispers it just loud enough that Jake can hear him and Trellus who he is standing near. Now they need to get Jake out of trouble again...which brings a smile to his face. "Same old Jake." He laughs a little about it but tries to cover most of it with his hand.
Trellus Wednesday May 24th, 2006 9:08:54 PM
The cleric indeed converges on Graze, and takes the paper. Curious, he opens it up and reads the contents to the pack.
Outside, he shakes everyone's hand again. "We'll be at Hook City as soon as we can," he promises Grainz.
Then, the girls father shows up. The blond man shares Gilan's look, and his own "Light" sounds at the same instant as the druid's. A similiar half smile graces his face as well. But other than that, Trellus doesn't say a word.
Its a non-tactic he's used many times before. And a clear signal to his childhood friends that he intends to let the half-elf twist for a bit.
DM NOTICE Wednesday May 24th, 2006 9:27:43 PM
Wanted to let you know that storms are moving in again so I will most likely make my DM post tomorrow morning sometime.
If anyone has a problem with my late posts or me posting after 10:00PM, please let me know.
Jake Thursday May 25th, 2006 12:24:59 PM
(Sorry I can't post immediately, I'm busy in Canada but will post as soon as I can, a nice long post!)
The old ball and chain. (DM Jim) Thursday May 25th, 2006 1:05:23 PM
It seems that most of the pack is going to let Jake flap in the wind for awhile on this one. Noone speaks up to take Jake's side in this little story and Jake himself is silent. Maybe his mind is working overtime with trying to come up with a way out of this. He has had practice but not for awhile...since leaving Rattledam for so long.
Jhana moves over and circles her arm around Jake's arm, taking his hand as she does. "You said you would marry me Jakie." She is a foot shorter than Jake so is looking up into his face with those pouting eyes and lips. It does not help that the dress she is wearing is cut just low enough to expose skin and she is close enough that Jake can see...
The WLA group has moved out by now and are long gone down the beach. You cannot see them from where you are standing near the Mug.
You do notice that several of the young woman of the village seems jealous of Jhana and you wonder how many of them Jake might have told he loved them. There is that cute freckled redhead that Trellus had stayed with a few nights and she is even now trying to get his attention. If you pay attention you may notice that her father is frowning at this display of emotion from his daughter to one not of the village. But you can also see him appraising the possibilities...seeing as how Trellus is a cleric of Domi.
Mac Thursday May 25th, 2006 6:02:47 PM
Packed for the road, Mac pauses while the good-byes take place. Except they are not good-byes.
After a long silence of his own, to Trellus he says, "The Lady Baron... the rescuing of the children... you swore a promise."
Grymash Thursday May 25th, 2006 7:19:53 PM "Hmmmm," mumbles the half-orc. "Ya knows ... if more girlies show up claimin' Jake, weez maybe need ta divy Jake up ta keeps thems from fightin'!" Grymash draws a dagger along with a big goofy grin on his face. He gently and playfully twirls the knife between his fingers. "Whoz ever gets ta cut, da other gets ta pick which half ... dat only fairs!" Grymash continues to grin, but now many yellowish tusk and teeth are showing. Evidentally very proud and tickled of his rapier wit.
Jake Thursday May 25th, 2006 7:48:22 PM
Acceptance into the WLA is greeted by whoops and cheers by the young half-elf. Then, the bad news comes along. Ulgren whispers to Jake and for the first time since they'd gotten the heart-touch ability for the pack, Jake uses it to send a silent affirmative message. To the entire pack. PREPARE TO RUN! is the message he empathically sends over the link. Meanwhile, though, he's fast-talking the father and daughter. He lets the pack get a bit of distance, a head start on him. While speaking to the villagers in thanks. Telling Jhana how pretty she is and how much she means to him, and him how he'll take care of her and promise to be a good husband... Then Ulgren will summon his mount, and before anyone can react, Jake jumps up! "Heigh Ho, Bloodpack away!" And he starts dashing off after his packmates. He turns, waving his hat to the villagers... "Ah'm sorry, Jhana, but ah have to follow my packmates..."
Trellus d20+10=29 Thursday May 25th, 2006 8:31:53 PM THAT'S your smooth-talking exit?!? Trellus wonders incredulously.
"I'm sorry," he apologizes to the gathering crowd. "Jake just isn't a good fit for marraige. He's likely to go Walker at any moment." To forstall any other efforts, the cleric decides to go for the ol' standby.
"We love it here. We really do. You dudes have treated us like packmates. So much so that Anuk has decided to remain to help you. But we can't all stay. Like Mac said, we promised to help the Barons. They have children missing, and we've got to help them, as we helped you. Please. We must go. Think of the children." [Diplomacy 29]
With that, Trellus waves, turns, and trots toward the Baron Lady.
"Let's weave, dudes."
Ammendment. (DM Jim) Friday May 26th, 2006 2:20:03 AM
Though Jake tries to send out a heart touch to the rest of his pack, but Ulgren, none of them feel a thing from him. Jake is not aware of any of this...though he will notice that noone moved.
Gilan and Ciaran Friday May 26th, 2006 4:10:45 PM
Gilan rolls his eyes at the way Jake attempts negotiations. "Light." He looks over when Trellus starts talking and thanks Domi that at least one of his friends has a brain. "That boy is going to get us killed yet." As Trellus starts to leave Gilan gives a curt bow to the villagers and then turns himself to leave. Part of him is wondering just how far they will get before someone tries to stop them. "Just when you could truely use a Baron and one is not around." He gives a short whistle that brings Ciaran back to his side, now that they are twenty feet from the villagers.
Ulgren: Mount Tuesday May 30th, 2006 12:12:18 PM
An Ulgren smile at Jake and with a flourish conjures a mount. The drow then swings up in the saddle and waves to the villagers, "Thanks, you have been wonderful." Ulgren then rides towards the plains and the groups promise to the baroness.
having problems pulling up my character sheet. Will post spells tonight.
Grymash Tuesday May 30th, 2006 7:26:57 PM
Grymash looks at Jake staring back at him ... as if he was trying to tell him something. "What!?" The half-orc thinks for a bit and continues in a lower voice, "pack betters get gute an gone, now!"
Into the Grass. (DM Jim) Tuesday May 30th, 2006 8:34:22 PM
The older man seems at a loss for words as the pack say their final farewells and then move towards the grass. By the time that he is able to get his voice back the pack is well into the grass and moving away from the village. "That dirty skunk...if he comes back to this village he will marry my daughter." He stomps off with a determined look upon his face but also a hint of a smile.
Trellus is leading the group for once as he still has the map tucked into his belt. There had been other more pressing things to deal with. The group has traveled at least fifty feet from the village and into the grass. It had appeared to Trellus that this Baron village is sort of northeast from thier current location.
Flea d20+9=10 d20+11=20 Wednesday May 31st, 2006 7:43:33 AM
Flea shakes her head, and then rubs the back of it, in unconscious immitation of two of her pack-mates. "Dirty skunk," she mutters, repeating the words of the man from town as she turns to follow her friends back into the grass.
Flea will trail along behind the others, keeping an eye on the backtrail. Her mind is pre-occupied, wondering what a certain gnome is up too and wondering, too, if he still thinks of her, so whe doesn't catch much (spot=10, nat. 1, Listen=20).
Jake Wednesday May 31st, 2006 12:33:55 PM
Jake is happy to be off again. "Too much time spent cooped up in one town... it's time to hit the road my friends!" He laughs lightheartedly, and uses a stick of super-hard, dried glass as walking stick to gain a bit of distance. The half-elf glances at the village as it sinks into the distance, grinning wistfully. "Well, so far, travelling outside of rattledam, we've seen angry crabs, evil ants, dragons, gods, even snow! What do you guys think will be next on the menu?"
Mac Wednesday May 31st, 2006 5:42:40 PM
Mac paces on at the tail of the pack, prepared to pick up stragglers. At Jake's question he quickly replies, "Lava?", not that he has seen anything like that since... the soot.
Trellus Wednesday May 31st, 2006 9:34:56 PM
"Half-elf", Trellus responds with a grunt and a slightly disbelieving shake of his head. "Light, Jake. It don't take much thread for you to make a twisted mess, does it?"
The cleric figures he can crash through Grass just as easily as the next dude, especially with Anuk staying behind. So, he takes an occasional glance at the map and blunders on ahead.
Unless someone else is willing to volunteer.....
Tishe (sub MikeK) Wednesday May 31st, 2006 9:36:14 PM
A bit saddened by the departure of Anuk, and a bit cross at the idiocy of Jake - boys, hmph - Tishe stays near the middle and lets her mind wander.
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday May 31st, 2006 10:04:56 PM
Gilan stays near Trellus as the travel along through the grass most of the time. He does fall back on occassion and check upon the others.
Slipping up next to Flea he shoots her a smile. "Thinking about Bodhi?" He figures as quiet as she has been lately it has to be the reason. He wonders how easy it would be to get back to this Ice Vein so that she could see the gnome again. He lays a hand upon her shoulder as they move along. "I have been thinking about how to send him a message...I am still puzzling it out but have a couple of ideas." He gives her a smile as he moves off to check on the others.
Ciaran stays on by Flea's side and leans lightly into her. For some reason he can feel the sadness that touches her...most likely through his brother, but it is still there.
A few days travel. (DM Jim) Thursday June 1st, 2006 12:39:21 AM
The group has been moving now for three days and have made it a fair piece from the coastal village. According to the map the village that you are traveling too is nearer the Crystal Mountains.
It is after noon on the fourth day of travel when you hit a patch of short grass. Directly in the middle of it is what appears to be a dragon. It is not moving and is gray in coloration with wings spread as if in flight or getting ready to take off. The mouth is open as well as if it has let out a roar or breathed death upon something.
The grass around this odd statue does not seem to be harmed in anyway. In fact nothing seems to be out of place here and there is a sense of peace about it.
Trellus Thursday June 1st, 2006 8:46:20 PM
"What in the Wold is THAT?" Trellus wonders aloud. The cleric looks right and left and right again across the short grass, checking for some sign of, well, somebody.
At a loss, he turns back to the gnome. She's keeps telling him this is what she does. "Flea? Think you can check it out?"
If she agrees, he lays a hand on her shoulder, whispering "Domi protect you." [Domain Feat - Protective Ward: +9 bonus on next save roll] "Gry, watch the right side. Mac, watch the left."
Trellus keeps an eye on the rogue/bard.
Tishe Thursday June 1st, 2006 8:46:59 PM
The small, brown haired girl watches curiously.
Ulgren d20+15=20 Thursday June 1st, 2006 11:03:59 PM
The drow falls quickly into the steady moving that is required to move across the plains. the mage makes sure to keep his water skin handy and drinks only a little at a time to spread it out. Ulgren spends much of his time talking to Tishe' about spells and componets but makes sure that he gets to know each of his packmates better. As they come across the gray colored dragon teh mages gasps and begins wracking his mind for any lore he might have on a creature such as this, <Knowledge Arcana: DC 20> Spells Memorized: 0- Messagex2, Pestidigitationx2 1- Mage Armorx1,Mountx1,Shieldx2, Roses Tempx1, Enlarge personx1 2- Scorching rayx3, Blurx2 3- Fireballx2, Hastex1, Dispel Magicx1 4- Envenerationx2, Leomoundsx1
having problems pulling up my character sheet. Will post spells tonight.
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday June 1st, 2006 11:37:44 PM
Gilan keeps pace easily with the rest till they reach that clearing. He takes in the sight and then shakes his head. "Is that a statue?" He does not move any closer but lets Flea do her job as Trellus asks her about it.
Ciaran stays near his brother's side and looks up at him. He is wondering why everyone is looking at this thing so strangely. Really he does not smell anything.
DM post maybe a little slow as I will be needing reactions from a few different people before moving on. :)
Flea (Protective Ward) d20+23=32 d20+14=29 d20+9=18 d20+13=24 Thursday June 1st, 2006 11:57:46 PM
"Uh, yeah. Sure." Flea answers moving from the back of the line to stand by the leader of the Bloodpack.
The rogue accepts the cleric's protection and moves cautiously towards the stone dragon, circling in such a way that she approaches it from behind and to one side, opposite to where it may be staring with its stoney eyes. The rogue is very careful with her approach, in case there is some sort of trap
From Trellus-Protective Ward: +9 bonus on next save roll
Mac d20+6=25 d20+1=8 Friday June 2nd, 2006 12:15:37 AM
Looking and carefully steping wide around the left side of the statue, Mac keeps his eyes and ears keen. [Spot:25, Listen:8]
The Stone. (DM Jim) Friday June 2nd, 2006 1:42:02 PM
Flea slowly circles the dragon as she stays as much hidden as possible in this open area. But the thing never moves and as she draws closer she would guess it to be a statue. There are no obvious traps or anything of the like around or on the statue.
The others wait silently at the edge of the grass but are more than ready to come to Flea's aid if this turns bad.
If Flea gets close enough to the front to see the things mouth she will have noticed the glint of something inside the mouth.
Jake d20+7=12 d20+2=20 Saturday June 3rd, 2006 5:35:04 AM
The half-elf sees the thing and is impatient to move forward...but Flea is the sneakiest, he knows. He draws his sword and shield and stands ready, ears and senses poised... (listen 12, spot 20)
Trellus d20+7=16 d20+7=26 d20+7=25 Sunday June 4th, 2006 3:26:42 PM
The eyes of the cleric are fixed on Flea and the statue the small gnome circles.
He wonders about the statue, searching his memory for any stories or tales about it. [Knowledge Arcana: 16 Knowledge Religion: 26 Knowledge Sargass Plains: 25]
Ulgren Sunday June 4th, 2006 10:06:56 PM
The drow takes a few moments to cast an extended Mage Armor on himself and then watches the dragon as Flea makes her way around the dragon.
Tishe' and Stripes (SteveK is back) Sunday June 4th, 2006 11:16:50 PM
Keeping as quiet as she may, Tishe' crouches in the grass with Stripes, idly rubbing at a bruise from the bastard sword practices and climbing walls.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday June 5th, 2006 8:09:48 PM
Gilan watches and waits with the rest of the group, though he finds it hard. One hand rests between the shoulders of Ciaran as if set for an attack. In fact from the look, both are ready to make an attack as if reading the other. "Surely it sensed her...or is it truely stone?" He is muttering low to himself but the people to each side of him will hear.
Flea (Protective Ward) d20+9=25 Monday June 5th, 2006 11:05:40 PM
Flea circles the stone statue with care, then spots something in it's mouth (Spot=25, should be good enough?) "Hey guys," she calls to her friends, "look at this!" The gnome moves towards the statue, and reaches out towards the shiny thing in it's mouth...
DM Sanity Info:
From Trellus-Protective Ward: +9 bonus on next save roll
Grymash d20+2=16 d20+5=16 Monday June 5th, 2006 11:47:29 PM
(sorry for not posting. Ive been feeling under the weather lately. walking pneumonia to be exact.)
Grymash moves forward with the rest with his double axe now drawn. He sends a silent message to Flea saying, "be quick an dodgy flea. not all dragon be nice likes grand maw!"
(Spot 16, Listen 16)
Snap Dragon. (DM Jim) 2d6(4+4)=8 2d6(4+4)=8 Tuesday June 6th, 2006 1:56:45 AM
Flea notices the red gem inside of the thing's mouth. The gem must be at least two feet inside of the mouth and down the thing's throat. She is close enough to realize now that the thing is most definitely a statue as it has not moved.
The rest of the group hang out around the edge of the grass till Flea speaks up. Grymash is the first to move in a little ways as he mentally sends a message to Flea.
As Flea's hand nears the dragon's mouth she notices nothing out of the ordinary. Her eyes continue to scan for danger that does not present itself. No more than her hand, up to her wrist, gets inside the things mouth and it snaps shut. Otherwise the dragon does not movea muscle in any other way.
Reflex DC 16 or get your hand caught in the thing's mouth and 8 damage is taken. Your hand will then be caught and an additional 8 damage will be dealt to your wrist.
I assume that Grymash is not sending a message through the heart gem but is just thinking?
Trellus Tuesday June 6th, 2006 8:36:19 PM
The statue snaps shut and Trellus involuntary flinches in sympathy with the rogue.
Should she be caught, he rushes forward to help.
Should she escape, he waits anxiously.
Flea (Evasion) d20+11=20 d20+6=16 d20+15=26 Tuesday June 6th, 2006 10:54:37 PM
"Oh no you don't" squeels the rogue as she quickly draws back her hand. (Reflex=20, Sleight of Hand=16). Tumbling out of the way (Tumble=26), just in case, the rogue pops up somewhere near Trellus. Flea unclasps her hand, and looks down...
Had she been fast enough to snatch the shiney trinket from the dragon's jaws?
Grymash Wednesday June 7th, 2006 12:19:15 AM
Grymash also flinches when the jaws snap shut. He forces himself not to charge on the statue. The statue not showing any other aggression helps fortify his will. But his gloves creak under the strain of his grip on his weapon.
Mac Wednesday June 7th, 2006 2:00:43 AM
Mac has begun estimating how much force it might take to move the form when he hears a noise and sees Flea retreating (gracefully and apparently intact) towards the rest of the pack.
Tishe' and Stripes d20+6=10 d20+6=19 Wednesday June 7th, 2006 6:28:08 AM
a 'snap' is heard over the 'grass, and Tishe' quickly looks up from her reverie with Stripes.
Whew! Flea is safe, but this is obviously a trap of some kind, and deliberately placed in the party's path.
Looking around, the spellweaver looks to see if they are in another ambush (Spot: 10, Listen: 19)
"Could it be Barons or the underground slavers that put this trap in our way?" she wonders aloud.
Mac Thursday June 8th, 2006 5:13:27 AM
"Might be a lost Dragon's Tear?" Mac ventures.
Jake Thursday June 8th, 2006 7:21:40 PM
"Flea!" Jake automatically yells in surprise/shock, but then looks grateful. He steps forward to meet the halfling and rustles her hair happily. "Looks like ya kept all yer fingers..."
All fingers present and accounted for (ADM MikeK) Thursday June 8th, 2006 8:55:50 PM
Grymash - Wisdom check 12 Highlight to display spoiler: { Flea doesn't react in any way to the Heart Touch, which is unusual for her}
Faster than thought, the diminutive gnome snatches her hand away as the stone jaws snap shut. Breathlessly, she opens her fist to reveal....
nothing.
The jaws of the statue open, and the red gem still beckons from deep inside the throat of the statue. Flea figures she'd have to get her arm in up to her shoulder in order to reach it - And that just ain't gonnna happen with it snapping shut like that.
Tishe' and Snout Friday June 9th, 2006 3:39:49 AM
The brown eyes light up when Mac mentions a Dragon's Tear. "Amazing thought! Could Grand Maw have placed this here for Ulgren?"
"Ulgren! Perhaps you should try getting the gem."
To better explain herself, Tishe' shucks her tunic and shows the red tear-shaped gem embedded in her chest just over her bound breasts. "A dragon gave each of us this magical gem. It lets us help each other with strength and health and lets us talk like a Message spell, too."
Trellus Friday June 9th, 2006 2:17:08 PM
Trellus is relieved Flea is OK, but just a tad skeptical about Mac's idea.
"Dudes, we're the middle of the sunblasted Grass. The odds of just happening on a Tear are," the cleric's eyes flick to the sky as he tries to come up with a suitable description. "Well, not very good," he finishes lamely.
Still, if it IS a Tear.
"Maybe we can shine some light down there and get a better look," he suggests.
Flea Friday June 9th, 2006 6:27:24 PM
Flea looks to her empty palm, and sticks out her lower lip in a pout. "Must be loosing my touch," she mutters. The rogue stands beside Jake, and sulks as the others talk strategy.
Tishe' and Stripes (2nd Post) Friday June 9th, 2006 11:30:16 PM
OOC: DFR3 is over. Tishe' is going to have the 2,700gp per person to the Bloodpack. Is that 'just' gold or experience too? :) Pending DM approval...
"We could check to see if the gem is the same colour and shape as a Dragon Tear." suggests Tishe', "and how many dragon statues (or anything looking like a dragon and not a Sarg Moth) have you seen on the Plains?"
"Maybe Grymash can see if the statue looks like Grand Maw?" Uncharacteristically, the short girl giggles. "He got the closest look of her after all."
Thinking...... (ADM MikeK) Sunday June 11th, 2006 8:56:22 PM
As an annoyed Flea mumbles to herself, Trellus and Tishe discuss how to find out if Mac's idea is correct.
Meanwhile, Mac, Grymash, Ulgren, Jake, and Gilan keep their thoughts to themselves.
Flea - Int check 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { the stone inside the statue's mouth does seem to resemble a Tear in its size, shape, and color. }
Grymash thinks this is highly unusual. Flea didn't hear his silent message! The half-orc whispers to the others. "Flea no hear Gry talk! An Gry no hear Flea talk! Whut dis be?" Grymash answers Tishe by saying, "Gry no think it be Grand Maw! Grand Maw be prettier ... an moves more! Dis dragon no be movin'! Look! Grand Maw moves a lots!"
(Search 18, examining the dragons details. Nat. 20.)
Flea d20+3=12 Monday June 12th, 2006 9:22:06 PM
Flea stops grumbling, and frankly, the rogue's curiousity gets the better of her. Slowly the gnome circles the statue, on tip-toes, in order to see inside the thing's mouth. "Look! Look!" she calls out, pointing. "I think Mac is right!" Flea tugs at her leather armour, and then the ties at her shirt, in order to reveal the red gem embedded in her chest. "It looks just the same!"
Int. Check=12
Tishe' and Stripes Tuesday June 13th, 2006 3:18:05 AM
Tishe' cocks her head to one side and wonders about Grymash's comment. "Well of course the real Grand Maw would move more than a statue, but why do you say she moves lots if..."
Blushing deep crimson, the brown-haired girl abruptly stops wondering and becomes intensely interested in the types of grasslings at her feet.
Jake Tuesday June 13th, 2006 3:32:01 PM
Jake looks at Flea somewhat worriedly. Maybe Flea's a doppleganger or shapechanger, sent to infiltrate them! Doesn't make much sense, but the heart thing isn't working? Jake sends out a heart pulse to her, trying very hard. If there's no response, he tries sending a pulse out toe ach other member of the team, then everyone at once...
"Do we really need this gem? It's probably magical and evil, otherwise nobody'd leave it here."
Grymash Tuesday June 13th, 2006 8:22:24 PM "Uhh!?" wonders the dim half-orc. "Ohhh! Yeah ... moves lots, much lots, hee hee!"
Trellus d20+12=18 Tuesday June 13th, 2006 8:56:30 PM
"I dunno, Jake" the cleric replies dubiously as he hears Flea's agreement with the taur. "Maybe Mac is on to something."
Trellus approaches the statue, motioning for Ulgren to do the same. He looks over to Grymash with a frown as well. Something about Flea is bugging the half orc too?
One thing at a time.
"Whaddya think?" he asks the drow. "Any ideas on how to get past that trap?"
The blond man gives the statue the once over, but has a hard time concentrating. [Spellcraft check 18] Tishe has given him a visual image he's finding very difficult to block out.
How about that? (ADM MikeK) Tuesday June 13th, 2006 9:02:01 PM
Grymash quietly voices his concerns regarding Flea. Jake sends out heart touches to everybody, only to find nobody is reacting to them.
While that is going on, Tishe and Grymash have a rather interesting misinterpretation of each other's words.
Meanwhile, Trellus and Ulgren approach the statue. The cleric tries to figure out how to broach the trap. Suddenly, Ulgren solves the dilemma by casually sticking his hand down the statue's throat, grabbing the gem, and hauling it back out again.
The statue's jaws never move.
In his hand, Ulgren holds what looks all the Wold like a Dragon Tear.
Tishe' and Stripes Wednesday June 14th, 2006 3:30:25 AM
Blushing all the way down to her bared chest, Tishe' is oblivious to the goings on around her. Instead, she is trying VERY hard to block out the picture forming in her mind of Grymash and GrandMaw being an... intimate couple. She mumbles something about "Lari" and blushes still further until it would be difficult to see her ruby Dragon Tear on her ruby-flushed chest.
Knowing something is bothering his human without any notion of what it is, Stripes the hyena hovers and whines encouragingly.
Trellus Wednesday June 14th, 2006 12:25:33 PM
Trellus cannot believe Ulgren is doing what he's doing. "Dude! Are you," he begins angrily. But, as he speaks, the drow is already withdrawing his arm. With the gem. The cleric's voice falls and he finsihes the sentence with a quiet, disbelieving, "sunbaked?"
"Um, OK then. Guess we're done. Let's weave."
Trellus pulls out the map, and heads off in the direction of the Barons.
Flea Wednesday June 14th, 2006 5:36:23 PM
Open mouthed, Flea stares at the drow as he removes the gem from the stone dragon's mouth. "How'd you do that?" she asks, then turning to follow Trellus, she skips along beside him, asking, "How'd he do that?"
Flea moves back and forth between her pack mates as the marching order forms up. Suddenly animated she asks, to no one in particular, "and where are we off to now? What next? Tunnels? Rattledam? Baron's? The weird lady with the dogs?"
Grymash Wednesday June 14th, 2006 7:23:10 PM
The half-orc is perplexed. Flea should have heard him. So he tries it again .. but mentally louder! Pointing at Flea very forcibly now, Gry lets out ..."FLEEAA!! DO YAZ HEAR DA WORDS COMIN' OUT OF GRY'S HEAD?!!" The throbbing veins on his forehead is the only indication of his mental volume.
What up with Grymash? (ADM MikeK) Wednesday June 14th, 2006 8:21:46 PM
Ulgren quietly slips the stone into his pack. The drow has apparently not quite decided if he wants a rock sticking out of his chest.
Trellus starts walking toward the grass, obviously with some kind of destination in mind, although Flea isn't aware of it.
Flea would like to know how Ulgren managed not to get his arm chopped off. But no one is answering.
No one is answer Grymash either. But, its becoming seriously apparent to the whole pack that the half-orc has a problem. Fists clenched and neck muscles straining with effort, the barbarian is staring down Flea as if trying to squash her with his mere thought.
The half-orc isn't a loremaster, but even he can tell his little gnome friend has no idea what he's doing.
Tishe' and Stripes Wednesday June 14th, 2006 10:57:41 PM
Moving through the Sargrass seems to calm Tishe' somewhat. She recovers herself and is generally pleased about the satisfactory end to the dragon statue episode. "Seems that there was some dragon magic involved that would only give the gem to Ulgren. No fault of yours, Flea." she continues consolingly and then looks at Grymash.
Seeing the half-orc going through the beginning stages of apoplexy, the small woman is alarmed. "Grymash! What's wrong! Trellus! We need a healer here!" The plain-faced woman moves to put a hand on Gry's green arm in concern.
Jake Thursday June 15th, 2006 12:29:55 AM
"No, Gry's all right... It's just, um, the heart touch thing isn't working. Ah mean, ah tried it on you guys, and it didn't work for me...here or back at the village, ah guess? And now it didn't work from Gry to Flea, huh? So, something must be wrong.. It could be 'cause we got so far from home, or it could be something happened to the druids themselves..." Jake looks at the others, and realizes he's speculating when they should be the ones who always speculate such bad stuff. Usually, Trell or Gil says something like that. It's his job to say what follows, which is, "aww, dust, it's probably nuttin' but some magic messed up or something." Jake also examines the dragon tear. "So, what are we gonna do with these ones? Implant 'em again? That sounds kinda greedy. Think they'll fix the missing heart link?"
(To remind all those who forgot what Dragon Tears do, like I did:
The Tears of the dragon
Once the gem is "installed or implanted" into the chest the character's will have the following abilities.
As a standard action, the Tear bearer will be able to send a message like the message spell in PhB 3 times a day. The message can only go to other characters who have the tear imbedded in their chests.
Any character who has been graced with a tear will be able to tell the general health and emotional state of another tear wearing character
Once per day, as a standard action, any Tear bearer can send strength and/or hitpoints to another character with the tear. It can only be sent on a 3/1 ratio. Example would be Grymash could send 3 strength points to Anuk and Anuk would receive one. Same with hitpoints,
The recipient's temporary hit points and strength will fade after one hour.
People who send strength with get it back naturally 1 point per day. A restoration spell will restore it but only after it has faded from the character who received it. Hitpoints sent can be recovered immediately by means of healing spells/potions.
If a character dies, while implanted, all the others will feel immense pain and take 5 points of permanent hp loss. Only a wish will restore these lost hitpoints.)
Flea Thursday June 15th, 2006 2:18:06 AM
"What'd I do? What'd I do?" cries Flea, as she backs away from the red-face half-orc.
Without taking her eyes off Grymash, Flea hears what Jake has to say.
"What do you mean it doesn't work anymore?" she asks. Moving her tunic so that the gem is exposed, she knocks on its gleaming red surface and then squeezing her eyes shut, she tries to send out the heart touch. The rogue stands very still, eyes shut, waiting for the strange, but comforting sensation of her friends' responding messages.
Mac Thursday June 15th, 2006 7:06:30 AM Curious... the taur muses to himself.
After a few moments he begins to chuckle, then laugh... louder and louder. Just when it looked like he was about to settle down he spies Gry about to burst blood vessels or worse... and he starts laughing all over again - but even louder!
Eventually he drops to his knees, laughing so hard he's fighting to draw breath. Rolling over onto his back he draws one deep breath, and waits for the laughter to die down, or to see Gry again.
Ulgren Thursday June 15th, 2006 9:50:45 AM
Ulgren takes teh gem out of his pack and looks at his friends, "You actually placed this in you chest?" The drow shakes his head in surprise. "If your tears aren't workign does that mean mine won't? Because if thats the case there is no point in placing one in my chest, is there?" Ulgren waits on a replay as he studies the gem.
Trellus Thursday June 15th, 2006 11:41:37 AM
Turing, Trellus' heart sinks as Gry looks like he's getting all shuttlecocked. Unlike Tishe, he makes no hasty moves toward his friend, and he definitely doesn't touch him.
As Jake speaks, the blond man starts figuring it out. And quickly tries some experiments. Trellus tries the heart touch with each of his packmates, and then tries a message via the Tear to Flea.
He frowns at Mac. Its not really that funny. But he doesn't say anything.
And then a thought occurs to him. "Maybe its not working because we don't all have one," he comments while looking at Ulgren.
Mac (additional post) Thursday June 15th, 2006 7:27:27 PM
In amongst the subsiding laughter Mac interjects, "Maybe its not working because of something that happened at the fishing village. Heck, maybe its the price the Gargulus Girl put on us for not responding soon enough for her liking!"
OOC: It is good to be happy when things go right. Mac wasn't initially laughing at anyone in particular, but once the humour took hold and he saw Gry it just escalated. The topic of Grand Maw had nothing to do with it - perhaps that was just bad timing.
A mystery within an enigma (ADM MikeK) Thursday June 15th, 2006 9:04:42 PM
The resolution of the mystery of Grymash's behavior only leads to a greater mystery. After some quick experimentation, it becomes obvious that neither the Heart Touch, nor the Dragon Tear are effective any longer. Not even questioning thoughts toward Anuk are answered, and everyone becomes aware they cannot sense each other as before.
Several packmates offer various explanations, while Ulgren questions the need to go through with his own implantation.
Somebody is gonna have to do something eventually, unless the Bloodpack wishes to join the unspeaking statue in its eternal vigil.
Tishe and Stripes Thursday June 15th, 2006 10:21:57 PM
With some experiments and conference (assuming trying all the different powers of the Dragon Tears), Tishe' comes up with some conclusions. "The Dragon Tears and the Heart-touch of the Circle have spun thier picks since Ulgren has been with us, so it is not because he is not implanted. Besides, being implanted with a Dragon Tear wouldn't affect the heart-touch at all (which is from the monks in Rattledam, Ulgren.)".
"Weaveing the same, the Dragon Tear worked when fighting the slavers since I spun my health to Grymash during that fight. Has anyone successfully picked either since our visit to Gargul's Domain? [OOC: I'm assuming a 'no' here] Then that is our answer to the problem. Now," and she pauses to look at the others "I don't know of any way to string this loom, so let's not get shuttlecocked in the middle of the Sargrass, and continue our walk to the Baron's stronghold."
She stands and readies herself for travel. "Ulgren, I would recommend you put the Dragon's Tear on your chest like the rest of the pack. If nothing else, it would mark you as the Bloodpack and currently weaving on the same loom as the Barons. Otherwise, they may think you are a lone prariepig to be taken."
Grymash d20-2=4 Thursday June 15th, 2006 10:38:21 PM "BLLAAAGGGHH!!" erupts the bulging-eyed half-orc. Grymash seems to deflat before everyones eyes. "AAUUGGGHKK! ... pooyie!" He brings his big hands up to his face and starts rubbing his aching head. "piggie dumps ...Gry no get da think-talkin' ta work!! Been tryin' all dis time ta send thinkin' words ta Flea! Owww, Gry think me broke sumethin'."
(Int check: 4) Grymash pauses only to catch his breath before thinking to ask, "Whut weez been talkin' bout? Gry's head hurts."
Ulgren Friday June 16th, 2006 9:07:56 AM
Ulgren smiles at Tishe', "if you say so." The drow places the tear in the dead center of his chest, takes a deep breath, and pushes straight in.
Trellus Friday June 16th, 2006 2:21:30 PM
The blond man watches intently as Ulgren installs the gem. When the drow is done, Trellus exhales slowly. He hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath.
"Well," he mutters, "here goes nothin'"
Trellus sends a heart touch to Grymash, and then a message to Flea - Can you hear me now?
Gilan and Ciaran Friday June 16th, 2006 5:56:44 PM
Gilan looks around at that rest of the group with thoughts of his own. He watches as Ulgren places the gem into his chest and then gives a smile. "I think that makes it extra official...Ulgren is truely one of us and noone can argue that point." With a look to Trellus he indicates the map at his belt. "Guess you should show that to everyone here so that we all have an idea of where we are going...I for one am interested."
Ciaran just stands near his brother's right leg and watches everyone as they go about their own business. He does not understand anything that is going on and is not sure he ever will with this pack.
Tishe' and Stripes Friday June 16th, 2006 11:29:38 PM
Tishe' is pleased that Ulgren marks himself like the rest of them, but is more impatient to be off and getting to the Baron's stronghold.
She keeps her equipment about her and patiently waits for her packmates to begin the trek.
The Mark of Blood. (DM Jim) Saturday June 17th, 2006 1:17:38 AM
The group starts a discussion on the possible reasons for the inability to use the heart-touch or speak through the gems. Many ideas are thrown out but none of them can be proven at this time but one...that Ulgren is ungemed.
Ulgren looks to the rest of the group and then places the gem to his chest. As he gently presses it to his skin he feels the sudden burning sensation that spreads out across his skin. Even if he pulls away the gem continues to settle into place and the burning slowly increases. Then as if it has always been there the burning stops and the gem is flush with the rest of his skin, with only a slight raise where the gem is located. The burning is gone and a soothing cool is replacing it, with a sense of peace as well.
Trellus concentrates on his own gem and tries to send out a message to both Flea and Grymash. Though he watches them closely neither of them seem to react to his mental question.
Grymash finds that his head is still hurting from thinking so hard at Flea. If he did not know better he would think that he had just drank a small barrel of glassgrass wine...warm that is.
Most of the group is a little disturbed by the way that a power has stopped working. Others seem to be trying to put more pressing matters ahead of it. Maybe they can work it out as the group moves along. Speaking of which...Trellus knows that they must continue to head in a northeasterly direction for a good distance more.
There was money gained for the DFR 3 from two different players. I am going to award it to the group at this time and you can do shopping if you want. Be warned that I will not approve any new purchases till we reach the Baron Village. I will also be needing updated Character Sheets from everyone as well.
Tishe' - 2700 gold per Bloodpacker Gilan - 3600 gold per Bloodpacker
Those were the rewards for the two Bloodpack members that were in the DFR 3.
Jake Sunday June 18th, 2006 3:55:26 AM
Jake gives Gry a light slap on the back of his hard skull. "Stop thinkin' so hard, Gry, ya know it ain't good for yer health." He glances over and nods to Tishe.. "Yah, yer probably right. We'd better head on, anyways..." He takes a stalk of grass and chews on the end, pondering. "Hmmmm, so, what do you think we'll find next? Care to place a bet? Barons or monsters?"
Flea d20+9=11 Sunday June 18th, 2006 9:04:19 PM
Disconcerted and distracted, Flea ques up, and follows the leaders out into the Sargrass Plain. After one last glance over her shoulder at the stone dragon,(Spot=11) her thoughts turn inwards.
Maybe something happened to Grandmaw? she thinks, as she glances covertly at Grymash. Maybe the dragon magic is dead? Better not say anything to the half-orc!
As Flea marches along, she wonders if she would know if something ever happened to Bodhi, in the gods forsaken place his party called Ice Vein.
Mac Sunday June 18th, 2006 9:17:23 PM
Mac falls into step near the rear of the pack, feeling just a little pleased that he has gotten something right.
Tishe' and Stripes d20+6=21 Sunday June 18th, 2006 11:22:42 PM
Putting a stray lock of wavy brown hair behind her ear, Tishe' falls in the trek through the Sargrass. Keeping her crossbow loaded, she scans the grass for any signs of danger. (Spot: 21)
Pacing easily beside her, Stripes complements his human's watchful silence.
Gilan and Ciaran d20+10=20 d20+10=28 d20+3=6 d20+3=8 Monday June 19th, 2006 5:16:38 PM
Gilan falls into step with the rest of the pack. He thinks over the past few events that have happened and wonders how soon the tears and heart-touch stopped working. Lost in though he does not pay attention to much or at least it appears that way to him. He does pass along the lines of his packmates and sees what they have to say...asking each the following question. "When did you last use the tear or heart-touch and it worked?" Otherwise he tries to keep a check upon his packmates to make sure they are holding up well in the heat.
Ciaran is more worried about dangers than anything else and keeps his attention focused upon the grasses themselves. He knows that his brother has other problems and he is filling in for that lack of attention.
[Gilan listen 20 and spot 28] [Ciaran listen 6 and spot 8]
Grymash d20-2=16 Monday June 19th, 2006 8:10:52 PM
Grymash darts Jake a hard stare after he re-adjusts his helmet from his little slap. Gry's thoughts quickly change to visions of pulling someones undergarmets up in a violently taut and painful way. But like most his thoughts, they soon pass.
As the Bloodpack continue on through the Sargrass, his attention falls upon the large, serated dragon fang hanging on a leather cord around his neck. Red scaly hide remains wrapped tight around its thick base serving as its loop. Stray memories begin to flutter back of an epic battle. Almost like a dream, but way too real. Even in the cool of night, the fang stayed warm to the touch. Like a torch whose Flame was just snuffed out. Grymash smiles. These are bloody memories for sure. "Hmmm, blood ... and fire," he mutters.
Tishe' and Stripes Monday June 19th, 2006 10:51:38 PM
Tishe' is also thinking hard on when the last time she has successfully used a Dragon Tear or Hearttouch. She looks around startled when Gilan asks her much the same question. "Ummm... I gave health to Grymash when battling the slavers, and I tried to give health to Mac when he was caught in the crab claw, but I can't remember if it worked."
[DM: I really can't remember....]
Ulgren Monday June 19th, 2006 11:02:51 PM
Ulgren takes a deep breath as the gem finally settles into his chest. The drow falls into place with his comrades, rubbing his chest slightly as he follows his packmates.
A Dome of a Different Type. (DM Jim) d100=54 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 12:25:34 AM
The pack has been moving through the grass now for at least four days with no sight of anything...hostile or otherwise. It is getting late into the morning, about noon, when the pack sees something in the distance.
In the distance the group can make out what appears to be a dome in the high grasses ahead. It is still about a mile away but easy to make out the upper parts of it in some of the shorter grasses you pass through. From this distance you can not make out a lot of detail but it does appear to be shaped like the top of the dome that covers Rattledam...your home.
The past few days have also yielded a few answers to some questions that have been passing throughout the group. The last time anyone remembers using a heart-touch or the gem for any reason and it working was during the crab fight. The person that used the gem then was Tishe' and she sent healing to Mac that sustained him in the fight.
Spot DC 18:If you succeed.Highlight to display spoiler: {You spot a couple of grass pods just exiting the ground ten feet away. They look like glasswine pods but you are not sure as to what color it is.}
Mac d20+6=10 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 3:43:59 AM [Spot:10]
"Rattledam?" the taur wonders. "Looks better without the fires an' havok!"
Fixed by DM Jim as requested. I think this is what you wanted Graham?
Trellus d20+9=29 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 10:43:11 AM
Trellus continues to work the heart-touch mystery as the Bloodpack walks toward the Baron Lady's home. One evening, he pulls Gry's dagger and draws it across his own forearm - not too bad, but enough to bleed.
"OK dudes, everyone take turns trying to send me healing - Gry first, then Jake, Gilan, Flea, Mac, Ulgren, and Tishe." When that reveals whatever it reveals, the cleric will ask Gry to cut himself, and attempt to use the Tear to heal him.
-- The dome comes into view. "I don't think its Rattledam, Mac", Trellus answers doubtfully. We'd a hit a farm or something by now."
The cleric looks around carefully, trying to spot something familiar looking. [Spot 29, nat 20] "Say, are those glasswine pods?" he asks, pointing to a couple pods about ten feet from the pack.
Jake d20+4=12 d20+7=14 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 12:13:21 PM
"Ah can't tell, Trell, but it looks like some kinda place. Wha do ou think, shortstuff?" Jake casually asks Flea, and will give her, if needed, a boost onto his or Mac's shoulders if she needs a better vantage point.
He also tries Trell's experiment, with only a little enthusiasm.
Gilan and Ciaran d20+10=30 d20+10=15 d20+3=4 d20+3=20 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 5:15:16 PM
Gilan had stopped for a few minutes to take in the view of the dome shape in the distance. It looked like Rattledam's dome or at least from here it did. "We cannot be that far off course...could we?" He does not believe that this could be Rattledam...I mean they have been traveling in the wrong direction for some time now.
Gilan also spots a couple of bladders near them that maybe grasswine. Great, two different things of interest and how much time do they have to investigate both? "Should we check out those bladders and the grass that they grow from...remember how brittle they are." It is a warning that he really did not need to give but you could get shredded pretty good by the crystal grass that most of the wines are made from.
Ciaran is suddenly too interested in an itch to take notice of much of anything. He chew at it as he now has a few spare minutes with everyone stopped.
[Gilan - spot 30 and listen 15] [Ciaran - spot 4 and listen 20]
Flea d20+9=19 d20+4=7 Tuesday June 20th, 2006 11:23:53 PM
Flea winces when the cleric cuts himself. She does as he asks, and tries to focus on healing the blonde man's cut. The rogue has a flashback of the pack's audience with the grey-eyed lord of the realm of shadows, and she wonders if somehow she has let her pack down, and Gargul is punishing her.
Flea accepts Jake's boost, and looks at what he is pointing at. The rogue thinks on some of her recent knowledge (Bardic Knowledge=7) but then tales of things on the Sargrass Plains are pretty thin, and she had only just started her study of poetry and song.
Instead she spots some pod things (Spot=19). Pointing them out to the thin fighter from the vantage point of his shoulders, Flea asks, "Jake, what do you make of those? You figure glass grass?"
Discoveries. (DM Jim) Wednesday June 21st, 2006 12:50:42 AM
Trellus decides to try a little test and soon he is bleeding lightly from a cut upon his hand. Though all of the group tries as they might Trellus finds that the wound does not close. This is starting to get just a little annoying and worrying to all the pack in turn.
Almost all the pack spots the two bladders a short ways off. Only Gilan moves forward to have a look as the others go about thier business. He does not draw too close as he does not want to disturb the bladders, as they could be water or something even better.
The dome in the distance is still too far away to get a good idea of what it looks like or if there are any farms closeby it. Despite the best efforts of Flea she is unable to come up with anything about the dome or other domes in the Plains...then again very little if no information is ever given in Rattledam.
The group now has two choices it looks like...check out the two bladders or go onto the dome. Either way things have most definitely gotten interesting, some of it not for the better.
Knowledge(nature) or Survival DC 14 to identify the grass and the bladders as amber colored grasswine...though it will need to be processed to make it true wine.
Continue to let me know what you do about the tests?
Ulgren d20=9 Wednesday June 21st, 2006 10:48:45 AM
Ulgren plods along through the grass oblivious to anything other than the people around him. It's not until Trellus asks the mage to send him some healing that the drow is realizes that they have been moving for awhile. "Sure Trellus, how do I do that?"
Email Address....DM Jim Wednesday June 21st, 2006 12:39:57 PM
For those of you that may not have it in your address book or had something happen to your addresses. My address is.....Chosen_Demon@hushmai.com.
Don't forget those CSs as we will be needing the updated ones very soon. :)
Tishe' and Stripes Wednesday June 21st, 2006 1:07:34 PM
The tests are disturbing, especially in light that Tishe' could use the special powers of the First Circle and the Dragon Tear during the crab fight but not after. "That leaves joining the Woldian League of Adventurers as the only thing that could have interfered. That or something as yet unexplained."
But if none of them could figure it out in four days, they would have to wait until the Baron's Stronghold was visited and the underground slaves rescued.
Tishe' isn't interested in the glass grass, and concentrates on the dome. "It is unusual that the Baron's would use the same style of building as the Monks.", she muses. "But we need to talk."
She gathers her packmates together with her eyes. "We're here to fulfill a debt to the Barons, not to join thier side. I think it best if we keep our ears and eyes open and our mouths shut. We don't want the Barons to know anything more about Rattledam from us."
A stray lock of brown hair moves in front of her eyes and she absently tucks it behind one ear.
Trellus Wednesday June 21st, 2006 4:25:48 PM
Trellus shakes his head slowly at Tishe's comment. "Not yet," he responds. "I healed dudes at the raider fight. You healed Mac at the crab fight, but you can't heal me." The blond man considers the problem for a moment, unconsciously rubbing his hand along the back of his neck.
"So lets try this. Mac, can you scratch yourself? Then we try to heal him. Me first, then Gry, Jake, Gilan, Flea, Ulgren, and lastly Tishe. Anybody that does heal him, try sending him a message too."
-----
At the bladders, he nods. "These ain't going anywhere. Let's weave toward the dome. Keep shuttlecocked dudes."
Trellus heads for the dome.
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday June 21st, 2006 7:53:12 PM
Gilan listens as he looks over the pods and smiles. "Amber grasswine...this is a rare one." He is talking more to himself but he figures that the others will hear him.
When it is his turn to heal anyone he tries his best to send some of his own hit points to that Bloodpack member.
Ciaran decides to lay down and take a short nap though anyone with sense of animals will see his nose and ears twitching. An obvious sign that he is not really sleeping or napping at all.
Answers and the Dome. (DM Jim) Thursday June 22nd, 2006 12:58:03 AM
Seeing as the group has some time they spend a little longer in testing out the healing powers and message powers of both the gem and heart-touch.
Mac takes the offered dagger and cuts himself upon the hand, something shallow that bleeds but is not dangerous. Then the healing begins from the Bloodpack. Trellus tries to send healing first and the cut does nothing but bleed a little more...no healing. Then Gry gives it a try and he feels the drain on his own life as he gives to Mac and the wound closes.
Noone else needs to send healing to Mac now as his wound is gone and but he does find that Gry is able to speak to him...mind to mind...if only a short message.
The dome still waits in the distance but the group has had a breakthrough on their other problem. Now what is the cause of it and how badly effected are they.
Jake Thursday June 22nd, 2006 2:49:39 AM
"Well, dust, let's go look at that blasted dome, ya think? Ah mean, it could be something interesting. Maybe a Walker home, or a Baron outpost, or more of those crazy Ants..." Jake draws his shield, figuring it's better to be safe than sorry. "Hey, it's gotta be 'cause of Gargul...he probably broke the bond when we talked to him, ya guys weave?"
Trellus Thursday June 22nd, 2006 4:23:06 PM
"Hold that thread, Jake" Trellus says. "I want to know who can work this pick. Especially before we go sticking our noses into strange places."
"Now, since Gry sent a message to Mac, we can test that way instead of cutting everybody up. So - One at a time, send a message to each one of the others. Tell the pack who you're sending it to, and work your way around. I figure if you can talk, you can heal."
The blond man starts, calling each packmate by name, and then trying to send Can you hear me? to the person.
Ulgren Thursday June 22nd, 2006 4:59:09 PM
Ulgren shrugs as his question is skipped. "Tishe'" the drow says softly, "can you hear me?" the drow sends.
Grymash d20+2=18 d20+5=11 Thursday June 22nd, 2006 8:24:47 PM "Gute!! Mac can hear Gry's head!" Grymash then turns and looks around. "Hey, dat be uh dome!? Weez be theres already?"
(spot 18, Listen 11)
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday June 22nd, 2006 10:58:27 PM
Gilan shrugs as he turns to each packmember in turn. "Got it Trell." He calls them by name and then tries to think a simple hello to each one of them. He does feel a little funny standing here trying to think to his packmates when they are only a few feet from him.
Ciaran cocks his head to the side and looks at the group as if they have gone mad. He finds this pack even more confusing at times...but what can you do.
The Tear and The Heart. (DM Jim) Friday June 23rd, 2006 12:49:08 AM
With a little more testing the group is soon finding out that this affliction is not effecting all of them. Tishe', Mac, Grymash and Ulgren all seem to be able to communicate through the Dragon Tear...so it reasons that they can still make use of the heart-touch as well.
With a look around the Plains it is sound to say that it is getting late into the day...the sun is already dipping low in the sky. You are also starting to lose the light though it is not that bad yet and you figure that you could get at least an hours travel in. This should bring you almost to the dome...though some predators of the Plains come out at this time.
Jake is ready to move out and draws his shield to help in protection as he is maybe getting a little nervous...this has been a little too easy. Just one biting statue and nothing else to slow them down...the Plains seems to be playing nice this day.
Tishe' and Stripes Friday June 23rd, 2006 12:50:16 AM
[OOC: Edited because I was typing the same time as the DM... :)]
"Ulgren, it is part of the magic of the Dragon Tear that allows you to send healing and strength across the bond between all who have it." she pauses and thinks. "It could very well be part of the gifts the Dark Lord gave to us during the conversation in his realm."
But for now, it is enough to know that the dome is near and the pack doesn't have to spend another night out in the Sargrass. Nothing has bothered them so far, but why tempt fate?
As she walks, she glances at the Mark of Gargul on her hand. The four of us are different. Different races, origins, attitudes. Mac even talked back to Gargul so shouldn't he be part of the other group? And I ate at the village, danced with them... she shakes her head, not being able to see any logic. Yet.
Jake Friday June 23rd, 2006 2:15:26 AM
"Uh oh, guys, it's beginning to get shady! I mean, in a bad way! The sun's going down, and ... well, we might not get to the dome and search it. I say we deal with this later, heck, we'll just have to be careful about healing from now on..." Jake tucks his hat down and prepares to lead the way towards the dune, determinedly.
Ulgren Friday June 23rd, 2006 10:58:07 AM
Ulgren takes in the explanation that Tishe' gives and nods his head, "Remeber the curse that Gargul lay upon us? Could this be part of it we feel the heart touch because we are still alive and you guys can't because, umm you don't need to?"
Trellus Friday June 23rd, 2006 2:15:55 PM
The blond cleric turns and looks at Ulgren. He looks at him for a long time. After a while, it becomes apparent that Trellus really isn't looking at anything, his eyes just happen to be pointing in that particular direction while the rest of him is seriously devoted to working out the implications of the drow's last statement.
And from a very personal standpoint, he doesn't like them. He doesn't like them at all.
I don't need healing? Because...... Because I can't die. But, I cut myself. It hurt. I bled. I healed it with a spell. Being hurt and being dead aren't the same thing. I can be hurt without dying? So, I can be truly twisted without dying? Squashed by a ranthom? Cut open by a rapke? Grow old and feeble? But not die......Sweet Domi's Light.
No, Trellus definitely doesn't like the logical path he's on.
His eyes blink, and he returns to the here and now. Not something to share, he decides.
"Um, let's not weave that thread right now Ulgren" he says at last. "C'mon dudes. Jake's right, let's get over to this dome."
Trellus moves, a bit more quickly than usual, toward the new adventure.
Mac Friday June 23rd, 2006 6:39:49 PM
"Mind your footing!" Mac calls ahead.
Thinking for a while he adds, "I still think it has something to do with the fishing village... or villagers." He doesn't get any more specific as he makes some pace through the grasses towards the dome.
Tishe' and Stripes Friday June 23rd, 2006 10:59:57 PM
[OOC: Edited because I was typing the same time as the DM... :)]
"Ulgren, it is part of the magic of the Dragon Tear that allows you to send healing and strength across the bond between all who have it." she pauses and thinks. "It could very well be part of the gifts the Dark Lord gave to us during the conversation in his realm."
But for now, it is enough to know that the dome is near and the pack doesn't have to spend another night out in the Sargrass. Nothing has bothered them so far, but why tempt fate?
Gilan and Ciaran Friday June 23rd, 2006 11:29:50 PM
Gilan shakes his head as he wanders along with the rest of the group. Thinking back over what happened at the village he cannot think of anything that would have this effect. "You thinking some kind of drug in the food or drink or maybe some supernatural act by the villagers while we slept?" Really he cannot see how the village would be connected...though he can see thier meeting with Gargul being possible as the cause.
Ciaran paces along with the rest of his new pack as he noses around a little now and again. He seems to be adapting quickly to the heat and overall lay of the Plains.
Dome of IronHome. (DM Jim) Saturday June 24th, 2006 1:07:01 AM
The group paces through the grass all of them are thinking over what all this might mean. At the same time they ponder the dome in the distance and what that could mean. So many questions and so few answers...it is as if they are back in Rattledam before the monks.
The sun has set and the buzz of insects is starting to echo across the Plains. Soon they will be out in force and the group will need to find shelter or try to keep from giving off the scent of moisture.
You find that the dome is growing as you get nearer to it and it is just as tall and big as the one that covers what you call home. Still in the now dark it is hard to tell much of the make of it, at least from the outside. You must be no more than twenty feet from the dome now and you can see six torches flickering near the dome, but are too high to be people outside of it.
Hairs stand on the back of necks as you get the feeling that you are being watched though noone calls out. The closer you draw to the dome the more the feeling increases. The group is now within fifteen feet of the dome when there is a call from the structure and a bolt slams into the ground very close to the group...it is obvious that someone missed on purpose. "Who comes to IronHome at this time of night? Answer quick and do not lie or the next one is through your throat." The voice is most definitely feminine in quality but hard as Gry's head.
Trellus Saturday June 24th, 2006 5:25:05 PM
Trellus takes a step to his right, and stomps the bolt further into the ground. His response matches the unseen person's tone.
"You asked us for help, Baron. We are the Bloodpack. Twist us, and we might just decide your kids aren't worth the effort."
Jake d20+5=9 Sunday June 25th, 2006 2:29:09 PM
Jake really doesn't like the idea of helping the Barons out, one bit. He twists awkwardly, looking about, just hoping they're trying to sneak up on them and betray them or something..
Tishe' and Snout Monday June 26th, 2006 12:00:12 AM
Stripes begins a low growl, feeling the surprise and fear and anger in his human. She puts a comforting hand on his head, but it does nothing to lower his hackles. There is danger out in the dark, and Stripes will defend against it.
His human, Tishe', speaks to the packleader in a low voice "They may not be expecting us if Rayla hasn't returned."
Mac Monday June 26th, 2006 4:14:19 AM
"I for one will think more kindly when we're more comfortable - indoors." Mac adds at a hush.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday June 26th, 2006 3:02:08 PM
Gilan stops when the bolt slams into the ground and turns his eyes to the dome. He knows that he will never see anything with his human eyes and any shapechange could be counted as an attack.
He looks to Trellus and shakes his head, knowing that normally Trell would be a little more diplimatic. With all the stuff going on lately he has too much on his mind to think totally straight. He lays a hand upon Trell's shoulder. "Remember the village was attacked...they would be on edge as much as Rattledam would be in the same situation."
Ciaran scans the dome as well, his eyes seeing better in the dark. He does not see anything near that would be a threat but he can feel it none the less. His own hackles are raised and a low rumble sounds in his throat that those nearest him would be able to hear.
Grymash Monday June 26th, 2006 7:19:39 PM "YEAH!!" shouts Gry, simply, in response to Trellus' answer to the Baron's question.
Tishe' and Snout Monday June 26th, 2006 11:41:46 PM
On edge, the girl and her hyena wait tensely in the growing dark.
A Simple Mistake. (DM Jim) Monday June 26th, 2006 11:44:08 PM
A small crack in the dome appears as you see a body slip out. The light disappears just as fast as a young female in dark armor comes towards you at a fair clip. In her hands is a crossbow with bolt already loaded and more than able to use it.
As she pulls to within ten feet of the group she stares at the group for a few seconds and then holds up her hand...she twirls her hand with her pointer finger in the air. The crack once again appears in the dome and you see the first appearance of a smile upon her face. "I am sorry...Rayla said that your group was coming here but we have been on high alert since the attack." She glances around as if the Oglian were about to pop out of thin air around her. "They have attacked twice more since Rayla, Bikle and Zak left to seek out help." She motions you to follow her back to the dome though she stays beside Trellus to talk. "We are a village of about three hundred with only twenty hunters...thirteen now since the attacks."
If you follow along you will notice as you draw closer that the dome is actually pitch black and sheds little light. The torches are places in holders high upon the dome walls that must only be accessible from the inside. The dome is actually as big as your home of Rattledam or as far as you can tell so far in the dark.
[Alternate email...lugnut7@earthlink.net]
Jake Tuesday June 27th, 2006 12:46:21 AM
Jake doesn't like this one bit. "We're heading into a trap, Trellus, I just know it..." He looks at the woman. Not bad looking, though... Dark hair that draws the eyes, and a look like she knows what she's doing... We have seen the enemy, and she's kinda shady...
Trellus Tuesday June 27th, 2006 7:42:33 PM
"They're warped up alright," he answers Gilan, and then grins at his friend. "So, you're saying twisting 'em more ain't the shadiest path? Yeah, OK."
Jake has got a point, though. "Just keep shuttlecocked dudes. Get inside, stick together. Don't go chasing any women just yet."
Walking beside the girl, he is a bit puzzled. If she was trying to mislead him, you think she'd use more believable numbers.
"Thirteen warriors?" he responds in disbelief. "In that thing?"
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday June 27th, 2006 10:37:51 PM
Gilan shakes his head. "Not at this time anyways." He lets a smile slip across his face as he laughs a little. Looking to the woman as she shows up outside he shakes his head again. "Think she would have brought a few more with her...either we are no threat or they think they are really good." That will have to wait as she starts to speak and he turns his ears to listen.
As they walk along he has to agree with Trellus on that last comment. "How do you protect a dome this size with that many hunters?" It just does not seem possible and he starts to wonder himself if this is a trap. Trell's advice seems to be a lot wiser now and he does not really see a reason to split up anyways. Looking over at the woman he indicates the darkness and asks a simple question. "Will we be seeing the leader here tonight or tommorrow...and will Rayla be there?" It had appeared that she was a trustworthy person...for a Baron that is...though a couple of things still bother him about that. "Why do you say hunters and not Barons." He cannot help but put a little venom behind the word as he says it.
Ciaran follows along with his brother as he tastes and smells the new smells that eminate from inside the dome. He does not really like the smell that much but mixed in is the smell of good things to eat.
Grymash d20+2=16 d20+2=10 Tuesday June 27th, 2006 10:53:18 PM
Grymash has never been known as a smart half-orc, even among other half-orcs! Asking him to remember something he did yesterday or several days before and you're usually answered with a vacant stare. Asking such a question of the half-orc would more than often draw out his ire. This 'weakness' irritated Grymash immensely and many a soul felt the half-orc's wrath for reminding him of it. Even though burdened with many failures of memory and all things academic, Grymash seemed to possess a keen awareness of self, the world around him, and what lurks in the hearts and souls of man. This intuition, this instinct, often made him distrusting of others. Since having been lied to and betrayed before, he is predisposed to assume the worst until proven otherwise. Even though this solitary woman has emerged to welcome them, he knows there are probably hundreds of arrows and bolts trained on his head.
(Sense Motive: 16, Spot: 10)
Tishe' and Stripes d20+8=26 d20+8=22 Tuesday June 27th, 2006 11:20:11 PM
Hackles raised and on high alert, Tishe' and Stripes stay close to the other packmates and enter the dome. (Listen: 26, Spot: 22) She has also noticed the wording of the woman. "Hunters, packmates, not warriors, that could be their name for rapke mounted Barons, and have different names for others."
She also looks for evidence of attack. Surely if the Oglians have attacked the place three times, that there is some damage around the town.
Stripes pads close to his human, sniffing low and eyes open, together they are a good pack.
Ulgren Wednesday June 28th, 2006 6:03:06 AM
Ulgren says little carefully watching the surrondings for signs of previous attack and damage. The mage carefully looks over the woman. Ulgren says little in hopes that Trellus can lead them through this safely.
Flea Wednesday June 28th, 2006 7:50:16 AM
"Magicks," mumbles the rogue. "I bet they have lots of white handed tricks."
Flea is slowly coming the the realization that although combat on the Sargrass Plains is primitive and often brutal, it is far overmatched by weird magics. Flea's hand rests lightly over the wand at her belt, as she enters the tomb-like place.
Mac d20+2=20 d20+6=22 Wednesday June 28th, 2006 8:04:24 AM
Mac heads in. There is enough talking going on.
He listens and watches. [Listen:20, Spot:22]
OOC: Moving house. Be back ASAP.
Sleep, Rest and Meet in the Morning. (DM Jim) Wednesday June 28th, 2006 4:52:54 PM
The woman does not break her stride as she is asked questions. She nods her head and takes the time to answer them as she walks, not fast but at a fair pace. "Our village is mostly farmers, ranchers and vineyard growers...we have little use for a lot of soldiers. What few hunters we do have here, protect us and hunt up food upon the Plains to be eaten and supplement our own stocks." Looking back to Gilan she nods her head to indicate him. "Some of our hunters are of his stock...druids I think you would call them...they help us to gather those grasses that can be eaten." As you near the dome you can now tell that it is made of a dark metal for sure. It does not appear to have had any damage that would have allowed anyone in. "Since it is so late you will meet the Elder in the morning and as to Rayla, she is out with the twins checking on the Oglian...watching the cave they came out of and to see if they will launch another attack." She lets out a rush of air as she enters through an opening in the dome with the rest of the pack. "They should return by tomorrow morning or noon at the latest and we have a hut set up for you to stay in if you want. Turning to take the group to the east she stops in front of a large building that will most definitely house all of you and then another group your size as well. "We here are not really Barons but under their rule...every year during the BloodMoon they come and we send twenty of our youth with them to be trained. We are no more true Barons than a half-elf is a true elf." She slides apart the curtain the covers the opening of the building and motions you in. "If you have need of food or drink please ask...I will post a hunter in training here to see to your needs."
Despite what you may have thought the inside of the dome is at least twenty degrees cooler than the outside, even at this time of night. There are several torches set up that give low light to the inside of the dome. Looking up you can see the stars through the dome and you wonder how this metal dome allows the sight of stars. Going back to your entrance to the village you could only count ten hunters on duty, not counting the young lady that came out to get you.
In the far distance of the dome you hear a number of drums being beaten to an even tempo. Once in awhile you hear the sounds of wailing as well. Incense can be caught upon the air of the dome every once in awhile but it is gone as fast as you smell it.
About fifteen minutes after the young woman hunter leaves another younger boy shows up. He must be all of fifteen and just a little bit afraid as he comes into the hut or notices they group still outside of it. His eyes grow wide as he swallow a couple of times. His mouth opens but no sound comes out but a strangled sound and you notice that sweat has broken out on his head. You have seen prairie pigs caught in the light of a torch look this way...just before you put a spear or arrow into them.
Tishe' and Stripes d20+12=14 Wednesday June 28th, 2006 11:59:00 PM
Looking at her packmates, Tishe' then looks at the building and shrugs. "We dyed the wool, now let's see what threads we can spin." And she goes inside to make herself comfortable. No good at making a fire or cooking, the spellweaver finds a nice spot on the floor. Resting easily on the ground with Stripes curled up as a back-rest, she takes out her drop spindle and keeps her hands busy making thread (Weaving: 14) while her mind is in a whirl.
"A metal dome, like our grass one. Which is the copy and which the original? We need to be ready to confront the Oglian at a moment's notice, but not run out as individuals. We should move at Flea's pace. Under the Barons but not of them. I wonder if they would turn to more gentle allies if given the chance? And what about these 20 trainees a year?" Her mind flits from subject to subject, and her mouth follows without rhyme or reason.
Stripes however, is content to be a backrest. When the juvenile arrives, the hyena raises his ugly head briefly, then goes back to napping.
Trellus d20+8=18 Thursday June 29th, 2006 11:57:01 AM
The cleric tries to take it all in.. not barons but under their rule. OK, that helps make some sense of this.
He enters the large hut and looks around. Its defensible, and that kid out front sure ain't a guard.
"The Barons probably take some quota and just haul 'em off," he responds to Tishe. "Let's not go running off anywhere tonight," he tells the group cautiously.
The 'hunter in training' appears at the door, and Trellus stifles the urge to yell 'Boo' at him. Kid would probably spring a leak right there.
"Hey dude, warp down," he says gently to the boy. He approaches slowly, openly. "We ain't gonna hurt you, truly." [Diplomacy 18 (+2 if they worship Woldian gods, -1 if Marteaus)]
He listens for a moment. "What's with the drums?" he asks the kid.
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday June 29th, 2006 10:38:37 PM
Gilan continues to listen and then shake his head. After the young woman leaves he looks to Trell and nods his head. "Seems they supply the Barons with soldiers for protection maybe?" Though from the sounds, the Barons don't exactly do a good job of it.
He looks up to spot the kid as he comes in thier direction. That kid is too green to put on guard duty and to have him watch us is even worst. Surely these people know who we are and what we represent to those that protect them. He gives the kid a smile, not realizeing that his new teeth maybe even spookier on the kid. "Take it easy kid...we don't bite...well at least not all of us." His grin widens as he speaks...not realizing that his banter is not going to help. "Do you have a name?"
Ciaran looks up from the spot that he is laying and looks the kid over. With a sniff he lays his head back down, realizing that this kid would run at the smallest show of agression from him...heck the kid was about to run now.
Tishe' and Stripes Friday June 30th, 2006 12:03:52 AM
Thinking about the insense, drums, and wailing, Tishe' looks up and wonders; "It almost sounds like a funeral, doesn't it?" she glances at the boy for confirmation.
Jake d20+6=16 d20+10=22 d20+18=24 Friday June 30th, 2006 6:23:10 AM
Jake speaks after a bit. "So...these Barons aren't really Barons. That is, we're in baron's territory, but the barons aren't bothering to protect them. And they're playing up to us, asking us for help, when the Barons are away. And we're trusting them to stay on our side, not betray us and turn us in to the Barons...and why are we helping them, really? Because we're the nice guys? Sounds like we're getting weaved by these people. They get everything out of this, and have every opportunity to backstab us... "And if we do help them, how's it gonna hurt us, guys? To the Barons, it'll look like we're invading their territory. In fact, if we help these guys and the Barons find out, they might get suspicious of this town and destroy it too. To the druids, it'll look like we're helping the Barons. "Yet we'll help them anyways, 'cause we're heroes. Ah dunno, guys, it sounds like we're getting totally waxed. Either that, or demand they keep us totally secret..." Jake stops and falls silent.. "Plus ah figure they're listening to us right now... that's what ah'd be doing if I was them." Then the boy enters. As the others speak up to the boy, Jake simply grins and offers the youngster a seat, scooching over. He pulls out a deck of cards, and shuffles it once or twice with one hand, showing amazing fingerplay, then in a little flick of the hand, the cards disappear. "Whoops! Where did they go... Oh, hey..." He reaches out and snatches one from behind the kid's ears. "Jack of hearts, huh? Looks like you'll be lucky with the ladies, kid. Well, when you're a bit older maybe." (Sleight of hand DC 16, or Perform 22... Either way, Diplomacy 24 on my attempt to make friends with the boy.)
Tishe' and Stripes Friday June 30th, 2006 11:07:36 PM
Tishe' watches with amusement Jake's slieight of hand mastery.
Tishe' and Stripes Monday July 3rd, 2006 2:13:50 PM
It is fascinating how the cards seem to float in the air like they are never coming down.
Night and Morning. (DM Jim) Monday July 3rd, 2006 11:08:20 PM
The young man smiles sheepishly though you notice that he does look to both sides, looking for an escape route or for unseen attackers. "My name is Digun." He seems to settle out as Trellus speaks to him and soon he is talking a little more freely. "The drums are for those that died and those that are supposed dead." Looking to all the Bloodpack he takes a seat near Jake as he motions and scoots over. "We have lost seven hunters all together...three in the first raid and the last four never returned when a group of hunters in training decided to search out the Oglian." With that last he once again looks around as if expecting on of the large giant ants to appear and snatch him up. With no further questions seeming to come he is soon taken in by Jake and his slight of hand. He blushes as Jake comments on girls and then shakes his head. "Rayla would beat me senseless as I am engaged to her cousin." You get the sense that he is enamored by this young woman that he speaks of as his voice takes on a husky quality and he gets this far away look in his eyes...Jake knows this look well.
The night passes easily with the young Dugin talking to the group and getting to know them. Even though you are thought by some to be the mortal enemy of the Barons, this young man seems to be in a state of hero worship of all of the group. He is quick to get food and drink as well as other things if the group is in need of things.
Tishe' and Stripes Monday July 3rd, 2006 11:24:22 PM
With the young man settling down, Tishe' will take the opportunity to ask him questions and tell of her travels to him in turn. While she will not mention Rattledam other than a place she visited once very briefly (which is the truth!), she is willing to talk a long time about HookCity on the banks of the Hook River on the north border of the Sargrass.
"When is the BloodMoon when the Barons will come for trainees?"
"You seem to know who we are even though we have never been here. What stories are there of the Bloodpack?"
As usual, she misses all of the romantic overtones in the conversation.
In the morning, she'll break her fast on whatever is available, spending an hour in contemplation of the wonders of Mother Maab with spellbook in hand. Only then is she ready to meet the Elder.
Trellus Tuesday July 4th, 2006 9:58:31 AM
The cleric listens to the boy's stories, but doesn't really pay much attention to him once Jake starts in with the tricks. Since both the boy AND Jake are now occupied, Trellus can turn back to the thornier issue of where these folks fit into his Wold-view.
While Jake and boy play, the blond man goes to talk with Gilan and whoever else is in the area. "Gil, these dudes are not the Barons we've woven with before," he remarks. "Sounds like they get kidnapped and brainwashed or something." Trellus ponders the question a while. "I wonder if maybe the monks could help protect these villages. That'd help these folks and dry up the Barons at the same time. Totally shady."
He sets standard watches through the night, and come morning, dutifully prays to Domi for spells and strength for the upcoming day. The cleric casts protective spells on his armor and shield, and then walks over to the rest of the group.
"These are for you dudes," he says. Trellus hands each member of the Bloodpack a platinum ring, dark red in color [50 gp value]. "Flea's ribbons are getting pretty chewed up, so I thought I'd take a turn." He grins. "Plus, I gotta spell I can cast using these rings that might protect you if things get totally twisted."
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday July 4th, 2006 8:08:43 PM
Gilan looks up as Trellus comes over as he eats an apple that the young kid had brought in earlier with some other fruit. Looking to Jake as he mesmerizes the youth with his own tricks he shakes his head. "Jake has other uses than chasing woman it seems." He laughs under his breathe as he does not want to disturb the youth and Jake.
With the question posed he takes another bite from the apple as he takes the time to think. "It might be possible but the real problem is distance...this village is too far away from our home to get real help." He cannot see Galafar being on the right side of helping these people out. "I doubt that you could talk the monks into helping...even Malafret would be hard to convince into the need to help here...the council sees what they want to see only." He did not want to say it so bluntly but he already knows that all the pack realizes this.
Taking another bite of the apple he chews it for awhile and then shakes his head further. "How many here do you think would wish a different life...do the Barons have men here that noone knows about? I doubt that they do not already know that we are here." With a real laugh that he does not care draws the youth's attention he tosses the last of the apple to the side. "Do you actually think the Barons would mind us killing ourselves or two enemies killing each other...the Bloodpack and the Oglian killed off or mortally wounded...probably would be a dream." He thinks of the rest of the village for a few minutes and shakes his head. "Either way we do them a service...getting killed, killing the Oglian and saving this village." For himself the bigger picture is that they must do what is right even if it helps out thier enemy. "If it was adults lost to the Oglian, I would not mind letting the Barons fend for themselves...but the children are innocent in this."
Ciaran has fallen asleep with his head upon his brother's pack. He lightly snores and kicks in his sleep as if chasing something. He looks so peacefull and not the savage that he can be in battle.
Jake d20+10=22 Tuesday July 4th, 2006 10:25:47 PM
He stops to pour the kid a little cup of glass grass and enjoys some for himself from his own mug. Jake relaxes the kid with some disarming jokes and a few tales about their previous fights. Like, the ant creatures in their caves... "Dozens of them there were, each the size of that wolf right there. And each could tear a person in half with its big, nasty pincers. Not only that, but they were smart, too... As we came rushing in, we tumbled into cunningly designed pits. Nonetheless, Gry led the way, and Trellus kept up Domi's healing on us, and we plowed right into their hives!" (perform 22) Jake almost physically relives the final fight, then talks enamoredly of the strange diamond, that released the captured being... "Ya know, what? That wasn't half as exciting as the time we all rode dragons, though... but that's a good story for another time. But it isn't all exciting and happy.. we've also seen some of the horrible things the Barons do. Destroying the most precious life of the plains, using force to control everyone... It makes me sad, seeing people live under their thumb." Jake sighs, feeling some pity for the town. Jake goes back to a more comfortable subject...girls. "So what's this girl's name ye're getting hitched up to? She have a sister?" he nudges the kid, grinning. "Actually, that woman, Rayla, she wasn't so bad looking... But, you've gotta watch out those bossy women. They're too much trouble if you don't lay down the law..." He grins at the kid.
Tishe' Wednesday July 5th, 2006 2:44:31 PM
[OOC: Oh, dear we do seem to still have a posting problem.]
Grymash Wednesday July 5th, 2006 7:51:28 PM
Grymash emerges from an outhouse looking fatigued and rubbing his eyes. As if having spent the night in the little wooden structure. "Uhhh!" is all he can say as he tries to shake a little sense back into his head. "Uhhh... yooz dudes hungry? Gry be starvin!"
(sorry, hadnt had access for the past couple of days.)
Flea d20+23=43 d20+14=33 d20+11=13 d20+9=15 d20+4=10 Wednesday July 5th, 2006 9:52:57 PM
Flea sits quietly in a dark corner of the dark building set aside for the pack's use. She studies Trellus' gift as she listens to those wiser than she speculate about the provenance of the metal dome that lets the stars shine through, and the strange folks who seem like those back in Rattledam but who pay a tribute of youths to the Barons.
With a few graceful movements of her hands, the rogue casts the simple spell that sets four glowing spheres of light to dance in a 10 foot radius in front of her. "Not much different then home, you know," she says, unconsciously referring to Rattledam. "Sending packs out onto the plains to face Bounder, and Rapke, and all manner of other beasts? For what? For some ridiculous cycle that keeps creating more things with razor teeth and crushing rolling legs and screams? For some golden door we never get to look behind?" It is unclear if the gnome is referring to the Bloodpack or the hunting party on the plains beyond the great metal dome. Flea flicks a hand and the spheres move as if riding the current of a breeze, before settling down once again. "Who is this 'Elder'? She asks, ignoring the boy Jake is joking with, "some beater monk?"
*******
Flea will accept whatever watch is assigned, but instead of sleeping when it is her turn, she will slip outside. Staying in the shadows of dwellings and such, she will creep as far as she dares in the direction of the sounds of drums and wailing cries to learn what she can of the happenings in the night.
Hide=43, nat. 20! Move Silently=33 Listen=13 Spot=15 Bardic Knowledge=10 (to recognize/understand anything of the drums/wails)
Wails and Woes. (DM Jim) Wednesday July 5th, 2006 10:54:47 PM
The youth looks to Tishe' and blushes slightly as he speaks. "They say the Bloodpack is full of giants, who fight like demons from the beyond. That they come from a city much like out own with a dome of grass." He sighs as he settles back upon the bench and seems to ignore Jake's question of his bethroved. "The Barons say that you are thier enemy but that you fight with honor. It is really kind of strange but they seem to respect you as much as fear you...though that is tinged with hate as well." He falls silent as he picks up a piece of fruit and takes a bite of it. "Despite how much the Barons may hate you...they sent use to you so that you could help us out." He falls silent as that is about all that he has heard and most of it is fairy tales to what he sees before him...though Grymash does fit part of what he has heard.
As the night finally falls the youth falls into a light sleep. The rest of the pack falls asleep as well though they do stand their watches. Hostile territory is not the best of places to let down your guard.
During her own watch, Flea slips out into the village proper and makes her way through the shadows. As she nears the sight of the wailing and drums she notices the torches are set up and burning here...not much shadow to hide in. Still from her place she is able to make out the forms of several women in a large building. She sees no bodies in evidence but can tell easily that the women are moarning for lost loves.
Flea notices that a hawkish nosed woman of maybe late twenties is presiding over the women. You can make out the eye of Gargul but it is not the same as the one that Grymash wears...it is of the old Gargul. Once or twice she seems to look in your direction but does not move out of the building or even seem to acknowledge that you are there.
The next morning comes maybe a little faster than you had planned. There were no incidents during the night and the watches saw nothing of note. At about ten the young female hunter that brought you in shows up and looks over the group with a critical eye. "The elder will see you as soon as you are ready." She does not move from her spot near the door but does dismiss the young Dugin.
Tishe' and Stripes d20=12 Thursday July 6th, 2006 12:09:59 AM
Feeling that this is a more formal occasion, Tishe' decides to put away her Walker clothes, and get out her buff robes of airy plant-wool. Giving Stripes a quick brushing, she removes her oaken staff with a green gem at the tip from her pants 'o plenty and tries to create a serene and in control glide to meet the Elder. (Perform: 12)
Not wanting to lead in a diplomatic discussion, she keeps back, allowing the silver tongued Trellus and Jake to take the lead. Tishe' and Stripes are content to hang back in the shadow of the comforting Mac and Grymash.
Jake Thursday July 6th, 2006 6:57:33 AM
Jake's interested by the fact that the Barons are impressed by the bloodpack, and their reputation is fearsome. It's great to be so shady, he thinks to himself, wrapping up after his watch that night. In the morning, he feels pretty fine. Time to talk up to these elders...though Trellus seems to have it pretty well in hand. Where Trellus has a silver tongue filled with niceties and formalities, Jake's tongue is like a snake slurping down honeyed glass grass. He'll only speak if they need to make a point, or something interesting is left unspoken.
Trellus Thursday July 6th, 2006 10:59:46 AM
Trellus can only nod in agreement with Flea. The Bloodpack sure spends a lot of time getting led around by their nose.
Its something of a comfort to realize the Barons have plently of respect for them, if nothing else.
That morning, the cleric takes his spells, and immediately casts protections on his armor and shield. [Magic Vestment - extended with Rod, recast same using Pearl of Power]
"All you dudes ready?" he asks his friends. "OK, let's go see this beater." He waits a couple beats before adding (with a grin) "And see how sunbaked we really are."
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday July 6th, 2006 4:06:36 PM
Gilan is up early as usual and goes about his morning prayers with Ciaran. After a short amount of time he is back inside the building they are using. He does not try to change his appearance much, just straightens the long tail of hair that hangs down his back.
Looking to Trellus he shakes his head. "No matter how respected they may find us...they also consider us enemies...so why choose us?" He does not voice much of anything else as he takes a little of the food brought in for breakfast. Otherwise he lounges around and spends time talking to Ciaran.
When it is time to go he stands with Ciaran at his side. He does glance to Trell and gives a smile. "We like trouble and you know it." He touches the ring that was given to him by Trell yesterday night. It's blood color stands out next to the silver one that he already wears upon that finger. "Thanks again for the ring Trell." Looking around to the others he wonders if they are all ready and maybe as worried about this as he is.
Flea Thursday July 6th, 2006 6:35:54 PM
Flea hears Gilan's comment, and decides to answer. "They choose us for the same reason the Rattledam monks sent us out onto the plains in the first place. Most of us aren't really from around here," she says, " 'cept maybe Trellus, and Tishe', sort of. Most of us are foundlings or run-aways after getting into trouble at home." Flea digs her toe into the dirt of the ground, "look, Gry here was 'dopted. So was Jake, until his family kicked him out. You an I fell off a boat. 'nuk did something bad, but wouldn't talk about it. The others too, Ulgren, Mac, they're all misfits. If something happens to us, no one would really care, would they?"
Flea plays with the fringed edge of the scarf tied 'round her waist, adding, "All we have is each other."
When the female hunter shows up, Flea lines up her her pack.
Tishe' and Stripes(2nd Post) Friday July 7th, 2006 12:16:08 AM
Introspective for a moment, Tishe' thinks about what her pack is saying. She touches the scarlet sash that Grymash gave her and the bloodred ring that Trellus gave and unconsciously rubs the ruby Dragon's Tear embedded in her chest.
All misfits. Always in trouble. And the barons respect them. This was a very good idea, she thinks, coming and learning more about the Barons. There is so much to think about.
And then a new thought. "Trellus, you and your family is from Rattledam and not a foundling? Maybe they knew my mother!" The spellweaver becomes very excited. "Oh, when we get back to Rattledam, I have to meet your parents!" Her brown eyes are bright with the thought of tracking down her ancestry.
Argue Between the Heads. (DM Jim) Friday July 7th, 2006 2:18:10 AM
With the whole pack ready to move out and see this elder, the female hunter moves out of the building the group had slept in. They pass through the village with many stares and whispers from those that live there. Many of them are hard at work in fields or herding prairie pigs out so that they can feed. The one oddity that you pass that draws your attention is a fenced in area that currently has about a dozen rapke in it. A pair of youths look up as you are passing and wave at the female hunter who waves back, shaking her head and smiling. As your group passes they go back to thier duties of cleaing two of the rapke in the pen.
At last the steps of the female hunter slow and you can hear voices raised in anger ahead. Ahead of you is Bikle and Zak leaning against the wall of a building. It is Rayla, an elderly man who is leaning heavily on a cane and a hawkish nosed younger woman that are the cause of the commotion. Also present but nearer the elderly man is another young woman who is shaking her head at the whole thing. As you get even closer you notice that the young female near the elderly man touches his should lightly and leans in to whisper in his ear. The arguement is suddenly stopped as all four of the people turn to look upon the group and the female hunter.
It is the young woman at the elderly man's side that speaks first and motions the group even closer. "Come closer Bloodpack and meet Elder Deegan...he wishes to speak with you and I suppose that you would have questions of him as well." She wears her raven black hair loose and bits of it blows across her face in the morning breeze. The elderly man locks his gaze upon the group with curiousity and a little bit of envy. Though the years have caught up with him, you can tell by his movements and stance that once long ago he was a fighter. "My granddaughter speaks the truth Bloodpack...though I can tell that you do not want to be here." There is a hint of laughter in his voice that just seems to put you at ease.
Rayla has moved off to the side to stand near her two fellow hunter. She does not seem to be happy as she does this stiffly and the heels of her boots bite into the ground. Bikle and Zak just seem to be amused by the whole proceeding as they each have smirks painted upon their almost identicle faces. Lastly is the hawkish nosed woman who flips back her blonde hair with an air of superiority. She seems to be even more upset than Rayla does and she is currently shaking her head. Her eyes do sweep the group with a mixture of curiousity, hope and something else that a finger cannot be put on.
Elder Deegan waits for the group to approach as close as they want and then he inclines his head. "It is good to meet the Bloodpack." With a wave of his hand to each person in turn he makes introductions and you notice that the female hunter that led you here is not present any longer. "This is my granddaughter Jalian and Bertina the witch woman...I believe that you already know Rayla, Bikle and Zak...three of our best hunters." The woman, Bertina, turns her head as her name is spoken and her eyes linger a little longer on Flea and gives her a knowing nod. Jalian just nods her head to the group as she continues to hold the elbow of her grandfather.
Twenty feet from the group, perched upon a pole dedicated to Gargul, is a black raven. The banner that flies upon the pole is the older form of Gargul that you have seen before. It seems that these people pay worship to the old Gargul, before he became a good god.
Jake Friday July 7th, 2006 5:09:59 AM
Jake grins and steps forward, deciding to throw in a burst of civility. He takes off his hat and bows, "Thank you, Elder Deegan, for your kind words of welcome, and may ah speak for the Bloodpack in saying that we are delighted to make the acquaintance of your village. For myself in particular, ah must note with delight that though beauty rarely blooms in the endless Plains, this fine city has produced many wonderful blossoms that speak for the best of womankind." He glances, as he says this, to the fine femme with the shining black hair, the haughty hawkish-nosed blonde, and of course the huntress who escorted them. He grins, and speaks a bit easier, dropping a bit of the formality. "At least working with y'all to save yer children will be easy on the eyes. Anyways, here's Gry Mountainback o'Gargul, Trellus o'Domi, Mac's the minotaur with the horns, Gil and Tishe weaves the grass, Ulgren's as shady as they come with magic, and our little lady Flea, oh, and ah'm the real slim shady Jake O'Connell."
(I'm pretty sure that's it......gha, this'll bite if I miss someone.) "Seems you fellers around here tend to worship Gargul," he says, as a way of starting up conversation. "Gotta say, he's pretty impressive when you meet him..."
Tishe' and Stripes d20+6=17 d20=4 Saturday July 8th, 2006 12:24:18 AM
Keeping the ugly-headed hyena close to her side, Tishe' follows the young hunter and watches the village (Spot: 17). The brown-eyes widen then narrow at the sight of the penned rapke in the middle of the village. She uses the 'Tear to message Mac, "there must be some way to ensure they only scream on thier riders command, or they would be away from the village."
As they approach, something clicks in Tishe' that this is an odd group. Were they arguing about the Bloodpack? If so, they all seem pleased that we are here... She shakes her head and follows Jake's lead, giving a bow at the waist to the Elder and a smaller one for the lady and Rayla.
"We made a promise to Rayla", Tishe' says, pointing her hand marked by Gargul at the three hunters, "help for help. Rayla honored her promise, and we will honor our own."
She glances at her packmates, and, never able to keep her curiosity in check, she bluntly begins the questions. "What can you weave us about the Oglians and the piggies they stole from you? Any information could prove the master thread." (Diplomacy 4)
Trellus d20+7=14 d20+8=13 Saturday July 8th, 2006 6:34:32 PM
The cleric follows the young woman escorting them to "The Elder", carefully taking in everything he can about the village around him. The Rapke pen is a definite eye opener. If these dudes aren't really Barons, what's with the Rapke? Trellus watches the pen curiously as the pack passes by, trying to determine if these animals are "normal" or the malevolent ones he's seen Barons ride before. [Knowledge - Sargass: 14]
Tishe blurts out another of her odd questions. "Huh? Oh, uh, my grandparents were foundlings. My folks were born in Rattledam. Why would they know your mother?"
With the arguement stopping suddenly upon their arrival, it doesn't take a lot of guessing to figure who they were arguing about. Not Rayla's idea. OK. Or the other lady. Hmm
Jake jumps right in with the introductions, followed by Tishe's demand for information. Jake did OK, but Light, Tishe wasn't much help. "Many shadows, Elder," the cleric responds. "I must admit, we're surprised to be here in these circumstances." He nods at Rayla and the other two. "Your warriors seems pretty capable. We're curious as to why you asked for our aid." [Diplomacy 13]
Gilan and Ciaran Saturday July 8th, 2006 9:11:58 PM
Gilan follows along his eyes trailing along the village to take it all in. The sight of rapke in a pen and youths tending them makes his wonder as to what this village really is. How is it that they keep rapke and still say they are not Barons.
His attention is drawn to the sound of voices raised in anger or dispute. Taking in all the group that is waiting for them he keeps back just a little and does not say anything. He is happy to see that Jake makes introductions in as polite a manner as possible. He hides a smile as Tishe' blurts out her own questions and stifles a laugh.
While the others ask the questions he turns his own attention back to the rapke pens that they had seen earlier. His mind wanders over the looks of those rapke and the behavior that is suprising.
Ciaran stays at his side and seems content to just watch. He has never understood the way humans greet each other. Why can they not just sniff...well enough of that. He tilts his head up to look at his brother and licks his hand.
Off the Hook. (DM Jim) Saturday July 8th, 2006 9:38:43 PM
Elder Deegan smiles at the comments of Jake and then looks sideways at his granddaughter. "If you are interested my granddaughter here maybe looking for a future husband." Jalian blushes fiercly as her grandfather speaks so bluntly and she averts her eyes as to not have to look at anyone. Meanwhile Bertina turns a withering glare upon the elder as she shakes her head...seriously upset about something. Elder Deegan seems to not notice any of it as he listens to the questions and raises an aged hand to stall anything else. "I know of the conditions and that is what we are argueing about. I am releasing you from your obligation and ask you to do this one for the sake of the youths that are missing and for the Plains." He looks to Rayla who is now scowling at the elder and shaking her own head. The twins break into light laughter at the discomfort of their fellow hunter but are cut short as she whirls upon them.
Elder Deegan looks to Bertina who is also scowling even more than she had been a few minutes ago and shakes his head. "I told you that I make the decisions...my granddaughter and I have talked about this at length and it is not right to force them...even if we rendered them aid first." He turns back to the Bloodpack and gives you a light smile. "Yes...the Oglian. As you may have read and heard in legends...they were a race of ants that ruled the lower world of their catacombs. When an opening to the surface was found they moved to the surface to make raids upon the humanoids of the Plains. It took centuries to drive them back into the ground as all the inhabitants of the Plains came together to accomplish this feat. And yes that means that even the Barons joined in to help out." Looking to Rayla he waves her off with a simple signal, which she follows and is soon gone. "During all the time that they were able to get to the surface they killed many humanoids for food but it was only in the last few years of that time that they started to capture some alive...we only can suppose that it was for breeding purposes. These ants are not dumb but intelligent and the ones that attacked our village were very intelligent. It was magic that gave them the opening in the dome that protects our village and magics that allowed them to get away just as easily." He stops for a few minutes as Jalian leads him to the side to sit in a chair that is nearby, but she stays near his side. He pats her hand gently as he sighs and settles into the seat.
Jalian speaks up as her grandfather relaxes a little bit. "The youths that went missing are some of our hunters-in-training. Seems they thought they could scout out the Oglian and then return...thus securing thier status in the village and becoming full-fledged hunters." Her brow furrows in disapproval as she shakes her head at the foolishness. "They of course were not ready for this and when we sent four of our hunters after them...noone returned. We can only figure that they are lost in the cavern that opened, dead or taken as breeding stock for the Oglian. As to why we do not take care of this ourselves...that is simple, we have no hunters to spare in case they attack again." There is a humph from the side as Bertina shakes her own head. Jalian scowls again as she looks to the witch woman with great disapproval. "Grandfather leads and you do not. When the time comes I will take his place as his only living relative and you will serve me as you have served my grandfather." There is a look of pure murder in the eyes of Bertina that is gone in an instant.
Bertina speaks now with a voice full of scorn and a bit of anger as well. "They will not attack us again. As for help...I have said that I can get that for us." She looks sideways at the Bloodpack and then smiles. "Use what means you want." With that she walks away from the meeting, her raven settling upon her shoulder as she leaves.
Elder Deegan can only shake his head at the play between the witch woman and the soon to be leader of the village. He does not envy his granddaughter in any way. Bertina is a trying one that he has had to stand upon but she can do it. "The Barons send us to you to get help. I know not why they did not send riders of their own but instead instructed us to find the Bloodpack. I have released you from your debt of service to Rayla and IronHome...you are free to make your own choice." He squeezes Jalian's hand as he watches the group closely. "You must do as your heart guides you...we have survived almost certain destruction before...we will survive again."
Trellus and Gilan will realize that the rapke that are pened up are not of the same ilk as the Barons ride. These ones do not have the taint of evilness around them. In fact thinking back the ones that Rayla and the twins ride do not give off that aura either.
Trellus d20+5=18 Sunday July 9th, 2006 10:13:26 AM
Trellus notes with surprise and interest that these dudes have managed to domesticate wild Rapke without doing that 'evil aura' pick. Visions of the pack riding rapke mounts triumphantly into Rattledam flash through his head.... Shady. That would TRULY twist Galafar
The cleric's eyebrow goes up when Elder Deegan releases them from their promise. If he were a monk, Trellus would figure he was getting played - the ol "I release you so now you feel even more obligated to perform this service" ploy. But Deegan only knows them from rumor. He might be serious. [Sense Motive 18]
Trellus actually nods at the actions of the hunters-in-training. The story is not unlike a certain pack's own unauthorized first journey outside a town. Rayla's reaction makes sense too. She's jealous of the opportunity. Bertina though. That one wants to be in charge. She's gonna be trouble.
Back to the point of all this. We gotta do this, but we don't need to let them know we gotta do this.
"Elder Deegan, we thank you for releasing us from our promise. We seem to have much to learn from each other. I've heard stories of the Ogilan, none of them good. I agree, someone should go find out about them. As you need your remaining hunters for defense of your town, The Bloodpack will still help find the children."
Tishe' and Stripes Sunday July 9th, 2006 3:17:26 PM
The brown-haired girl knows there isn't time to talk of foundlings and parents now, so she gives an 'we'll talk later' look at the blonde cleric of Domi. She also looks quizzically at him when it sounds like he is reluctant to go after the children. Hmm, must be some ploy, she thinks. And since they are going anyways, it is useless to repeat what Trellus has already said.
"Is Bertina the representative of the Barons here in IronHome?", she wonders aloud. "It would make sense why she doesn't like us. It also fits the superior arrogance of the Barons we have met." As usual, Tishe' has no clue as to the impact her words may have on nearby listeners. "IronHome itself is lovely. I had no idea..."
Stripes butts his head against Tishe's hip demanding some attention, and the young wizard scratches the oversized head.
Flea d20-1=18 Sunday July 9th, 2006 11:53:56 PM
The gnome siddles over beside Grymash when the pack goes by the rapke pen. She stays on the side of the half-orc that is farthest away from the penned up creatures. During the meeting with the council or sorts, Flea looks to each speakers face, Deegan, Jalian, Jake, Trellus, in an attempt to discern their motives. When the witch woman looks at her, Flea recognizes the woman from the ceremony the night before. The gnome meets the other's gaze with her own pale blue stare, and tries to figure out her intentions as well (Sense Motive=18).
When Trellus has said his piece, the rogue slips over to his side. "What about a reward?? she whispers to the cleric. "Ask them for a reward!"
Jake Monday July 10th, 2006 6:51:53 AM
Jake spends his own time smiling at the ladies, while paying attention to the older man. Lotsa good lookin' femmes here...and he wonders whih one he'd have to choose in an emergency. Or first... "Not to brag, but we've fought these ant creatures before.." he grins confidentally, his own little piece added, and lets the others set conditions and such.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday July 10th, 2006 7:54:44 PM
Gilan crosses his arms across his chest as he listens to all that is going on. Now what is this man playing at? Could it be that Elder Deegan is a nice guy after all and he wants help that has no strings attached to it.
He cannot fault Trell for his thinking and keeps himself quiet as he studies the elder and the other present. The soon leaving form of the witch woman sets his hairs to standing on the back of his neck but that is an internal problem of this village and none of his. "Trell...should we get a guide to the entrance or just the direction?" He does not really care either way as he is sure they can find this entrance.
Ciaran continues to stand near his brother with little thought of moving. Maybe if some food was offered he might go to get a piece of meat but that does not seem to be coming anytime soon.
Grymash Monday July 10th, 2006 9:53:57 PM
Grymash half heartedly listens to the stories of the Elder. These are things of life and death and Grymash is well versed on the subject. What draws the lion's share of his attention is the pen of rapke. He's always hated them. Merciless and vicious, they killed without want or need, just for delight borne of the darkest evil. To look upon these here, he is shocked and amazed to see them in such a state. His normal urge would be to slit their throats. Grymash has those feelings still, but for a different reason. For these powerful creatures to be tamed, killing them would be a mercy.
In a low voice he asks Flea a question. "Whut Flea think bout them rapke? Gry wonders what magic da hunters use to break der spirit."
Mac Tuesday July 11th, 2006 4:34:15 AM
Mac stands patiently... ...looking at the rapke, but has no idea about training one. ...following the conversations as best he can, but knowing better than to speak just yet. ...glaring at Jake when he mentions meeting Gargul. ...imagining just how broken a rapke could get if he tried sitting atop one.
OOC: back from the silence!
Let it Commence. (DM Jim) Tuesday July 11th, 2006 2:05:04 PM
Elder Deegan nods his head in understanding as he takes note of some of the people looking in the direction of the rapke pen. "Beautiful creatures are they not." There is a hint of pride in his voice as he speaks and a bit of shame as well. "That is one reason that the Barons took our little village in. We have always raised rapke or at least for as long as I can remember as a wee lad. Each rapke you see there has a rider and they are just as wild as thier Plains born counterparts...the real difference is that these ones seem to imprint on a single rider for life." He shakes his head and his brows furrow. "Well that is not totally true...the Barons take wild ones too and they imprint on their riders as well." He starts to cough lightly and covers his mouth with his hand. The hand upon his granddaughter's slackens and soon there is an audible snoring coming from the chair.
Jalian waves over the twins who soon have the elder held between them. They carefully make their way to what appears to be a larger hut in the middle of the village...obviously the elders hut. "Please forgive my grandfather...he tends to do that in meetings as well." She sighs and looks a little bit sad as she knows that one day he will not be around. "Still, he tells me that if I am to take his place as head of the village I need to learn to assert myself." She motions the group to follow her though she stays near Trellus's side so that she can speak to him. "My grandfather is earnest with his release from the pact between yourselves and Rayla. If you walk away now he would not hold it against you and neither would I. I know that in your eyes we must seem like the enemy and to help your enemy is a hard thing." She stops speaking for a few minutes as she looks over her village and laughs. "Still...you would most likely like a reward for your services to the village as it will stand. So I will make it known that you are to keep all the things that the Oglian ran off with." She looks to Trellus with a look that she is looking for intelligence. "Yes they took more than bodies when they came here...they took some magic as well as well as other things of value....though I am not sure why, I have a guess." You notice that she is leading you to a side building that attaches to the worship building. Flea will notice the larger building as the one that the drums and incense was coming from last night, as well as where she saw Bertina.
She enters the smaller shed and motions you to still follow her. Once inside of the building you notice laying on a platform the large body of an ant. Just a cursory observation tells you that it is at least six feet long and stands four feet high, with wicked mandibles and an obvious stinger on the tail end. "This was left when they attacked us. Though Bertina has studied it a little we are no closer to an answer than our ancesters were." Pointing to the corner she gets you to notice a large basket. "It was carrying this on it's back, all harnessed on." She glances around to make sure that no prying ears are near to hear what she is about to say. "Bertina is not a Baron or a spy...or at least we do not think so. She was born here just like I was. She just has her own plans for her future but underneath she is a good woman." She waits to see what the pack will have to say and see if they will still help. She also needs to know if she needs to make any preparations for them.
My posting may slow down a little as we are having some storms roll through. That is why no DM post yesterday and it the storms are likely to continue today and tomorrow. Still I will try to get DM posts in anyways.
Trellus Tuesday July 11th, 2006 9:05:10 PM
The blond cleric's response to Flea is a silent look over at Ulgren. As far as he's concerned, they've been rewarded already.
To Gilan, he answers. "If they got someone they can spare, a guide would help."
Trellus is very startled when Elder Deegan just goes to sleep like that. Jalian seems to take it in stride though, so he goes along, falling into step beside her as they head for the temple or whatever.
He nods, and shoots Flea a wry smile as Jalian offers the reward. Score one for the gnome.
they took some magic as well as well as other things of value....though I am not sure why, I have a guess she says. She's also evaluating him. Just like Galafar always does. Trellus does his own evaluating right back. This girl is gonna have to keep the thread on Bertina wound tight, or the Bloodpack could come back - probably tore up - to a bad welcome. "What would that guess be?" he responds.
They enter the room, and see the critter. Trellus rubs the stubble on the back of his neck, pondering it. "Whaddya think, Gil?" he asks, before shooting a question at his hostess. "Did you notice any kind of mind control, the ants taking over the mind of people and making them do stuff or anything like that?"
He points to the stinger. "That thing poisonous?"
Jake d20+10=16 d20+8=24 Wednesday July 12th, 2006 8:13:48 AM
Jake lets the others talk and listen, and finds himself wandering away from the others. So while everyone's heading one way, he's just heading the other, half-noticeable (Hide 16 as he moves athat way). Attracted to the rapke pen... He's half heard what the elder said about thema ll, and at first anger at the villages for raising them for the barons had turned to a sort of curiousity. The way they put it it's almost as natural as being part of the Plains themselves...well, there's different ways of being part of the plains, he reminds himself. Not everyone has to be a druid, like Gil. He finds himself near enough to be able to even approach one near the fence, and does so in a disarming enough way that he might actually be able to feed it. (Animal Handling 24)
Gilan and Ciaran d20+19=27 d20+19=30 Wednesday July 12th, 2006 9:26:58 AM
Gilan slips inside of the building with the rest and then takes a closer look at the Olgian that lays upon the platform. "If the stories are to believed and I do not doubt some of history...I would say this is nothing but an enlarged ant." He lifts legs and checks out the head of the beast with growing interest. "These front feet are almost like hands and from the looks I would gather that they have more than just insect intelligence." His surprise is growing by the minute as he inspects the large insect more closely.
Not waiting for an answer from Jalian he moves to the back of the insect and checks out the stinger. Most notibly he is looking for a gland that would indicate poison. Looking to Tishe' he cannot help but smile and indicate the insect. "You love a mystery and this is one of the greats." His own excitement leads him to not even notice that Jake is missing from the group.
[knowledge(nature) 27 and knowledge(Plains) 30]
Tishe' and Stripes Wednesday July 12th, 2006 3:41:56 PM
Tishe' absently nods her head in response to Gilan, her mind already taking in the giant ant on the table. "The stories I remember of the Oglians say that they were ant-like, not giant ants. I don't think this is an actual Oglian."
"They also took magical items, and we have to assume deliberately. If so, they can identify magic and either use it or make use of it, and either answer leads us to a race that can manipulate things like the ant-taurs we fought in the Scab." Tishe' cocks her head and tucks a stray lock of wavy brown hair behind an ear. "And if Oglians are the same race, then they would be able to mind-control normal giant ants to be thier troops."
Stripes doesn't like the dead insect on the table and growls, but his human barely notices, her brown eyes are alight with the possibilities.
Mac Wednesday July 12th, 2006 6:04:56 PM
Mac nods slowly. "Obliged or not, I'm in."
Flea Wednesday July 12th, 2006 8:01:12 PM
"I dunno, Gry" Flea answers the half-orc. "Must be some powerful magiks, anyway, I would think."
When talk turns to the ant-creatures, the rogue looks at her feet. Much as she is nimble, and clever, her mind was no match for the magiks of the ant creatures. The rogue blushes at the remembrance of what she had done to Trellus' wand, and she nervously twists her newest ring.
The Enemy Revealed. (DM Jim) Wednesday July 12th, 2006 9:49:03 PM
As the Bloodpack goes over the Oglian with a fine-toothed comb, Jalian listens with interest to your observation. "Bertina says that the stinger is indeed poisoned...though this one is not as toxic...she sermises that the others maybe more toxic. As to the things they took...lures and maybe to use." She steps closer to the dead ant and looks at it with a critical eye. "This is an Oglian of that we are sure...they seem to have classes when they attacked...this one was a worker or carrier as that is all that it did, but there were others with real useable arms that could make use of weapons other than these natural ones." She taps the pinchers and points to the stinger to get her point across.
Gilan and Tishe' both have found a series of rather nice poison glands upon the end of the ant. It seems that the ant has a variety of different types of toxins in this one caste.
Jalian laughs lightly and then shakes her head. "The ants did not seem to be able to control others but the worked as a unit...defeating some of our best defenses...I would guess that they can communicate between each other." She glances around the room and notes that one of the group is missing but does not give it much thought. Surely this group would be more worried than they appear if his absence was a big matter, though she does comment. "Where is the handsome one with the funny hat?"
Jake back outside and at the corral finds that he is able to get close to one of the rapke that is near the fence. One of the lads looks up as he offers it a bit of food and wanders over that way. "That one belongs to Rayla and is gentler than the rest." The rapke has taken the food and is currently chewing on it as it stares at Jake with large eyes. "You have an interest in rapke and how to raise them?" The boy seems genuinely interested in not only Jake's interest but also in the stranger himself. He cannot wait to tell all his friends that he got to talk to one of the living legends...the giants of the Plains.
As the group continues to look over the Oglian, Jalian smiles. "I heard something about a guide...Rayla would lead you to the entrance but she will need to return her right after." She cannot help but be worried about the safety of the people that she is soon to lead. "We must be ready for an attack." As soon as the Pack is ready to leave Jalian will have Rayla waiting for them at the front gate and will lead them there herself.
This ant is not like the ones at the Scab. This one is almost no different than a real ant but it does have a pair of legs in the front that are able to crudely manipulate things. A true Oglian, according to legends, are much like the ants from the Scab but a lot bigger and smarter.
Jake Thursday July 13th, 2006 6:46:27 AM
Jake glances at the kid with an amused, sly smile between feeding the monstrous beast a handful of proferred sluggy mass. It doesn't even bite his hand, that's how careful this thing is...though the smooth packer doesn't leave enough prairie pig left on his hand that he risks getting too close to its razor sharp teeth. "Yah...was a time when ah remember, chasin' after prairie pigs like you prob'ly do for mah elders, and the thing always had to watch out for was the big bad rapke. Was told if we went outside the nest and saw one while running around, it'd be the last thing we'd see. Saw some from far away e'en so.. Ain't till ah was in the pack and we were fightin' 'em that ah got this close to one before. Was probably one of the scariest fights ah remember... But y'know, when ah'd see one from far away, ah'd always be amazed by 'em. They're just wonderful, amazing creatures... "Ya know, ah finally did see one of them creatures ah read about in a book...a horse? Ain't nuthin' half-compared to a rapke. Rapke'd eat one of them in ten seconds. Ah admire you people for being able to ride 'em, but you're also half-crazy if you can do so..." Jake grins over at the boy. "And a GIRL rides one of these, ah find that especially hard to believe...ah mean, they're too soft and breakable, ah can't imagine one---" Jake, now on one of his favorite subjects, chatters for a bit about women... and lets the boy choose the next topic, really.
Tishe' and Stripes Thursday July 13th, 2006 4:36:01 PM
The plain-faced woman listens to Jalian's words and tries to imprint them into her mind. "Better and worse than the ant-taurs at the same time", she murmurs. "Well, there's nothing else to do than to begin weaving. The faster we string the loom, the sooner there is good cloth."
Tishe' will gladly accept Rayla as a guide, but then looks around at Jalian's words. "Funny hat? Jake? Where IS Jake?" In the presence of the ant, the small woman forgot all about her other packmates.
Stripes, not liking enclosed spaces, leads his human out of the room and into the light of IronHome.
Trellus Thursday July 13th, 2006 5:18:23 PM
The cleric gives a business-like nod as he absorbs the information from his packmates and Jalian.
"OK Dudes, we're dealing with big honkin smart bugs with hands and poison stingers. So they can likely weave with weapons, magic, an' spells just like us. We gotta figure their tunnels are trapped, and they got a plan to defend it."
Trellus flashes his trademark 'this will be fun' grin.
"So, no problem."
The blond man is still chuckling as he accepts the offer of Rayla as guide. And then looks around in confusion when she asks about Jake. Trellus rolls his eyes. "Weaving trouble, no doubt," he answers with a sigh. "Let's go see where he got off to."
Trellus leaves the room, and heads back into the open.
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday July 13th, 2006 6:08:21 PM
Gilan is caught up in what Jalian is saying about the ants and the possible use of the things they took. "Shinies are always tempting." Touching the stinger lightly he tests it's sharpness and pulls away a finger that is bleeding. "Man that thing is sharp." He wonders how well it will do against armors and decides not to test his idea as he knows Trell will not like it.
He is only half listening when Jalian mentions what can only be Jake as he nods in agreement with the others for a guide. "Rayla seems a reliable sort...if not a little upset about our deal being broken." Only when Trell and Tishe' comment about Jake being gone does he look around and notice that it is true.
"Light." He takes the single word from his friend's speeches and then uses another in his next. "That dude just cannot stay out of trouble." He flashes a grin to Trell as he follows him out of the building and into the light. "Lets find Jake then Trell and use some of this daylight." His hand absently finds the head of his brother as he searches the area for Jake.
Ciaran looks up enjoying the attention to his ears. His tongue lolls out the side of his head as he leans into his brother's leg.
Flea Thursday July 13th, 2006 7:14:44 PM
Flea's face visibly brightens when there is mention that these creatures don't seem to exercise mind control as part of their combat tactics. The gnome square's her shoulders, and follows her pack mates outside.
Grymash Thursday July 13th, 2006 8:25:08 PM
Grymash looks up from contemplating the complexities of his navel and answers Trellus' remarks with a simple, "YEAH!!" He then flicks away whatever contents he procured and starts in on sharpening his double axe with his whetstone. Sparks trail off his blade with every stroke.
Preparing to Move Out. (DM Jim) Friday July 14th, 2006 12:58:35 AM
With a last look to the Oglian that lays in the building the groups moves outside to look for Jake and most likely save him...from himself. Jalian follows you out and looks around herself as the rest of the group look for Jake. From this building noone can see the rapke pens where Jake is standing and talking to the youth. It appears that Jake is nowhere to be found and that leads you to many ideas...most involving the young woman of this village.
Jalian does motion over one of the villagers to have them go and find Rayla and have her waiting at the front gates for the Bloodpack, with her mount. The villager races off to find the hunter and deliver the mesage as Jalian shakes her head. "Shall we head back the way we came...maybe your man is along that path." Looking to Trellus she falls into step with him still talking a little. "So does this Jake have a wife or girlfriend where he comes from?" It appears that yet another woman is smitten with the shadowy Jake.
Over at the rapke pen Jake is talking to the young lad that comes over about this and that, till the talk turns to his favorite subject...females. The youth looks to Jake with a certain show of respect. "If you are looking for a good wife, Jalian is going to be needing a husband before long." Looking both directions he gives an impish smile. "I also hear that Bertina the witch woman is looking for a suitable match as well." For some reason this raises some laughter from the youth as he goes back to scrubbing the rapke.
Shortly the form of Rayla appears in the distance heading for the rapke pen at a fair clip. She glances to the form of Jake and the youth with a perterbed shake of her head. As she draws nearer she puts her hands on her hips and stops to look at Jake and the youth. "Saddle my rapke boy and be quick about it." She then turns to Jake with a little bit of a surprised look. "I though the Bloodpack was meeting me at the front gate?" Leaning upon one of the post of the pen she looks Jake up and down and then snorts. "Didn't get lost did you?" She laughs lightly though you can see she arches an eyebrow looking for an answer.
Tishe' and Stripes Friday July 14th, 2006 2:45:25 PM
If they are getting ready to go to the grass, Tishe' would like to have a few minutes to herself and change. First chance she gets, the plain-faced woman disrobes from the formal mage attire and gets into her much more useful and comfortable tunic and leggings. Pushing her wavy brown hair into a ponytail at the base of her neck, she retrieves staff and crossbow, and is ready to be with the others at the front gate.
Stripes takes his opportunity to renew his acquaintance with the other members of his human's pack. He sniffs and rubs against Flea, Grymash, Mac, Trellus, and Gilan, but then stops hesitantly at the wolf. Ciaran is an animal of the pack that is very much like Stripes himself. Cautiously, he lowers his head and smiles, offering a sniff as invitation to become closer to this other four-footed packmate.
Jake Friday July 14th, 2006 2:51:47 PM
"Couldn't help but admire the rapke, miss," Jake replies, smiling slightly. He leans against the post next to her, just near enough to be comfortable without being so far away as to indicate an uninterested presence. He waves over at the rapke, with a swish of his fingers indicating them, "Always been impressed by them...one time when ah was a kid, ah saw a herd of bounders milling about, and suddenly a pack of rapke came in, terrorizing 'em into a stampede.. Ah hid in the grass and they ran right over me, not seeing me. That was the closest ah'd gotten to a rapke till now, ah suppose. And they're quite different when calm." He smiles and turns his attention back to her, fully, with a killer smile. "Ah'm impressed that you can ride one. Well, not just that you can ride one, but that you're brave enough to. Then again, you know how the most bright and attractive grasses are the ones animals avoid eating? Perhaps there's something there..." He smiles at her, and suddenly asks, "Oh wait, we're meeting at the front gate?" He glances towards that area, then back to her and smiles. "Well, ah guess there's no rush."
Grymash d20+6=12 Friday July 14th, 2006 7:29:55 PM
Grymash accepts Stripe's affections and returns them in kind. However, for a brief moment the half-orc pauses to admire the animals more "succulent" qualities. He licks his jowls and his tusks rise from under his lips like flora welcoming the first drops of rain. He quickly shakes his head to gather his senses. "Dudes ... when Gry gonna gets some eatin'!?"
(Will save 12)
Flea Friday July 14th, 2006 7:31:56 PM
The gnome follows her packmates, keeping a distance from the rapke pens. As the party waits at the gates for stray members, she smiles at the ugly face of Tishe's strange dog-friend, and reaching our both hands gives it a good scratch behind it's ears and on the top of it's hard skull.
Trellus Friday July 14th, 2006 8:44:58 PM
Trellus frowns, "The dude's gotta be around here somewhere," he says dubiously. "Not even Jake would, uh, go visiting when we're about to go shuttlecocked." However, the blond man's tone doesn't quite match the conviction of his words.
He follows Jalian toward the gate, eyes moving around the village. We don't see him by the time we get to the gate, he tells himself, then we start rethinking these Baron's intentions.
"Hey Mac, Gry. How loud can you dudes yell?" he asks. "Think Jake might hear you?"
Gilan and Ciaran Saturday July 15th, 2006 12:52:22 AM
Gilan follows along with the others as he keeps his eyes open for Jake but see nothing at the moment. He reaches down to scratch the head of the hyena of Tishe''s. He watches the play between his wolf and the hyena with a shake of his head. "Be nice Ciaran." He does not doubt that his brother would have been nice anyways but it is always good to reinforce such things.
Ciaran takes the the hyena with a large lick on the side of the muzzle. It seems that Ciaran thinks of the other animal as part of his pack. As the move to the gate he splits his attention between his brother and his new friend.
The Old Jake. (DM Jim) Saturday July 15th, 2006 1:02:26 AM
As the group moves towards the gates with Jalian the come across Jake near the rapke pen. He is standing with Rayla at the side and seem to be deep in conversation. It also appears that Jake is putting the moves on the hunter as well.
Rayla looks to Jake with a smile and then looks to see how the boy is doing with her mount. "He chose me the day he was hatched so it is no surprise that I can ride him. He is a little gentler than most of the rapke in this pen but still not to be taken lightly." She takes another look at Jake and sighs. If she only had the time she would have shown this young man a thing or two about riding. "I was found by one of the hunters-in-training and told that I was needed at the gate with my mount. I was to guide the Bloodpack to the opening of the Oglian tunnels and then return here." She looks up and waves to Jalian as she spots her with the rest of the group. About that time the youth comes out with her mount, saddled and ready to go.
Most of the rest of the trip to the gate is spent in silence as the Baron villagers wonder if they will see the Bloodpack again. Jalian does not see them as bad people and wonders what it is about them that makes the Barons hate them. At the gate she turns to the Bloodpack first. "I hope to see you again...with the youths that disappeared or at least with some word of their fate." She then turns to Rayla with a slight smile. "Rayla...lead them as instructed and then return here with all haste. We must not be caught unawares and with part of our strength missing." She gives the other woman a quick hug before ordering the gate open.
Rayla leads the group out of the gate and to the south into the Plains tall grasses. She takes it slow for the pack to keep up with her. The morning is wearing thin as she slows and points in the direction ahead of her. "The entrance is another three hundred feet directly ahead and then down a light slope...you cannot miss it." She waits for you in case you have any final words before she heads back.
Spell lists will be needed.
Trellus Saturday July 15th, 2006 4:45:54 PM
Trellus can't help but marvel. "Put the dude on an island in the middle of the sunbaked ocean, and he'd still find a girl," he murmurs softly. He pitched his voice low so Jalian wouldn't hear. Its likely only Grymash and Mac did.
At the gate, he grins confidently at the girl. "We'll find 'em," he says.
As the Bloodpack follows Rayla, the cleric's demeanor shifts into "Grass" mode. Eyes and ears alert, he's constantly looking around, tracking packmates and companions. You pay attention out here, or really bright picks tend to happen.
Trellus is all business by the time Rayla drops them off. He asks a quick question - "Do they guard the entrance?", and then waits pointedly for her to leave. He's beginning to feel more at ease around these 'almost Barons', but not enough to let her see them gearing up.
Once she's gone, the blond man breaks out a wand and casts a spell on each member of the pack. [Neutralize Poison - duration 70 minutes]
He has more prep work, but it depends on whether the entrance is guarded.
Spells in Effect: Neutralize Poison - 70 mins Magic Vestment - Shield Magic Vestment - Armor
Mac Saturday July 15th, 2006 9:02:12 PM
No sooner does Mac deeply inhale to bellow for Jake, than the pack runs across him. The long exhale follows.
Walking through the grass, he remains alert and ready, but still not very talkative.
Gilan and Ciaran Saturday July 15th, 2006 10:16:59 PM
Gilan follows along as the make their way through the grass. He had been only able to shake his head earlier at Jake. Little did he know that Trell was saying what he was thinking about the smooth talker.
As Rayla moves away from the group he looks to Trell as he starts to prepare for the fight to come. He waves off the protection from poison with a knowing smile. "I have no need for that when it is natural poisons." He has found that in the last couple of weeks he can shed poison as easy as the Manfri weave through the grass.
Looking to Flea as Anuk is no longer with them he waves in her direction. "Should we let Flea sneak up to the ridge and have a look?" She would be the easiest to sneak up there and have a look to see if they posted guards. She could also make it back to them with the least problems as well.
Tishe' (AC19, HP 53/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 31/31) Sunday July 16th, 2006 6:04:41 AM
The pack is together and moving through the 'Grass, and Tishe' moves through the stalks with Stripes on her heels constantly on alert for any activity.
At the Oglian entrance, the small woman does have one question for Rayla. "How many were taken? I don't want to search for fifty when only ten went underground."
Taking her cues from Trellus, she also waits until the pack is alone before bringing out magical support. She casts Mage Armor on herself with her extend rod, and shares with Stripes.
"Flea, I can cast Longstrider on you if you want to keep your boots for emergencies"
"And we don't know how long we're going to be underground, so conserve your magic", she tells her packmates.
Stripes waits for the others, content to let the pack sort out the hunting order.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Flea d20+23=40 d20+11=25 d20+9=23 d20+14=24 d20+13=31 Sunday July 16th, 2006 7:31:57 PM
"Thanks Tishe', but I'm good for now," answers the gnome. "Never ran out of magic yet," she answers, pointing to her embroidered boots.
Nodding as Gilan speaks, she tries to catch Trellus' eye. If the cleric of Domi gives the okay, the rogue will scout ahead and check out the entrance for the group.
The rogue is nearly invisible (Hide=40) in the grasses, and only the sharpest of ears will pick out her silent padding (Move Silently=24). He keeps her ears (Listen=25) and eyes (Spot=23) open to any sounds. The closer the rogue get to the entrance, the more her vigilence turns to searching out any warning devices or traps (Search/Detect Traps=31)
Jake Monday July 17th, 2006 1:23:15 AM
The thin half-elf grins as the others approach and points over to the rapke. "Hey, look...they're tame. And they don't seem as bad as the Barons..." He is generally quiet as they walk on out and through the grass, though he throws smiles and looks both of the gals ways. AT least leaving the city leaves only one to focus his attention on. And when she finally drops them off, he nods and waves to her. "Next time, you'll have to show me how to ride one of them... we'll all swap some glass grass with yer town, and tell ya about the time we flew on dragons!" Jake turns his attention to the others. Taking up their cues, he draws his sword and shield. He checks his gear out and feels pretty good. "Okay, let's get ready to rock them... If they're like the others, they'll have plenty of pits and stuff..."
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday July 17th, 2006 4:27:30 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of July 10-14
Name MTWTF
DM JimW OXXXX
Trellus OXXXX
Tishe OXXXX
Jake OXXXX
Gilan OXXXX
Grymash OOXXO
Mac OXOOX
Flea OXXXX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues.
The Entrance. (DM Jim) Monday July 17th, 2006 10:37:40 PM
Rayla turns in her saddle to look at Trellus and shrugs her shoulders. "They seem to have sentries at times but at others the entrance is not guarded." Turning her head to Tishe' she thinks for a few minutes and then speaks. "There should be four adult hunters and six hunters-in-training that are lost in that cave...that and about twenty villagers." Her eyes take on a haunted look as she speaks the next bit, not really liking the idea. "Though they were taken at least a week ago and most likely will not be there if the stories are true." She then moves off into the grass and is soon lost from view.
As the group prepares themselves for what is to come...the decision is made by Flea to scout a little bit ahead. She wants to check out the entrance to the colony and see if it is guarded. Moving along through the grass as quiet as the shadows, she comes to the top of the hill. She has gone to her belly and is crawling though as the last five feet to the slope is cleared of grass.
Looking down the slope she can see one ant much like the one that lays back in IronHome. Flanking it is a pair of ants that stand at least as tall as Mac. They look like the ants they faced near the Scab but larger and armed for trouble. The entrance is some hundred and fifty yards from her hiding spot at the top of the slope and the grade will not be one you would want to take at a run. The entrance itself is in a bowl really and no matter what you will have to charge this entrance.
The rest of the group waits for Flea to return and worries about her all the time. They are also thinking of Ulgren who stayed behind in IronHome. You remember that Jalian asked him to help out with a few divinations and maybe some protections for the village as well.
Flea(Spot 16)Highlight to display spoiler: {You notice that both of the taur type ants have at least six javelins at their sides. They also carry a large wicked looking spear as well. You can see nothing else of note on them at this distance.}
Flea d20+9=24 Monday July 17th, 2006 11:22:21 PM
Spot=24
Flea returns to the pack, employing the same sneaky tactics on her return in order to avoid detection. She tells her companions about everything she saw including the two taur type ants guarding the entrance with at least six javelins at their sides and a large wicked looking spear as well. Plus, the third ant that is there as well.
Mac Tuesday July 18th, 2006 3:34:53 AM
Listening to Flea intently, Mac nods and waits for his chance to join in. "That doesn't sound like the full strand - prob'bly some number nearby, inside awaitin' the call... we need quick an' quiet here.
Trellus Tuesday July 18th, 2006 9:52:27 AM
"OK Dudes, inventory time. We gotta get down there and take them out really fast. Unless Tishe or Gilan got a Silence spell, I'm not sure we can do it quiet. We do it fast enough, it might not matter.
I got one invisibility potion, 3 fly potions, and an Air Walk spell.
Whaddya you dudes got?"
Tishe' (AC21, HP 53/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 31/31) Tuesday July 18th, 2006 1:39:36 PM
The brown-haired woman shakes her head, "I don't have any useful potions or scrolls for this, but the entrance is within my range to weave a Web spell. That will stop them from getting reinforcements or running for help!"
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday July 18th, 2006 2:22:38 PM
Gilan is also listening to the report from Flea and shakes his head. "I did not think to take any spells of that nature...most of mine are combat oriented or healing related." It does not look like the rest have much in the way of help either...so they will have to wing it as normal. "I can increase movement speed for two people but some of my others should wait till we are inside." He lays a hand upon Ciaran and calls upon the powers of Mother to aid his brother in the coming battle.
Ciaran takes this all in stride as he feels the tingle of magic. His brother's magic always feels so primal, touched by the Mother of all.
Jake Tuesday July 18th, 2006 3:01:14 PM
Jake shrugs. "Ah suppose magic is more clever, but ah'm prone to rushin' in fast without it. Besides, Ulgren ain't here, he's the real mage ain't he? Still... hey, we should buff up a little before we go in. Especially on Gry... He's always hearing the howls of Gargul." Jake grins and lightheartedly punches his half-orc bud on the shoulder. "Don't run on in this time, Gry... stay with us."
Flea (2nd illegal post) Wednesday July 19th, 2006 12:28:04 AM
I got 2 potions invisibility an' a spider climb.
Plan of Attack. (DM Jim) Wednesday July 19th, 2006 1:47:10 AM
The group discusses the plans that maybe useable to gain access to the caves behind the ants that guard it. Buffing is spoken of as well so that the group can cut through the monster that much faster. At least it appears that there will be a little time to think this over.
Trellus Wednesday July 19th, 2006 8:18:11 AM
The cleric grins at Flea. "Shady!"
And then lays out his thoughts. "Ok, Jake, Gry, and Mac fly invisible down there with Gilan, who does that bird pick.
We'll give you a bit of a head start and then the rest of us will start moving down the hill. Once they focus on us, you dudes rip 'em. Mac take one, Gry take one, Gil flame the little one, and Jake clean up."
He looks up.
"Whaddya think?"
Tishe' (AC21, HP 53/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 31/31) Wednesday July 19th, 2006 12:48:35 PM
"Sounds shady to me!" agrees Tishe'. Without any prep spells to cast, she will wait for the others to go invisible. On Trellus' word of 'go', the bruisers will invisibly fly down to the side of the Oglians, and on a count of 30 (i.e. five rounds) she will move over the lip to expose herself to sight and plans to cast a Web right in the tunnel entrance.
Stripes stays quiet and behind his human, guarding her back.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Mac Wednesday July 19th, 2006 5:01:16 PM
"Shady, Trellus." Mac awaits the spells.
Grymash (ac24, evil26. hp104. prot. from evil) d20-2=13 Wednesday July 19th, 2006 7:39:59 PM
Grymash takes the potion from Trellus. He mutters in a deep low voice, "hmmm ... no be lookin' at Gry juice!"
The barbarian cleric also remembers the ants from the Scar. How they tried to take control of his mind, and how Gargul protected him (Int 13, to remember).
Again in the lowest of tones, "dudes ... gry remembers how da ant people try to get into gry noggin. gargul protection magik messed up da ant magik. gry think weez make da protection magik, as much as pack can!" Grymash then mutters a few words of power and he touches himself. His body becomes enveloped in a faint glow and then disapears. "Yeah, shady ... like dat!"
Gilan nods to Trell as he looks to the others. "So we will make a sneak attack upon them." The grin upon his face tells you that he is more than ready to start the little party. Looking to Ciaran he points to Tishe' as he takes the large wolf's head. "You stay by Tishe' and protect her." He knows that Tishe' can look after his wolf and communicate with him if needed.
His shape ripples and distorts as he slowly slips into the form of a large hawk. Standing on the grounds of the Plains he makes no noise as he hops from foot to foot. He is as ready as he will ever be.
Flea Thursday July 20th, 2006 12:07:24 AM
The gnome more than willingly holds out the two vials of Invisibility for Jake and Mac to take. "Been holding on to these a long time, an' haven't really needed them myself."
When her packmates have taken the potions off her hands, she draws her to wands from her belt.
Silent and Deadly. (DM Jim) Thursday July 20th, 2006 1:15:02 AM
The pack has finally gotten themselves ready to start the assault upon the ants at the entrance. As Mac and Gry float down invisible they move into position and wait for the fun to begin.
A hawk flies out and over the bow and the ants look up, the two pointing at it but indicating nothing else. Though it must seem strange to them they make no other moves as they continue thier vigilance.
The time is nearly there to start the assault. All that is needed is for the rest of the group to top the slope and start their way down.
Hit Points and Armor Classes will need to start appearing, thanks.
Jake (AC 28, hp 59/59, invisible, flying) Thursday July 20th, 2006 9:03:08 AM
Jake gulps down the potion, and floats nearby Gry... He makes sure to go just alittle slower than the two invisible warriors might go, just so that they can trim the grass hard, and he can just follow after sweeping it up. He eyes the ant creatures as he gets closer, not liking them one bit. They look too...intelligent is the word he wants to use, but it's not really. Too much like bugs! Never did much care for bugs, other than as a meal.
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90) Thursday July 20th, 2006 9:46:13 AM
"Thanks Flea!" Mac replies as he receives and drinks from the vial. "Do your wurst!" he says as he fades from view.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 79/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom) Thursday July 20th, 2006 10:37:23 AM
Trellus grins back at Gilan. "Truly. Time for us to get the jump for a change."
To Grymash, he replies, "We don't think these ant dudes got that pick. But better safe than sorry, so drink up."
The cleric waits patiently for Grymash, Mac, Jake, and Gilan to go through their preparations, and quite literally disappear. During the short interval, he pulls out his Metamagic Rod for one last use this day, and casts a spell to enhance his spellcasting power on himself. [Cast Owls Wisdom -- extended]
At the count of 30, the blond man stands up with a curt "Lets weave", and starts moving down the hill as quickly as he can. [Move 60'] As he heads for the ants, he calls over to Tishe. "Tishe, remember - only you can heal Mac or Gry with this thing." The blond man taps his chest meaningfully.
He turns his attention on the ants. OK Dudes. Let's see what you got
-------------------
Spells in Effect: Owls Wisdom -- 20 min Neutralize Poison - 69 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Tishe' (AC21, HP 53/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 31/31) Thursday July 20th, 2006 2:03:48 PM
The brown-headed mage nods as her packmates fade out one by one. "Illusions I can't weave, so it's shady we have some potions!" she pronouces in a satisfactory manner.
Tishe' keeps her own count and is pleased when she is down to three when Trellus says its time to go. Touching her Dragon Tear, she nods, knowing that she will also feel thier relative health through the gem as well.
And then... it's over the top! Skidding down the slope for 30 feet, Tishe' puts on the brakes and weaves a quick pattern with her hands. A hundred and fifty feet away, sticky strands of a gigantic Web block the entrance of the Oglian tunnel. "There is no escape that way, ant-taurs!"
Stripes easily keeps his four feet on the steep slope, keeping pace with his human. Hackles rise and a growl verberates from his throat.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 20] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] 9d6(6+2+2+4+4+6+2+5+3)=34 Thursday July 20th, 2006 5:53:04 PM
Gilan cannot help but call out what would be a laugh in his hawk form as the webs go up. Though he is visible to the enemy he is not worried too much. Flattening his wings he falls into a dive as he calls upon the powers of Mother Wold. Wings flip out to brake his fall and to punctuate the end of his spell. "Kkkrrrreeeeeeeeee!" Within a few seconds of his battle cry a pillar of flame dances down upon the middle worker ant.
Ciaran slides along the slope after both Stripes and Tishe'. He pulls up to flank on her other side as she stops to use her spell. His own eyes searching the area for the best path to the enemy.
Grymash (ac24, evil26. hp104. prot. from evil2) d20+15=35 d20+15=25 d20+15=19 d20+10=11 d20+10=30 d20+10=25 d8+8=12 d8+8=10 d8+8=15 d8+4=8 d8+4=10 d8+4=12 d8+4=8 Thursday July 20th, 2006 8:25:23 PM
Grymash waits unpatiently for the first sign from the others to start his attack. His grip on his double axe tightens.
WHEN/IF the antmen first begin to react to Gry's invading packmates, he will strike one of the larger ones with a flurry of blows with a speed that surprises even himself.
Oglian Entrance. (DM Jim) 5d6(1+1+2+3+6)=13 5d6(2+3+4+2+4)=15 d20+14=22 d20+14=17 d20+5=23 Friday July 21st, 2006 1:06:42 AM
The first blow is struck fast as flames slam into the ant in the middle of the group of three. Mac and Grymash have moved into place near the ants and are ready for thier part in the engagement. Jake hovers nearby as well but waits to make an attack hoping to finish off something the bigger guns have nearly killed.
Grymash is the first of the melee men to enter the fray as he becomes visible, slamming his axe home several time into the Oglinan on the right side, two hits getting through.
Trellus, Tishe'and Flea have started over the hill. This has prompted the ants to start moving as well into some form of attack. Tishe' gets out her web spell and neatly seals off the entrance to the caver. There will be no retreat.
The two ants on the sides move ever so slightly, despite the attack from Grymash, and javelins come up. They both send a javelin in the direction of the three driving down the slope towards them. The distance is impossible and the javelins seem to slowly lose flight as they get a little closer, then the strangest thing happens. Both of these weapons suddenly burst into streaks of lightning that slice through the three humans and two animal companions coming down the hill(damage1 - 13, ref DC 14 for half and damage2 - 15, ref DC 14 for half).
As the middle ant is hit, there is a whoosh of exhaled air heard by Mac, Grymash and Jake. Then there is the sudden smell that burns the eyes, nose and throat of all those not Oglian within twenty feet(fort DC 20 or lose 1d3 combat rounds). The ant turns in the direction of Grymash who has just become visible and takes a bite at him with powerful jaws and follows it with a sting of it's tail(hit: 22/14 and damage: none/none).
Battle map will be a little delayed as I need to put it together, sorry.
Ant-Taur(Oglian) AC 22
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90) d20+9=25 d20+17=22 3d6(3+5+6)+10=24 d20+12=24 3d6(2+2+5)+10=19 d20+9=21 Friday July 21st, 2006 3:12:58 AM
The stench of breached Ant-Taur isn't pleasant, but Mac keeps his cool and full attacks the other Ant-Taur. Hits AC:22 for 24 damage, AC:24 for 19 damage, and (perhaps stupidly) a Horn gorn, that just misses the mark.
Jake (AC 28, hp 59/59) d20+12=15 d20+7=23 d6=3 d6=6 d10=3 Friday July 21st, 2006 7:36:12 AM
Jake uses the opportunity of his invisibility and position to unleash a furious and surprising series of attacks upon the centaur-ant-thingie. "Taste this, ya grassbiter!" he chirps happily, enjoying himself so far. The overeager fighter winces though as his first blow goes miles over its head. "piggielickin-" he mutters as he swings back, hitting it only once. (Miss on AC 15, then hit on AC 23... Only did about 17 damage on that hit too. But a good start nonetheless!)
Trellus (ac 22, hp 59/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom) d20+6=12 d20+6=18 Friday July 21st, 2006 2:16:04 PM
Ow.
Trellus really hadn't anticipated the ants could reach out and touch them all the way over here. He learns quickly enough from the first lightning strike to avoid some of the second. But still, that HURT! [Reflex 12 and 18]
The cleric grins evilly. Ant dudes got other things on their minds now. He keeps moving down the slope.
-------------------
Spells in Effect: Owls Wisdom -- 20 min Neutralize Poison - 69 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Tishe' (AC21, HP 40/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 10/31) d20+6=15 d20+6=18 d20+5=16 d20+5=6 4d4(1+4+2+2)+4=13 Friday July 21st, 2006 3:38:31 PM
Gently arcing javelins turn into an electric storm that rips around Tishe' and Stripes! Amazing luck lets Tishe' avoid most of the charge (6+7 dam), but the ugly Stripes takes the full brunt of the second javelin (6+15 dam). The lightning storm is too much for Stripes and he quickly scrambles up the slope and over the lip to be hidden from view!
Continuing to move down the slope, the mage fishes out of her Pants o Plenty a wand and puts her mark on Grymashes Oglian. "I'll weave against the wounded to help drop them faster!", she calls to Trellus as four missles of energy strike the ant-taur. (13 points)
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+9=27 d20+9=21 Friday July 21st, 2006 8:20:03 PM
Gilan finds the sight of lightning rolling over some of his friends and his brother to be maddening. As he goes back into a dive he only stalls this time to slow his decent. Once again his shape cracks and pops as he takes back his human form. With a savage snarl he pulls the scimitar from his hip, his shield already out. "Lets dance." His eyes are alight with something akin to animal rage.
Ciaran twists his large body this way and that as the lightning slips around him. Somehow the large wolf is able to dodge every last shred of the electrical power that the javelins became. A low rumbleing growl starts in his throat but he does not leave the side of Tishe'.
Late DM Post. Saturday July 22nd, 2006 12:37:46 AM
Will make a DM post tomorrow so that I can get a couple of more post from players. I will also be sending out a battle map as well.
Grymash (ac24, evil26. hp104. prot. from evil3) d20+12=22 d20+15=30 d20+15=22 d20+10=15 d20+10=28 d8+8=13 d8+8=16 d8+4=11 Saturday July 22nd, 2006 2:50:34 AM
(Fort save: 22)
Grymash snorts and spits within the toxic cloud that continues to assault every hole in his head. However, he fights off his gag reflex to continue his onslaught on the ant creature.
Oglian Entrance, 2. (DM Jim) d20+14=34 d20+14=28 d20+14=31 d8+4=10 2d8(5+1)+8=14 d6+2=8 d20+16=19 d20+16=28 2d6(3+2)+8=13 d6+2=4 d20+16=19 d20+16=32 2d6(1+2)+8=11 d6+2=6 Saturday July 22nd, 2006 10:23:54 PM
Mac is able to fight off any effects of the stench that suddenly fills the air. His axe bites into the other Oglian on the other side but his horns do not find anything to hit.
Jake appears out of nowhere to assault the same Oglian that Gry had hit earlier. He misses with his first hit but the second is well aimed and scores a hit upon the hard carapace of the ant.
Trellus continues his charge even though he is struck by the first wave of lightning head on and is grazed by the second one. He hopes that the bugs have enough problems to worry about for now.
Tishe' is able to avoid most of the damage as she pulls out a wand. She launches off a volley of missile at the Oglian that Grymash attacked earlier. Maybe she can pick off the more hurt ones and stop the fight a little faster. Her companion, Stripes, is not so lucky as he eats a lot of the damage from the lightning. He bids a full retreat back up the slope and will wait for things to cool down.
Gilan feels rage burning inside him and lands back upon the Wold. His shape is already shifting as he pulls the scimitar from his side. He now has other ideas than just flying around and hitting from a distance. Ciaran is able to avoid all the lightning and stays near Tishe' for now. He is kind of torn is looks like to join the fray and obey his brother's call to protect this packmate.
Grymash snorts and spits as he slams his axe back into the Oglian before him. He does not even notice that it is not the same one as before. To him this one is as good as the one that can wield weapons.
Flea is stuned by the sudden arrival of lightning into the game and stales out on the slope.
The Oglian nearest Gry tries to take another bite out of his leg and the stinger once again comes into play(hit: 34*crit28*/31 and damage: 10*crit14*/8*Fort 16 vs poison*).
The taur-Oglian brings the spear from it's side stabbing in at Jake with more skill than a dumb insect, the stinger that accompanies it drips a fluid(hit: 19/28 and damage: 13/4*Fort 18 vs poison*).
The other taur-Oglian is busy wielding it's own spear against Mac who has struck it from invisibility. The spear stabs in first only to be followed by a stinger(hit: 19/32 and damage: 11/6*Fort 18 vs poison*).
Jake, Mac and Grymash find themselves once again assaulted by the triple whoosh of gas. It seems that a defense mechanism is built into the Oglian that attempts to burn you eyes, nose and throat(Fort DC 24 or lose 1d3 attack rounds). As the stinger sinks into flesh you hear the sizzle of something burning and the smell of burnt flesh as well.
Ant-Taur(Oglian) AC 22 Ant(Oglian) AC 20
Battle map in the mail.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 40/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 10/31) 4d4(2+3+1+4)+4=14 d20+10=19 Sunday July 23rd, 2006 5:41:44 AM
Thankful the Oglians are all engaged and can no longer throw the javelins, Tishe' is still concerned that they are rather bunched up. She continues down the slope, but angling to the left to clear her line of sight (15' down, 15' left). Activating her wand once more, four more streaks of energy impact A3 (14 damage)
Stripes hides in the tall grass over the lip of land, licking his burnt flesh, the smell of ozone in the air. (Hide: 19)
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Flea (Hasted)( AC 21, 53 HP) d20+12=30 4d4(1+4+4+1)+1=11 Monday July 24th, 2006 12:21:46 AM
Flea clicks her heels together and makes up for any wasted time as she hustles after her packmates towards the tunnel entrance. She aims the wand in her right hand discharging it easily (Use Magic Device=30) and sending missiles of magical energy at the enemy (11 pts MM dmg to A2) attacking Mac.
DM Sanity Info:
Right hand holds wand of Magic Missile(7th level) 13/50 charges used Left hand holds wand of CLW 5/50 charges used
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 1/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Mac (AC:22(23 vs A3), HP:84/90) d20+9=28 d20+9=18 d20+17=30 3d6(1+5+3)+10=19 d20+12=19 d20+9=23 d8+5=12 Monday July 24th, 2006 4:45:17 AM
Fort(Gas):28 - Saved! Fort(Stinger):18 - Barely Saved!
The spear thrust glances off his steelgrass chainshirt, but the stinger hits home, and Mac attacks A2 again. His first swing hits AC:30 for 19 damage, second swing misses, but the horn gorn hits AC:23 for another 12 damage.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 59/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom,Spt Wpn) d20+12=14 Monday July 24th, 2006 1:48:42 PM
. . Note - Remember, everyone is under the effect of Neutralize Poison spell.
Trellus makes a face. These dudes should be very dead by now, and they're all still fighting - even the one Gry's ripping up.
The cleric descends another 30' and then pulls up to cast a spell. Maybe just a little more will free Gry up. Domi's Hammer appears above Grymash's opponent, and swings wildly at the ant-taur. [Cast Spiritual Weapon - attack ac14] ------------------- Spells in Effect: Spritual Weapon -- 10 rounds Owls Wisdom -- 20 min Neutralize Poison - 69 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Jake (AC 28, hp 55/59, neutralize poison) d20+9=28 d20+9=26 d20+4=11 d10=8 d6=5 d6=5 d6=4 Monday July 24th, 2006 5:28:34 PM
Jake luckily manages to turn his face and hold his breath as the noxious gas is let loose, but somehow holds down the grass he'd had for lunch. He focuses on the one he's flanking with Gry now, taking a whopping swing at it and getting those weak spots in. His first swing is an excellent strike, nearly taking off one of its pincer thingies on its mouth. The half-elf cuts deep, and has to tug hard to pull his sword out. The reverse cut is shallow and weak in comparison. (fort save DC 28 against gas, hit AC 26 and did 32 damage f(8 slashing, 5 power attack, 5 bonus, 5 freezing, and 9 sneak))
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday July 24th, 2006 6:50:31 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of July 17-21
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXX
Trellus XXXXX
Tishe XXXXX
Jake XOXXX
Gilan XXXXX
Grymash OXXXX
Mac XXXXX
Flea XXOOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: The fight is on! Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues. 7/25 - edited to account for late Monday posts by Grymash and Gilan. Cool! -- mikek
Grymash (ac24, evil26. hp72/104. prot. from evil4) d20+12=20 d20+12=25 d20+15=28 d20+15=26 d20+10=30 d20+10=20 d20+10=26 d8+8=14 d8+8=16 d8+4=10 d8+4=12 d8+8=10 d8+8=14 Monday July 24th, 2006 9:30:05 PM
(Fort save against poisonous bite: 20) (Fort save against noxious gas: 25)
Grymash grimaces in pain from his wounds and chokes a little more on the gas, but continues on with his attack. The bloody swings of his double axe fan the poisonous mist into a torent storm of death.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 25] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+10=14 Monday July 24th, 2006 10:16:06 PM
Gilan moves forward to engage the ant-taur that Jake is facing off against. He tries to avoid getting hit as he knows the other creature has the reach upon him.
His scimitar cuts through the air as he slices at the Oglian with a single minded purpose. "Abominations." He cannot help but say this one little word as he attacks. He growls as his attack comes up short from hitting the Oglian.
Ciaran keeps to his word and guards Tishe' though he is missing out on a good fight. Oh, he would love to have a little fun as well.
Oglian Entrance, 3. (DM Jim) d20+16=19 d20+16=23 d20+16=24 d20+16=31 d20+16=33 2d8(3+1)+8=12 2d8(8+8)+8=24 2d8(5+2)+8=15 d6+2=4 d6+2=5 d6=6 Tuesday July 25th, 2006 12:50:10 AM
Tishe' fires off another barrage of magic missiles as she moves to a clearer area. She is worried about bunching as that has gotten the group into trouble in the past. Stripes continues to stay ducked down upon the top of the slope and out of sight.
Flea activates her boots and takes off down the slope. She uses the wand in her hand to send a series of magic missiles to slam into the ant-taur by Mac.
Mac takes the cue from his friends and slams first his axe and then his horns into the Oglian before him. Though he knows he has mighty swings there the damage is not what he expects...in fact most of his damage thus far has seemed to be soaked by the things hard carapace.
Trellus cannot figure out how the ants are still standing with the pounding that they are taking. As he moves further down the slope he calls upon help in the form of a hammer of Domi. It swings wildly at the Oglian as it passes the shoulder of the half-orc, Grymash.
Jake is able to fend off the gases of the combined ants as he launches another series of attacks. This time he changes his focus to the one that Grymash is attacking. Even though he should have the advantage, flanking with his buddy he finds that the Oglian seems to sense him there. Still he is able to dig several furrows in the things shell.
Grymash finds himself feeling the effects of the combined gas but it is not enough to put him out of the game. His axe shoots out for another series of attacks upon the ant Oglian before him. His last strike neatly splits the things head in twain.
Gilan comes forward to join the fight and though he tries to at least buy time...that is all that he does. His scimitar does nothing else as the hard shell turns it away. Ciaran stays near Tishe' and waits for his chance.
The non taur type Oglian near Grymash drops to the ground, it's head neatly split...like a pudding.
The taur-Oglian near Mac brings it's spear into play once again at Mac and follows it up with a sting(hit: 23/24 and damage: 24/4*Fort 18 vs poison*).
The other taur-Oglian turns it's full attention on Jake as he stops being a threat. Spear and stinger try to impale the man as the Oglian fights to the death(hit: 31/33 and damage: 15/5*Fort 18 vs poison*). As Gilan moves into range the Olgian turns it's spear in his direction(hit: 19 and damage: 12).
Once again Mac, Jake, Grymash and Gilan are assaulted by the sudden burst of that burning vapor. This time it is even worse as the one Oglian dies(Fort DC 26 or lose 1d3 attack rounds). Once again the stingers leave behind a burning in the wounds that is not due to poison.
Mac, Jake and Grymash each take an additional 6 points of damage this round.
Also you are immune to poison per the spell cast by Trellus.
Hive mind gives the Oglian immunity to sneak attacks as they cannot be caught unawares as long as two Oglians are present, though invisibility negates this.
Ant-Taur(Oglian) AC 22 Ant(Oglian) AC 20
Battle map in the mail.
Mac (AC:22(23 vs A2), HP:50/90) d20+9=26 d20+9=24 d20+9=29 d20+9=27 3d6(1+2+2)+26=31 3d6(2+2+4)+26=34 3d6(6+5+1)+26=38 Tuesday July 25th, 2006 4:21:27 AM
Save vs burning vapour(26). Save vs poison(24).
Mac attempt to summon a mighty blow with which to cleave through the ant-taur's tough shell (Power Attack).
His first swing hits AC:29 (CT! hits AC:27) for 31+34+38 = 103 damage. What remains of A2 needs to make a Massive Damage Fort(15) check or die.
Confidant this has dealt with this opponent, Mac moves to provide Jake a flanking attack against A1.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 59/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom,Spt Wpn) d20+12=17 Tuesday July 25th, 2006 3:25:22 PM
The blond head of the cleric bobs in satisfaction with Mac's blow. That should take of that one, leaving just one. Much better.
Trellus maintains his position and directs Domi's Hammer to the last remaining ant taur. Then he reaches back into his HHHaversack and withdraws a spell scroll [CCW].
The hammer swings with a lot of energy. [Attack ac 17]
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spritual Weapon -- 9 rounds Owls Wisdom -- 20 min Neutralize Poison - 69 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Tishe' (AC21, HP 52/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20+13=24 2d8(2+7)+3=12 Tuesday July 25th, 2006 6:08:21 PM
They aren't going down fast because they are protected by thier natural armor... "just like the giant crabs!" shouts Tishe'. "We have to bypass or overcome thier extra thick shells!"
Taking a careful look at the effects of her and Flea's magic missles (Spellcraft:24), Tishe' tries to guage whether the armor can be bypassed by magic. She looks to see Mac's ant-taur too, for the minotaur has that adamantium axe, doesn't he?
Not wanting to waste magic, Tishe' instead pulls a potion from her pants and quaffs the liquid (heal 12 points) and shares the magic with Stripes.
Stripes feels the healing flow through him and knows his human is taking care of him. Now it is time for him to return the favor. The hyena once more scrambles over the lip and heads towards his human (50' move)
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 25] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+10=28 d20+10=23 d20+5=14 d6+4=7 d6+4=5 Tuesday July 25th, 2006 6:37:18 PM
Gilan finds himself enveloped in the cloud of burning stench but staves it off, with pure force of will. With another growl her returns the favor as his scimitar cuts in twice at the Oglian.
Ciaran can feel the shift in the battle and a low rumble can be heard from him as he charges forward. There is weakness in the enemy and he has all intents in helping to bring it to an end now.
Grymash (ac24, evil26. hp66/104. prot. from evil5) d20+12=13 d3=2 Tuesday July 25th, 2006 8:43:54 PM
(Fort Save 13, natural 1. Can not act for the next 2 rounds.)
Grymash finally succumbs to the toxic vapors and becomes too nauseous to contine his attack for the moment.
Flea (AC 21, 53 HP) d20+12=29 4d4(2+4+3+1)+1=11 Wednesday July 26th, 2006 12:10:41 AM
Once again the wand is discharged (UMD=29), and once again balls of energy fly towards the enemy, only this time Flea targets Jake's nemesis. (11 pts MM dmg to A1)
DM Sanity Info:
Right hand holds wand of Magic Missile(7th level) 14/50 charges used Left hand holds wand of CLW 5/50 charges used
Oglian Entrance, 4. (DM Jim) d20+9=16 d20+16=28 d20+16=17 2d6(6+6)+8=20 d6+2=5 d20+16=25 d20+16=33 2d6(4+2)+8=14 d6+2=8 d6=3 Wednesday July 26th, 2006 12:17:42 AM
Mac tears into the ant-taur again with a little more ferocioty. Despite his best efforts the ant does not succumb to the large rends in it's armor.
Trellus cannot believe his eyes as the ant-taur near Mac is still on it's feet and fighting for it's life. He directs the hammer to swing at the other ant-taur near Jake, but it misses.
Tishe' figures out part of the problem as the armor turns part of the damage. It does not appear that even the adamatine axe is good enough to do that. She watches as the magic missile slam into the ant-taur that Flea fires off and finds they seem to have a normal effect. She decides to down a potion and lend part of the healing to Stripes as well. Healed, Stripes comes back down the slope to aid his sister.
Gilan brings his scimitar to bear upon the ant-taur by Jake but is only able to irritate it with his attacks. Most of his damage is reflected by the hard shell. Ciaran charges forward to harrass the Olgian and help in his own way.
Nose, throat and eyes on fire...Grymash finds that he cannot help out this time around. He can only try to steady his breathing and try not to pass out with the gases.
Flea fires off the magic missile wand again that is in her hand. All of the missiles strike dead on as they weave around the form of Jake.
Jake is frozen for a few minutes as he sees the massive damage but no dead ant-taur Oglian. This is just insane and this is only a warm-up they know.
Regular ant Oglian dead.
The ant-taur Oglian near Mac is fading a little but there is still fight there as the thing brings spear and stinger to bear upon the taur(hit: 28/17 and damage: 20/5*Fort 18 vs poison*).
The ant-taur Oglian near Jake takes the opportunity in the lull of the fight to take another stab at Jake with both spear and stinger(hit: 25/33 and damage: 14/8*Fort 18 vs poison*). After all the other person that attack it is a minor annoyance at best.
Once again Mac, Jake, Grymash and Gilan are assaulted by the sudden burst of that burning vapor. This time it is even worse as the one Oglian dies(Fort DC 22 or lose 1d3 attack rounds). Once again the stingers leave behind a burning in the wounds that is not due to poison.
Mac, Jake and Grymash each take an additional 3 points of damage this round.
Also you are immune to poison per the spell cast by Trellus.
Hive mind gives the Oglian immunity to sneak attacks as they cannot be caught unawares as long as two Oglians are present, though invisibility negates this.
Ant-Taur(Oglian) AC 22 Ant(Oglian) AC 20
Battle map in the mail.
Jake (AC 28, hp 27/59, frozen 2/3 rounds) d20+9=19 d3=3 Wednesday July 26th, 2006 3:18:20 AM
(For some reason my post didn't go through. But here it is, pretty much from last round. I was frozen that round, so...) Jake, unfortunately, takes in the gases and is too irritated to continue his attack. He is getting pounded, too, but luckily brings his shield to bear, stopping a very dangerous blow.
Mac (AC:22(23 vs A2), HP:25/90) d20+9=16 d3=1 d20+9=12 Wednesday July 26th, 2006 3:59:20 AM
Save vs burning vapour(16 - 1 round). Save vs poison(12).
Mac also succumbs to the vile vapours.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 59/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom,Spt Wpn) 10d6(6+4+4+4+1+6+1+5+6+2)=39 d20+12=18 d20+6=19 Wednesday July 26th, 2006 10:44:42 AM Domi's Light! Trellus thinks. We got the jump on just three of 'em, and they STILL put Gry, Mac, and Jake out of action.
His friends are in danger, and Trellus decides its time to step up. He weaves his hands together and calls out an incantation. As he finishes, a column of fire slams down from the heavens, engulfing the two remaining ant-taurs. [Flame Strike centered between the two ants - catch both of them without catching Mac, Gilan, or Jake. 39 hp damage, Reflex 21 halves.]
The cleric then moves in. [30' move toward ants]
Domi's Hammer keeps swinging at A1. [Attack ac 18/19]
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spritual Weapon -- 8 rounds Owls Wisdom -- 20 min Neutralize Poison - 69 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Tishe' (AC21, HP 52/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) 4d4(1+4+1+4)+4=14 Wednesday July 26th, 2006 4:06:24 PM
"Magic cuts thier threads just fine!" shouts Tishe', giving her packmates the information she has learned. She stays put, as she is at a perfect distance for her spells and support for her friends, but not too close to become part of these clouds of noxious and acidic vapors.
Her wand targeting Mac's ant-taur, she lets fly four missles (14 damage)
Stripes moves to protect his human's back and growls at the Oglians.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Grymash (ac24, evil26. hp63/104. prot. from evil6, succumbed to poison gas2) Wednesday July 26th, 2006 7:49:41 PM
Grymash continues succumbing to the succumbering effects of toxic gas. Gry cant help but think succumbingly, "how succumb dis always be happens ta Gry!"
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 25] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+10=21 d3=3 d20+15=32 2d6(6+2)+10=18 Wednesday July 26th, 2006 10:09:22 PM
Gilan sputters and closes his eyes as the burning starts. He knows that he is at the mercy of the Oglian that he faces if it wants to take advantage.
Ciaran comes in fast and hard as he comes in beside his brother. He can feel the pain that is coursing through his brother, along with the little taste of fear. Jaws snap at the ant to help keep it at bay.
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: 32 and damage: 18]
Oglian Entrance, 5. (DM Jim) d20+5=15 d20+5=9 Thursday July 27th, 2006 12:18:08 AM
Will the combined storm of fire, magic missiles and the teeth of Ciaran the last of the two ants go down. The awful smell of that foul gas that the Oglian let off fills the air and those that feel it's effects stagger out of the area.
As the group pulls themselves together you survey the three dead Oglian and thier weapons. The cave entrance is also still covered by the web that Tishe' called up. It is time to take stock and figure some things out. It is easy to see why the village of IronHome was taken so easy and why the Barons had such a time.
The effects of the gas will wear off in a couple of minutes as the outside air clears it up and you are able to breathe in clean air again.
Jake (hp 27/59) Thursday July 27th, 2006 4:38:31 AM
When Jake recovers, he curses somewhat. "Man, they almost had me there! Another round and ah'd have been antbait." He regards the fallen enemy and nervously taps their shell with the tip of his sword. "Harder then steel... Man, there's gotta be something that can cut through this stuff. You know, like something harder than this shell... or, hey, we could make weapons FROM the shell...no, wait, that'd take too long. Oh well." Jake shrugs and blinks. "Or armor...these'd make pretty tuff armor, too." After testing a few weapons on them, Jake will wander over to the others... "Oh, hey, Trell or someone, tap me with the happy stick if y'all can?"
Mac (HP:25/90) d20+12=21 Thursday July 27th, 2006 7:19:33 AM
Mac pats Jake on the shoulder. "Me too on both counts!" He settles in to more closely examine the weapons. (Craft(Weaponsmith) check: 21)
After a few moment he asks, "Was there some magic stopping our blades from harming them? I can't understand it otherwise."
Tishe' (AC21, HP 52/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20+13=31 d20+8=20 Thursday July 27th, 2006 3:39:50 PM
"They seem to be armored like the giant crabs from the village." thinks Tishe' out loud. "But I am less worried about thier armor than the acidic odor they send out. Can you imagine being trapped in thier tunnels with that stuff?"
She looks at Trellus. "I'm all for hitting hard and fast and finding prisoners, but I don't think we'll succeed without some defense against the ant-gas."
She does wonder if the ant-gas is magical or natural (Spellcraft: 31, Know(nature): 20)
She doesn't offer taking down the web until someone else suggests it.
Stripes moves to protect his human's back and growls at the Oglian carcasses.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Thursday July 27th, 2006 6:40:33 PM
Gilan coughs out the last of the gas as he listens to the others talking. His eyes are still watering and he cannot help but want to rub them. "That gas could be a problem...then again it could be something they would not use in the tunnels." It is only a guess but he does not want to be on the receiveing end of that...no matter the form.
Looking to Trell he nods to Jake and Mac. "Want to save normal magics and use the wand...I have a couple of extra potions as well." He looks to Gry and laughs lightly. "That smelt worse than Gry after one of his training sessions." He is comfortable in waiting to see what else will be thought out. "If I had different spells we could maybe hold them at bay or a spell to control wind would help as well."
Ciaran wipes his nose as he catches a whiff of the gas. He sneezes a couple of times and then backs off from the area till the gas clears out.
Flea d20+12=31 d20+12=26 d20+12=27 d8+1=3 dd8+1=8 d8+1=5 Thursday July 27th, 2006 7:22:10 PM
The rogue catches up with the rest of her paty, tucking one of her wands in her belt, she twirls the one in her left hand. "You don't look too good, Mac," she says, then taps the minotaur with her wand - 3 times for good measure.
Use Magic Device=31, 26, 27 Cure Light Wounds=3, 8, 5 for 16 HP restored
DM Sanity Info:
Right hand holds wand of Magic Missile(7th level) 14/50 charges used Left hand holds wand of CLW 8/50 charges used
(OOC: Assuming we'e not in combat rounds at the moment. DM please adjust if we are.-Carla)
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom) 4d8(4+1+5+3)+7=20 d8=7 3d8(8+4+3)+5=20 3d8(7+3+2)+5=17 3d8(2+1+7)+5=15 d8=5 3d8(4+8+6)+5=23 3d8(3+6+8)+5=22 3d8(2+7+2)+5=16 Thursday July 27th, 2006 8:05:36 PM
Trellus dismisses Domi's Hammer while breaking out some spell scrolls. He may be needed his wands down in that hole pretty bad, and doesn't want to use them if he doesn't have to.
Jake - CCW for 26 hp healed Mac - 2xCSW for 37 hp healed
Then he goes to the wand (CSW) 4 charges used -
Mac 19 hp healed Gry 45 hp healed Trellus 16 hp healed
"I got no picks against that gas," he responds glumly. "But they'll know something is up before tomorrow morning." The blond man stares at the webbing, hoping for inspiration, and finding none.
"Guess we go careful," he says finally. "If things get all twisted, we get out."
------------------- Spells in Effect: Owls Wisdom -- 19 min Neutralize Poison - 68 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Grymash Thursday July 27th, 2006 8:40:37 PM
Grymash still coughs off the gas. His eyes are even more red than they normally are. His snout runs freely with.. well, you know! After hearing that his odor being compared with this awful stench, he cant help but retort with a snort, "Huh! Gry's stink smells an eats like honey when compares ta dis piggie flop!!"
Gry smells one of his blades and his face contorts with an expression of great displeasure. He begins wiping down his weapons and gear.
The Legend of the Oglian
Healing and Plans. (DM Jim) Friday July 28th, 2006 12:51:40 AM
Healing is dished out as the group settles on some plans to combat all the little tricks that the Olgian possess. It seems that with time the Olgian have evolved even further than they had already. Those of legend were just smart ants...but these ones make and use weapons.
Mac finds that all the spears are not that crude but are also not of highest quality. The spears are the same as the javelins...but the tips are made of a black metal. In fact it looks an awful lot like what makes up the dome of IronHome......and his axe for that fact. Tishe' is able to tell just by checking out the Olgian and the smell that it is natural in nature. It seems that a gland is able to produce it near the end of the ants. She also can guess that it is as much defensive as for warnings too.
The webs still hold the entrance so that noone can enter, but that can be solved in an instant. The entrance of the cave seems to go straight forward for about ten feet but it is pitch black from here. There is a musty smell of earth, death and something else mixed in that you cannot identify.
As of my other post we were out of combat mode and back into normal mode.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 52/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Friday July 28th, 2006 3:33:04 PM
Tishe' doesn't like going into the tunnel, but she likes the idea that the Oglians could get prepared even less. "We'd never be able to get in tomorrow", she tells the pack, "they are sure to weave greater protections than these three."
A wave of her hand dismisses the webs at the entrance, and another spell makes her wand shine like a torch.
"Trying to track where humans went may be a problem without Anuk", she begins, but then brightens. "We can have Stripes and Cirian track human scents with thier noses! I can tell them through a little spell if you want. That way we don't have to get lost in many tunnels."
The plain-faced woman frowns "but how do we get back out without getting lost?"
Stripes keeps near his human, sniffing the air and wincing.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom) Friday July 28th, 2006 4:20:54 PM
"Same way," Trellus answers her distractedly. "They can smell the fresh air."
Still wondering if this whole thing is a real good idea, the cleric takes a couple steps over to Flea and lays a hand on her head. "May Domi protect you," he intones [Protective Ward: +9 resistance bonus on next save roll]
He looks up. "Well, unless someone's got a shady idea, I guess we go." The blond man passes Tishe an Everburning Torch. "Can you take that?"
------------------- Spells in Effect: Owls Wisdom -- 19 min Neutralize Poison - 68 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Saturday July 29th, 2006 12:49:25 AM
Gilan shakes himself loose and then follows along with the rest of the group. He lets his eyes adjust to the lesser light inside even with the torch. His scimitar and shield are out and he is more than ready for trouble.
Ciaran's hair is standing as he slowly enters the underground. He does not like it but he will follow his brother at least for now. At least a cave is not too far from some of his homelife.
Oglian Hive. (DM Jim) Saturday July 29th, 2006 1:06:03 AM
The group enters the cavern entrance to find that it leads straight on for several feet to open into a larger chamber. With the light from the torch you are able to see across what must be a fifteen feet cavern, with a height of twenty feet. There is a blue glow to the walls that seem to writhe around, twisting and turning as if in constant motion.
The temperature has dropped at least twenty degrees from what it was outside. The air seems to be clear but still that smell of decay still hangs in the air along with something else. In the distance you can hear the steady drip of water as it falls from ceiling to floor.
It is not hard to see in the light that there are three bodies layed out near one of two tunnels in the cavern. The one leads to the north while the other goes to the east.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22) Saturday July 29th, 2006 2:00:46 PM
Trellus enters the tunnel carefully, all senses on high alert. The man can almost feel the ants watching them, gauging them. The smell is uncomfortable, and the idea that its likely to get worse isn't appealing either.
At the entrance to the cavern, the cleric notes the bodies and the tunnels. "Mac, watch that one," he whispers, pointing to the east tunnel. The taur's ability to see in the dark should prevent any nasty surprises. "Flea, check those dudes out. (chin bob toward the bodies) Gry - watch her back." -- again, packmates that can see in whatever light.
"Everyone else stay shuttlecocked."
Now is probably a good time for another protective spell. Trellus casts the spell on himself. [Spell Resistance 22] ------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 10 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.8 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.8 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Jake Saturday July 29th, 2006 4:08:25 PM
"Huh, these guys are tougher than the other ants were, that's for sure... Ah hope they ain't smarter. Hmmm." Jake picks up one of their spear-thingies and tries to poke one of the hard-shelled insects with it. Does it pierce the creature with great ease? (Aka, ignore damage reduction/whtaever that hard-shelled thing is?) Jake then joins the group. (I think the marching order is thus: Flea in front, scouting/looking for traps, Gry following, Mac next, Gilan next, Tishe thereafter, Trellus coming along then, and Jake in the back, just in case)
Mac (HP:78/90) d20+6=10 Saturday July 29th, 2006 6:46:49 PM
Taking a step towards the east tunnel, Mac retrives a potion and peers into the murky dark - his mind playing tricks as to where walls and floors go*. Spot Check:10
* Minotaurs do not have any special visual abilities.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Saturday July 29th, 2006 7:26:57 PM
Gilan glances to the bodies and to the walls with the blue light. "What is that?" He speaks quietly as he points a hand at all the walls that seem to be covered in it. Looking to Ciaran he taps him lightly on the head to get his attention. He points to the tunnel that Mac is guarding and brings his fist closed and nods to his brother. He pulls out a wand and gently taps both himself and Tishe' with it as he grins. "Will allow speaking with animals for a time."
Ciaran moves off to stand near Mac as he silently stares down the tunnel. With the blue light from the walls and the torch he can see well enough. You may notice that his tail is stiff and resembles a bottle brush...but he is not growling.
[greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 8hours - +3hit/damage] [speak with animals(Gilan & Tishe') - 60rounds or 6minutes]
Tishe' (AC21, HP 52/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20=6 Monday July 31st, 2006 6:15:17 AM
Tishe' shakes her head at Trellus' request. "I've already got a light spell on my wand. For me to hold another won't make it any brighter. Perhaps someone else could hold it for greater light?" And then she mumbles to herself, "I should have studied Unseen Servant..."
Gilan's wand is much more welcomed. With a smile for Gilan, Tishe' turns to her hyena and kneels. "Stripes, we need to find other humans, from the IronHome pack. They have been captured by the ant-taurs and we will rescue the IronHome cubs. Can you sniff them out?"
Stripes' eyes glow at being able to understand his human. It was the right choice in joining her, joining this pack! He sniffs the air tentatively, and then proceeds to try and catch a whiff of IronHome Cubs. (Unskilled Track: 6) Unfortunetely, the hyena is not a scent hunter...
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Flea(AC 21, 53 HP) d20+13=23 Monday July 31st, 2006 4:28:14 PM
Flea moves over to the bodies, a single wand in her left hand. Comfortable underneath her Cloak of Comfort the coolness only registers on her exposed face. Something else, maybe the bodies, makes the hair stand up on the back of her neck, but she does as the cleric bids.
Flea takes out her short sword, and gives one of the bodies a nudge with the flat side of the blade, ready to jump back should the thing become animated. Her eyes search for anything of interest on the corpses. (Search=23)
Position: Flea would be at the feet of the corpses, looking down at them.
Ammendment. (DM Jim) Monday July 31st, 2006 6:52:17 PM
The bodies are about five feet from the tunnel entrance that Mac and Ciaran are guarding. I would like to know the general location of everyone in reference to the bodies and that tunnel. Is anyone near the other tunnel that leads North?
Depending on what is done at this time this information may come into play with my next post. Though I may hold off and wait for everyone to post their general location in reference to Flea, the bodies and the two tunnels. I will also be sending out a rough map for this part of the hive complex.
MikeK Monday July 31st, 2006 7:48:15 PM
Jim - I'd assumed the bodies were on the north entrance. If they are east, Trellus would swap things around - Mac and Ciaran to the north tunnel. Flea checking out bodies on east tunnel, Gry in the chamber within 10' of Flea. Trellus, Tishe at the tunnel entrance with Gilan and Jake behind them.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday July 31st, 2006 7:50:09 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of July 24-28
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXX
Trellus XXXXX
Tishe XXXXX
Jake OXXOX
Gilan XXXXX
Grymash XXXO?
Mac XXXOX
Flea XOXOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues.
Antz and Corpses. (DM Jim) Tuesday August 1st, 2006 12:44:32 AM
As the group spreads out in the small cavern the start to hear a slight buzzing in your heads. You do not feel any ill effects just a buzz in your heads that is slightly annoying.
Flea moves to the bodies as Grymash moves to keep an eye upon her. When she searches the area near the bodies at first, it is easy to tell that at least the last few feet that they moved was clawing their way along. Each one is missing from the knee down on their legs and the bodies have a stench about them as if they have been here for a few weeks. They are dressed or at least what is left of thier clothing, in the same type of leather armor that the hunters' of IronHome. Large sections of flesh is missing from the bodies and they are neatly half eaten or better with some.
Mac and Ciaran wait near the north tunnel and search the area for signs of movement, finding nothing. Still both seem a little put off with the slight buzz and the tail of the wolf is still fuzzed out as if he senses danger.
Trellus, Gilan, Tishe' and Jake are still near the entrance of the cavern entrance. Even with the glow of the light from Tishe''s spell the blue lights that emminate from the walls...seems to shift. In fact if you stare long enough at it...there maybe patterns to it.
The air is still musty and scented with the smell of death...not all of it being the dead bodies.
Mac (HP:78/90) d20+6=22 d20+1=14 Tuesday August 1st, 2006 2:52:34 AM
Mac tries to focus on the corridor beyond, trying to ignore the stench.
Spot:22, Listen:14
Tishe' (AC21, HP 52/53) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20+8=19 d20+8=16 Tuesday August 1st, 2006 5:11:18 AM
The plain-faced woman pushes a lock of wavy-brown hair away from her face, an apprehensive look about her. "I don't like these ant-taurs, I don't like this buzzing sound, and I don't like the lights. It is almost as if the entire system is a trap!"
Not seeing the bodies, she can but wait for an analysis from her packmates on why they dodn't have any legs from the knee down, but she can concentrate on the other sights and sounds.
"If the Oglians are hive creatures like ants, I wonder if the buzzing is thier thoughts, thier communication?" She tries to listen to catch anything understandable. (Listen:19) "Or maybe it is not the sound of voices, but the sound of tunnelling?"
Tishe' will also study the light patterns to see if she can see anything of value (Spot:16)
On edge, Stripes has his hackles raised and stays close to his human.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Jake d20+4=16 d20+7=21 Tuesday August 1st, 2006 11:01:04 AM
Jake keeps his sword and shield ready, and mostly half-faces the rear of the group. Who knows, they might appear at any second. He can hear his heart beat thudding slightly...
(Spot 16, Listen 21)
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22) Tuesday August 1st, 2006 11:39:35 AM
"They know we're here," Trellus declares softly. Like the rest of the pack, the blond man's senses are warped up tight.
He surveys the two tunnel entranes. They'll want to get behind us, he thinks to himself. They're gonna wait till we get in one of those tunnels, and then follow us in.
"Tishe?" he asks softly. "You got another one of them webs? Can you block up that one?" The red robed cleric points to the East tunnel.
At some point in the recent past, no one can quite remember when, Trellus changed outfits. The man is wearing a burgundy surcoat inscribed with silver runes that clearly mark him as a servant of Domi [Setanos Vestment]
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.9 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.7 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.7 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+10=28 d20+10=17 d20+3=20 d20+3=10 Tuesday August 1st, 2006 9:39:15 PM
Gilan stands his ground near the entrance as he waits for the group to come to any decisions. His eyes search the area and he listens for sounds of the ants. "What do you make of the blue walls." He states this partly to Trellus but also to Tishe' who has taken an interest.
Ciaran keeps his place near Mac as he stares into the darkness. From his actions you would guess that nothing is coming from that direction.
[listen 28 and spot 17 - listen 20 and spot 10]
[greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 8hours - +3hit/damage] [speak with animals(Gilan & Tishe') - 60rounds or 6minutes]
Finds. (DM Jim) Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 12:47:55 AM
Most of the group continue to watch for other Olgian as the bodies are looked at. Flea seems to be stuned by the looks of the corpses as she stays in a kneeling position near them.
Tishe' takes a closer look at the walls as Trellus asks her a question. Gilan comments to both Trellus and Tishe' about the walls though he does not look at them too closely.
What Tishe' sees.The walls are covered with ever changing images done in a blue substance. As she watches she can see what must be the early Oglian upon the Plains with humanoid slaves working in fields of some kind. In the pictures the sun is shining overhead as the humanoids cut down grass and take care of what must be prairie pigs. As she watches the pictures change to a settlement of somekind that is defending itself from the Oglian. What must be arrows and spears come from behind some kind of wall but the Oglian swarm over the humanoid shapes and when the pass on there is nothing left in the walls. Then the pictures shift again to that of a large altar in the middle of an underground area. Oglian stand all around this altar that a huge ant seems to be seated upon. The Oglian sway as what must represent speech comes from this diety or queen. The pictures go through another series of images and then come back to the first image of humanoids working the Oglian fields again.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 11:49:11 AM
"By the weft and web..." Tishe's voice trails off as she watches the blue light pictures cycle and cycle again. "They are pictures!" She comes closer to the blue radiance and watches again. "I wonder if it is only pictures or another means of communication. I wonder if it will show a picture of where they keep humans underground?"
Looking around, she guages whether the blue ambiance gives off enough light that the packmates will not need thier own light sources right now.
"Yes, I can, but do you want me to web it now? It may take them a while, but i think they would be able to cut through the webbing or even tunnel around it if they really wanted to."
Looking at the half-eaten corpses, Tishe' goes grim. "If they are missing thier legs, maybe we should be careful of where we step?"
On edge, Stripes has his hackles raised and stays close to his human.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, *Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Jake Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 2:02:58 PM
Jake curiously examines Tishe's findings. "Huh, whaddya know... ant cartoonists. Hey, this guy looks kinda like Gil... Hmmm, you know, it seems like the ones ew fought had more legs than normal. Perhaps they glue em on or something.. " Jake shrugs, and wipes his head. At least it's somewhat cool in these tunnels, away from the beating sun. He takes a swig from his waterskin at this refreshing break, then gets back into battle mode.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22) Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 3:32:55 PM
Trellus nods decisively at the mage. "Yeah, we're weavin'. Let's slow 'em down anyway."
"Flea - you n' Gry lead the way (North) Jake-you too. Mac, come in behind us as we pass."
-------------------
Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.9 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.7 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.7 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Flea (Low-light vision)(AC 21, 53 HP) d20 d20+8=27 d20+6=21 d20+23=42 d20+11=18 d20+14=32 d20+9=23 d20+13=33 Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 5:23:42 PM
"Ugghhh!" utters the gnome, moving back from the desecrated corpses. Flea puts a hand over her nose and mouth in an effort to stiffle the involuntary wretch that comes so easily. Bumping into the big half-orc, she whispers, "you think they eat them?"
Flea glances quickly at what Tishe' is looking at (Decipher Script=27, Knowledge History=21) and quickly files through her limited store of recntly aquired plains knowledge in order to solve the riddle. She then does as Trellus bids, moving down the tunnel, taking every precaution.
"You want I should light the way?" she asks from just inside the tunnel, ready to cast Dancing Lights and send the 4 glowing spheres of illumination down the tunnel about 40 ft. ahead of her.*
DM Sanity info:
Flea will only cast this spell if Trellus or Gilan give the 'okay' to do so or if there is no other way of seeing. It would last for 1 minute (10 rounds)
Mac (HP:78/90) d20+6=12 Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 7:46:41 PM
Mac falls into line as asked, trying to see movement now on any surface. Spot:12
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 8:54:04 PM
Gilan nods as Trellus calls for the need to move out and have a look around. He falls into the middle of the group as they move around. With the light from Tishe's spell he is able to see well enough but will it last. Glancing to Trellus he nods back at the bodies. "Should we have checked them?" He does not relish the job himself but...everything was a risk here.
Ciaran falls back to walk beside his brother. He does not look too happy to be going further into the caverns but he will follow.
[greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 8hours - +3hit/damage] [speak with animals(Gilan & Tishe') - 60rounds or 6minutes]
Tishe' (2nd Post) Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 11:11:37 PM
Will cast her web into the other tunnel, trying to make it as sticky as possible (conjuration +1 DC = 17)
North Tunnel. (DM Jim) Thursday August 3rd, 2006 12:47:40 AM
Without a lot of thought to the bodies the group moves on through the north tunnel entrance and further into the hive. Tishe' takes time to web over the east entrance to at least slow the Oglian down.
This tunnel is not that long, running a mere ten feet till it opens into another cavern. The walls in here are also lit with blue but if anyone looks it is not pictures this time around.
The cavern is large...really large and split in two by a large chasm. There are three different paths that could be taken across the great chasm. Milled near the entrance of the tunnel you followed it appears the chasm must be at least fourty feet across to the other side. Looking to the ceiling reveals a large amount of stalagmites in varying sizes and shapes. Something appears to be laying upon the middle path across the chasm but you cannot tell what from here.
With the light you can also see a series of tunnels cut into the sides of the walls in varying areas. None of them are more than three feet high and about two feet across. You hear nothing from behind you yet at least in the tunnel but there is this wierd snapping noise.
All the Bloodpack are also experiencing an increase in the buzzing in your heads. In fact you keep catching words at times and it is starting to get annoying...most likely.
Words - softmeats, kill, honor, alliance, footstuffs and follow.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22) Thursday August 3rd, 2006 12:04:59 PM
Trellus looks at Gilan in confusion. "Flea just did," he answers, assuming the gnome had given the corpses a once-over.
The buzzing words in his mind, the snapping sound behind him, and this cavern all scream 'ambush'. The cleric doesn't like it at all.
"'Softmeats'. Light."
"OK, lets get everyone in here so we can get some room." Trellus wants everyone to stay on the near side of the chasm, and moves the group against the southeast or southwest wall - depending on which part does not have many of those small tunnels around them.
He asks Mac to stay next to the tunnel they entered from, with Grymash, Jake, and Gilan forming a semi circle from him and back to the cavern wall. Trellus and Tishe fill in.
"Flea, take a look," he says, nodding toward the object on bridge. "You see anything you don't like, get back here fast."
The cleric pulls out two potions. "These'll help deflect attacks," he offers. "Anybody want one?"
[Shield of Faith +2]
-------------------
Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.8 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.6 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.6 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Ammendment. (DM Jim) Thursday August 3rd, 2006 1:49:07 PM
Did I miss some search rolls or anything from Flea that I should have? I do not remember her actually stating that she was searching the bodies...just looking them over.
If Carla wants to make a search roll, I will rewind things just a little to tell you if you found anything. If not we will just move on as normal. :)
Now if Carla did have Flea search the bodies and I missed it...which is possible with things the way they are lately. I will rewind a little and add in anything that she would or might have found.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Thursday August 3rd, 2006 4:05:22 PM
Keeping the lighted wand in her hand, Tishe' keeps up with her packmates. The blue pictures of the first cavern make her immediately search out the blue flickers in here to see if they are anything different.
In fact, she will see if they are similar to the words she is hearing inside her head!
"Honor? Allies? The Oglians may be less of a single unite force than we thought." mentions Tishe'. "We should be ready to take advantage of a break in thier ranks."
"I can also conjure a creature to scout out for us, to trigger any traps that may be ahead."
On edge, Stripes has his hackles raised and stays close to his human.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Flea (Ac 21, 53 HP) d20+11=30 d20+14=29 d20+9=20 d20+13=31 Thursday August 3rd, 2006 4:18:27 PM
"I have a bad feeling about this," is all the gnome can say as she does the cleric's bidding and goes towards the thing spead out on the ground.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+10=25 d20+10=22 d20+3=8 d20+3=10 Thursday August 3rd, 2006 10:34:43 PM
Gilan spreads out as ordered as he watches the area. He does not like the sounds that are coming from behind them but the have it covered...for awhile.
Ciaran glances left and right from his brother's left knee. He makes no sound but you can tell that he too is ready for trouble.
[listen 25 and spot 22 - listen 8 and spot 10]
[greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 8hours - +3hit/damage] [speak with animals(Gilan & Tishe') - 60rounds or 6minutes]
Noted the post from Flea and I am not sure why I missed it. Will remedy that with my next post and anyone that wants can make plans from there as well.
Jake Friday August 4th, 2006 12:34:25 AM
Jake shivers and finds himself strangely feeling like he did up in those Ice Pack lands. But it's not the cold, it's something else. And these words in his head, they're really starting to get him nervous. All of this is just as bad as the scary tales they used to tell back in Rattledam. "Guys...uh, maybe we should withdraw. I mean, we had trouble with, what, three? And there could be hundreds of them. At least, it seems like there's lots of them..." Jake's voice sounds slightly rattlely, and he lacks his usual easygoing accent.
Pulling Souls and Oglian Dates. (DM Jim) Friday August 4th, 2006 12:47:10 AM Rewind
Flea prods the corpse with her sword lightly. She notices a small book in the folds of the clothes that the middle corpse is wearing. Then the corpse explodes from her earlier touch, which sets off the other two corpses as well. A rain of puss, maggots and assorted other foul things is sudden filling the air...followed by a smell that is beyond description. Everyone is hit by this flying stinking mess and in fact the walls are now covered in it as well(Fort DC 24 for everyone).
Now
The group forms up as Flea slowly moves forward and towards the middle bridge that has a body upon it.
Tishe' scans the walls and even takes a close look. This time around though she finds no writing or pictures upon them. The walls are just marked with the same blue glowing substance but with no apparent pattern.
As Flea moves forward she scans the area for signs of traps and her eyes look to the body that lays ahead of her. She is moving as silently as she possibly can and as she gets closer the body comes more into focus. It is a woman or at least part of it is a woman but part of it is also a bear. Getting to within ten feet of the body she can make out the hand that is open towards her and in it is a earthen jar, now broken. Then it happens, there is a jerk of her being. It feels as if the very soul is being pulled out of your body through your pours. All you know is that the pain is real and you are standing on a bridge that is only five feet across.
Jake is torn by the problems they had with three ants and wants to retreat. Then there is the scuttle sound from the tunnel you came down and it is getting closer. Before long, in the magic light, you see the front pinchers of another large Oglian ant. At least it is not an ant-taur and the tunnel is too small for it to use it's stinger with it's pinchers.
Made up for my goof earlier. So you may and need to respond to both parts of this post so that I can get us synced again. Sorry for the mess up.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22) d20+8=25 Friday August 4th, 2006 10:21:57 AM Rewind [Fort 25]
"Yuck," Trellus mumbles, vainly attempting to wipe himself off. "This bites grass. Truly"
Now Trellus is about to agree with Jake when he hears the ant coming. "Light, that was fast," he marvels.
"Gry, help Mac. Rip that thing as it comes out.
The cleric keeps his eyes on Flea. Is she in trouble? He can't tell.
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.7 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.5 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.5 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20+8=27 Friday August 4th, 2006 4:39:07 PM
REWIND Not the sturdiest person, Tishe' is able to withstand the completely gross explosion of rotting meat and maggots that used to be three people. (Fort 27! YaY!)
NOW Not able to see anything in the blue light, Tishe' watches Flea anxiously until the sounds behind her distracts the girl.
"I wonder if they went through the web or around it?" Yet now is not the time to ponder. Since there is only one, and Mac and Gry are moving into position, Tishe' will turn back to observe Flea in the middle of the cavern.
"Don't attack immediately", she cautions, "the buzzing words said there was someone who thought of us as an ally."
Stripes ensures that he is between his human and this extra large ant.
Up close and personal with the corpses, Flea bears the brunt of the exploding mess (Fort=6, fail). Hopefully her quick grab was sufficient to retrieve the small book (Sleight of Hand=15). (If she is successful, she will hand it off to Tishe' when she passes by the plain female.)
Flea wretches, her eyes water, she shivers, and jumps about as she tries to shake the disgusting mess from off her small person.
Now
It is with much more caution, and with many looks back at her pack-mates, that she does Trellus' bidding.
Approaching the desecrated body Flea feels as if her very soul is being pulled out of your body. All she knows is the very real pain. Suddenly she is standing on a bridge that is only five feet across. The rogue falls to her knees, and hunches over, wrapping her hands over her head. "Domi help me!" is all she can say.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+10=11 d20+11=26 Friday August 4th, 2006 7:33:09 PM
Rewind Gilan finds himself covered in the debris from three forms and is not liking it too much. It stinks and crawls...it is literally nasty. he finds himself bent over in short order and throwing up on the floor of the cavern, adding to the mess that is already there.
Ciaran is a lot better off as he is able to fight off the ill effects of this crud. He keeps his place near Mac, even with his brother on his knees...purging himself.
[Fort 11 and 26]
Now Gilan watches with tense muscles as Flea moves forward and onto the bridge. When she goes down he does not think or hesitate as he charges out onto the bridge after her. "Flea." He does not care what traps maybe around or what may happen...a friend, a sister is in trouble. He only waves Ciaran back as he races so the the wolf can watch his back.
Ciaran moves forward part of the way with his brother but stops as he is waved to stay. He does not like it but he can sense the reason. If something comes up on that bridge he will be needed.
[greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 8hours - +3hit/damage] [speak with animals(Gilan & Tishe') - 10rounds or 1minute]
Mac (HP:78/90, AC:22(23 vs large ant)) d20+9=22 d20+7=11 Friday August 4th, 2006 8:54:46 PM Rewind Assaulted by the meat explosion Mac adds to the chorus.
Now Mac stands to one side of the low tunnel and has his axe raised to drop once he can see more than just pincers. Readied attack hits AC:11...
Stephen Friday August 4th, 2006 11:37:31 PM
Sorry, you were all supposed to be informed, but Jerry forgot to mention it to anyone, even after multiple inquires of confirmation that he actually did the deed. Long story short, my computer is fried ... processor, motherboard and video card. Its all being working on, hopefully will be back up by Monday. I am feeling withdrawal symptoms for not having web access for over a week. Just want to let everyone know I did NOT abandon you. :)
Grymash will be back soon, hopefully.
Turn Up the Problems. (DM Jim) Saturday August 5th, 2006 1:18:16 AM
Flea is stuck on the bridge in pain as the pain continues...though it is weakening a little as the time goes by. She still feels the tug but it is not as bad as before.
Gilan pulls up near Flea and is struck by the same sudden grasp at his soul. The instant pain is just as intense as what Flea felt earlier.
As the others prepare for the arrival of the Oglian that is coming down the tunnel after them...there is a quiet in the cavern. Though you can still hear the drip of water in the distance and the smell is still there...something has changed.
The Oglian peeks it's head through the tunnel entrance and into the cavern. An axe explodes chunks out of the floor missing the neck of the thing by a good four inches. Mac is left bent over and sort of looking into a multifaceted eye. It appears that the Oglian is as surprised as the rest with the situation as it retreats a little.
Note that Flea was able to grab the book from the corpse right before it exploded. Though the call to move out stopped her from being able to read it.
Jake Saturday August 5th, 2006 2:26:59 AM
(Rolled and somehow post didn't go through.. got a 21 on my save. Oh well!) Jake is hit by whatever it is whenever it hit him. To be honest, he wasn't paying much attention, looking at the pictures on the wall while Flea poked around. Too bad for him.
Now, the ant thing moves out and it levels antennas at them in a manner Jake can only interpret as threatening. Still... "Gry, don't rush in! It could be a trap...!" Jake looks at the floor and the area around for signs of a hidden pit or something. And his packmate's words also ring out, that it might be an ally. Hmmm. Can only wait and see. "Errr..whoever, whatever you are, come out with your hands..er, um, antennas down."
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Sunday August 6th, 2006 1:04:41 AM
The plain-faced mage accepts the book from Flea and, shaking off any maggots, sticks it in a pants pocket for later.
And now, seeing her little packmate doubled over on the bridge and Gilan seeming to hit the same 'wall', Tishe' will move forward with Stripes further into the cavern, but not upon the bridge. Weaving a spell, she hopes she can detect whatever magic is picking on her packmates.
Continuing her concentration and lighted wand held high, Tishe' will call out her findings to the rest of the Bloodpack.
Stripes paces his human, not sure where the greatest threat is, but determined to face it with his strong jaws.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+10=16 d20+10=13 Sunday August 6th, 2006 5:20:26 PM
Gilan sucks in his breathe as the sudden feeling hits him. He drops to one knee as he reaches out for Flea. "You ok." If she was feeling the same thing he is now, he knows that she is not. He glances around the area trying to spot something, anything that maybe causing this feeling.
Ciaran growls low from his spot but does not move towards his brother. He can sense the pain and surprise that wells up in his brother but cannot do anything yet.
Flea (AC 21, 53 HP) d20+11=28 Sunday August 6th, 2006 6:15:45 PM
Flea hears the voice of her packmate (Listen=28) over the other strange voices in her head. She turns around, and tries to crawl towards the druid, away from the bridge and the awful corpse of the dismembered woman.
"I don't think we belong here," is all she can say.
(OOC: Jim, I sent you Flea's PC sheet last week. Did you get it?-Carla)
Got it just fine Carla - JimW
Mac (HP:78/90, AC:22(23 vs large ant)) Monday August 7th, 2006 11:41:47 PM
"Go!" he orders the large ant away as he brings the axe back out of the rock and up to the top of its arc.
Good News - Bad News. (DM JimW) d20+14=22 Tuesday August 8th, 2006 1:56:40 AM
Flea and Gilan find the pull on thier souls to be weakening as if their bodies are slowly fighting it off. The pain is now down to a dull ache and much easier to handle.
Tishe' moves forward and with the use of a spell sense a light bit of magic coming from the corpse...but nothing that should have brought them to thier knees. There is also an bit of magic near the corpses outstretched hand as well but it seems oddly different...otherworldly.
The Oglian makes no move to return down the tunnel or do anything that the group suggests. In fact it takes a bite at Mac with it's pinchers(hit: 22 and damage: none). Jake can see no traps of anykind near the Oglian that just showed up, in fact they had just walked over that area a few minutes ago with no ill effects.
Flea hears the scrap of insect feet upon stone coming from the direction that the corpse must have taken. That means that whatever it is will need to pass the bridge to get across and it has three available to use.
Flea (AC 21, 53 HP) Tuesday August 8th, 2006 5:30:14 PM
The pain lessens, and Flea regains her feet. Backing up carefully, she points in the direction of the scraping insect feet. "Something's coming!" she warns her friends.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Tuesday August 8th, 2006 7:33:58 PM
Gilan slowly backs up with the lessening of the pain that accompanied his soul pull. He nods in understanding to Flea. "I have a few ideas to slow it or them down if need be." His mind races with the possible spell that he can lose to call up help. Glancing to the corpse he nods his head in it's direction. "Maybe they will not pass across this bridge...with that there." He looks to the other two bridges and shakes his head. "That still leaves two choices." He hopes that the others heard Flea as he calls back. "Ciaran at the bridge end."
Ciaran charges forward and stops at the bridge's end as he waits for his brother to come to him. He growls low in encouragement to both packmembers.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Wednesday August 9th, 2006 12:45:49 AM
It doesn't take Tishe' long to weave cloth from threads, and she calls out to her packmates:
"The woman must have been a druid, half-changed into a bear. She has magic items on her, and something otherWoldly near her hand. Flea! The woman was holding it when she was killed, so we can pick it up, too. We need to either retrieve it or destroy it so the Oglians can't use it."
Looking at the situation (three bridges and tunnel) and the corpses of now four of the IronHome heroes all killed while fleeing the tunnels; Tishe' is suddenly frightened, more frightened than she was when swallowed by the great ranthom.
"I can try and cover the other two bridges with spells to delay anything, but it will be short duration."
She continues to concentrate on the magic to further identify what it is.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Jake Wednesday August 9th, 2006 1:11:29 PM
(I'm confused about the situation.) Jake takes a look at what's going on and doesn't comment. He eyes the ant that love-munched on his fellow packmate and wonders what it would taste like for dinner.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22) [SteveK-Sub] Wednesday August 9th, 2006 1:46:55 PM
"Light", swears the blonde cleric again; too many things are happening at once.
"Mac. You and Jake cut this Oglian's thread and keep our retreat open."
"Gry, you and I will help take care of whatever's coming over the bridges!"
Trellus moves to the bridge on the left, calling a feather from his HHH. "I bet this will keep anything from coming over the bridge for a while" he calls to the Bloodpack.
-------------------
Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.6 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.4 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.4 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Mac (HP:78/90, AC:22(23 vs large ant)) d20+16=24 3d6(4+4+4)+10=22 d20+11=18 3d6(2+2+2)+10=16 d20+8=14 Wednesday August 9th, 2006 4:17:39 PM
Mac attacks the Oglian.
First attack hits AC:24 for 22 damage. Second attack hits AC:18 for 16 damage Horn gore hits AC:14...
Between an Oglian and an Oglian. (DM Jim) 4d6(5+2+6+4)=17 d20+14=27 d8+4=6 Wednesday August 9th, 2006 5:10:54 PM
Gilan and Flea move slowly towards the end of the bridge and towards the pack, when you hear a distinct whistle sound[reflex DC 18 or take 17 damage and reflex DC 18 if hit to not fall off the bridge]. Looking up you see a stalagmite plunging at you from the ceiling and there is a Oglian ant. Ciaran is waiting patiently at he end of the bridge for his brother to get there.
Tishe' calls out findings and her suggestions not knowing the full extent of the magics she senses yet. As she continues to concentrate she gets a more definite result from what appears to be somekind of necklace around the corpse's neck...it is faint magic that seems to keep it alive. The thing by the corpse's hand radiates some kind of death magic but it does not have the feel of evil about it that is associated with evil magic.
Jake and Grymash are both too stunned by the situation and a little confused to do much of anything. At least Jake is able to think about what this ant would taste like and what would be the best way to cook it....would most likely need a lot of his special spices.
Trellus finds himself racing forward and to one of the bridges...the one to the right or left most likely. He is pulling a token from his pack as he moves, as he states his intentions.
Mac brings his axe cutting in at the Olgian with at least some satisfaction as it bites once into the thing. The cut seems to be rather deep and oozes a greenish-gray substance.
The ant retaliates with another pincher bite of it's own at Mac[hit: 27 and damage: 6]. Still staying in the tunnel, it is at least half protected though it seems to add nothing to it's defenses.
From the other side of the bridges you can hear the scuttle getting closer and then another two Oglian-ants pop out of the tunnel entrance. They are followed by a pair of Oglian-taur that bear javelins in thier one hand.
Oglian Ant AC 20
Sent out a battle map that I hope will clear things up at least a little. You will also notice that I went ahead and moved both Flea and Gilan to the edge of the bridge, this may change as this post indicates.
Flea (AC 21, 39/56 HP) d20+6=17 d20+11=15 d20+11=12 Wednesday August 9th, 2006 5:32:13 PM
Once again the rogue makes an attempt to snatch something from a victim of the ant-creatures, choosing to remove that which is in the woman's hand, rather than that which is about her neck. (Sleight of Hand=17, to capture the artifact.)
Unfortunately, her lack of attention has dire consequences. The gnome doesn't see the stalagmite plumeting in her direction, and is struck by the falling object. (Reflex=15, fail) Windmilling her arms in vain, (Reflex=12, nat. 1) Flea looses her balance and falls off the bridge.
There is a moment of panic, and then the magic of the ring* she wears on her right hand kicks in.
*Ring of Feather Fall
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: hawk] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+10=24 d20+10=21 Wednesday August 9th, 2006 10:13:05 PM
Gilan glances up just in time to see the stalagmite plummeting at Flea and himself. He dodges out of the way of the thing but notices that Flea is not so lucky. Not thinking he plunges over the side after her, his form melting as he goes. Soon in his place is a large hawk that dives after her. With her slowing decent he will be able to make a grab for her.
Ciaran goes nuts as he sees his brother go over the side. He lets out a howl of rage and pain that reverberates through the cavern. He paces a little as he waits...for his brother to return or an Oglian to come across one of the bridges.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22) [SteveK-Sub] d20+8=24 4d6(6+2+1+3)=12 Thursday August 10th, 2006 2:42:39 PM
Oglians behind, in front and now on the cieling. Two packmates plummeting into a crevasse of unknown depth, and the ant-taurs have javelins. Trellus feels despair try and creep over him as he realizes he has led the Bloodpack into a trap.
"Mac and Jake! Kill it quick, then Jake stay on rear guard and Mac come and help!"
"Tishe', do you have anything for those ant-taurs?"
"And for Domi's sake, watch out for more Oglians on the cieling!"
Seeing the bridge to the right as the closest, Trellus moves to the near end of the bridge, trying to present himself as a target for the javelins (and praying his spell resistance will work).
Pointing at the right-hand ant-taur, Trellus whips up a quick prayer to Domi, and a searing ray of light sizzles into the Oglian [AC24, Dam 12]
-------------------
Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.5 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.3 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.3 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Note. (DM Jim) Thursday August 10th, 2006 6:35:52 PM
Noticed I did not mention it in my post but the stalagmite took out a good six foot section of the middle bridge. The missing section is located just this side of the corpse, on the Bloodpack side of the gorge.
The corpse is also positioned in such a way that it could slide off the side with a little help. There is still a magical aura, a necklace, around the the neck. Flea was able to grab the partially shattered jar that the corpse was holding.
Mac (HP:78/90, AC:22(23 vs large ant)) d20+15=28 3d6(1+4+3)+10=18 d20+10=16 d20+7=16 Thursday August 10th, 2006 8:16:03 PM
"On it Trellus!"
Mac hits the once for 18 damage.
Jake d20+7=22 d10=4 d6=4 Friday August 11th, 2006 1:41:14 AM
Jake moves in next to Mac and gives the thing a hard, straight stab. "Sorry, bug!" he says. This is probably some worker ant, he thinks to himself... It's the big guys that he wants to tangle with. Jake then turns and moves to guard the back of the group... though he's not sure what will come at the back.
(Hit AC 22, with power attack at 5, did 4+5+4+1+2 + 4 freezing damage = 20 damage.)
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20+6=21 Friday August 11th, 2006 4:38:59 AM
"There's a necklace, and oh! the woman is still alive!"
But then the Olgian-taurs are arriving, and Trellus is shouting out orders, and Tishe' has to break her concentration to support the plan.
Raising her arms in arcane passes, Tishe' lets fall a small bit of powdered mica and weaves a spell around the Oglian-taurs. A column of golden glittering stuff engulfs both Oglians, trying to blind them! [Glitterdust: 10 foot radius, blind for 5 rounds, Will DC 17 to negate]
Stripes barks at the one on the cieling and watches to alert his human to any other giant ants on the cieling. [Spot:21]
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Between an Oglian and an Oglian, part 2. (DM Jim) d20+15=17 d20+15=32 d20+10=22 d20+10=23 d8+11=14 d8+8=12 d8+4=8 d20+7=12 d20+7=8 Friday August 11th, 2006 1:21:43 PM
Flea is unable to get out of the way of the stalagmite, possibly because she grabbed the bottle(reflex DC 12 to hold onto the bottle). As the bridge crumbles under her feet she is thrown over the side and into the chasm...luckily her feather fall ring activates.
Gilan is able to dodge the stalagmite but without any thoughts to himself he plunges over the side after Flea. His shape changes into that of a large hawk, that swoops down after Flea(hit AC 12 to grab her). Ciaran watches from this side of the bridge as he paces back and forth. He is nervous and antsy now.
Trellus starts calling out orders and those packmates nearest him fall into command without little prompting. He feels that he has led the group into a trap. He uses a spell to smash one of the Oglian.
Mac and Jake move as one in their attack upon the Oglian ant that is in the tunnel. Jake backs off as he makes his attacks to help in covering elsewhere. Both packers draw more ichor from the Oglian but it does not go down.
Tishe' calls about a necklace and that the woman is alive. She calls upon more arcane powers to try and slow the Oglian down...as a wave of glitter envelopes them. Stripes watches the ceiling and searches for more Oglian ants, but finds nothing.
Grymash moves foward to take the place of Jake. He unleashes a series of attacks upon the Oglian ant that literally tears it apart. The head rolls across the floor to stop at Mac's feet.
The Oglian on the ceiling scuttles across it through the stalagmites. Anyone looking loses it for a few minutes but then it reappears.
The Oglain ants across the bridge move in the direction of the closest bridge. They are already scuttling across it but it is only wide enough for one at a time.
The two Oglian taurs let loose with a piercing shriek as they stumble as if blinded. They do nothing else at this time which is good for the group.
Oglian Ant AC 20 Oglian Taur AC 22
What token did Trellus use last round? I did not see a mention of what one was used to block the bridge.
Trellus [SteveK-Sub] (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22) Friday August 11th, 2006 2:40:17 PM
[DM Sanity: sorry, Trellus used a feather token: Tree to instantly grow a large tree on the nearest bridge, hopefully blocking any movement for 24 hours]
"Jake, light, I was thinking about the exit tunnel. There may be more Oglians coming in that way."
"Good weaving, Tishe'! Now do you have something about the one on the cieling?"
"Mac and Gry, go get those Oglians on the bridge!"
Trellus himself will move forward and look down to see if he needs to help Gilan and Flea. Satisfied his packmates will be able to get back up, he turns his attention to the two ant-taurs across the way. Monitoring them, the blonde cleric will hurry after Mac and Gry; they are going to need healing once the serious fighting starts!
-------------------
Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.5 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.3 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.3 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Friday August 11th, 2006 2:49:39 PM "Good weaving, Tishe'! Now do you have something about the one on the cieling?"
The brown-haired spellweaver spares a moment to pray to Mother Wold that the druid does not slip from the bridge, but then follows Trellus' shouted command.
She looks to find the Oglian on the cieling and Stripes barks and points, ever having his eye on the giant insect. Tishe' smiles. She does indeed have something that may work.
Another quick arcane pass and Tishe' weaves an extremely slippery patch of cieling under (over?) the Oglian's feet! [Grease: 10 foot square slippery. Reflex DC 16 or fall]
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: hawk] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+8=20 Friday August 11th, 2006 11:04:42 PM
Gilan's taloned feet firmly grip the shoulders of Flea but not tight enough to hurt her. With her descent slowed by the ring she wears he finds the act of pulling her back up a little easier. His large wings pump the air as he slowly moves back up and out of the chasm. He has soon cleared the top and is ten feet above the chasm top, as he turns into a part dive.
Ciaran is growling at the approaching Oglian ants crossing the bridge. He does not move to meet them as he has other orders right now. His fur has bristled and makes him look even bigger than he actually is.
Jake d20+9=20 d4=4 Monday August 14th, 2006 5:13:10 AM
Jake tries throwing a dagger he has handy at the ant-creature. He barely manages a hit with his overhand throw, and wonders if he even scratched the thing. They're so tough! (Did 8 damage to it with dagger)
Mac (HP:78/90, AC:22) Monday August 14th, 2006 7:16:15 PM
Mac moves to face of against another approaching foe - preferably one of the taurs.
move 60' total
Flea (AC 21, 39/56 HP) d20+14=23 d20+11=23 d20+15=22 Monday August 14th, 2006 8:00:46 PM
Falling, albeit slowly, through the dark, Flea hears doesn't know which side is up, until suddenly she feels something grab hold of her.
The leather of her magical shadow armour protects her thin shoulders from the sharpness of the creature's talons. It seems a bird of some sort. Thinking that it might be a creature summoned by one of her pack-mates, Flea tries to be very still, and very quiet, keeping her weight balanced. (Aid Another? Move Silently=23, Balance=23) If the creature drops her, she will roll with the momentum, and pop up in a crouch, ready for whatever is to come next. (Tumble=22)
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday August 14th, 2006 8:46:27 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Aug 7 - 11
Name MTWTF
DM JimW OXXOX
Trellus OXXOX --subbed by SteveK
Tishe OXXOX
Jake OXXOX
Gilan OXXOX
Grymash OOOO?
Mac OXXOX
Flea OXXOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues. Anybody know what happened to Stephen? DM Jim missed a couple as well.
(OOC: I believe I read somewhere, I think it was the DM board, that Stephen's complete computer system has tanked. Jerry was supposed to notify his games?!?!-Carla)
Between an Oglian and an Oglian, part 3. (DM Jim) d20+5=16 4d6(3+2+3+1)=9 Monday August 14th, 2006 8:49:43 PM
One bridge is collapsed and the furthest one is blocked by a giant tree that is growing out of the rock.
The last bridge is open and that is the one that the two Oglian ants are coming across. They have reached the halfway point of the bridge by now and will be at the other side very soon.
Flea is saved from her slow decent into the vast chasm by the quick thinking of a fellow packmate...though she does not know that right now. Gilan brings her up and out of the chasm to a nice height. He is soon dropping her the last four feet to the ground and she comes up in a roll ready for action.
Trellus moves to support Mac and Grymash with healing and whatever they may need in the coming battle. His call has put Tishe' into action as she makes the ceiling rather slippery for the Oglian ant that is up there.
Jake moves forward just a little and lets fly with a dagger into the first Oglian ant. The dagger smacks into a soft spot between the things shell armor. Though maybe not a lot of damage it is the first blow struck so far.
Mac and Grymash both move towards the bridge at the same time. There is one little problem that gives them pause. The bridge is only wide enough for one of them at a time...so do they back-up the bridge and not be able to retreat or wait for the Oglian ants to come to them?
The two Oglian taurs still seem to be trying to get their bearings but you know that this cannot last and soon they will be on the attack as well.
The two Oglian ants have made it to mid-bridge where they seem to slow a little to give them time to think or at least it seems that way as antenna wiggle around.
The last Oglian ant upon the ceiling finds itself standing in a gob of grease that has appeared upon the ceiling. You see it scramble upon the ceiling as it tries to keep it's footing. It appears that it will succeed and then it just seems to lose it...the sudden stop at the end is not too pretty.
Flea (AC 21, 39/56 HP) d20+12=21 4d4(1+4+4+4)+1=14 Monday August 14th, 2006 10:41:14 PM
Flea looks about quickly, in order to orient herself. Then, with a snap of her wrist, she flicks her wand in the direction of the first ant-thing trying to cross the bridge. (UMD=21, 14 pts. magic missile dmg.)
DM Sanity Info:
Wand of Magic Missile-36 charges remaining
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20+5=17 d6+5=6 d20+7=13 Tuesday August 15th, 2006 3:00:34 PM
Wavy brown hair bobs up and down as Tishe' nods in satisfaction on the demise of the Oglian from the cieling. Yet, looking across the chasm, she knows her spell won't keep the ant-taurs occupied for long.
"Flea! Let's pick at the ant-taurs together; they are going to be free of my spell-woven blindness soon."
That being said, Tishe' moves five feet to the left to give her a stable place to begin a complicated summoning spell...
On the impact of the cieling Oglian onto the cavern floor, Stripes rushes forward to ensure the enemy is dead. (Readied action Ac 17; 6 dam; 13 trip)
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer) Tuesday August 15th, 2006 3:16:51 PM
Trellus looks around. He seems to have a couple free seconds until those ants cross.
"Just hold on Gry," he encourages. "Make them cross to us...then rip 'em."
The cleric casts a spell, calling on the God of Protection to aid his friends and hinder his foes. Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.4 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.2 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.2 mins Prayer - 10 rounds Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+15=30 4d6(5+4+2+6)+10=27 Tuesday August 15th, 2006 7:20:52 PM
Gilan comes down to drop lightly on the floor, his form changing back to his human form. He is holding his scimitar and shield once again as the hawk form disipates. "Where am I needed?" He is not sure how things are going as he was occupied just a few minutes ago.
Ciaran can see that there is a place for him to move into. He charges forward at the downed Oglian ant his teeth snaping as he does.
Mac (HP:78/90, AC:22) Tuesday August 15th, 2006 11:30:49 PM
Mac readies a swing for when the first Oglian gets into reach.
Between an Oglian and an Oglian, part 4. (DM Jim) d20+13=29 2d6(5+4)+6=15 Wednesday August 16th, 2006 12:24:13 AM
Flea flicks out a wand and fires off a series of missiles at the lead Oglian ant coming across the bridge. Each missile slams into the Oglian with a satisfying thud but does not seem to slow it much.
Tishe' starts weaving a spell of her own as she calls to Flea to help her in keeping the Oglian taurs across the chasm busy, as they will soon be released from her spell. Stripes meanwhile heads for the downed Oglian ant that fell from the ceiling earlier. Despite being on it's back Stripes cannot find a way through the hard shell but he does keep it on it's back for now.
Trellus calls for a wait and to face the Oglian ants on their terms. He then casts a spell that will aid all those within a certain distance from him. He just hopes that it is enough to keep them alive through this battle.
Gilan finds himself back in human form and with his weapon ready. He calls out to see where he could be of the most help as he was occupied earlier with saving Flea. Ciaran makes himself useful as he attacks and finds a nice meaty place in the flesh of the Oglian ant that Stripes it harrassing.
Mac and Gry both ready their own attacks as the Oglian ants move closer on the bridge towards them. Jake is still trying to find a place to set up for his own attacks as things are getting a little crowded near the bridge.
The two Oglian taurs are still blinded by the spell that Tishe' cast earlier.
The two Oglian ants seem to come to a decision as the first one moves on forward and towards the end of the bridge, it takes a swipe at Mac with it's pinchers[hit: 29 and damage: 15]. The other Oglian ant slips down and under the bridge where it cannot be seen.
The Oglian ant that fell from the ceiling is currently still on it's back and being attacked by a pair of animals.
AC of Oglian Oglian taur 22 Oglian ant 20
Jake d20+7=24 d10=9 d6=2 d6=6 d6=4 Wednesday August 16th, 2006 1:37:28 AM
Well, the main two oglians on the bridge are still far away and Mac/Gry are taking care of them. So, Jake looks over to the ant that fell down. Seems like the groups animals are keeping it busy...good thing! Jake moves to a flanking position and tries to aim for a weak spot. Since it's on the ground, he reverses his grip and stabs down with the blade into its necky-thing. Maybe he'll get lucky... (Hit AC 24, actually AC 26 with flanking. Did 9 + 5 (power attack) + 4 (str) + 1 (magic) + 2 (specialized) + 2 (freezing) + 10 (sneak attack) = 33 damage. Nice!!!)
Mac (HP:63/90, AC:22(23 vs current target)) d20+16=27 3d6(5+2+5)+11=23 d20+16=19 d20+16=26 3d6(1+4+2)+11=18 d20+16=33 3d6(2+5+2)+11=20 d20+8=10 Wednesday August 16th, 2006 9:12:33 AM
Last round: Readied attack against Oglian ant hits AC:27 for 23 damage. AoO against Oglian ant hits AC:19.
This round: Mac continues to slice his target. Not big on the conversation at the moment, but he's focused. Attacks hit AC:26 for 18 damage, AC:28 (not 33) for 20 damage, and gores AC:10.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) 4d4(4+1+2+2)+4=13 d20+10=16 d20+5=18 d6+5=7 d20+5=24 Wednesday August 16th, 2006 1:54:08 PM
Her weaving complete, Tishe' calls forth a glowing Celestial Bison on the middle bridge as far as she can across the chasm (35 feet away) The augmented beast bellows as it charges the nearest ant-taur, continuing to keep the blinded Oglian occupied. (AC 16)
Flashing out a wand of magic missles, Tishe' follows the bison's attack with one of her own, and four magical bolts strike the same Oglian for 13 damage.
Stripes moves to worry the Oglian oppostie Cirian, and bites for a more tender place (Ac 18+4 prone; 7 dam; 24 trip)
Celestial Bison [AC13, HP 47/47, A +10, D d8+11, drkvsn, acid/cold/elec/damred/5, smite]
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Grymash (AC 24, 104/104 hp, Prayer) SUB MIKEK d20+16=20 d20+16=27 d20+11=23 d20+11=25 d8+9=12 d8+5=6 d8+9=16 d8+5=9 Wednesday August 16th, 2006 3:17:30 PM
Grymash's axe whirrs as it cuts into the approaching ant.
[Hit ac 20/27/23/25 for 12/6/16/9 = 43 hp damage]
Trellus (ac 22, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer) 4d8(4+6+8+6)+7=31 Wednesday August 16th, 2006 3:21:54 PM REMEMBER DUDES! Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
"Watch that other one coming up from the wall or something!" the cleric calls in warning.
Mac got ripped, and the blond man moves into healing pick mode. He pulls a wand and taps the taur with it.
[CCW - 31 hp healed on Mac]
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.3 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.1 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.1 mins Prayer - 9 rounds Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Flea (AC 21, 39/56 HP, Prayer) d20+13=25 4d4(4+3+4+3)+4=18 (+1 prayer) Wednesday August 16th, 2006 7:39:47 PM
Limping a little from her wounds, Flea takes one step closer to the party cleric and his holy aura aura. Once again she points her wand, and discharges it (UMD=25) sending more damaging magic. This time, she targets one of the ant-creature's caught in Tishe's magic. (19 pts magic missile dmg to closest Ogian-Ant-taur.)
DM Sanity Info:
Wand of Magic Missile-35 charges remaining
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+11=31 d20+11=26 d6+4=6 2d6(2+2)+4=8 d20+15=28 d20+10=13 2d6(2+2)+10=14 2d6(4+3)+3=10 Wednesday August 16th, 2006 9:16:41 PM
Gilan sees the spot that he can be the most useful at and moves in the direction of the downed Oglian ant. With Jake, Ciaran and Stripes already attacking it, this should not be too hard. He swings his scimitar at the things unprotected belly.
Ciaran charges back in for another couple of jabs at the things belly as well. Well at least he had started to but will bite anything that gets in his way of the Oglian's.
[Gilan - hit: 31*crit26* and damage: 6*crit8*] [Ciaran - hit: 28/13 and damage: 14/10]
Between an Oglian and an Oglian, part 5. (DM Jim) d20+2=16 d20+13=21 d20+13=33 d20+13=21 d8+4=9 Thursday August 17th, 2006 12:30:57 AM
Jake heads around the group and to the grounded Olgian ant. His sword cuts into the beast with the desired effect, though it does not die.
Mac's axe cuts into the Olgian ant as it nears him. He was looking to take advantage of his reach but the ant has the same advantage. So he continues his attacks on the ant for some extra damage.
Tishe' calls up a celestial bison that tries a running gore upon the stunned Oglian taur, but cannot find a purchase, even if it is blind. So she takes out a wand that would nearly match Flea's and sends off a series of missiles at the same Olgian. Stripes takes another bite out of the Oglian ant on its back with more success this time around.
Grymash turns his double axe upon the same Olgian ant as Mac. His blades bite into ant flesh with a resounding thud and greenish gray blood sprays everywhere.
Trellus calls a warning about the Oglian ant that went under the bridge. But with Mac hurt he moves forward and applies healing to him from a wand.
Flea is feeling the effects of the stalagmite that hit her earlier but she still moves towards the party cleric. She fires off another series of missiles, but this time at the same Olgian taur that Tishe' shot.
Gilan moves over to help on the Oglian ant upon his back. His scimitar cuts flesh but does not do as much damage as he would have prefered. Ciaran is able to make another of his bites count but the other bounces off hared exoskeleton.
The two Oglian taurs are still blinded by the spell that Tishe' cast earlier.
The Oglian ant brings another pincher bite at Mac but this time the tail stings in for a hit as well[hit: 21/33*crit21* and damage: none/9].
The other Oglian ant reappears near Flea and Tishe'. It is most definitely ready for business and there is noone nearby to stop it.
The Oglian ant that fell from the ceiling is unable to get up and from the looks well on its way to being dead.
Mac hears a sizzling sound as the stinger makes contact with his flesh...it also burns just like last time.
AC of Oglian Oglian taur 22 Oglian ant 20
Mac (HP:81/90, AC:22(23 vs current target)) d20+16=32 3d6(4+2+4)+11=21 d20+11=20 3d6(4+2+5)+11=22 d20+8=13 Thursday August 17th, 2006 8:47:49 AM "THAT...!" Mac shouts before attacking the Oglian ant again. Hits AC:32 for 21 damage, AC:20 for 22 damage and AC:13 with the horns
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) 4d4(2+3+1+1)+4=11 d20+10=21 d8+11=18 d20+5=21 d6+5=9 d20+5=14 Thursday August 17th, 2006 1:49:23 PM
Tishe' is not surprised that the Oglian moved out of the chasm where it could do the most damage, the Oglians seem to work perfectly together, like they were fingers of the same hand...
"Now is not the time to gather wool, but to weave cloth!" the young woman says, chastising herself. She moves to her left towards Jake, Gilan, Cirian, and stripes and away from the Oglian. (30 foot move) Even though she evades the nearest ant, she concentrates her magical fire on the ant-taur as before (11 damage)
The celestial bison also attempts to damage the Oglian in front of it, goring with sharp horns, and smiting the evil. (AC 21 [blinded -2 AC and lose Dex bonus], Dam 18 +4 smite damage)
Stripes continues to keep a good ant down. (Bite: 21, Dam 9, Trip: 14)
Celestial Bison [AC13, HP 47/47, A +10, D d8+11, drkvsn, acid/cold/elec/damred/5, smite] 4 rounds
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Jake (AC 28, hp 57/57, prayer?) d20+7=8 Thursday August 17th, 2006 1:54:00 PM
"Blasting light!" Jake mutters. He heaves his sword out, which takes an effort as he stuck it quite deep. "Ah got it!" the half-elf announces as he turns and darts over to the Oglian next to Tishe and Flea. He curves his path, going to the left of Flea and Tishe, and coming in on the ant-warrior's right side. It might have a bit of reach on him, but this doesn't stop him from moving in and taking a slash. "Ah got his flank, Flea!" he cries as he lifts his sword, hoping Flea or another warrior comes in to aid him. Then he goes for a hard swing, and totally misses, nearly tripping and falling off as he does so. "Errr...slippery ground here," he quickly explains, hoping they believe him.
Grymash (AC 24, 104/104 hp, Prayer) SUB MIKEK d20+16=27 d20+16=32 d20+11=15 d20+11=30 d8+9=12 d8+9=11 d8+5=6 Thursday August 17th, 2006 3:49:45 PM
Grymash continues to hack and slash.
[Hit ac 27/32/15/30 for 12/11/0/6 = 29 hp damage]
Trellus (ac 25, hp 75/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer, Shld Faith) d20+11=16 4d8(7+8+8+5)+11=39 Thursday August 17th, 2006 4:07:11 PM REMEMBER DUDES! Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
Mac and Gry surely have this one under control, leaving that last one Jake is trying to take on by himself. Looking back at the two fighters, Trellus decides all he's gotta do is delay that treadle a second or two.
With a word, he activates a prepared spell [Shield of Faith (Quickened)] crosses to the ant opposite Jake, and slams it with the palms of his hands. [Inflict Critical Wounds - Touch attack hits ac16 for 39 hp damage. Will DC 20 halves]
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.2 mins Owls Wisdom -- 18.0 mins Neutralize Poison - 67.0 mins Prayer - 8 rounds Shield of Faith (+3) - 10 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+11=27 d6+4=7 d20+15=32 d20+10=30 d20+10=18 2d6(3+5)+10=18 2d6(2+5)+6=13 Thursday August 17th, 2006 9:42:26 PM
Gilan moves off and around the downed Oglian to help out with the one that has just come up from the chasm. His scimitar slashes at the exposed parts of the Oglian ant.
Ciaran takes another pair of bites at the downed Oglian. He feels his own brother's revulsion at these abberations and he is fighting for his own life.
[Gilan - hit: 28/ and damage: 8/] [Ciaran - hit: 32/30*crit18* and damage: 18/13]
Between an Oglian and an Oglian, part 6. (DM Jim) d20+13=28 d20+13=18 d20+13=29 d20+13=25 d20+13=32 2d6(3+3)+6=12 2d6(1+2)+6=9 2d6(6+3)+6=15 2d6(1+4)+6=11 d8+4=10 d8=8 d20+7=17 Friday August 18th, 2006 12:36:18 AM
Mac once again tears into the Oglian ant that has crossed the bridge. His axe cuts deep into the ant.
Tishe' moves off to the side and away from the Oglian ant that came up out of the chasm. She then fires off another series of missiles at the Oglian taur across the chasm. Stripes takes another bite at the ant that is on its back. The celestial bison slams into the Oglian taur again with a wicked horn gore.
Jake leaves the Oglian ant he is currently at to take a stab at the newest one to arrive. He slips, just barely catching himself before he falls on hit butt.
Grymash unleashes his own volley of attacks upon the Oglian ant that Mac and him face. Three of his attacks find purchase upon the flesh of the ant but one slips off the things shell.
Trellus calls up more defense for himself and then moves over to the newest Oglian ant arrival. His hand reaches out to touch it and he channels energy into the thing to damage it.
Gilan also moves over to help out Jake with the newest Oglain ant. His scimitar finds a niche in the shell but is not too damaging. Ciaran on the other hand helps in the death of the ant upon its back.
Flea is not sure where to move or what to do with the arrival of another Oglian ant.
The two Oglian taurs are still blinded by the spell that Tishe' cast earlier.
The Oglian ant on the bridge by Mac and Grymash slumps to the ground, very much dead.
The Oglian ant unleashes an attack upon Trellus[hit: 28 and damage: 12] as he draws near as well as one on Jake[hit: 18 and damage: 9] and Gilan[hit: 29 and damage: 15] in turn. Then it turns it's sights upon Trellus once again, answering with a bite of it's pinchers and a sting from it's tail{hit: 25/32 and damage: 11/10].
The Oglian ant that fell from the ceiling is now unmoving after the combined attacks of Stripes and Ciaran.
The sting that was delivered to Trellus sizzles and burns, leaving behind the smell of burnt flesh. Mac finds his own sting hurting him again, doing 8 damage.
AC of Oglian Oglian taur 22 Oglian ant 20
Oglian Will Save 17
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20+10=25 2d6(4+3)+2=9 2d6(1+4)=5 d20+10=19 Friday August 18th, 2006 3:29:04 PM
"The ant-taurs are free of my spell!" shouts the plain-faced girl in warning. She looks around, but her packmates are all on this side of the chasm, and one ant-taur Oglian is not engaged. What sort of damage could he cause while they are crossing the bridge?
Better to keep it occupied thinks Tishe', and she reaches into her Pants o Plenty and retrieves an orangish colored gem (Elemental Gem). Cocking her arm, the gem goes soaring across the chasm to strike the far side, break, and erupt into an animated flame sixteen feet high (Large Fire Elemental) that moves forward to strike the unwounded Oglian! (AC 25, Dam 9+5fire + Save DC 17 or burn)
The celestial bison is put off by the Oglian regaining its sight and fails to connect (AC 19)
Stripes spits out the last bit of dead ant, and moves to place himself between Tishe' and the still-alive Oglian on this side of the chasm.
Celestial Bison [AC13, HP 47/47, A +10, D d8+11, drkvsn, acid/cold/elec/damred/5, smite] [3 rounds]
Large Fire Elemental [AC18, HP 60/60, A +10x2, D 2d6+2 +2d6fire, Burn DC17 or d4 rounds, Dam red 5/--, drkvsn 60 ft., elemental traits, immune fire, vulnerable cold, when hit by natural or unarmed attacks: attacker suffer 2d6 fire + burn [11 rounds]
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 25, hp 68/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer, Shld Faith) 4d8(7+4+3+1)+7=22 d8=5 Friday August 18th, 2006 4:44:16 PM REMEMBER DUDES! Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
"OW!!" Trellus cries. Acid. Piggie dumps.
OK. He just wanted to stall until Mac and Gry were free. Well, they're free. "Gry!" he calls, backing away from the ant. [20' move, backing away]
Once he gets some distance, the cleric taps himself with his healing wand. [CCW - 26 hp healed]
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.1 mins Owls Wisdom -- 17.9 mins Neutralize Poison - 66.9 mins Prayer - 7 rounds Shield of Faith (+3) - 9.9 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Jake d20+10=24 d10=10 d6=3 d6=3 d6=4 d20+5=25 d20+5=10 d10=7 d6=3 d6=6 d6=5 Friday August 18th, 2006 7:57:54 PM
"Let's thrash this beater!" Jake calls over to Gil. Already in flanking position, he now tries to take advantage of it by darting it and chopping at the ants shoulder. Then he twirls around and slashes again, this time cutting the ant creature directly in its underbelly. (Power attack, with flanking +2 and prayer +1, hit AC 24, nice damage roll: 10 + 4 str + 2 spe + 1 mag + 5 PA +3 freezing + 7 sneak attack damage = 32 damage! And another hit, natural 20 but no crit, did 7 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 5 + 3 + 11 = 33 damage wah! 65 damage! I'm nearly at Gry's or Mac's level!)
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Friday August 18th, 2006 8:43:59 PM
Gilan slips back and around the Oglian ant so that the more beefy fighters can get into the mess. He moves on around the other side and nearer Trellus. "Ciaran to me." He decides to call of Ciaran as well so that he is out of the way.
Ciaran growls at the Oglian ant with displeasure but does back up at his brother's urging. He does not like it but he also knows that his brother may need him soon.
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: / and damage: /]
Grymash (AC 24, 104/104 hp, Prayer, pwr atk 3) SUB MIKEK d20+13=21 d20+8=19 d8+12=20 Saturday August 19th, 2006 10:09:47 AM
Grymash steps into the opening left by Gilan and rips at the ant.
[Hit ac 21/19 for 20 hp damage]
Mac (HP:73/90, AC:22(23 vs nearest opponent)) Sunday August 20th, 2006 8:57:58 AM
Mac looks for a vantage point from which to attack either of the Oglian ants with no luck, so he begins to test the nearest bridge with the idea of putting himself in the way of oncoming ant-taurs.
OOC: Sorry - posting is getting a little patchy now and perhaps for the next few days. Baby Joshua is due to be born in another 17 hours or so. : )
Flea (AC 21, 39/56 HP, Prayer) d20+13=23 4d4(2+4+3+3)+4=16(+1 Prayer) Sunday August 20th, 2006 7:18:26 PM
Flea scans the action, and makes a quick decision to attack the ant creature crossing the bridge nearest her. She discharges her wand successfully (UMD=23) sending a charge towards her enemy (17 pts. dmg. towards the nearest Oglian crossing a 'bridge'.)
Between an Oglian and an Oglian, part 7. (DM Jim) d100=97 d3=2 d20+9=29 d20+16=25 d20+13=27 d20+16=26 d20+13=31 2d6(6+5)+8=19 2d6(6+1)+8=15 2d6(5+6)+8=19 2d6(4+1)+8=13 Monday August 21st, 2006 8:51:19 PM
Tishe' calls out a warning that the two ant taurs are now free to enter the combat. Do deal with this she pulls out a reddish gem and crushes it in her hand, letting it spill to the ground. A fire elemental appears near the unengaged ant taur and slams into it. He bison takes another shot at the ant taur it is by but misses. Stripes moves out of the way so that he can cover his human.
Trellus feels the biting burn of acid from the sting and then moves back as he lets Gry move into his place. He has done his job in stalling for time, so he taps himself with his healing wand.
Jake uses his flanking position with Gilan to lays some hurt upon the Oglian ant before him. He is more than happy with the damage that he sees inflicted upon the Oglian.
Gilan moves back and calls Ciaran to follow. He knows that there are others better equipped to handle this than him. Only in another form would he fair better but he has few uses of wildshape left to him....better to save them.
Grymash moves in to take the place of Gilan. His axe swings twice but only bites once into the hard shell of the Oglian ant.
Mac sees no room for himself in the current battle so he decides to test the bridge and put himself between the Oglian ant-taurs and the rest of the group...buy time really.
Flea sends a series of magic missiles across the chasm to slam into the Oglian ant-taur that Tishe's celestial bison is attacking. She sees no other targets really as the big fighters seem to have the lone ant taken care of.
The two Oglian taurs turn their attentions to their own troubles. The first one backs off some and brings a longspear to bear upon the celestial bison[hit: 25/27 and damage: 19/15]. The other one does the same thing but aimed at the fire elemental[hit: 261 and damage: 19/13]
The Oglian ant slumps after all the attacks are done and does not seem to move, not that it could as Gry's axe cuts the head off to roll across the floor. It stops at the feet of Flea, looking up at her.
The Oglian ant that fell from the ceiling is dead, another lays at the entrance you came through dead as well and the one that had gotten to this edge of the bridge is dead.
Mixed in with the sounds of the battle and dying you can still feel the buzzing inside of your skulls. There is now an urgency to it that was not there before and things are a little clearer but you still only catch bits and pieces....."attack....kill....help....alliance.".
The sting that was delivered to both Trellus(damage) and Mac(damage) continues to burn as each takes some damage from it.
listen DC 16 - Highlight to display spoiler: {You hear the sounds of Oglian ant feet coming from the tunnel that you first entered this cavern from.}
AC of Oglian Oglian taur 22 Oglian ant 20
[i]Sorry for no post Friday...had to ask a question about the elemental gem. For future reference you do not need to throw it...just break it and the elemental is summoned just like the spell, with all the range and stuff.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday August 21st, 2006 8:52:30 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Aug 14 - 18
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXO
Trellus XXXXO
Tishe XXXXO
Jake OXXXO
Gilan XXXXO
Grymash OXXXO
Mac XXXXO
Flea XXOXO
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues. Stephen is also having computer issues, MikeK subbed.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) 4d4(2+3+4+3)+4=16 d20+10=29 d8+11=17 d20+10=15 d20+10=25 2d6(5+1)+2=8 2d6(2+2)=4 d20+8=17 Tuesday August 22nd, 2006 2:19:34 PM
OOC: got the map
OOC2: did the Oglian the fire elemental hit do his Fort Save of 17? If not, he is burning for d4 rounds at an additional 2d6 each round...
"Mac!" Tishe' shouts desperately, "My bison won't keep the Ant-taur occupied for long. As soon as it is free, it's going to start throwing those lightning bolts around! Go get them!"
Tishe' punctuates her plea with four magic missles into the Oglian faced off with the bison (16 damage)
The celestial bison bellows at the wounds, yet is able to continue fighting (damage reduction). It moves up five feet to once more close the distance. Its head smashes against the Oglian, crushing into a shoulder (AC29, Dam 17)
The fire elemental blazes up, also reducing some of the damage caused by the longspear. It too, closes five feet with the Oglian even though it's 10 foot reach could have been sufficient. Its first flaming arm misses (AC15), but the second connects(AC25, D 8+4 fire, DC 17 or burn d4 rounds)
Stripes hears movement (Listen: 17) and turns towards the packs exit, growling fiercely with hackles raised.
Celestial Bison [AC13, HP 23/47, A +10, D d8+11, drkvsn, acid/cold/elec/damred/5, smite] [2 rounds]
Large Fire Elemental [AC18, HP 38/60, A +10x2, D 2d6+2 +2d6fire, Burn DC17 or d4 rounds, Dam red 5/--, drkvsn 60 ft., elemental traits, immune fire, vulnerable cold, when hit by natural or unarmed attacks: attacker suffer 2d6 fire + burn [10 rounds]
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Forgot to mention it in my post. Oglian taur Fort save 29. ~~ DM JimW
Grymash (AC 22, 122/122 rage hp/normal hp 104, Rage1, Prayer, pwr atk 5) d20+15=26 d8+25=30 d20+10=24 d8+25=31 Tuesday August 22nd, 2006 7:52:18 PM
Grymash has had about enough of this! The beast within is unleashed and his axe becomes an fangs and claws of that fury.
(Switching to twohanded style <not twoweapon style> Powerattack5, twohanded +10dam/-5hit Attack 1: HitAC 26 for 30 damage. Attack 2: HitAC 24 for 31 damage. Total damage: 61 points.)
All of the Oglian that are close are dead. The only lives ones are across the chasm for now. The ones that maybe heard or warned about have not arrived yet.
Stephen - If you want to make new post or edit this one...if you can...by all means do so.
Trellus (ac 25, hp 68/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer, Shld Faith, Air Walk) Tuesday August 22nd, 2006 7:52:35 PM REMEMBER DUDES! Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
Trellus was pretty much happy to have everyone stay where they were and force the ants to come to them. But with Tishe's words, plus with Mac halfway over already, the cleric rethinks his strategy. Those grass biting javelins make staying put dangerous.
"Gry go with Mac," he says. "Jake - you and Gilan watch that other hole. More are coming, and they don't sound happy."
The blond man casts another spell on himself [Air Walk] and heads for the middle bridge. If he gets just a few more seconds, he might get to that body. ------------------- [i] Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 9.0 mins Owls Wisdom -- 17.8 mins Neutralize Poison - 66.8 mins Prayer - 6 rounds Shield of Faith (+3) - 9.8 mins Air Walk - 100 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Tuesday August 22nd, 2006 10:52:53 PM
Gilan nods his head as he moves towards the tunnel that leads into this side of the chasm. Glancing to Jake he gives the half-elf a smile. "Ready for a little more fun." Not that this is what he would really call fun.
Ciaran keeps pace with his brother as he moves forward. The large wolf is more than ready for a little more rough and tumble.
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: / and damage: /]
Flea ( AC 21, 53 HP, Prayer) d20+11=18 d20+12=31 4d4(3+2+2+1)+4+1=13 Tuesday August 22nd, 2006 11:19:34 PM
Flea's ears hear the hustle of many ant feet, and she calls out a warning to her pack-mates.
Turning, and taking a step towards the tunnel where the sound is coming from, she fires into the rock just above the opening, hoping the sound, and a few falling rocks, will give the ant-like-creatures second thoughts about coming after the rogue and her friend. (UMD=31, magic missile 13 pts dmg vs rock)
DM Sanity Info:
Wand of magic missile: 33 charges remaining Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves-from Trellus
Jake Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 2:56:53 AM
Jake grins and joins Gilan. "It's like herding piggies up for the slaughter," he comments as he peers over the hole. "Ah can feel trell's spells all weavin' around me, like a warm buzzin'...or a pretty gal's perfume. You know... ah can't see or sense it, but still noticeable..." He chuckles and glances back. "Well, we seem to be doing okay, but we haven't seen the BIG beaters yet, that's what ah'm afraid of."
Between an Oglian and an Oglian, part 8. (DM Jim) d8=7 d8=3 d8=4 d8=1 Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 10:31:30 AM
As the pack unleashes another torrent of attacks and prepares for the oncoming Oglian that are coming down the tunnel...a alien voice breaks through your heads, loud and clear. "Fall back!" The sound in your heads is enough to stagger you and possibly drop you to your knees(Will DC 22 or drop to your knees ears ringing).
You see the two Oglian taurs look up for a few seconds and then they move as one towards the tunnel and are soon gone down it. The scuttling sounds from the tunnel you entered this room from recede.
Once again you hear the voice rumble in your heads, but this time it is more controled. "Come softmeats...bow before your superiors."
The sting that was delivered to both Trellus and Mac continues to burn as they take another bit of damage. Damage last round, since I forgot to stat it, (Trell 7 and Mac 3) and damage this round (Trell 4 and Mac 1).
Trellus (ac 25, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer, Shld Faith, Air Walk) d20+12=16 d20+9=16 Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 1:16:08 PM REMEMBER DUDES! Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
LIGHT! The acid in his wound stings, but that is managable. The clap of thunder inside his head is another matter altogether. The normally resolute cleric pitches to his knees as he attempts to recover from the powerful command. [Will 16]
The echoing finally subides, and Trellus looks about to see the ants retreat. He reaches up with his right hand, touching at his ear, and looking at his fingertips. He's not sure if he's bleeding from them or not. "Dude. That hurt," he mutters to nobody in particular.
The blond man raises his voice. "We don't plan on bowing, but if you want to talk, we're willing to listen." Maybe The Voice can hear him, maybe it can't. But it should buy him enough time to....
The cleric jogs over to the druid-bear in the center bridge. Thanks to the Air Walk spell, he ignores the fact that no bridge exists in places and just takes a straight line approach.
Trellus quickly checks for any sign of life. [Heal 16]
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 8.9 mins Owls Wisdom -- 17.7 mins Neutralize Poison - 66.7 mins Prayer - 5 rounds Shield of Faith (+3) - 9.7 mins Air Walk - 99.9 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) d20+11=20 Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 3:02:47 PM
The Voice strikes Tishe' to her knees. By the time she raises her head, the Oglians have retreated and her summoned friends have no one to fight. The Celestial Bison is dismissed with thanks, but Tishe' used a gem to conjure the elemental, and besides, she doesn't speak ingan. The elemental will have to stay where it is and burn until the spell ends.
Sticking a pinkie finger in her ear and trying to pop it, she listens to the words of the Voice. "Maybe we can still talk our way to free the Ironhome villagers?", she asks, but not very hopefully.
And looking at Trellus going to the body, she again reminds him about the magical necklace that seems to be keeping her life essence from joining the Woldsblood.
Stripes, hackles still raised, sticks close to his human and makes sure she is paying attention as they go over the bridge. Looking at Trellus floating in the air, the hyena whimpers, remembering all too vividly his own flying experience.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Flea ( AC 21, 53 HP, Prayer) d20+3=1=19 d20+9=28 d20+11=26 Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 3:20:49 PM
Flea wavers for a moment, fighting the sound, then she too succumbs (Will Save=19). Dropping her wand, she claps her hands over her ears, and squeezes her eyes shut.
When the noise is over, she retrieves her wand and sticks it back through her belt. Moving back to cover the entrance to the bridge with the body, and now her friend, Flea watches to see what will happen next. Her hand on the pommel of her sword, she scans the space for enemy.
Spot=28 Listen=26
DM Sanity Info:
Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves-from Trellus
Mac (HP:77/90, AC:22(23 vs current target)) d20+4=19 Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 6:30:51 PM
Mac falls to the bridge under the weight of the word. He then slowly gets back to his feet, wondering when the pain is going to stop.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] d20+15=28 d20+5=10 d20+11=19 d20+11=16 Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 7:56:38 PM
The voice explodes in Gilan's head but he is able to fight off the worst of it with an iron will. He looks around to the rest of the group as many of them fall to knees. His eyes continue to scan the area for signs of danger as he moves closer to the open bridge. "Do you think that command was for us as well...or just the Oglian?" He tries to keep a smile upon his face as he speaks but it is hard to do with the light ring in his own ears.
He does not like the sounds of the voice in his head but he stops near Flea. "I agree...she is taunting us and I fear that she is waiting for us to come to her." He seems a little shaken at the thought. This Queen has to be strong to have cliped into their heads so well and loud. He glances to Ciaran and shakes his head...his brother is ok but he wonders about taking him further into this cavern complex.
Ciaran whimpers in pain as the voice in his own head slams him to the ground. For him it was a feeling and not a voice but he could get the idea of what it wanted....surrender.
[Gilan- Will 28 : Ciaran- Will 10] [Gilan- listen 19 and spot 16]
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: / and damage: /]
Speak with Animals has ended for both Gilan and Tishe'.
Grymash (AC 20, 122/122 rage hp/normal hp 104, Rage2, Prayer, pwr atk8 ) d20+15=23 d20+19=30 d20+11=20 d20+11=27 d20+16=28 d8+30=35 d20+16=17 Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 10:24:35 PM
(Last move redo: Grymash charges across the bridge in front of him. Halfway across the bridge, he leaps the rest of the way <long jump 23 feet> and lands on the other side with a feral roar and a blinding flash of sparks from his adamantine axe biting into the stone floor. <Intimidate Str. check: 30 [if allowed] otherwise normal Intimidate check: 20>)
Grymash's mind seems shut off from the outside world. The rage he feels seems to fortify is resolve as much as it fuels his thirst for blood. He charges at the first taur-ant thing that he sees. The one locked in combat with the bison. I almost feel sorry for him.
(If that drops the first taur-ant, Gry will cleave into the other. HitAC: 17. Miss!)
Jake d20+4=15 Wednesday August 23rd, 2006 11:10:09 PM
Jake's easy going mind is easy prey for the mental slam, and he goes crosseyed for a few seconds. "Whah..whah was that?" he mutters, and somewhat desparately, automatically, backs away from the hole. "Trell, ah'm now pretty sure we gotta get outta here. These beaters have weird magic..."
Long Live the Queen. (DM Jim) Thursday August 24th, 2006 1:12:38 PM
Despite some of the packs attempts at communication, there is no answer in your heads. A quick trip to the body of the druid on the bridge finds that it is a female and very much dead. Flea having already acquired the broken ceramic jar, only leaves a pendant that Tishe' mentions around her neck.
The celestial bison winks out with a dip of it's horns to Tishe' but the fire elemental continues to burn in its place. With nothing to combat it does not seem to be interested in much and there is noone to command it.
Grymash finds himself on the other side of the bridge where the Oglian had been just a few minutes ago. The mental speak had been just enough of a distraction that both of the Oglian had already moved back down and into the tunnel leading away.
Jake, with his magic fearing mindset, finds that this newest assault upon his mind is very much not to his liking. His thoughts and voiced opinion is to get out of here while they still can.
No more damage from the stings. Sorry but the Oglian got out of Dodge before Grymash had gotten a chance to try and hack one up. In the state of mind that he is in currently though he could have chased them into the tunnel...your choice Stephen.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Thursday August 24th, 2006 2:03:39 PM
"No Jake, we must go on", Tishe' says after a second of serious consideration. "The children are still missing even if we have found most of the young adventurers that went after them. And we promised our best try. It's twice now that we have beaten the Oglians, and I think the Queen means to let us approach her without further challenge."
Thinking a bit more, the brown eyes turn to Gilan. "Even though they look like ants, they can't be as plentiful as ants, or else they would have taken all of Ironhome at one raid. They must be few in number and every Oglian thread cut can hurt thier overall tapestry."
"Let's press on."
Whatever the group decides, Tishe' does a quick check of her things and Stripes to make sure they are ready to march. Almost surprised, she finds the book from the dead bodies earlier and impulsively opens it to the last page with writing on it to see what it says.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Grymash (ac 22. hp 122. rage4, prayer, confused) d20+10=11 Thursday August 24th, 2006 6:49:52 PM
Grymash looks around confused, wondering where the battle has gone! He scans the area, trying to find some ant bodies to mutilate. Grymash glances back at his pack. They kinda look like ant-men too! (Will check: 11, natural 1!!!) Is this some kind of trick... some mind trick!! His grip tightens on this double axe, a low growl begins to grow in his throat. He slowly begins to make this way back across the bridge toward his Bloodpack imposters. Each step almost seems to be a prelude to a charge. The grimace etched into his face is an equal mix of rage and bewilderment. "WHERE BE GRY'S BLOODPACCKKK!!"
Flea ( AC 21, 53 HP, Prayer) Thursday August 24th, 2006 11:20:18 PM
Dazed, and confused, with a headache the size of the Lotophagi Ocean, Flea spins 'round at the sound of Grymash's shouting. The rogue has one nerve, and right now, the half-orc is standing on it.
"Grymash Mountainback, aru skrarlm logk a karbarld! Og darn't ant tar mrak aru?"* she barks out in Black Speech.
*Translation: Highlight to display spoiler: {Grymash Mountainback, you scream like a Kobold! Do you want me to smack you?}
Tishe' (Second Post) Thursday August 24th, 2006 11:21:15 PM
Non-plussed at Grymash's stiff-legged gait, it takes the plain-faced girl a moment to realize what is happening. "I've got to get to the Catacombs and buy a couple Calm Emotion spells for just this circumstance." she says to no one in particular.
Trying a different tack, she sends a heart-touch to Grymash through thier Second Circle link. "Gry, sweetie, there is only your packmates here! Unravel and don't be too shuttlecocked."
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Friday August 25th, 2006 12:08:03 AM
Gilan nods his head as Tishe' speaks. "She is right Jake...we gave a promise and we have not put our total effort into finding the kids...do you think that we have?" For Jake sometimes he needs to think things over and Gilan was not one to push his packmate.
Looking to Gry as Ciaran starts a low rumble he backs off a little, hands held before him. "Gry...come on buddy...lets not go there." He glances at the rest scattered around and knows that Mac is really the closest to Gry...especially since there is only one bridge he could have crossed.
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: / and damage: /]
Trellus (ac 25, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer, Shld Faith, Air Walk, Sanctuary) Friday August 25th, 2006 1:25:07 PM REMEMBER DUDES! Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
Trellus is in the process of answering Jake while reaching for the dead dude's necklace when Grymash alters his priorities a tad.
And Flea throws in her two cents. Trellus understands orc. He also understands calling this particular orc names rarely calms him down. "Your not helping," he sing-songs to her in sotto voce.
One of these days, this pick is gonna get me killed he thinks as he moves to repeat a stunt he's pulled a dozen or so times before. This time, the blond man casts a quick spell on himself for a bit of insurance. [Sanctary - requires Will Save DC 16 to attack Trellus]
Then he dashes through the air to plant himself on Gry's bridge, blocking the half-orc's path to the rest of the Bloodpack.
"GRY!" he bellows, "WARP DOWN, DUDE!"
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 8.8 mins Owls Wisdom -- 17.6 mins Neutralize Poison - 66.6 mins Prayer - 4 rounds Sanctuary - 10 rounds Shield of Faith (+3) - 9.6 mins Air Walk - 99.8 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Jake d20+12=20 d20+11=30 Friday August 25th, 2006 5:58:04 PM
Jake first addresses Gry, trying to calm him down. "Sweet shade, Gry! Take a breath!" What to do when you're faced with a raging guy... If Gry moves ot attack anyone, Jake will tackle him and try to bring him down. (Move to grapple, hit AC 20 so I touch him, grappled with a 30)
Hopefully, the barbarian becomes more peaceful, and Jake instead turns his attention to their responses. "Ah know we have to kill these guys...but ah'm suggesting we retreat a little, draw 'em out. You know they're waiting to ambush us, and they've probably got some traps ready or something. If we go on, Flea'll have to go in the front, try and spot it first. And I should go next. Ah'm harder to hit than Gry or Mac, and they'll probably pound the first tough guy they see." Jake's voice is concerned, and underneath he's kinda worried about Gry and Mac getting killed again. Practically every fight they've had the two big guys have been nearly killed...heck, one fight one DID get killed.
Killed By One of Your Own. (DM Jim) Friday August 25th, 2006 6:22:47 PM
Gry starts back over the bridge that he had crossed earlier, seeing only Oglian on that side now.
Mac finds that there is a half-orc, on mad half-orc, coming in his direction and is not sure what to do.
The rest of the group attempt to calm the big guy down before something nasty happens. Some maybe a little more successful than others but a friend now does not mean much to raging Gry.
Trellus was just able to snag the pendant before he has to put himself between Gry and the rest of the group.
Tishe' was in the middle of looking over the first page of the book in her hands. It appears to be a journal of the dead man that they had gotten it off of near the entrance. She has read at least enough of the first page to find out that he likes some girl by the name of Amber.
The rest is as they say...SILENCE.
Grymash (ac 23, hp102. fatigued, prayer) d20+10=17 Friday August 25th, 2006 7:15:37 PM
(Will save 17)
Grymash suddenly stops. His face goes blank and he seems to reset like some kind of clockwork machine. "Ohhh!?" He gives everyone a nod that he understands. He looks a Flea with disbelief! "Whoa!! Where Flea learn dat kinda talkin'!? Gry ears be bleedin'!"
Flea Friday August 25th, 2006 9:35:01 PM "Lat ul gijak-ishi, Grymash!"*shouts Flea, a grin spreading over her face as her voice echos in the tunnel. "Of course I speak Orc! And, Dwarven, and Draconic, and Gnome, and..."
Regaining an appreciation of their situation, Flea draws her sword, "Gajup! Vras Oglian! Gimb vogal nis!"*
*Translation: Highlight to display spoiler: {"You have flowers in the blood, Grymash!" "Hunt! Kill Oglain! Find little ones."}
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Friday August 25th, 2006 11:16:15 PM
Whether to go on or retreat to draw out the Oglian is far from Tishe's mind. Her mercurial attention has fastened on the book. She feels sorry for this Amber the young man was charmed by (and slightly jelous too if truth be known). Yet she is more interested in if the book contains any reference to the Oglian and the tunnels. Scanning to the back page, she reads the journal backwards to get a sense of under what circumstances he made his last few entries.
Hair bristling, Stripes keeps a low growl going through his throat. Doesn't like this rival ant-pack, doesn't like them at all!
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Mac (HP:78/90, AC:22(23 vs Gry)) Saturday August 26th, 2006 9:56:08 PM
"So, why are we being let deeper into this... place?"
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Saturday August 26th, 2006 10:00:10 PM
Gilan lets out a breathe he had not realized he had been holding since earlier. He shakes his head and gives Gry a smile. "Good to see that you are back with us." He shivers as he thinks of what could have happened.
Ciaran just watches all of this with mild interest. He does not understand human ways but figures that his pack can figure it out.
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: / and damage: /]
Jake Sunday August 27th, 2006 12:08:09 PM
"Gry's his usual self, looks like.. Let's get going, ah guess." Jake looks around, and mutters, "Ah still feel like we're being watched."
Trellus (ac 25, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer, Shld Faith, Air Walk, Sanctuary) Monday August 28th, 2006 9:10:39 AM REMEMBER DUDES! Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
The blond man's shoulders visibly relax as a look of comprehension returns to Grymash's face. Looks like he'll live a bit longer.
How much longer isn't something he wants to think about right now. Like most of the pack, Trellus isn't all that sure he wants to go deeper into this nest or whatever.
The cleric pulls out a potion while crossing over to Mac, and hands it to the taur. "Healing potion", he says. "Drink up." [Potion of CMW [2d8 + 10]]
Then, he waves over Gilan and Tishe, and speaks to them quietly. Maybe the ants can hear, maybe they can't, but he's gonna keep this conversation as quiet as possible. "Dudes, I got some healing spells left, but nothing that'll do any damage. How're you two looking?"
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 8.6 mins Owls Wisdom -- 17.4 mins Neutralize Poison - 66.4 mins Prayer - 2 rounds Sanctuary - 8 rounds Shield of Faith (+3) - 9.4 mins Air Walk - 99.6 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Legends No More. (DM Jim) Monday August 28th, 2006 3:17:45 PM
As Gry is rattled back to his senses by most of the group talking to him he stares at Flea. She had yelled at him, in obscenities...orcen obscenities, and he states his bewilderment at this.
Trell calls a meeting of those that will have spells left to see how the group stands. It would appear that if his spells left is any indication...they are running low on damaging stuff.
Tishe' spends some more time reading the journal, since that is what she has found out it is. She finds out the following as she reads the last couple of pages this time.
"We left after the first attack to find out the location of the Oglian entrance. We had a two fold mission...to find this entrance and to rescue the first set of captives taken. Oh, we found the entrance easily and now we enter into it to have a look around.
Having stopped to rest after going into a large chasm, we have found at least four levels to this hive. Yes it is a hive and a big one too. Draven is not sure how deep it is or how many Oglian maybe around here but he seems nervous.
Having come another maybe twenty levels into this hive...I think as I have lost count in the levels. I write this as we look over the rise and down upon what I would call a staging area. We can see a number of prisoners set up in pens but at this distance we cannot make them out well enough to see if they are the ones we search for. Draven is sending out Illiah to search the area and get closer to the prisoners.
It has been four hours and Illiah has returned but looks green. She reported that the Oglian indeed have some of our people prisoner and some other as well that look white...maybe from living underground for many years. As she recounts what she has seen we all feel the contents of our stomachs wanting to empty. On spits around the camp the Oglians are cooking meat...human meat...the prisoners.
I am hiding for a chance to escape as the ants traverse this upper level of the hive. I am maybe one room from the exit as I can smell the fresh air...
[b]*this last is three words written in blood* "THEY EAT US........"
Grymash Monday August 28th, 2006 8:42:20 PM
Answering Trellus, "Gry be shady. No see flowers in da blood, like Flea say. But dis not Gry blood. Dis be other piggies blood. Any of yaz gots uh rag... dis piggie dumpings smellin' bader than Jake's female bait!"
Posting Report Monday August 28th, 2006 9:07:05 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Aug 21 - 25
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXOXX
Trellus XXOXX
Tishe XXOXX
Jake XXOXX
Gilan XXOXX
Grymash XXOXX
Mac OXOOX
Flea XXOXX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues.
Tishe (SUB MIKEK) Monday August 28th, 2006 9:10:02 PM
Tishe turns a bit green, and whispers "Oh sweet Alemi..."
Raising her voice, she reads the passage to the Bloodpack.
After letting that sink in, the small woman relays that she has a few summoning spells left, but nothing really strong.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Monday August 28th, 2006 10:01:56 PM
Gilan nods in understanding to Trell. "I have one damaging spell and then a number that will help in a fight...increasing strength and defense...I can also summon help if it is needed." He does not like the sounds of some of this and without Ulgren they rely on Tishe' who has said she is running low on flash as well. "If we fall back we could rest...but what would they put in our way next...depending on if the Queen is the joiner type we may have a chance to at least drive them below." He looks up as Tishe' reads from the book and turns a little green himself. They eat their prisoners for food...so the legends are true...we are cattle to them.
Ciaran keeps a lookout for signs of danger as the others mingle around near him. He is not sure what is going on but a scent of fear is present in the air.
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: / and damage: /]
Flea Monday August 28th, 2006 10:13:10 PM
Flea puts her conversation with the orc on hold to listen in on Tishe's reading of the journal. The recount of the logs sends a shiver down the gnome's spine, a shiver that shakes her soul. With a facial expression very similar to the human wizard's, she swallows a bitter taste in her mouth. "I hope the Oglians don't eat gnomes too," She says. "I'm not so sure I look forward to being eaten" Happy for any change of topic Flea reports her status. "I'm ok and ready to move on your notice."
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90) 2d8(6+7)+10=23 Tuesday August 29th, 2006 6:18:26 AM
Mac drink's the potion (heals 23 damage) and then rummages through his backpack for a few things as he listens. After a few moments he has two potions and three scrolls. He keeps one potion at the ready and hands the rest to Trellus (1 Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds(2d8+3), 1 Divine Scroll of Bear's Endurance, 1 Divine Scroll of Bull's Strength, and 1 Divine Scroll of Cat's Grace). "At a time you see fit. Otherwise I'm ready!"
Jake d20+12=18 Tuesday August 29th, 2006 7:38:17 AM
The half-elf scratches his chin and grins, "Ah'll have you know, my 'female bait' as you call it, Gry, is ba secret, powerful combination only passed down through the ages by a legendarysmall group of cheaersand women-chasers. For example, the membership ritual, my favorite, is..." Jake goes on to make up a few interesting things he has never done.(Bluff 18)
Trellus (ac 25, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Prayer, Shld Faith, Air Walk, Sanctuary) Tuesday August 29th, 2006 10:26:44 AM REMEMBER DUDES! Prayer: +1 luck bonus to hit, damage, saves -1 on same to foes anyone within 40' of Trellus
Trellus takes the items Mac hands to him, all the while nodding along to what the others are saying. The fighter types are in good shape, but the caster types have got maybe one fight left....
The blond man makes up his mind. "OK," he declares, with an upraised finger. "One more room. We can go a bit farther. But if this thing has 20 levels, we need to be able to get out. We go one more this way, then we back up to the entrance and see what's what."
"Flea and Gry, take lead. Mac, watch our backs." ------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 8.5 mins Owls Wisdom -- 17.3 mins Neutralize Poison - 66.3 mins Prayer - 1 rounds Sanctuary - 7 rounds Shield of Faith (+3) - 9.3 mins Air Walk - 99.5 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
One Last Room. (DM Jim) Tuesday August 29th, 2006 10:42:52 PM
With the pack coming to an arrangement the group looks across at the tunnel on the other side of the chasm. You cross with no problems and the tunnel entrance and as far as you can see is clear.
You travel twenty feet down the tunnel when it branches. The tunnel goes straight but it now has a branch that goes to your right. You find that you have a decision to make or you need to do something.
Your heads are buzzing with the sound of alien voices again. They are actually an almost solid buzz that is rather distracting. You can still make out bits and pieces of words...but a lot of it is just noise.
Grymash (AC 24, hp104) d20+2=15 d20+2=14 d20+4=16 d20+3=22 Tuesday August 29th, 2006 11:13:59 PM
Grymash listen intently to Jakes stories for a short time (Sense Motive: 15) and doesnt have a reason not to believe him. He then takes his spot in the front, keeping a sharp eye and ear to what could be ahead. He carefully walks at half his normal speed to better silence his movement.
(Spot: 14, Listen: 16, Move Silently: 22)
Flea d20+13=33 Tuesday August 29th, 2006 11:52:34 PM
Putting her hands to her little ears to try and block out buzzing the noise that fills her mind. Flea moves close to the group leader and removes her hand from her ears, cups them around his ears, and says over the din, "Where do we go now?" Looking straight in the direction the group are going and then to the tunnel on the right-hand side. The reddish-blond haired gnome gets the instinctual feeling that the one on the right is the way they want to go first. The rogue examines the tunnel floor, walls, and ceiling of the right-hand tunnel to those of the straight one. (Search=33 nat) She will try and determine which one is most commonly used.
Trellus (ac 25, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Shld Faith, Air Walk, Sanctuary) Wednesday August 30th, 2006 7:45:42 AM
"Light," the cleric growls. His plan is already twisted. The blond man takes a deep cleansing breath.
"OK Flea," he says without much enthusiasm. "Pick one."
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 8.2 mins Owls Wisdom -- 17.0 mins Neutralize Poison - 66.0 mins Sanctuary - 4 rounds Shield of Faith (+3) - 9.0 mins Air Walk - 99.2 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) SteveK is Back! Wednesday August 30th, 2006 9:14:49 AM
Tishe' keeps her wand out and ready to help her pack whatever may come.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90) d20+6=8 d20+1=18 Wednesday August 30th, 2006 10:39:08 AM
Mac steps purposefully to cover the back of the pack, trying to hear sounds over the voices in his head. [Spot:8, Listen:18]
Jake Wednesday August 30th, 2006 2:28:26 PM
Well, if they're gonna go on, no purpose in being afraid, Jake thinks to himself. He steels his resolve, and wraps a cloth around his sword-clutching hand, making his grip easier. With a deep breath, he draws in his focus and tries to concentrate on dispelling all the things unessential to his surroundings, especially the voices. It's not something he's very good at, but hopefully the exercise at least gets rid of his noticing the buzzing in his head. "I think they are frightened. And they should be. We're here to kick some thorax."
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24] Wednesday August 30th, 2006 3:57:54 PM
Gilan falls into step with the rest of the group. He silently goes over the last of the spells he has, somewhat glad that they are defensive in nature. "Before we charge in...let me take the time to enhance some of our defenses...it might be a good idea to allow me to bolster the strength of a couple of you as well...we will need to decide that before we attack as well." Something tells him they are walking into a trap or the worst fight of their lives.
Ciaran seems to be a little jumpy as they take the tunnel. He waits patiently as they reach the branch in the tunnel.
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: / and damage: /]
Decision to Right or Straight. (DM Jim) Wednesday August 30th, 2006 11:47:18 PM
Gry near the lead of the group finds that his ears pick up the sounds of actual voices coming from the forward tunnel.
Mac from behind the group can register voices as well and would say that they come from straight ahead as well.
Flea takes the time to search the ground and finds that the path straight and to this right tunnel is littered with marks made from Oglian feet. There are as many coming as there are going but she does find one little oddity. Small humanoid feet have also come this way as she can just make out some booted prints in the soft layer of soil that covers the ground. They lead straight ahead and come from the right tunnel.
The rest of the pack waits patiently for Flea to make a decision on which tunnel to take. Trell in fact leaves the decision totally to her to make.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Thursday August 31st, 2006 8:09:20 AM
Tishe' agrees with Gilan that some spell augmentation would be in order. Unfortuneately, the only augmentation spell she has is her wand of enlarge person, which would be of limited value.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Flea Thursday August 31st, 2006 2:03:11 PM
"Um, let's see... right!" The gnome makes her decision and begins to explain why. "Oglians have been going to and from the two directions but people have been moved from the right to the one in front only. The people going strait have never come back this way. It is my belief that it is safer to go the right. People have been imprisoned or taken captive from the right to being enslaved and eaten down there." The rogue points down the strait path
Trellus Thursday August 31st, 2006 4:27:43 PM
"Works for me," the cleric says. "Let's go right."
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday August 31st, 2006 9:11:34 PM
Gilan glances to the tracks that were found and then shrugs his shoulders. His own personal opinion is lost in the thoughts of what they might find. Though the underground is a part of nature he misses the sun upon his face as well as the caress of the grass upon his skin.
Ciaran growls as the party waits but makes no other signs of anything coming their way. He just seems to be in as big a hurry as the rest to get out...though he is unaware that they have a mission.
Cavern of Shrooms. (DM Jim) Friday September 1st, 2006 12:40:26 AM
Taking the right path leads the group down another long corridor. Traveling along this tunnel leads to what appears to be light in the distance, though dim.
As you draw closer you can see the opening of a cavern that is light with a greenish light source. Getting to within ten feet of the entrance it is easy to see the shrooms that grow in the cavern. You notice that they grow in clusters of five to nine and come in a wide variety of colors. No sound is heard from the cavern but that does not settle nerves in this place.
The buzzing in your heads has weakened just a little and mixed in seems to be what you would classify as laughter. The very buzzing seems to fill you with a sense that someone is laughing at you.
Flea ( AC 21, 39/56 HP, Prayer) d20+9=17 d20+11=22 Friday September 1st, 2006 9:39:47 AM
For better or for worse, Flea leads the way into the tunnel, her short sword firmly gripped in one hand.
"Anyone home?" she calls in a tremulous voice.
Spot=17 Listen=22
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Friday September 1st, 2006 1:28:04 PM
Wand in hand, Tishe' looks around curiously. "Multi-colored mushrooms... I wonder if there is any connection to our different kinds of grasses..."
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 25, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Shld Faith, Air Walk, Sanctuary) Friday September 1st, 2006 2:55:30 PM
The feeling of being laughed at starts boiling the blood, but Trellus forces the feeling down. He can't afford to be reactive, here.
"I'd say our hosts know we took a wrong turn," he notes, trying to keep the mood light. "Probably walked into their pantry or something. Let's go back the other way."
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 7.9 mins Owls Wisdom -- 16.7 mins Neutralize Poison - 65.7 mins Sanctuary - 1 round Shield of Faith (+3) - 8.7 mins Air Walk - 98.9 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Jake Friday September 1st, 2006 3:31:56 PM
"Woah, big shrooms!" Jake can't help himself and wanders over near one. He looks for a smaller one, and cuts a piece off. Of course, this is 90% likeyl to cause a shroom trap or something to go off... SO if anybody posts a warning to Jake he'll stop before doing it. Then, he'll look back, say, "Aww, it's just a mushroom, you're being paranoid..." but not cut it. Still, he eyes it hungrily.
Gilan and Ciaran d20+19=35 d20+17=24 Friday September 1st, 2006 8:24:34 PM
Gilan cannot believe what he feels inside his head. They are laughing at the whole group. What did these ants thinks, they were stupid to possibly leave enemies at their back. "Better to be safe than sorry...there could have been more this way and still might." He watches as Jake heads into the cavern and towards one group of shrooms. Well he could not say that he was not curious as well.
[knowledge(nature) 35 and profession(heralist) 24]
Shroom Room. (DM Jim) Saturday September 2nd, 2006 4:01:07 AM
Jake and Gilan both enter the chamber that contains the shrooms. They look around at some of them and Jake even pulls out a dagger to cut off a hunk of one. He has picked one that is about three feet tall and is currently standing near it.
The rest of the group is still standing a ways back in the tunnel, maybe five feet from the entrance. Plans are being made.
Gilan can find no references in all of his knowledge of nature to go with these shrooms. With a little bit of study, by looking at the few shrooms he is close to, he would say that at least two of them are edible.
Gilan and Jake cannot help but also notice a number of fist sized crystals near each batch of shrooms that dot the room or anyways the ones they can see. Each crystal is as clear as glass and reflecting the blue light in the room, adding light.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) Saturday September 2nd, 2006 6:10:04 AM
"Bullies love to laugh at any appearance of the inferiority of others", Tishe' tells Trellus philisophically, "makes them feel important. Not that it will help them any..." she promises darkly.
Standing close together, Tishe' and Stripes are ready to return to the crossways.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90) Saturday September 2nd, 2006 10:26:39 PM
"No troubles back here yet." notes Mac
Trellus (ac 25, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Shld Faith, Air Walk) Sunday September 3rd, 2006 11:30:48 AM
Trellus lets slip a small grin and shakes his head in resignation as Jake goes off on another, well, Jake-pick. Even here, some things don't change.
"C'mon dudes," he says. "Let's weave the other way."
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 7.8 mins Owls Wisdom -- 16.6 mins Neutralize Poison - 65.6 mins Shield of Faith (+3) - 8.6 mins Air Walk - 98.8 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Flea ( AC 21, 39/56 HP, Prayer) Sunday September 3rd, 2006 9:27:50 PM
The gnome hangs her head, disappointed that she interpreted the signs wrong. Resignedly, she follows the party leader, as Trellus sets the course for the party.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday September 4th, 2006 1:50:50 AM
Looking to Jake and no enemies seeming to show themselves he nods to the entrance they came in. "Come on Jake...seems we have a different place to be." He takes one last look at the room and the mushrooms...he will collect a sample when the leave here.
Ciaran back out in the tunnels with the rest has been pacing and not at all happy with the situation. He is more than happy to get the idea that they will soon be moving along.
Jake Monday September 4th, 2006 1:22:01 PM
Jake shoves the shroom into his backpack, muttering "this'll be a good lunch", then glances over and takes a handful of the red glowy rocks, too, puting them in a pocket of the pack. "Okay, ready to go," the youth shoulders his pack and then draws his weapons again, ready for trouble. "Say," the half-elf goes on a second later, "maybe we should check for tracks to see if we're headed the rightw ay. Ummm, can anyone do that pretty well?"
Grymash keeps a continual watch while the others take in the local culinary delights. He gives out a low distinct grunt and then whispers, "Dis mus be whut da ant-piggies feed da slaves. 'Cause da ant-piggies feed on da slaves! Give none of dat ta Gry!"
Have a grenade. (DM Jim) 3d4(2+3+1)=6 3d4(3+1+2)=6 3d4(4+1+4)=9 3d4(4+1+3)=8 d6=2 d6=4 2d4(1+4)=5 2d4(1+4)=5 Monday September 4th, 2006 9:39:13 PM
The group is preparing to turn back and go to the intersection again. Jake has collected a piece of shroom and is just about to get a piece of red crystal when six crystals in the area start to lightly humm.
As Jake speaks the crystals continue to humm but it increases in intensity. Without any warning the smallest shrooms at the base of the larger ones seem to expand and then explode in a torrent of effects.
For Jake and Gilan there is nowhere to go and nothing to hide behind as the little shrooms explode. Those in the hallway are suddenly enveloped in a cloud of gas as some of the shrooms send waves of gas into the room and down the tunnel.
Gilan and Jake need to make four Reflex DC 20 saves. * Reflex 1 - fire for 6 damage or save for half * Reflex 2 - fire for 6 damage or save for half * Reflex 3 - ice for 9 damage or save for half * Reflex 4 - lightning for 8 damage or save for half
Everyone, including Gilan and Jake, need to make two Fortitude DC 22 saves. * Fortitude 1 - gas for Dexterity loss -5 * Fortitude 2 - gas for Intelligence loss -5
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday September 5th, 2006 8:04:33 AM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of August 28 - Sept 1
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXX
Trellus XXXXX
Tishe XXXXX
Jake XXOXX
Gilan XXXXX
Grymash XXOOX
Mac XXOOX
Flea XXXXX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues.
Tishe' (AC21, HP 55/56) -5 Dex and Stripes (AC20, HP 22/31) -5 Dex and Int d20+8=19 d20+8=27 d20+5=8 d20+5=6 Tuesday September 5th, 2006 8:23:04 AM
Tishe' doesn't notice the crystals until they explode and gas floods the area! She is startled and takes a breath of the first gas, making her ungainly, but is strong enough to withstand the second effects. Stripes is not so lucky and is totally effected.
The human and hyena stumble out into the corridor and away from the gases. "Oh! Oh, no! <koff>"
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Jake d20+7=19 d20+7=12 d20+7=15 Tuesday September 5th, 2006 1:21:31 PM
In the middle of replying to Gry, "Hey, some of the best food can come from unexpected-" Then suddenly BOOM! Jake barely reacts in time, rolling away. It is only with the help of Domi's blessing (+1 to saves) that he manages to be so quick on his feet. He avoids it entirely (with improved evasion. He's not so lucky thereafter with the affects, being too far within the area to avoid coughing up some of them. "..(hack,cough,wheeze...) Guys ah'm sorry..."
Jake missed one Reflex save and both of the Fortitude saves that he needed to make.
Trellus (ac 22, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Shld Faith, Air Walk, -5 Dex) d20+8=20 d20+8=26 Tuesday September 5th, 2006 4:17:58 PM [OOC - DM, do either Neutralize Poison or Spell Resistance apply?]
The explosion catches the blond cleric completely off guard. In the process of leaving, his head whips around at the sound and he sees the noxious cloud heading for the group.
Frantically, Trellus tries to shove the pack back down the tunnel, but its far too late. As the cloud passes over them, he drops to a knee, coughing and wheezing and gasping for breath. [Fort 20, Fort 26]
"Light, Jake!" he growls in frustration once the reaction subsides. Trellus remains on one knee for a few more minutes, prentending to get his breath back while in reality trying to calm down. It ain't really Jake's fault - shouldn't snap at him.
The blond man collects himself and rises. "OK <cough>. Who's hurt?"
------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 7.7 mins Owls Wisdom -- 16.5 mins Neutralize Poison - 65.5 mins Shield of Faith (+3) - 8.5 mins Air Walk - 98.7 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Gilan [HP: 72/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 24][-5dex and int] d20+7=13 d20+7=19 d20+7=10 d20+7=23 d20+13=24 d20+13=26 d20+11=18 d20+11=16 Tuesday September 5th, 2006 10:29:29 PM
Gilan feels the effects of three different elements wash over his body. He feels his body resist the last elemental effect but he is still touched by the electricity. "Light...." He is only able to get out that one word as the last two shrooms go off and the room is flooded with a gas. He is luckier as his body is able to fight off both gases in turn.
Ciaran out in the tunnel backs off with the sudden eruption from the chamber. He is not at all happy about any of this and even less so as the gas filters out into the tunnel.
In all the confusion Gilan is able to get out of the chamber and into the tunnel with the rest of the pack. He will move on down the tunnel if there is room to get away from the gas. Blisters have formed on his skin from both fire and lightning, while frost is evident from the extreme cold. "Guess that includes me...but I got a little healing left of my own." Still he will let Trell heal him if he wants...not really in the mood to argue.
Sorry, the gas is not poison based and magic resistance would have no effect there. Now if you would have been in the room the other would have been effected by your magic resistance.
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90, Dex:-5) d20+9=16 d20+9=26 Wednesday September 6th, 2006 3:46:11 AM
Mac gets a lung full of gas and makes pace towards the previous cavern - after all, being at the back he's now just in the way.
Flea ( AC 21, 39/56 HP, Prayer) d20+3+1=8 d20+3+1=12 Wednesday September 6th, 2006 7:22:05 PM
"Jake! You idiot!" gasps Flea (despite the fact that she was thinking of taking a slash at the 'shrooms with her fancy new short sword herself). She follows after Tishe', coughing in a barking, wheezing kind of way.
Fort=8 (fail, thus -5 to Dex) Fort=12 (fail, thus -5 to Int)
Grymash (AC 24, hp104. Really really stupid!) d20+12=23 d20+12=14 Wednesday September 6th, 2006 9:18:45 PM
Fort saves: 23 and 14. -5 to Intelligence! Grymash as an Int 2. Equal to an animal!)
GrYmaSh gRoWls ... AngEry! BaD gas! "Uhh GRowwL... GRRRR! Blahh, GRRRRrr!!!" GRy faLL BacK to WaLL, aWaY GAs. LoOk eVeryWheREs. CoNFuseD... ScaReD!. FiGHt or RuN?! EyEs Wide! TeEtH GnaSH ... SpIT ... GrOwLL!!!
Meet the Side...Effects. (DM Jim) Wednesday September 6th, 2006 9:20:20 PM
Most of the group is struck by one ailment or the other from the gas shrooms. Some feel their wits failing them and other feel a numbing of their reflexes that leave them slow and sluggish.
Still the group finds that retreating back down the tunnel and to the bend is a wise idea. The gas does not follow far and you find that you are not effected any further by the fumes.
Now there is a bigger decision to make and the group has been weakened a little more before what most might think is the final battle. The real question is...what will be faced and how many will be there.
Carla - Did you really make a Reflex save? You needed to make a Fortitude save instead. If you made the wrong save, please make new ones. :)
(OOC: Corrected to Fort Saves, and now even worse. Actually, though I posted 'reflex' I had rolled 'fort', but with my level 10 T-game Flea+5 and not my level 8 Bloodpack Flea+3. My bad!-Carla)
Tishe' (AC19, HP 55/56) -5 Dex and Stripes (AC18, HP 22/31) -5 Dex and Int Thursday September 7th, 2006 12:08:42 PM
Tishe' privately agrees with Flea as to the state of Jake's mental facilities, but on the other hand... "There was no way of knowing they trapped thier pharmacy. Hey! What if it was a trap? That means the mushrooms have to be important. And if it is important enough to trap, it may be important enough to destroy or hold for ransom?"
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 22, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Shld Faith, Air Walk, -5 Dex) 2d8(6+1)+10=17 d8=8 Thursday September 7th, 2006 3:47:30 PM
Trellus nods at Gilan's answer. "Can you fix yourself?" he asks as he instead heals up Flea's wounds.
[CMW over Hold Person - 24 hp healed on Flea]
The cleric sighs audibly in response to Tishe's suggestion of "destroy or hold for ransom". "No," he answers decisively. "There's enough thread in the loom already."
Trellus rubs his hand over the stubble on the back of his head feverishly - a sign he's doing some serious thinking. "Time to pull back, dudes," he declares. "Before we end up like the hunters in the foyer."
He looks over the pack, sizing up who's still mostly intact and mobile. "Mac, take lead," he instructs.
Then his tone changes to friendly persuasion as he addresses the befuddled barbarian. "Grymash, stay with me dude. Right here next to me."
He looks back at Mac. "Let's get out of here." ------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 7.6 mins Owls Wisdom -- 16.4 mins Neutralize Poison - 65.4 mins Shield of Faith (+3) - 8.4 mins Air Walk - 98.6 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Gilan [HP: 93/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 22][-5dex and int] 3d8(7+4+1)+9=21 Thursday September 7th, 2006 4:23:01 PM
Gilan nods as he lays a hand upon himself and sends natural healing into his own body. "That is better..." He listens to Trell as he speaks and nods his head. "Lets retreat back out then and rest up...depending we maybe able to hit them in the morning before they can regroup." He does not really think it will be that easy but it is an idea.
Looking to Trell he shakes his head. "Of course we will need to decide on that...it is just an idea to think over." So far this has been the hardest thing they have done and the one that has given them the most setback.
Ciaran is more than ready to move out of the caves as he falls into step with the group. Gilan cannot surpress a smile as he watches his brother looking to get out.
The slobbering orcish hulk suddenly hears something that sounds vaguely familiar. Grymash suddenly goes silent. His head jerks around to focus on one he used to remember being called Trellus. With wide vacant eyes and flaring nostrils, he takes a moment to examine the cleric of Domi. Grymash drops his favored weapon, as if it were a meaningless trinket, and hunkers down on all fours. "UUGH!!" is all he utters as he leaps forward at Trellus.
(Grapple attack on Trellus. HitTouchAC: 31. Strength check: 20 to pin Trellus to the floor.)
IF GRY'S GRAPPLE IS SUCCESSFUL: The large barbarian tackles Trellus to the floor, grunting sharply and excitedly! Grymash slaps his own chest repeatedly. Then in turn, he slaps Trellus' own chestplate in a similar fashion. His strikes are obviously not meant to inflict damage, but Gry isn't fully aware of his size or strength. "OHH OHHH OHH, UGHGH.. OHH ARGG!!" Grymash snorts and holds his ear down to Trellus' face... wondering if the cleric will make another noise, like he did before!
Flea ( AC 21, 56/56 HP, -5 Int., -5 Dex.) d20+9=21 d20+11=17 d20+11=25 Thursday September 7th, 2006 10:56:35 PM
"Uh, thanks, Trellus," stutters Flea, when the cleric lays his healing hands on her and cures her wounds. Looking at her sword, she whispers under her breath, "and you too, Domi!"
Moving just a little beyond the group, but staying close to Mac, Flea scouts as the group recoups.
Spot=21 Listen=17 Search/Detect Traps=25 (including -2 due to - 5 Int.)
She will advise her companion of anything she sees or hears, paying particular attention to any further traps.
(OOC: I'm assuming Trellus' Prayer is over?-Carla)
Jake (47/57, -5 int and dex) Friday September 8th, 2006 2:33:03 AM
Jake is at first ashamed and somewhat abashed by the others words. Time to retreat sounds pretty good to him... Then Grymash pounces on Trellus and Jake bursts into laughter. Wow, Gry's like a big dog... The poor half-orc looks so ridiculous.
Trellus - Grapple Check d20+7=21 Friday September 8th, 2006 7:49:23 AM
"Domi, give me strength," Trellus breathes as Grymash grabs him. [Feat of Strength (free action): +9 to strength for one round]
The cleric tears free of his friend's grasp [Strength check 21]
"GRY, WARP DOWN!"
Trellus takes one of Gry's arms and leads him back toward the entrance.
Outside. (DM Jim) Friday September 8th, 2006 1:29:30 PM
The pack makes it back outside of the cavern complex with no troubles. All you feel is a parting tingle and some mental laughter from the Oglian.
Gry has become no more than a poor animal that needs to be lead out by his hand. The poor half-orc was hit hard by the decrease in his intelligence and Trell hopes that it is not permanent.
The group is currently standing ten feet from the entrance to the cavern complex held by the Oglian.
Sorry guys and gal, this has been a rather bad week for me.
Jake Friday September 8th, 2006 6:09:41 PM
Jake pats Gry on the head as they lead the poor half-orc along. "Gooooood Gry. Very good. You want some grubs?" He holds out a handful of jerky-style grubs to the half-orc and makes sure to withdraw his hand before it, too, is consumed. Yuck, orc-slobber. "Ya know, instead of tackling these guys head on, maybe we can find something else around here to help. Like...umm, an enemy group of ants or something. Or, we could dress Gry as a female ant and have him lure them out... nah, that won't work. He doesn't have that mental thing..." Jake ponders that, and steps to the edge of the group towards the ants, and tries sending out very graphic image thoughts of horrible things... Then he realizes ants probably don't care about most human horrible things, they probably have ant-fears of their own. So, he tries sending out images of things ant-things may fear. Gigantic crystals on high, focusing the power of the sun down on them. Toxic gases spewed out of cylindrical wands that will poison them. A gigantic creature with a long nose like a vacuum, that would suck them out and into its hungry mouth... You know, ant stuff.
Mac (Dex:-5) Friday September 8th, 2006 6:56:51 PM
Mac squats down and thinks for a moment. "What did we do wrong and how do we do it better next time? To put it another way: How did we get out of their without any of our threads getting cut?!"
He looks around - something is not right. "Where are the guards... or their replacements?"
Flea ( AC 21, 56/56 HP, -5 Int., -5 Dex.) Friday September 8th, 2006 8:19:15 PM
Flea drops her pack and starts to rummage around in it trying to find something, anything, that might make Gry smarter. "Little tools, some daggers, two wands, a gray bag with some magic in it, a couple of potions." The rogue makes an inventory of her worldly posessions, but doesn't find anything that she thinks would work.
The rogue is feeling a little slower as well. Her mind isn't as sharp, nor does she feel as sure footed, as usual.
"Tishe'?" she asks the party mage, "you figger this will wear off?"
Gilan [HP: 93/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 22][-5dex and int] Friday September 8th, 2006 10:52:48 PM
Gilan slumps to the ground as they are now outside the tunnels. He pulls his pack in front of him and starts to rummage through it. "I have some healing potions here." With a thought he starts to rummage through the hidden pockets in his cloak and pulls out a set of four potions. "Trell, try this if you can get Gry to drink it....lesser restoration...should help." He has no idea if the effects are premanent but he is hoping that they will not be.
Ciaran curls up and lays his snout upon his front feet. He seems tired and a little depressed as well.
He shakes his head as he is not sure that they did go wrong. This was most definitely going to be a challenge and the fact that there is no guards out here was a good sign...or a bad one. "Could mean that they had no way to get new guards out here or they did not think it necessary." Looking to Trell he cannot help but smile. "Seems I know what type of potions to work on next time I have time." Seems that restoration would be a good idea...maybe some scrolls would not hurt either.
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90, Dex:-5) Saturday September 9th, 2006 11:32:50 PM
Mac nods to Gilan in response before asking, "Then where are the guards we killed on the way in? We all heard them behind us, trying to stop our retreat when we got to the cavern with the bridges. Maybe they've been and collected their fallen - that makes some sense, but why not repost guards?"
Tishe' (AC19, HP 55/56) -5 Dex and Stripes (AC18, HP 22/31) -5 Dex and Int Sunday September 10th, 2006 3:35:46 PM
Shuttlecocked the whole way back to the surface, Tishe' keeps close to Stripes and there is a visible sigh of relief getting to the surface.
"I'm sure this will wear off eventually," she says to Flea, "that bridge was really difficult being affected by that gas."
She seriously considers Mac's worry about more guards and comes up with a solution. "Maybe we hurt them really badly? As long as we cut thier strings and they don't cut any of ours, perhaps we can whittle them down to giving the IronHome piggies back?"
Her hope sours while she continues thinking. "Of course, they may eat the piggies to make more Oglians instead of freeing them. The next time we go in, we need to go all the way or risk losing the children."
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 22, hp 57/79, Mgc Vstmnt, Neut Pois, Owl Wisdom, SR 22, Shld Faith, Air Walk, -5 Dex) Monday September 11th, 2006 8:56:34 AM
Trellus thinks about the question of the guards while taking the lesser restoration potion from Gilan. "The queen was totally serious with that 'Fall Back' command," he reminds them. "I'd guess they got the bodies while we were fighting and then did what the beater told 'em."
The cleric turns to the dubious prospect of getting a liquid into the half-orc. Finally he pantomines drinking the potion, and breaks out into a big smile while rubbing his stomach happily. Then, the blond man pops the stopper. "Say ah!" he encourages, and then (hopefully) pours the liquid into the barbarian.
Regardless of the outcome, Trellus wants to get away from the entrance. "Let's move north aways, and then double back to the Baron's," he says. "I think this'll wear off, and I got spells if it don't. But we're gonna need to warp down and regroup for a day or two before trying this again." ------------------- Spells in Effect: Spell Resistance -- 7.0 mins Owls Wisdom -- 15.8 mins Neutralize Poison - 64.8 mins Shield of Faith (+3) - 7.8 mins Air Walk - 98.0 mins Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday September 11th, 2006 8:58:06 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Sep 4 - 8
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XOXOX
Trellus XOXOX
Tishe XOXOX
Jake XOXOX
Gilan XOXOX
Grymash OXXOX
Mac OXOOX
Flea OXXOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Not so good everyone. I'm not sending out any reminder emails due to Jim having trouble, but we need to step it up. Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues.
Grymash eagerly dashes off ahead to the entrance after he realizes his pack is heading back to the light and fresh air. He doesnt even think to pick up his beloved double axe that he earlier disgarded. He was far more concerned with getting out of his cramped and disorienting situation. Once getting to the entrance, he stops to sniff the air and waits for the others to catch up.
When presented with the strange smelling water, Grymash approaches it with curiosity and apprehension. If it wasnt for Trellus' enthusiastic presentation of the substance, he wouldn't have had anything to do with it. But he smells it harder, blowing ripples into the fluid with each sniff. (Sense Motive: 19) Grymash has no reason to distrust his friend... he knows he wont harm him. But Grymash is pretty sure by the scent of the water that it wont taste very good. Taking the initative, weary of the half-orcs diminished state, Trellus pours the potion into Gry's mouth. "AAugghh, GULP!! Gakk puzzzttp! blaahhh!!"
Grymash leaps backwards, grunting and gagging with displeasure! "AUUUGHH...psspptt! GRRRRRR!!" In fact, Grymash looks to be much displeasured. Maybe Trellus' ear will take the bad taste from his mouth!!!
Back to IronHome. (DM Jim) d4=3 Monday September 11th, 2006 11:44:23 PM
Trell gets Gry to drink the potion and it does not taste that great. But Gry does feel different as some of his mental faculties return to him(+3Intelligence).
It is a slightly slower pack that starts back into the grasses. Right now it is not decided to return to IronHome or find a good place to camp after traveling as far as possible.
Those that know nature and her ways can tell that it is a little past midday. The pace that you can set right now will not get you to the Baron village as everyone is tired. Trellus and those with healing skills know that fatigue will set in before long and then you will be slowed even further.
The pace slows further as the day wears on and it is getting to late evening, the sun starting to dip low in the sky. To hazard a guess would put you a couple of days travel from IronHome...it does not help that you are taking a circuit and then doubling back.
Jake Tuesday September 12th, 2006 2:10:40 AM
Jake grabs Gry's big ol' axe and drags it along with him. He can't help but chuckle whenever he glances at the half-orc's antics. "To be honest, guys, ah think it was worth popping that thing just to see this. Ah mean, once we get back on good footin' we'll tackle these grass-suckers. They're already afraid of us anyways. "Hmmmm... where's our guide anyways?"
Flea ( AC 21, 56/56 HP, -5 Int., -5 Dex.) d20+9=27 d20+11=18 Tuesday September 12th, 2006 7:32:37 AM
Flea shoulders her pack and trudges along with the rest of her pack, wondering what they are going to do next. "What do you figger we do next, Trellus?" she asks brilliantly.
The rogue will follow whoever takes the lead, but will roam a little from side to side, keeping a lookout for anything untoward. In their diminished state, she doesn't want any new surprises sprung on her friends.
Spot=27 Listen=18
Tishe' (AC19, HP 55/56) -5 Dex and Stripes (AC18, HP 22/31) -5 Dex and Int Tuesday September 12th, 2006 8:18:49 AM
Tishe' tries to march along with the rest, but the gas has made her uncoordinated, and she trips and stumbles more than once. Stripes stupidly follows her every motion, even to the point of falling down whenever the human does.
Whatever her body is doing to betray her, her mind is still sharp and active. "We'll be able at least to tell IronHome what has happened to their younger heroes." she says morbidly. "They will want to know."
"Did't our guide say she needed to return once she showed us the way?" Tishe' twists her hair back out of her eyes. "We'll see her again back at IronHome. We know more about the Oglians though, and we can be better prepared for our next confrontation."
Half-heartedly, Tishe' will help set up camp Plains-style, to keep the insects away.
Wand Magic Missles - 41 charges
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 22, hp 57/79) Tuesday September 12th, 2006 2:15:46 PM
Trellus is quite relieved when Grymash stops acting totally like a praire pig and starts thinking a bit more clearly. The blond man shoots Jake an irritated look. He doesn't say anything - it never helps - but he's clearly not in the mood.
In answer to Flea, the blond man looks about for shelter to magically appear before them, but of course doesn't find any.
[ooc - I'm assuming the pack is at least a mile from the Oglian entrance]
"Let's camp here," he replies wearily. "Gil, we're gonna need to make those Grass mats to keep the bugs off. Can you remind us how to make 'em? Watches are Tishe and Flea, Grymash and Gilan, Mac and Jake, then me." ------------------- Spells in Effect: Magic Vestment (+2) - Shield Magic Vestment (+2) - Armor
Gilan [HP: 93/97 - AC: 24][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 22][-5dex and int] d20+21=32 Tuesday September 12th, 2006 7:54:27 PM
Gilan is starting to feel the effects of fatigue as well as some of the others. You can see it in body posture and the way everyone is moving. When a place to camp is finally called for the night, he is more than ready to lay down and sleep.
Trell brings him out of his own thoughts with the need for protection. He nods as he looks to the grass around the area. "Help me gather some of this grass and we can get started...Tishe', you feel up to a little weaving as well?" What he wouldn't give for his bed back in Rattledam about now.
Ciaran seems as ready to drop as the rest of the group. He lays down as soon as camp is called and watches the group move around.
Gilan asks over his own work about a might be needed thing. "Should we chance a fire and warm food?" He is hungry and his stomache rumbling is indication enough that he needs to eat.
Flea d20-1=4 d20+5=20 Tuesday September 12th, 2006 8:14:49 PM
Flea is glad when the pack decides to make camp on the plains. Despite the dangers, she didn't feel up to confessing the Bloodpack's failure to the stern folks back at Iron Home, even if the party didn't really owe them any alliegance.
Besides, the rogue was in no hurry to go back down the tunnel and face the laughing ant creatures.
Flea isn't bright enough to pick up on the feelings of the others (Sense Motive=4), but she is in tune with her own feelings of failure and dejection, and starts to sing a little song to pick up her spirits. Those around her will hear the gnome's thin childish voice sing in elvish,
DM Sanity Info: Bardic Music-Inspire Courage (+1 morale bonus on saving throws vs charm and fear effects, +1 on attack and weapon dmg rolls) lasts while bard singing and 5 rounds afterwards. **Hopefully, this will help us digest Jake's cooking!**
*Elvish for: You are not bound to loss and to silence. For you are not bound to the circles of this world.
Grymash (AC 24, hp104. really stupid!) Tuesday September 12th, 2006 11:52:17 PM
(Int is now 5)
"Huhh!?" mumbles Grymash as the lights suddenly start to flicker back on ... dimly, but on anyway. "Whuh happun in da ...uhh, da bottums? Noo, Gry means in da ... uhh, da deeep ... No! Uhh, in da down places?! Whuh call it?" The half-orc seems frustrated. Though he can now talk again, he can't remember all the right words. Grymash suddenly spots his double axe in Jake's hands. "Heey!? Dat bee Gry's... uhh, fightin' stick!? Give it!" Once his trusted double axe is back in his hands, Grymash begins to calm down somewhat, finding comfort in its cold, hard adamantine.
Getting ready and the night. (DM Jim) d100=75 d100=100 d100=89 d100=69 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 12:32:48 AM
The group hunkers down for the night. Grass mats are woven and soon everyone is asleep or those that are not on guard duty at the time.
Sleep is still fast coming for those that stay on guard duty and they find it hard to keep eyes open with all the stress of the past few hours(Willpower DC 14 to stay awake). This night is enough to make anyone jumpy as the bugs go about thier normal duties at night and imaginations run wild.
Grymash and Gilan(listen DC 14 if you are awake)Highlight to display spoiler: {In the night you hear the sound of three beasts closing on your camp from the direction that the Oglian caves were.}
The group is at least a mile and a half from the Oglian entrance. It is not morning yet so you can post accordingly. :)
Grymash (AC 24, hp104. really stupid!) d20+4=14 d20+7=21 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 1:48:35 AM
(Listen check: 14. Will save: 21)
"huhhh?!" quietly mutters the half-orc! "gilliah, do ear dat noisy?! shhhhhh!"
If the sounds continue to get closer, Grymash will place his hand over Trellus' mouth and gently (for a half-orc) shakes the cleric's head to wake him up. "shhhhhhh ... comes dis way piggies do!"
Tishe' (AC18, HP 55/56) -5 Dex and Stripes (AC17, HP 22/31) -5 Dex and Int d20+12=28 d20+11=15 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 3:44:11 AM
Tishe' is more than happy to help weave the grass mats (weaving: 28 -3 for Dex) and can let her hands work without thinking too much. Likewise, though it is hard to stay awake, years of magical lessons have honed her willpower to overcome small inconsequentials like weariness (Will: 15)
Stripes is exhausted and uncoordinated and so quickly curls up on the first completed mat to sleep.
If woken up, Tishe' will blearily rub the sleep from her eyes and then test her motions to see if the gas is still affecting her...
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan [HP: 93/97 - AC: 19][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - AC: 22][-5dex and int] d20+15=34 d20+11=18 d20+5=16 d20+3=18 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 1:31:36 PM
Gilan looks to Gry and nods his head. "I hear it too Gry and it seems to be coming this way." He slips up to his feet, picking up his scimitar and shield from the ground as he moves. Taking the clue from Gry, though he had already been moving in that direction he moves towards some of his friends. He shakes Tishe', Flea and Jake in turn but makes a shushing motion with his hand to keep them from saying anything. He then points to his ears and then to the darkness of the grasses. If nothing else the fact that he is armed and ready to fight should be enough to set them in the right direction.
Ciaran is also up, serving a watch with his brothers. His ears perk up with the sounds of movement and he stands. He is a little wobbly on his feet but otherwise seems fit to fight.
[Gilan - Willpower 34 and listen 18] [Ciaran - Willpower 16 and listen 18]
Trellus (ac 21, hp 57/79, -5 Dex, Shld Faith) Wednesday September 13th, 2006 1:41:51 PM
Trellus helps prep the camp, and gratefully collapses on a grass mat the minute preparations are over. The blond man is asleep within seconds.
However, the cleric has been in the Grass awhile now. And waking up slowly here can be very unhealthy. At Grymash's shake, Trellus' eyes pop open and focus instantly on the half-orc. He nods his understanding and rises with the rest of the pack. With quick hand motions, he points Grymash to a spot centered on the incoming noises. He points Mac to a spot 15' to the right of Gry, and Jake 10' to the left.
He positions himself 10' behind the barbarian, and casts a spell of protection on himself. [Shield of Faith]
Then, he waits.
------------------- Spells in Effect: Shield of Faith
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90, Dex:-5) Wednesday September 13th, 2006 7:02:39 PM
Somewhat bleary-eyed, Mac takes Trellus' direction.
Flea ( AC 21, 56/56 HP, -5 Int., -5 Dex.) d20+3=8 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 7:39:15 PM
Flea is an utter failure at keeping awake during her shift at guard duty. (Will Save=8) When awakened by Gillan, she finds she is curled up under her wonderful cloak with her head resting comfortably on the rump of Tishe's weird dog.
Jake Wednesday September 13th, 2006 10:45:35 PM
Jake's doesn't really snore, and is a pretty light sleeper. It's the result of a lifetime of pranks and sneaking, and usually having to be quick reacting in case a father walks in... So, when he's tapped, he opens his eyes and quickly moves to his feet. He first grabs his sword and shield, then starts putting on his armor, which takes a bit. His food of last night was actually pretty mediocre fair, as far as spiciness at least. In fact, it's darned near mild! Must be his intelligence drain.
Mini Stampede. (DM Jim) 12d4(4+2+3+4+2+4+3+4+1+4+1+2)=34 Wednesday September 13th, 2006 11:20:22 PM
Everyone is rolled out of bed as the noises start to get even closer. As Trellus calls a battle formation the grass suddenly parts in front of the group.
Charging into the miniature clearing that was made are a dozen prairie pigs. There is little room to maneuver as they stampede through the camp.
With the passing of all the priarie pigs the camp is left in shambles. Most of your food has been destroyed and at least one waterskin from each person has been burst from being ran over.
[Reflex DC 16 or be trampled for 34 damage or half if you pass the save. There is no way to avoid the damage in full or part. There are just too many prairie pigs for that.]
[Surviving food has been cut in half and one waterskin is destroyed and beyond the ability to even mend.]
Flea ( AC 21, 22/56 HP, -5 Int., -5 Dex.) d20+8=9 Thursday September 14th, 2006 12:05:02 AM
*Thump*
*Whump*
*Splat*
*Bash*
*Bump*
Flea gets beat around as the herd of slug-like creatures the size of large dogs stampede through the small encampment.
Crawling on hands and knees once the herd has passed, the gnome eventually pushes herself into a standing position and surveys the remains of the camp. She finds her backpack several feet away, half her rations spoiled and her one water skin split.
Flea's head throbs. Her back aches, and the fingers of her left hand feel like they might be broken. The dusty, dirty, and dishevelled gnome wails, "Waaaah! I want to go home to Rattledam!"
Reflex=9, fail
Grymash (AC 24, hp70/104. really stupid!) d20+6=11 d20+13=28 d8+7=12 Thursday September 14th, 2006 2:03:05 AM
(Reflex: 11, fail)
Grymash gets bowled over by the stampeding prairie pigs. When he finally rolls to a stop, he smears the slime and dirt splatterings from his face, but not before yelling, "PIGGIE DUMMMPPSS ... AUUGHHH!!!" It doesnt help that the slime trail left behind by the piggies becomes more sticky and stringy when they get excited and run. Gross!!
Grymash suddenly jumps up and takes his bow, and an arrow, to see if he can get off a quick shot. Maybe get some meat for their trouble!
(Ranged attack. HitAC: 28. Damage: 12)
Tishe' (AC18, HP 38/56) -5 Dex and Stripes (AC17, HP -12/31) -5 Dex and Int d20+12=28 d20+11=15 d20+6=22 d20+5=12 Thursday September 14th, 2006 2:47:41 AM
Prepared for nearly anything, Tishe' is surprised by the passage of the Prairie Pigs. Still with a great deal more agility than she has shown all day (Reflex: 22) she manages to avoid the worst of the group.
Stripes is not so lucky. Slowed by the gas and fatigue (Reflex 12), he blunders into the path of the lead beast and is slimed into the ground. More piggies topple the hyena, and it is left broken and lifeless on the ground.
Tishe' immediately notices that something is wrong. A presense that has always been with her is gone. She moves to the body of her recent companion and kneels down in the slime to softly stroke the matted fur.
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Gilan [HP: 59/97 - AC: 19][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 63/80 - AC: 22][-5dex and int] d20+7=9 d20+8=26 Thursday September 14th, 2006 4:00:21 PM
Gilan finds himself neatly flattened to the ground as he is run over by a great number of slugs. There had been no time to get out of the way or even think of cover. He finds his breathing slightly labored and his right side is hurting, along with a shoulder that does not work the way it should and a finger that is bent the wrong way as well. "That was interesting." He bites through the pain to slowly stand but immediately feels his head swim with a sick feeling from the pain.
Ciaran is a lot luckier as he is mowed over by the first prairie pig in the lead but is able to keep his feet and just be buffeted by them as they pass. He does not look all that bad for the pounding he has just taken as he moves over to his brother.
Trellus (ac 21, hp 46/79, -5 Dex, Shld Faith) d20+3=7 4d8(1+2+3+5)+10=21 d8=3 Thursday September 14th, 2006 4:57:53 PM
The cleric plants himself behind Grymash, ready for anything.
Expect the possibility he might need to get out of the way in a hurry. Trellus' eyes widen as the Prairie Pigs bear down on him. He has time to get his shield up.... BAM! POW! SNARFLE!
piggie dumps
Trellus wearily gets to his feet, and casts a healing spell on himself [CCW over Spell Immunity - 23 hp healed]
Then he gets out his healing wand, and starts making his way over to Flea, having picked her out as the most in need of healing.
------------------- Spells in Effect: Shield of Faith
Jake (23/57) d20+7=13 Friday September 15th, 2006 1:29:54 AM
Jake is buckling on some armor when the piggies come zooming faster than his brain can react. He is knocked over, buffeted, trampled upon, and finally, gets up just in time to watch them depart. "GAHHH!" he yells annoyedly, looking around. "Damn piggies! That's gotta be an attack... damn those sneaky ants..." He straps on his armor and seems ready to go off charging, when he looks about. Everyone else is hurt as well. With a moment of sadness, he walks over and pats Tishe gently on the shoulder. "Poor guy..." he says, looking at the broken ..er.. dog-thingie that Tishe has always liked. "Hey, Trell, can you doa nything for this guy?"
Mac (AC:22, HP:56/90, Dex:-5) d20+2=8 Friday September 15th, 2006 1:32:53 AM
Mac looks up at the night sky - pretty he thinks to himself. Slowly he peels his back off the ground to sit upright, and begins to survey the damage. His face falls noticeably as he sees Stripes, and Tishe'.
Bludgeoned and bleeding. (DM Jim) Friday September 15th, 2006 11:07:31 AM
The whole pack is neatly smashed, trampled and broken with the passing of the prairie pigs. As the group pulls themselves together, they survey the damage and think of healing.
Grymash gets off a shot at the last prairie pig that is starting to enter the grass on the other side of the camp. There is a squeal and then it drops to the ground not moving.
Tishe' finds her life turned upside down as she moves over to her animal companion, Stripes. He is not moving and there are no signs of life to be found in the poor animal anymore.
Trellus hits himself with a little healing as he pulls out a wand to continue healing up the group. He first heads for Flea who seems to be hurt the worst out of the group.
Grymash Friday September 15th, 2006 7:01:59 PM "YESSS!!" shouts Grymash in a celebratory tone!
With great satisfaction, he draws his dagger and advances on the prairie pig carcass.
Flea ( AC 21, 22/56 HP, -5 Int., -5 Dex.) Saturday September 16th, 2006 8:19:35 PM "Sniffle!"
Flea kneels next to the remains of Tishe's funny looking dog, and gently rests a hand on the blood-matted fur of his rump.
"Oh! Tishe', I'm so sorry!"
Gilan [HP: 80/97 - AC: 19][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 63/80 - AC: 22][-5dex and int] 2d8(7+5)+9=21 Sunday September 17th, 2006 10:35:15 PM
Biting through the pain and feelings of sickness that threaten to drop him back down to the ground, he channels a little natural healing.
The feeling of healing warmth drives off most of the pain but he can still feel a soreness in his ribs. He also finds himself with a new delimma...this finger is still bent wrong and his arm does not work right. "A could I get a little help here...my finger is broke and my should I think is out of place." It is then that he hears the words spoken by Flea and he turns his head slowly.
Ciaran has moved over to the body of Stripes. He noses it a couple of times, trying to get Stripes to stand. He looks first to Tishe' and then to the rest of the group with mournful eyes, that come to rest upon his brother.
Trellus (ac 21, hp 46/79, -5 Dex, Shld Faith) 4d8(6+1+2+1)+7=17 d8=5 d8=2 4d8(3+4+4+8)+7=26 3d8(1+2+4)+5=12 d8=3 Monday September 18th, 2006 10:20:15 AM
"Coming, coming" Trellus answers everyone as his mind moves into triage mode. He taps Flea with the healing wand and glances over at Tishe and Stripes. [CCW - heal Flea for 22 hp]
Tishe has healing skills, and based on her reaction, there is no help for Stripes. The blond haired cleric doesn't even pause at the druid, instead heading for Mac and Jake. He taps each with a different wand.
[CCW - heal Mac 26 hp] [CSW - heal Jake 14 hp]
[OOC - not sure if we're in combat mode or not] ------------------- Spells in Effect: Shield of Faith
Jake Monday September 18th, 2006 2:25:58 PM
Jake glares at the darkness. "Ah bet this ain't no natural thing, ah bet those danged ants sent them this way! They think they're smart, sending little traps and stuff...and maybe they are," he grudgingly admits. "Guys, we can't let this stop us, we gotta kick these treadles outta their hole and over the mountains."
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday September 18th, 2006 8:54:11 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Sep 11 - 15
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXO
Trellus XXXOX
Tishe XXXOO
Jake XXXOX
Gilan XXXOX
Grymash XXXXO
Mac OXXOO
Flea XXXOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues.
Amid speculation. (DM Jim) Monday September 18th, 2006 11:10:48 PM
While most of the group goes into triage mode some of them are wondering about the possibility of this being an attack from the Oglian. Having seen no signs you can only wonder and speculate about this.
Trellus is doing his best to heal those that need it. While Grymash is delighted by his ability to take down a prairie pig for food.
Some are tidying the camp back up so that maybe sleep can be finished? The group can move onto a better location?
Tishe' (AC18, HP 38/56 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 2:33:17 AM
Sadly, Tishe' prepares the body of Stripes for internment in the Sargrass. "It is a wonder whether he would have had a longer thread with the manfri than these few weeks with me. Stripes was a good hyena, though he didn't really like getting almost swallowed by a ranthom or flying."
"Um, with the burst waterskins, shouldn't we move camp before the insects get here?"
Another skin of water poured over Stripes is an appropriate burial, thinks Tishe', as she prepares to move the camp.
"And I don't think it is an attack, only an unfortuneate series of events. But we DO need to move and then get some rest in order to be ready for the Oglians again."
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 21, hp 46/79, -5 Dex, Shld Faith) 3d8(5+8+5)+5=23 Tuesday September 19th, 2006 4:43:07 PM
"Water." The word intrudes on the cleric's mind.
"Right," he says decisively. "Let's weave another mile, and try resting again."
Trellus taps Tishe with his healing wand, and gives the others a quick glance to see who needs help. [CSW - 23 hp healed on Tishe]
The blond man relunctantly pushes into the Grass. ------------------- Spells in Effect: Shield of Faith
Gilan [HP: 80/97 - AC: 19][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 63/80 - AC: 22][-5dex and int] Tuesday September 19th, 2006 6:55:51 PM
Gilan finds that he still cannot make use of his left arm but he figures that it will work it's way out once they get to a new camp. Glancing to his oddly bent finger he feels his stomach wanting to loose its contents. "Ok, lets move out." He starts to push his way through the grass, following the others to a new place to camp.
Ciaran follows along seeming more subdued than normal as he just seems to keep going foward. The only thing that he does is keep his ears open for sounds that may represent danger.
New camp. (DM Jim) Tuesday September 19th, 2006 11:58:42 PM
The pack pulls up and moves out as the sounds of insects start to buzz all around them. It does not take too long before the area that you once were in is covered in bugs looking for the water that has fallen.
The grass is more imposing during the night when you can not see that far in front of you and it makes you jumpy. Little sounds are suddenly more terrifying and as the group moves they become hyper sensitive to every little sound.
At last you are a mile away from the previous camp site and even more tired than before. Some are still hurt but you are also that much closer to the village of IronHome. In fact if you had to estimate...it was only about a days travel away.
Flea ( AC 21, 44/56 HP, -5 Int., -5 Dex.) d20+9=17 d20+11=18 d20+13=31 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 12:49:54 AM
When Trellus taps her with his wand, the gnome starts to feel significantly better. Still, a kind of general misery envelopes the rogue, and she doesn't acknowledge the cleric's healing gift. Flea searches (Search=31) for any of the woven artifacts that haven't been completely destroyed, and follows after the pack dragging what she salvaged behind her.
"I dunno' guys," she says, "maybe we should go back to Rattledam?" Flea isn't too enthusiastic about facing the folks back at the village. "Mebe the Ironhome people won't take is so good that we're coming back without their piggies?" Flea rubs her nose vigourously, and without looking any of the Bloodpack in the eye, adds, "this eats grass, but I figger we either go back to the tunnel and try again, or weave for home."
Not wanting to get into any more trouble, Flea is more vigilant. (spot=17, Listen=18)
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) Wednesday September 20th, 2006 2:21:53 AM
OOC: is the gas effects gone or still affecting people?
"No", says the brown-haired woman in response to her little packmate, "I think we need to go to IronHome. We'll get to rest and prepare, and they can learn some of what has gone on with thier young heroes." Cocking her head to one side, the plain-faced mage considers for a minute. "They were'nt able to stop the Oglians. Knowing some of their fighting methods and that they can be killed may be vaulable information for the IronHome leaders, too."
Once at the new camp, Tishe' will try to get a full night's rest in order to replenish her spells. It is an uncomfortable night without a shaggy body to lay next to for comfort and warmth...
Druid Spells 0- Know Direction, *Detect Magicx2, Mending 1- Longstrider, Faerie Fire, Speak w Animals 2- Fog Cloud, Summon Swarm
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, *Lightx2, Prestidigitation Red -- *Grease, Summon I, Shieldx2, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, **Webx2 Yellow -- Summon III, Dispel Magicx2
Trellus (ac 21, hp 75/79, -5 Dex) d8=4 3d8(7+6+6)+10=29 Wednesday September 20th, 2006 4:14:53 PM
Trellus notices Gilan's painful movement, and takes a moment to cast a healing spells to help him out. [CLW over Remove Fear - 9 hp healed]
Truth be told, he doesn't feel so good himself. Broken rib, he thinks, gingerly touching his side. Another spell helps. [CSW over Dispel Magic - 29 hp healed]
A mile is a long way in the Grass. Once Gilan announces they've covered the asked for distance, the blond man drops to his knees and just breathes for a while. "Maybe next time we just do half a mile," he comments.
Flea and Tishe have their say. Trellus listens carefully to both. "There's some risk going back empty handed to IronHome", he agrees with the gnome. "And I wanna go home as much as anybody. But, Light, look at us. We're tore up. Plus we know where the kids are, plus we know what happened to their junior hunters, plus we know what the Oglian are up to, plus they ain't got a whole lot of folks to spend fightin' us."
He looks thoughtful.
"I think Tishe is right. I think we'll be shady at IronHome. And I don't think we can get home without stopping someplace like that to rest up. And, well, we owe them the news."
He brightens. "And we can get Ulgen to come with us next time. A couple fireballs in there would be the night soil."
Gilan [HP: 89/97 - AC: 19][wildshape: ] and Ciaran [HP: 63/80 - AC: 22][-5dex and int] Wednesday September 20th, 2006 4:48:33 PM
Gilan gives Trell a wane smile as he pours some healing into his body. "You may need to just pop this arm back into place." Up close you may notice that his arm shoulder is most definitely not looking like normal. "I would have to agree...the leader of IronHome will most likely be ok with us coming back...but they may have issues if we decide to abandon thier piggies." He laugs lightly as he says the word and then lays his good hand upon his ribs as they still hurt. "I never noticed before but it takes both healing magic and adrenaline to make things not hurt." He has stopped with the rest and slumps to the ground with a sigh.
Ciaran stops with the group as well and moves over to lay by Tishe'. Though he had only known the hyena for a short while he had thought of him as a brother or at least part of the pack.
Needed Rest. (DM Jim) Thursday September 21st, 2006 12:06:29 AM
Having moved to a new camping area the group finds that camp is easy to set up. The grass mats from the other camp had survived pretty much intact and only needed a little repair to them.
Bedding down and soon asleep, except for watches, the group finds a nice restful sleep. It is undisturbed for once and you wake feeling a lot better than you did the previous day.
Natural healing applies for those not fully healed. You also gain back 1 point to all abilities that suffered from the gas....meaning that a -3 is now a -2. :)
Grymash (almost normal level of stupid!) Thursday September 21st, 2006 1:30:19 AM
Grymash wakes and feels a little bit of his memory and reasoning ability has recovered somewhat. Before morning breakfast, he remembered to pray to Gargul and decides to change up some of the spells he normally prepares.
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) -4 DEX Thursday September 21st, 2006 2:48:43 AM
Tishe' smilingly strokes Stripes' fur as they lay together on the grass mats. Yet her mind quickly realizes that it is not the same fur and she comes rapidly awake to see that Ciaran is snoozing beside her.
With a lonely expression on her face, the druidic mage moves to the side of the camp to contemplate Mother Wold with her spellbook in her lap.
Upon completion of her studies and breaking her fast on some dried bread and prarie pig jerky, Tishe' stands, alone, and ready to march with the pack.
"I've taken more combative magics to battle the Oglian this time", she tells Trellus and Gilan, and then describes which spells she took in order for the leaders to understand her capabilities.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Jake Thursday September 21st, 2006 3:59:36 PM
(Sorry about the last few days...swamped by work so much)
The thin half-elf has been quiet along the journey. If anything, the half-elf is feeling a bit depressed about this little adventure. Where even the death of a packmate was a shock, to him, this has been a failure, and it's primarily his fault. He has thought about apologizing for his actions, but figures that'd just make it worse. The best way to avoid notice is just to avoid saying much of anything. Jake keeps quiet to himself and doesn't bother to do much of anything around camp; he excuses himself from cooking (which probably gets sighs of relief), does only what he needs to for guard duty, and barely even practices with his sword. For the most part, he just lounges and stares at nothing in particular. Those familiar with him since childhood might recognize his slump, but very little could be done about it. The last thing Jake would want to do would be to talk about his feelings at this moment. In any case, he agrees with the others, with a nod, that heading back to the town might be best.
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90, Dex:-4) Thursday September 21st, 2006 6:19:50 PM
(My apologies too.)
Mac shakes his head. "It's a rout!"
He looks from Gilan back to Trellus and adds, "If you are going back to Ironholm then you can tell them that at least one of us is still out here trying. Returning to Ironholm without the children, or proof they never will, is not an option for me."
Trellus d4=2 d4=1 d4=3 d4=4 Thursday September 21st, 2006 9:33:23 PM
Come morning, Trellus wakes up feeling quite a bit better, although still sluggish from the gas. Recognizing Jake's mood, the Rattledam native leaves his friend alone. Instead, he fold his garment over his head and prays to Domi for some very specific spells.
He is done in time to get the spell report from Tishe and Mac's refusal to return to IronHome. Piggie dumps, the cleric thinks to himself. That's all I need. He looks around. Flea just wants to go home, and Mac just wants to stay here. Everyone else seems shady with his idea though.
Instead of answering, Trellus gets up and starts casting spells. [Restoration on Ciaran - cures all temp ability damage] [Restoration on Flea] [Restoration on Tishe] [Lesser Restoration on Mac - 2 dex pts healed] [Lesser Restoration on himself - 1 dex pt healed] [Lesser Restoration on Mac - 3 dex pts healed] [Lesser Restoration on himself - 4 dex pts healed]
After the last spell, he looks up at Mac. "Well, we can go back in now if you like, but I'm pretty much out of spells again."
"C'mon, dude. There's a difference between running away and takin' a few threads to warp up. Ulgren is at IronHome. We could use his help. And there's some very smart folks back there that might be able to weave a defense against that smell attack that ripped us at the entrance. I don't like very many of them, but I'll take their help to stay alive. An' they'll give it to help their kids."
He takes in Flea. "We said we'd find the kids, and we ain't found 'em yet. I think we're bound by Ulgren's life to give it another shot" - back to Mac - "AFTER we've geared up for it. Them ant dudes ain't gonna do nothing to the kids they ain't done already. Couple of days won't make any difference."
He looks around. "If none of you want to go back, then at least wait here a day so I can get us all totally shady." ------------------- Spells in Effect: none
Flea Thursday September 21st, 2006 9:35:52 PM
"Ah Mac! Snap out of it!" says Flea giving the big taur a punch in the thigh with her small fist. Taking off her pointed gnome hat, she runs a hand through her dry, sun-bleached hair, pushing it back off her face.
Adjusting the hat back on her head, she looks up into the minotaur's dark liquid eyes, "Trellus' is probably right, and 'sides, we need you." Flea punches the big guy in the thigh once again, and cocks her head over in the direction of the girl making her devotions to Mother Wold, and repeats, "she needs you."
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday September 21st, 2006 11:41:21 PM
Gilan wakes in the morning feeling a lot better than the night before. He is still sore in the rib area as well as the shoulder. He moves off to go about his morning prayers but not after smiling about Ciaran.
With his morning prayers through he moves back to the group. "Anyone still feeling the effects of the gas?" He has gotten some of the same spells that Trell had just used just in case. Listening he nods his head. "So how about we do what they least expect and start back now...camp a ways away so that we can tackle this fresh in the morning." With that he sits down and ponders the effects of the stench that the Oglian give off, trying to come up with something. With a thought he moves over to Tishe' and sits by her. "Do you think that we could come up with a paste that would kill their odor...it would of course kill our own sense of smell but we do not rely upon smell...well except for Ciaran."
Ciaran has not left Tishe's side since they have come back out of the caverns and the tragedy. He is even now laying near her knee trying to give comfort.
Gilan looks at Tishe' with a pained expression. "Will you try again sister?" He knows that she will know to what he refers to. His help is there if she is willing to take it and some of his new gifts will make the finding of a friend easier...not that the scar will fade.
Who wants to be the leader? (DM Jim) Friday September 22nd, 2006 12:29:09 AM
Morning comes to the pack and they are soon patched up. Though it seems that the group is divided on what to do at this time. It is times like these that the group will most likely look to its leader for the final decision.
Survival or Knowledge(nature) DC 18; You come up with the idea for a paste that would deaden your sense of smell enough to stop the gas from the ants themselves. Survival or Profession(herbalist) DC 22 to find the things that you will be needing in this part of the Plains.
Grymash d20+9=15 d20+9=10 Friday September 22nd, 2006 2:24:18 AM
Though his survival skills are great, Grymash comes up with nothing. "Whut gas?!"
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) d20+12=24 Friday September 22nd, 2006 2:55:08 AM
Tishe' absently strokes Ciaran's fur while Gilan talks with her, then with more emotion. "Yes, of course I'll weave with one of the gifts of the Mother again. Every tapestry has many threads, and all of them have a beginning and end. It is not so much when those ends are, but what is done with the thread. Even the smallest thread can bind the tapestry together."
But Gilan has successfully diverted her attention to another problem, and the average-looking woman's brown eyes flash as she contemplates the question. (Nature: 24) "Shady! Yes, I think I know a way to deaden the stink that comes off the Oglians, but we will need some help to collect all the ingrediants."
"Trellus, it is more important than ever to get to IronHome. There, I'll be able to create a concoction to help us against the Oglian, and give the recipe to the IronHome people as well. Better prepared, we will be able to succeed this time!"
She is nearly bouncing with excitement and her mercurial attention has momentarily forgotten her recent loss.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90) Saturday September 23rd, 2006 6:10:00 PM
"Thank you. I had to say it - I meant it, but I won't abandon the pack. Ready to move when you are!"
Mac shoulders his gear and prepares to leave.
Gilan and Ciaran d20+21=35 Saturday September 23rd, 2006 7:22:32 PM
Gilan nods his head in understanding of what Tishe' maybe thinking. He has an idea of his own but has not had the chance to check and see if the things they will need are nearby. "Then we make for IronHome but look for the things we will need on the way there." Looking to Tishe' he wonders if they will find all they will need...maybe IronHome will have some of them. "Let's give a description of what we need to some of the others and see if we can find what we are looking for on the way then." He will take the time to describe some of the herbs to the others so that they have a better shot.
Ciaran stays near his brother most of the time they travel. Still he does float around, spending more time near Tishe' than anyone else.
Jake Sunday September 24th, 2006 12:26:09 AM
The skinny half-elf doesn't add anything, and is somewhat reclusive in general. Usually, you can't shut him up. He doesn't bother to eat anything for breakfast and only a bite for dinner. Still, the half-elf does write a lot in his diary.
Flea Sunday September 24th, 2006 8:19:52 PM
Flea lines up, ready to head back to Ironhome to face the music.
Grymash Monday September 25th, 2006 7:58:33 PM
"Well!? Whut Gas?!"
Return to IronHome. (DM Jim) Monday September 25th, 2006 10:43:19 PM
The sun is starting to set in the sky but the pack is finally looking out to see the torches of IronHome. As you draw even closer to the metal dome you find that all seems to be quiet.
Then you enter the outer ring of the torch light and a young voice calls out to you from the inside. "Name yourselves and state your business at this late hour." You know from what happened the first time that you came here that there are a number of crossbows aimed at you.
You hear a call go up inside of the metal dome now and the sound of feet upon ground. Then the quiet is cut by another voice...a voice that you know all too well....Rayla. "What is the problem...the Oglian back..." This is cut off by a number of hissed orders and you know that those behind the wall are preparing for the worst.
Jerry - Gave Justin the message.
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) Tuesday September 26th, 2006 2:52:58 AM
After a day's walk, some of the vibrancy has left the brown-haired woman, and she is content to let those with more charming words speak to the people of IronHome.
All day, she has been comforted and irked in turns at the hovering of Ciaran (since he both comforts and reminds her of her own loss), but as of now, Tishe' is willing to not make any hasty moves in order to not become a pincusion.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday September 26th, 2006 8:08:27 AM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Sep 18 - 22
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXO
Trellus XXXOO
Tishe XXXXO
Jake OOXOX
Gilan XXXOX
Grymash OOXXX
Mac OOXOX
Flea OXXOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Except for SteveK, we all need to get better. Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues.
Flea Tuesday September 26th, 2006 8:39:22 AM
Flea ducks her head, and hunches her shoulders, as she prepares to enter Ironhome.
"It is the Bloodpack come come back," she responds to the challenge. Her voice is a flat monotone.
(OOC: I will be on a mini vacation through to Saturday. Expect to be able to post enroute.-Carla
Jake d20+18=29 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 2:35:33 PM
The half-elf grins and ruffles Flea's hair, "Cheer up short grass,". Putting a hand on his hat, Jake throws his easygoing voice well, so that it reaches the townsfolk even though he keeps his tone relaxed. "Howdy there folks, Flea's right, it's the Bloodpack. Guess what, on our first little trip, we took quite a few of them down. And instead of coming at us, they fled into their tunnels. We're back to take a breather, then we'll go back and take another snap at 'em." (Diplomacy 29)
Mac d20+6=25 d20+1=21 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 4:17:38 PM
Leaving the talking to those better at it, Mac takes in Ironhome - trying to notice any significant changes since their departure. [Spot:25, Sense Motive:21 (Nat.20!)]
Trellus d20+5=25 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 5:14:12 PM
Trellus gives Flea and Jake a wink, and waits for the response.
Like, Mac, the cleric also notes the reaction to their arrival, and wonders if IronHome has been attacked again. [Sense Motive - 25 - also a nat 20]
Gilan and Ciaran d20+6=18 Tuesday September 26th, 2006 10:11:41 PM
Gilan is weary as they reach the metal dome of IronHome. Breathing slowly so that he can get his second wind he lets the others speak...not that he needs to say anything.
Ciaran can sense an unease from the plain girl and starts to keep his distance a little more. It is just something that animals can sense a lot better than any human and he gives her space.
Back Again. (DM Jim) Wednesday September 27th, 2006 3:00:54 AM
The call from the Bloodpack is heard and the gates open slightly to allow some people out. You see four people slowly approaching you. You recognize the shapes of both Jalian and Rayla, but the other two are hunters that you do not remember...though you did not see all of them or even make too much note of them.
Rayla snorts as she reaches within six feet of the group. "Told you that you should have sent me and my hunters." She glares at the Bloodpack and you get the idea that she still has not forgiven anyone for letting the group off the hook. "They come back without our children and seek to enter to sleep. Supposedly to rest up and try again." She does not look all that happy to see you.
Jalian shakes her head and then speaks. "Rayla...they have come back when they could have very well left for thier home." She gives the pack an apologetic smile and motions them to follow along with her. "Please forgive Rayla, she is fed by emotions for her missing brother." She makes haste to get back into the metal dome of IronHome but does not seem overly worried otherwise.
The dome and the surrounding seem to be in the same shape that they were in before you left. Some repairs have been made that is for sure and you get the feeling that a few enchantments have been laid out on the metal as well. Once inside you notice that the hunters are quick to close the doors and then relax with the possible danger gone.
Rayla moves off ahead of the group and heads in the general direction of the domed house you stayed in the last time you were here. Jalian watches her go and shakes her head again. "She takes her duty too seriously...but she also is one of the few that I can trust." She looks to the group with the sudden realization that she has spoken out loud and that she might have said too much. "Please stay in the house that you stayed in when here before...rest and relax through as much of tomorrow as you want...we will help as best we can." She leads you to the house and then will leave you to your own devices.
Sorry for the late or early morning post. Kind of fell asleep without making my DM post first.
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) Wednesday September 27th, 2006 4:18:22 AM
Tishe' is pleased to see Jalian and even happy to see Rayla (her causitc remarks completely lost on the brown-eyed mage).
"This is too public a place, but we have information that may be important enough to lose a candlemark of sleep."
She looks concernedly at Jalian and the retreating back of Rayla. "Jalian, we found some of your people.", and with this she holds out the diary from the dead man.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Jake d20+10=23 Wednesday September 27th, 2006 3:24:21 PM
This looks like a job for the Jakester, the half-elf thinks to himself, looking at the retreating fem. Since the others are probably not paying attention, Jake will make an exeunt stage left in the neatest way possible; by letting the others step on forward past him, and then cutting to the left behind a hut. He does it so fluidly, it's not likely too many will notice (Hide 23). Having done so, he strides along behind a hut, and another, then cuts over so he's now about even with Rayla. He comes out and catches up with the huntress and says softly, "Now hold on a minute here, Rayla... Ah'm sorry that we didn't get the children back in the first trip, and trust me, we're worried about them. But you've fought them. These Ants are tough and smart, and if we'd charged on in further we would have died. And I'm sure your brother wouldn't want that to happen." He puts a hand on her shoulder, gently. "Ah know what it's like when your brother gets hurt. Tell you what.. Ah promise we'll get out your brother. And ah'm sure he'll be fine. If he's anything like you, ah'm sure he'd be less afraid of the ants than they would be of him." Jake's actually genuinely sympathetic, so he doesn't even have to fake any emotion this time. And he hopes his words do cheer up the poor girl.
Trellus Wednesday September 27th, 2006 4:54:29 PM
Trellus glares right back at the hunter, refusing to dignify her outburst with a response.
After staring at the her for several heartbeats, he very obviously shifts his focus to Jalian, and addresses her equal to equal. "Like Tishe said, we've found out some things. We also think we got a pick against that stink attack - shift again to Rayla - nobody told us about. - back to Jalian - Tishe's got some ingredients she needs."
"Can we go somewhere and compare notes?"
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday September 27th, 2006 6:33:08 PM
Gilan takes it all in stride as he could care less what this hunter thought of him. Only his own packs feelings had any hold on him and he knows that they are not unhappy at the present. Oh, they maybe a little upset about having to quit a mission midstride but they would get it done.
Ciaran paces along with his brother and seems to be feeling the effects of so much travel. He was still adjusting to the temperature difference but it was getting better.
Mac Wednesday September 27th, 2006 9:40:13 PM This is what he was expecting. With all day to consider what they would face on returning empty-handed, Mac has a few choice phrases in mind. Rayla's comments are understandable, but ill placed. At the house he takes Rayla aside and quietly states, "Don't give up hope for your brother, and the others. Also, don't give up hope for your people and yourself." Only if she does not understand his meaning does he add, "Leading your hunters to their death... weakening you defences here... only lends aid to your enemy."
Grymash Wednesday September 27th, 2006 10:08:24 PM "Gry want food, drink an sleep." And the half-orc doesnt waste time trying to find it. "Wake Gry in da morn. Keep down da talkin." Grymash is in a foul mood and his patience is in limited supply. "Naw, Gry change mind. No wake in da morn!" Grymash beds down for the night after his immediate needs are met.
Best Prepared. (DM Jim) Thursday September 28th, 2006 1:12:39 AM
Rayla jerks her arm away from Mac as he stops her. She turns on him and gets in his face. "Yes, but have you ever felt powerless...he is my brother and I should be doing something...as for the defenses, those ants walked right through them before." She twirls and makes off without a backwards glance or word. It is more than just pride or hate that drives her that is for sure.
As the others continue onto the house, Jake slips off and soon finds Rayla though it had not been a hard thing to do. Though she does not slow her pace she is listening to Jake. You may notice that her shoulder rise and fall a little as if she is starting to cry. With a sudden action she stops and just leans into Jake. "I am sorry...its just that he is my brother and I am powerless to help him...I have always been short tempered and I took my grief and anger out on you." Tears are running down her face and you finally see the defenseless side of a hard woman.
Back at the house the talks have turned to other things. Jalian had just been about to leave when Tishe' brought out the diary. With shaky hands she turns and takes it. "Thank you...Merle will be glad to get this back...though I doubt that Gertie will be." She looks to the diary in her hands and the tears begin to flow, slowly at first. She listens for awhile and then shakes her head. "You will have anything that you need...I had feared that the party sent in to rescue our children had been killed." She slumps into a chair and then lays the book upon the table as she looks up at the young man that had just entered. "Food and drink for our guests...then I want privacy." She waits till the food arrives and then putting other things aside she gets to business. "You have questions I would suppose, though I am not sure what more I can tell you." She waits to hear what is to be said and compare notes as Trellus puts it.
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) Thursday September 28th, 2006 8:09:23 AM
Tishe' is all for telling everything they found in the tunnels to Jalian in order to see if anything, even what seems inconsequential, might be important. And so she will talk, and help others to talk by interrupting when an additional point needs to be made.
She'll talk about the stink of the Oglians, the two different types encountered, thier lightning weapons, thier ability to walk on the cieling.
She'll mention the bodies and show the recovered magical items (especially the druid-animal and the amulet) "Perhaps Rayla or another can bring the young hero back as she did to Ulgren."
She will talk of the lighting and the voices, and the pictures on the wall that she has seen.
And all this time, her plain face and brown eyes are alive and vibrant with the exchanging of knowledge. A stray hand settles on Cirain and strokes his rough fur.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Trellus Thursday September 28th, 2006 3:43:25 PM
Trellus sits nearby, eating whatever he can. He listens attentively as Tishe talks, interjecting what he can, which isn't much.
Light, that girl can talk! And she remembers everything!.
"Is Ulgren around?" he asks suddenly. Time to get that dude helping out a bit.
Grymash Friday September 29th, 2006 12:47:44 AM
Grymash sleeps. He has that same dream again. The one with the whirlwind tearing a path through plains. However, this time its different. Instead of chasing it like he always did, the tornado chases after him.
Gilan and Ciaran Friday September 29th, 2006 1:56:26 AM
Gilan finds himself leaning against one of the walls of the domed house and relaxing out. He munches on a bit of food as he listens, not having to add anything as Tishe' knows her business.
Ciaran is content to lay near Tishe' as she is stroking his fur. He wonders if Tishe' will ever get him a new brother or sister to play with. For some reason she does not seem whole to him without one.
Mac Friday September 29th, 2006 2:28:22 AM
After Rayla's departure Mac settles into a quiet evening.
Tishe' (Second Post) Friday September 29th, 2006 3:07:21 AM
"Oh, yes, and another thing. The Oglians all have hard armor and some sort of pick against normal blows, but magical attacks didn't have that problem. Perhaps large energy sources like fire could cut thier threads too."
"And then there is the salve that we could pick. I'll need these ingredients (lists) and (this much) time. But with Wardd's Luck and the Mother's help, we could weave a defense against the Oglian's defense."
Mac Friday September 29th, 2006 6:44:14 AM
After Rayla's departure Mac settles into a quiet evening.
Planning for the Big One. (DM Jim) Friday September 29th, 2006 8:29:02 PM
Jalian nods her head as she listens to the report as well as what is needed. "We never really had to deal with this stink attack...they hit us by surprise really and we never had a lot of time to fight back...the one that we killed went down rather fast." She ponders this new turn of events and wonders if the plan to battle it will work. "I can have all those supplies to you by morning...if that is alright." She stands slowly a new weight upon her shoulders as a new leader. She slowly makes her way to the door and then turns just as she is about to leave. "Your drow friend left two days ago...somekind of message from home he said." If there are no more questions than she slips out the door and will let the pack rest.
The morning comes fast for everyone and you will open your eyes and noses to the sounds of people moving inside the house you sleep in. Four people are setting up large platters of food and drink that maybe partaken of at anytime.
A half an hour later Bertina comes into the house with two young woman following her. "These are the herbs that you needed." The two woman lay a pair of large baskets just inside the door and then back out. Bertina does not look at all happy and gives you a scathing look before she too leaves.
knowledge(nature) 22, craft(alchemy) 20 or profession(herbalism) 20 to make the salve that will need to be made
Jake Friday September 29th, 2006 9:37:42 PM
A crying woman, worried about her brother. Defenseless in more ways than one, and easily open to kind words and comfort. Though he might usually take advantage of such a situation, Jake in this case... ---Wait, what am I talking about? Of course Jake takes advantage of the situation with Rayla. Holding her while she is crying, he lets her lean in and let it all out. From there, with soft talking and such, he lets things go where they will. Even if they don't lead to success, the half-elf has other girls to chase, and he doesn't mind too much. In the morning, he's back with the pack before most of them wake up, and thus they might not even notice his absence. He smiles at the young women coming in, ignoring the scathing look. "Well, let's get ready to head back out, then?"
Flea d20+2=18 Saturday September 30th, 2006 2:10:53 PM
Flea doesn't say much, staying in the shadows and keeping a low profile. When the food comes out, she takes a good helping and is seen to eat slowly and deliberately, as if the meal might be her last. When the food is gone, she returns for more.
When Tishe' starts to weave with herbs and such, Flea silently takes a place at her elbow. "I can help," she says quietly, "I know a little bit about this kind of stuff." The gnome taps the side of her nose lightly with her finger. (Aid Another (Alchemy)=18)
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) d20+12=31 Sunday October 1st, 2006 12:36:12 PM
The morning comes where Tishe' again confers with nature and her spellbook, and, after a quick breaking of her fast, she looks to make the salve. "I'm willing for any kind of assistance, because I'm sure this won't be an easy process." (Knowledge: Nature: 31)
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Gilan and Ciaran d20+21=31 d20+17=25 Monday October 2nd, 2006 12:20:22 AM
Gilan wakes in the morning and goes about his morning ritual for spells from Mother and Father. As he sits in the grass outside he does not notice much of anything going on.
When at last he returns to the small house they are staying in he looks to Tishe' and nods. "Looks like we have an almost full day of work ahead of us." He looks at each of the two baskets and then moves over to dig through them.
With another look to Tishe' and Flea, who offers to help he pulls out the items that he uses to brew his own potions and sets them up on the floor. "We might as well make use of my own supplies." Then it is off to work with the two woman to make the salve that they will need for both parties in the future.
[knowledge(nature) 31 and profession(herbalism) 25]
Mac Monday October 2nd, 2006 6:21:44 PM
Knowing he has nothing to contribute to the salve and potion making, Mac spends the better part of the morning in training - trying to recenter his focus.
Trellus Monday October 2nd, 2006 7:17:40 PM
"Ulgren left?" Trellus asks in surprise. The cleric sighs deeply, but says nothing more. At least not until the pack is alone again.
"Domi's Light!" he cries out exasperated. "What is that dude doing?" He stomps off to brood for a bit, clearly unhappy that the point of his coming back here has up and left on some other task.
When Bertina comes in with the herbs, he returns to the group. Her glare doesn't faze him, she's just a Baron after all.
"Well, I can't figure out what to do with any of this," he tells Tishe, Flea, and Gilan. "But you tell me what to mash up, and I'll get to work."
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday October 2nd, 2006 8:00:14 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Sep 25 - 29
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXOX
Trellus XXXOX
Tishe XXXOX
Jake XXOOX
Gilan XXXOX
Grymash OXXOO
Mac XXXOX
Flea XOOOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is on walkabout pending computer issues.
Making a Salve. (DM Jim) Monday October 2nd, 2006 8:53:38 PM
The better part of the day is spent inside the small house. At one point the windows are opened to allow fresh air in as various herbs and stuff are mixed and mashed. The acidic smoke that fills the house is hard on both the breathing and the eyes but those that are dealing with the making of the paste they need tolerate it as best they can.
Outside the citizens of IronHome find that they want to stray from the house as much as possible. The stench is almost unbearable and the smoke that is coming outside hurts most peoples' eyes and lungs.
Breaks are taken, especially at lunch and later in the day as those working need time to clear their heads and lungs of the fumes. The smoke is soon gone from the hut but the smell is still there and it is not too appealing. When at last supper is served ten feet from the house; Tishe', Flea, Gilan and Trellus; emerge with a pair of jars.
In each jar is a green pastie substance that has a smell of something akin to decaying plantmatter in a swamp. It is a good bet that this will deaden the ability of that stink attack to effect anyone...but it will most likely kill all sense of smell as well.
The jar is as large as a jar of peanut butter...the pound jar size that is.
Flea Monday October 2nd, 2006 11:47:38 PM
Surprisingly quiet, Flea keeps her opinions about the process of making the stinky paste to herself. Tired, and sweaty from the experience, she exits the hut at the end of the day.
"Jake! Gry! Mac! Look what we made!" she calls out to the fighters, pointing out the disgusting green sludge in the large containers.
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) Tuesday October 3rd, 2006 2:23:17 PM
"Shouldn't be too hard, just about a 31 step process..."
"Oh, that smell is almost worse than an Oglian..."
...hack, cough, wheeze...
"aha! Oops, nobody worry!"
At last, bedraggled like a day's march through the 'Grass, Tishe' emerges triumphant carrying one of the two jars of paste, as well as meticulous notes on how to make the smelly stuff. "Each jar has about xxx number of applications." And then decribes how th estuff should be used.
"I need another day's rest before going back." And without any more fanfare, she cleans up and goes to sleep.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday October 3rd, 2006 6:26:42 PM
He lets the two woman head on out as he clean up all of his gear for potion making. The smell earlier had been horrible and he knew that each of those inside had to smell just as bad.
Gilan is as equally tired as the rest when he exits the hut. The past hours have been grueling work that he has not had a chance to do for awhile. Though happy with the results he is not happy with the end smell. It might not be as bad as the one that the Oglian lets off but it was not that nice either. "I could use a long hot bath...some food and then lots of sleep."
Ciaran whines and keeps his distance from his brother. His poor sharp nose cannot take the extreme smell that has been produced.
Between the two jars...there is enough for around 200 applications or enough to help 200 people. The best method is to take a finger worth of the paste and smooth it below the nose. It will deaden any other smell but the paste itself...which is not appetizing.
"Three one steps ta make dat?! Dat not dat many!" Grymash counts off four (3+1) of his fingers. "Maybeez need ta makes more!?"
For the Morning. (DM Jim) Wednesday October 4th, 2006 12:40:54 AM
That evening the group is entertained by the people of the village that put on a play of sorts. Several of the citizens are dressed up in costumes and act out an old fable of the dragonslayer. Following that is a recreation of what the IronHome citizens call "The Moth" that runs the entire lifecycle of that leads top the birth of the great Sargrass Moth that you guys remember seeing the birth of once. It involves the war of two different battling armies of nature that are trying to stop and protect the natural order.
As the group returns to the seclusion of the house they have been staying in, you are met by Jalian who walks along with you. "You have done a greater service to our village than you realize." She drops a small bag into the hand of Trellus with a smile. From inside you can hear the jingle of a fair amount of coins. "That is for the journal that you returned to us...it is more precious than you can know." She is both sad and happy as she speaks and you get a sense that she would like to say or do more. "You will return to their lair and try again...will you not." There is a hint of worry there...but not that you might not do it...but that you will. She does not say anything more till you reach the door of the house and then she shakes her head. "I will leave you." She beats a hasty retreat though you think she was about to ask something of you...still it is too late to ask now, unless you chase her down.
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) d20=9 Wednesday October 4th, 2006 1:51:08 AM
The druidic mage smiles at Grymash and pats his arm. "You are such a sweetie!", but overlooks his problems with arithmatic. :-)
Tishe' enjoys the food and the plays about the Dragonslayer and the Cycle. (Sense Motive: 9) There is a lot to learn about the meanings of the plays, or even why the people of IronHome would present these particular plays, but Tishe' doesn't care about any of that.
Equally, she doesn't question Jallian's actions, but accepts what she provides Trellus, and then gets ready to see the Oglians.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Jake Wednesday October 4th, 2006 1:25:05 PM
Jake has been withholding comment from the ugly smell as much as possible. He tries to put on a cheerful face about it, "Well, with this we'll be pretty shady..." But, he's cringing inwardly. He avoided much of the actual work anyways, prefering to cruise the town and watch the villagers (well, the women at least) at work. Now, however, the girl looks concerned again, and Jake glances at the others. "Ya know, ah can't help but feel that half these villagers hate us, or have some weird thing going on here... Ah mean other than we're an enemy pack, and their masters wish our destruction, yet we're working for them. Something else's there." Jake stands up and heads after the girl, and will walk up after Jalian. "Hey there.. Don't worry, ah'm not here to tell you we're backing down, just to ask, well, something seems wrong ma'am, and ah'm wondering if there's something you'd like to talk about. Ah'm all ears." Jake tucks his hat up and shows his long half-elven ears as the punchline.
Trellus Wednesday October 4th, 2006 5:27:50 PM
Trellus emerges from the work of paste making pretty satisfied, even with the smell. After all, physical labor is good for what ails you.
The play is VERY interesting, and the Rattledam native tries to remember as much of it as he can. These dudes know about the circle, so that little battle play is probably based in truth.
Jalian's reaction is not expected at all. The blond man looks at her with some confusion, but keeps the bag. "Uh, yeah. We're going back. Your kids might still be alive. And we promised to find out."
Flea Wednesday October 4th, 2006 8:56:27 PM
Tired, but satisfied with the results of her day of work, Flea takes some time off. Working her way to the front of the assembly, she sits with the children, near the front, and watches the story telling and reenactments. Unconsciously she stands up during the combat scene, and taking out a dagger goes through the pantomime of cutting and slitting at a pretend enemy.
Talki Fresal, Dondit Liki! she calls out, barely remembering what the words mean.
Images of lost pack-mates run through her mind's eye...Milo, Liana, Sterlin...the pack of manfri with the blue marks on their faces who perished during the battle...the dark face of the walker, Black...
Talki Fresal, Donit Liki!
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday October 4th, 2006 11:23:50 PM
Gilan finds that a relaxing bath is always a good start to a good meal. Though he would have liked to have fallen into a bed and slept for a few weeks he finds that he is beside all the rest when the plays start.
As he watches the first play he cannot help but be drawn into it. "That is a realistic dragon." He cannot believe how well they have gotten the look of a dragon and he has only seen a few once. Then begins the other play that is almost a recreation of what they did themselves. "And the good even win." He just cannot help himself with his out loud statements. When it is all over he cannot help but sit and stare at the stage still...recounting each part in his mind.
By this time sleep is quick catching up to him and he cannot keep his eyes open for long. Taking no notice of the goings on around him he just stumblingly follows the others. It is only by shere chance that he ends up in a bed at all and not on the floor.
Ciaran has been absent through all of this as he has stayed behind in the house. With the stench cleared out he is more than happy to remain out of the watchful eyes of the kids...as well as the grownups.
Tishe' (Second Post) Thursday October 5th, 2006 9:43:44 AM
Tishe' is happy and proud that the good guys won in the play, but wonders why. "Unless THEY think the Barons are the good guys and trying to protect the Plains?" she whispers to Mac.
The Return. (DM Jim) Thursday October 5th, 2006 2:36:32 PM
Jake catches up with Jalian easily fifty feet from where the group had been standing. His talks with her get only a couple of comments. "You do this out of honor or maybe something more...but it is not right to make you put your lives on the line for us." Looking around the village she already has a few tears growing in her eyes. "I guess that we all do what we must...when we must." With that she pulls away and makes her way to the hut she shares with her grandfather.
The rest of the group have already returned to the house they have been staying at. Each finds a place to sleep as well as the house has been aired out. In a slightly more protected environment the pack sleeps a little easier.
Morning comes the next day and some are up early, while others sleep in a little later. A battle plan still needs to be formed and an idea of what they will do as well. Four woman come bearing platters loaded with things to eat and pitchers of drink. Tishe' finds a man is shown to the house they are staying at who wishes to see her. He is dressed in kaki pants and shirt with boots and emblazoned on the left side of his breast is the double golden CC. "Ma'am...I have a package here for you. Sorry about the slow delivery but this place is hard to find and very remote...though it is warmer than some other places that I have been to." Once he gets the package delivered he turns and leaves not needing anything else.
Stephen - Catacombs purchase is delivered and ready for use. MikeK - If you open the bag that Jalian gave you, there are 100 platinum coins inside of it.
Sorry for no DM post last night. Had to get rid of a virus before I could do anything.
Mac Friday October 6th, 2006 7:19:44 AM
Mac replies in hushed tones, "Tishe', other packmates have mentioned their suspicions of the mon... beaters. Maybe we just have to observe who is doing what, and judge accordingly."
Jake Friday October 6th, 2006 1:50:33 PM
Jake returns to his tent and looks at ease. He knows why the pack's doing this; because they're heroes, and that's the sort of thing they do. There's no doubt in the half-elf's mind about that. "Well, pack, let's get eatin', then movin'. No reason ta stay any longer, so we can go whoop some more of those treadles up!"
Trellus Friday October 6th, 2006 3:47:13 PM
Like Jake, Trellus is eager to get out of the gate and start weaving. The half-elf seems to be out of his funk, and the cleric throws him a quick "We shady?" to confirm.
Once the pack starts moving, Trellus asks about tactics. "OK dudes, I'm wondering if we should just show up at the top of that pit and say "We're back!". The queen pulled everyone away before, maybe she'll do it again and let us walk right in there."
Gilan and Ciaran Friday October 6th, 2006 4:58:23 PM
Gilan is up the next morning early when breakfast arrives. He goes through his morning song to Mother and Father before he moves back to have a light feast. "I would suggest eating light...that paste may just make you lose your breakfast, lunch or supper." He is ready to leave when the rest of the group is. As Trel mentions tactics he is quick to mention the idea of doing some buffing early. "How about doing some early buffing with the help of my own magical rod, I can make spells last twice as long."
Ciaran seems as eager to leave as the rest. The constant attention from the younger members of the village is driving him nuts. Before joining the pack he had been a lone wolf out in the snows of Ice Vein.
Grymash Friday October 6th, 2006 7:00:11 PM
Grymash prays and polishes his weapon making himself ready for the battles to come.
An Unwelcome Sight. (DM Jim) Saturday October 7th, 2006 12:48:33 AM
The next couple of days pass a little too fast as the pack makes its way back to the sight of the hive entrance. A quiet Sargrass is not always a good sign and it might leave more than a few jumpy at times.
As you come upon the rise that leads down everyone slows and then you reach the top. Looking down into the bowl you can see the entrance. It is free of guards but there are signs even on the ridge of Oglian having been out.
(track DC 16 or survival DC 16: Highlight to display spoiler: {The amount of tracks leads you to believe that the groups that come out are of four Oglian recon teams. The tracks travel all around as far as you can see as if they come out and watch every so often. The newest tracks are only an hour old.}
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) d20+4=6 Saturday October 7th, 2006 3:13:37 AM
Happily surprised, Tishe' thanks the man for the package and eagerly sorts and puts away the contents. "Much better", she says to herself.
The brown-haired spellweaver nods at Trellus' suggestion and thinks it a great idea until she sees the ridge and Oglian entrance. (Survival: 6) She doesn't know anything for certain, but... "if we have had these days to prepare, you can be sure the Oglians have used the same time to weave traps and other black-handed tricks."
"I think those preparation spells would be a good idea right about now. And maybe some magical scouting and detection?"
But she waits for Trellus to give the nod before beginning.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Tishe' (Sub Needed) Monday October 9th, 2006 10:27:09 AM
11 - 18 October. I'll be in Ireland and unable to post.
MikeK says - I'll take it. Send me her sheet.
Trellus d20+8=25 Monday October 9th, 2006 3:07:26 PM
The blond man looks around at the tracks as he listens to Tishe's theory about traps. To his own surprise, he's pretty sure what the ant-taurs have been up to. [Survival - Sargass: 25]
He points out the tracks to Gilan and Grymash. "The dudes have been coming out and walking around. What do you think? They been out looking for us? Or just looking? And the last group was out here not too long ago. Maybe we hit the changing of the guard just right."
He shakes his head at Tishe. "I'm hoping they're too much like the beaters to think they even need traps. I'm thinking we warp up and just walk in."
He looks to the fighters. "I got Enlarge Person, Bulls Strength, and Shield of Faith - that one don't work if you already got a ring. Anybody want anything.
Trellus had already cast Magic Vestment (extended) on his own armor and shield - using pearl of power the second time.
-------- Spells in effect: Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Jake Monday October 9th, 2006 6:20:34 PM
"Hmmm, anything y'all can do ta make me or Gry a bit stronger would be shady... Ah've already got a shield," Jake taps his shield with his longsword, "so ah'm okay without that last one." (Of course Jake doesn't know the spell) Jake looks around, "Well, they've all retreated, but ah bet they've been setting up traps and whatnot while we've been gone too." Jake shrugs. "Nothing we can't deal with..."
Gilan [barkskin] and Ciaran [greater magic fang] Monday October 9th, 2006 9:29:34 PM
Gilan nods his head not bothering to look at all the tracks. He knows that the others know their business as well as he does. Instead he moves around the group and touches several of the pack in turn, sending nature magic into them. "That is all I would want to do for now." Though he does moves over and touch Ciaran as well. "I have a number of other spells that will come in handy once we get inside...some right before we get into a battle as well."
Ciaran's tail is once again stiff and he paces a little as he waits. When his brother approaches he holds still for the warmth of nature to infuse his body.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement]
Grymash (AC 27, hp104, barkskin) d20+9=20 d20+9=17 Monday October 9th, 2006 11:47:25 PM
Grymash examines the ground and spots the tracks as well. "Mmmm, Gry see da tracks too. Wheres do da tracks go? Gry readys ta cut some heads!!" He pulls out his bow and readies an arrow to be drawn.
(I need the Track feat to follow tracks with a DC greater than 10. Otherwise all he sees are a bunch of marks on the ground with no sense of which direction they lead.)
So it begins. (DM Jim) Tuesday October 10th, 2006 12:36:43 AM
The group takes the time to start buffing each other up with spells. Gilan lays out a number of spells as Trellus lets it be known what he has to help in the enhancing of others.
The tracks are not that hard to read, even for an amateur. It runs a circuit outside and then always go back inside of the hive entrance. It does not appear that they are setting anything up outside as the tracks are all over and they would have sprung their own trap.
The entrance is so far open with no guards and you are feeling a little better about this...so far. Some wonder though as to how their luck will hold and how much nasty surprises the Oglian have set up for all of you.
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) Tuesday October 10th, 2006 7:26:59 AM
Tishe' spells up by casting Mage Armor, Unseen Servant, and See Invisibility on herself.
She also offers a Mage Armor potion to anyone who needs it.
"I can use a summoned animal as a scout without risking Flea if necessary."
And then, with crossbow loaded and in hand, Tishe' is ready to rescue those kids.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 300 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 300 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 50 turns
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Trellus (AC 22, 79 hp) Tuesday October 10th, 2006 5:55:52 PM
Trellus shakes his head. "Nah, let's weave while we got the chance. Gry, Mac, and Jake spread out front, and the rest behind. When we get to the entrance, Flea, then Gry, then me, then Jake. Mac in the back."
Trellus casts Bulls Strength (extended) on Jake [+4 STR enhancement for 20 minutes].
If they get to the entrance without incident, he lays hands on Flea. [Protective Ward: +10 to next save]
-------- Spells in effect: Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Tuesday October 10th, 2006 6:48:16 PM
Gilan looks to the others and nods his head. He will hang near the middle of the group for now. "I will stay near the middle of the group with my healing and other spells...I can also support in a fight if needed." He will slowly move down the slope after the others as he thinks about his spells and wonders what would be next to cast.
Ciaran follows his brother down the slope as well. He knows his roll in this and every other fight that they will get into. He must protect his brother or anyone that looks to be in need...as long as his brother is not in danger.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement]
Flea (AC 21, 56 HP, Protective Ward) Tuesday October 10th, 2006 11:24:14 PM
Flea positions herself as dirrected by Trellus. With a quiet *schnick* she pulls a short sword from it's scabbard, turning it this way and that in her right hand. What light there is at the very entrance of the tunnel gleams on the weapon's surface, highlighting the script* of the weapon bearing Domi's blessing.
*Highlight to display spoiler: {GET TO GNO ME DOMI!}
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus
Grymash (AC 27, hp104, barkskin) d20+2=19 d20+4=5 Tuesday October 10th, 2006 11:55:42 PM
Grymash takes his position and follows along as the plan. He keeps his eyes and ears open for anything. Unfortunately a bug flew into his ear and got lodged in, uhh ... oh, whatever! The bug isnt very happy!
(Spot 19, Listen 5, natural 1)
A sign of nothing. (DM Jim) Wednesday October 11th, 2006 12:16:48 AM
The pack moves down the hill as one unit. Flea leads with Grymash not far behind her. As you reach the entrance to the hive you hear no sounds from inside and everyone is on high alert. No traps or the like have been found yet but you are still on your toes.
Stepping back into the tunnel that leads to the first area you still hear nothing from inside. As Flea gets to the opeing into the first room, the one with the severed leg corpse, she once again sees the bluish light from the walls and the moving pictures just inside.
Jake Wednesday October 11th, 2006 5:33:51 AM
"Ah feel stronger than that drink we tasted back in that frozen water place... Let's get goin'." Jake is a bit impatient, but doesn't push the others forward or anything. He keeps his weapons out and his eyes open.
Flea ( AC21, 56 HP, Protective Ward) d20+9=15 d20+13=32 d20+11=30 d20+14=27 Wednesday October 11th, 2006 7:48:14 AM
Flea pushes further into the tunnel, confident that the rest of Bloodpack will follow, and that her rear will be covered by the big half-orc.
Remembering that the ant creatures seemed to have an awareness of their presence last time, and recollecting how the taunting voice had got inside her head, Flea is particularly careful as she enters the place.
"Careful," she cautions in a low whisper, "they knew we were here last time. They might have set traps for us while we were gone."
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus
Trellus (AC 22, 79 hp) d20+9=13 d20+9=17 Wednesday October 11th, 2006 12:32:13 PM
Eyes and ears peeled as best he's able, Trellus merely points Flea to the left tunnel (the one leading to the big room with the chasm).
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Wednesday October 11th, 2006 8:33:45 PM
Gilan follows along as they enter the tunnels. His scimitar and shield are out as he scans the area for signs of trouble. He is ready to dive in and help out Flea at a minutes notice.
Ciaran is right beside his brother as the move into the first of the caverns. He is nervous but also ready for anything that might happen.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement]
Not playing nice. (DM Jim) Thursday October 12th, 2006 1:02:39 AM
As Flea turns and starts down the tunnel that Trellus indicates her senses are on high alert. This is a good thing for as she reaches the mid point of the tunnel that leads to the chasm chamber...she finds a thin length of cord stretched across the floor about two inches from the floor.
The rest of the group is following along at a nice distance to give the resident rogue a chance to do her job. As you strain ears to hear and eyes to see, you can hear the constant drip of water in the distance and a rattle. It reminds you of an exoskeleton being scraped across stone.
Jake d20+7=22 d20+4=14 Thursday October 12th, 2006 5:43:08 AM
Jake feels on the edge, and moves slightly backwards, watching the party's back. He shuffles along slowly, moving surprisingly quiet for a guy in armor. Must be the shoes. Though he wants to make a wry remark, he feels that this might not be the best time. (listen 22, Spot 14)
CDM Jerry Thursday October 12th, 2006 1:07:30 PM
Hey all! There was no posting report for last week done on Monday. I need the ADM for this game to get that done please and then email me that it is up and posted. Thanks!
Trellus (ac 22, 79 hp) Thursday October 12th, 2006 8:09:20 PM
"Guess we're doing it the hard way," the blond man says softly. "Flea, can you disable it?"
The cleric keeps his eyes forward, watching for anything that might appear in front of the gnome. -------- Spells in effect: Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Mac Thursday October 12th, 2006 8:51:45 PM
Watching at the rear, Mac remains quiet and obervant.
Late posting report (ADM MikeK) Thursday October 12th, 2006 8:52:20 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Oct 2 - 6
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXOXX
Trellus OXOXX
Tishe XXOOX
Jake OXOXX
Gilan XXOXX
Grymash XOOXX
Mac OOOXO
Flea XXOOO
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is still on walkabout pending computer issues, I think. Anybody heard if he's coming back?
Ain't none of us doing very well in the posting department.
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) (Sub MikeK( Thursday October 12th, 2006 9:17:11 PM
Standing behind Gilan, Tishe waits impatiently for something to happen. "I hate waiting," she mutters to herself
Active Spells Mage Armor: 300 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 300 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 50 turns
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Thursday October 12th, 2006 10:39:32 PM
Gilan slows and then stops as Flea inspects something. He is not sure what she is looking at but he knows enough to let her go about her work. As he waits he turns to Trell and moves closer. "I have a couple of spells that would be very useful...do you know stoneskin?" He waits only a couple of minutes as he looks to Gry, Jake and Mac. "I was thinking of using the two uses of the spell that I have to make two of our fighters more effective...who do you think?" Once he finds out who Trell feels would benefit from it most he will cast the one now and one later.
Ciaran is happy to be stopped but he paces a little. As he waits he dreams a little of the wild tundra and his original home. Then he thinks about his new home and finds that he likes both. He is happy to stay here though with his brother.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement]
Grymash (AC 29, hp104, barkskin, prot from evil) d20+2=16 d20+4=11 Thursday October 12th, 2006 10:52:38 PM
Grymash takes the time to mutter softly under his breath some words of protection. (casting protection from evil). He readies his double axe and guards over Flea as she attempts to disarm the trap ... thingy?!
Thankfully, Gry has successfully fished that bug out of his ear. The bug is simply disguarded on the cavern floor. Unable to break free from its sticky orc ear wax prison, it soon dies. Countless generations pass uneventfully as the wax hardens into an amber-like resin, preserving the poor little bug completely intact. To be later discovered by mages of a new age, employing the magic of science, they extract the DNA from half-orc and rapke blood within. The new creature that it spawns will be called the Grypke. Which in turn will bring upon the destruction of the Wold as we know it.
(Spot 16, Listen 11)
Flea ( AC21, 56 HP, Protective Ward, Trap Sense, Evasion) d20+14=29 Friday October 13th, 2006 1:25:00 AM
A small smile crosses the gnome's face, as she returns her sword to its scabbard, and collects her tools from her pouch.
Hunkering down over the trap, she gets to work (Disable Device=29. "I sure hope this works," whispers the rogue, "I have no desire to pay Gargul another visit any time soon."
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus
Jake Friday October 13th, 2006 1:38:02 AM
Jake notices a patch of dirt that seems outta place and shifts slightly...but it's nothing. He keeps himself calm... "Hate, we digging out that smelly stuff yet?"
Not a good sign. (DM Jim) Friday October 13th, 2006 6:23:36 PM
The others stop as Flea goes to work and just have a little time to do their own thing. Most are getting a little further prepared for the upcoming battle. The adrenaline is pumping and everyone is on high alert.
As Flea crouches to have a look at the thin cord across the way she kicks up a little bit of dust. As it passes in the direction of the thin cord she notices that it is blow to the right a little by wind. A closer look reveals a small hole, about the size of a copper, in both sides of the wall three inches from the top of the thin cord. With a smile she sets to work first on the thin cord with a sharp pair of cutters. She knows that if it is pulled just a little too hard that it will trigger whatever is at the other end.
Flea ( AC21, 56 HP, Protective Ward, Trap Sense, Evasion) d20+14=34 d20+14=34 Sunday October 15th, 2006 12:35:43 PM
Flea continues to work on the trap, her nimble fingers manipulating the tiny tools expertly (Disable Device=34, Nat. 20 yahoo!.)
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus
Flea gets the sense that there is another trap, just above the line that she is cutting.
Flea Addendum: The rogue quickly realizes that the trap is more complicated then originally anticipated, but having entered a 'zone' she continues to work to make it safe for her friends. (Disable Device=34, another nat 20!)
Mac d20+6=23 d20+1=19 Sunday October 15th, 2006 8:41:27 PM
Patiently, Mac continues to guard the rear of the Pack. {Spot: 23, Listen:19}
Trellus Monday October 16th, 2006 5:22:20 PM Grypke?
Trellus waits, poised for...well, whatever happens next. At Gilan's commment regarding the protective spell, he nods to Grymash and Mac.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Monday October 16th, 2006 5:51:05 PM
Gilan nods his head as he moves first to Gry and then to Mac in turn. He lays a hand upon them as he casts another simple spell. A grayish cast surrounds them as the spell takes effect. "This will make each of you more impervious to damage." He waits for Flea who seems to have run into another matter with what appears to be a trap.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage]
Tishe Monday October 16th, 2006 8:09:29 PM
The small brown haired girl awaits the results of Flea's work with baited breath.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday October 16th, 2006 8:13:41 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Oct 9 - 15
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXOX
Trellus XXXOX
Tishe XOXOX
Jake OXXOO
Gilan XXXOX
Grymash XOXOO
Mac OOXOX
Flea XXXOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Ulgren is still on walkabout pending computer issues, I think. Anybody heard if he's coming back?
SteveK was out on vacation, and was subbed for (poorly) by me.
Not sure if Ulgren is coming back to the group or not as I have not heard anything from him. Jerry is in the works now, about getting us a new player. I do not know if this will be old or new but I am hoping for a new arcane user.
Nasty little traps. (DM Jim) Monday October 16th, 2006 11:37:33 PM
Flea makes quick work of the first trap. As she looks over the second one she get the feeling that they have a couple of choices. The group could step high and avoid the trap altogether or she could plug up the holes above the one that the air is coming out off. There are a series of eight holes on each side of the wall that run up it.
Gilan moves between Mac and Grymash layering another spell upon the two for the combat that will most likely come.
The rest of the group waits patiently as they make some final preparations. You are starting to get that familiar buzz in your heads again that tells you that there is somekind of communication going on with the Oglian.
Grymash (AC 29, hp104, barkskin, prot from evil, stoneskin, bless) Monday October 16th, 2006 11:47:17 PM
Grymash gives Gilan a toothy grin for his touch of stony skin. Kinda made the barkskin a little less itchy. He answers with a few words of Blessing of his own. (Casting Bless. Everyone gets +1 to hit and saves vs. fear.)
Jake/Mike Tuesday October 17th, 2006 1:45:26 PM
(I'm really sorry... Can I get someone to post for me for the next week? I'm currently in Chile) Jake stays in the back and considers the mind buzz. He tries to keep his own thoughts blank and just watchful...maybe that'll stop 'em from barraging him with it.
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90, +Barkskin, Stoneskin, Longstrider, Blessed) d20+6=13 d20+1=13 Tuesday October 17th, 2006 8:06:58 PM "Thanks Gilan!"
He turns to Trellus and asks, "Will you be makin' use of my scrolls?"
Otherwise he continues to keep watch at the rear. [Spot:13, Listen:13]
Trellus (ac 22, 79 hp, Bless) Tuesday October 17th, 2006 8:47:05 PM
"If you can weave a pick to knock out the trap," Trellus replies to Flea when told of her choice, "that'd be best. I hate to be coming back in a hurry and forget I'm supposed to step up."
In reply to Mac, the blond man looks at the taur blankly for a moment. "I'm sorry dude. I can't remember what scrolls you got."
The buzzing in his voice gets louder. "So, they know we're here," he mutters. "Shady". The tone of sarcasm betrays the cleric's true feelings. -------- Spells in effect: Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Tishe Tuesday October 17th, 2006 8:47:49 PM
The girl nods along with Trellus.
"I hate traps," she remarks.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Tuesday October 17th, 2006 9:56:21 PM
Gilan watches from his spot in the tunnel. He feels a little giddy with all the magic that he has been casting. He can still feel the excess magical power that he has channeled from each of his spells. "Hate those Oglian." He feels the slight buzz in his head and it is not comforting. Looking to the others he does get a slight smile upon his face though. "This time it will be different." His hand drifts to lay upon Ciaran for both their support.
Ciaran looks up at his brother as he touches him. He is not sure what his brother said but he can feel the shift in stance and the attitude behind the words. He growls a little as he waits and watches. To him this is turning into another hunt...a fun one at that.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage]
Flea ( AC21, 56 HP, Protective Ward, Trap Sense, Evasion) d20+14=23 d20+14=34 d20+14=18 d20+14=19 d20+14=27 d20+14=33 d20+14=31 d20+14=18 Tuesday October 17th, 2006 11:46:24 PM
Sweat shines on the rogue's upper lip and brow as she continues to work on the complicated trap. She nods wordlessly in acknowledgement of her companions' encouragement. (Note: 3 Disable Device rolls rolled previously, 8 more for good measure Disable Device=23, 34, 18, 19, 27, 33, 31, 18).
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
One down....a hundred to go. (DM Jim) Tuesday October 17th, 2006 11:53:42 PM
Flea finds her concentration to be worth it as she disarms the trap within a trap. As she finishes she can motion the rest that they can move.
The rest of the group is soon on the move again and you reach the section of the hive that houses the bridges. There is no sign of anything around that can just be seen. The center bridge is still destroyed but the other two are still intact. The passage on the other side of the chasm is also free of blockage and guards.
The buzzing has increased in tempo a little as if in anticipation of what is to happen.
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90, +Barkskin, Stoneskin, Longstrider, Blessed) d20+6=7 d20+1=21 Wednesday October 18th, 2006 6:34:26 PM
"It was just before the mushroom gas." he replies to Trellus. "One each Bull, Bear & Cat."
He returns his focus to the watch. [Spot:7(Botch), Listen:21(Nat20!)]
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Wednesday October 18th, 2006 7:41:04 PM
Gilan moves out into the open area of the chasm. He tries to get a clear picture of the surroundings so that he can help in seeing any dangers. Mostly he watches the ceiling for trouble, since that is where it came from last time. "I really am starting to hate these ants."
Ciaran follows his brother out not as much bothered by the buzz, then again he is more alien than the ants would most likely talk to. What kind of thoughts would they get from him anyways.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage]
Flea ( AC21, 56 HP, Protective Ward, Trap Sense, Evasion) d20+9=10 d20+13=33 d20+11=17 d20+14=32 d20+23=25 Wednesday October 18th, 2006 8:47:17 PM
Flea winces as the buzzing sound increases in intensity. Trying to ignore the distraction, she moves along with her party, trying to scout a little ahead of the eager fighters and keeping her eyes open for things that might trip up the Bloodpack.
Spot=10 Search/Detect Traps=33 (nat. 20! this rogue's on a roll!) Listen=17 Move Silently=32 Hide=25
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
Grymash creeps along. On constant watch for the inevitable attack.
Trellus (ac 22, 79 hp, Bless Wednesday October 18th, 2006 9:53:46 PM
Trellus nods vigorously as Mac reminds him of the scrolls. "Right. Yeah, I'll take 'em."
By the time the get to the empty chamber, Trellus is about as warped up as humanly possible. This waiting for an inevitable attack pick is totally sunbaked, and he's not enjoying the experience much.
"Let's weave across these bridges in a hurry, dudes," he states softly. "I totally don't want to be split up or stuck on them if the beaters show up."
The blond man moves quickly in behind Grymash to get across a bridge. -------- Spells in effect: Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
The bridge to nowhere. (DM Jim) Thursday October 19th, 2006 12:27:51 AM
Flea scouts ahead for traps and signs of danger but has found nothing yet. She stays one step ahead of the pack as they move towards the first bridge.
The simple crossing is more nerve racking than it should be. The Oglian have not tipped their hand yet and the danger lurks around every next corner. It is a wonder that all the group has not gone mad yet.
The tunnel entrance looms before the group. You remember this part as going down a ways and then branching to the right. That path lead to the room with all the shrooms and crystals. The other path...was unexplored.
Trellus (ac 22, 79 hp, Bless) d20+9=24 d20+9=28 Thursday October 19th, 2006 11:30:36 AM
"Weave straight this time," Trellus says. The cleric stays in his spot behind Grymash.
[Listen 24, Spot 28]
Tishe' (AC17, HP 56/56) d20+6=18 d20+6=24 d20+2=8 d20+2=8 Thursday October 19th, 2006 4:22:35 PM
Tishe' keeps a steady look-around (Spot: 18, Listen: 24), and Wart peers out of her satchel to assist (assist Spot 8, assist Listen 8).
Her wand of magic missles is in her hand as she moves quickly across the bridge. Her breath comes quicker, and wonders again at what type of communication will be available with the Oglians. "I wonder if we'll be able to talk at all?"
Active Spells Mage Armor: 297 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 297 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 47 turns
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90, +Barkskin, Stoneskin, Longstrider, Bless) d20+6=22 d20+1=21 Thursday October 19th, 2006 7:15:33 PM
Once all else are across the bridge, Mac brings up the rear. [Spot:22, Listen:21(Nat20!)]
Flea ( AC21, 56 HP, Protective Ward, Trap Sense, Evasion) Thursday October 19th, 2006 7:42:41 PM
"Will do, Trellus," answers Flea as she keeps a little ahead of the pack, sword in one hand, wand in the other.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Thursday October 19th, 2006 8:20:42 PM
Gilan crosses the bridge with the rest of the group. His eyes keep a watch for trouble that is not there and then he follows along slowly down the tunnel after Flea.
Ciaran is by his brother's side. The closer they get the worse his feelings of danger get.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage]
Grymash (AC 29, hp104, barkskin, prot from evil, stoneskin, bless) d20+2=13 d20+4=20 d20+3=18 Thursday October 19th, 2006 10:07:26 PM
Grymash is beginning to get impatient. He wants to end this sneaking around and just get to it. If he wasnt with his pack, he would just yell and call the buggers out. However, he feels his Bloodpack wouldnt appreciate that too much. Grymash thinks his double axe is thirsty. Time to feed his baby.
(Spot 13, Listen 20, Move silently 18)
Is that....voices? (DM Jim) Friday October 20th, 2006 12:17:07 AM
Having sliped past the path that you took to get to the shroom room, you start to hear actual voices. One of them is decidely humanoid in nature but the other has a difference to it...a sense of the unhuman.
Flea, being in front can start to make out light ahead. This is real light and not that created by the bluish words and pictures upon the walls. She will be able to report that the opening into whatever room that is ahead...is only twenty feet away.
The buzzing inside of your heads has gotten even louder, but is not enough to drive you to your knees like last time. A lot of this is accompanied by pictures that flit through your heads as well. You see a great many things...great standing hives under the sun...humanoids working fields while ants watch over them...a battle that ends in darkness.
Trellus (ac 22, 79 hp, Owls Wisdom) Friday October 20th, 2006 1:28:16 PM
"Just a quick peek," the cleric directs the gnome.
Trellus holds his position and casts a spell. He will need all the wisdom Domi can provide very soon, he is sure. [Owls Wisdom] -------- Spells in effect:
Mac (AC:22, HP:90/90, +Barkskin, Stoneskin, Longstrider, Bless) d20+6=23 d20+1=6 Saturday October 21st, 2006 12:20:12 AM
At the rear, Mac keeps watchful and alert. [Spot:23, Listen:6] Though the extra buzzing is beginning to get on his nerves.
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) d20+6=8 Saturday October 21st, 2006 5:09:44 AM
The pictures are facinating to Tishe', who forgets for a moment while they are down in the tunnels until she recieves a gentle push from Mac. "There are hive-like structures on the plains that people called the Builders make... I wonder if there is a connection?"
Touching herself with her Wand of Speak with Animals (recently gotten from the Catacombs), Tishe' listens to the words ahead with little success. (Listen: 8)
Active Spells Mage Armor: 297 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 297 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 47 turns Speak with Animals:
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Now it gets interesting (ADM MikeK) Sunday October 22nd, 2006 12:49:46 PM
Heeding Trellus' words of caution, Flea quietly creeps up the the entrance and peeks through the opening. Tishe wonders aloud about the pictures in her head, thinking maybe there is a connection between the ants and the Builders. Her comment draws little more than a warning glance from Gilan, which can only be interpreted as "time to be quiet". Grymash, Mac, and Jake can only wait impatiently. All three are well past ready to rip into something solid.
Peering ahead, the gnome takes in sights and sounds before her. The opening leads into the southwest corner of huge vaulted chamber, lit by both the strange blue lights and several mundane looking torches. The chamber is roughly square shaped, nearly 200 feet in length and width, its sides gradually sloping down to a large, dark pit in the north end. Numerous smaller holes are scattered about the floor. As Flea watches, one of those big soldier ants climbs out of one of the smaller holes into to the chamber, and scuttles toward a group of ants - and a human! - on the far side.
There is so much happening here it takes a while for Flea to take it all in. The big ant stops near the group on the far side - four of the smaller ants flanking (two to a side) a red robed human. The human is unconcerned with them, as well as with the (now) two soldier types taking up position near the eastern wall. He is conversing leisurely, in common, with a grotesquely fat ant lying just in front of the large pit. Clumped together between and slightly to the left of human and the fat ant are eight humanoid bodies lying on the floor, wrapped up cocoon-like with some kind of substance.
In the far northeast corner, nearly 300' from the relative safety of the door, Flea can see a dozen children. They are not bound, but are huddled together as far back into the wall as physics will allow. Not a sound emanates from the group, but a dozen pairs of wide eyes stare fearfully at the ants, who don't appear to be paying them the slightest bit of attention.
Flea's sharp ears pick up the conversation between Red Robe and Fat Ant. He speaks in a confident baritone - the ant in a breathy, silibant, inhuman alto:
(RED ROBE)"The RedClaws will support the Queen if she sees fit to leave us alone. All that we want is to be able to rule over some of what remains and in return we will pay tribute to you." (FAT ANT)"What is your offer, Softmeat?" (RED ROBE)Thirty humans - half male and half female for your breeding use. This will be paid every four cycles."
Flea d20+14=19 d20+23=39 Sunday October 22nd, 2006 11:02:13 PM
Breathlessly, Flea takes in the negotiations of the red-robed one and the fat ant-queen.
Backtracking to her pack, (and making sure she isn't seen or heard) she recounts everything that she sees. "I think we have found the children from Ironhome she concludes.
Move Silently=19 Hide=39
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) Monday October 23rd, 2006 7:08:00 AM
The brown-eyed mage listens intently to Flea's report and then turns eager eyes on Trellus. "A quick rush to the piggies and fight our way out?" she asks.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 297 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 297 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 47 turns Speak with Animals:
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste
Trellus (ac 22, 79 hp, Owls Wisdom) Monday October 23rd, 2006 4:10:12 PM
Trellus also listens carefully to Flea's description of the chamber, and is about to give a few quick instructions to the Pack, when Tishe makes her comment.
The blond man pauses. For he was, in fact, about to go charging into the cavern, rip the treadles, and free the kiddies.. And the only thing stopping him now is that the impetuous girl from Hook City is thinking the exact same thing he's thinking. And now, Trellus is thinking that's not a good sign.
The blond man stares at Tishe for a good thirty seconds, trying in vain to find a reason NOT to charge. He can't.
"Yeah," he answers. "We're going in." He turns to Grymash. "You want me to make you bigger?" he asks
If yes - casts Enlarge Person on Grymash.
"Everybody warp up," he says. -------- Spells in effect:
Showtime (ADM MikeK) Monday October 23rd, 2006 10:28:47 PM Flea relays what she has seen and the pack warps up. Prep spells are cast, and then the Bloodpack steps into the chamber, ready for the worst.
DM Note - if you didn't post last time, I'll give you one round for a prep move + this current round. Map coming.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday October 23rd, 2006 10:39:02 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Oct 16 - 22
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXX
Trellus XXXXX
Tishe XOXXX
Jake XOOOO
Gilan XXXOO
Grymash XXXOO
Mac XXXXO
Flea XXXOX
Ulgren (walkabout)
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Reading back, the Bloodpack appears to be under attack by the computer bug. JimW is out of action, and I think Mikey may be out of contact as well.
Grymash (AC 28, hp104, barkskin, prot from evil, stoneskin, bless, enlarge) d20-2=14 d20+14=28 d8+7=14 Tuesday October 24th, 2006 12:52:33 AM
Grymash nods to Trellus and accepts his gift of Largeness. Noticing the great deal of distance between them and the enemy. It would be best, he thinks, that they come to us. Remembering his last mistake of charging into the fray before everyone else was ready (Int 14).
(If the order to attack is given) Grymash casts a spell upon one of his arrows. He chuckles low under his breath at finally being given the opportunity to try this little trick. He then steps into the room and fires the arrow at the red robed figure.
(Ranged Attack: HitAC: 28. Damage: 14. Arrow has the Silence spell cast on it. 20' radius of silence centered on the arrow. No spell casting with verbal components in area.)
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) Tuesday October 24th, 2006 6:42:30 AM
A fierce delight sparks in Tishe's eyes. "These bullies have messed with the wrong pack this time", she vows.
While most of the pack is together, Tishe' pulls out a rod from her Pants o' Plenty and weaves a new spell with quick decisive hand chopping gestures and staccato words.
Haste on Grymash, Mac, Jake, Gilan, and Trellus for 10 rounds
Thinking about Flea's report, Tishe' then has time to wonder. "The robed figure called his group the RedClaws. I wonder if it is a group from IronHome?"
She shakes her head; now is no time for woolgathering! The brown-haired mage keeps her footing in the tunnel to cast more spells in support of the Bloodpack.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 295 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 295 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 45 turns Speak with Animals: 49 rounds
Haste: on Grymash, Mac, Jake, Gilan, Trellus 10 rounds - +1 attack, to hit, AC(dodge), and Reflex saves; +30 foot move (with Rod of Extend)
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste*
Mac (AC:26, HP:90/90, Stoneskin:90/90, Longstrider, Bless, Haste) d20+11=28 3d6(3+4+1)+26=34 Tuesday October 24th, 2006 9:04:31 AM
Mac lines up the ant warrior positioned furthest from the Qu... big, fat ant. "This should distract them!" Reckoning he can get to striking distance of it within 120', the taur charges!
At the last moment he brings the great axe and a whole lot of momentum to bear.
Power attack hits AC:28 for 34 damage. _____ DM Sanity Info: AC:24 with Charge(Dodge AC:25 vs target), Mobility(just in case), Power Attack(8), Move:60', Charge 120', Weapon: Large Adamantine Greataxe(+3), Combat Reflexes (4 AoOs awaiting).
Jake (AC 27 (charging), hp 59/59, hasted) ) d20+9=28 d20+9=25 d10=9 d10=2 d6=1 d6=4 d6=4 Tuesday October 24th, 2006 4:18:43 PM
Jake's been pretty quiet, 'cause he's been paying attention to the back. But when Flea relates what's happening, his eyes flash. Coccooned up bodies, little kids being traded as slaves to ants... And Jake can't help but think that one of the kids is that poor girl's little brother. He's suddenly enraged at what's going on. Others may be surprised... Jake never gets angry, even when his tricks backfire. Using the prep round, Jake gets out one of those potions that they concocted to get rid of the smell. He uses it just as they move forward. For a second it's silent, as Gry casts his spell and shoots his arrow. But then, Jake's voice rings out, in an angry yell as he charges after the arrow, right at the red-robed guy. As he enters the silenced area, his voice vanishes again, but nevertheless it's ringing in his own ears as he slashes into the fat ant guy with all his strength. (Swinging with Power attack at full, WOO! Potential critical, crit confirmed against AC 25. I think I pulled a grymash. I don't think Power attack damage doubles, nor does the other stuff. But that's still 5 (PA) + 2 (spec) + 1 (+1) + 1 (freezing) + 9+2 (d10) + 8 (strx2) + 8 (backstab if surprised) = 9+11+16=36 damage!)
Flea (AC 21, 56 HP, Hasted) Tuesday October 24th, 2006 8:49:39 PM
Flea smears some of the smelly gunk on her chest. It is with a pang, that she comes into contact with the cold red stone embedded there. "Trellus! I'm going for the kids!" whispers Flea sotto voce. Having activated her special boots*, she runs as quick as the wind in a north-easterly direction, avoiding the holes and sweeping past Mac.
DM Sanity
Position: I figure Flea is 11 sq. down, 4 sq. left from the far right side after 160 ft. hasted run?
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 1/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Trellus (ac 22, 79 hp, Owls Wisdom) 10d6(1+2+2+6+2+1+5+3+5+3)=30 Tuesday October 24th, 2006 8:58:09 PM
After making Grymash a lot bigger, Trellus follows the barbarian through the entrance into the cavern. The cleric notes with approval Gry's decision to let the battle come to him.
And then shakes his head as Mac and especially Jake go charging into the fray. Different thread, same pattern, he tells himself.
The cleric decides to join in the mayhem, and causes a pillar of fire to slam down among the Red Robe, the Fat Ant, and that other ant that's unlucky enough to be close.
[Flame Strike - 30 hp damage. Reflex DC 21 halves] -------- Spells in effect:
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, haste] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Tuesday October 24th, 2006 9:45:02 PM
Gilan takes time to use some of the paste that they had made back at IronHome. With that done he moves into the chamber slightly and channels some natural energies into a spell of his own. A pillar of flame slams down shortly after the one from Trellus does. "Gry takes it easy and Jake is charging." He cannot believe his eyes on this one.
Ciaran comes out on his brothers heels but does not move into the fray. He knows that he will be needed most likely to defend the others as the use their magics.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage]
I am officially back but will not be able to get a DM post in soon enough for today. If MikeK does not make one for today than I will get one out tomorrow. Sorry for the absence folks.
Tishe' (OOC) Wednesday October 25th, 2006 1:58:49 AM
Haste for five Bloodpack members
Grymash,
Mac,
Jake,
Gilan,
+1 additional attack, +1 to hit, +1 AC(dodge), +1 Reflex saves; +30 foot move each round
:-)
Well laid plans.......... (DM Jim) d20+9=26 d20+9=21 d20+16=28 d20+14=17 d8+6=11 d8+6=11 d20+16=31 d20+14=34 d20+14=22 d8+6=7 d8+6=10 2d8(8+2)+6=16 d20+16=18 d8+6=10 d20+5=15 d20+6=15 d20+10=24 d20+5=21 d20+6=17 d20+10=25 9d6(3+6+3+2+3+4+4+4+6)=35 Wednesday October 25th, 2006 9:52:44 PM Grymash fires off an arrow that has a simple spell cast upon it. His arrow flies true and slams into the red robed man that is actually turned to look in your direction. Tishe' meanwhile pulls a simple rod out of the pants that she wears and casts a spell through it, enhancing and making it last longer. Mac makes a headlong charge in the direction of the large Queen ant, but finds his movement slowed to the barest of crawls as he hits thick mud three feet thick. Jake also charges in behind Mac but at the red robed man. He also finds his own movement slowed as he runs into the same problem as Mac, he is deep in three feet of mud as well. Flea makes a beeline for the kids but her circuit as she tries to avoid detection leads her around the mess of mud that her other friends have fallen into. Trellus slams a pillar of flame down upon the red robed figure and the Oglian Queen and it is only the barest of luck that his friends were not also there to taste the effects. The one warrior ant also appears to get a little taste of the flames as well. Gilan follows in the footsteps of his buddy Trellus and drops a pillar of flame in the exact same spot, catching all the the same enemies in it.
Oglian warrior(1) seems to be unaffected by the flames though he does take damage from the spell. He moves forward and positions himself in the way of the group getting to his Queen. Oglian warrior(2) does not seem to be surprised at all by the appearance of the group and turns just in time to loose a pair of javelins at Mac as he closes[hit: 28/17 and damage: 11/11]. Oglian warrior(3) is also unaffected by the sudden appearance of the pack as he throws a pair of javelins of his own at Jake as he gets caught in the mud[hit: 31/34*crit22* and damage: 7/10*crit16*]. Oglian warrior(4) launches his own attack of a javelin at Jake[hit: 18 and damage: 10] as he then moves forward to help in the guarding of his Queen. Oglian worker(5) picks up the body of one of the cocooned victims and slips down the hole near the Queen and is soon lost from sight. Olgian worker(6) moves over to be in the way of Flea as he moves to get to the children. The Queen casts a spell of her own seemingly unhampered by the silence spell that was placed upon the arrow. The red robed man smiles as the arrow slams into him and then wags his finger as he casts not one...but two spells.
Enemy AC RedClaw: 26
Player Sanity An arrow is destroyed when it hits a target so the arrow would be destroyed upon impact with the red robed man. This would make the spell effect end as well.
Mac and Jake are currently -2 to AC.They also can only move 5 feet as they are in three feet of mud.
Flea (AC 21+1 Hasted, 56 HP) d20+13=32 d20+13=24 2d4(1+2)+4=7 2d6(1+3)=4 d20+13=29 d4+2=3 2d6(2+2)=4 Wednesday October 25th, 2006 11:55:14 PM
Flea's magic boots add speed to her weapon arm as she attacks the Oglian worker blocking her way. The gnome stabs at the creature with her new holy short sword (hit AC=32, 24 to confirm critical for 3 HP (or 7 if critical) +4 HP if evil, and hit AC =29 for 3 HP +4 HP if evil.)
The rogue then prepares to dodge any counter attack by the Oglian worker. (Effective AC vs Oglian Worker is 23.)
DM Sanity
Position: same
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 2/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Jake (hp 33/59, AC 31, haste, barkskin) Thursday October 26th, 2006 4:08:12 AM
"it's a trap!!!" Jake yells out, angrily. And...there's nothing he can do about it. This damned mud! Not only that, but then he's slammed by not one, but two javelins. He manages to skitter his shiedl up to block yet another one. "Blast...one's getting away, too!" Jake feels incredibly frustrated by the mud as he slugs forward, a scant five feet closer. If only he had a bow...or any other sort of weapon. Nope.
Grymash (AC 28, hp104, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, stoneskin, bless, enlarge) d20+15=35 d20+15=28 d20+15=26 d20+10=22 d8+7=11 d8+7=15 d8+7=12 d8+7=13 d8+7=10 Thursday October 26th, 2006 7:47:12 AM
(Bad Call. Arrow is destroyed as far as being a usable arrow. Its still an object. The arrow didnt evaporate into a cloud of ash upon impact.)
Angered by the results of his clever first attack, he fires another volley of arrows at the robed figure.
Trellus (ac 23, 79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted) Thursday October 26th, 2006 10:35:59 AM
"Jake, you pigge, back up and climb out!" Trellus calls. "You'll take all day to go all the way across!"
The cleric moves past Grymash on his left, positions himself on the edge of the mud next to Mac, and leans over to cast a spell on the taur. [Air Walk] "You're shady now," he tells the taur.
"Tishe, maybe one of your friends can help Flea?"
Trellus pulls out his healing wand. Gonna need this soon, he thinks glumly.
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) Thursday October 26th, 2006 2:20:39 PM
Tishe' listens in consternation as her pack gets hit with traps despite all they tried to do to avoid them.
But her best affects are with her spells, and so she continues. Staying in the tunnel, she weaves hand and voice to begin calling her summoned creatures...
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.9 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.9 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.9 turns Speak with Animals: 48 rounds
Haste: on Grymash, Mac, Jake, Gilan, Trellus 9 rounds - +1 attack, to hit, AC(dodge), and Reflex saves; +30 foot move (with Rod of Extend)
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste*
Mac (AC:26, HP:89/90, Stoneskin:80/90, Longstrider, Bless, Haste) Thursday October 26th, 2006 7:05:05 PM Stuck in the mud! he thinks to himself.
He smiles back at Trellus after the spell, and adds, "Thank you! Help Jake."
With his initial plan out the window, Mac steps forward and upward out of the mud and into the air.
Limited to a 5' move, that's all he can do for the round, but being out of the mud I hope removes the -2 AC. penalty.
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, haste] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] 9d6(1+2+6+2+1+4+4+6+6)=32 Thursday October 26th, 2006 8:16:20 PM
Gilan not at all phased by the turn of events, calls upon his nature powers again to slam another pillar of flame upon the enemy. This time he positions it between the two Oglian warriors nearest the robed man and Queen.
Ciaran keeps his position so that he can keep his brother covered. He is in no position to bring the fight to the enemy anyways.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage] [flamestrike - 32 damage - Reflex DC 20 for half]
Finale Oglian Battle. (DM Jim) d20+6=11 d20+6=20 d20+16=29 d20+14=24 d20+16=34 d20+14=24 d20+16=19 d20+14=34 d20+14=29 d8+8=15 d8+8=15 d8+8=12 d8+8=14 d8+8=13 d8+8=16 2d8(6+8)+8=22 d20+14=25 d20+14=28 d8+6=9 d6+4=7 d20+20=26 Friday October 27th, 2006 3:17:44 PM Flea moves in and stabs her sword at the Oglian worker that is blocking her way to the children. Her stab is a good one drawing a little more damage than she would have originally intended.
Jake finds himself three feet in mud and yells out a warning to the others. Not that anyone looking in his direction for a second could not tell that. Still it means that a large area is covered in mud and hard to detect as mud.
Grymash fires off another volley of arrows at the red robed man. His first two arrows slam into the mans armored body but the third is deflected by the same armor.
Trellus yells at Jake for continueing his move through the mud. He uses a simple spell upon Mac so that he can get out of the mud and make a move upon the enemy. He pulls a wand and calls for support from Tishe'.
Tishe' can see her place in this battle for now. She starts the call for a friend to join the battle.
Mac gets himself out of the mud with the aid of the spell from Trellus. Still he can feel the remants of the mud hanging to his body that will take a lot to clean later.
Gilan brings another pillar of fire down upon two of the enemy warrior Oglians, trying to bring the odds in their favor. Ciaran stays near his side and waits for the real fighting to begin.
Oglian warrior1 feels the fire burn around him and his skin puckers. Still he is able to get a pair of javelins into the air at the stuck in the mud Jake[hit: 29/24 and damage: 15/15].
Oglian warrior2 throws another pair of javelins at the now floating Mac[hit: 34/24 and damage: 12/14]. He is also burned by the sudden eruption of a pillar of fire upon him.
Oglian warrior3 turns his attention to the now floating Mac with a pair of javelins[hit: 19/34*crit29* and damage: 13/16*crit22*].
Oglian warrior4 skitters across the mud as if it was not even there, heading in the direction of the main group.
Oglian worker5 is now gone from the battle, having taken one of the cocooned victims with him.
Oglian worker6 feels the bite of Flea's sword and does not like it much. Still he needs to protect the food source. He uses his pinchers to try and take a bite out of Flea, following it up with a sting[hit: 25/28 and damage: 9/7 ; grapple: 26].
The Queen seems unphased by the whole thing but you get the idea that she is calling for something as the buzzing in your heads turns different. Her movements have become more percise, though she says not words just like last time...is she casting?
The RedClaw accepts the arrows for what they are and starts to slowly move out and across the mud. He does not seem overly concerned yet as he watches Grymash with narrowed eyes.
Enemy AC RedClaw: 26 Oglian worker6: 24
Player Sanity Jake is still AC -2 as he is in the mud and can only move 5 feet. He is also now 10 feet from the edge of the mud. Mac is no longer hampered since he is now in the air.
Jake Friday October 27th, 2006 3:38:20 PM
Jake is aggravated, but he really can't do much. So he backs up, like Trellus says. Now he's stuck another round.
Grymash (AC 26, rage hp122, rage1, freedom of movement, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, stoneskin, bless, enlarge) d20+15=35 d20+15=23 d20+15=31 2d6(4+6)+32=42 2d6(2+4)+32=38 2d6(4+5)+32=41 d20+26=39 Friday October 27th, 2006 8:46:23 PM
Grymash sneers with a wicked grin at the pathetic little robed man. "WHAH YOOZ LOOKIN' AT?! YAZ LOOKIN' AT GRYMASH MOUNTAINBACK, YA PIGGIE MEAT! YOOZ NO IDEAS WHOZ YA CALLIN' OUT!! YOOZ CALLIN' OUT DA DEEMMON IN GRYYY!!!"
The audacity of this puny little human is more than the giant-sized half-orc can stand. Grymash's eyes turn blood red as he lets out a blood curdling feral roar. His veins and muscles tense so tightly that his armor whines under the strain to contain them. Standing well over 13 feet tall, the hulking goliath drops his bow to the floor. Grymash makes a menacing gesture and instantly sprints into his charge, pulling out his adamantine double axe along the way. (Max charge distance while hasted is 140 feet) "NNOWW YAAZZ DIIEEE! AUUUGGGHHH!!"
Grymash enters the muddy field and doesnt seem to be bothered by the quagmire either. His god, Lord Gargul grants him Freedom of Movement (thru the Travel Domain). Before reaching his target, Grymash takes a mighty leap, clearing higher than 9 feet in the air (high jump check 39. You get a +4 bonus for every +10 speed past 30. Gry's speed is 70). All 2,200 pounds of the half-orc's spikey-armored bulk, a millstone-sized axe blade, and a bag of chips comes crashing down upon the unsuspecting little man. As the ever growing shadow of the barbarian begins to envelope the robed man, he begins to realize that never in his wildest dreams had he ever expected to see something like this when he got up this morning!
(Charging attack +2hit/-2ac. Max distance in charge 140 feet. PowerAttack -8hit/+16 twohanded damage. Adamantine +1 doubleaxe. HitAC: 35, woot! threat. HitAC: 23 miss, reroll with hero point. HitAC: 31, crit! woot! Crit Damage(x3): 42+38+39=119. The red robed man must make a Fortitude Save DC 15 or die instantly from massive damage.
Flea (AC 21+1 Hasted, 40/56 HP) d20+13=26 d4+2=4 2d6(1+3)=4 d20+13=16 Sunday October 29th, 2006 9:57:57 PM
Caught by the Oglian worker, Flea strikes out with her sword. The magic of her boots adds speed to her attack, but unfortunately not accuracy and the rogue only hits the worker once. (Hit AC 26 (and 16) for 4 pts dmg, +4 more if it is evil.)
DM Sanity
Position: same
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 3/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Mac (AC:26, HP:71/90, Stoneskin:50/90, Air Walk, Longstrider, Bless, Haste) d20+11=19 3d6(3+2+3)+26=34 Sunday October 29th, 2006 10:53:07 PM
[OOC] Thanks again! : ) [/OOC]
Mac looks at Gry, fully convinced that if the Red Claw is still capable of drawing breath, then he'd better be able to breath mud!
The taur glides 10' around next to Jake (between him and the Gry mound). Calling to Jake, "Grab m' leg!" he attacks Og.warrior4 (Hitting AC:19 for 34 damage).
If Jake grabs a hold, he drags him back out of the mud (towards Gilan). Spring Attack
Dodge (AC:27 vs OW4).
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) Monday October 30th, 2006 1:20:49 AM
Using her rod of extend, Tishe' summons forth a Celestial Bison 35 feet to her right. She calls to it calmly but with urgency in Celestial. Highlight to display spoiler: {"Assist the gnome called Flea by attacking anything that attacks her."}
Obeying his summoners orders, the bison (glowing faintly in celestial light) runs around the muddy area and Oglian #3 to reach Flea as quickly as possible and doubles his move (100 foot move).
On her arm, a pearl in a wooden woven armband flashes, and the mage/druid begins casting the same spell again, using the last charge in her rod of extend.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.8 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.8 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.8 turns Speak with Animals: 47 rounds
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Lightning Bolt, Haste*
Trellus (ac 23, 79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted) 10d6(3+5+6+4+4+1+2+2+6+3)=36 Monday October 30th, 2006 2:52:00 PM
Trellus mentally writes off the dude in the red robes, and looks the party over. So far, so good.
The cleric uses the available time to send yet another pillar of fire on top of O1 and O2. [Flame Strike - 36 hp damage, Reflex 21 halves]
Gilan [HP: 97/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, haste] and Ciaran [HP: 80/80 - 24] [greater magic fang] Monday October 30th, 2006 7:10:35 PM
Gilan shrugs his shoulder to ease the tension as he decides to use a spell to cast one to summon up more help. He starts the movements and pulls on the power that will allow him to bring an ally into the battle. "Seems that we are doing rather well."
Ciaran stays near his brother and continues to watch. The closing Oglian brings his hackles up and he is ready for the fight.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage] [flamestrike - 32 damage - Reflex DC 20 for half]
Finale Oglian Battle, 2. (DM Jim) d20+15=29 d20+9=21 d20+9=29 d20+19=24 d8+8=15 5d6(5+3+6+4+6)=24 d20+19=37 d20+17=26 d8+8=16 d8+8=14 d20+19=31 d20+17=26 d8+8=12 d8+8=14 d20+19=31 2d6(3+4)+10=17 d20+16=24 d20+16=22 d8+8=11 d6+5=9 d20+20=37 Monday October 30th, 2006 11:20:03 PM Flea whittles a little more damage on the worker that is in her way.
Jake backs up in the mud as continueing forward would be a mistake.
Grymash drops his bow and charges forward to meet the red robed man over top of the mud. His axe comes down in a killing blow that should be lethal.
Trellus calls down another pillar of flames upon the Oglian warriors from earlier.
Tishe' gives quick orders to the celestial bison that appears and then starts up another summoning spell of her own. The celestial bison has charged across the mud and is even now closing on the worker by Flea.
Mac air walks so that he is right above Jake and calls for him to grab ahold.
Gilan starts his own summoning spell as the group appears to be doing a rather nice job. Ciaran stays near his side and waits for the real fighting to begin.
Oglian warrior1 feels the fire burn around him and his skin puckers[Ref 21]. The warrior ant pulls up a pair of javelins and sends them both soaring in the direction of Jake. The first javelin is normal[hit: 24 and damage: 15], but the second one turns into a bolt of pure lightning shortly after leaving the Oglians hand[damage: 24, Reflex DC 14 for half].
Oglian warrior2 throws another pair of javelins at the now floating Mac[hit: 37/26 and damage: 16/14]. He is also burned by the sudden eruption of a pillar of fire upon him[Ref 29].
Oglian warrior3 turns his attention to the now floating Mac with a pair of javelins[hit: 31/26 and damage: 12/14].
Oglian warrior4 comes across the mud and ends up near the center of the group. In his hand is that large spear again that he stabs at Trellus[hit: 31 and damage: 17].
Oglian worker5 returns with three other Oglian workers, who all move in to grab up cocooned food.
Oglian worker6 feels the bite of Flea's sword but retaliates on the little gnome with another bite and sting[hit: 24/22 and damage: 11/9 ; grapple: 37].
The Queen gives silent orders to the fiendish giant praying mantis that appears. She then begins another spell as she watches the fight before her. The fiendish gaint praying mantis takes to the air and heads in the direction of the main body of the group and lands there.
The RedClaw smiles as the axe blow lands but does not end up in the mud as everyone would have expected[Fort 29]. "You do good work...but let me return the favor." He touches something upon his hand and then his form melts into that of a four armed large gorilla.
Enemy AC RedClaw: 26 Oglian worker6: 24
Player Sanity [Reflex DC 14 for javelin of lightning for Grymash, Jake, Mac, Ciaran and Gilan]
Grymash (AC 28, rage hp122, rage2, freedom of movement, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, stoneskin, bless, enlarge) d20+16=26 d20+14=30 d20+14=21 d20+12=29 d20+12=30 d20+16=27 2d6(4+6)+26=36 2d6(1+3)+16=20 2d6(6+2)+16=24 2d6(6+6)+16=28 2d6(5+1)+26=32 d20+7=22 Tuesday October 31st, 2006 12:26:25 AM
Grymash answers with a furry of slicing and dicing, hacks and slashes.
Attack of Opportunity. Spellcasting within threat range. If allowed. HitAC: 27. Damage: 32.
Total Possible Damage: 36+20+24+28+32=140)
(Reflex save 22? You didnt say Gry was a target of a javelin, but asked for save anyway?)
Jake (AC 31, hp 33/59, barkskin, Hasted) d20+7=23 d20+12=27 d10=3 d6=5 Tuesday October 31st, 2006 12:41:30 AM
"Yikes!" Jake slurps to the side, avoiding a bolt of lightning and blocking a bouncing spear off his shoulder. "Hah! Nice try, ya dumb, fat ant!" (Evasion save DC 23 for no damage) "Ok, let's get them, big Mac!" Jake happily grabs onto the arm, his feet slurping out of the mud as he is lifted up. (holding action to move with Mac) When Mac moves up, Jake will go with him, and be dropped off next to the ant. He moves into flanking position around it, though he knows that they don't really flank well against these guys. (+4 AC from mobility when he does this) Then he gives the guy a single swfit slash, cutting it in the side a little. (10+5freezing damage)
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) d20+13=24 d8+11=13 Tuesday October 31st, 2006 2:21:48 AM
The buff-and-sage clothing of Tishe' is covered in dirt and sweat as she completes her summoning of a second Celestial Bison. She gives a glance at the summoned Mantis before her and gives a five foot step to the right, but sends the second bison after the first with a Celestial word to Highlight to display spoiler: {"protect the children"}. "Gilan and Trellus will take care of the mantis", she speaks aloud to herself, "I need to weave with Flea."
And it looks like the children will be taken away unless Tishe' can do something to block the tunnel... A quick stab of a hand into her Pants O Plenty brings out another Rod, and, coupled with a hasty spell, conjures twenty feet of sticky webs in the tunnel entrance where the workers are trying to take the children! [300 foot range with Rod of Enlarge]
Celestial Bison #1 flanking Worker #6(+1 to hit), charges (+2 to hit, -2 AC) into the Worker facing off with Flea with a mighty stroke, smiting the Oglian in the thorax (13 +4 for smite = 17 damage)
Celestial Bison #2 runs to protect the children and into the same area as Flea.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.7 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.7 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.7 turns Speak with Animals: 46 rounds
Web: 500 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt, Haste*
Flea (AC 21+1 Hasted, 20/56 HP) d20+13=26 d4+2=6 2d6(2+5)=7(if evil) d20+13=27 d4+2=3 2d6(1+5)=6(if evil) Tuesday October 31st, 2006 4:30:56 AM
"Let...me...go...!" grunts Flea, as she hacks at the Oglian fighter squeezing her in it's pinchers. "In...the name...of...Domi...let...me...go!"
The rogue's holy short sword cuts at the ant creature, hit AC 26 for 6 pts dmg, +7 if evil and AC 27 for 3 pts dmg, +6 if evil.
Position: same
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 4/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Mac (AC:26, HP:55(60)/90, Stoneskin:10/90, Air Walk, Longstrider, Bless, Haste) d20+11=31 d20+11=31 3d6(3+6+2)+26=37 3d6(1+4+1)+26=32 3d6(4+6+3)+26=39 d20+11=15 d20+6=26 d20+6=25 3d6(2+4+2)+26=34 3d6(1+6+5)+26=38 3d6(6+4+2)+26=38 d20+5=21 Tuesday October 31st, 2006 3:05:09 PM
Mac takes a 5' step getting Jake out of the mud, and attacks the oglian warrior 4, declaring Dodge (AC:27) against the Mantis.
Haste Attack: AC:31(Crit:31) for 37+32+39=108 damage. Fort Save vs massive damage. Attack 1: AC:15 (Miss) Attack 2: AC:26(Crit:25) for 34+38+38=110 damage. 2nd Fort Save vs massive damage
Reflex Save: 21.
Gilan [HP: 85/97 - AC: 27 ; 28 vs mantis] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 56/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] d20+7=21 d20+9=13 d20+12=27 d20+7=25 d20+12=18 d6+4=10 d6+4=8 d6+4=9 d20+16=31 d20+11=28 2d6(5+3)+10=18 2d6(5+4)+6=15 Tuesday October 31st, 2006 5:00:53 PM
Gilan is able to dodge the worst of the lightning that passes over his body. He watches the fight for just a few seconds. "The red robe is a druid." With a sinking feeling he moves in at the giant mantis with scimitar in hand. Setting his scimitar to work he tries to tear at least some damage into the giant bug.
Ciaran is not as lucky as his brother as he gets a full jolt from the lightning. With a growl he moves with his brother in the direction of the giant mantis as well. His teeth snap at the giant bug trying to get a good spot on the leg.
[Gilan - hit: 27/25/18 and damage: 10/8/9] [Ciaran - hit: 31/28 and damage: 18/15]
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage]
Trellus (ac 23, 38/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) d20+7=9 d20+10=18 Tuesday October 31st, 2006 9:32:25 PM
Trellus is caught looking one way while lightning bolts and large ants are coming the other way. Both rip into the cleric, eliciting a grunt of pain. [Reflex 9]
Light, things went from shady to sunbaked in a hurry.
Trellus takes a 5' step northeast to try and get away from Oglian 4.
He then casts a spell at the Mantis. [Dispel Magic - caster check 18 (should dispel it if 7th level spell or less)]
And finally, he shouts a command word to activate a second spell [Sanctuary (Quickened) - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus]
Finale Oglian Battle, 3. (DM Jim) d100=53 d100=22 d100=51 d100=29 d20+7=22 d20+7=27 d3=2 d20+19=24 d20+17=33 d20+19=27 d8+8=9 d8+8=10 d8+8=12 d20+19=24 d20+17=28 d20+19=27 d8+8=10 d8+8=9 d8+8=9 5d6(5+4+4+3+6)=22 5d6(3+5+3+6+3)=20 d20+19=27 d20+17=30 2d6(3+3)+10=16 2d6(1+4)+10=15 d20+16=32 d6+5=11 d20+20=27 d20+19=27 d20+19=39 d20+19=34 d20+19=32 d20+19=35 d20+19=26 d20+15=16 d8+10=12 d8+10=14 2d8(4+8)+10=22 d8+10=17 d8+10=17 d8+10=17 d8+7=10 Wednesday November 1st, 2006 12:06:10 AM Flea now in the clutches of the large worker finds her work cut out for her. She once again sends her sword stabbing at the thing. She is not sure if she is just making it mad or maybe killing it.
Jake just barely avoids the lightning that comes spearing at him. He gets off a single attack upon the warrior ant that just attacked Trellus.
Grymash sends his axe into a spin that sends a series of attacks upon the large gorilla. His first attack and third attack find nothing but air, despite the fact that he could have sworn that they hit. The other two attacks hit the druid though and rended the gorilla's flesh.
Trellus finds that his spell is enough to send the mantis back to where it came from. He does hope that his next spell works out better for him as he casts sanctuary.
Tishe' sends the second bison to help out the first one and it storms off. She then puts another plan into action and forms a web over the hole that the workers are coming out of so that they cannot go back that way. Her first bison slams it's horns into the worker that is holding Flea.
Mac tears into the warrior Oglain with his own brand of vengeance. His axe cuts deep into the creature.
Gilan moves in on the mantis only to find that it is already been taken care off. Ciaran is not too happy to find that his enemy is already gone. Gilan sends his dire wolf that just appeared off to harasses the worker that has Flea in a death grip.
Oglian warrior1 puts a series of three javelins into the air at Grymash[hit: 24/33/27 and damage: 9/10/12].
Oglian warrior2 throws a series of three javelins at Grymash as well[hit: 24/28/27 and damage: 10/9/9].
Oglian warrior3 pulls up a pair of javelins and throws them in the direction of Jake, all three go but a short distance before they burst into lightning[damage: 22/20].
Oglian warrior4 brings his large spear bearing in on Trellus with a pair of jabs(Will 27/30)[hit: 31/ and damage: 16/15].
Oglian worker group scoop up four cocooned prisoners that they are near. They then move to one of the holes that are not webed over.
Oglian worker6 once again feels the sting of Fleas sword, but it retaliates with a sting from it's tail[hit: 32 and damage: 11 ; grapple: 27].
The Queen gives some silent orders to the two earth elementals that appear. Turning her sights upon the second bison she casts another of her spells at the creature. The two earth elementals sink into the ground and start their way towards the group.
The RedClaw accepts the few blows that land from the enlarged Grymash. The girallon sends a series of claw attacks at Grymash, but ends it with a bite[hit: 27/39*crit34*/32/35/28/16 and damage: 12/14*crit22*/17/17/17/10].
Enemy AC RedClaw: 26 Oglian worker6: 24
[b]Player Sanity [Reflex DC 14 for javelin of lightning for Jake, Gilan, Ciaran and Tishe']
[Dismissal on celestial bison: Will DC 23 or return to own plane.]
[Grymash: Fort DC 23 or 1d10 CON damage, Fort DC 15 or die from massive damage.]
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) d20+1=5 d20+13=23 d20+10=13 d20+10=24 4d6(6+6+5+4)+2=23 Wednesday November 1st, 2006 2:54:10 AM
"There are too many holes and too many children to stop the Oglians!" Tishe' cries in frustration. She thinks furiously and then sees another plan. "The Queen is the key!", she shouts at Trellus, "just like real ants, she can get the others to stop fighting and bring back the children. We must get HER to surrender!"
Pulling out a reddish gem from her Pants O Plenty, the mage crushes it in her hand, summoning a Large Fire Elemental to appear next to Warrior #4. She then moves further into the cavern and to her right to get a better line of sight on the Queen.
With the Oglian on Trellus being the closest enemy, the Fire Elemental attacks.
Celestial Bison #1 wavers as the Queen's spell strikes him, (Will: 5) and then fades to the Lands of Rest.
Celestial Bison #2 closing with Flea and the grappling ant, attempts what his brother did scant minutes before, but the hard carapace of the ant sheds any damage (AC23).
Large Fire Elemental spies the closest enemy and surges towards Oglian #4. One Slamming fist of fire is close (AC 24) and delivers severe burns (23 damage + Save Con DC 17 or burn)
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.6 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.6 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.6 turns Speak with Animals: 45 rounds
Web: 499 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Large Fire Elelmental [9 rounds] AC:18 HP:60 A: 2 Slams +10 D: 2d6+2 plus 2d6 fire; Damage reduction 5/--, darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits, immunity to fire, vulnerability to cold; Burn: Con Save DC 17 or afire for d4 rounds for 2d6 dam per round. Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack
Haste: on Grymash, Mac, Jake, Gilan, Trellus rounds - +1 attack, to hit, AC(dodge), and Reflex saves; +30 foot move (with Rod of Enlarge)
Activated Items Rod of Extend: 3 Rod of Enlarge: 1 Pearl of Power: used
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt, Haste*
Posting Report (Bad ADM MikeK) Wednesday November 1st, 2006 1:43:52 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Oct 23-27
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XOXOX
Trellus XOXOX
Tishe XOXOX
Jake XOXOX
Gilan XOXOX
Grymash XOXOX
Mac XOXOX
Flea XOXOX
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Tuesday ended up being a trasition day from ADM MikeK back to DM JimW.
Important Note from Dumb DM. (DM Jim) Wednesday November 1st, 2006 2:50:39 PM
For those of you that maybe wondering and since I have forgotten to stat it in my posts.
The cocooned foodstuffs that are being taken away are not the children. They are some other bodies that you saw in the cavern when you entered.
Please also be advised that I had to do some editing to my post to make up for a few miscues on my part. Guess that is what happens you are sick, tired and on cold medicine while trying to do a good DM post.
Grymash (AC 28, rage hp 69/(104)122, rage3, freedom of movement3, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, stoneskin(31/90), bless, enlarge) d20+16=33 d20+14=22 d20+14=34 d20+14=32 d20+12=27 d20+12=19 2d6(2+6)+26=34 2d6(3+2)+16=21 2d6(2+2)+16=20 2d6(6+5)+16=27 2d6(6+4)+16=26 d20+14=22 d10=4 Wednesday November 1st, 2006 7:41:23 PM
Grymash's eyes widen with fury with the sudden presence of the large four-armed furry man-thing?! It only gods his resolve to drop this treadle with another flurry of hack and slashes.
(Total Possible Damage: 128; Fortitude Save DC 15 or die from massive damage)
(Fort 22; -4 to Con)
Gilan [HP: 74/97 - AC: 27 ; 28 vs mantis] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 34/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] d20+7=25 d20+9=11 d20+7=26 d20+9=17 d20+12=24 d20+7=22 d20+12=18 d6+4=9 d6+4=10 d6+4=9 d20+16=17 d20+11=14 2d6(3+1)+10=14 2d6(2+2)+10=14 d20+11=20 d8+10=15 Wednesday November 1st, 2006 8:00:48 PM
Gilan is really starting to hate the fact that these Oglian have those javelins. He moves in closer to the warrior Oglian near then and takes a number of swings at it with his scimitar.
Ciaran is by far the unluckies of the two as he takes the full brunt of yet another bit of lightning, though he is able to twist out of the way of the second one. He comes in low and hard at the same warrior as his brother.
The dire wolf comes in low to try and get at the worker's legs.
[Gilan - hit: 26/24/20 and damage: 9/10/9] [Ciaran - hit: 19/16 and damage: 14/14] [dire wolf - hit: 20 and damage: 15]
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage] [summon nature's ally III - 8round - HP: 45 - AC: 14]
Mac (AC:26, HP:60/90, Stoneskin:10/90, Air Walk, Longstrider, Bless, Haste) d20+12=28 3d6(5+2+2)+26=35 d20+12=19 d20+7=12 Wednesday November 1st, 2006 10:00:31 PM
Dodge vs Oglian Warrior 4 (AC:27)
Unimpressed that the warrior is still upright after two 'hundredweight' hits last round, and seeing he is now the only thing between it and it's intended target (Trellus), Mac sees little choice but to take another rising 5' step, and attempt to replicate or better his previous attacks. In amongst it all he yells, "Trellus! ...swing... "Scrolls!" ...swing... "any time" ...swing... "you're ready!"
Haste Attack hits AC:28 for 35 damage 1st Attack hits AC:19 for a miss 2nd Attack hits AC:12 for a miss
Flea (AC 21+1 Hasted, 9/56 HP) d20+13=25 d4+2=6 2d6(2+3)=5 d20+13=27 d4+2=4 2d6(6+1)=7 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 12:09:32 AM
"Ah...ah...ah!" cries the rogue as the pincers squeeze harder. Unable to get away, even if she tried, Flea calls out as she hacks at the creature in desperation "Domi! Give me courage!"
The rogue's holy short sword cuts at the ant creature, hit AC 25 for 6 pts dmg, +5 if evil and AC 27 for 4 pts dmg, +7 if evil.
Position: same
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 5/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Finale Oglian Battle, 4. (DM Jim) d100=76 d100=49 d100=3 d20+19=35 d20+17=28 d20+19=22 d8+8=13 d8+8=14 d8+8=10 d20+19=21 d20+17=28 d20+19=28 d8+8=12 d8+8=16 d8+8=11 d20+16=25 d6+5=8 d20+20=33 d20+19=23 d20+19=20 d20+19=28 d20+19=28 d20+19=35 d20+15=32 d8+10=12 d8+10=18 d8+10=14 d8+10=11 d8+10=11 d8+7=9 d20+14=28 d20+14=28 d20+18=36 d20+18=34 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 12:29:16 AM Flea prays to Domi as she takes another couple of stabs at the worker that is holding her.
Jake is momentarily blinded by the flash of lightning that goes off not once but twice near him.
Grymash sends his axe into another flurry of blows, especially after the last rips from the claws of the thing. Still he is only able to get one strike to bite deep into the druid. The others seem to be on target but never find anything substantial to hit.
Trellus falls into retreat mode and moves behind the large Mac for protection. He then taps himself with the wand in his hand, for some healing.
Tishe' calls out a new plan to attack the Queen who should be the brains of this operation. She crushes an elemental gem that brings to life a fire elemental near the Oglian warrior nearest her. With one bison gone the other takes it's place but cannot find a hold for it's horns. The fire elemental slams a fist into the warrior ant but does not seem to be effected much by the fire.
Mac finally gets the large Oglian warrior to drop to the ground in defeat. It took a lot of work but it did happen.
Gilan and Ciaran both move a little closer in to attach the warrior ant, but find that it is already dead after the hits from Mac.
Oglian warrior1 continues his assault upon Grymash on the orders of his Queen[hit: 35/28/22 and damage: 13/14/10].
Oglian warrior2 gets the same orders and three more javelins fly[hit: 21/28/28 and damage: 12/16/11].
Oglian warrior3 scuttles across the mud as if it was not there, drawing it's spear as it moves.
Oglian warrior4 slumps to the floor, falling on top of the very spear that it was wielding.
Oglian worker group find a different hole that they can slip down, one by one.
Oglian worker6 brings it's tail back around for a strike at the held Flea[hit: 25 and damage: 8 ; grapple: 33].
The Queen sends silent commands to the bison to stop it's attack and turn on the true enemies(Will DC 20 or move back in the direction of the Pack). You once again feel that buzz in your heads and know that she is starting to cast another spell.
The RedClaw is once again torn by the axe of Grymash but the return blows from claw and bite are telling[hit: 23/20/28/28/35/32 and damage: 12/18/14/11/11/9].
Earth Elementals both reach up through the ground right under Mac. Two sets of hand grab at his legs and try to pull him down[hit(flat-footed): 28/28 and grapple: 36/34].
Enemy AC RedClaw: 26 Oglian worker: 24 Oglian warrior: 26
Player Sanity [The children are not being carried away yet.]
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) 5d6(5+5+5+5+6)=26 d20+1=20 d20+11=15 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 2:42:28 AM
(OOC: Tishe' moves 30 feet forward and to the right last round [see last post] Lots of stuff going on, DM, great job and I'm wondering how we're going to win this one. I'm loving it!)
The druidic mage moves another thirty feet to her right and forward, intending to line up and assist Flea as well as get closer to the queen. She uses the Rod of Enlarge in her hand to boost a spell to strike the Queen.
A flash and the acrid stench of ozone fills the cavern as a Lightning Bolt arcs impossibly long (240 feet) through the Queen (and Warrior in the way if possible) for 26 damage (Save Reflex DC 17 or half) The bolt also is intended to disrupt the Queen's casting! (Concentration DC 10 + damage (26 or 13) + level of spell Queen is casting)
Celestial Bison #2 (amazingly) shrugs off the Queen's suggestion, and continues to flank the Worker Ant (and giving Flea flanking!), but again fails to connect. (AC 15)
Large Fire Elemental exults as the Warrior falls before it, and rushes to meet the next enemy. Unfortunately, the fire elemental is unable to enter any non-flammable liquid (like mud), and so he double-moves 100 feet towards the Queen and her guards.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.5 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.5 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.5 turns Speak with Animals: 44 rounds
Web: 498 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Large Fire Elelmental [8 rounds] AC:18 HP:60 A: 2 Slams +10 D: 2d6+2 plus 2d6 fire; Damage reduction 5/--, darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits, immunity to fire, vulnerability to cold; Burn: Con Save DC 17 or afire for d4 rounds for 2d6 dam per round. Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack
Haste: 5 rounds :Grymash, Mac, Jake, Gilan, Trellus - +1 attack, to hit, AC(dodge), and Reflex saves; +30 foot move (with Rod of Extend)
Activated Items Rod of Extend: 3 Rod of Enlarge: 2 Pearl of Power: used
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Jake (AC 31, hp -9/59, barkskin, Hasted) d20+7=13 d20+7=13 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 4:09:38 AM
The first bolt of lightning knocks him off-balance, the second flings him off his feet and tumbling to the ground. Jake is out and really hurt.
Gilan [HP: 74/97 - AC: 27 ; 28 vs mantis] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 34/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] 3d8(4+8+1)+9=22 d8=5 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 2:01:55 PM
Cursing under his breath as he sees everything going wrong he moves to the one person that he can help out now.
He comes to kneel at the form of Jake and lays a hand upon him. "Have to get you back up my friend...I doubt we can make this one too easily." He pours nature healing into Jake(csw for 26) and hopes it is enough.
Ciaran moves back to the side of his brother. Still he keeps some distance as he nurses the number of burn marks upon his skin and fur.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage] [summon nature's ally III - 7round - HP: 45 - AC: 14]
Mac (AC:26, HP:60/90, Stoneskin:10/90, Air Walk, Longstrider, Bless, Haste) d20+12=30 3d6(5+6+4)+26=41 d20+12=32 d20+12=29 3d6(5+6+6)+26=43 3d6(2+1+1)+26=30 3d6(4+5+3)+26=38 d20+7=19 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 3:21:06 PM
Mac casts a glance about from his position - 7' clear of the stony ground below - and sees only one threat within 50' - Olgian warrior 3. Taking a 5' step towards it, he tries to mete out more punishment.
Haste Attack hits AC:30 for 41 damage 1st Attack hits AC:32(Crit AC:29) for 43+30+38=111 damage (Fort save DC15 or die from massive damage) 2nd Attack hits AC:19 (miss)
Need to check out my post for the earth elementals. They both are attempting to grab your feet from under you. They can more than reach seven feet into the air if they wish.
Flea (AC 21+1 Hasted, 1/56 HP) d20+6=19 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 8:16:31 PM
In the grasp of the Oglian worker, Flea registers that help has been sent her way in the form of the bison and the wolf. Close to passing out, the sorely wounded gnome does the only thing she can think of: she lets her wonderful sword drop from her hand, and she goes completely limp in the creature's grasp. (Bluff=19) The rogue trusts that the worker won't have the sense to figure out her ruse.
With her eyes closed, Flea focuses on the cold gem embedded in her chest. Praying that its magic hasn't completely vanished, she tries to send a message to her friends that she is still alive...for now.
Position: same
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 5/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
(OOC: I don't believe flanking applies when one is grappled! DM correct me if I am wrong.-Carla)
Trellus (ac 23, 28/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) d20+10=16 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 9:02:50 PM
There are way too many picks weaving, and not many the cleric can do anything about.
Gilan has Jake. Flea is already down. Trellus decides to try for those arms grabbing Mac.
He casts a spell at the first one. [Dispel Magic - caster check 16]
"Which spell do you want?" he asks the taur. -------- Spells in effect:
Owls Wisdom: 9.4 minutes Haste Sanctuary: 9 rounds - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Grymash (AC 30, rage hp 31/122, rage4, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, bless, enlarge, fighting defensively) d20+17=29 d20+15=24 d20+15=35 d20+15=29 d20+10=21 d20+10=26 2d6(3+2)+16=21 2d6(6+6)+10=22 2d6(6+3)+10=19 2d6(5+2)+10=17 2d6(2+3)+10=15 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 9:21:55 PM
(Does Gry see why his hits are missing? Because he has been hitting the AC more than once.)
Grymash continues his onslaught but after feeling so much of his life leaving him, so much of his boiling crimson spewing from his body. He takes a more defensive posture. A raging defensive posture. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Must make Fortitude Save DC 15 or die from massive damage.)
Finale Oglian Battle, 5. (DM Jim) d100=2 d100=44 d100=29 d20+8=28 d20+8=11 d6=3 d20+19=34 d20+17=19 d20+19=32 2d6(5+6)+10=21 2d6(6+2)+10=18 2d6(2+4)+10=16 d20+19=37 d20+19=27 d20+19=29 d20+19=23 d20+19=30 d20+15=24 d8+10=16 d8+10=18 d8+10=16 d8+10=14 d8+10=11 d8+7=12 d20+22=34 d20+22=38 Thursday November 2nd, 2006 11:46:18 PM Flea slumps in the workers mandibles, trying to fool the thing into thinking she is out of the fight. She attempts to send a message to those that are still receiving them that she is still alive.
Jake goes down under the combined assault of the lightning.
Grymash falls back into a defensive posture and tries to hit the druid. Though he could have sworn his hits were on target none of his swipes hit the druid.
Trellus uses a spell to try and free up Mac from one of the elementals, but the arms do not disappear.
Tishe' sends a bolt of lightning across the way to slam into the Queen. Her second bison is not effected by the will of the Queen and slams it horns in again at the worker but misses. The large fire elemental moves around the mud area and towards the Queen.
Mac is grabbed from below and he feels himself being tugged back down to the ground by a pair of somethings.
Gilan moves to the side of Jake and sends healing into him. Ciaran moves with his brother but tries to stay in a position that he does not need to take anymore damage for now. The dire wolf comes in again at the worker trying to get a hold of flesh.
Oglian warrior1 switches to his spear and scuttles across the mud and towards the group.
Oglian warrior2 seems to be able to tell that the druid is handling things well enough and pulls up his spear. He also scuttles across the mud.
Oglian warrior3 moves towards Mac to keep him busy and let the elementals do thier job. He brings his spear stabbing in at the taur, three jabs[hit: 34/19/32 and damage: 21/18/16].
Oglian warrior4 is dead.
Oglian worker group have moved out with four of the victims.
Oglian worker6 feels Flea go limp in it's mandibles and figures she is out of the fight. He throws her in the direction of the side wall, rather hard[damage: 3, tumble DC 14 for half damage].
The Queen simply stays put as the spell washes over her. She seems totally unaffected by the spell and took no damage. For some reason she seems to be doing nothing at this time, kind of like she is watching and waiting for something.
The RedClaw smiles as all the axe attacks go wide. "Have you not figured it out yet barbarian...I am protected." The druid seems intent to gloat even in the form of a girallon, but he does tear at Grymash with claws and teeth again as well[hit: 37/27/29/23/30/24 and damage: 16/18/16/14/11/12].
Earth Elementals have pulled Mac down so that he is now up to his knees in the solid ground[grapple: 34/38].
Murdock finds himself standing in the middle of a large cavern. One minute he was eating a nice meal at Rattledam and now you find yourself in this cavern. You see a group of people being attacked by what appear to be large ants but with some differences. He appears in a blinding flash of light that leaves him still holding a fork and knife.
Enemy AC RedClaw: 26 Oglian worker: 24 Oglian warrior: 26
Player Sanity [The children are not being carried away yet.] [druid has a spell that is helping him out with taking damage, spellcraft DC 23:Highlight to display spoiler: {"displacement"}.] [No flanking while grappled for the grappled person anyways.] [Gry's Fort should have succeeded as I forgot about the protection] [Figured Grymash's hitpoints at 21 before this round of combat.] [Queen has SR 14.]
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 56/56) d20+13=22 d20+7=20 d20+11=16 d20+10=20 4d6(6+6+2+6)+2=22 2d6(5+2)=7 Friday November 3rd, 2006 3:36:20 AM
Tishe' sees that her fire elemental is about to engage the Queen so that should keep her distracted enough. Now to help her packmates!
Her brown eyes are amazed at the beating that the RedClaw is taking at the axe of Grymash. Why, a dragon would have succumbed by now! But wait... (Spellcraft: 22) almost she is able to see how he is doing it, but not quite. Nevertheless, there is something that she can do about it.
The Pants O Plenty come alive again as a scroll easily slips into her hand. Reading the scroll, Tishe' focuses a dispelling force against the RedClaw's protections. (DC 20)
"Hit him now, Grymash!" she calls. And then moves 30 more feet to her right, cause that Oglian Warrior is getting entirely too close!
Celestial Bison #2 flanks the Worker with the wolf to keep the Oglian occupied, and again fails to connect with its sharp horns.
Large Fire Elemental charges 100 more feet into the Queen and strikes. With great agility (mobility and spring attack) the elemental avoids any immediate retaliation by the Queen. (AC 20, D; 22 + DC 17 or burn for 7)
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.4 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.4 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.4 turns Speak with Animals: 43 rounds
Web: 497 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Large Fire Elelmental [7 rounds] AC:18 HP:60 A: 2 Slams +10 D: 2d6+2 plus 2d6 fire; Damage reduction 5/--, darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits, immunity to fire, vulnerability to cold; Burn: Con Save DC 17 or afire for d4 rounds for 2d6 dam per round. Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack
Haste: 4 rounds :Grymash, Mac, Jake, Gilan, Trellus - +1 attack, to hit, AC(dodge), and Reflex saves; +30 foot move (with Rod of Extend)
Activated Items Rod of Extend: 3 Rod of Enlarge: 2 Pearl of Power: used
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Mac (AC:26, HP:60/90, Stoneskin:10/90, Air Walk, Longstrider, Bless, Haste) d20+17=18 d20+17=33 d20+17=22 Friday November 3rd, 2006 6:04:30 AM
[OOC] What size are the earth elementals? If I understand thing correctly I can make 1 check for every attack Mac would have per round. With Haste that is 3. And please confirm that Mac has been dragged 10' down, and as such is now buried up to his knees in solid rock?[/OOC]
Mac struggles to loosen the grip of the... 7' long arms!
To Trellus he calls back, [b]"Bull's would be a great start. Enlarge would be positively shady, if y' had a spare!"[b]
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 Friday November 3rd, 2006 11:20:31 AM
After the momentary suprise of being transported away from his nice dinner, Murdock realizes he is in a combat situation. Such calamities being typical in his life, he is well practiced at being defensive. Muttering a inimately familiar incantation, Murdock cast Mage Armor on himself granting +4 AC.
Now Murdock carefully skirts around the fracess between the giant ant, the wolf, and the glowing-beast thing toward to motionless gnome crupled against the wall. Movement (30' toward Flea)
Murdock an Introduction Friday November 3rd, 2006 11:39:56 AM
(OOC:Wasn't really sure what to put here so I will recap and then through roleplay I will tell you all a bit about the character)
A midnight black elf with lavender eyes appears in a blinding white flash of light in the cave. He is still holding a knife and fork, with an utterly suprised look on his face.
The elf (surfance drow) has brilliant white and silver tattoos crawling up his arms to the base of his neck. Shortly after the suprise fades, the elf starts to mutter an incantation. After the incantation is finished, a glowing and shimmering field of force surrounds him, and he makes his way to the crumpled form of the gnome.
When he reaches the gnome, his says simply, "little mice shouldn't venture where cats lie in wait. My name is Murdock Trizica, and I suppose I am here to help you."
Trellus (ac 23, 28/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) d20+5=15 Friday November 3rd, 2006 3:46:40 PM
The cleric reaches into the back of his HHH and a scroll appears in his hand. Ripping it open, he casts Bulls Strength on Mac.
A flash of light, and a startled looking dark elf appears and heads over to Flea. Trellus figures he's not a bad guy [Sense Motive 15] and he's a spellcaster. The blond man yells "Whoever you are, BLAST something!" ... and then quickly changes his mind.
"No! Wait! Get the gnome and get over here!" -------- Spells in effect:
Owls Wisdom: 9.2 minutes Haste Sanctuary: 7 rounds - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Jake Friday November 3rd, 2006 10:26:34 PM
Jake gets up this round, and picks up his sword. He'd do more, but I think both of those take move actions. "I HATE ants. You can't even eat them..." he mutters angrily. "Catterpillars are okay, and those big juicy slugs...but ants, ugh."
Gilan [HP: 74/97 - AC: 23] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 34/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] 2d8(8+5)+9=22 d20+15=16 Saturday November 4th, 2006 12:27:18 AM
Gilan does not like the idea but he takes the time to send some more nature healing (heal 22 HP to Jake) into Jake as he stands. "Try to get you back to good Jake...just give me a couple here." He gives the man a smile as he does. "Trell...we need to help Gry get rid of that druid...then we can deal with Mac as he takes care of the warriors." It is a crazy plan and he is not sure how they are going to do it. Still he pulls out his sling and a couple of bullets, letting his shield and scimitar stay on the cavern floor.
Ciaran is growling at the approaching ants, not at all liking the way this is going. Still he moves between Jake and Gilan to protect them till they are ready.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage] [summon nature's ally III - 6round - HP: 45 - AC: 14]
Will make a DM post later. Wanted to get replies from both Flea and Gry first...though I can make an action for them.
Grymash (AC 16, rage hp -6/122, prone, rage5, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, bless, enlarge) d100=11 Saturday November 4th, 2006 3:35:14 AM
(If Gry only has 21 hitpoints, as Jim said, then Gry's screwed. However, I counted 31 hitpoints.)
Grymash doesnt get it. His attacks should have connected. Many more times than they did. Even when blinded, Grymash had the insight to find his opponent with his third eye, the unblinking, ever watching eye of Lord Gargul (Blind-Fight Feat granted by the Insight Domain).
Alas, the mighty reaper of Gargul falls to the muddy floor. His body still tense and rigid with fury fueled by adrenaline. However, even though the half-orc was able to stabilize (Stabilize roll: 11%), its only a hollow victory. For his very life, the mere threads of his existence, is being kept alive by his anger. As his feral nature quickly begins to fade away so does the last few beats of his heart, before all goes cold and dark.
"Lord Gargul ... I fear I have failed you, my Lord. I fought in your name, and I failed. Please forgive me. Im lost. I dont deserve your mercy or love. I offer you my soul to do with what you will. Cast me into the infernal flames, if you must. I deserve no better."
Maybe, just maybe, the red claw druid is actually not as protected as he thought he was. Could've the magic he has put so much faith in actually conceal the fact that his wounds go much deeper than he'd expected?! No one, not even those whose power rivals that of the dragons is beyond the reach of Lord Gargul.
(If Gry does have 31hp, he'd still be up and kicking. If that's the case, I will post a different action. Otherwise, Gry has three rounds of life left until his rage ends.)
Flea (AC 21, 0/56 HP) d20+15=29 Sunday November 5th, 2006 12:41:23 AM
When the worker-ant casts her aside, the rogue rolls with the momentum (tumble=29), but it is not enough. The final ingnomy is enough to disable her. Flea lies sprawled on the ground, then is blinded by a flash of white light. "Domi? Is that you?" she says in barely more than a whisper.
Position:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 5/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Finale Oglian Battle, 6. (DM Jim) d20+17=24 d20+17=29 d20+17=31 d20+19=23 2d6(6+5)+10=21 d20+19=21 2d6(4+6)+10=20 d20+19=38 d20+17=32 d20+19=28 2d6(3+1)+10=14 2d6(2+4)+10=16 2d6(6+5)+10=21 d20+17=36 d20+15=18 d8+6=13 d6+4=8 d20+22=35 d20+22=37 2d8(2+2)+16=20 2d8(4+4)+16=24 d20+20=40 d20+20=22 Sunday November 5th, 2006 3:00:10 PM Flea is able to roll with the toss but it brings her into contact with the wall and that is enough to bump what little wits she has about her. She remembers a light and a form walking towards her as she passes out.
Jake slowly gets to his feet, retrieving his sword and shield as he does. His comments are most likely taken in by the rest or just pasted off.
Grymash is still on his feet but with little life in his body(HP: 4). He sucks in air as he prepares himself for what maybe his last attack.
Trellus calls for the new person to blast something, then he has a better idea and calls him to rally with the rest of the group.
Tishe' casts a simple spell that may have just taken care of the whole problem with the druid. He fire elemental has finally reached the Queen who does not seem at all bothered, even with it slaming her. Her celestial bison has no luck as it cannot find a purchase upon the workers carapace.
Mac is now up to his a little above his chest in the solid cavern floor as he calls for more assistance.
Gilan pours more healing into Jake to get him back into better condition. Ciaran is still by his side but more than ready for a little fracas. The dire wolf slams in from the other side of the worker, timing his attacks with the celestial bison.
Murdock casts a spell to aid in his own protection as he moves to Flea, who is now crumpled against the wall but breathing.
Oglian warrior1 moves at Trellus and brings his spear jabbing in at the poor man[hit: 23 and damage: 21].
Oglian warrior2 scuttles in the direction of Jake and Gilan but finds Ciaran in his way. His spear intends to deal with this arrogant wolf as he stabs at the beast[hit: 21 and damage: 20].
Oglian warrior3 seems to think that the situation is funny as you hear a buzzing laugh in your heads. Stil he brings his spear to bear upon Mac[hit: 38/32/28 and damage: 14/16/21].
Oglian warrior4 is dead.
Oglian worker group returns and seems to be ready to take the last of the cocooned group down to the lower caverns. They are even now making ready to pick them up and leave.
Oglian worker6 turns on the dire wolf with mandibles snapping and stinger coming in over its head[hit: 36/18 and damage: 13/8].
The Queen smashes out with her own set of arms at the fire elemental[hit: 35/37 and damage: 20/24]. She does not seem to fear the fire at all.
The RedClaw is in suspended animation till Grymash can do a new post. :)
Earth Elementals pull Mac down a little further still as they try to get him up to his neck in a bad situation[grapple: 40/22].
Enemy AC RedClaw: 26 Oglian worker: 24 Oglian warrior: 26
Player Sanity [The children are not being carried away yet.] [No flanking while grappled for the grappled person anyways.] [Figured Grymash's hitpoints at 21 before this round of combat.] [Queen has SR 14.]
I decided to rule in favor of Grymash and give him the 31 hit points. I will also be expecting a dual post from Grymash or a new one depending on what Stephen wants to do. Sorry but the druid is still alive even taking into account blind-fighting.
I will also try to get out a battle map ASAP. Things are getting a little out of sorts around here. :(
Grymash (AC 28, rage hp 4/122, rage5, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, bless, enlarge) d20+16=29 d20+14=27 d20+14=31 d20+10=30 d20+10=14 d20+10=20 2d6(6+5)+25=36 2d6(4+1)+16=21 2d6(6+3)+16=25 2d6(6+1)+16=23 Sunday November 5th, 2006 10:54:02 PM
Grymash looks weakened. His body is a bloody mess with the pummeling he's been taking from this four-armed beast. Its easy to see that this reaper of Gargul is on his last legs. If he doesnt drop this druid now, he's not going to live for another chance. If he's not pounded to death by this treadle, the wounds he's taken so far will certain finish him off after his adrenaline rush subsides.
For one last onslaught, Grymash musters up all the strength he has left. His double axe, drenched in blood, prepares to gorge itself on last, fateful time.
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) d20+11=20 d20+10=28 d20+10=11 4d6(6+4+2+3)+2=17 2d6(4+4)=8 Monday November 6th, 2006 3:09:15 AM
The plain-faced girl moves further into the room and looks to see who else needs her help. Flea is being helped by a new black-skinned warrior and the bison and wolf are keeping the ant in play. Good. Grymash looks dead on his feet and still hacking at the druid, so Tishe' helps through the gem embedded in her chest. The Dragon's Eye flashes and Grymash's endurance increases (Grymash gains 15 hit points; Tishe' loses 45 hit points)
Gilan is helping Jake, Trellus is hard-pressed with an ant and Mac is ... Sweet Mother! Mac is buried up to his neck! A quick casting and Tishe' gives Mac the only help she can think of in a short time; she weaves a grease spell on one of the earth elementals. (Reflex DC 16 or drop whatever holding i.e. Mac)
Celestial Bison #2 flanks the Worker with the wolf to keep the Oglian occupied, and again fails to connect with its sharp horns. (AC 20)
Large Fire Elemental is pummelled by the Queen but still continues its relentless buffeting with two slams. (AC 28/11, D; 17 + DC 17 or burn for 8)
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.3 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.3 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.3 turns Speak with Animals: 42 rounds
Web: 496 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Large Fire Elelmental [6 rounds] AC:18 HP:26/60 A: 2 Slams +10 D: 2d6+2 plus 2d6 fire; Damage reduction 5/--, darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits, immunity to fire, vulnerability to cold; Burn: Con Save DC 17 or afire for d4 rounds for 2d6 dam per round. Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack
Haste: 3 rounds :Grymash, Mac, Jake, Gilan, Trellus - +1 attack, to hit, AC(dodge), and Reflex saves; +30 foot move (with Rod of Extend)
Activated Items Rod of Extend: 3 Rod of Enlarge: 2 Pearl of Power: used
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 d8+1=7 Monday November 6th, 2006 10:19:55 AM
The drow draws close to the little gnome (Movement 5')and lays his hands on the bloodied and battered form. He speaks in ancient Woldian for a moment, and his tattoo's glow a brilliant cobalt for just a second before returning back to their silver/white lattice. (Cure Light Wounds on Flea: Healed for 7 points of dmg.)
He then tells the gnome, let us go see about your companions, and then he moves back to his original location (Movement 25') once again giving the embattled ant creature a wide berth.
Jake(AC 27, barkskin, hp 33/59) d20+12=23 d10=5 d6=6 Monday November 6th, 2006 6:51:02 PM
Jake wants to go rush help his packmate, Gry, as the half-orc stands on his last legs, fighting against the warrior that has torn him quite a bit up. Or, to help Trellus, his best bud, who in Jake's mind has never really been good at direct combat (his and Gry's job). Or, he could even do the most honorable and warrior-like thing, and take on the ant that's coming towards him but is blocked by the wolf. However, in his mind, he hears the words of that poor girl he met back in town, and the villagers' pleas. And the worried looks. His eyes light upon the insignificant ant workers that are pulling the kids away, dragging them off to their doom. If they survive this battle, they may have to retreat again...and what would that leave them with? Dead opponents do not mean saved lives... And I made a promise, he thinks to himself, gripping his sword. "Guys, I'll be there in a sec!" he yells out to his assaulted buddies. Then he dashes across the room, carefully avoiding the muddy areas, and suffering as many attacks as necessary to get by the oglians between him and the cocoons that are being pulled away. Then he whoops loudly and brings his sword down hard on the ant-workers, trying to scatter them and scare them away from the orphans.
(I move between the ant and the cocoons, and if I still have move attacks, I will try to smash him for (wielding sword two handed, hit AC 23), damage 16 and 6 freezing damage)
Gilan [HP: 74/97 - AC: 23] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 34/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] d20+12=19 d4+2=4 d20+16=35 d20+11=29 2d6(2+2)+10=14 2d6(2+5)+6=13 d20+8=12 d6+4=8 Monday November 6th, 2006 8:46:52 PM
Gilan sets his sling to twirling as he takes a mark upon the druid. With Ciaran covering him for the time being he needs to get Gry free to help out and get healed.
Ciaran easily dodges the spear that comes in at him and comes charging back in, biting at the ant.
[Gilan - hit: 19 and damage: 4] [Ciaran - hit: 35/29 and damage: 14/13] [Dire Wolf - hit: 12 and damage: 8]
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage] [summon nature's ally III - 5round - HP: 45 - AC: 14]
Flea (AC 21, 7/56 HP) d20+13=21 d20+6=14 d20-1=14 Monday November 6th, 2006 9:10:45 PM
The rogue's eyes flutter briefly, before opening, "Gargul's eye!" she squeeks, "Who are you!"
Flea scrambles to find the sword she had previously dropped (Search=21) and tries to retrieve it (Sleight of Hand=14) while the ant-worker is distracted by the conjured bison and wolf.
Figuring the dark elf for a good-guy (Sense Motive=14) she whispers, "lets get behind the queen, and stick her!" Flea will, however stay by the newcomer.
DM Sanity:
Position: South and a little West from the Oglian Worker?-working with an old map :-(
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 5/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Mac (AC:26, HP:19/90, Stoneskin:Gone, Air Walk, Longstrider, Bless, Haste) d20+19=25 d20+19=36 d20+19=23 Monday November 6th, 2006 9:36:24 PM OOC: One of the elementals looses his grip (fail on a 1,2 or 3 - rolled a 2). If Tishe's spell effects the other one, then the following post makes no sense whatsoever.
With the benefit of the spell Trellus casts, Mac fights back against the earth elementals, easily breaking the grip of one, but not the other.
Declared Dodge (AC:27... that should be higher, given he has 75+% cover... AC:31?) against Oglian Warrior 3.
Trellus (ac 23, 7/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) d20+7=24 5d8(1+7+5+8+8)=29 Monday November 6th, 2006 10:23:51 PM
Trellus is rocked by the ant taur. We're gonna lose, the cleric thinks unbelievingly. How in Domi's name did that happen? Gry, Mac, Jake - all gone. Just him and this thrice baked treadle sticking him.
Trellus backs up 30' and fires off a spell. Maybe he can take somebody with him.
[Searing Light on Oglian 1. Ranged touch attack hits ac 24 for 29 hp damage] -------- Spells in effect:
Owls Wisdom: 9.1 minutes Haste Sanctuary: 6 rounds - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday November 7th, 2006 12:56:41 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Oct 30 - Nov 3
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXX
Trellus XXXXX
Tishe XXXXX
Jake XOXXX
Gilan XXXXX
Grymash XXXXX
Mac XXXXX
Flea XXXXX
Murdock ---XX
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Murdock started on Thursday, so no worries there. Bloodpack getting it handed to them by these sunbaked ants.
Finale Oglian Battle, 7. (DM Jim) d20+18=21 d20+16=19 2d6(5+5)+10=20 2d6(3+4)+10=17 d20+18=38 d20+18=34 d20+16=30 2d6(5+4)+10=19 4d6(4+5+4+5)+10=28 2d6(6+6)+10=22 d20+15=34 d20+13=32 d8+6=9 d6+4=8 d20+22=33 d20+22=37 2d8(2+2)+16=20 2d8(7+4)+16=27 d20+4=21 d20+4=15 d20+4=14 Wednesday November 8th, 2006 10:37:21 AM Flea picks up her sword and then has the idea of sticking the Queen. Still when Murdock moves towards the others she follows.
Jake hustles across the cavern and skirts the mud to get to the group of workers who are not carrying off the kids but will most likely be up to that very soon.
Grymash is weakend by all the blood that he has lost and he knows that this cannot go on for much longer. With all the will he can muster he slams his axe into the druid for all he is worth. His second hit sets off somekind of spell as his last two hits go through nothing but vapor.
Trellus cannot believe that they are getting their tails handed to them again. They had been on the verge of winning and now it appears that Wardd is favoring the enemy. He back off and uses a spell upon the warrior Oglian that just stuck him.
Tishe' sends healing to the ailing Gry through the use of the dragon tear. She then turns her attention to Mac, who is buried up to his waist in the cavern floor. She hopes the spell she casts will have an effect upon the elemental. Both of her summoned creatures continue thier own assaults, the bison still not being able to hit and the fire elemental getting in a good slam on the Queen.
Mac finds himself suddenly free of the grasping arms of the two elementals. He has broken the ones grip and the other slips off thanks to the spell from Tishe'. Now all he has to do is figure a way out of the ground that he is in or fight this way.
Gilan sets his sling to work and sends a bullet at the druid, but his aim is off and the bullet flies on past and somewhere in the cavern. Ciaran brings his teeth snapping at the warrior Oglian that he has moved to stop.
Murdock sends healing into Flea's body through the use of his tattoo. He then races with her back towards the group and safety.
Oglian warrior1 ever so slowly slumps to the ground his spear making a cracking sound as the creature tries to hold himself up with it. At last it cannot take the pressure and snaps in half.
Oglian warrior2 is not happy with the telling blows from the wolf and turns his attention to the animal that it now faces[hit: 21/19 and damage: 20/17].
Oglian warrior3 continues it's assault upon the stuck Mac, spear once again leading the way[hit: 38*crit34*/30 and damage: 19*crit28*/22].
Oglian warrior4 is dead.
Oglian worker group turn their collective heads to regard Jake as they hike up a cocooned body. They seem to not care as they move in the direction of a hole in the cavern floor.
Oglian worker6 is starting to slow a little though this may not be due to damage, it is hard to tell with these creatures. Still it beings it's mandibles and stinger in at the dire wolf[hit: 34/32 and damage: 9/8].
The Queen once again smashes her arms into the fire elemental, seemingly unhurt by the flames[hit: 33/37 and damage: 20/27].
The RedClaw goes into a gaseous form as the second attack lands upon the druid. "You have done well Bloodpack...but we will meet again and know that the RedClaws will remember you always." His form floats straight up and through the ceiling of the cavern.
Earth Elementals surface and now are standing on the ground near Mac. The turns as one at the stuck taur and seems focused upon him.
There is the sound of a low rumble in the cavern that can be heard by all. Bits of dust and small pieces of rock fall to the floor from the ceiling.
Enemy AC RedClaw: 26 Oglian worker: 24 Oglian warrior: 26
Player Sanity [The children are not being carried away yet.] [Queen has SR 14.]
Sorry for the absence. Had a little trouble with the computer and could not get into the Wold. Not exactly sure what happened till I called my provider and they were having some problems that was making access limited or something.
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 d20+15=33 d20+15=19 Wednesday November 8th, 2006 12:53:22 PM
(ooc: this is a revised turn to replace the one where I cast scorching ray)
Murdock see's the bloody mess that is the half-orc slam his axe down toward the druid in three devastating attacks. It seems that those attacks may be all that is left in the feirce warrior. He starts to prepare a casting but see's the druid fade into mist, and escape through the cieling.
Murdock can see that the half orc is severely injured and draws closer to him with the intention of helping. (Movement 30' toward Gry)
As Murdock surveys the room he notes that the others seem to be holding their own for the time being, and takes aim at the queen.
Murdock begins casting Evard's Black Tenticles on the ground that the queen occupies and summoning long thick black rubbery tenticles, in the 20' radius spread centered on the queen. The long tenticles attack the queen with attempts to grapple.
Grapple Check : 33 on Queen Grapple Check : 19 on any other creature in the area (think this would be the fire elemental not sure though)
Mac (AC:--, HP:-31/90, Dead) Wednesday November 8th, 2006 1:22:18 PM Mac finds himself suddenly free of the grasping arms of the two elementals. He has broken the ones grip and the other slips off thanks to the spell from Tishe'. Now all he has to do is figure a way out of the ground that he is in or fight this way...
...then the warrior skewers him twice.
Mac's head and arms slump forward, all signs of life slipping away.
OOC: And while I don't want to have to remind people, from the Tear of the Dragon: If a character dies, while implanted, all the others will feel immense pain and take 5 points of permanent hp loss. Only a wish will restore these lost hitpoints.
[Mac's AC with the cover provided from the ground would allow him an AC of 32 that would be 33 with dodge vs the ant.]
Quick Note. Wednesday November 8th, 2006 3:06:47 PM
Grymash should have his silence spell back and useable. You will also have that one arrow back as well...if you are keeping track.
Now onto the great news. It is an official ruling that in the Wold an arrow that has silence cast upon it will stay with the part that is still inside the victim, if it hits. This in effect allows the spell to be used to greater effect this way.
I am going to apologize for my earlier ruling with regards to the silence arrow. That was a rookie mistake that I should not have made. Sometimes you have to beat some people over the head with a tarrasque to get them to make a good decision.
Trellus (ac 23, 7/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) 4d8(6+8+3+7)+7=31 Wednesday November 8th, 2006 8:49:28 PM
Ant down. Red Robe down. Red Claws? Who the blazes are they? Ground shaking. Mac down. Dare we face Gargul again? Concentrate on now, before you do anyway...
"Gry!" Trellus calls. "Over here!"
Assuming the half-orc comes toward him, the cleric comes up and taps him with the healing wand. [CCW - 31 hp healed on Grymash]
[Note - If Gry doesn't get close enough, and Mac is still breathing, Trellus heals him.]
Trellus keeps the barbarian between himself and the ants.
"Dudes! We really could use some help over here!" he shouts out toward the far side of the cavern.
-------- Spells in effect:
Owls Wisdom: 9.0 minutes Haste Sanctuary: 5 rounds - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Grymash (AC 28, rage hp 19/122, rage6, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, bless, enlarge) d20+14=27 d20+5=12 Wednesday November 8th, 2006 9:06:31 PM "AAAUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!! COWARDD!!" Denied his kill, Grymash sends a barrage of spit and curses skyward at the gaseous druid. He also attempts to stomp his way to the edge of the mud, some 15-ft away. (Strength check 27 to move out of mud.)
If Grymash is able to get out, (Listen 12) he hears Trellus' call and makes haste to reach his side. (Total movement possible this around 140')
(If Gry gets to Trellus, I will add his heal amount.)
Jake Thursday November 9th, 2006 5:23:03 AM
(Ok, the dice roller isn't working for me. I dunno why, and I can't switch computers, so, I'll just assume that my action succeeds, since it's mainly an RP action anyways)
Jake grabs onto the coccoooned body the workers are trying tot ake and tugs it away. With his other hand, if he still must, he slashes the workers down. "Let him go, you stupid, dumb, worthless bugs!"
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) 4d4(3+2+4+4)+4=17 d20+11=26 d8+11=16 Thursday November 9th, 2006 7:55:12 AM
Tishe' pulls a wand and fires at the Warrior assaulting Mac. "Get away, you ant-taur!", she screams. Four bolts of magical energy strike the Oglian. (Magic missles: 17 damage)
Celestial Bison #2 flanks the Worker with the wolf , and this time the horns strike into the thorax. (AC: 26. D: 16)
Large Fire Elemental is pummelled by the Queen and disperses into mutliple wisps of flame.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.2 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.2 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.2 turns Speak with Animals: 41 rounds
Web: 495 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Gilan [HP: 74/97 - AC: 23] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 34/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] d20+16=27 d20+11=29 2d6(1+1)+10=12 2d6(3+5)+10=18 d20+10=29 d6+4=10 Thursday November 9th, 2006 8:04:12 PM
Gilan glances around and sees a possible friend to help but is not sure how to go about it. He picks up his scimitar and shield as he moves a few feet closer to the closest elemental to him. "Hey rockhead...over hear!" He tries to get the beast's attention...not sure if he can succeed.
Ciaran is able to twist himself around the spear and then comes back in with teeth leading the way.
The dire wolf comes back in on the worker trying to help out the bison on the other side.
[Gilan - hit: and damage: ] [Ciaran - hit: 27/29 and damage: 12/28] [Dire Wolf - hit: 29 and damage: 10]
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage] [summon nature's ally III - 4round - HP: 28/45 - AC: 14]
Flea (AC 21, 7/56 HP) d20+13=29 4d4(1+3+4+3)+1=12 Thursday November 9th, 2006 10:26:07 PM
Her sword in one hand, Flea draws her wand from her belt with the other. Flick and swish! The rogue activates (UMD=29) her wand and sends 4 balls of magical energy after Murdock's tentacles, watching with satisfaction as they slam into the queen. (12 points Magic Missile dmg.) She then takes a 5 foot step closer to the dark newcomer.
DM Sanity:
Position: Working without a map :-(
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash Wand of Magic Missile in off hand 35 charges remaining
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 5/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Finale Oglian Battle, 8. (DM Jim) d20+20=24 d20+10=14 d20+18=36 d20+16=33 2d6(5+6)+10=21 2d6(5+4)+10=19 d20+15=26 d20+13=27 d8+6=11 d6+4=10 d20+34=51 d20+13=17 d20+13=28 2d8(4+2)+7=13 2d8(3+8)+7=18 d20+2=20 d20+13=21 d20+13=29 2d8(5+8)+7=20 2d8(3+4)+7=14 Thursday November 9th, 2006 11:23:02 PM Flea pulls out a wand with her free hand as she follows the stranger. Missiles fly from the wand as she aims it at the Queen, slamming home.
Jake finds himself in a wrestling match with one of the workers for a cocooned body. He is slowly pulled towards the hole that the ant is taking as he cannot out muscle it.
Grymash in the mud cannot move more than a few feet as he tries to make his way back to his pack to help them out.
Trellus sends healing into Mac as Gry has to sludge his way through the mud.
Tishe' pulls up a wand and fires off a number of magical missiles at the warrior attacking Mac. They all slam home and rock the warrior ant but it does not go down. Her bison finally gets a horn through the defenses of the worker it is fighting with the dire wolf.
Mac finds himself suddenly free of the grasping arms of the two elementals. He has broken the ones grip and the other slips off thanks to the spell from Tishe'. Now all he has to do is figure a way out of the ground that he is in or fight this way.
Gilan scoops up his sword and shield as he moves towards the closest elemental, calling it names.
Murdock calls upon his own power to produce a number of black tentacles that try to grab the Queen in their grip.
Oglian warrior1 is dead.
Oglian warrior2 can no longer stay up with the attacks from the wolf before him and slumps to the ground.
Oglian warrior3 seems to be slowing slightly as it takes another couple of swipes at Mac with it's spear[hit: 36/33 and damage: 21/19].
Oglian warrior4 is dead.
Oglian worker group all slip down the hole with thier cargo but the last one as it wrestles with Jake. Both are currently ten feet from the hole.
Oglian worker6 sends another set of attacks at the dire wolf as it seems relentless[hit: 26/27 and damage: 11/10].
The Queen heaves her great body around a little and you get this inhuman voice in your heads. "You will not live for long softmeats...the time of the Oglian is upon you." Her gargantuan body slowly slips down the large hole that she has been resting partly inside of...the black tentacles not even standing a chance against her immense size[Grapple 51].
The RedClaw is long gone...but his parting words still remain, at least with Trellus.
Earth Elemental1 turns slowly to face Gilan who just called it a name. A massive arm comes up in the air as the things tries to squish him[hit: 17/28 and damage: 13/18].
Earth Elemental2 sends a large arm at Trellus who moves in to give healing to Mac[Will 20][hit: 21/29 and damage: 20/14].
More debris starts to fall from the ceiling and a lot of it is not small pieces anymore. Not ten feet from Tishe' a large stalagmite slams into the ground, leaving rubble all over and sending up a cloud of dust. Seventy feet to the right of the group a large section of the ceiling falls and covers a large area of the floor, plugging many holes in the floor and blocking off your view with a huge dust cloud.
Enemy AC Oglian worker: 24 Oglian warrior: 26
Player Sanity [The children are not being carried away yet.] [Queen has SR 14.] [Jake will need to be making grapple checks to get the cocooned person from the worker.] [The fight with the worker and the struggle of Jake's cannot be seen at this time. [Unless freedom of movement is still up on Gry, than he can only move 5' in the mud]
Battle Map will be in the mail. Sorry about the absence of one lately.
Trellus (ac 23, -7/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) Friday November 10th, 2006 8:55:07 AM
Gry can't clear himself from the mud!?! Light!
Trellus dives over to tap Mac with the healing wand instead.
He never even sees the stony arm that slams him in the back of the head. The cleric pitches forward onto the floor of cavern, and doesn't move.
-------- Spells in effect:
Owls Wisdom: 8.9 minutes Haste Sanctuary: 4 rounds - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 d20+6=26 d20+6=12 d20+6=23 4d6(6+2+4+4)=16 4d6(3+3+4+4)=14 d20+15=17 Friday November 10th, 2006 11:23:41 AM
Murdock shouts the obvious as loudly as possible, " IT'S GONNA CAVE IN!!!!!!and makes a run to the edge of the mud (25' movement to the square beside the dark spot on the map.)
He then cast scorching ray and directs the beams toward the last large ant remaining and the elemental that just crashed it's massive fist into the now unconcious Trellus.
Scorching Ray 1: HitAC:26 threat, HitAC:12 (no crit), Dmg: 16 Scorching Ray 2: HitAC: 23, Dmg: 14
Murdock wonders how he got into this mess. He was really enjoying his steak in rattledam. He sighs, his shoulders visibly slumping from the emmence concentration it takes to cast the spell and the chaos around him.
Spells Active:
Evard's Black Tenticles (6 rounds) : 17 to grapple anything in the area. Mage Armor: +4 AC (239 turns)
Grymash (AC 28, rage hp 19/122, rage7, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, bless, enlarge) Friday November 10th, 2006 7:47:32 PM
Grymash continues to snarl and spit, wild with fury, as he advances slowly through the mud.
(Just wondering - on most of the maps, Gry is within 15ft from one of the edges of the mud pit. Now, on the latest map, he is stuck way out in the middle of the pit. Which is it? If he was within 15ft, and moved 5 feet this last turn, and has a 10 foot reach, couldnt he now pull himself to shore?)
{Sorry about that. Had to make up a totally new map with all the things that are going on. You are only ten feet from the edge of the mud. You may have a hard time finding something to grab ahold of though. I might allow you to grab something nearby though.}
Gilan [HP: 56/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 34/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] 2d8(7+8)+9=24 d20+16=25 2d6(6+3)+10=19 Friday November 10th, 2006 11:33:44 PM
Gilan is shocked by the crushing blow of the elemental. He knows that he has a decision to make...get to Trell or save his own hide...where is the choice. "I got Trell...someone see if we can put down these blockheads." Once out of range he casts a spell that will get Trell back into the action. "Come on bud...we need your healing." The channeled healing should help out though the elemental is a little close(Trell healed 24HP).
Ciaran moves in to fill his brothers place in the combat. His teeth versus stone is not a good idea but they are enchanted by magic and may have the edge.
The dire wolf disappears in a cloud of smoke as the Oglian worker neatly tears it in two.
[Gilan - hit: and damage: ] [Ciaran - hit: 25 and damage: 19]
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [stoneskin(Gry and Mac) - 90minutes - 10/adamantine for 90 damage]
Jake d20+8=20 Monday November 13th, 2006 12:54:07 PM
"Let go, you dumb treadle!" Jake yells at the stupid ant, pulling hard. (Grapple check 20) He's convinced that the best thing he can do is try to save the poor thing in the coccoon. If he can break ti away from the ant, he'll take it back to his buddies up there.
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) d20+10=11 Monday November 13th, 2006 2:36:11 PM
Startled at the stalagtite slamming into the ground, Tishe' looks up and sees the rest of the ceiling fall in. And the rest of the cavern doesn't look very good either. Trellus is down and there is no one to give the orders. OK. Time for thier own retreat.
"JAKE!!!" she calls with all her voice. "We need the CHILDREN!!! We NEED to leave!!!"
"Gilan!", she turns her attention to her fellow druid. "You take charge of the fighting retreat with Gry, Mac, and Trellus."
"Flea, do you have enough haste to grab one of the children?"
"Silver Tattoo", she calls at Murdock. Not knowing his name, she latches on to his most obvious feature. "we need to quickly grab those children (points them out) and get out of here without getting killed. Anything you can do to help?"
"I'm going to bring some friends to help get the kids." And Tishe' begins another weaving of voice and hands to spontaneously cast Summon Nature's Ally over Cat's Grace.
Celestial Bison #2 lunges at the Worker, but without the wolf flanking the ant, it doesn't even get close. (AC: nat 1)
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.1 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.1 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.1 turns Speak with Animals: 40 rounds
Web: 494 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Finale Oglian Battle, 9. (DM Jim) d20+15=18 d20+13=33 d8+6=12 d8+4=5 d20+13=14 2d6(5+3)+4=12 d20+14=19 d20+13=24 d20+13=18 2d8(4+3)+7=14 2d8(8+6)+7=21 d20+13=14 2d8(5+2)+7=14 d20+13=30 d20+13=25 2d8(6+5)+7=18 2d8(6+8)+7=21 Monday November 13th, 2006 5:37:23 PM Flea is distracted a little by all that is going on.*I will move Flea to have followed the orders of Tishe', let me know if this is not ok?*
Jake continues to struggle with the Oglian worker for the cocoon and you are able to pull the bundle away. {Jake;Highlight to display spoiler: {You noticed a rather nice pile of stuff as you were getting over here to the Oglian group...weapons, armor and a few bags.}}
Grymash is within ten feet of getting out of the mud. He knows that he could reach the edge of the muddy area with his increased reach but what to grab ahold of.
Trellus gets the healing into Mac but the elemental stops him cold after that. Trellus is laying upon the ground near Mac.
Tishe' flies into action as she calls out for a retreat, but with the children. This place is coming down and there is nothing that can be done about that. She begins a spell that should help out with getting people out of here. The celestial bison is still keeping the Oglian worker busy but cannot find a weak spot in it's armor this time.
Mac is still trying to find a way out of the cavern floor that he is stuck up to his waist in. To make matter worse the place is going to cave in.
Gilan turns his attentions to Trellus who is in need of his help. He channels healing into his friend and hopes that he can work it through with the elemental so close to him. Ciaran comes in fast and hard upon the elemental that just attacked his brother, trying to get it's attention.
Murdock sends out a two pronged shot of scorching fire at the Oglain warrior and the elemental that just smashed Trellus. He really wishes he was back in Rattledam eating his prairie pig steak.
Oglian warrior1 is dead.
Oglian warrior2 is dead.
Oglian warrior3 feels the searing pain in it's chest and then the light slowly dims in it's eyes. The things weapon clatters to the ground and it slumps to the floor.
Oglian warrior4 is dead.
Oglian worker is currently wrestling with Jake for the cocooned body that it is holding in it's pinchers[grapple 19].
Oglian worker6 turns on the last opponent that it faces. Mandibles and stinger try to find a weakness in the creatures defenses[hit: 18/33*crit14* and damage: 12/5*crit12*].
The Queen has left the building.
The RedClaw has left the building.
Earth Elemental1 slams an arm at Gilan as he goes by towards the downed form of Trellus[hit: 14 and damage: 14]. Then it turns back on the wolf that just bit into it, once again trying to slam the poor beast into the ground[hit: 24/18 and damage: 14/21].
Earth Elemental2 brings both of it's arms in to slam at the poor traped Mac[hit: 30/25 and damage: 18/21].
No more of the ceiling has fallen...yet. There is still a groaning from the ceiling in this cavern and small pieces of debrie are still falling. There is also the occassional bit of falling dust and dirt as well from the ceiling and things are not looking good in here.
Player Sanity [The children are not being carried away yet.] [Unless freedom of movement is still up on Gry, than he can only move 5' in the mud]
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 d20+15=25 Monday November 13th, 2006 9:59:31 PM
Seeing the ant thing drop to the ground gives Murdock a surge of momentary elation. With the last of the ant things down, he doesn't feel so hopeless about the situation.
One of the adventurers yells at Silver Tatoo's and Murdock realizes she is talking to him. He yells back, "How's killing that ant thing for helping out?" Then follows her pointing to the pile of debris in whats left of the caved in cavern, seeing nothing. (No line of sight)
Murdock holds out his quarterstaff and anchor's himself as best he can at the edge of the mud, hoping to provide enough of a leverage for the half orc to grab ahold of to get himself out of the mud. He knows that if the huge half orc can get free of the mud, that he can probably take out those earth elementals.
Spells Active:
Evard's Black Tenticles (5 rounds) : 25 to grapple anything in the area. Mage Armor: +4 AC (239 turns)
Flea (AC 21, 7/56 HP, Haste) Tuesday November 14th, 2006 12:17:33 AM
Being of a mind with Tishe' Flea will be on the run even as the words are out of the druid's mouth. Tucking her wand back through her belt, she runs for the kids.
DM Sanity:
Position: Been waiting for a map. Unsure of distances and what Flea can do. Working without a map :-(
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 6/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) d3=2 d20+10=23 Tuesday November 14th, 2006 8:53:41 AM
Concentrating on her spell, the short human ignores the stalagtite and completes her spell, causing two wolves to appear 30 feet closer to the huddled children. Using her Speak with Animals spell, she calls to the animals; Highlight to display spoiler: { "Grab a child and return to me. Treat them as gentle as wolf cubs!"}
Any sarcasm by Murdock is completly lost on the brown-haired girl as she smiles her thanks at the drow. "Yes, that was very good", she says seriously.
Tishe' takes a five foot step back towards the Bloodpack's exit, willing her packmates to do as she asked. Holding her Rod of Enlarge in one hand and Magic Missle wand in the other, she again begins her incantations to summon more assistance with the children, spontaneously casting Summon Nature's Ally over Summon Swarm.
Celestial Bison #2 grunts at the Worker's attacks, but its damage reduction takes care of most of the damage. It lunges at the Worker, but again doesn't get close. (AC: 23)
Two wolves hear and obey thier mistress who can speak with them, and over the rubble they streak (double move 100 feet). Each of them seek a child huddled against the wall, and, clamping strong but gentle jaws on the scruff of thier collar, begin to carry/drag them back to Tishe'.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 294.0 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 294.0 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 44.0 turns Speak with Animals: 39 rounds
Web: 493 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Gilan [HP: 56/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 20/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] d20+12=26 d20+7=16 d6+4=10 d6+4=10 d20+16=25 d20+11=18 2d6(5+2)+7=14 2d6(2+2)+3=7 Tuesday November 14th, 2006 7:52:05 PM
Gilan nods his head as he stands and sends his scimitar in to peck at the elemental that Ciaran is attacking. He cannot help out too much with them this close and he can tell that Ciaran is getting into bad shape. "We will hold them off or put them down as fast as we can...just get the kids."
Ciaran tears back into the elemental as well as he cannot back away. His pack is riding on his fighting skills and he must help them out as best he can.
[Gilan - hit: 26/16 and damage: 10/10] [Ciaran - hit: 25/18 and damage: 14/7]
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement]
Grymash (AC 28, rage hp 19/122, rage8, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, bless, enlarge) d20+2=14 d20-2=18 Tuesday November 14th, 2006 8:27:27 PM
Grymash still spraying spit and bile from rage. The quagmire he finds himself in only gods his fury. He sees the dark-skinned, pointy ear stranger holding out his staff for him. What is this, Gry thinks. Friend or foe ... sunbaked treadle or soon-to-dead piggie?! (Wis: 14, Int: 18, nat 20. lucky dog!) Lucky for this elf, the raging Grymash doesn't interpret his actions as hostile. The giant-sized half-orc grabs on the staff, whatever little support it may provide him, but not without a warning. "GRY NO KNOWS YOOZ ... WIGGLE DA FINGERS AT GRY AN GRY WILLS HACK OFF DA FLESH MEATS AN EAT YOOZ RAW!!"
(Movement 5ft or more)
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday November 14th, 2006 8:44:10 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Nov 6 - 10
Name MTWTF
DM JimW OXOXO
Trellus OXOXO
Tishe OXOXO
Jake OXOXO
Gilan OXOXO
Grymash OXOXO
Mac OXOOO
Flea OXOOO
Murdock OXOXO
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Um...not so good.
(ed. Carla-Flea posted x 2. Monday and Thursday.)
Trellus (ac 23, 17/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) 4d8(3+8+7+7)+7=32 Tuesday November 14th, 2006 8:51:27 PM
[OOC - Jim, the link didn't work]
As Gilan's healing flows through him, Trellus' eyes flick open and the sounds of battle, cave-ins, and Gry's bellowing intrude upon his senses.
One look at Mac is enough to tell the cleric where to start. He reaches out again with his healing wand and taps the taur. [CCW - 32 hp healed on Mac]
Hoping he doesn't get ripped in the process, Trellus scrambles to his feet.
-------- Spells in effect:
Owls Wisdom: 8.8 minutes Haste Sanctuary: 3 rounds - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
[For those of you having the same problem with the link. I am also sending out the map through email. Please be advised this is not an updated new map but one for the last round of activities.]
Finale Oglian Battle, 10. (DM Jim) d20+13=21 d6+4=8 d20+15=20 d20+13=29 d8+7=15 d6+4=6 d20+13=26 2d8(2+1)+7=10 d20+13=23 d20+13=16 2d8(5+5)+7=17 Wednesday November 15th, 2006 12:44:54 AM Flea races over and finds herself right near the children.
Jake is able to pull the cocooned body away from the Oglian worker. Out of the corner of his eye he notes the stuff he passed earlier.
Grymash even in his state of rage is able to take the drow at his offer. Grabbing the staff will help in pulling him out, but he does give the newcomer a warning.
Trellus is able to get back on his feet with the healing from Gilan. He steps forward to send more healing into Mac who is stuck in the ground.
Tishe' sends a pair of wolves to help in getting the children out of the area and fast. To save even more time she starts to cast another spell to help out further. He bison can still not find purhcase on the carapace of the Oglian worker.
Mac struggles in the tight grasp of the earth. He brings his axe down and slowly starts to chip his way out of the floor.
Gilan turns and puts his full attention into taking out one of the elementals, his scimitar trying to do the work. Ciaran meets his brother there and he also brings his teeth once more at the stone beast.
Murdock banters with Tishe' as he sets himself to help Grymash out of the mud.
Oglian warrior1 is dead.
Oglian warrior2 is dead.
Oglian warrior3 is dead.
Oglian warrior4 is dead.
Oglian worker loses his grip upon the cocooned body and brings a stinger around at Jake[hit: 21 and damage: 8].
Oglian worker6 once again bites and stings the bison that it is facing[hit: 20/29 and damage: 15/6].
The Queen has left the building.
The RedClaw has left the building.
Earth Elemental1 crumbles into pieces under the combined attack of Ciaran and Gilan.
Earth Elemental2 takes a strike at Trellus as he moves in to heal Mac[hit: 26 and damage: 10]. It then turns it's attention back to the struggling taur[hit: 23/16 and damage: 16/17].
Three older kids look up as Flea approaches and then move in front of the other five. Though they do not seem threatened they are most definitely ready to defend themselves. The appearance of wolves startles them even more and they are quick to get in the way of the wolves. The oldest of the group, a young girl of about sixteen, falls into a crouch with fists balled up. "First these ants want us and now you would sick wolves on us...we will fight to the death." The other two nod their heads as well and pick up some fair sized rocks.
There is once again a low rumble from the ceiling and another large section of the ceiling caves in, burying a portion of the room. The room has been neatly cut in half by the falling ceiling and the debris tops seven feet in most places and as high as thirty in others.
Enemy AC Oglian worker: 24 Earth Elemental: 18
Player Sanity [The children are not being carried away yet.] [Need a strength check from both Grymash and Murdock, DC 12. I will also be needing a dexterity check from Murdock as well to keep from falling into the mud, DC 14]
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) d3=2 d20+6=16 4d4(2+3+3+1)+4=13 d20+10=25 d8+11=16 Wednesday November 15th, 2006 2:33:48 AM
The brown-haired woman completes her spell and two more wolves appear, but with the help of the rod they are already 110 feet closer to the children than Tishe' is! She calls to her friends (both new and from last round) in the language of wolves; Speak with Animals Highlight to display spoiler: { "Help the human children to get to me. Treat them like wolf cubs!" }
The shrill voices of children come to her over the bass rumbling of the cavern (Listen: 16) and Tishe' realizes that she hasn't told the piggies the plan! Quickly she calls out; "Flea! My wolves will help carry the children to safety, and we can get them to Rayla! The cavern is collapsing they must hurry!"
"Gilan, spontaneously cast your own earth elemental to pull Mac out!", she calls to her druid friend, "even a tiny one will help, for he'll never get out in time otherwise!"
"Gry sweetie!", she calls to the enraged orc, "earth thingy BAD! KILL IT!" Hopefully that will get through her green-skinned friend's red-fogged brain.
"So", she says conversationally to Murdock, "got anything to hold up a cieling?"
Tishe' will use her own abilities with a wand to have four magic missles strike the earth elemental pummelling Mac. (13 damage)
Celestial Bison #2 grunts at the Worker's attacks, but its damage reduction takes care of most of the damage. It lunges at the Worker for a final gouge in the Oglian's abdomen. (AC: 25 D: 16)
The four wolves beside Flea hesitate to grapple with what thier mistress called 'wolf cubs', and will wait for the gnome to bring sense into the cubs before carrying them off (100 feet per round). They ready an action to take them away quickly.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 293.9 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 293.9 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 43.9 turns Speak with Animals: 38 rounds
Web: 492 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Jake Wednesday November 15th, 2006 4:16:54 PM
The stinger bounces off of Jake's armor, and he ignores the pitiful ant. Instead, he hauls the bundle he's holding over to the pile of stuff and grabs as much of it as he can, and stuffs the rest into sacks. No sense in wasting loot! Then, somewhat apologetically, he picks up the coccooned body and the sacks with his other hand and begins to skidaddle towards Trell and the others.
Grymash (AC 30, hp 16/122, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, bless, enlarge) d20+12=22 2d8(7+5)+3=15 Wednesday November 15th, 2006 8:16:54 PM
(Strength check 22)
Suddenly Grymash seems to almost shrink a little bit. Much of his vigor and spirit seems to fail the half-orc (rage falls, and so does 18 hitpoints. Reducing him to 1hp). The intense pain from his wounds finally hits him, and he grunts in agony.
Grymash pauses for the moment, shakes his head clear of the pain and spits out a mouth full of blood. "Kreeh mochtu me brahma Soh, Gargul Mog!" (Spontaneous Casting Cure Moderate Wounds in place of Bulls Strength. 15 points). A brilliant energy leaves his hand and enters his chest. His wounds seem to be somewhat lessened, but he's far from healthy.
Feeling a little relief from his pain, Grymash looks to the dark elf stranger, "No get in da muddy! Help da pack! Gry gute ta go!" Turning his ahead back toward Tishe, he yells, "Gry be comin'!!" And again, the barbarian cleric struggles to climb up out of the muck. (Move 5-ft)
Gilan [HP: 56/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, haste, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 20/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] Wednesday November 15th, 2006 9:15:57 PM
Gilan nods his head not turning to look at Tishe'. He begins the needed start for the spell as he backs away from the elemental near Mac. He does hold a hand out to stay Ciaran from rushing in and doing anything stupid.
Ciaran backs off a little as well but eyes the elemental with a look of pure need. Oh, he would love to attack this thing and have done with it but his brother has told him to wait.
[Gilan - hit: / and damage: /] [Ciaran - hit: / and damage: /]
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [spontaneous casting of summon nature's ally II over bull's strength]
Trellus (ac 23, 7/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) 4d8(2+3+8+5)+7=25 d20+8=21 Wednesday November 15th, 2006 9:52:17 PM
Eyeing the last elemental, Trellus works his way around Mac until the taur is between him and the elemental.
"Rip him, Mac" the cleric encourages, as he taps the warrior again with his healing wand. [CCW - 25 hp healed on Mac]
Finally noticing the collapsing roof - he's been a tad busy - the blond haired man calls out loudly. "Children of Ironhome, to me! We're getting out of this treadle-hole!" [Diplomacy 21]
-------- Spells in effect:
Owls Wisdom: 8.6 minutes Haste Sanctuary: 2 rounds - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Flea (AC 21, 7/56 HP) d20+3=11 Wednesday November 15th, 2006 11:49:38 PM
Flea rolls her eyes at the girl's protestations. "We're friends! We've been sent by your folks to fetch you out of this place. Do we look like we eat kids!" Flea calls to the one who seems to lead the children. "Follow me, and quickly!" she adds. "Can't you see this place is going to come crashing down?" (Diplomacy=11)
Flea will trust that the reality of their predicament will help to persuade the leader of the children to trust the rogue. If the children look like they will follow, she will try to lead them the safest way out.
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 6/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Can we all get out....alive. (DM Jim) Thursday November 16th, 2006 2:57:08 AM
The last elemental goes down with the might of Mac is brought to bare upon the elemental. It collapses into another pile of rock, dirt and stone near Mac.
Between the call of Trellus and the gentle coaxing of Flea the young girl finally nods her head in understanding. "We will follow you...but I am not sure about those beasts." She points to the wolves having never seen one before in her life.
The Oglian worker turns and moves back towards the main central hole and is soon gone. It does not seem to want to fight any longer but then again that is a good thing with the ceiling falling in. The other Oglian worker and celestial bison, still caught in a life/death struggle, trade jabs at each other for just a little more. Just as suddenly both are gone, buried in a new collapse from the ceiling that is getting way too close to the children and Flea.
Jake reaches the caved in area and finds that he will have his work cut out for him in getting things up that pile of rubble. Flea soon reaches his side as well with the three older kids leading the younger ones, though they do avoid the wolves. What stands before all of you on this side is only one place that is seven feet of debris high and maybe a couple of feet wide.
Those on the other side of the debris from Flea, Jake and the kids find that they are also looking at a large pile of debris that has cut off the cavern. The lowest area to climb onto the debris is ten feet from the floor.
There is still the sound of rumbling as the ceiling shifts some more and more dirt and the like falls from the ceiling. Things are actually starting to get hard to breathe with all the dust in the air and the slowly depleting supply of air.
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) Thursday November 16th, 2006 8:19:44 AM
No more enemies about, Gilan's elemental will soon pull Mac free, and Flea and Jake are leading the children to the exit. Now the only thing to worry about is getting out before the entire complex collapses.
"Don't forget we have many caverns before we get back to the surface, too." cautions Tishe'. "And is our way really clear?"
Now that Trellus is back in the picture and in control of his facilities, the brown-eyed girl is perfectly happy to let him give the orders and she will support whatever is the decision. And her posture says she is nothing but relieved at NOT having the burden of leadership.
Thinking, she doesn't know of any spells or actions that she can do to further help the children, Jake and Flea over the rubble pile. All she can do is call encouragement. "Quickly now! (cough, cough) The wolves will help you; just grab some fur and hang on!" and to the wolves Highlight to display spoiler: { Help the children. Let them ride you if they will. Grab any that fall and drag them to me }
The only other thing she can think of is move into the tunnel and start moving back to the surface. She casts "Light" on her wand to see in the darkened tunnels.
The four wolves beside Flea and Jake listen to Tishe' and try to assist to the best of thier ability.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 293.8 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 293.8 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 43.8 turns Speak with Animals: 37 rounds
Web: 491 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Augmented Wolves [2 each] [1 rounds]
Augmented Wolves [2 each] [2 rounds]
Activated Items Rod of Extend: 3 Rod of Enlarge: 3 Pearl of Power: used
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 d20=12 d20+15=27 Thursday November 16th, 2006 4:33:28 PM
Murdock struggles to help the brutish half orc out of the mud, and ignores the foul threats coming from the beast. Gry's fetid breath hot on Murdock's face. He is not sure if the half-orc called Gry is evil, or if he is just in some sort of bloodgrunt rage. (Sense Motive 12)
Murdock knows that the children and the gnome are trapped behind the rubble of the cave and will likely die unless someone acts quickly.
He trys to take a deep breath to calm his nerves before casting by starts to hack and cough from the grit and dirt in the air. Never the less, he finds the inner peace to get off a spell, and his skin takes on the darker slightly shiny hue of a black spider. ( Cast Spider Climb. on self ) He then moves 30 feet skirting the mud pit heading toward the wall to his left and starts to climb over with the intention of throwing a rope down to the children who are trapped on the other side.
Spells Active: Mage Armor: +4 AC (239 turns) Spider Climb (420 turns) Evard's Black Tenticles: (3 rounds) 27 to grapple anything in the area
Trellus (ac 23, 7/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, Hasted, Sanctuary) d20+7=19 Thursday November 16th, 2006 9:42:44 PM
Trellus gratefully notes the collapse of the last of the enemy.
"Gil, help the kids," he directs. "Me an' Gry should be able to get Mac out of this."
"Gry, c'mere and grab Mac's shoulder."
The cleric grabs one of Mac's arms and lets Grymash grab the other. "Pull on three," he says, and whispers a quick prayer Domi grant me strength, before continuing..
"One, two, THREE!
With the power of his god pulsing through him, Trellus plants his feet and pulls the taur upward.
[Strength check 19 (using Domain Power - Feat of Strength)]
-------- Spells in effect:
Owls Wisdom: 8.5 minutes Haste Sanctuary: 1 rounds - Will DC 17 to attack Trellus Magic Vestment(armor)+2 Magic Vestment (shield)+2
Gilan [HP: 56/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 20/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] Thursday November 16th, 2006 9:49:30 PM
Gilan shakes his head and then moves off to help with the kids. He does take the time to give orders to his earth elemental. "Go below and help to get the minotaur out of the ground." He then follows the drow in the same direction so that he can provide assistance.
Ciaran moves back and stands nearer the exit. He knows that he cannot be of help right now and will not chance getting in the way.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [spontaneous casting of summon nature's ally II over bull's strength - earth elemental]
Grymash (AC 29, hp 16/122, fatigue, haste, barkskin, prot from evil, bless, enlarge) d20+11=22 Thursday November 16th, 2006 10:07:45 PM
Grymash nods and limps over to Trellus' side. After grabbing a hold of Mac, he adds his strength when the cleric of Domi attempts to lift the minotaur. (Strength check: 22)
The effort puts a massive strain on Grymash. Being already fatigued, he becomes ever closer to falling from exhaustion.
Jake d20+21=41 d20+8=21 Friday November 17th, 2006 12:08:18 PM
Just a bit more to go, Jake thinks to himself as he sheathes his sword with a quick shink. He reaches into his spacious backpack and removes the rope, while shoving most of the stuff into the same backpack. "Flea, take this end..." Jake notices the kids are still rightly wary of the Bloodpack, and so he decides he has to give them a little motivational speech. Even though he's speaking as he's moving, he somehow takes the moment to look into each of their eyes, and his voice, though soft, is tenorous and welcoming to them. He takes on the persona of the big brother that some of them might have. He tries to inspire them to be brave and move as quickly as possible, mimicking his own movements. "Hey, guys. Cheer up! Your sister, Reyla, sent us here to rescue you and her brother from these smelly ants. We defeated them, now we just gotta get outta here. So I want you to listen to me... We're all gonna get outta here. Each of you is gonna climb up this debris, climbing up with the help of this rope, and if you're too afraid, your Aunt Flea here will help you. Then once we get outta here, we'll break out some water and sweetgrass cookies." With that, he quickly skitters up the debris, his feet digging in yet moving surprisingly light along the rocks. It comes from some training sneaking up the walls of Rattledam. (Climb DC 21, hope that's good enough to get up the debris. If the coccoon is too heavy, like over 60 pounds, he'll have to secure it to Flea's end and pull it up :( )
Once he gets up the debris, he securely holds the rope and helps the kids get up there. He hopes the rest of the pack either finds its own way out or somehow gets through the collapsing areas to them....
Escape and Evade. (DM Jim) Saturday November 18th, 2006 12:07:28 AM
Tishe' moves back to give room and be ready to move out as the rest of the group gets things gathered around. Jake and Flea are on the other side of the debris pile and are currently working together to get the kids up the seven foot high area.
Murdock on the other side is also climbing up that side of the debris so that he can anchor a rope of his own and then see what aid he can lend. Gilan gives his earth elemental some orders to help in getting Mac out of the ground as he moves over to help out in anyway that he can.
Mac feels both Grymash and Trellus start to pull on him to get him out of the ground. The pulling is painful and he can not feel any movement of his large body out of the hole. In fact there is the sound of a loud pop and then sudden pain in his right shoulder. Then he feels the touch of the earth elemental under the ground and he is slowly being pulled up through the ground. He knows that he will soon be free of the ground and then that much closer to getting out.
The kids seem to rally a little behind Jake and his speech. One of the taller lads, though younger than the girl, gives Jake a funny look. "My sister is worried about me?" Then under his breathe and not out loud enough to really be heard, unless you were listening for it. "Great...I am in for it when I get home." Still he helps in getting the younger kids up to Jake and Flea. The girl just flips her hair back and gives him that look, that I told you so look.
From down the tunnel way that you came you hear another loud rumble and the sounds of more falling debris. A wave of dust shoots out of the mouth of the tunnel and into the room.
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) d20+6=8 d20+6=19 Saturday November 18th, 2006 6:50:26 AM
Coughing and hacking with the dust and debris that comes through the tunnel, Tishe' takes her red silk scarf and wraps it around her mouth and eyes. Not liking the implications of the dust, she holds her lighted wand high and moves forward. (Listen: 8, Spot: 19)
"Stay in front of me", she tells the Unseen Servant, "and push me if you hit a wall or pit." Tishe' knows the Unseen Servant couldn't push her over, but it will be able to give her warning if something bad is ahead.
Two of the wolves fade out, and the remaining two keep behind the children to encourage them to move quickly.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 293.7 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 293.7 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 43.7 turns Speak with Animals: 36 rounds Light: 49.9 turns
Web: 490 rounds [300 foot range with Rod of Extend] Reflex save DC 17 or stuck
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Flea (AC 21, 7/56 HP) d20+4=10 d20+4=8 d20+4=9 d20+4=19 d20+4=23 d20+4=11 Monday November 20th, 2006 12:27:44 AM
"Quickly! Quickly!" continues the gnome as she ties a few quick knots in the rope tendered by Jake. Flea is nervous and the first knots are inexpert. (Use Rope=10, 8, 9, 19, 23, 11)
"You are stronger, Jake. Get to the top, and I'll boost the kids from down here. I'll come last" calls the rogue as she counts off the kids. DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 6/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 d20+15=31 Monday November 20th, 2006 10:13:40 AM
Murdock crest the top of the debris pile and looks over to the otherside, seeing the small gnome that he had helped before, another adventurer, and some children. The gnome has some knotted rope and the man is about to start climbing up the side of the debris pile. Murdock shouts out to the gnome about the din of the collapsing cavern, "Little Mouse!! Throw the rope to me, I will anchor it for your friends to climb!"
Spells Active: Mage Armor: +4 AC (238 turns) Spider Climb (419 turns) Evard's Black Tenticles: (2 rounds) 31 to grapple anything in the area
Jake Monday November 20th, 2006 1:15:01 PM
Jake manages to climb up the debris just in time to nearly bump into the strange man he'd noticed fighting on their side. The guy's just barely finished calling out to Flea. Guy doesn't LOOK like an ant, so he's probably all right, Jake thinks to himself. "She ain't no mouse, she's a Flea!" Jake responds, and chuckles just enough to begin hacking and coughing from all the dust. "Okay, bud.. you take this end of the rope, and I'll catch the kids Flea boosts up."
So, with a three-man team, they hopefully get the kids up and through the debris in no time. One person holding the rope (not gonna make Grymash's mistake!), one person boosting the kids just a little, and one person leaning down and helping pull the kids up the rest of the way. Jake being probably the strongest of the three, he probably does most of the actual lifting on his part.
Narrow Escape. (DM JimW) Monday November 20th, 2006 7:21:37 PM
The kids are soon out and all the pack reunited on this side of the debris. As you start to follow behind Tishe' you hear the ceiling in the cavern you just left come down some more. The dirt and dust that suddenly shoots up the passage cuts visibility to nil and breathing gets hard(Fort DC 14 or start choking and only able to make partial movements; movement is already half normal).
Tishe' out ahead of the rest is being lead by the unseen servant. Just as suddenly all goes black for Tishe' as well as it did for the rest of her friends behind her.
The older three youngsters seem to be able to handle the dust but the other five are soon coughing in fits. The older ones soon have three piggy-backed but the others they cannot help. The oldest, the girl, calls out as best she can to those near her. "We neee...cough, cough...help here....cough,cough...got three...cough,cough...two left." She then starts coughing herself and has to slowly get her breathing back under control.
[Will try to get out a location map for everyone. Those that remember the first map will know that you are in the tunnel leading to the bridge are or branching off to the mushroom area.]
Grymash (AC 29, hp 16/122, fatigued, barkskin, prot from evil, enlarge) d20+12=17 d20+9=19 Monday November 20th, 2006 8:46:07 PM
(Fort save: 17)
Grymash continues to limping along. He tries to stay afoot and helping any of his pack that might require help. He tries his best to protect others from the natural disaster crumbling all around him.
(Survival check: 19. DC 15 to help others avoid natural hazards and getting lost.)
Flea (AC 21, 7/56 HP, Hasted) d20+3=9 Tuesday November 21st, 2006 12:09:33 AM
"*Cought!*"The dust really gets to the gnome as she stumbles after her party, and the kids, trying to act as a rear guard. "*Cough!*" The rogue will activate the magic of her boots, if required, in order to keep up.
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 7/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Jake Tuesday November 21st, 2006 1:58:04 AM
"Dust.." the young man curses quietly. "Okay, I've got it." Jake wanders to the kids and spends a moment helping them. "Here, tie some rags... Okay, wear them over your mouths so you won't cough. Are you thirsty? here, have some water, each of you small gulps." Jake gives his waterskin out, and gives them some help with the dust. "Okay, one of you crawl up on my back, keep a good grip... and you, here." He picks another one up in his arms. "Don't worry, I'm stronger than I look...nothing compared to Gry or Big Mac there, but I won't drop you. Gry, Mac, you guys grab one or two, but keep ready for battle."
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) d20+8=16 Tuesday November 21st, 2006 9:08:09 AM
Hacking and coughing, Tishe' manages to keep her breathing slow and steady through the silken red scarf (Fort: 16)
She waits at the fork of the tunnel for her packmates to catch up. While she waits, she casts a small White Spell and uses the Prestidigitation to clear some of the dust from the air.
Once she is able to see (or feel) another of her packmates, she sends the Unseen Servant ahead of her, moves back towards the cavern of bridges. Holding aloft her wand glowing with Light, she hopes to see some of the path before getting to the drop-off.
"Why", she wonders aloud, "is the caverns collapsing? Could the Worker Oglians be actively trying to bury us?"
Active Spells Mage Armor: 292.7 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 292.7 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 42.7 turns Speak with Animals: 26 rounds Light: 48.9 turns
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light*, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation* Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 d20=14 Tuesday November 21st, 2006 7:32:45 PM
Murdock sheppards the children along with the rest of the group. He is breathing heavily from all the exertions and the dust in the air begins to make him cough. He slows momentarily noticing Flea seems to be effected more severly before regaining his stride. (Fort = 14)
Murdock also see's the children being picked up and carried down the hall by the other members of the adventuring group. "Little Flea, do you need help to keep your pace?" Murdock says, his dark vision able to clearly make out the gnomes strugling form.
Gilan [HP: 56/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 20/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] d20+13=30 d20+11=22 Tuesday November 21st, 2006 8:08:19 PM
Gilan is able to keep most of the dust and dirt out of his nose and throat, keeping from coughing. He moves along with the others, keeping near the middle of the group so that he can lend aid as needed.
Ciaran plods along with his brother, not bothering to do much of anything else. He just focuses on putting one foot in front of the other, but feeling before he puts down each foot.
The small earth elemental is moving it's way underground and following the group. It will lend aid as needed too...though someone will need to give it orders.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement] [spontaneous casting of summon nature's ally II over bull's strength - earth elemental - 7rounds]
The bridge. (DM Jim) Wednesday November 22nd, 2006 12:09:46 AM
Tishe' busts through to the bridge cavern with her unseen servant leading the way. She is able to see now and the sight that greets her is not a good one.
The others are hot on her heels. The children of IronHome now going piggyback with part of the pack.
Everyone enters into the area with the bridges to find that there is only one bridge left that is standing. The far one and the middle one are now collapsed and part of the othe side is covered in debris from the ceiling.
[Survival DC 10 to notice the small fissure cracks in the last remaining bridge. Intelligence DC 10 to realize that most of you can get across with no problems...the enlarged Grymash and the enlarged Mac may present problems...then again the unenlarged Mac may cause problems.]
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 11/56) d20+6=11 d20+4=22 Wednesday November 22nd, 2006 2:36:35 AM
Feeling more cocnfident now that she has her pack behind her, Tishe' at first is relieved that they have made it to the bridge cavern, yet her looks fall at seeing the two collapsed bridges. A quick look (Survival:11, Intelligence: 22) confirms that while the bridge is currently up, it is not stable, and another earth shake (or Mac or Gry) will bring it and anyone on it down.
Keeping the red silk sash around her nose and mouth, she calls to those following. "There is only one bridge left, so we must be quick! But it won't hold BigGry or Mac."
She pauses and takes inventory. "I've got a Spider Climb potion for Gry, and a Jump spell for Mac. With the extra magic they should be able to make it across without using the bridge!"
Per her modus operandi, Tishe' waits for Trellus to give directions before she casts or hands out potions.
Active Spells Mage Armor: 291.7 turns (+4 armor) Unseen Servant: 291.7 turns (200 coin lift) See Invisibility: 41.7 turns Speak with Animals: 16 rounds Light: 47.9 turns
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light*, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation* Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Jake Wednesday November 22nd, 2006 1:36:10 PM
"Sure, let's do that, but we don't have much time to do this... Flea goes across first, then Gilan, then me, then the kids, by then Gry and Mac should be magicked up to get across and everyone else can come along. Is that shady, Trell?" Jake will hold his action till his turn, then heads on over.
Trellus (ac 23, 7/79 hp, Owls Wisdom) Wednesday November 22nd, 2006 3:18:56 PM
The blond haired cleric waves Tishe and Jake off. "Mac's got Air Walk on him. He can carry Gry over. Everybody move! Flea and the kids first."
Trellus lets the bulk of the group across, and then follows. -------- Spells in effect:
[DM sanity - Trellus post from Thursday October 26th, 2006 9:35:59 AM "Jake, you pigge, back up and climb out!" Trellus calls. "You'll take all day to go all the way across!"
The cleric moves past Grymash on his left, positions himself on the edge of the mud next to Mac, and leans over to cast a spell on the taur. [Air Walk]
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:35 d20=12 d20+5=24 Wednesday November 22nd, 2006 4:39:33 PM
Murdock hears the confusion about the course of actions that should be taken, but the blonde haired cleric seems to make the decisions with this group. He wonders to himself how these people intend to get so many children across the vast spaces that exist in this cavern... He also wonders how the children and the humans are seeing in the pitch black. As he stops at the Bridge, he cast Dancing Lights above the bridge, dully illuminating the area.
Murdock looks at the walls of the cavern, perhaps he thinks to himself, he could climb along the caverns walls to reach the far side of the bridge. (Int Check 24 to determine if he can. If so, he does the following action.)
Murdock looks at the blonde haired cleric, saying, "Trell-us, I will run across to the other side as a spider would and string a rope for the children to transit. It is the only way, no?"
Murdock waits for Trellus to repond to him before he starts off climbing along the walls of the cavern to reach the far side.
Flea (AC 21, 7/56 HP, Hasted) d20-1=1 d20+3=7 d20+3=13 Wednesday November 22nd, 2006 7:21:33 PM
Flea huffs and puffs and chases after the rest, making sure no kid gets left behind. Pulling up to the pack, she catches the tail end of a discussion...
Flea goes across first...
Flea and the kids first...
The rogue casts a quick glance at the route the group must take (Survival=1, Intelligence=7). "Sure!" she thinks, "get Flea to do it!"
But, before the rogue can think of a come-back, the newcomer volunteers. Sensing the dark guy may be looking out for her, the rogue reciprocates. "We'll cross together. I've got Jake's rope, and this one." Flea holds up a coil of silk rope 50 ft. in length. "'sides," she adds, "I've got this!" The gnome holds out her right hand, with the ring of Feather Fall.
"Mac, and uh, Gry can anchor the rope while the kids cross the bridge...holding on...just in case, you know?"
The rogue explains this to the Bloodpack but includes the kids, hoping they will understand her plain words (Diplomacy=13).
DM Sanity Info:
Protective Ward: +10 to next save from Trellus Bless: +1 to hit and saves vs. fear from Grymash
*Boots of Speed-p. 250 DMG guide-act as though affected by a Haste Spell...p. 239 PHB) 7/10 rounds (not required to be consecutive rounds)
Getting Out. (DM Jim) d6=4 d6=3 d6=3 d6=1 d6=2 Thursday November 23rd, 2006 12:24:10 AM
The plan is put into motion with both Flea and Murdock setting up a rope to be used to get everyone across. As each person or small group of people move across the six foot wide bridge you can feel it give slightly under your weight, but it does not collapse. That is until the last person is coming across and then it is a mad dash for Trellus to get across. The entire bridge but a short one foot expanse on each side is not in the great gorge and lost to sight.
With all of the group across you hear another great rumble and the entire cavern ceiling collapses on that side and over the gorge.
Another mad race ensues with all of the younger kids now being carried in one form or another. The ceiling above your very heads is falling in and you feel bits and pieces of debris hit you as you run. Then you come out of the last tunnel and into the entrance area to the whole hive complex. The images and writings on the walls still move in thier pale blue light, giving off light to see by.
Then you are out in the open area of the Plains. The entrance has caved in on itself and buried the entrance neatly but you can fear rightly that another entrance will open...someday. As you take stock of your condition you notice that a lot of the last bits of falling debris has done it's job. Still the Sargrass Plains has never seemed so welcome or the air so sweet...let alone the feeling of wind and sun upon your bodies.
[Everyone finds scratches, bruises and sore spots on your bodies that has dealt you all some damage...7 normal and 6 subdual damage to everyone.]
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 4/56 +6 subdual) 2d8(2+1)+3=6 2d8(3+7)+3=13 Thursday November 23rd, 2006 6:25:06 AM
Tishe' holds her wand high to give the pack and children more light to see by. With Murdock's Dancing Lights and the colored, glowing walls, she is not worried about not beeing able to see (as long as the dust doesn't block the lights).
Trellus and Flea are the first to fall from the falling debris (assumedly from the DM post), and Tishe' uses two healing potions to give them more energy to make it.
Trellus - CMW = 6 healing Flea - CMW = 13 healing
For the rest of the mad dash to the surface, she ALMOST makes it, succumbing at the last to the pelting rocks and chocking dust. (7 damage, 6 subdual) Rendered unconscious, her last thought is that the pack got the children out.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light*, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation* Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Trellus (ac 23, 6/79 hp, Owls Wisdom, 6 subdual, Staggered) Thursday November 23rd, 2006 9:04:48 AM
With the rest of the pack, Trellus dashes toward the entrance of the hive, cradling one of the kids under his hunched form as he runs.
Tishe passes his a potion, which he gratefully swallows. But the falling rock continues to take a toll. By the time Tishe falls, the cleric is too beat up to do much about it. "Mac," he croaks, "grab Tishe."
Finally, the group emerges. Trellus immediately starts casting healing spells, one upon himself, and then he starts working the kids. He nods toward Gilan and Flea to do the same.
To the new guy he says - "if you got healing help, start with her" - he nods toward Tishe.
[Gonna cast a mess of CLWs. Let me know how many.] -------- Spells in effect:
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:22 d8+1=6 Thursday November 23rd, 2006 12:48:48 PM
The well dressed surface drow finds his clothing now somewhat worn. With tiny pinpoints of blood starting to find their way through his white tunic. His dark navy skin in streaked with trails of dirt and sweat. Bruises are starting to develop and turn his skin even darker in some places. His beautiful silvery white tatoos are now dulled into a silver-grey with a coating of dust and setiment. The platinum blonde and lime green hair also so neatly coifed when he arrived now is somewhat darker from the dirt and filth of the caverns.
The strain of being snatched away by some mysterious magic, into a battle that was not his, starts to emerge. The surface drow's personality takes a turn for the sarcastic.
"The names Murdock, your Majesty", Murdock says with a sneer. "I don't need to be told what to do by the likes of you." He grumbles quietly to himself as he stalks off to help the wounded woman.
He bends over the woman, seeing the deep lines of worry starting to soften on her face. This softens his sour mood momentarily and he lays his hands on her. His tatoos flair once again into a brilliant white, softening to a cobalt blue, and then back to their normal silvery white. (CLW = 6 points to Tishe')
The drow still moody then sits down beside Tishe and looks onward, trying to wrap his mind around his change in circumstance.
Grymash (AC 29, hp 9/122, nonlethal 6, fatigued, barkskin, prot from evil, enlarge) Thursday November 23rd, 2006 7:53:00 PM
Upon reaching the grass of the open plains, Grymash collapses from exhaustion. He lies there and tries to catch his breath. His chest expands with fresh air. He coughs out the bad. After a few moments, the barbarian cleric slowly gathers what little strength he has left to get to his feet.
"Weez," COUGH!! "All heres?"
Flea (AC 21, 6/56 HP, Hasted) Thursday November 23rd, 2006 10:41:46 PM
Flea runs for all she is worth. "Hurry! Hurry!" she goads as once across the chasm, she again assumes the position of rearguard.
The rocks and debris falling from the ceiling of the cavern take their toll, and things get hazy as Flea stumbles. A potion from Tishe', and the rogue drags herself to her feet and stumbles for the exit.
Outside under the Sargrass sky, she crawls to a place near the newcomer. Sprawling out on the ground, she turns her head to watch as he heals her friend, Tishe'. "Thanks Mr. Mudock," she croaks weakly, "thanks for...for back there, for helping me, an' for helping the kids, an' for helping Tishe'." The gnome looks up at the sky as her voice trails off, "names Furtif Aeanora Flibbertigibbet....but you can call me Flea."
Jake (Hp 4/59, 10/59 lethal, AC 26) d20+21=31 Friday November 24th, 2006 4:04:30 AM
Jake groans in pain and rubs at his back, where a particularly large rock stuck in deep. "Owww... everyone okay? Hey, we're all out. We're out! YAAAAAAAH!" Jake gives a triumphant whoop and jumps up and down a few times happily, pumping his fist in the air. Anyone else who gets happy is fully encouraged by back clappings and laughing relief-filled hugs. Then, the half-elf turns his attention to everyone. First, he gives out his waterskin to the kids. "Okay, don't get all sunbaked, you'll all be fixed up in a sec by Trellus and Gilan here. They know a few weaves about bandages and stuff. We're the Bloodpack, and we're here to rescue you kids, as ah said already." Jake also breaks out some of the food the villagers gave them and gives it to the kids, and does whatever else he can to make them feel better. In general, he's using his good words and smooth charms to appease the kids and get them cheered up. (Diplomacy 31)
Gilan [HP: 49/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 13/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] [6subdual to both] 2d8(7+2)+9=18 d8+5=6 d8+5=7 d8+5=13 d8+5=10 Friday November 24th, 2006 6:17:13 PM
Gilan nods his head in answer to Trell's command. They had just barely made it out but the trip is not over yet and they still have a lot to do. He looks at the newcomer and shakes his head...stress, always stress. "I have a little healing left." He will move around and pass it out to those that are hurt the most, leaving himself for last as he has other means of healing. "I also have a few potions as well for those that are still battered and bruised.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement]
Return to IronHome. (DM Jim) Saturday November 25th, 2006 12:10:42 AM
The pack fell into order rather quick after exiting the cave and healing started to be passed out as need. Trellus, Gilan and the others that lend healing soon find that the kids are mostly unhurt, as they had been shielded by the pack as they made a run for it.
That left only the pack to be healed as needed and a trip that would lead the kids home. That was a word that had special meaning to the pack and the looked forward to it as well.....HOME.
[The kids are only scrapes and bruises that just need minor attention with no magical healing. The rest of the pack is a different story.]
[PS: Gilan still has access to a couple of spells that will give healing so we do not need to use up charges from healing wands. Also if we get sufficient time he can also brew a few replacement potions if we want to use them.]
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 10/56 +6 subdual) Monday November 27th, 2006 2:52:15 AM
At the drow's touch, Tishe's brown eyes flutter open to stare into the bedraggled image of Murdock. "Greetings, Ulgren, many shadows", she says, and then blinks in confusion. "Wait. No, that's not right." Some more blinking and slowly sitting up follows. "You are Silver Tattoo who was so effective in weaving an end to the ant-taurs."
Seeing that there is no immediate danger, the dirt-covered girl slowly takes assessment of her injuries, and stands. She winces as her hands encounter each bruise and scrape, and when her hands fail to encounter a large, ugly, furry head, her face momentarily pales as if from a greivious injury.
Yet it quickly passes as she turns to the tall, dark stranger. "Many Shadows", she begins formally in the patios of Rattledam, "I am Tishe' of the Bloodpack. As we are in the middle of the sunbaked Sargrass without protection, would you weave with us for a time?"
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light*, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation* Red -- Grease*, Unseen Servant*, Shield, Magic Missle, Mage Armor* Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility*, Web*, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III*, Lightning Bolt*, Haste*
Grymash Monday November 27th, 2006 7:21:53 PM "Uhhh ... weez theres yet," ponders Grymash? The barbarian cleric is ready for some meat, drink and a bed. He is somewhat perturbed, having been denied his kill. No sense of release. Like when the light fades in the eyes of his prey after receiving the killing blow. No souls for Lord Gargul. A part of him is glad for the children being saved from a horrible fate, but his dark side still needs to be fed.
Gilan [HP: 49/97 - AC: 27] [barkskin, bless] and Ciaran [HP: 21/80 - 24] [greater magic fang, bless] [6subdual to both] d8+5=8 2d8(4+7)+9=20 Monday November 27th, 2006 7:47:11 PM
Gilan looks around at the others and gives a wane smile as he moves back around the group. He tries to evaluate how everyone is doing and apply the last of his healing as needed.
Ciaran is more than ready to leave as well. He wants to have a little rest and get some food as well. It would be nice to not have to worry about his life so often.
[barkskin(Gry, Jake, Mac, Gilan) - 90minutes - +3 to AC] [greater magic fang(Ciaran) - 9hours - +3 to hit and damage] [longstrider(Mac and Jake) - 9hours - +10feet to movement]
Murdock AC:20 (16+4 Mage Armor), HP:22 Monday November 27th, 2006 10:35:26 PM
Murdock's mood still sour, he remains silent as Tishe's eyes open and she blinks back confusion. His lavender eyes stare down into her's for just an instant, before he breaks the contact, depthless sadness can be seen in them.
Murdock then settles himself on the ground beside her. Thinking for mere moments before the voice of the gnome disrupts his thoughts. As she introduces herself and thanks him, he waves his hands in dismissal.
"My lady gnome, Flea", Murdock says " I am glad I could help you. I am Murdock Trizica, and there is no need to call me Mister. I still think little mouse is a better name for you, but Flea will do. It is a pleasure to meet you."
The woman with the stange dialect that he healed stands before him now. Introducing herself. Murdock responds, "The pleasure is mine Tishe' of the Bloodpack, please call me Murdock. My tatoo's are but a small vanity. You will honor me more by calling me by my given name."
He is able to understand from his time in Rattledam that Tishe' wishes him to travel with them until such time as they leave these plains. During these musings, a stray bit of sunshine catches Murdocks sensitive eyes. Covering them hurridly, Murdock digs in his satchel and produces a pair of goggles that he fits over his eyes. The darkelf sighs in relief as he does so.
Murdock says, " Tishe' provided that your companions are amiable, I would greatly like to journey with your troupe. I do not know what foul or blessed magic conspired to bring me to your aid, but I am here now, and would much prefer to travel in the company of others than alone."
Heading out. (DM Jim) Monday November 27th, 2006 11:50:09 PM
The healing is handed out and the group is soon on the move, though some are tired. It would not be best to stay this close to the area of an entrance to the complex.
Having traveled maybe a mile away the group stops for the first night on thier way to IronHome. Though uneventful the group is able to get to know their new member a little more.
Traveling well into the next couple of days the tired group finally makes it back to IronHome as the sun is starting to get low in the sky.
Before you is once again the large metal dome of IronHome, so much like you own home. Torches are already flickering near the entrance though the gates are closed and you are not close enough for anyone to have notice you yet.
Jake (Hp 24/59, 30/59 lethal, AC 26) Tuesday November 28th, 2006 1:28:33 AM
"Murdock, huh. Name sounds catchy." Jake scratches his chin, wondering if he should shave the faint growth or keep it growing to look manlier. Yah, as soon as they get back, he decides. "Well, ya seem pretty okay, a lot like that last drow we was with. You ever heard of the Bloodpack? We're one of the packs of Rattledam, and the best of 'em. Right now, we're helping get these kids back to raiders... even though the raiders aren't exactly our pals, these bugs took children, which if you ask me is worse than anything else." Jake travels along the rest of the way, learning the kids names and watching over them companionably. He gives off the vibe of being an older brother that just happened to be mistaken for an adult. He eagerly teaches them all jokes and songs, how to catch prairie pigs easier, tells them a few stories of their travels, and gives them the wisdom of his practical joking. Hence it is that Grymash wakes up with little pink bows tied to his jutting tusks. When they arrive back at the gates, mindful of their last reception, Jake motions and holds the kids back... "The Bloodpack is back, and we've rescued your kids!" He calls to the gates, hoping to get a much better reception. Dancing girls throwing their arms around him, hopefully.
Tishe' (AC 20, HP 30/56) Tuesday November 28th, 2006 3:57:59 AM
The plain-faced woman accepts Murdock's words matter-of-factly, and Gilan's healing gratefully. Knowing that the entrance is a bad place to camp out, she eagerly moves with the group and children back towards IronHome.
The days are spent keeping the group moving and ensuring all the children are together. Tishe' daily casts seven Endure Elements spells to protect herself and six of the children from the burning sun on the plains.
The nights are spent with Jake's dubious cooking, teaching the children how to survive on the Sargrass, talking to Murdock, and sleeping with her back to the immense protection of Machastai. She tells Murdock of her childhood in HookCity, the fourth daughter of a weaver of Rattledam and a travelling bard, how her sisters were all much prettier and better at weaving than Tishe', how she learned of her magical affinity and became a mage apprentice. She talks of her decision to find out about her parents' mysterious past in Rattledam, and took passage on a 'Grass ship to Rattledam. How she met Mac on the trader's boat and how they met the Bloodpack outside the city of Rattledam. She talks about thier adventures against the Barons, lost in huge forests in the Scar, flying over the ocean by dragonback, fighting icy undead in a frozen wasteland, and fighting the Fey King's avatar on the Plains. She tells all in a bright manner that shows her interest in nearly everything, and also demonstrates that Tishe' is easily distracted: one question and she is off on another tangent, talking and listening with equal intensity.
At the entrance to IronHome, Tishe' keeps quiet and waits for the more eloquent to speak, only looking around to ensure that all the children are close by.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
CDM Jerry Tuesday November 28th, 2006 11:18:51 AM
I need the ADM of this game to make their report for last week's posting please. Email me when this is done or I will haunt you again tomorrow.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday November 28th, 2006 1:29:18 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Nov 20-24
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXOX
Trellus OXXOO
Tishe XXXOX
Jake XXOXO
Gilan XOOXX
Grymash XOXOX
Flea XXXOO
Murdock XXXOX
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM MikeK Note: Holiday week. I'm not going to be able to get this report out earlier than Tuesday night. Our week isn't over until DM Jim's late night Monday post, and I don't want to miss anybody.
Trellus d20+8=14 Tuesday November 28th, 2006 3:13:53 PM
Noting that the kids all seem to be relatively OK, Trellus works his way around the pack, casting healing spell after healing spell in order to get his friends healthy for whatever pick comes next.
At Murdock's sneering comeback, the cleric pulls up and gives the drow a long, level look. The flash of displeasure that crosses the blond human's face reveals he is not used to such a reaction. However, Murdock does move toward Tishe, and Trellus has spells to cast, so he makes no comment.
Later, Jake and the others introduce themselves to the new guy, and Trellus follows suit. "Many shadows," he says. "I'm Trellus," he grins "not Majesty". "We were gonna drop these kids off and then weave back to Rattledam. You're welcome to come along."
The smile drops while the cleric maintains eye contact. "I gotta tell ya, though, if things get all sunbaked, I tend to shout orders." Trellus gives Jake a wink "Sometimes these dudes actually weave the pick. But, none of 'em give me grief about it until everything's shady."
"Is that shady with you?"
Trellus' affiliation is rather obvious. The cleric wears a burgundy surcoat over a suit of fine silver chainmail. Multiple icons and woldian symbols related to Domi are inlaid throughout the surcoat.
At the sight of IronHome, Trellus calls out to the kids. "Just stay with us a bit longer, dudes. Let's make sure the sky is shady before you go running off."
Trellus leads the group toward the dome, keeping his eyes out for anything suspicious looking. [Spot 14]
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday November 28th, 2006 7:03:11 PM
Gilan has been having a nice time back under the open sky. The heat is not all that pressing as he makes sure that the last of the kids are covered with endure elements if Tishe' runs out. He does take the time to at least give his name to the new drow. "My name is Gilan and this is Ciaran." He watches the new guy and wonders how the drow came to be in such a place...then again magic was a strange thing.
Ciaran looks to the newcomer as he hears his name and his tongue lolls out in a smile. He does not get too near the new guy as he does not know him that well. He is having enough problems with the kids who started out scared of him and now some want to ride on him.
Murdock Tuesday November 28th, 2006 10:20:22 PM
Murdock listen's to the blonde cleric. Still annoyed with this human's penchant for barking orders to persons unknown to him.
Murdock can not resist the tempting thought that comes to his mind, as this cleric of Domi speaks to him. Murdock replies, "Hail brother of Domi. I can certainly understand your faithful zeel at leading in combat, but I thought your order tutored diplomacy too? At any rate, forgive my sharp tounge, I am just not acustom to people who do not know me barking orders at me. You were of course right to Request my assistance with this most bueatiful and brave of women." Murdock gestures to Tishe'. "As for my part, I will do as you request." Murdock says, adding a silent addendum to do so only when he thinks the clerics orders are for the greater good.
Murdock continues, "Trellus, I am Murdock Trizica, and it is ......shady.... to meet you too." Murdock seems to stumble for a moment as he uses the native phrase and then continues. "I do desire to travel with you, and would appreciate the company. I've heard of many dangers in these plains, and I for one, do not intend to be caught like a .....piggy.... in this place."
As they approach the large metal dome of Ironhome, Murdock walks quietly toward the back of the group, intent on being more cautious in his position than the cleric and fighters.
Flea Tuesday November 28th, 2006 10:33:58 PM
Flea recovers her spirit quickly once the healing spells are doled out. Predisposed already to liking the new guy, the gnome can't help but start to giggle when he refers to the plain Tishe' as 'this most beautiful and brave of women.'
Poor Tishe'! thinks the rogue as she claps her hands over her mouth to stiffle the sound. Poor Jake! she thinks next, wondering what the philandering ne'er do well half-elf is going to think of this new tatooed competitor for the affections of the Sargrass females!
A good welcome. (DM Jim) Wednesday November 29th, 2006 12:35:38 AM
The twin doors of IronHome open and out march six archers with Rayla and Jalian in the lead of the whole group. Jalian is smiling as she looks upon the group, Rayla on the other hand is not looking too happy.
The kids move slowly forward as they spot the group of adults coming out of their home. As they stop in front of the adults, Jalian gives them a stern look but keeps silent...it is Rayla that speaks. "I will have the lot of you peeling grass tubers for the next month and if you ever pull a stunt like this again..." She leave the rest unspoken as her eyes lift to take in the whole pack that stands before them. "You have the gratitude of the hunters of IronHome." You can tell that she does not give this honor to anyone but you have proven your friendship. Jalian nods her head as she steps to the side for the group to fall into line with her. "Rayla is right...you have done much for our village and I do not know how to repay you." She slowly moves towards the twin doors...fully expecting you to follow along...though there is a tinge of grief in her voice(Sense Motive 18).
You also might notice a not so happy looking Bertina at the doors to IronHome as well but she is partly in the shadow(Spot 22). Those that may have spotted her will not see her there if they glance back a few minutes later.
As the kids start to move on towards IronHome the elder of the boys is cuffed on the back of the head by Rayla. "We will talk later...consider yourself on double peeling duty." There is venom in her voice that cannot be disguised but also a sense of relief as well. Two men come running out of the gates about this time as well and between the two of them they sweep the oldest girl, that had taken the time to stand against Flea, into their arms. Tears can be seen upon their faces as they just stand there and hold her.
Mac seems to be a little lost as if he is in a daze. You get the feeling that something is wrong but he does not say anything, but he has been keeping to himself lately.
LOOT chainshirt morningstar ring rod(2) small stick(2) bracers shield vial(7) scroll(5) gem(2) pendant broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it
EXPERIENCE 2500 for Tishe', Flea, Jake, Trellus, Grymash, Gilan. 1500 for Murdock.
This will be the start of Mac's write-out of the group. He could return in the future, I am just not sure when.
Tishe' Wednesday November 29th, 2006 2:18:15 AM
Tishe's brow furrows in puzzlement as she tries to figure out Murdock's words. "Is he being serious or sarcastic?", she wonders at a whisper. A shrug of her shoulders and toss of her head telegraph that the plain-faced woman thinks their new friend is a little sunbaked, but harmless for all that.
She thinks about the loot Jake was able to get and decides that it can wait until the Bloodpack is alone.
And then she focuses on Jalian and her words.
Waiting until the group gets her alone, she starts with the most important news she can think of. "Do you know of a group called the Red Claws?"
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Jake d20+10=24 Wednesday November 29th, 2006 1:02:59 PM
When Murdock gives Tishe the glowing compliments, Jake suddenly develops a fit of coughing. The half-elf grins to himself, both at Murdocks behavior and Tishe's expected behavior. No need to warn either... See what happens next. (darn... 770 exp tnl! can i kill a few mobs? J/k) Jake enjoys watching the kids get punished, seeing himself in all of them. He also looks forward to a reward, and is doing his best to look heroically stoic at the moment. "So, now that we've saved your guys town, you still think Rattledam's so bad? Ah mean, we helped y'all out some back there."
Trellus d20+5=18 d20+9=26 Wednesday November 29th, 2006 6:15:06 PM
Trellus grins at Murdock's comments regarding Tishe. The drow is a loner, which is fine, that's how the Bloodpack got together in the first place.
At the gates of IronHome, the sharp-eyed cleric spots the upset Bertina [Spot 26]. He also gets the sense Rayla is hiding something [Sense Motive 18].
"Something else is going on," he replies to the retreating leader. "What is it?" The Barons have their kids, and lacking that bargaining chip, Trellus isn't about to enter their dome until he's got a better feeling.
Murdock d20+7=12 d20+5=21 Wednesday November 29th, 2006 7:35:56 PM
Murdock sees the exchange from his place near the back of the group. He is however, blissfully oblivious to any hidden agenda's or threats. Never the less, he knows little about these people he travels with and even less about these barons and their village of Ironhome and is on his guard.
Murdock smiles inwardly at himself when his penchant for caution is rewarded. Murdock studies the situation intently as the Brother of Domi stops following the woman into the gates of Ironhome and ask the question that seems always a prelude to danger....."Whats going on here?"
Grymash d20+2=9 Wednesday November 29th, 2006 8:23:45 PM
Grymash doesnt notice anything as they enter Ironhome. He does hear 'tuber peeling' and his pointy ears perk up a little. "Hmmm, tubers," the half-orc mumbles to himself. "Yeah, betters start ta peelin'! Gry hungry!"
Witnessing the greeting the two men give the oldest girl, it cracks a faint smile on Grymash's face. How silly they act ... cryin' like babies, he thinks. However, it reminds of someone he misses. He curses being reminded of the memory. The feeling of loss compounded with the loss of the kill he deserved. Gry pulls on one of the many leather strands that hang around his neck. This particular cord contains a single bronze colored scale. A name scratched on its underside reads, 'Many bites & scratches, Grand Maw.' Grymash cant help but sigh. Even though the half-orc's body contains countless scars and cuts, there's one on his backside that he's particularly fond of. He gives it slight pat and a chuckle. The grin returns to his face.
Suddenly, loot is presented. It grabs his attention and Grymash starts to look it over.
Flea d20+9=20 d20-1=16 Wednesday November 29th, 2006 11:57:18 PM
Standing near the back of the pack, Flea misses the action at the front with the Ironholme folks. Not entirely sure she knows what Murdock is asking, she volunteers, a little sadly, "you know, we didn't get everyone back..."
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday November 30th, 2006 7:37:30 PM
Gilan watches the goings on but only with mild interest. He has been thinking about things from back in the cavern. This new group that seems to be working with the Oglian and a human to boot. How is it that they thought they could trust the Oglian to keep their deal or did they have a plan that would give them the advantage. He stops at the very entrance to the city and looks to both Trell and Jalian. "Trouble...what trouble." He had not been paying enough attention it seemed.
Ciaran is happy to finally be rid of the children and being left alone. He bumps into his brother's leg when he stops and cocks his head to look up at him.
Bloodpack senses tingleing. (DM Jim) Thursday November 30th, 2006 8:00:17 PM
Jalian looks to Trellus as he speaks and then looks around as well to see what he saw that she had not. She still does not see anything out of place and shrugs her shoulders. "There are no problems." The brothers and Rayla have since led the kids the rest of the way into the city and are even now taking them home.
Jalian stays near the entracne and turns to regard Trellus with an even eye. "We will throw a party tonight that will last well into the morning for your group and the help that you have given us." She turns to Jake and gives him a smile. "The city of IronHome will always remember the debt that it owes to the Bloodpack...but remember that we do not always choose our way...the Barons will make the ultimate decision and we are too far away to get help from anyone else if they were to attack us." You can tell that she is thinking about the future of her people and not of an anciet feud that has developed between their peoples. "What is it that has set you on edge...as I will not allow anything to happen her without my express say." It does appear to be funny that she is making all the decision when it is her grandfather that was in charge.
Then in the distance of the village you hear the light beat of funeral drums.
LOOT chainshirt {moderate conjuration} morningstar {strong evocation} ring {faint abjuration} rod(2) {strong magic} small stick(2) {conjuration/evocation} staff {moderate evocation} bracers {moderate conjuration} shield {moderate conjuration} vial(7) scroll(5) gem(2) pendant {powerful mixture} broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy}
[JimW - Storms yesterday, will try to make up a post over the weekend.]
[I also need all of you to start thinking about who deserves a hero point for the past battle. Of course send me all your votes through email so that I might go through and see those deserving.]
Murdock Friday December 1st, 2006 8:51:56 AM
Still at the rear of the group. Murdock looks at Flea, he has remained silent thus far. When Flea burst out with that statement about getting everone back, any momentary happiness he may have felt vanishes. His face takes on look of sadness.
He reaches into his beltside pouch and pulls out a locke of curly hair. He Responds to Flea quietly, "That is how it often is, my gnomish friend." Then he places the locke of hair back into his pouch again.
Player Sanity: Murdock was making a comment about Trellus's statement. He made no comment of his own.
OOC: I will be traveling Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week to Laredo, TX for a managers conference for the company I work for. I do not know how much time I will have during that trip to post.
Tishe' Friday December 1st, 2006 2:15:07 PM
Tishe' doesn't understand many of the overtures in the air, concentrating as she is on her own question... "Do you know of a group called the Red Claws?" She is rather persistant, and is not willing to give up any further information until she knows how much or little IronHome knows about the 'allies' of the Oglians.
She notices some of her packmates looking at the loot and drops a quick bit of information... "I've got a wand that casts Identify spells: it won't be hard to sort the treasure this time."
She absently strokes the head of a large toad that pokes its head out of her shoulder satchel, but keeps her eyes on Jalian... the one person that can answer her question.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Jake Friday December 1st, 2006 4:40:00 PM
Jake gets a little of what Trellus is saying... something bad. And he has been caught off guard way too often in the past. He instinctively gets his shield ready, just in case. "Hmm, some hero's welcome." Jake looks around. "Where's the women flying up and throwing their arms around me in thanks? Dust." Jake is only half-kidding. "So...now what, guys? Ah mean... we pack up, then head where?"
(What size shield is that, out of curiousity?)
Gilan and Ciaran Friday December 1st, 2006 11:24:51 PM
Gilan watches the interplay between their leader and the leader of IronHome. He does look to the few that have looked at the treasure a little. "Are we welcome here or do we move on." He is hoping that they can get a good nights sleep somewhere and it does not seem that anything is out of the ordinary.
Ciaran seems at ease as if nothing is out of the ordinary. He does not act as if their is any danger nearby and usually animals have a keen sense of this.
[Shield is large steel.]
Deep in thought. (DM Jim) Sunday December 3rd, 2006 9:45:05 PM
As Jalian waits to see what the problem was, obviously not spotting Bertina from earlier she glances to Tishe'. "I am sorry but that is another legend that you must have heard taught at Rattledam as well." Picking through what she remembers of the legends, though they are not really that old...she begins.
"Some sixty years ago a group of like minded people came together to build what would later be known as The RedClaw Cult. The man that started it, Jared, was a druid and saw nothing as sacred like most druids do. He contrived ways to bend and warp nature to his own desires and so started his cult as he gained like minded people. The leadership of the cult was mainly Jared with four under-druids that answered only to him. It is told that they would seek out those abominations of nature and try to make them better or pervert those nature things of nature with some force...that is still unknown today. Jared is the first to have dealt with the corruption of treants and the splicing of trolls...forming the fabled ogrol. Unknown to anyone it was said that Jared was killed, burned alive in one of his own experiments...a body was shown to the masses and the Cult was said to have dispersed."
Her eyes show hints of fear as she states something that she fears. "I am inclined to believe that Jared survived...either as some kind of sentient undead or maybe a liche...he loved abominations so much." With a more curious look her eyes probe Tishe'. "Why do you ask though." In her lifetime she has never heard anyone speak of the RedClaws but in legends.
Tishe' Monday December 4th, 2006 2:39:13 AM
Hoping to hear about a group of Barons, Tishe' is shocked beyond all senses as Jalian tells of the legend of the Red Claws. She listens, facinated despite herself, hearing about: "these... these... anti-druids. A reason for the evilness of the Plains. A backing force for the Barons." And then in a whisper, "and the Oglians."
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Trellus Monday December 4th, 2006 9:45:27 PM
The funeral drums are pounding for the old man. Well, that explains some of it. Trellus nods sadly and waves the group forward. "We can go in," he reports with a sigh. To Jaina, he adds, "we don't need a party. You're probably not up to it."
Then comes the discussion about the RedClaws, and the cleric's mood darkens. "We ask, cause one was there. Treating with the Oglian queen. He offered her IronHome and Rattledam. You better keep being careful."
Trellus leads the group into the dome, presumably toward the same hut as last time. Once there, he gives Tishe and Flea some room to sort through the stuff they've brought back.
[OOC - Can someone go through and get a complete list? Trellus was given a chest at one point, but I don't have time to research.]
Grymash Monday December 4th, 2006 10:49:17 PM "Red Claw Cowards!! Dat whut Red Claws be," snarls Grymash! "Gry fights wit da Red Coward treadle! Da coward ran from Gry, leavin' uh dumpy trail behinds like cryin' prairie piggies! Gry no done wit dis! Dat piggies days are short. Gonna dance wit Gry's axe again. An when dat happen, Gry will be wearin' Red Claw skin when dones!!"
Grymash retreats to a corner and sits down to clean his gear and sharpen his double axe. His eyes follow the path of his whetstone along the edge of his ax blade. His hand guides it with machine-like precision. A stream of sparks fall away with each stroke. Each one illuminates the red in the half-orc's eyes. Eyes filled with vengeful determination.
Jake d20+10=29 Monday December 4th, 2006 10:50:57 PM
"Well, if that guy was..um.. an anti-druid, he probably was there to make some allies and stuff with the Oglians. Makes sense with what Tish is sayin'." Jake shrugs and lowers his shield, since Trellus is relaxing.
Jake will wait till everyone's sorting through loot, then sneak out the hut. (hide 29) He sneaks through the town, intent on finding where the food is prepared. No doubt he's familiar with the layout since the last time he was here. No doubt he finds the boy who they rescued from the oglians, forced at work already. (All of the following is in hopes that jake DOES find the boy or the girl who escaped from the oglians) When Jake encounters the youth, or the girl who managed to also be part of the escape and led them out, he finds a moment when nobody else is around and walks on up, holding his hands up non-threateningly. "Ah understand you and the others got in trouble for having escaped. Good job surviving there. Don't let these adults get you down... You gotta get in trouble a few times to learn how to deal with it. "You know, back in Rattledam, there's groups of likeminded youths who get together and try to have adventures. That's how the Bloodpack got started. And we had troubles with our own elders..boy did we have some troubles with them. But once you get together with your pack, you can do anything. Sometimes you gotta break a few rules to do what's right." With that little inspirational speech, Jake grins and tosses the kid a small pouch. In it is 100 gold. "We got plenty of treasure tackling, all kinds of magic stuff, and ah think you and the other kids deserve a bit of it, since y'all helped get yourselves outta there. But ya gotta promise to share the money with all the kids, equally." Jake fusses up the kid's hair, and skedaddles. Jake's next target is to scout out the town's femmes one last time. No sense in wasting his time looking at treasure or magic items...there's beautiful girls out there to find! He's especially hoping to find the pretty Rayla, and get some thankful embraces there.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday December 4th, 2006 11:18:11 PM
Gilan follows along now that the group is moving once again into IronHome. He has been listening and makes a mental note that he has never heard that particular legend in Rattledam. Another thing to file away to think about and maybe pose to Malafret when they get back to Rattledam. "Trellus is right...no need for a party or anything of that sort...you have other things to worry about." He figures that the death drums they are hearing must be for her grandfather. Though weak the man seemed to have been in fairly decent health...but that is none of his affair.
Ciaran follows along as well and slips into the house as soon as the door is opened. He seems to visually relax as all the extra attention is brought away from him inside the house.
The good, the bad....... (DM Jim) Tuesday December 5th, 2006 12:41:17 AM
As the group moves into the village you notice that a lot of the villagers are watching you. Some give smiles and small waves to the group as a whole. Then there are a few that seem to be glancing at you with little more than tolerance. It had been this way earlier as well but you might have hoped that your rescue of the kids would have changed much of this.
One group that seems particularly angered for some reason, is a group of young people that are hanging out near one house. Some of them you know to be apprentices of Bertina but little more. There is most definitely an undercurrent of tension and hate here with the change of power in the village of IronHome.
Once inside the house that you used the past two times you were in the village, Jalian regards the group with troubled eyes. "If you did see a RedClaw, that would mean that they are still active in the area." She shakes her head with a couple of the statements that are made. "I am not sure if they would work even with the Barons...thier ideals are somewhat the same but their methods and ultimate goal is not." She doe not go into further detail but you get the idea that she is not happy about the news that you have brought.
Jake sneaks off sometime later to find the young lad that was given grass tuber peeling duty. He finds the lad seated at a large table set up outside with a knife in hand, along with a tuber. In front of him on the table are ten rather large baskets of tubers that need to be peeled. Seated with him are all the others that had snuck away with him, peeling as well...though they look up at Jake's approach. His speech is well taken by the lads and ladies at the table though, Jake is soon chased off by a matronly woman with a rather large wooden ladel. "Doncha be comin around er again...tey havn work ta do." Jake finds several of the young ladies in the village to be open and talk to him. It seems there will be a party tomorrow in honor of the old chief of the village. But he never does find Rayla...but something worse as he is making his way back to the house the pack is staying in. Six of the IronHome males come across Jake, or actually were looking for him and each is armed with a cudgel. Jake was able to note one other thing on his wandering before he is found by the group...there is another of those dog things like Tishe' had here in one of the pens.
Back at the hut, Jalian is talking to the rest of the pack...except those that maybe looking at the loot. "No, there will be a party tomorrow morning for my Grandfather and you will be honored guest...if you will join us." Her eyes seems to hope that you will agree and there is a shadow there as well.
[Sense Motive DC 10 to realize that there is something going on and Jalian knows what it is.]
[Jake is still a fair distance from the house the rest of the pack is at.]
[Jake - Spot DC 16]
LOOT chainshirt {moderate conjuration} morningstar {strong evocation} ring {faint abjuration} rod(2) {strong magic} small stick(2) {conjuration/evocation} staff {moderate evocation} bracers {moderate conjuration} shield {moderate conjuration} vial(7) scroll(5) gem(2) pendant {powerful mixture} broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coins
Tishe' Tuesday December 5th, 2006 2:40:21 AM
Back in the house the Bloodpack used when they last stayed in IronHome, Tishe' tries to shake off the feeling that "It feels like we are caught in a Grass Lightning Storm without shelter."
To get her mind off of too many possibilities, she gets out her Wand of Identification and, in order, casts 10 spells.
chainshirt {moderate conjuration} morningstar {strong evocation} ring {faint abjuration} one of the rods(2) {strong magic} one of the small sticks(2) {conjuration/evocation} staff {moderate evocation} bracers {moderate conjuration} shield {moderate conjuration} pendant {powerful mixture} broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy}
"Murdock, would you like to cast Read Magic on the scrolls?" Given his answer, she will let the drow peruse the scrolls or cast the spell herself after she is done Identifying the loot.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Murdock d20=17 Tuesday December 5th, 2006 5:58:55 AM
Murdock has been relatively quiet up to the point of arriving here. His spider senses are tingling badly and he thinks that their host knows about it.
As soon as he gets settled in the house, he turns to the rest of the pack and says so matter of factly. "There is something going on here, and the woman, Jalian, knows about it. I don't trust any of them, and to be frank, I'm more often right about these things, then wrong. I think that we may be better off leaving sooner rather than later."
Tishe' then catches his attention, asking if he can read the scrolls. With an ease born of long familarity with such items, he casually cast Read Magic and identifies the scrolls.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday December 5th, 2006 12:36:15 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Nov 27- Dec 1
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXOXX
Trellus XXOOX
Tishe XXOXX
Jake XXOXX
Gilan XXOXX
Grymash OXOOX
Flea XXOOO
Murdock XXOXO
[X = post, O = no post]
Jake d20+4=16 d20+18=38 d20+10=25 Tuesday December 5th, 2006 1:55:04 PM
(Spot 16, on the mark!) Jake stops by the strange dog and kneels down next to its cage. "Hey there, boy. Hmmm, you look kinda familiar for some reason. Guess ah'll have to tell Tishe about you." Jake gets up and begins heading back to the tent, when suddenly he is accosted by these youths. With cudgels. Probably ain't good... time to give a good spin, Jake thinks to himself. "There you guys are!" Jake grins disarmingly. "Ah've been looking around for some townsfolk to buy drinks for. You guys are great fighters, ah hear, but ah have no idea how many glass grasses you can battle before fallin'. Drinks are on me!" Hopefully, said with such a casual air and with such enormous ease, this can disarm what might be a violent affair beforehand. The funny part is, Jake also plans on drinking with them, then getting into a barfight with them. Nothing like a good fight... except a good drinking and then a good fight! (Diplomacy 38... I always get high rolls on these diplomacy rolls. Must be Jake's hat)
This might work... Still, if they ARE wanting to fight and refuse to go drinking with him, Jake won't back down. "What's wrong... you guys afraid to go barehanded with me?" (Bluff 25) Jake tries to convince them that they don't need to use weapons...because Jake doesn't want to kill any, nor really get hurt.
Jake also glances around, and his half-elven eyesight is keen. (Spot 16) (Jake is, of course, assuming these guys are local hicks and not extremely well trained fighters. Things could go very badly if so.)
Gilan and Ciaran d20+5=14 Tuesday December 5th, 2006 8:52:07 PM
Gilan looks around the room but does not pay too much attention to things. He is more than happy to allow Tishe' and Murdock the fun of going over the loot. "Tishe', if you or Murdock ever have a need...I have a few identify scrolls as well." It should be no surprise as he has always kept a few on hand, even though he cannot use them himself.
Though maybe not as adept as some of the others he can tell that something is bothering Jalian or she knows something. He moves over to take a seat near Trell. "Something is wrong as Murdock said." He points to Jalian who has to of heard Murdock talk openly and plainly. "We need to find out if she will tell us anything...I really do not want to have to fight my way out of here."
From the corner comes a loud snorting snore. Anyone looking over will see Ciaran sacked out on the floor, laying on his back.
"Jalian," he replies neutrally, "you're not telling us everything. Rayla already hates us, and Bertina was at the gate looking totally warped up." The cleric spreads his hands and shrugs. "Its not your grandfather, its something else. And we aren't all that comfy with staying right now. What can you tell us?" [Diplomacy 20, 19 if she is of a faith opposing Domi, 22 if she worships the Woldian gods]
Up to no good. (DM Jim) d20+6=9 d20+6=11 d20+6=11 d6+4=6 d6+4=5 d6+4=7 d20+12=20 d20+12=25 d20+12=29 d6+4=10 d6+4=10 d6+4=10 Wednesday December 6th, 2006 1:18:30 AM
Tishe' and Murdock tend to the magical items and scrolls as the rest of the group go about thier own things. They find out a few interesting little tid-bits about all the stuff. A few of them show more potential but they do not seem to want to give away their secrets yet.
Trellus and Gilan turn to Jalian with a look of interest in what is going on. There are signs of hatred within the very village itself and it seems to be directed at the pack as a whole.
Jake finds himself confronted by a group of armed men, that do not seem to be taking too well to his sweet talking. The lead man turns his head to take in the group as a whole and smiles. "Bertina said that you would come back to gloat...poisoning the elder of the village would not be enough." Each of them advance with what seems to be no intentions of fighting fair, though only three of them seem to have the measured steps of true fighters.
Jalian nods her head at the words from Trellus though she looks to Murdock with a shudder. "It is not all the village that is angry...just those that loved my Grandfather. It has been speculated that he died of unnatural causes and that your group had something to do with it." With a look of pure anguish she shakes her head but cannot hide the tears. "Rayla is thankful to your group, though she does not know how to say so...it is her own inability to save her brother let alone her people that sways her emotions." Not sure if she is making any sense at all she tries to gather her thoughts. "My Grandfather was in high spirits when you came to the village...though weak he was in almost perfect health...then shortly after you left the first time he started to wither away. I do not know what happened but a few...Bertina among them said that it was your doing and that you would try to take control of the village. You would succeed in your fight with the Oglian because you are helping them." She shrugs her shoulders and holds her hands out helplessly. "I cannot stop her as I do not have the authority yet and if I am right than...." Her last statement is cut short as there is a knock at the door.
Rayla enters the house just a few minutes after the knock and she does not look happy, but you are not sure what it is about. "Jalian is right...I also fear that Bertina was the cause of her Grandfather's death...our Elder." You can see waring emotions on her face as she glances around the room. "I came here to apologize for my actions earlier and my hostility...it was uncalled for....thank each of you for saving my brother and my people." She glances around the room one last time and her eyes widen in fright. "Where is the handsome one with the funny hat?" She looks to the door and Jalian is on her feet as well and covers her mouth with her hand. Rayla is the first to break the silence and then rips the door open and disappears into the night. "That fool...it is not safe out there right now." Jalian looks to Trellus and nods her head. "Bertina has been whipping those that will listen into a frenzy...none of you are safe out alone.
Jake finds himself doing his best to avoid the attackers as they move at him. The first three that approach are not very practiced with thier cudgel swings, no discipline(hit: 9/11/11 and damage: 6/5/7). The other three though are more versed in fighting and it is easy to see that you are in trouble alone. These three coordinate their attacks upon you to fight as one unit, seeming to anticipate each other too well{hit: 20/25/29 and damage: 10/10/10).
[Jake does not have his shield ready or a weapon yet. Your are not flat-footed though and half of the damage is subdual.]
LOOT [i]mithril chainshirt+2 morningstar of spell storing+1 ring of protection+3 extend rod rod{strong magic} staff of frost(20charges) wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges) small stick{evocation} bracers of armor+4 lion's shield+2 death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] tonguesscroll(CL7)[divine] silencescroll(CL3)[arcane] blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] vial(7) gem(2) pendant of order * +4wisdom broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin
[The pendant seems to have other mysteries to it that it does not want to give up now. The broken ceramic jar turn up nothing with an identify, so the spell was not used from the wand.]
Tishe' Wednesday December 6th, 2006 2:47:23 AM
9 Identify spells work, and Tishe' is poring over the treasure with Murdock when Jalian accuses Bertina of killing the old man. Her head snaps up with wavy brown locks flying about as pieces of a puzzle come together for her. "Bertina must be warp and weft with the Red Claws! How else could the druid guarantee a steady supply of children to the Oglian without violence? And now she will be trying to cut Jalian's threads."
Further implications sink in and Tishe' agrees; if Jake is on his own, he could be in very real danger. She tries to guage his relative health with the Dragon Tear embedded in her chest, not knowing if it will work since thier jaunt to Gargul's realm... (she will report any findings from the Dragon's Tear)
"Some of the pack needs to get Jake, and some need to stay and protect Jalian in order to help clear our name and keep IronHome safe", she announces. Yet who that might be is not aired by the spellweaver, not being the leader of the pack.
Echoes of a revving engine play in the back of her mind...
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Jake Wednesday December 6th, 2006 6:01:21 PM
The youths come at him, obviously pissed off. And Jake has a slight fear... he could really be in danger here!
There's a few things he could do here... And they all flash in his mind as he's beaten. One is draw his sword and defend himself. But if he ends up killing one of these guys, he could very well wind up in worse trouble. Another option is to run away... but then, Jake's never run away from anything. Well, not by himself.
But most of all, there's that guy's comment, about them poisoning the elder. Jake figures that if he ran, or if he attacked back, he'd be basically proving their comment true. And that would mean that the whole pack could get in trouble. So Jake makes yet another try.. and impassioned plea even as they begin to beat at him with the sticks. "Look... I really don't know what you're talking about *UNF!*" He curls up slightly from the blow and dodges a few of the clumsier strikes. "We didn't *Smack* ahh! poison your elder!" And so it is, pleading his innocence, eventually curling up into the fetal position, Jake gets a horrendous beating that fades till he's unconscious. [Logically, Jake could just keep dodging attacks. He's pretty much untouchable to these guys.. While on full defense tumbling he's got an AC of 30. BUT out of character and for story purposes I imagine that Jake would let himself get beat up. I'm trusting that they are trying to beat him into unconscious, not to death. Also, while I find it amusing that a single guy can stand amidst a group of thugs and somehow avoid blows for five minutes without effort, I also don't think it's very realistic or particularly story-adding. But, if you decide to kill off Jake here, I guess it'll be time to roll a new character.]
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday December 6th, 2006 7:23:01 PM
Gilan is swiftly on his feet and then lays a hand upon Trell's shoulder. "I will take care of this." He looks at the others and then shrugs his shoulders. "Flea and Ciaran...feel like getting Jake out of a little trouble." He has healing and can take care of most trouble and that still will leave Trellus with the best fighter in the group and enough magical backup.
He slips out the door and silently wishes that his own heart gem was working. He just catches a bit of motion that must be Rayla and takes off after her.
Ciaran is out the door as well and follows along with his brother. Though not exactly understanding the words...the tone was clear. He was going to get to have some sport.
Grymash looks up from his axe sharpening and wonders at first who Rayla is referring to as 'the handsome one'? Then she calls him 'the Fool'! Having been the target of countless taunts, tricks and jests from a certain member of the Bloodpack, there's no mistaking now who she was talking about ... "Jake!"
With a sigh, Grymash gets to his feet and half-heartedly strolls out the door. He puts his ear to the air and listens for the sounds of angry parents, a crying female, sword play, a ranting mob, furious clerics and even nervious prairie pigs. (Listen 16) Fortunately, his ears become satisfied to which direction and starts to walk off in that direction.
If Grymash finds the scuffle in the streets. He just stands there with crossed arms and a crooked smile. An expression that seems more amused than concerned for Jake's safety. A confident and piercing gaze at Jake's attackers. Almost as if the presence of the mountain-backed hulk of a half-orc was enough to cower the weaker ones. (Intimidate check 24)
Flea d20+9=25 Wednesday December 6th, 2006 9:06:58 PM
While folks are discussing the politics and intrigues of Ironholme Flea is busy poking around the items recovered by the party. With the information provided by Tishe' she tries to get a general idea as to the value of the haul. (Appraise=25)
"You want me to sniff the vials?" she volunteers. But the pack seem distracted. Flea will abandon the loot, and follow the others into the street.
Trellus Wednesday December 6th, 2006 9:09:54 PM
Trellus nods as Gilan heads out the door. Grymash immediately follows. That wasn't in the plan, but the blond haired cleric does nothing but roll his eyes.
"Flea, go ahead. The rest of you dudes stay here. Tishe, you can still heart touch Gry, right? Just let me know if he gets in trouble."
He turns to Rayla. "You're pretty powerful. Can't you subject Bertina to a Zone of Truth or something and ask her straight up? I mean, if we just leave, what happens to you dudes?"
Lots of trouble. (DM Jim) d20+6=25 d20+6=9 d20+6=15 d20+12=13 d20+12=18 d20+12=26 d6+4=10 d6+4=8 d6+4=10 d6+4=10 d6+4=9 d6+4=10 Thursday December 7th, 2006 2:28:33 AM
As Rayla, Gilan, Ciaran, Flea and Grymash race out to find Jake and see what type of trouble he might have gotten into, the others talk a little more.
Trellus queries Jalian as Rayla is no longer there about putting Bertina to the test, so to speak. Jalian shakes her head. "She is the village wise woman and without being able to take my Grandfather's mantle..." She shrugs her shoulders and then shakes her head. "If Rayla was to do that without somekind of consent on either Bertina's part or the Elder's order...she would be stripped naked and sent out into the grass." Jalian shudders as she says this last, not wanting to lose one ally.
Jalian stands and paces the floor as she waits for the return of Rayla and the rest of the Bloodpack. She knew that Bertina was looking for power and would most likely take over the village if she could, but that was to be years down the road...now she was defenseless. "If you leave now...you will be safe and not a bad idea." She cannot bring herself to meet Trellus's eyes as she gives an idea of what will happen. "Bertina will most likely have me killed...oh it will seem like an accident of some kind...then she will take over the village. She has never been happy with our idea of staying partially neutral with the Barons. She wants to fully join the Barons and become a power under them." She cannot bring herself to say more as she falls onto one of the chairs and drops her head into her hands.
Murdock watches all of this with mild interest as she fingers one of the scrolls, mostly to keep busy. He does look to see if Tishe' wants to deal with the other items that lay on the table unidentified. He remembers Gilan commenting about scrolls in his backpack if they wanted to use them.
Jake finds himself being beaten by the group of thugs. The three skilled fighters are the only ones that seem to be able to hit...but it is enough. Jake can just barely make out one of them talking as he tries to at least keep himself partially safe. "He is not even trying to defend himself." One of the others speaks up laughing. "He must be the coward of the bunch." The one that is obvously in charge speaks up, putting an end to all the banter. "Just shut up...knock him silly and lets get him back to Bertina." Another rain of blows come in from the cludgels, trying to put out Jake's lights[hit: 25/6/15/13/18/26 and damage: 10/8/10/10/9/10]. Unfortunately one of the attackers loses his cudgel and it sails across the way to slam into one of the iron dome shaped houses.
In the distance Grymash can hear the sounds of what must be a small fight. Rayla has already turned that direction as well, with Gilan right behind him. Flea is also making her way in that direction, taking her cue from the retreating form of Grymash.
[Jake has taken so far...15 points of real damage and 15 points of subdual damage. Please let me know where Jake stands as far as hit points as the thugs are trying to knock you unconscious.]
[Flea was able to identify the two pearls as being worth roughly 100 gold apiece.]
LOOT mithril chainshirt+2 morningstar of spell storing+1 ring of protection+3 extend rod rod{strong magic} staff of frost(20charges) wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges) small stick{evocation} bracers of armor+4 lion's shield+2 death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] tonguesscroll(CL7)[divine] silencescroll(CL3)[arcane] blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] vial(7) gem(2) pendant of order * +4wisdom broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin
[Be advised that Murdock will be absent for the 6th and 7th at least. Please count my post as one for him so that he does not miss any posts till he gets back. Thanks.]
Tishe' d20+8=28 d20+8=28 Thursday December 7th, 2006 4:15:02 AM
She nods in response to Trellus' question, yes, the heart-touch and Dragon Tear still works between her and the half-orc.
With another look she encourages Murdock to use the Identify scrolls Gilan left to get the rest of the magic. "Try to identify the dust", she suggests, "for though it radiates magic, the jar is perfectly ordinary."
Tishe' keeps an ear out for any sounds around the house (Listen: 28), and an eye on the door (Spot: 28), to ensure Jalian will be safe. Then she thinks hard about the situation.
"It sounds like we'll have to proove her guilt, protect Jalian, and clear our name all at the same time." She turns to Trellus, once more stating the obvious, "if we leave, IronHome will become an enemy camp and the power of the Barons will grow."
"We need to sneak into Bertina's house and find evidence against her. Perhaps see Grandfather's body and determine what killed him. And of course, prove it."
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Jake (AC 24, +6 from total defense w/tumbling 5, hp 29/59) Thursday December 7th, 2006 7:19:10 PM
Jake continues to dodge, though the men's words sting. "Coward? To fight one on six? I'll take any of you on, one on one. But ah guess y'all are too dustblooded treadles, too cowardous to lick piggie slimem, then do that." He's been dodging all the attacks by pulling a series of rather interesting twists and bends. Suddenly he avoids a low blow by doing a standing back flip. Very fancy! "But ah don't expect much from guys who lick the Raiders' boots everytime they pass through."
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday December 7th, 2006 7:38:45 PM
Gilan is still following Rayla as she makes her way in the direction of all the noise. He has a sinking feeling that Jake is in trouble or at least someone is in trouble. He keeps up his pace not wanting to waste breathe speaking.
Ciaran is right behind his brother, though he could have passed him awhile ago. Just not knowing what he is doing or looking for is what makes him stay.
Trellus Thursday December 7th, 2006 9:03:12 PM
Trellus begins pacing and rubbing the back of his head. He nods absently in response to Tishe. He'd already been thinking along the same thread - better a sorta friendly Jalian than an enemy Bertina in charge of IronHome.
"I don't suppose there's some trial by combat or something we could use to prove our innocence?" he asks without conviction.
"Maybe Flea can get into her place...."
Trellus stands in front of Jalian. "We'll help you. Any idea how?"
Grymash d20+10=27 Thursday December 7th, 2006 9:56:40 PM
Grymash makes his way to the fight. He watches on with an amused expression. Chuckling quietly. He takes the dagger-sized red dragon fang, that hangs on a red leather cord from around his neck, and starts to carefully dig the grime out from underneath his finger nails with its sharp tip. He looks up from his manicure and clears his throat, loudly! Loud enough for many to hear. Obviously trying to draw attention to his draco-dentistry skills! Ready to see new patients.
(Intimidate check: 27)
Flea (Hasted) Friday December 8th, 2006 12:17:31 AM
Flea kicks the heels of her boots together, and races to catch up to the half-orc as they move towards the sounds of fighting.
What some would like to do. (DM Jim) Friday December 8th, 2006 2:30:12 AM
Tishe' and Murdock continue to pour over the treasure though they are both thinking about this new problem. Murdock is also thinking about fate and what a cruel twist this was to his thread. Tishe' makes a suggestion that is along the same lines that Trellus was currently running with. He does question Jalian further to see what they can do to help her out.
Rayla is the first to the scene of Jake getting abused. Gilan and Ciaran are right behind her, followed closely by Grymash and Flea. As Grymash takes in the scene and begins to minister to his nails, it is Rayla that speaks first. "What do you men think you are doing?" She does not know any of them as members of the Hunters but the three are part of Bertina's group, that she knows. "Stop this at once...or I will." Her eyes narrow as she pulls the shortsword at her side.
The three had been playing with Jake, only half listening to his rantings. They look up as Rayla and then Grymash make their appearance known. The bigger of the well trained sneers and plants his feet, towering over Jake. "Well if it isn't the Huntress...we are capturing a murderer." He points a finger at the other packmembers that are present. "They are all in on this...they poisoned the Elder." Though the three less trained seem to back off a little not exactly liking where this is going. It appears that noone is going to back down from this group...it is just a matter of how to handle it.
Back at the hut Jalian shakes her head. "I am not sure...trial by combat is not an option." She stands and starts to pacing again racking her brain for some way out of this. "I can of course allow you to look over the body, even use magic to detect poison...or the absence of. Still that will do little good unless there is no posion." She looks around to the remaining packmembers with a questioning gaze as if seeking help. "Maybe it would be best if you left...got away from here before the real trouble starts...you will always be well thought of by a few of the villagers." You get the feeling that she is losing hope fast.
LOOT mithril chainshirt+2 morningstar of spell storing+1 ring of protection+3 extend rod lesser empower rod staff of frost(20charges) wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges) wand of cure critical wounds(8charges) bracers of armor+4 lion's shield+2 death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] tonguesscroll(CL7)[divine] silencescroll(CL3)[arcane] blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] vial(7) pearl(2)[100gold per gem] pendant of order * +4wisdom broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin
[The dirt inside of the broken jar does not seem to reveal any hidden properties, though it does radiate magic of some kind.]
Tishe' Saturday December 9th, 2006 6:28:43 AM
Tishe' may be very thick when it comes to matters of love, but she knows all the signs when someone is being picked on a bully. "We're here and we aren't leaving", she states with finality.
"I, Murdock, and Gilan should be able to find out anything about Grandfather if we were able to see him." She thinks hard. "I think it very important that we pay our respects. I know there are a couple of 'special' prayers from HookCity that I would like to give to the departed and grieving." She touches her spellpouch and looks at Trellus to give another meaning to her words.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Murdock d20+15=28 Saturday December 9th, 2006 11:23:09 AM
So absorbed is he in studying the magical artifacts that Murdock nods absently and mumbles a consent to do whatever is needed as Tishe' volunteers him for a visit to the dead man. Murdock has already picked out the items he think will most benefit him out of the treasure horde.
Murdock takes a closer look at broken jar with its magical dirt. He decides to study it intently for awhile, drawing on his knowledge as a member of the order of Star Mages and his own peoples history of using necromatic magics.
(Take 20 on Spellcraft or Knowledge(Arcana) check to identify the magic and mysteries of the substance. Also rolled the check of 28 for the knowledge arcana)
Grymash d20+17=34 d8+19=25 d20+17=28 d8+19=23 Saturday December 9th, 2006 9:13:36 PM "BLAHHH!" booms Grymash! "Yooz piggies saay GRYMASH MOUNTAINBACK ... KILLS DA ELDER ... WIT POISON ... BLAHHH!" Suddenly the half-orc's double axe materializes, seemingly out of nowhere! (from his magical quiver hanging off his belt.)
Grymash takes on a far more threatening posture as he gives his weapon a twirl and he strikes the young warrior's weapon, hopeing to reduce it to splinters.
(Sunder Attack. Adamantine weapon: ignor the hardness of the weapon struck. Powerattack: -4hit/+8dam. HitAC: 34. Damage: 25 to weapon. If another weapon is in reach, Gry will cleave a second weapon. HitAC: 28. Damage: 23.)
"TA KILL WIT POISON IS UH COWARDS WAY! IF GRY KILLED DA ELDER, DA HEAD WOULD BE HANGIN' OFF GRY'S BELT, PIGGIE! YOOZ CALLIN' GRY UH COWARD!?"
Flea d20-1=8 Sunday December 10th, 2006 11:29:33 PM
The rogue stands behind, and her hand hovers over the handle of her holy sword as she narrows her eyes and studies the group of bullies trying to figure what they are about (Sense Motive=8).
Jake (AC 24, hp 29/59) d20+5=17 Monday December 11th, 2006 12:36:42 PM
Finally, help arrives. Jake shakes his head as the man makes his charges.. "oh boy, you guys are gonna get it.." And sure enough, Gry charges in. Jake steps back, letting the moving mountain do his job, and is somewhat happy that Gry is only disarming them, not attacking them. Jake is trying to figure out one thing, though; are they really thinking that the Pack is guilty, or are they just trying to point figures? (Sense motive 17 directed at the three guys)
Gilan and Ciaran Monday December 11th, 2006 7:37:18 PM
Gilan shakes his head at the insanity of it all. He holds out one hand to still Ciaran who was about ready to join Grymash in the fray. "What makes you so sure that we had anything to do with it and when would we have had the time." His eyebrow arches for a second as he takes in the three speakers who are even now losing weapons. He is hoping that this will make them more open to listening. "We were off saving the youths of IronHome." He lets his hand drop to the head of Ciaran so that his friend will feel his presence.
Ciaran continues to growl lightly from his spot at his brother's side. He does not like the tone of this other human...there was a threat there. The only thing keeping him back is the solid hand upon his head and the scratches.
Trellus Monday December 11th, 2006 7:50:28 PM
The cleric sighs heavily as he answers Tishe. "Gonna be our word 'gainst theirs," he points out. "And them dudes ain't gonna believe us."
"Still," he tells Jalian. "We really should take a look at your grandfather and see if we can find something."
"And if we're forced to leave, it might be the shady pick for you to come with us."
The end and beginning of trouble. (DM Jim) Tuesday December 12th, 2006 10:16:02 AM
Back in the hut Tishe' lets it be known that they will not leave without at least giving all the help that they can. Trellus is a little bit more realistic, knowing that the people here are not that likely to believe them. While Murdock pours through all the knowledge that he can remember about necromancy and try to figure out the dirt. Something seems to skirt just out of the center of his brain but he comes up with nothing about the dirt.
Jalian nods her head and slumping further in the chair she rubs her face. "That will be all the help that I can ask for." She does look up and shake her head with the last thought of Trellus. "I cannot leave my home...I am to take my Grandfathers place as Elder and I am the only one that has been trained for the position." Her face is set in a determined look now and it is obvious that she does not intend to let Bertina win.
Outside the hut the six men find themselves set upon by Grymash who has neatly cut two of their cudgels into kindling. Flea, Gilan and Ciaran are hanging back right now as Grymash has things well in hand.
Rayla is not as nice as she moves in with her shortsword, not at all happy. It cuts in almost too fast to see and the third leader is soon holding his arm that is bleeding from four spots. "I would leave and return to your homes...but be aware that I will call all six of you out tomorrow." Her eyes flash as she just barely controls her anger over this course of events.
The three lesser skilled men have already started to back off with the appearance of the packmembers and Rayla. They take off running now and are soon lost to the night. The last three are slowly backing off with looks of pure hatred. The leader of the group sneers. "Jalian has sealed her fate." He points a finger at Rayla as he continues to back away. "You will not last long either Huntress Leader." With that last they all three turn and flee into the night.
Jake has slowly gotten to his feet and tries his best to figure out the situation, now that he can think instead of try to save his life. He gets the idea from the guys, as he goes back over all the talks in his head, that they actually believe all that they said.
At last the whole pack is back at the hut and safe. Rayla is with you as she escorts the group back to the hut. She is still a little steamed as she enters the hut and you get the idea that heads will roll tomorrow. "I apologize for the acts that citizen of IronHome have taken." Jalian uses a little water and a rag to wipe the face of Jake lightly. Jalian and Rayla will only stay around the hut for a few minutes to make sure the pack is settled in. "Goodnight and the party will be all day tomorrow...I will make sure that you can have access to the body of my Grandfather." Rayla and Jalian leave as Rayla nods to the group...is that respect and just a little bit of guilt.
LOOT mithril chainshirt+2 morningstar of spell storing+1 ring of protection+3 extend rod lesser empower rod staff of frost(20charges) wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges) wand of cure critical wounds(8charges) bracers of armor+4 lion's shield+2 death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] tonguesscroll(CL7)[divine] silencescroll(CL3)[arcane] blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] vial(7) pearl(2)[100gold per gem] pendant of order * +4wisdom broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin
[Sorry guys, came back up to make my post and then the power went out. Not sure where it happened at but it did not come back on for six hours.]
Murdock Tuesday December 12th, 2006 4:56:31 PM
Murdock stands up, angry that he has not been able to figure out the secrets of the necromantic magic! "Fah!" he growls in frustration. He turns with a angry glare to the others in the hut. "The magic of the dirt eludes me! I know not it's secrets!" He seems to calm, "perhaps with less noise and a well equiped lab I could discover it's mysteries."
Flea Tuesday December 12th, 2006 6:01:56 PM
Flea troops along after her pack-mates and the huntress. There are as many intrigues in this place as there are back in Rattledam! Trying to figure them out gives the gnome a headache.
Back at the place that is acting as their temporary headquarters, Flea siddles up to Trellus, "um, why don't we just collect out loot, and head home? We got as many of the kids back as possible, and the tunnel is all caved in." Flea lowers her voice even lower, "this place is full of trouble, an' I don't think we can fix it."
Trellus Tuesday December 12th, 2006 8:11:21 PM
Before Rayla leaves again, Trellus steps in close to quietly ask her some questions. "You have divine power. Surely a Speak with Dead spell or a Commune spell would answer some of your questions. Why haven't you cast them?"
The IronHome natives leave, and Trellus regards the Bloodpack. "We may have to," he answers Flea. "But I think we should try to keep Jalian in charge. IronHome becomes another danger without Jalian at the loom. If we can prevent that, we help Rattledam."
The blond man rubs his neck. "And I think with Rayla on our side, none of the rest have the power to truly twist us much."
"As long as we don't go weaving picks all by ourselves in the middle of the night, right Jake?" This last sentence is uttered while Trellus gives the elfin fighter the ol' "You're such a piggie" look. The cleric unloads a series of healing spells to bring Jake up to speed.
Then he turns to the treasure. "As long as we got some time, anybody want anything?"
[OOC - What's a Pendant of Order?]
Tishe' Wednesday December 13th, 2006 1:01:09 AM
With Murdock's outburst, Tishe' comes over to peer at the jar and dirt. "Warp down, sweetie", she says to the silver-tattooed drow, "although I agree that with a dead Elder in the middle of a mystery, necromantic magic may be our answer." And then her brown eyes brighten with an idea.
"Murdock, use my wand on the dirt." The plain-faced girl hands over her Wand of Identify. "Necromantic magic escapes me, and I am unable to use it. Perhaps I am unable to Identify it as well!"
"And if we're identifying equipment to hi-hosie, I would be interested in the bracers of armor, the wand of acid arrow, or the staff of frost. I won't be able to cast mid-rainbow spells until I learn a lot more so the rod of extend is useless for me. I've also already got all the rings I need. I will also take the pearls to help power my Identify spells." She pauses, to wait and see if anyone else wants the same things. - Bracers of Armor - Wand of Acid Arrow - Staff of Frost - Pearls
Then she turns to the main returning group. "I agree with Trellus. With Jalian as Elder of IronHome, we may have a secret ally in the Barons camp. With Bertina, even though we've won we will have lost."
And to Jalian "Is Grandfather still available for viewing tomorrow, or do we have to go tonight in order to see him? And could you explain the funeral rites that we may understand more of what is going to happen?"
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Endure Elementsx4**** Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Jake d20+10=24 Wednesday December 13th, 2006 4:58:28 AM
Jake is relieved. When the others are alone, he speaks up to them a little. "Ya know, those idiots really did believe we were to blame, and ah don't think we can convince them otherwise. But, the gal's right.. some here trust us now. And that's an improvement at least. Heck, we're done here now... We've done as much as we can do anyways." Jake scratches his chin, and looks over at Flea thinking. Jake gets to work on cooking, and makes food that is especially filling that night, strangely staying away from anything spicy or mysterious. Roasted piggies with lots of grass stuffings. It is the kind of meal that makes one eager to rest and sleep. While everyone is comfortably recovering, Jake sets up his bedding. He pulls a blanket over and slides in. For an hour or so, into the first watch, he idly stays half-awake, tapping into that slight reverie that his elven blood is good at. At the end of the hour, he carefully eyes the packmate on guard. Hopefully it's Gry... the poor half-orc is hardly the most observant guy. Jake rolls over, secretly sliding out of his bedroll. He stuffs it with some of his extra stuff, including that chain shirt they found. Quietly and with the aid of the low light in the room, he crawls out of the room. Jake is careful as he moves through the town, and in particular is trying to avoid meeting any of those locals he met earlier that day. He's headed over to meet up with the fascinating Rayla, and in particular, enjoy what might be the Pack's last night in the city.
((Sorry guys, even after being beaten up I don't think Jake can resist the possibility of a fem...))
CDM Jerry Wednesday December 13th, 2006 9:26:33 AM
I need the report for last weeks posting here done by the ADM. Get that done and email me please or I'll hassle ya tomorrow.
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday December 13th, 2006 12:56:07 PM
Gilan listens to the group talk and then nods his head in understanding of what everyone is saying. "Trell is right...Jalian and Rayla both could make useful allies in the future...Bertina could and most likely would end up a loose thread." He finds that he is rather hungry when the food is prepared by Jake, though they had eaten a little bit earlier.
Ciaran eats his fair share of the food as well and then moves off to the cot that Gilan has his stuff near. After turning in place at least a million times he finally lays down on the floor and falls to sleep.
[Pendant of Order is something special...enjoy.]
Rest, relaxation and more.........(DM Jim) Wednesday December 13th, 2006 1:12:18 PM
Jalian stops as Trellus nears her and though she looks awfully tired she nods her head. "Yes, I am sorry about that slip. You will be able to view the body tomorrow and I will make sure it is private. As for the funeral rights, that will be a large party for my Grandfather in the middle of town. At this time all grievances are left behind as you celebrate the life of the person that has died. Later his body will be prepared for it's travel to Gargul and then burned as the first bodies were...the day you came to help us." She looks wearily to Rayla and leans on the woman as they leave.
The group breaks up in the house to go about their own little jobs. Soon the house is filled with the smells of one of Jakes better stews and it tastes great. Splitting the loot is also brought up, at least till you can make complete arrangements to take care of it.
Tishe' and Murdock go back to the broken jar and dirt inside. This time Murdock uses the wand to identify it and comes away with a puzzled look. Though the spell did not do anything for the dirt he has the feeling that still this thing is important in some way. With a little more thought he has come up with another idea...the dirt or jar or both, are linked to a power magic...really powerful.
As everyone beds down for the night, Jake is restless and is soon up and prowling through the streets of IronHome once again. The rest of the group had not really set up a watch so the slipping away was way too easy.
Jake is silently moving through the area, in the direction of the main gates. He had gotten the impression that Rayla had a home in that direction, since that is where she dragged her brother. A light rap on the door turns up a rather beautiful looking Rayla totally in the buff, who shakes her head at him. "You are whitehand...you know that." She invites him inside not bothering to take the time to put on clothes of anykind. This night it appears will be good for all and to all a good night.
[Jake - Spot DC 14:Highlight to display spoiler: {You notice seven figures slipping through the front gates of IronHome but cannot tell too much more from there."}
LOOT mithril chainshirt+2 morningstar of spell storing+1 ring of protection+3 extend rod lesser empower rod staff of frost(20charges) wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges) wand of cure critical wounds(8charges) bracers of armor+4 lion's shield+2 death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] tonguesscroll(CL7)[divine] silencescroll(CL3)[arcane] blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] vial(7) pearl(2)[100gold per gem] pendant of order * +4wisdom(still has more secrets) broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin
[I am sorry for kind of dragging this out. Waiting for the next module to get approved before I do too much. There is a branch of the Catacombs here and everyone is officially on a short bit of a break. Want to make a scroll, potion or start another project...have at it.]
Grymash Wednesday December 13th, 2006 10:18:33 PM
Grymash sleeps well through the night. At least he was able to release some of his furious tension with a little destruction.
Posting Report - Dec4-8 (ADM MikeK) Thursday December 14th, 2006 7:43:18 AM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Dec 4-8
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXO
Trellus XXXOO
Tishe XXXXO
Jake XXXXO
Gilan XXXOO
Grymash OXXXO
Flea OXXXO
Murdock XOOXO
[X = post, O = no post]
Tishe' Thursday December 14th, 2006 3:56:11 PM
Things Tishe' asked for - Bracers of Armor - Wand of Acid Arrow - Staff of Frost - Pearls
Eating, sleeping, and then meditating in the morning, Tishe' is ready to view Grandfather.
"I think we should get a neutral party to view the body with us", she mentions over breakfast. "What about Rayla?"
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Mage Hand, Summon I, Shield, Magic Missle Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Jake d20+5=19 Thursday December 14th, 2006 5:03:38 PM
Jake notices the guys leaving, but decides it's unimportant compared to current matters. He heads on inside, grinning to himself as he takes off his hat and tossing it to the side.
The next morning Jake heads on back just before dawn and sneaks back to the group. While the others begin to wake up, he prepares some breakfast; simple bread grasses toasted with cheese. He can't help but mention the subject, rather vociferously, of how great he feels. "What a shady night! Ah feel great! How about you guys?" Jake ponders the equipment and can't help but taking a liking to the lion's shield. It's just so shiny and heroic! "Hey, you guys mind if I upgrade to this big guy here? Oh, hey, just thought I should mention. When we leave today, we should watch out... I saw seven guys sneaking outta the gates last night. I dunno what they were up to, but they might not like us..."
Murdock d20+17=32 Thursday December 14th, 2006 6:39:01 PM
Murdock listens to the questions about the loot, and although he does not feel entirely comfortable asking for any of the gear. He does speak up however, as he did help these adventurers a bit.
"I would like to ask for the bracers of armor and ring of protection. This would help me not to get hit so hard, as my order can not wear normal armor. If you would like, I can also make use of the powerful wand and staff to bring arcane spellcraft to aid us all.", Murdock says.
As Murdock finishes his attention turns back to his food and the mystery's of the magical items. He thinks back to his days in Star Tower, and his time at Star Tower. His thoughts then toward even further back to his hated teacher, that vile woman of house Bral'fah who used to torment him when he first began studying the arcane arts. He focuses all of his energies on figuring out a test to determine what the dirt and jar do. He knows they they are linked and are the source of enourmously powerful magics. (Knowledge Arcana Check : 32)
Gilan and Ciaran d20+10=30 Thursday December 14th, 2006 6:40:41 PM
Gilan is up early this morning like all the others in the past. He is meditating over his morning spells as the door opens but he does not open his eyes. The only indication he noticed anything was the partial smile that crosses his face.
Later at breakfast he cannot help but agree with Tishe'. "I think somebody other than Rayla would be a good idea...they may have problems with her as an impartial." He is not sure who they could get to do this but figures that someone will be found.
Ciaran shares breakfast this fine morning with his fellow pack. He feels a lot better than he has in a long time.
Trellus d20+12=29 d20+12=16 d20+12=29 d20+12=19 d20+12=18 d20+12=23 d20+12=13 Thursday December 14th, 2006 8:26:16 PM
Before going to sleep, Trellus takes a look at the vials to see if he can determine what type of potions they are. [Spellcraft 29, 16, 29, 19, 18, 23, nat 1]
"I'd like to take a closer look at that pendant, and the Wand of Extend would be shady," he adds.
In the morning, the cleric is up early to study spells. He thinks about his choices for quite some time before he settles down to pray. After an hour, he rises, and immediately casts protection spells on his armor and shield. It might be one of those days....
The blond man nods is agreement with Gilan. "Rayla might already be marked since she sided with you dudes last night. So, who do we know that might be thought of as neutral? None of us have been out of this building...." Trellus trails off, a funny look crossing his face. The funny look slides slowly into a suspicious look as the man watches his half elven friend happily humming to himself as he prepares breakfast.
"Perhaps," he asks lightly, "our resident Walker has met a girl, or two, that might be willing to help?"
Jake's mention of the dudes leaving the town last night breaks the cleric's teasing mood. "Ah LIGHT, JAKE! If them dudes are weft and web with that Red Claw dude, they could be halfway here by now. Or they're getting more Barons. Or they're setting up a trap." Trellus sighs audibly. "Domi's Light, dude - girls are gonna get your thread cut someday."
He spends several minutes thinking of options, as his fingers drum restlessly on the table.
"Well, the water's left the dam now. Let's just go ahead with the viewing. Everyone keep their eyes open for trouble, though."
Trellus goes back to the potions while he waits for Jalian. Spells Prepared (cast as level 10 due to Setanos' Vestment): d -- domain spell 0 - Create Water (x2), Detect Magic (x2), Mending, Read Magic 1 -- Comprehend Languages, Shield of Faith, Obscuring Mist, Doom, Prot from Evil, Remove Fear, Sanctuary(d) 2 -- Hold Person, Owls Wisdom, Silence, Spiritual Weapon, Bulls Strength (d) 3 - Dispel Magic(x2), Prayer, Wind Wall, Magic Vestment(d)* 4 -- Air Walk, Inflict Critical Wounds, Resistance(Quickened), Sanctuary(Quickened) (d) 5 -- Flame Strike, Commune, Spell Resistance (d)
To the bottom. (DM Jim) d20+15=25 d20+15=21 d20+15=32 d20+15=18 d20+15=19 Friday December 15th, 2006 12:02:12 AM
The pack is up and breakfast set. The group goes about its normal activities and talk over the treasure. It seems that more than a few could make use of some it.
Trellus is not happy about the idea of help coming from the Barons or this new problem...the RedClaws. This also should send out warning bells that someone was out last night, though most of the pack would most likely laugh it off.
As Trellus goes about his work first with the potions and then thinking over their next course of events, Gilan joins him. He slips whatever potions that Trellus has no luck with and tries his own hand.
A knock comes at the door, around nine. Entering is a pair that you know all too well...Jalian and Rayla. The both come to stop just inside the door and it is Jalian that is first to speak. "Hope you saved room...my Grandfathers party is in full swing." As the two exit the house that you all are sharing you can hear the drums in the middle of the village, along with peoples' festive voices.
As you move along through the village and to the building that is houseing the body of Jalian's Grandfather, a couple stop you. The man takes Trellus's hand and pumps it enthusiastically. "We want to thank you for bringing back out boy." The woman is beaming from ear to ear as she plants a kiss upon everyones' cheek, standing on tiptoe to reach Grymash's. "You would have to be a mother to realize the thing you have done for me." They leave you with a pair of smile and a wave.
Jalian and Rayla both smile as they shake thier heads. "You told you that not everyone was hateful towards you." In fact if you look around a fair number of people are pointing, waving in your direction, holding up mugs in toast and smiling at you.
As you pull up to the small temple, for that is what it is, you notice three people waiting for you. A burly man wearing a heavy leather apron, muscles knoted and corded from hours and years of hard work. An old woman of advanced age that has seen too many deaths and from the sparkle in her eyes, a great many births as well. The last is a young woman with her hands crossed over her chest. Emblazoned upon the chest of the blood red robes she wears is an open gold eye, but the center is red as well. They all seem to be appraising you as you come closer, not really smiling but not frowning either.
[NOTE: The Pendant of Order still has magic too it that is not known, this much both Tishe' and Murdock can attest too.]
LOOT mithril chainshirt+2 morningstar of spell storing+1 ring of protection+3[Murdock] extend rod[Trellus] lesser empower rod staff of frost(20charges)[Tishe' or Murdock] wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges)[Tishe' or Murdock] wand of cure critical wounds(8charges) bracers of armor+4[Tishe' or Murdock] lion's shield+2[Jake] death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] tonguesscroll(CL7)[divine] silencescroll(CL3)[arcane] blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] vial(3) cat's grace potion(2) cure moderate wound potion fly potion pearl(2)[100gold per gem] pendant of order[Trellus] * +4wisdom(still has more secrets) broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin
[How do we want to do treasure division right now? Does someone want to pull it apart according to what people are interested in and then sell everything else?]
Tishe' Friday December 15th, 2006 1:40:06 AM
(OOC: I better not be the loot-man, since I'm not going to be able to post as of next Wednesday until late January)
Things Tishe' asked for - Bracers of Armor - Wand of Acid Arrow - Staff of Frost - Pearls
Tishe' goes with the others, Jalian, and Rayla. She doesn't care much about Jake's amorous adventures, but the men sneaking about last night are interesting. "They may have been taking evidence away, or why else would there be so many of them? And would we be able to find out who they are? I think it would be hard for so many to move about without someone knowing."
Before going out, she casts her own Mage Armor with her Rod of Extend to keep some extra protection.
The couple who shakes hands and bestows kisses makes Tishe' bemused. "I never thought of what my mother's motivation for pushing us to excel was. A thread for thought."
She keeps silent until introduced to the three standing in front of the Bloodpack. Knowing her acting abilities rank up there with Jake's ability to resist a pretty girl, she tries to look like her competent, curious self. I am who I am she thinks with a salty air.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, *Mage Armor, Summon I, Shield, Magic Missle Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Murdock d20+18=33 Friday December 15th, 2006 9:45:52 AM
Murdock watches as Tishe' cast her spell. (Spellcraft of 33 to determine it is mage armor cast with a rod of extend.)
If he figures out what the spell is, he walks up to Tishe' and says, "Are you expecting trouble?" He then request that he be allowed to use her rod of extend to cast his own mage armor.
If he doesn't figure out what the spell is, then he will simply go with the flow, not expecting any trouble at the celebrations in the town.
Murdock further request the jar and dirt that radiates the powerful necromancy, as he has spent so much time trying to figure it out.
Flea d20+9=25 d20+11=14 d20-1=12 Friday December 15th, 2006 9:12:19 PM
Flea runs a small finger along the wand of powerful curing. Remembering the debacle in the formian's cave, when she broke Trellus' wand, causes the rogue to hesitate. Eventually her desire for the thing gets the better of her, and she pipes up, "Um, I can use a wand...sometimes..." she volunteers, continuing shyly, "maybe I could have this one?"
****
Flea can't figure out why folks are so happy...at a funeral for a dead old-guy. The gratitude of the folks who got their kid back, that she can understand, but a feast to celebrate someone's road trip to the Shadowlands...that's something the gnome can't fathom.
Flea keeps her eyes and ears open, trying to gauge the temperament of the crowd towards the Bloodpack.
Spot=25 Listen=14 Sense Motive=12
Tishe' (Second Post) Saturday December 16th, 2006 3:09:55 PM
Has no problem letting Murdock use her Rod of Extend to prepare his own 'armor. "When Trellus gets ready, it's good weaving to prepare. It may not be needed, but we may not have time to weave when the piggie dumps hit the spinning wheel."
Gilan d20+5=6 Saturday December 16th, 2006 4:19:19 PM
Gilan moves along with the group. He keeps his eyes open and for once feels like this is not so bad. "Party for the dead...not a bad idea I guess." It is kind of new to him but as a druid, death is only the beginning.
Ciaran keeps close to his brother and closer still as people come forward to talk to them. With this many people he feels rather uncomfortable but he refused to stay behind in that building.
Gilan nods his head and accepts the thanks with ease. "We are just glad to have been in time for the kids." He does try to take note of the overall feel of the crowd, finds other distractions...like the three waiting for them.
Testing the dead. (DM Jim) Saturday December 16th, 2006 4:35:47 PM
Jalian and Rayla are both beaming as some of the citizens come forward to make the pack feel welcome. To be enemies is one thing but then again they are not really enemies persay.
The pack had prepared for a lot of stuff but nothing like this. This whole party thing kind of seems strange and the idea of celebrating death...is new. There are a few that may see the appeal behind it and it might just be a reason to celebrate.
As you come upon the three standing before the small temple, Jalian and Rayla stop. Greetings are exchanged between the five of them and then all eyes turn to the pack. The burly man is the first to speak. "Names Olaf." He holds out his hand to each of you in turn and give it a few pumps, with a gentle squeeze...despite his size. The older woman shambles forward and nods her head to each in turn. Her voice is light as she speaks and somewhat hard to hear. "My name is Neela, dears." She has a motherly appearance and manner about her that naturally puts people at ease. The last to move forward is the young priestess, her eyes settle upon first the holy symbol of Domi and then to the open eye upon Grymash. She gives him a bow of respect for a fellow priest of Gargul, though she worships the old Gargul. "My name is Edinea...the Priestess of Gargul for this small village." As they step to the side so that everyone can enter the temple, Jalian speaks up.
"Olaf is our blacksmith, weaponsmith and armorer...rather good at his job really. Neela is the villages midwife and herbalist...she has seen more come into this world than most have seen. Then there is Edinea, our village priestess and a fair minded woman." With a glance at the pack to see how they are taking all of this, she clears her throat. "They are to witness the tests and were chosen by the town as a whole...well almost a whole." Her brows furrow as she waits for everyone to enter the temple, being the last in.
[The crowd seems rather nonhostile towards the group. You do get a few strange looks, evil glares and the like but most is friendly smiles.]
LOOT mithril chainshirt+2 morningstar of spell storing+1 ring of protection+3[Murdock] extend rod[Trellus] lesser empower rod staff of frost(20charges)[Tishe' or Murdock] wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges)[Tishe' or Murdock] wand of cure critical wounds(8charges)[Flea] bracers of armor+4[Tishe' or Murdock] lion's shield+2[Jake] death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] tonguesscroll(CL7)[divine] silencescroll(CL3)[arcane] blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] vial(3) cat's grace potion(2) cure moderate wound potion fly potion pearl(2)[100gold per gem][Tishe'] pendant of order[Trellus] * +4wisdom(still has more secrets) broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin
Tishe' Sunday December 17th, 2006 5:12:49 AM
Things Tishe' asked for: - Staff of Frost
Bowing to each of the "neutral party" in turn, Tishe' shakes hands with each of them, ensuring all three see the Mark of Gargul on her own palm. The party outside makes sense to the brown-haired spellweaver, for "since the old Gargul was god of death, then a death should be celebrated."
Once into the temple, the first thing she does is ensure the watchers can see everything. "I want to see if there is any magic about the body of the Elder.", she states to the three. And then to the Bloodpack, she explains herself: "I think we should be very obvious in everything we do to ensure the watchers see we are truthful. And since we suspect poison, perhaps starting with a magic detection will show we are doing all we can."
At a nod by one, she will cast a small white spell to detect magic, and slowly takes in all the area around Grandfather.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, *Mage Armor, Summon I, Shield, Magic Missle Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Murdock d20+18=21 Monday December 18th, 2006 10:15:41 AM
Murdock respectfully recieves the welcome of the three citizens of the village. "I am Murdock Trizica, and it is my honor to meet with you.", he says to each in turn. He then turns to enter the temple with the rest of the pack.
He her's Tishe' take the lead in front of the elders and cast a detect magic. (spellcraft 21). However, he feels somewhat disconnected from the events, and so stay's silent as the others of the pack begin the work of uncovering the truth of this mystery.
Jake d20+5=8 Monday December 18th, 2006 1:59:59 PM
Jake happily shakes hands and says your welcome to all who are happy and is on something of a high as they get to the temple. "It's great to see we're heroes... Man, ah can't wait for us to be treated like that when we get back to Rattledam." Jake seems pretty sure they'll still get back somehow. "It's a pleasure to meet y'all," he tips his hat to the three. He's more wary than usual of hitting on the young woman; she's a priestess of gargul, and he figures that means she'll probably be as crazy as Grymash. Nope, not getting near that. Still, he does subtly check her out. He glances around for anybody in the crowd who looks suspicious, or anybody who might be trying to skulk about. Never knowing what might happen next. But most of all he loses interest in his vigilance, instead examining the femmes in the village assembled. (Bleh, spot 8)
Flea d20+9=17 d20+11=29 Monday December 18th, 2006 8:54:47 PM
Flea mumbles and ducks her head at the attention. The rogue is not entirely confortable with things related to the god of death and life, and worries that another audience with the grey-eyed one might be in the offing.
Flea places her hand on her chest where the gem has been embedded. She tries to tell if it is warmer or colder than her own body. She wonders if it still carries any magic...any magic at all...
Though she gives the appearance of being lost in a reverie, the gnome's sharp eyes and ears don't miss much.
Spot=17 Listen=29
Trellus d20+8=20 Monday December 18th, 2006 9:44:57 PM
The cleric briefly toys with putting on this pendant, but in the end decides to wait. If it belonged to a former citizen of IronHome, he might not be doing himself many favors by wearing it.
Trellus returns the greeting of everyone he can, making sure to put in a good word for the various sons and daughters and their actions as well - "She led all the rest of the kids out of harm's way -- He held a smaller child beneath his own body to keep her safe -- etc [Diplomacy 20]
Upon meeting the three witnesses, he nods and smiles warmly. "Many shadows," he greets them. "May your chief cross quickly to the Lands of Rest."
Trellus follows the three in, nodding acknowledgement of Tishe's words. He waits to see what happens next.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday December 18th, 2006 11:05:15 PM
Gilan takes the praises and thank yous in stride. He is not too much for the attention and several times he colors before he can even try to stop it.
Finally, and thankfully, they are at the entrance to the small temple. He greets each in turn and shakes hands with those that offer. After they have entered the building and as he stands off to the side for now...allowing Tishe' to take the lead on this one, he speaks to the three witnesses, Jalian and Rayla. "What is the reason for the party...if I am making no offense by asking?" He was a little curious and could not help but asking.
Ciaran is stiff-legged through all of the welcomes and all. Though none of it was directly aimed at him, he still felt nervous as people drew that close. Even inside of the temple he felt nervous. Maybe it was the unnatural surroundings, both dead and civilization.
Checks and measures. (DM Jim) Monday December 18th, 2006 11:20:00 PM
The neutrals enter the small temple and move off to the side. There are seats but they do not move to them but come to stand near the platform that the body is laying upon. You will notice that they have an unobstructed view of everything that will be going on but not be in the way.
Tishe' takes the lead in the whole process that they are about to work themselves into. Stating exactly what she is going to do and then doing just that. She does wait just long enough for questions, if any are asked. As she slowly moves around the body she notices no signs of magic about the former leader of IronHome.
The rest of the group moves off to the side alittle so that they too can watch and be ready if Tishe' asks for anything. Gilan poses a question to the group of neutrals, Jalian and Rayla. This question gets a smile from all five and it is the young priestess Eninea that answers. "Is it not so among your people to celebrate the continues life of someone that has died? You do realize that they go on to stand before Gargul and then enter into his realm, there to continue life anew." She glances to Grymash, finding it hard that a man of the faith would not believe this or maybe Gargul is not their main deity. She has of course been aware of the presence of another priest in the group, one of Domi...or could they revel in nature and all her glory?
Neela speaks up for a few seconds but it is to Tishe' that she speaks, though it is pitched so that the others have to hear as well. "You will check for poison as well then?" She looks upon the body of the Elder with a bit more grief and affection than most people that are not family or something else. "I remember the day he was brought into this village and he was as vital and healthy then as he was the day he died." This last is said almost forcefully as if she was reminding herself that this man should not have died yet.
Overtly noone sees or hears anything that would set your warrior tuned senses on their ear. There are also no signs of immediate magic around the body, though the pool of water some five feet away does have a faint aura of magic too it. There is also a faint glow of magic around the altar and statue of Gargul ahead of the area that the body is laying.
Tishe' Tuesday December 19th, 2006 1:16:29 PM
(OOC: My last post until living in Texas. MikeK is taking over Tishe' until I get settled.)
Tishe' nods to herself; it is as she expected. "No lingering magic", she confirms to her packmates.
Another nod to Neela, and Tishe' casts Detect Poison, once again looking at Grandfather and then at the surrounding area and people for any sign of poison.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, *Mage Armor, Summon I, Shield, Magic Missle Orange -- Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, Scorching Ray Yellow -- Summon III, Fly, Haste
Jake Tuesday December 19th, 2006 2:14:30 PM
"Ah guess we don't, really. Ah mean, we have these rituals and stuff, and people...especially packs, mourn those who are lost. Ummm. In Rattledam, it's mainly Pantheon in charge, that's what most of the monks follow. But y'know, if ah were to die, ah'd like it if one or two pretty gals cried at my funeral." Jake winks at the girl, not hitting on her, just trying to make her laugh. He probably won't succeed; priests of the dead aren't known for their humor. "Light, even if we do find something wrong, ah dunno what we'll do about it. This town is pretty set in its ways.. We should just move on, looking for Rattledam again."
Trellus d20+7=17 d20+7=9 d20+7=8 d20+9=14 Tuesday December 19th, 2006 10:10:40 PM
"I'll check for poisoning, as well as anything else I can find non-magically," the cleric states. "If that doesn't work, I can cast a spell to ask some questions of Domi, if he knows." He looks up. "Would that be acceptable?"
Trellus casts Detect Poison, and then breaks out a seldom used Healer's Kit to inspect the body. [Knowledge Arcana 17] [Knowledge Religion 9] [Knowledge Sargass 8] [Heal 14]
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday December 19th, 2006 10:36:12 PM
Gilan takes the answer to his question as a good thing. It was actually a good way to look at death. Was not moving on to live in Gargul's realm not a new life.
Ciaran lays down and tries to keep himself out of trouble as best he can.
Good news, bad news. (DM Jim) Tuesday December 19th, 2006 11:33:34 PM
The five IronHome natives watch with some interest as the pack goes about thier own testing. Neela shakes her head as she has already done a simple spell to detect poison. To that she speaks up. "Unless the poison has degraded in his blood...you will find traces." She says no more as she has not tested the poison to see what kind it is.
Tishe' and Trellus both find traces of poison in the body of the Elder. Trellus, using more mundane means, finds that the poison was ingested. The Elder's tongue is slightly discolored on the underside, as is his throat.
The five watchers nod there heads as Trellus mentions asking for help from Domi, in the form of answers. You get the idea that to all five of these people it is important to find out the truth.
LOOT mithril chainshirt+2 morningstar of spell storing+1 ring of protection+3[Murdock] extend rod lesser empower rod staff of frost(20charges)[Tishe' or Murdock] wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges)[Murdock] wand of cure critical wounds(8charges)[party treasure(Flea)] bracers of armor+4[Murdock] lion's shield+2[Jake][/b] death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] tonguesscroll(CL7)[divine] silencescroll(CL3)[arcane] blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] vial(3) cat's grace potion(2) cure moderate wound potion fly potion pearl(2)[100gold per gem][Tishe'] pendant of order[Trellus] * +4wisdom(still has more secrets) broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin
[I will let the group know once again that yes you are allowed to visit the Catacombs and make purchases. You will not have the extra money from these items yet though as things are still being ironed out.]
Grymash d20=12 d20+2=16 Tuesday December 19th, 2006 11:42:11 PM
Grymash slowly pulls away the hood of his blackened priestly cloak away from his head. The shadows retreat from his face showing his eyes closed. His lips silently muttering the conclusion to a prayer. His head nods and a tusk-filled grin forms across his face, as if receiving favorable responses to his mute queries. "Hmmmm ... yess! Gargul bless yooz for speakin' words true," replies Grymash to the priestess. "It be written ... Da eye which Grymash sees Gargul, be da same eye Gargul sees Grymash. An what Grymash sees, Gargul sees too. So, witness ta Grymash an Gargul too will beez yoorz witness an hears da words yooz speak. An Grymash wills speak da words of Lord Gargul. Confess da stories of his life, so dat he gets his proper wage in death. Da Elder be wit Lord Gargul now an he know da truth. It be written!"
Murdock Wednesday December 20th, 2006 4:04:28 AM
Murdock remains silent, watching the proceedings and taking in the action of the pack.
Jake Wednesday December 20th, 2006 4:20:34 PM
Jake also remains silent...because he really has nothing to say. In fact, he's kinda bored, but he doesn't want to display it and embarass his packmates. Well, that and there's a dead body right nearby. Best not to do anything stupid or embarassing in front of that.
Trellus d20+5=18 Wednesday December 20th, 2006 9:32:47 PM
The cleric of Domi can't determine the type of poison either (Wisdom check 18), but he does point out to the IronHome dudes that the Elder ate or drank it.
Having received permission to continue, Trellus sets about preparing a spell he's never tried before. He scatters incense on the ground, and pours holy water in a circle about it. Stepping into the circle, the cleric lifts the small silver hammer he carries as high as he can while chanting an incantation. It takes some time. After many minutes of unitelligible syllables, a question -- [Cast Commune]
"Is the one who poisoned this man within the wall of IronHome?"
"Does the one who poisoned this man reside within the walls of IronHome?
"Is the one who poisoned this man male?"
[OOC - that's about as far as I can go without some answers. Still have 7 questions left]
Tishe Wednesday December 20th, 2006 9:34:10 PM
Tishe watches the Trellus intensely. A new pick! She LOVES new picks!
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday December 20th, 2006 10:36:15 PM
Gilan stands back and lets Trellus and Tishe' go about thier work. He knows that he would only get in the way if he tried to help. Something about too many hands in the pot, spoiling the stew. He does watch with interest as Trellus starts to ask his questions with the conclusion of a spell.
Ciaran is lightly snoring in a corner, catching up on some needed sleep. Though occassionally you notice that his ears twitch as does his nose.
Answers. (DM Jim) Friday December 22nd, 2006 4:41:11 PM
As Trellus makes his preparations the others watch with some interest. Not that Neela is too happy about nonGargul magic being used in her temple...but it is for a good cause.
The others watch and wait as Trellus asks his first questions. For in front of him has formed the spectral form of a large hammer that even without eyes seems to regard him with pleasure. For each question there is an answer and he is in Domi's favor.
"No...Yes...No."
The spectral form of the hammer seems to quiver as it waits for anymore questions from Trellus. There is a flooding of faith in the room that touches everyone, easing everyones' minds.
[Sorry guys, had a few problems yesterday that had to be dealt with.]
Murdock Friday December 22nd, 2006 10:13:56 PM
Sits and waits, somewhat interested in the divine magic of the cleric of Domi, but mostly bored of the proceedings.
Grymash Wednesday December 27th, 2006 1:26:08 AM "Hmmmphf," thinks Grymash as he watches the floating hammer. Why didnt he think of that?! He has that magic too ... at least he thinks he does? Oh well.
Trellus Wednesday December 27th, 2006 1:35:01 PM
"Did Bertina of IronHome poison this man?"
Jake Wednesday December 27th, 2006 3:33:36 PM
The half-elf looks over at Trellus. That's some guess!
Flea d20+9=13 d20-1=11 Tuesday January 2nd, 2007 9:41:05 PM
The rogue isn't too keen on the dark Gargul stuff, but when Trellus starts to invoke Domi, and then the hammer appears! Flea has seen the hammer enough to know what that means!
Forgetting the place they are in, and the people who surround them, she looses her holy short sword from its scabbard, and with a ringing sound pulls it free. Waving the small blade in the air, she shouts, "I know you Domi! Get to know me!"
The gnome is rewarded by the warmth generated by the flood of faith that spreads throughout the room. Her quick eyes take in the reactions of the other participants in the room, wondering if their response might give them away. (Spot=13, Sense Motive=11)
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday January 2nd, 2007 10:52:23 PM
Gilan continues to watch, now with a little more eye for detail as Trellus seems to be getting some answers. Then Flea pulls out her sword and he inwardly groans at this move. Maybe not the most delicate thing to do during a funeral or an inquiry.
Not a definite. (DM Jim) Tuesday January 2nd, 2007 10:58:30 PM
The large hammer seems to pulse and humm as Trellus asks this newest question. A minute passes and then four, till finally there is a reply.
"Impossible to answer."
The five people attending this turn to each other and fall into quick discussion. They seem to be trying to figure out the meaning behind this answer. The others had been straight and to the point but this one was not that easy.
Flea's display with her own sword does draw a few frowns from all those attending the questioning. Rayla and Neela both seem to frown the deepest but only roll their eyes, shaking their heads. It might be safe to say that noone in this room is guilty of much that is concerned with the Elder.
Murdock Wednesday January 3rd, 2007 8:41:32 AM
Murdock knows the hammer is divine magic, something he is not very interested in. The drow feels that true faith does not require proof of a gods existance granted by magic. However, Murdock keeps his mouth shut.
Being one of the more useless participants in this inqiry, as it is obviously the priest of the small band that are ment to truly be here, Murdock looks for a way to exit the premise without causing a sensation.
He knows that with a branch for the catacombs near by, he may be able to also find a way to link up with the guild of Star Mages, and find out more about this mysterious dirt.
Mudock is thinking about his very exit during the long minutes the spirit takes to answer the last question. When the spirit answers, his mind is set a spark, and he says, "Perhaps the spirit is not able to answer because the assasin had some form of magic to changes her shape?" It is the first words the drow has uttered since he has been in the chapel. "If this is the case, such magic would surely be a trail to the assasin, for no simple commoner could cast such a spell, or would possess a magic item capable of doing so."
Trellus Wednesday January 3rd, 2007 11:52:10 AM
The cleric is way too busy concentrating on his spell to dwell on the implications of the answers just yet. Knowing he has only a bit of time left to ask more questions, Trellus keeps weaving.
"Did a person not residing within IronHome order the death of this man?"
[If yes, was it the Barons? Else the RedClaws?]
Flea d20-1=9 Thursday January 4th, 2007 12:09:59 AM
Flea wishes there was some way she could help Trellus out with his questions, but she doesn't know how. The gnome lowers her sword, but doesn't sheath it. Instead, she continues to study the faces around her and tries to gauge their responses to the cleric's questions and the hammer's answers. (Sense Motive=9)
Is it really safe to say that no one in the room is guilty of much that is concerned with the Elder, she wonders.
Grymash d20+2=15 Thursday January 4th, 2007 1:29:39 AM
Grymash prays silently to Gargul a little more. "Uhhh Lord Gargul ... how dis treadle die? Gry means, Uhhh, hows he bite da deep dirt? Dis seem ta beez importent to da piggies heres in Ironhut. Gry no know why ... dead be dead."
He opens his eyes and looks around. Wondering if anyone is holding a bloody weapon, vials of poison and the like. Anyone that looks guilty or nervous.
(Spot 15)
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday January 4th, 2007 11:00:39 PM
Gilan relaxes into the wall with this newest revelation. This could have many implications but he will not speak them now. He to, goes to watching all those around him. Spending extra time upon those that had been voted to witness this quest for answers.
Ciaran continues to snore on blissfully unaware of what is going on around him. Those paying attention will notice that his ears twitch every once in awhile as if he is still listening and his nose seems to be working.
A twisted tale. (DM Jim) Thursday January 4th, 2007 11:09:29 PM
The hammer flares for a few minutes as the last couple of questions are asked. Still in the favor of Domi Trellus gets those answers...though as to how much help...that is uncertain.
"Impossible to answer."
With the last question now hanging in the air as Trellus has no reason to ask it, he wonders the import of this latest bit of news.
Rayla and Jalian have been whispering for a few moments now with the answer to the next to last question. They seem to be putting together some ideas of what may have happened.
The other three watchers seem to be frowning as this has not been as productive as they would have hoped. Though each keeps his thoughts hidden from being voiced or read on their faces...they do not believe the group had anything to do with this.
No answer seems to be forthcoming from Gargul as Grymash mulls thoughts around in his head. Though there are several thoughts going on about seeking answers from another God by one of the witnesses...maybe Grymash is thinking the same thing...but does he have access to the spell or will he actually think of it himself.
Jalian and Rayla seem to come to a decision. Jalian nods her head to Rayla and then speaks. "Go get Bertina...I think we have a few questions for her and maybe she can explain some of this." You can easily tell by the set of her eyes that she has her doubts as to how much help that woman will be.
Jake Friday January 5th, 2007 6:08:10 AM
Jake ponders what's going on. He concentrates a bit more, thinking about it, and giving some of his thoughts out loud. "Hmm... could be that it's someone who left last night. Or, could be that somebody did it 'cause they were ordered to... Or possessed by magic... or could be another god... There's too many things that could be to know for sure."
Trellus Friday January 5th, 2007 9:31:33 AM
A bead of sweat dribbles down the temple of the blond haired man wearing the robes of Domi. Trellus has time to ask more questions, but given the last two answers, he's not sure what to ask.
After several heartbeats, he decides to start at the beginning of the thread.
"Do you know who poisoned this man?"
[If yes - If I guess that person's name, will you confirm it?"]
Murdock Friday January 5th, 2007 10:13:48 AM
Murdock ignores Jake's supposition, although it is probably right on target. This man's death is quite obviously the result of a weak leader and someones evil ambitions, the mage thinks. The fact that Pantheon has judged this man unworthy of further life is simply a fact that must be accepted by this community.
Murdock has plainly had enough of sitting around on his hands waiting for this proceeding to conclude. He decides to wait just a short time longer, hoping without much hope that Trellus will conclude his spell and they can be gone from this place. If this continues much longer, the darkelf may just decide to leave the temple and attend to his business in the catacombs.
Jake/Mike ---Loot Friday January 5th, 2007 1:52:21 PM
((This is a summary, basically a reposting of Michael Knott's excellent division of how we did loot. Wanted tomake sure everyone took a good look.
mithril chainshirt+2 (5100gp) morningstar of spell storing+1 (8308 gp) (Murdock?) ring of protection+3 (18,000 gp) extend rod (11,000 gp) lesser empower rod (9000 gp) (Tishe) staff of frost(20charges) (22,500 gp) (Murdock?) wand of melf's acid arrow(28charges) (2250 gp) (Flea) wand of cure critical wounds(8charges) (Murdock?) bracers of armor+4 (16,000) (Jake) lion's shield+2 (9170 gp) death ward scroll(CL7)[divine] (700 gp) greater magic weapon scroll(CL7)[divine] (700 gp) tongues scroll (CL7)[divine] (700 gp) silence scroll (CL3)[arcane] (375 gp) blindness scroll(CL2)[arcane] (150 gp) vial(3) (guesstimated value 1000 gp) cat's grace potion(2) (600 gp) cure moderate wound potion (Jake) Fly potion (750 gp) (Tishe) pearl(2)[100gold per gem] (200 gp) (Trellus) pendant of order (16,000 +) * +4wisdom(still has more secrets) broken ceramic jar with a little dirt left in it {powerful necromancy} bag from Jalian w/ 100platinum coin (1000 gp)
Total (does not include jar or healing wand or healing potion) = 123503 Share value = 17, 643 and change.
Explanation: Basically, everyone gets 17,643 gold pieces. Keep in mind that items traded to the Catacombs for loot are only worth 90%... They can, if they want, take the items that are next to their names for full value. So, there's some math to do... Did it for Jake here as example: Jake: 750 (potion) + Lion's shield (9170) = 9920 Leftover money share he receives: 17,643-9920 = 7723. 90% cost from catacombs = .9*7723 = 2.7+18+630+6300= 6950.7
Math note aside: Now I could discount the 1000 gold split 7 ways out of this 90%... but that's just too much math for me to bother with for an extra 20 or so gold.
So Jake gets the potion of flight, lion's shield, and 6950.7 gold.
The advantage of all this math is that we each can get what we want, but if we take what the DM gives us, it saves a bit of money. Besides, most of the items he gave us are cool. Some people may want to have more items than they received in money. If you have the cash, you can pay into it to get those items. If you don't have the cash, it probably isn't worth it having those items at this time...just save your money up for it and get them next chance.)
Murdock Friday January 5th, 2007 4:31:56 PM
/ooc all of this
So let me make sure I understand. If I chose the ring, I would owe the group money. If I chose the bracers, the group with owe me money. If I can benefit from and chose both, I owe the group ALOT of money?
So if we run across stuff that we can use, but we dont have the money to pay in, the group just sells it, instead of awarding it to the person who can use it in the name of being fair?
I seem the wisdom of the system, but I also think that if we have item that can benefit the group by making a party member stronger, then the stuff should be used by the people who would benefit rather than just being sold because its fair.
It would be like selling your prized bag of dice, just because you got some more dice during christmas.
Following the system that you guys have in place. I will take the bracers and the cash.
Jake/Mikey Friday January 5th, 2007 6:38:17 PM
/ooc response: Logically, whenever anyone can use an item they should just take it. But because this is one of those games where any character can go to the Catacombs and get a magic item for the price, there really is no reason not to just take the cash and save up till you can buy it. I know what you're thinking: some characters may need a LOT of cash to get stuff they need to make themselves really powerful. Mages at any level, for example, can really benefit from lots of cash. Whereas with warriors, it might take an extra 10,000 gp or so just to get to the next +1 on their weapon or armor. So, should we give money just to the mages, and let the warriors have less? The mages can probably make more use of them. And at what point does it balance out? The real penalty comes from us NOT taking the magic items that are suggested if you can afford them. Keep in mind that you take the 90% value of items sold. That means if we were to get 100k gold of items and we divied it up, we'd only get 90k of items in the end. So in the end, let each person decide personally what they want, and avoid the idea of group buffing... tho, Murdock, if you need a few thousand gold, Jake can lend it to you to be able to afford that magical item.
Gilan and Ciaran Sunday January 7th, 2007 9:38:30 PM
Gilan watches as Jalian calls for the summoning of the woman who was a fixer of potions. He does not realize that he has spoken till he looks to the others, who are most likely giving him odd looks. "She would have the skills and time." He blushes deeply as he finds something interesting with the ceiling.
Ciaran continues to snore, lost in his own little world as things go on around him.
Hammer falls. (DM Jim) Sunday January 7th, 2007 9:49:09 PM
The hammer wavers for a few minutes as if it is thinking. Then it booms in a voice that all can hear inside the small temple.
"Yes."
Jalian sends Rayla out to get Bertina, as the rest seem to be nodding their heads. It is Edinea that speaks though and it is no surprise. "Something does seem strange here." She turns a withering eye upon the druid Gilan and then starts laughing. "He has the right of it." Both Olaf and Neela start to shake their own heads as they get sour looks upon their faces. Jalian goes white as she watches three of her fellow IronHomers seeming to come to an agreement. "But what would......." He statement stops as she realizes exactly what it is that Bertina would have to gain and what her outspoken thoughts have been all along.
Flea Sunday January 7th, 2007 11:12:02 PM
Flea just stares at the folks of Ironholme, then looks to her feet. As she turns the handle of her blade over in her hand, she mutters under her breath, "twisted threads...twisted threads..."
Grymash d20+2=7 Monday January 8th, 2007 1:14:30 AM
ooc: been saving my gold ginglies for a long time for something nice. funny, Gry's level 9 and his most powerful item is a +1 adamantine double axe. The cash in this treasure is the best thing for him. Nothing else he would use. Except he may be interested in the necromantic jar of dust, being a cleric of Gargul and all. ------------------
Grymash wonders what the others have planned to do. He hasn't the slightest clue. He looks around to see if any food is being served at this gathering.
Murdock Monday January 8th, 2007 12:55:37 PM
Murdock walks out with Rayla, thinking that if Bertina puts up a fight, he may be needed to subdue her.
Trellus Monday January 8th, 2007 3:45:34 PM
"If I correctly guess the identity of person who poisoned this man, would you confirm it?"
Trellus asks the question with a frown. Logically, a 'No' gets him back to Bertina. But he's not at all sure he wants that answer.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday January 8th, 2007 11:46:30 PM
Gilan tries to fight back the waves of shame that he feels for opening his mouth without thinking. Finding anything else to look at he tries to keep his eyes off the others in the temple. Even going as far as to pick at some imaginary dirt upon his clothes.
Ciaran continues to snore on, not caring about what is going on. He is probably the only one that is going to be well rested it seems.
The Woes of IronHome. (DM Jim) Monday January 8th, 2007 11:53:44 PM
Rayla looks at Murdock as he follows her out but says nothing. She does not really need a keeper but at least he is staying out of trouble this way. She marches off to the house that Bertina lives in, stopping to knock on the door. After a few minutes and no answer she pushes the door open to find the small house stripped nearly bare. "You idiot." She does not bother to say anything as she races back to the temple to let Jalian know the bad news.
Being inside the temple and not outside where all the people are at, Grymash can only find the body of the Elder that could be eaten. That is if he would want to eat the dead.
Trellus on the other hand has a sinking feeling that he knows where this might be going. He askes his next question of the hammer avatar. Knowing that he is not going to like this he can already see his next question and this one will not bode well for IronHome.
The hammer does not seem to be bothered by the question within a question, but answers in a clear voice.
"Yes."
[It will take at least one days post to get back to the temple and give the news to everyone. It is possible that those there may already have an answer.]
Murdock d20+10=30 Tuesday January 9th, 2007 9:43:18 AM
Murdock smiles at Rayla, guessing her thoughts as he exits the temple with her, and walks in companionable silence with her until they reach Bertina's house.
As Murdock gets his first looks at the empty house, his mind begins working. Bertina curses and then storms off. Murdock remains behind, knowing that something is always left behind when someone lives at a place for a long period of time. He also knows of powerful arcane magics that could help track Bertina's movements if he could find some personal belonging of hers. He starts to methodically search the house, looking for anything personal that Bertina may have left behind, down to a single hair shed from her head. (Search DC= 30 Natural 20)
CDM Jerry Tuesday January 9th, 2007 11:55:58 AM
Would the ADM please do the report for last week's posting and email me to let me know it's done. Thanks friends :)
Jake Tuesday January 9th, 2007 4:40:52 PM
Jake claps Trellus on the back. "Sweet Shade, looks like you're on the right track, here. Now, we just gotta guess the right person. But you already guessed Bertina...so it has to be one of the other girls. Can't be Rilay..."
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday January 9th, 2007 9:57:03 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Jan 1 - 5
Name MTWTF
DM JimW OXOXX
Trellus OXOXX
Tishe OOOOO
Jake OOOXO
Gilan OOXXX
Grymash OOXOX
Flea OXOOX
Murdock OXOXX
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM Note - Holiday weeks are over now. SteveK(Tishe) in transit till Jan 20. MikeK theoretically subbing.
Flea Tuesday January 9th, 2007 9:57:27 PM
Flea studies the tips of her embroidered boots, but doesn't miss a word that is being spoken.
Trellus Tuesday January 9th, 2007 9:59:47 PM
Two questions left. Its not Bertina? Maybe the name is wrong?
Trellus is running out of ideas. Maybe something different.
"Did the one who poisoned this man do so by the command of another?"
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday January 10th, 2007 12:19:18 AM
Gilan keeps himself quiet this time around as he is truely interested in what the larger plot is here. He has an idea but will not voice it as soon Trell is on the same route.
The right question, the right answer. (DM Jim) Wednesday January 10th, 2007 12:24:39 AM
As Rayla races back to the temple, Murdock stays behind to check things out. As he stumbles through the few items that are left he is not fully prepared for what he finds. There are a number of small chests left behind, the lids open on two of them with clothes in disarray...the other three closed still. He also finds a large amount of herbs and other household items that she did not take along. What he does not find is what should bother him most...no hair or other parts of her remain...except for one black feather he finds in the corner.
In the temple the other quiet back down as Trellus asks his next question. There are held breathes as you all wait for the answer for this question. The hammer flares a little as it gets a little dimmer, telling all that the answers are almost done.
"Yes."
[Got the newest module approved so should be moving onto that...but this will be important in the future...I think. :)]
Grymash Wednesday January 10th, 2007 2:02:27 AM
While contemplating his navel, Grymash finds nothing of interest. He looks to Trellus for an explaination to what his hammer is talking about.
Murdock Wednesday January 10th, 2007 11:38:04 AM
Murdock knows that finding nothing of the occupant of a house is very strange indeed. Murdock raises an eyebrow in curiosity and then bends down to pick up the feather. He is no nature lover, but perhaps one of his friends can identify the source of the feather. He cast detect magic and walks through the house again, looking for any magical auras.
If Murdock finds no magical aura's he will move to the three closed chest and inspect them. If the chest are locked, he will leave them alone. Otherwise, Murdock will open all the chest to inspect there contents for lingering signs of Bertina.
After he has gathered up as much information as possible about the contents of the house, Murdock makes his way back to the temple, with the feather in hand, and questions on his mind.
Trellus Wednesday January 10th, 2007 9:11:17 PM
Last question. Time for a wild thread.
"Did the Red Claws order the death of this man?"
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday January 11th, 2007 1:16:40 AM
Gilan frowns at the newest question, wondering if it is possible. He nods as it very well could be possible that the RedClaws had something to do with the old man's death.
Ciaran wakes and looks around, finding nothing different really from when he went to sleep. Two people are missing but that is not enough to bother him.
The Good and the Bad. (DM Jim) 5d8(7+3+7+5+8)=30 Thursday January 11th, 2007 1:30:47 AM
Murdock is still going around the house when he finds the feather. He stoops to pick it up and a blast goes off in his face. The whole interior of the small house is blasted and left smoking or charred as the magic blasts the inside(30 damage, Reflex 24 for half damage). Once you are able to see again you notice that the few unopened chests have been neatly scorched and some of the contents emptied out on the floor, some of them liquids.
Trellus asks the last question of the hammer and it flickers for a few minutes before giving it's answers.
"No."
This last bit of news may put some questions in order but also open up a whole lot more of them. About this time, Rayla comes bursting through the door out of breathe. She glances to everyone a nasty look upon her face. "Bertina is gone, her house cleaned out pretty much and her couple of apprentices with her." Her eyes flash with hatred as she has never liked the woman but kept her tongue as the Elder had asked.
The three witnesses shake thier heads and begin to speak amongst themselves. You catch bits of it and get the general idea that they do not believe that the pack had anything to do with the murder. It is not hard to guess as to who they think was the principle player. Jalian shakes her head and then looks to the rest. "She is gone and we cannot chase her down." Though she has a worried look upon her face she also seems a little relieved. "Bertina would not dirty her own hands to commit a crime anyways...she lets others do that for her...remember the mysterious way her teacher died." She leaves it at that as she motions to the door. "Maybe it is time to rejoin the others and wish my Grandfather a fond farewell." She moves to the door not bothering to look to Rayla who's mouth is twitching. It is not hard to read her thoughts as they are plain upon her face...if she ever sees Bertina again it will be for the last time.
Murdock on fire! (11/35HP) d20+5=20 d20+18=36 d8+1=2 d8+1=6 Thursday January 11th, 2007 10:05:34 AM
(/ooc all for the want of picking up the feather before I cast the detect....../sigh!)
Murdock is at the epicenter of the fireball as it explodes. (Spellcraft DC=36 to determine it was a fireball) He feels the intense heat start to blister his skin, as his feet rise up off the floor. He is blown hard against the far wall, angry red blood oozes from his torn body.
Murdock struggles in wretched agony for a few moments before he finally stands again. His silvery white tatoos pulse a brilliant blue and then fade back to normal, giving the drow some much needed healing. (Rerolling the 1 for healing) Feeling slightly better, Murdock's body is still bloodied and beaten.
He cast a detect magic, and scans the liquids and the remaining contents of the chest for magical auras. After the brief scanning of the chest, he leaves the house, on his way back to the temple, still limping badly.
Jake d20+7=9 Thursday January 11th, 2007 3:06:20 PM
Jake nods. "Bertina.. not very nice person. Ah could tell that 'bout her from the start." Then the fireball goes off! "What in the heck was that! Must be an attack!" He draws his sword and rushes off towards the sound.
Trellus Thursday January 11th, 2007 5:35:05 PM
Trellus follows Jalian's lead, and makes for the door to leave.
At the sound of the explosion, he looks over at Rayla and Jalian. "What's that?"
Jake is running toward the sound, but heck, it might just be fireworks or something.
Grymash Thursday January 11th, 2007 10:21:24 PM
Grymash turns his head toward the sound of the explosion. "Hmmm, dat not better be Gry's supper gettin' burnt!!" He sniffs the air. His snout aroused by the first scent of broiled flesh. "Piggie Dumps! Gry's supper gettin' burnt!! GRRRRR!!" The half-orc quickly turns and exits the temple to follow the smoke trail.
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday January 11th, 2007 11:00:34 PM
Gilan is also exiting the temple, having taken the time to let Ciaran know that they are leaving. This had been a moot point really as the wolf had been on his feet before he got to within five feet of him.
So they exit together and then their is the sound of an explosion, though he is not sure what is in that direction. He looks to the others, but Jake who is already racing off. "Ahhh...that had better not be the Oglian back for another round." He does not really want to see those ants again or at least for awhile.
Fire burns....:). (DM Jim) Saturday January 13th, 2007 12:45:56 AM
Murdock casts his simple spell and searches the room for any other signs of magic. Disturbing his senses, is the fact that some of the liquids that are even now coming together...are magical. He can see nothing else of magical make or otherwise in the house. The few fires that burn inside of the metal house are starting to spread through the little things that were left behind.
Jake runs into Murdock as he is limping back to the temple. Both of you are only about a hundred yards from the metal house that once belonged to Bertina and it has flames, though not big, licking out of the couple of windows and door. Grymash comes upon the two just a couple of minutes after Jake had found Murdock in his not so healthy state. At least it was not his supper burning.
The rest of the group are back near the temple still but can just barely make out the starting of smoke in the distance of the village. Jalian and Rayla are quick to start getting the people together to stop the fire and you notice Rayla shaking her head. Jalian is the one that speaks. "Now you know why the houses here are made of metal...don't burn as easily and spread...just get really, really hot depending on the size of the fire." Soon she has a brigade of citizens marching off with buckets in hand and a few starting to mumble a few incantations under their breathe.
Trellus 2d8(7+7)+10=24 Monday January 15th, 2007 12:59:11 PM
Trellus nods to himself as Jalian explains the use of metal houses to control the spread of fires. As long as you got the metal, he finishes silently. No way Rattledam has that much iron laying around.
The burgundy vested cleric trots along with everyone toward the scene of the fire, and soon spots the scorched dark elf. His first thought is not a generous one...Light. That dude better not have ripped our picks to make friends here. But, Trellus keeps the thought to himself as he moves over to Murdock.
"Help you out?" he asks, and then casts a healing spell on the drow. [CMW - 24 hp healed]
Murdock (35/35 HP) Monday January 15th, 2007 6:06:22 PM
Murdock observes Trellus's stern look as he approaches, but can not guess it's source. The drow smiles greatfully as Trellus sends an large amount of healing energy through his body. As Murdock's mind clears and the agony of being roasted alive fades to an unpleasant memory, the surface drow relates the events that led to the explosion.
Murdock starts quietly, " As you all know, I left with Rayla, to come and find Bertina. I did not know if my services would be required to apprehend the villian. After we determined that Bertina had left, Rayla went back to the temple. I stayed behind, and surveyed the house, looking for traces of Bertina, that I might scry her whereabouts." Murdock shakes his head, obviously frustrated, "but there where no remenants of human occupation of that house, its like it hasn't been lived in for years. The only thing I found was a bird like feather, but when I reached to pick it up, the room exploded in a fireball!" Murdock crys out, "ALL FOR THE WANT OF A DETECT MAGIC! I AM SUCH A FOOL!" scolding himself for his stupidity more severely than he deserves.
Flea Monday January 15th, 2007 6:40:11 PM
The rogue trots after her pack as they follow the sound of the explosion and then the smoke from the strange metal house. She winces at the sight of the singed drow, but knows, from experience, that Trellus can ease the strange magikers hurts.
Despite her best attempts, she can not keep a smile from creeping across her face. Another curious cat! she thinks to herself.
Standing next to the cleric, she tugs on his tabard, and enquires, "can we go home now?"
Grymash Monday January 15th, 2007 9:00:15 PM "Feather fire?! Feathers no burst inta fires!? Do thays? Murduck's brain pan boiled overs. Talkin' crazy Murdockers is." Then the half-orc thinks a little more. "If Murlock wants uh magical divination, Gry could haves done its for ya! Gry could have learned yaz."
Turning to Flea after her comment. "Yeah, Flea right. When pack go back ta Rattleham?"
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday January 16th, 2007 12:02:09 AM
Gilan moves along with towards the source of the fire. He does not lend a hand as the people here seem to be able to handle it just fine. As they come upon Murdock, he wonders what type of trouble they have gotten themselve into now. "I have to agree with Flea...I yearn for home as well." He stretches lightly as he watches the villagers go to work. Seems like a metal home would be hot, not just because of the fire either.
Ciaran padded along as well but stops to sit on the grass and watch. He would not get closer, well maybe if one of his pack was in trouble...but fire bothered him.
The long wait....is over. (DM Jim) Tuesday January 16th, 2007 12:14:03 AM
The villagers are quick to put out the fire and most go back to the celebration. Nothing was destroyed and the house will be liveable in a few days time.
Jalian and Rayla move off to the side with the Bloodpack in tow. Jalian smiles as she looks to each member of the pack in turn. "I want to thank you once again for everything that you have done. Both for us earlier and then with the death of my Grandfather." She glances around the village that will soon be under her command and shivers. "They council has decided that I will be given the position of Elder tomorrow and work towards the betterment of IronHome." Glancing to Rayla who gives her a smile and grips her shoulder lightly. "I have many around me to help keep me grounded and make the right choices. Do not think that IronHome will not give you shelter in the future if you need it while in the grass. We may provide the Barons with warriors and rapke but we still are able to make our own choices." It was something that her grandfather had been very proud off and something that had gotten him killed.
The rest of the night is uneventful and passes quickly, but you get warm welcomes and conversation by almost all of the citizens. It seems that things are not as bad here as it would have first seemed and that you may have won a future friend.
In the morning you find Rayla at the door of the place that you have been staying. She ushers in a group of seven women with a mighty breakfast, twelve large platters of food. Most of it you recognize as leftovers from last night, prepared in different ways for breakfast. "There is a grass ship here unloading supplies and the Captain has said that you may have passage aboard to Rattledam." She settles into a chair to wait for the group and possibly answer any questions that may have been left over from last night or this morning.
Then it is time to go.....HOME.
Jake Tuesday January 16th, 2007 1:10:39 AM
"Rattledam," Jake exhales... "Rattledam! This is great!" Jake pounds a fist in the air and pats his nearest companion heartily on the back. "Bloodpack, we're heading home, finally! And...we come in style, on a big ol' boat! Ah bet the blackpack'll be in tears of envy." Jake laughs happily. "And we left this town pretty good, didn't we guys? Ah mean, we saved the kids, uncovered a murderer, and spread good will into raider lands. And we came here only because we were lost." Jake chuckles. "And ah think we've seen the last of those ant-guys for a while."
Trellus Tuesday January 16th, 2007 10:00:53 AM
Trellus' response to Flea is a nod and a weary sigh. "We're sure gonna try," he tells her.
That evening, the cleric puts on the Pendant of Order.
In the morning, Rayla delivers the most welcome news the blond man has heard in a long time. "Totally shady!" he cries happily, helping himself to some of the offered food. He thanks Rayla for her help, and the other villagers for the breakfast, and starts packing.
"Dudes," he says with a grin. "Let's weave."
Trellus heads for this boat, eager to get on before something ELSE happens.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday January 16th, 2007 10:51:39 AM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Jan 8 - 12
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXOX
Trellus XXXOX
Tishe OOOOO
Jake XOXOO
Gilan XXXOX
Grymash OXXOX
Flea XOOOX
Murdock XXXOX
[X = post, O = no post] ADM Note - Tishe(SteveK) enroute to his new house. MikeK should be subbing, but doesn't know what to say. Starting with next week's report, I'll start sending out posting reminders again.
Murdock Tuesday January 16th, 2007 4:03:01 PM
As the day closes, everyone seems to be excited about the possibility of returning to Rattledam, except Murdock. The drow has found people he is has grown familiar with and finds now that he actually cares for. He does not want to part ways with his new friends when he at last arrives back in Rattledam.
That next morning, as the breakfast plates are brought in, Murdock is openly growchy and agitated, having spent most of the night brooding about his impending seperation from the bloodpack.
Will they want me to continue with them..... the question hangs over his head, like an axe, ready to fall.
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday January 16th, 2007 11:06:04 PM
Gilan seems rather aggitated this morning, though it is not obvious why. As he sets off to the side to do his morning prayers to Mother Wold you get the impression that he maybe a little worried about thier return home. He eats only sparingly of the food brought in and does not converse much, though he does glare at Jake when he gets close.
Ciaran is aware of his brother's actions but cannot understand them. He can sense the change in everyone else that seems to be a feeling of relief and happiness over something...only two seem to be unhappy or maybe a little worried.
The voyage over grass. (DM Jim) Wednesday January 17th, 2007 12:14:45 AM
With a last bit of fanfare from the villagers of IronHome, the Bloodpack board the ship that is going to take them home.
A female Captain meets you at the gangplank and takes in each of you with a nod of her head. "I have heard of the Bloodpack before...just never got the chance to meet you." Her free hand, that is not holding a line, sweeps the ship with a widening smile. "My ship is at your service and we happen to be going to Rattledam next anyways." With the arrival and boarding of the last memeber of the pack she sets the ship on the right coarse by a wave to her second.
As she strolls easily across the deck of the slightly rocking ship she indicates a door that leads down into the lower parts of the ship. "I have a large room, usually for cargo...but open for your use while you are onboard my ship." With that she moves to the front rail and leans slightly on it to watch the sea of grass before her.
Jake Wednesday January 17th, 2007 4:46:22 AM
Jake easily crosses the gangplank, eyeing the grass underneath somewhat interestedly. The handsome warrior turns, and waves to the villagers, happily cheering at a few of the kids and prettier girls. Until they get out of view of the city, he leans on the railing looking at the strange town they have just left, wondering what will become of it. A disconcerting thought arises, that they are, technically, the Enemy. Even those little kids will someday grow up and be forced into the Baron's armies... It's a troubling thought, and the usually lighthearted half-elf easily diverts himself from it by wandering the ship. Something about being on a grassboat... Jake always had a dream about that, wandering the plains, being maybe a pirate or a raider. A romantic version of that sort of life, anyways, with only fun Baron-bashing, and pretty women begging him to steal them away from their homes... Anyways as he balances about on the balls of his feet, the lecherous rogue can't help but take a gander about the ship for anybody interesting. Particularly of the feminine variety. The Captain herself might be worth a look or two, though that sort of confidence in a woman can be resistant to the suave maneuvers of Rattledam's most notorious womanizer. (Well, the most current one anyways...Jake HAD to have had a mentor when he was a kid.)
Murdock Wednesday January 17th, 2007 10:47:06 AM
Murdock crosses the gang blank and with a smile and a nod of thanks to the captain. His mood is still sour, but he is making an effort to stop brooding.
If Murdock gets a chance, he brings up the subject that evening with the members of the Bloodpack while they are settling down in the large cargo hold, "I am greatly pleased to be travelling back to Rattledam, but I wouldn't mind traveling with you for awhile after we get back to Rattledam."
Trellus Wednesday January 17th, 2007 1:15:02 PM
Trellus happily bounds aboard the ship. They have made friends here, surely that will help the cause against the Barons in the future.
Plus, they're going home! Totally shady!
Except for Murdock and Gilan. The erstwhile pack leader leans on the rail of the ship, idly fiddling with the pendant around his neck, and ponders why. Gilan especially. When he spots the druid, Trellus ambles over.
"Why so sunbaked, dude?" he asks his longtime friend.
Later on, Murdock makes his request. So that's it, Trellus thinks. The blond man grins widely. "As long as you don't mind hanging out with a bunch of outcasts...oh, and getting ordered about by a blond haired human." He winks at Jake. "I do that, sometimes."
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday January 17th, 2007 11:27:38 PM
Gilan slips onto the ship with just the smallest hint of reluctance. He moves to the back of the ship and finds a nice spot that is fairly open and avoided by the crew.
He digs through his pack and comes out with the stuff that he uses to prepare his potions when away from home. Actually he has a mixture of different herbs on a low fire when Trel approaches him. Looking up he frowns and then stirs the mixture slowly. "I am worried about returning home...we have been gone now for several months or at least it seems that long, maybe longer." Setting the spoon to the side he looks to Trel and gives a half-hearted smile. "I fear what I may find when I return." He reaches over and absently scratches the head of his brother and then shakes his head as well.
Unable to leave the beginnings of a potion unattended he is not present for the problem that Murdock is having, but if approached on the deck he may have a few things to say.
Flea Wednesday January 17th, 2007 11:51:42 PM
The gnome bounds happily up the gang plank. Though not particularly excited about the mode of transportation, she is excited to be going 'home'.
Remembering that they had barely arrived in the city when they had to quit it, the rogue also remembers that the city was dealing with some sort of upheaval or attack...
Flea replaces Trellus, next to Gillan, catching his last words. "You figger our house is okay, Gillan? You figger the little hut is still there?" It suddenly dawns on the gnome that they might not have a place to stay, once they get back. "What'cher figger we should do when we get back? Just settle in or go see the council?" The gnome shivers a little, remembering the pack's last encounter with the haughty monk, Galafar.
Return. (DM Jim) Thursday January 18th, 2007 1:05:31 AM
Speculation runs the gambit through the pack, no matter if they bring it up or not. The boat sails on towards their home with it's small compliment of ten sailors.
Jake finds that his advances get him nowhere with any of the females upon the ship. One replies with a dagger that comes close to neatly cutting off some parts that he would rather have. A more burly female offers to pitch him overboard to see how he fares in the grass without help. The Captain keeps a tight reign upon her four girls and just shakes her head at Jake's attempts.
It has been four days of sailing and you have not seen much in the way of anything upon the grasses. Once you spotted three walkers making their way through the grass upon their stilts. There were also the eerie sounds of rapke hunting something in the dark of the night, twice.
It is the fifth day, with the sun almost reaching the high point in the sky, that you notice the unmistakable dome in the distance. The Captain has a spyglass to her eye when she nods her head to the call from the nest. She cannot suppress a smile as she states a single word. "Rattledam."
An hour later and the dome is much larger and you can make many things out. People are running around on the docks near the grass and the dome seems to be repaired...looking as though nothing had happened. The Captain moves to stand near Trellus. "Happy to be home?" She gives a whistle and four of the crew start to get the cargo ready for offloading.
[For those that do the math in their heads...the Bloodpack as been gone for going on fourteen months now.]
Trellus Thursday January 18th, 2007 9:37:08 AM
Trellus nods in understanding of Gilan's plight, and claps the druid reassuringly on the shoulder. But he knows better than to make promises both of them know he can't make.
"Its not the house," he explains later to Flea - out of earshot of Gilan - "Its the girl."
"As for once we get back, we gotta see the council. They gotta know what's going on out there." He smiles at Flea, guessing the reason for the look on her face. "Don't get twisted about Galafar," he assures her confidently. "He yells a lot, but he's pretty much just the beater keeping order. And we're all beyond getting in pack fights by the Rattledam."
The cleric spots Jake hastily backing away from yet another female crewmembmer. "Well, most of us anyway."
The dome of Rattledam appears, and Trellus' face lights with anticipation. The captain asks if he's happy to be home. "Totally," he responds.
The blond man looks on, and any thoughts of Oglian or Baron or crabs or Dark Fae or Ice Dudes or Galafar or the Council are erased. Trellus isn't thinking of that. He's thinking of Mom and Dad, wrestling with Danner, teasing Jenny, eating homemade piggie stew, and counting down the fountain at Rattledam.
I'm home
Murdock Thursday January 18th, 2007 4:02:54 PM
That evening, Murdock replies to Trellus, "Only when your orders make sense.....human!" with a smile and a wink to let Trellus know that he accepts the condition.
Later that evening, as the night settles more heavily over the ship, Murdock makes his way to the stern of the ship, and looks out over the Sargrass Plains. He see's a low fire with one of the pack leaning over a pot of smelly herbs. "Hello, Gilan, what are you brewing up there? " , the drow says, hoping to start an idle conversation.
Jake Thursday January 18th, 2007 4:43:51 PM
Jake finally gives up on his more outward attempts, as the femmes seem a bit too difficult and intractable. Instead, he passes his times with the grass sailors. Telling stories of the Bloodpack's exploits, gambling at cards (and losing a few gold, he's trying to make friends), learning what he can about sailing. Towards the end of it, he's even picked up a bit of knowledge about sailing. ((plan to reflect this by buying a rank or two of profession: sailor or whatever the appropriate skill is)) Since Trellus said he was shady, Jake also invites Murdock in to play cards. Even if the strange dark elf declines, Jake later finds some excuse to chat with the dark elf about femmes. Either way the conversation, and questions, goes somewhat like this; "So...ya wizards know magic stuff that can pick up girls easy, neh? Can you give me a charm or something to do that? Ah mean, y'know Lana, that sailor gal with the bright red hair...?" ((Jake, trying to recruit a partner in crime))
"Hey, ah remember ya vaguely back in Rattledam. But ya never joined our pack. What was that pack ye were in?" ((Open response; just be creative and describe some of what Murdock did as a kid in Rattledam))
"Hey, can you return this to Tishe and not tell her where you got it? Ah found it in my backpack this morning and realized she musta dropped it or something." ((Probably something like a wand or silly trinket Jake pickpocketed from Tishe))
Jake (illegal 2nd post) Thursday January 18th, 2007 6:22:36 PM
((just read my post and realized... I never even responded to getting to Rattledam :P))
Jake sees the dome off in the distance and cheers, thrusting his hat in the air. "We're home! And things look good as ever!" Jake pounds the nearest packmate on the back happily, then realizes.. "Man ah gotta shine my armor and look all heroic!" The half-elf dashes off to get some polishing stuff.
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday January 18th, 2007 7:57:01 PM
Gilan nods his head in understanding to Trell, though he has his own doubts...maybe it is something else that he cannot put a finger on. He gives Flea a hoping smile. "I suppose that it will be fine...it was off to the far side of the town." His eyes seem to be haunted by other memories as well of the loss of family before...his whole world crumbling around him.
Later that night he finds his attention brought up from his cauldron of herbs and he gives a smile. "Just working up some remedies for the group." He passes over two vials that he already has prepared and lets the drow check them out. "Healing potions made the druid way...though they still require magic...I am hoping to get two more before we arrive home." He spends the night and most of the next few days talking to Murdock, seeing what the man thinks of creating magic of his own.
The rest of the voyage passes uneventfully for Gilan as he goes about his morning routine. When the call is made that they are approaching home he starts to put away his brewing gear, cleaning what needs to be cleaned.
Moving to the rail near Trell he watches the fast approaching docks with mild interest. "Does not seem that much has changed." There does seem to be a little more activity at the docks but little else different, at least not noticeable from here.
[Remember that I will be needing updated CSs for anyone that bought stuff in the Catacombs or added new equipment to their sheets. Thanks. ~ JimW]
Flea Thursday January 18th, 2007 8:49:12 PM
Flea's eyes strain to pick out the details of Rattledam across the sea of grass. She strains to pick out the figures on the docks. "Hey, Jake!" she calls to the gangly fighter, "you figger Tishe's back home? Waiting for us?" Turning to Trellus, she continues, "you figger she's finished her stuff in Hook City and come back?"
The closer the party get to the domed city, the more anxious she grows. "Gillan, you figger they'll be glad to see us? We haven't been gone, too long, eh?" she asks the druid.
Flea remembers how there is an understanding among the people that discussing the outside world is not only discouraged, but forbidden, and, though there is no written law frobidding discussion of the outside wold, those who bring up the subject tend to be asked to leave. Flea isn't sure she wants to be asked to leave, but she isn't sure that the pack shouldn't tell...someone...about all that has befallen them...in the long year and a half since they have been gone.
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