Trellus (ac26, 46/79 hp, prayer,shield of faith) Wednesday March 21st, 2007 4:49:19 PM
At the sound of the approaching insects, Trellus breaks into a run toward the ship. This part was coming, of course. He knew it as soon as he asked Murdock to fireball the rapke. Try as he might, the cleric can't see what other pick he coulda used. There were EIGHT of them, after all.
"Really not that funny dudes," he tells the laughing men. "Unless you enjoy being eaten."
"Gil!" he calls out. "Time for the water dudes to go. And you got any 15' tall earth dudes that can put this boat back? We REALLY gotta go." Trellus gauges the height of the grass and the size of the ship, wondering if an enlarged Grymash can push it back on top of the Grass.
"Everyone else, DON'T GET WET!"
Murdock AC:21 (AC:17 + 4 Mage Armor) 35/35 Hp (Prayer, Endure Elements, Fly) Wednesday March 21st, 2007 9:28:57 PM
The drow ushers the men and the woman into the boat. "Quickly now!" Murdock encourages, "Those bugs will kill a man simply to get a taste of his water."
Gilan [AC: 24 - HP: 66/106][prayer, haste, stoneskin] and Ciaran [AC: 24 - HP: 80/80][extended magic fang, prayer] Wednesday March 21st, 2007 10:04:13 PM
Gilan laughs at the water elemental and then bows to her. "You have done wonderful sister of water...you may return to your realm of water with my thanks." He starts the summoning of a new elemental and hopes that it will be big enough to lift the ship. He knows that he cannot get anything quite the size that Trell is talking about.
The water elemental seems to laugh herself as she slowly ebbs away and then is gone. Ciaran meanwhile is racing for the grass ship himself, though he does turn around to look at his brother and see what he is doing.
The ground starts to give in as it bursts upwards and the arms of a medium being start to appear. It is made of solid earth with a few rocks mixed in. Glaring stone eyes taken in the surrounding area as it turns a head to Gilan.
[stoneskin for summon nature's ally IV - earth elemental]
Tishe' AC 20 HP 56/56 (Mage Armor, Haste, Endure Elements) Wednesday March 21st, 2007 10:21:16 PM
By the time the fire is out, Tishe's Small Water Elemental is also out of time. Without requiring thanks or dismissal, the being moves back into its aquatic realm.
The brown-haired spellweaver herself, too, knows what happens next when water is loose on the Sargrass. She keeps her flying spell going, ready to help pick up anyone who may be in danger of being surrounded by the insects.
Not able to help in righting the ship, Tishe' instead meets the Captain of the Grassship. "Many Shadows, Captain. As soon as we get you out of here, perhaps you can weave us your story?"
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Summon I, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, *Endure Elements (extended) Yellow -- *Summon III, *Fly, Haste
Flea (Haste) Wednesday March 21st, 2007 11:55:50 PM
Activating her boots, Flea sprints for the boat, doing her best to avoid the wet parts of the combat area. "Show me the safest way!" she cries up to the flyers, "Help me avoid the water!"
Bugs, righting ships and water. (DM Jim) Thursday March 22nd, 2007 12:43:17 AM
The water elementals disappear with a little flourish and the bugs dive into what is left behind. The seem more interested in the water that is pooled in the center of the grasses than anyone else.
An earth elemental makes an appearance and pulls himself fully out of the ground. He looks to Gilan as his summoner and growls a low rumbled querie at him.
The rest of the pack is retreating to the stranded ship and some have even boarded her. The Captain looks to Tishe' and despite the situation gives her a bow. "As you wish m'lady...but we must right my beauty first." He is currently studying the ship with no battle going on and the bugs too interested in other things.
The woman and three guys are now onboard the ship as well and the woman is leaning over the side, watching the bugs with a frightened look. The three guys are still chuckling about the woman's fright, though they look to Trellus. What would seem to be the eldest of the three speaks up. "No, but we know enough about the grass to know with that much water they will leave us alone...Maria there does not care, she hates bugs." He cannot help but snicker and you get the idea that all four grew up together and they most likely pick on each other every chance they get.
Jake d20+7=15 d20+21=25 Thursday March 22nd, 2007 2:31:44 AM
Jake stops by the four. He's a little surprised, they seem so carefree and, well, ungrateful! They should be bowing and praising the pack! At least, that would do some good for the bloodpack's ego. So, he casually drawls to the group, but at the same time tries to emphasize his words to get his point across. "You seem okay. Glad we could SAVE YOUR LIVES from those rapke. Ah mean, it's a small thing for the great BLOODPACK to do." He grins, pausing, then looks around. (Spot 15 as he does so) "By the way, ya'll seen any other groups or things out here in the grasses?" He's generally pummeling them up for information.
Trellus (ac26, 61/79 hp, shield of faith) Thursday March 22nd, 2007 10:27:37 AM
Seeing the bugs seem to be content to stay where they are, Trellus relaxes. His eyes glance over the brothers and sister, but he decides to just let it pass and goes to see the ship's captain.
Again, the cleric evaluates the size of the ship and the height of the Grass. "Whaddya think Gry?" he asks. "If I make you big, can you push the boat back up on the Grass?"
While the barbarian contemplates that, Trellus asks the captain a more sensitive question. Indicating the bodies of what he assumes is the crew with a thrust of his chin, he asks softly, "Anything you want us to do for them?"
Murdock AC:21 (AC:17 + 4 Mage Armor) 35/35 Hp (Prayer, Endure Elements, Fly) Thursday March 22nd, 2007 10:56:54 AM
After ushering the men and the woman inside, the drow takes to the air again, seeing little flea trying to avoid the insects.
The drow swoops down and offers her a short flight to the boat.
Flea Thursday March 22nd, 2007 7:20:56 PM
Deposited on board the boat by the airborne Murdock, Flea takes a moment to adjust her dark leather armor, and tuck some stray whisps of sandy hair under her faded crimson velvet hat.
Looking up into the wide plains sky, she grins her trademark gap toothed grin and waves to the strange magiker.
Flea has a flashback memory...a picture her mother had placed on the wall across from her little gnome bed. It was a picture of a beautiful woman with wings, shepparding two young gnome children across an unsturdy bridge. The children seemed completely unaware of the spirit protecting them. Flea had asked her mother if the woman with the wings was a half-dragon, or some other magician, but her mother had called the beautiful creature a guardian angel. Flea had never encountered a guardian angel in the whole of her adventuring life, but now she was starting to wonder. The dark elf certainly didn't look like the spirit in the picture, but he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, where Flea was concerned, anyway.
Grymash d20+13=28 Thursday March 22nd, 2007 10:11:17 PM "Uhhh sure, Gry try anythang twice," replies the half-orc!
If Grymash suddenly finds himself growing in size, he will try and muster up all the strength he has to push the boat back onto the tall grass. Grabbing hold of the ship, Grymash strains every muscle to push the boat with all his might.
(Enlarged Grymash, 13ft tall, 2040pds. Strength check 28. 84% of max push weight[9,200pds]= 7,728pds.)
Tishe' AC 20 HP 56/56 (Mage Armor, Haste, Endure Elements) d20+8=18 d20+8=20 Thursday March 22nd, 2007 10:16:09 PM
Tishe' pulls back a little at the deference the Captain gives her. She tries to unobtrusively study herself to see what the man may have seen. Hmmm, a dirty, weather-stained face and clothing. Not beautiful or even unusual in any way. Must just be the thread of the moment. She mentally shrugs, dismissing the man's error, and continues to monitor the Grass from her height vantage until her spell dissapates. (Spot:18, Listen:20)
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Summon I, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, *Endure Elements (extended) Yellow -- *Summon III, *Fly, Haste
Gilan [AC: 24 - HP: 66/106][prayer, haste, stoneskin] and Ciaran [AC: 24 - HP: 80/80][extended magic fang, prayer] d20+14=36 Thursday March 22nd, 2007 11:17:49 PM
Gilan gives the earth elemental a slight bow of the head. "Brother of earth...I ask a simple boon from you...help us to push the ship back into place upon the tall grass." He indicates to the ship and then to the grass. He does glance to make sure that Ciaran is making it to the ship alright.
Ciaran is at the ship but does not scramble upon it. He is currently seated in the short grass and watching his brother with that big pile of dirt and stone.
The elemental seems to take in the request and then the sight of the ship with no interest. Still he moves in that direction and applies his own strength to lifting the ship back into the grass. While Grymash might be lifting from the side the elemental ops to go underground and mearly lift up as he rises through the ground(STR 36).
[stoneskin for summon nature's ally IV - earth elemental]
Wright a ship. (DM Jim) Friday March 23rd, 2007 7:33:20 PM
The young woman, Maria, is too distressed by the bugs to pay attention to much of anything. The three young men on the other hand seem to dismiss the things that were pointed out by Jake. "Yeah, well a little adventure is the spice of life and on a ship voyage you tend to want a little of that." They all go to the railing to look out over the grass and watch the bugs, while Maria seems closer to throwing up than anything. The one that spoke before answers the last question from the rail. "Yeah saw a group of adventuring rats just last night. They was stealing some crumbs in the ships galley." All three men break into laughter at the joke.
AS the rest find space on the ship or near it. The elemental sinks under the ship and starts to apply pressure to the underside. Grymash on the other hand is currently applying his strength from the front. Between the two the ship is soon bobbing on the full height of the grass again.
It does not appear that the pack of rapke and bounders are going to come back. The rapke bodies that had been laying out in the clearing are now covered with insects of all shapes, sizes and kinds. That is also the case with the bodies of the four that were killed earlier as well.
The captain shakes his head. "No lad, it would be to hard to retrieve the bodies now and those lads would rather be laid to rest here on the grass anyways." You see the hint of tears in his eyes before he wipes them away with his sleeve. "Good sailors they were." He looks to his lady and smiles, though it is tinged with a touch of sadness. He shakes his head and turns to Trellus. "Lad, I am heading towards Hook City and I owe you a debt. Could I drop you off somewhere?" A pair of rope ladders have been thrown over the edge so that everyone can get onto the ship.
Trellus (ac 26, 61/79 hp) Friday March 23rd, 2007 8:03:57 PM
Trellus chuckles to himself at the antics of the three brothers - for that's what he assumes them to be. They're a lot like Jake, which makes the half-elf's reaction even more deliciously ironic. For his own part, the cleric decides to just ignore them, and continues his conversation with the captain.
"I'm Trellus. This is the Bloodpack," he tells the man. "We're heading northeast. If that's the direction you're weaving, we'd love a ride. We've heard tale of strange talking beasts and land that's "alive" that way. Have you heard anything?"
Since he's busy talking, the cleric pulls out a wand and offers it to Tishe. He motions for her to use it on the wounded members of the pack. [Cure Moderate Wounds]
Tishe' AC 20 HP 56/56 (Mage Armor, Haste, Endure Elements) 2d8(6+2)+3=11 2d8(5+1)+3=9 2d8(3+7)+3=13 2d8(4+2)+3=9 Friday March 23rd, 2007 11:56:09 PM
Tishe' takes the healing wand and moves amongst her packmates delivering touches of healing.
Gilan 11, 9, 13 Trellus 9
And to any others that require it. "Your own spell healed me completely from the Bounder bite, Trellus", she tells the cleric of Domi.
"Do you need any assistance in sailing the ship?" To this question, Tishe' puts to the Captain. "I know I and Murdock both have sailing experience."
Once ready to get underway, Tishe' will change clothes to her 'on deck' outfit; her Grasspants and halter, with her wavy brown hair in a ponytail down her back. Bare feet help with maintaining purchase on the moving timbers.
Arcane Spells White -- Acid Splash, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation Red -- Grease, Unseen Servant, Shield, Summon I, *Mage Armor Orange -- *Glitterdust, See Invisibility, Web, *Endure Elements (extended) Yellow -- *Summon III, *Fly, Haste
Murdock AC:21 (AC:17 + 4 Mage Armor) 35/35 Hp (Prayer, Endure Elements, Fly) Saturday March 24th, 2007 9:07:46 AM
As Murdock fly's up again, he catches Flea's wave, and returns it with a wink and a smile. The drow's almost perpetual frown turnig upside down for just a few moments. The happiness of flight and of friendship is only momentary however, as the drow remembers a similar situation and a promise he made to another gnome, many many years ago. His smile, and good mood disappear in the breath of a heartbeat.
Murdock lands on the deck of the ship, and reaches into his pack taking out a lock of sandy-brown hair for a moment before putting it back where it belongs. His packmakes might catch a stray tear in his sad eyes, before he brushes it away.
The mage hears Tishe's comments and volunteers to help, but stresses his knowledge of seamanship is only elementary. However, thecrew will find that Murdock is a willing and eager student.
Gilan [AC: 24 - HP: 99/106] and Ciaran [AC: 24 - HP: 80/80] Saturday March 24th, 2007 5:25:31 PM
Gilan moves to the ship to find it is now settled upon the grass for sailing. The earth elemental slides out of the ground before him and seems to be waiting for something. "Thank you brother of earth...you may return to your home with my thanks." The elemental slowly sinks into the ground leaving behind a pile of dirt and stones in its place. Gilan moves up the ladder and finds a place to settle upon the deck. "Thank you Tishe'." He is feeling better yet with the healing that she passes out through the wand.
Ciaran makes his way to his brother and lays down, putting his head in his lap. Soon this leads to some attention to the larger wolf's ears and neck.
Flea (AC 21, 56/56 HP) d20+12=30 d20+12=32 d8+1=5 d8+1=5 Sunday March 25th, 2007 6:49:46 PM
Flea ignores the folks on the boat. She finds a quiet corner and takes out a wand. Giving herself a couple of taps with the stick, (UMD=30 and 32 for 5 + 5 pts health restored) she starts to feel much better.
Returning to the pack, she volunteers to help any who need a little healing. "How 'bout you guys?" she says, to the captain, crew, and the teasing siblings. "But I can only work it a couple more times...the magic is just about wore out."
DM Sanity Info: 6 charges remain wand of CLW
Jake (31/56) Monday March 26th, 2007 4:32:20 AM
Jake is glad that Trellus is taking the advantage, and adds, "We wouldn't mind a lift outta the immediate area...no need to be here no matter what. Couldja drop us off say a little northeast as a favor?" "Ah could use a few healin'," Jake lets the others know, somewhat off to the side. Jake will help the sailors if they need any help, having been on a few ships by now, and enjoys the change of scenery.
Tishe' (2nd Post) 2d8(1+3)+3=7 2d8(1+1)+3=5 2d8(8+6)+3=17 Monday March 26th, 2007 12:11:36 PM
Tishe' realizes Jake is looking poorly from the fight, taps the elf three times with Trellus' wand.
Jake (CMW) 7,5,17 =29
Get a little closer. (DM Jim) Tuesday March 27th, 2007 12:56:10 AM
The captain mulls over the question for a few minutes and then breaks into a large smile. "Of course I can take you a little further to the northeast...it will be a little out of the way but still, I owe you at least that much." Soon the ship is underway and the pack is put to work at various jobs.
Though noone is really in need of healing you do find other things to do. There are ropes to tie and sails to put up and take down. A day passes uneventfully and you have covered a lot of ground, steadily moving to the northeast. You must have covered at least an extra twenty miles more than you would have on foot.
The young woman and the three young men always seem to be around on the deck of the ship. You get the idea that they are passengers on their way to Hook City, the destination of the ship and it's cargo.
Murdock Tuesday March 27th, 2007 9:34:22 AM
Murdock remains silent and broodish during the day. He changes into a loose fiting tunic that shows off his finely toned muscles and his exotic silvery-white tatoos. The drow then helps out aboard the ship, silently working off his frustrations.
All the while, the wizard is also thinking about his poor performance in the battle. He should have been better prepared for those bounders and rapke. After all, they were only animals weren't they? The mage berates himself silently for memorizing more utility spells, and not enough combat spells.
Murdock decides, that if they are to stay on the ship that night, he will prepare a scrying spell for the morning. Otherwise, he will make sure to memorize a combat spell that is usefull in the tall grass.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday March 27th, 2007 10:29:44 AM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of Mar 19 - 23
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXOX
Trellus XXXOX
Tishe XXXOX
Jake OOXOX
Gilan XXXOX
Grymash XOXOO
Flea XXXOX
Murdock XXXOX
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM Note - Combat is over, and no one died!
Tishe' d20+16=19 Tuesday March 27th, 2007 12:52:16 PM
The brown-haired woman takes a little time to get to know the others. "Are you bound for HookCity? Shady! What are you going to do? If you've never been, I may be able to help give directions since I grew up in HookCity myself." There is a slight pause for breath and then... "Could you carry a message to Dafydd and Mara Weaver, SouthBridge? Those are my parents and I would hate to miss an opportunity..."
The conversation goes on, and on. Tishe' manages to find time to write a quick nots that she and her friends are OK, and she helps around the ship (Sailing:19)
She is also more than happy to talk to her packmates about HookCity and the wonders on the north edge of the Sargrass (complete description of Hook City from Duncans)
Trellus d20+6=7 d20+12=18 Tuesday March 27th, 2007 1:34:43 PM
Once everyone is on board and more or less comfy, Trellus circles the ship checking in on the Bloodpack. He thanks Jake for jumping in on the bounders for him, and suggests maybe the fighter can get some info from the girl. He askes Gilan and Grymash their opinions concerning the changed strength of the rapke, as well as wondering what the deal was with the other group. He gives Flea an encouraging word or two - magic missiles seem to be the best way to cause damage in the Grass without setting the place ablaze. He gives Murdock a grin - "see what I mean 'bout fire?" - and lets him know electricity is nearly as bad. "The Grass conducts it. You can fry friends just as easy as the treadles."
He tries listening in to Tishe's conversation with the fellows, wanting to get a sense of who they are and what they're up to. But the sound of Tishe's constant talking kicks in his "tune out" defense, and he soon finds himself daydreaming of living in a town free of monks. [Sense Motive - nat 1 - nice]
After some more time, the cleric's hand slips to the pendant swinging from his neck. There's something about this thing. Trellus meditates on it for awhile [Spellcraft 18] - light, it'd be nice if Tishe would just stop talking for minute or two so he could really concentrate....
Tishe' Tuesday March 27th, 2007 9:38:43 PM
Trellus, LOL!
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday March 28th, 2007 12:13:22 AM
Gilan finds himself seated off to the side during most of the trip. He has no aspirations of becoming a sailor and knew that he would get in the way most of the time. The only thing that he could offer was help to fill the sails and make the trip a little faster.
At least Trellus gives him something to think about while he stays out of the way. He finds Trellus late in the morning of the first full day of sailing. "I think that something else is at work here...the rapke seem to be different in more than just suttle ways." He cannot really believe that Elbyron, who was going to repent, would be in on what is happening. "Elbyron said he was going to repent so any changes or empowering of nature should be more suttle and less dangerous...at least I would hope." This starts him into thinking that maybe he made the wrong choice and did he sway the others into making a bad choice. Could the Fae King have fooled them all.
Notes and Boats. (DM Jim) Wednesday March 28th, 2007 12:20:43 AM
The morning of the first day of sailing is bright and hung over with just a hint of air moving. There is also a hint of rain in the air as well, not something that happens often on the grass.
Through the day before, Tishe' finds that the group of four that travel to HookCity have been to the city a number of times over the years. They peddle simple carvings that the three young men do and objects of wood that she carves herself. The young woman is quick to agree to dropping off a letter for the young Tishe'. Tishe' also finds out that though the four grew up together, much like brothers and sister, that they are not related by blood.
The captain comes out of the cabin and shakes his head as he can smell the rain on the air. "We need to get the covers up and the sails down." The crew breaks into action and soon have the sails down and are breaking out what look to be canvas coverings that will provide shelter from the rain. Moving to stand beside Trellus the captain shakes his head. "We will make little progress this day if it rains too much."
There is more to the pendant, that Trellus has been studying for some time. He can feel the pulse of power from the item but it does not give up it's secrets easily. Maybe there are other ways to find out about it but he cannot think with all the noise going on right now.
Flea Wednesday March 28th, 2007 12:48:16 AM
Flea is quiet, but she isn't idle. The gears of her mind click and whir like the intriguing contraptions in her da's shop.
While Trellus is absorbed by the pendant around his neck, the gnome seeks out the dark-skinned newcomer. "Murdock?" she asks, her eyes sliding over to make sure the cleric isn't looking her way, "Murdock? Is it very hard to do that magic thing you did back in the tunnel? When you looked for Jenny?" Flea moves a little closer to the drow, after checking on Trellus' position, and uses the elf's body to hide her own from view, before continuing in a low whisper, "Could you, ahh, look up a friend of mine?"
Murdock d20=18 Wednesday March 28th, 2007 10:42:48 AM
Murdock woke up this morning having already decided that he was going to attempt to scry on Jenny again. He never expected Flea to come to him with such a request.
Murdock listens with an understanding expression to the gnomes request. Always an astute observer of body language, the drow guesses that Flea does not want the others to know about this. (Sense Motive 18)
The drow responds, "It is one of the most powerful magics I know." Looking upon the gnome, he cant help but think of Minley, his dear departed friend. Murdock continues, "I will cast this spell for you Flea, it is yours to request, but I ask you now, "Is it more important than finding Trellus's sister?" the drow continues, " Or will it help us on our mission? ...or is it just a lonely heart looking for an image of a lost loved one?"
The reflection in Murdock's eyes as he quietly ask these questions, is one of complete understanding and competence. The mage knows what it is like to long for family, and for friends, and to be at a loss for both. Murdock knows what is it like to have a soul torn asunder because of companionship lost.
Trellus d20+13=21 Wednesday March 28th, 2007 1:41:11 PM
Trellus shrugs at Gilan's comments. "Well, SOMETHING is changing them. No way was the scream that bad before, and they're bites didn't paralyze anybody, either." The cleric stares out thoughtfully across the deceptively smooth field of Grass. More mysteries.
In the morning, the cleric also tries to balance his spells. He makes a face. It'd be nice if someone could tell him if he'd be fighting spellcasters or rapke next. Ah well.
After learning his spells, Trellus casts one asking for a little help [Guidance], and goes back to checking out the pendant, but not with much interest [Spellcraft 21, argh].
As the captain makes his preperations for rain, the blond man perks up. "Rain? Really? Shady." A bad thought. "Um, we're not in any real danger from the storm or after, are we?"
Spells Prepared (cast as level 10 due to Setanos' Vestment): d -- domain spell 0 - Create Water (x2), Detect Magic (x2), *Guidance, Read Magic 1 -- Endure Elements (x3), Prot v. Evil, Remove Fear (x2), Enlarge Person (d) 2 -- Lesser Restoration (x2), Resist Energy(elec.), Hold Person, Status, Spiritual Weapon, Bulls Strength (d) 3 - Dispel Magic(x2), Prayer, Searing Light, Magic Vestment(d) 4 -- Air Walk, Freedom of Movement, Divine Power, Spell Immunity (d) 5 -- Flame Strike, Shield of Faith (quickened), Spell Resistance (d)
Jake d20+6=16 d20+20=22 Wednesday March 28th, 2007 3:50:21 PM
Jake enjoys the first day, and spends most of it working lightly. That night, he tries to get a few of these guys into a poker game. He's really using this time to scope out his next prospect; the femme on board. He casually gets the opinion of the guys about her (no chasing after a girl if a guy's gonna beat him up for it), finds out her interests, that sorta thing (Gather Info DC 16). Still, he's tired from the fighting and has to turn in before he's had too much fun. The next day he wakes up and, after a quick breakfast, he takes a gander about for something to do. He eyes the one femme on the boat speculatively... So that day, Jake casually begins his plan. He tries to adopt the 'I'm just here to help ya, but you sure are cute', approach; sweet-talking her a little, helping her out with anything she might need. And, if she's accepting, taking it as far as it will go. (Diplomacy 22) For Jake it's not his best approach, though it is far superior to any beginner or un-trained romancer.
Oh, and the rain. Really just a sidenote and, to Jake, a good prospect to pull the femme under some covers.
Tishe' Wednesday March 28th, 2007 8:26:57 PM
Tishe' happily hands off the note to the woman and wishes them well on thier journey. The rain holds other facinations for her as well. "I've never been in an electrical storm on the Sargrass", she confides, "will we be safe on the boat?"
The brown eyes light up at the discussion of the Rapke. "There is another explanation than Ebyron", she mentions to Trellus and Gilan. "That Red Claw was a druid. Druids can affect the natural order. What if the Red Claws or a Monsterologist is behind the changes? That would be very local, keep the rapke wild, and cause all sorts of mischief with the Femme Fatales."
Gilan and Ciaran Wednesday March 28th, 2007 10:40:45 PM
Gilan shrugs as he really has no real answer. "There are several possibilities...but no way to prove any of them right now." He leans back against the railing as he watches the crew get things ready for the coming rains. "I have only seen it rain a few times." He wonders what it will be like to actually be out in the grass itself, even if they are on a ship, when it is raining. "This should be a new experience as usually we are inside the dome of Rattledam when it rains.
Ciaran is snoring as he sleeps. He does not seem to be worried about anything as he continues to sleep in an out of the way spot. He is also near his brother's gear, so he could be on guard duty.
Grymash Thursday March 29th, 2007 2:03:59 AM
Dangling from the side of the ship, Grymash still hangs from the railing with a steely grip. There he has remained since the boat first took off. Even after the Enlarge Person spell had ended, he clutched to its side and shrunk in place. Hands firmly locked to the ships railing, he's too tired to pull himself up after the tremendous strain his muscles endured. So there he rested ... and finally slept! Caressed by the grass brushing across his back as the ship sailed along.
Now being fully rested, and surprised no one has pulled him up, Grymash lifts himself up on deck. After bellowing a long howl-like yawn, the half-orc rubs his stomach and smacking his lips with hunger. "Uhhh, whut for eatin' ... Gry hungries!"
Storm on the Grass. (DM Jim) Thursday March 29th, 2007 8:27:39 PM
The ship is soon covered over with heavy canvas, that extends out of the sides of the ship by two feet. As you watch or help as the case maybe, the crew is pulling down what appears to be nets that will keep out bugs.
The captain at the rail shakes his head. "The storm should not be that bad...the ship is insulated with spells that will repel the shocks that will travel through the grass and since we will be on top of it." He shrugs as he has only had to do this about six times in all his travels. "The big man is right...lets get some food cooking." He continues to lean on the rail and watch the sky as it starts to blacken over.
A pair of the crew soon have a large pot set up on the deck on the ship and a small fire going. It is set over a spot on the deck that is covered over with a black metal and surrounded by rocks. Soon there is the smell of a nice earthy stew wafting from the pot.
Maria seems to take Jake in stride but he is most definitely not having much luck as she does not seem too interested in his help. Then again there is little to do on the ship anyways. The other two crew members that are women are a different story. The young blonde spends most of her time in the crows nest and avoiding Jake as much as she can. The other one is a fiery redheaded half-orc built like a female Grymash and she seems to have an interest in Jake.
As the minutes slip by the air is cracked by the loud peel of thunder and lightning forks the sky. All of this is followed by rain, though it is light right now it does not show signs of stopping too soon.
[Had somekind of major headache last night and could not post. I just barely got in a couple of player posts.]
Tishe' d20+8=9 d20+8=19 Thursday March 29th, 2007 11:02:35 PM
Tishe' brings her portion of stew and some flatbread to the side of the ship and watches fascintated at the power of the rain. (Listen: nat 1, Spot:19)
Flea Friday March 30th, 2007 12:07:38 AM It is one of the most powerful magics I know.
The way Murdock explains it...tenderly, and with respect...reveals to the gnome the enormity of her request. And yet, he hadn't judged her, or thought it outrageous...or wicked.
*Sigh*
"No Murdock," she answers, "it isn't more important than finding Jenny." Flea looks to the surface of the deck, where one foot stubs at an invisible dust particle. "Let's find Trellus' sister and the lost pack."
Jake Friday March 30th, 2007 5:31:13 AM
Jake, as always, pursues the easy prey. Any port in a storm (A very appropriate metaphor!). But he takes a moment to look at the lightning off in the distance. "Huh... well, thunder ain't good ta be in."
Trellus Friday March 30th, 2007 8:49:27 AM
The blond headed cleric watches the storm with fascination and uncertainty. The captain says it's not dangerous, but Trellus is seeing open water AND lightning.
He stands next to Gilan. "Light, can you imagine what we'd be going through if we were in there?"
Murdock d20+17=33 Friday March 30th, 2007 11:30:10 AM
In a rare display, Murdocks perpetual frown turns upside down, and he shows the gnome a smile. "Flea, the next time we have some down time, I will cast this spell for you, you have my promise."
The drow has not been oblivious to the happenings aboard the ship, and has never witnessed a rain storm upon the grasses, he feels very uneasy about the power of the brewing storm, and his smile disappears, almost as fast as it appeared.
(Knowledge Arcana = 33) The drow looks at Flea again concern this time mirrored in his eyes, "I have heard of magics that would cause great storms like this, perhaps you and I should go speak to Gilan.
The mage moves to cover the distance between himself and Gilan.
Grymash Monday April 2nd, 2007 12:53:32 AM
Grymash enjoys his stew with gusto. He also enjoys a few chuckles to himself as he sees the half-orc woman show an interest in Jake. "Be gute for Jake ta be da prey an not da biter! Hee hee, hope Jake no get beat down too bad," mutters Grymash with a smile.
Trellus Monday April 2nd, 2007 1:31:05 PM
Walking around the deck he makes sure his party is well fed and alright before he eats himself. he joins the majority of the party and calls over the ones that aren't, for idle chatter. After the meal, Trellus goes to talk with the captain. "How long will this weather delay our progress?"
Flea Monday April 2nd, 2007 6:59:00 PM
Flea follows Murdock when he crosses to Gillan. "One time when there was lightening, we were afraid we were gonna' get fried 'cause the grass carries the charge. You know?" The gnome continues, "We pulled up the grass so that we were standing on bare ground, and the charges passed us by."
The rogue sticks close to the drow, 'cause when it comes time for him to scry the girl, Flea doesn't want to miss the show!
Tishe' Monday April 2nd, 2007 7:40:42 PM
Tishe's brown eyes shine with the excitement of seeing something new, and unconsciously holds out a hand to touch some invisible thing at her side.
Though excited by the thought of seeing an amazing spectacle, her face darkens in sorrow for a moment, her hand emptily grasping for a furry shoulder or large forearm that have in the past been her comforting companions...
Murdock Monday April 2nd, 2007 8:28:51 PM
Murdock walks to Gilan's side, and ask the man about the possibility that someone is controlling the weather. It makes sense to the drow, after all, there have obviously been other changes in the grass.
The drow also approaches Trellus and ask if he is ready to attempt another scrying.
Storm of the Century. (DM Jim) Monday April 2nd, 2007 11:56:32 PM
As thoughts of control of the storm seem to appear as a possibility to some in the group. The food is soon dished up and talks commence. It appears that Gilan is not sure about the storm being controlled as he has only seen a few on the grass.
As the storm continues, a bolt of lightning strikes in the grass fourty feet from the ship. It dances across the grass, lighting up the area and making a nice light show. Though it dances around the ship itself you notice that it is repeled by the wood of the ship.
The captain is eating from his own bowl and watching the storm play around his ship. He hears the conversation from the pack and shakes his head. Things have been different lately, but something smells natural about this storm.
The half-orc female is slightly larger than Grymash and all muscles. She roughly pulls Jake next to her during the storm and tusked face smiles at him. It appears that she might have other things on her mind and she does not seem to be the soft kind.
Trellus Tuesday April 3rd, 2007 11:24:15 AM
In response to Murdock, "Perhaps after the storm, I think we should all stay alert until it passes, or we pass it any way." He pats the mage on the shoulder in gratitude for thinking of his sister.
Walking over to the large half orc female and Jake, Trellus says, "Wait till I tell Wendy you have a new girl friend dude. I think she might leave you and move back in with your mom. By the way, did you see a high level cleric about your....<coughs> problem, yet?"
Walking away, trellus can't help but smile wondering if he actually helped Jake or not?
Jake d20+4=20 Tuesday April 3rd, 2007 2:30:02 PM
Jake is willing to settle for the half-orc, despite her rather ugly looks and way-too-muscled body. After all, any port in a storm (a very appropriate saying in this weather). Who knows, he might have fun for all he knows! So, he takes the egging and joking in stride, and really does not much to deflect it. He makes a quick break to the privy. On the way back, he sneaks up on Trellus and tries to put him in a noogy-hold and administer punishment, (strength 20 attempt!) "Hey, very grassy words, ya beater... Ah'll get ya back, trust me." he releases his bud, grins at him to show Trellus no real hard feelings held, then heads back to have fun.
Tishe' Tuesday April 3rd, 2007 6:57:52 PM
Contemplating her own thoughts, the excitement and sadness march across Tishe's open face while observing the lightning display. A croak is heard, and out of the satchel about her neck, a large sand-toad pokes its horny head out. Blinking in the stobe light of a bolt, it nuzzles Tishe's hand in place of a furry muzzle.
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday April 3rd, 2007 7:12:44 PM
Gilan continues to watch the lightning play across the grass and shakes his head. The lights were something that he has never witnessed this close before. He does lean slightly over the railing to see the effect upon the wood hull of the ship and smiles. "Not a bad spell...as I don't remember druidwood having that particular trait." He looks to Murdock and shakes his head. "I am not sure about the storm...we could check it out but..." If it was an attempt to stop them it was miserable, but if it was an attempt to slow them...it was working rather well.
Ciaran is curled up beside his brother's pack and sleeping. He has no reason to be awake right now anyways and the extra sleep is a bonus right now.
Love on the rainy grass. (DM Jim) d20+10=28 Wednesday April 4th, 2007 12:14:07 AM
The half-orc looks to Jake as Trellus walks away and grins. "Your girlfriend not as beautiful as me." As the rest begins to settle in she frowns. "What him mean...problem?" She makes an attempt to pick Jake up(strength 28) to check him out and see what his problem might be. If she succeeds her hands end up in places that would be deemed unladylike.
The others go over the thoughts on the storm and the captain continues to watch the grass and weather. It has been raining for a good half an hour now, but it is slowly getting lighter. You also notice that the bugs are not present, so the lightning was a blessing.
It is getting later in the evening by now and the captain shakes his head. "If this lets up we can move again tomorrow morning." He makes for his cabin to get some things figured for the trip...after all he is losing a day.
Tishe' d20+12=29 Wednesday April 4th, 2007 9:15:13 AM
After her melancholy passes, the brown-haired woman feels the rainstorm as a welcome relief from always pressing ahead. She uses the time to look over her equipment and ensure any repairs or cleaning is taken care of. (Prestidigitation, Mending)
Once that is done, she rests her mind while spinning and weaving threads and grasses into patterns, seeking greater skill and looking for a pattern that would be pleasing to the eye that weaves grasses and yarns together. (Weaving:29)
CDM Jerry Wednesday April 4th, 2007 10:01:40 AM
ADM Mike K. Please submit the report for last week's posting and email me a copy please so I can check that off as done. Thanks bro.
Flea Wednesday April 4th, 2007 3:57:25 PM
Flea becomes anxious and voices her concern to Murdock, and those within earshot. "Do we know where, 'xactly this here barge is going?" she asks, adding, "will it take us to where the girls are?" With an exasperated sigh, she concludes, "do we even know where they are?"
Trellus Wednesday April 4th, 2007 6:30:13 PM
Relieved that the storm is both natural and subsiding, Trellus finds Mudrock and asks him, "Still have time for that scrying my friend? The storm seems to be passing and with that no immediate threat to be concerned with." Then as an after thought, "But one never knows when they will be tested by the gods."
Grymash Wednesday April 4th, 2007 10:12:14 PM
With all the talk about scrying, Grymash decides to see what his bones will tell him. He takes out his divining bowl, rune-covered bones, a pinch of incense and a very small nub of a candle. After lighting the small candle, he lets drip some of the wax to fuse the base of the candle to the deck. He then spits into the bowl. After swirling the slimy mass around the bowl, the barbarian cleric takes the incense and burns it in the flame. He waves the smoking pungent bundle around the top of the bowl. A low gutteral chant begins to rise softly from his throat. The trails of smoke seem to dance around in the same rhythm of his voice. This pleases Grymash immensely. He then asks his question, "Do da Bloodpack be movin' closer to da peoples weez be lookin' ta find?" Upon uttering those words, Grymash tosses the rune-covered bones into the bowl. He gingerly fingers the bones around, then stares hard at what they reveal. "Hmmm, da bones say ..."
(Casting Augury. 73% chance to correctly foretell either weal or woe to one question.)
Murdock d20+13=30 Wednesday April 4th, 2007 11:25:24 PM
The mage, respecting Gilan's observations that the strange plains weather is natural, shrugs his lingering suspisions off.
At Trellus's prompting, the mage finds a relatively smooth work surface and gently takes out his finely crafted scrying mirror.
The mage turns to Trellus requesting an artifact from his sister. "A possession of hers would be most powerful, a lock of hair, or peice of her being, even more so, as a focal point for my attempt to scry." the wizard says.
Assuming the cleric again give's Murdock the shirt that used to belong to his sister, the drow begin's to scry. Concentrating his attention on the silvered mirror before him as he cast. Murdock chants strange syllables and weaves his magicks with practiced movements as he calls forth a sensor that will show the details of Jenny's whereabouts.
Scry : DC30 ( I changed the -4 DC that Jenny gets into a +4 on my DC. )
Gilan and Ciaran d20+28=36 Thursday April 5th, 2007 12:11:40 AM
Gilan smiles at Murdock and shrugs his shoulders. "The storm feels natural to me." He has no reason to think otherwise and it does not have the feel of magic behind it. Following with Murdock and Trellus he watches with interest as the drow once again uses his divination magic. After it is cast and safe to talk he shakes his head. "Seems like the same place as before." He puzzles over this and figures it might be a good sign they are on the right track.
With an idea he moves over to the side and out of the way. "Why did I not think of it before." He closes his eyes and falls into the rhythm of the storm, the wind and all the Wold around him. Taking a breathe he starts to speak in sylvan, channeling the powers of nature he attempts to help in the location of Jenny.
Ciaran continues to sleep on though his ears twitch at some of the movement upon the ship. Maybe he is not as asleep as some would think.
[survival 36 vs the storm] [commune with nature]
What is needed to know. (DM Jim) Thursday April 5th, 2007 12:12:18 AM
Grymash off to the side goes with his own style of looking for answers. As he tosses the bones into the bowl they keep moving as if they are not going to stop and then finally come to rest. As he prods them a little to get a better idea of the answer to his question, they jump. Still the runes tell you...weal.
Murdock has moved off to the side of the ship with Trellus in tow. Gilan slowly follows as well to see the divination magic in work again. It is like his own but also so much different. As Murdock goes into his casting the mirror clears for the briefest of seconds and then clouds over slightly. In the mirror he still sees the fuzzy image of Jenny and a couple of other figures, funny trees, tall grass and what could be large stones. Still it is hard to get too much detail as the image still remains as fuzzy as last time. All he knows for sure is that she is in the grass somewhere.
Gilan settles upon the deck of the ship and casts his own spell. As he feels the widening of his senses with nature he can feel many different things but he focuses on those that would help out the most. He can tell that their are trees to the northeast, as well as people and lastly there is fresh drinking water.
The rest of the group are busy with their own things and most preparing for what will come. It is starting to get late and sleep would be welcome before the morning start. The captain comes over after everything is done and coughs lightly. "You have a heading...am I on it?" He knows that he can only go a couple of miles more in this direction before he must turn and start going due north. "I have just about reached the limit before I must turn to reach HookCity."
Trellus Thursday April 5th, 2007 11:15:48 AM
Trellus Grateful to both Murdock, Grymash, Gilan and Ciaran. In good spirits he smiles to the captain, "Indeed, all seems to be in order and on course. Do as you need captain. We think out final destination lies North East of us from this point.
Trellus Thursday April 5th, 2007 11:16:32 AM
OOC: Both? Sorry, bad typo.
Tishe' Thursday April 5th, 2007 2:07:22 PM
Finishing a complex weaving of grasses and yarn, the brown eyes stare critically for a moment before a smile of satisfaction comes over Tishe's face.
Along with the note, Tishe' presents the square of grass-cloth to the girl passenger to bring to Tishe's mother. "Remember, Mara Weaver, South Bridge."
Seeing that there is only a few more miles, Tishe' converts to her usual walker apparel, sturdy bounder-leater boots, grasspants with thigh-length buff colored shirt, big straw hat and a silken red sash around her waist. Her satchel (and toad) on her shoulder, she hefts her Staff of Frost and is ready.
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday April 5th, 2007 8:17:26 PM
Gilan opens his eyes slowly with a smile on his face. "The direction that we are heading is right. I sense people, fresh water and stones in that direction." There were no other human settlements out this far that he knew of and this was not enough people to be a settlement. "Fresh water would be unusual enough out here and it felt like it was on open ground." This part puzzles him for the grass was known for water in the open...it was liquid death.
Ciaran continues to keep his place near the gear and play at sleeping. Though he figures that he will get some real sleep very soon. It was getting late.
Grymash Thursday April 5th, 2007 11:03:31 PM "Weal! Hey, weal be pointin' in da right way. Weal be wit Jenny in no times! Gry knows Gry's bones," Grymash proudly proclaims. "Weal can finally sits back an be shady." Grymash's brow furrows and he scratches his chin, having become lost in confusion. The word seems to be running wild in his head. "Gry no can stop sayin' Weal!!" Stomping his foot in frustration, Grymash bellows, "Piggie Dumps! It be happened again! When weal da word stop?" Grymash decides to just stop talking and growl to himself.
Back into the grass. (DM Jim) Friday April 6th, 2007 1:16:59 AM
Early the next morning the captain is out on the deck of his ship. The netting and canvas covers have been removed so that the sails can be put up. A breakfast of leftover stew is thrown together for all and the ship is soon moving again.
Five hours pass as the ship steadily makes it way through the grass at a nice clip. The weather though is oppresively hot and humid but the shade provided by the sails helps a little.
As the sun reaches almost to it's highest point in the sky, the captain calls a stop to the ship. He finds Trellus and shakes his head. "This is as far as I can take you...I must turn now to get to HookCity." The crew thanks the pack for the help upon the ship as they sailed.
Maria once again tells Tishe' that she will get the letter and stuff to her family at HookCity. They exchange a hug and then the ship is ready to sail again. The captain waves from the railing and you notice the two brothers and Maria there as well. You watch the ship till it is out of sight and then you look to the grass from the large rock that you are standing on.
Jake Friday April 6th, 2007 7:02:01 AM
[A sorta spontaneous vacation has come up; i'm in an area with an uncertain access to internet for the next few days and would really appreciate it if Jake could be taken over by others till I get back.] Jake doesn't really want to go into how his relationship with the half-orc goes... it's not him at his best (which he still debates; twins or dryad?). Still, he has a fun time and is pretty sure that the half-orc knows that as well, and that the girl is extremely homely and of another race doesn't really bother him too much. Perhaps that's a good thing; perhaps the partgin will be easier.
Trellus d20+6=19 Friday April 6th, 2007 1:50:55 PM
"Permission to leave your ship captain?" Trellus asks in a mock ceremony.
"Let's head out Blood Pack, we have things to do, dudes." Shaking the hands of the men, and lightly kissing the hands of ladies, even the half orc, the ship and group part ways with a smile and a wave. "Good fortune to you all, and thanks for the ride!"
Using his Survival skill, Trellus gather's their bearings and asks someone to confirm that. "We came all this way, it's a shame if we get thrown off course now."
Actions: Survival: 19 for direction and conditions.
Tishe' d20+8=13 Friday April 6th, 2007 9:12:38 PM
Set and ready, Tishe' returns Maria's hug and then clambers down a rope ladder to the 'grass. She checks out the ground to see how moist the dirt is from the rain (Survival:13
And then she is ready to go.
Gilan and Ciaran d20+21=38 Friday April 6th, 2007 9:25:51 PM
Gilan is able, with a little help to get Ciaran off this ship with minimal fuss. He takes the time to thank the captain and wish the rest well.
As his feet touch down upon the grass once again he sighs. The ship was nice but he likes the feel of Mother under him. "If a few of us try would should get the direction easily." He too uses his own skills to help in making sure that the group is going to move in the right direction.
Ciaran is more than happy to be back in the grass. He might not like the heat too much but at least he knows how to move here. He watches and waits to see what they will do next.
[survival(plains) 38]
Through the looking grass. (DM Jim) Saturday April 7th, 2007 7:58:07 PM
With the right direction chosen by several of the pack and the signs looking good. The ship is bid farewell and the pack is soon moving through the tall grass again.
The pack has been traveling for four hours in the grass when Trellus comes face to face with a very large light brown animal. It stands at at least seven feet high, eight with the ears standing straight up, and is dressed in clothes. Though this is outdoors it is dressed in a off white pair of pants and shirt. A light green thing is around it's neck, a bowtie, and a gold chain droops from one of it large pockets. If that was not strange enough it is holding a large woven basket, most obviously made from the very grasses of the Plains.
The rabbit only pauses for a few minutes and then laughs. "You want an egg.?" It moves the basket forward so that you can now see into it. There are at least fourty eggs in the basket of so many different colors that it is hard to pick them out. "They are for a special day...Resurrection Day, in honor of Domi." He waits to see if anyone will take an egg, though he is hoping that everyone will as that is his mission in life and he only gets to do this once a year.
Trellus Saturday April 7th, 2007 11:26:37 PM
The blond man comes up short and blinks his eyes in astonishment.
"Dudes, please tell me you're seeing this," he appeals to his packmates.
The bunny gives his spiel, and Trellus blinks at it, dumbfounded, for a couple dozen seconds. Finally, he shrugs. "This is just too twisted to be sunbaked. Alright, why not?"
He reaches in the basket and grabs an egg.
Tishe' Sunday April 8th, 2007 2:17:09 PM
Tishe' is just as dumbfounded as Trellus, but her mercurial temperment is sometimes a good thing. "In honor of Domi, right?", she asks the animal, but continues before an answer is necessary, "what a better omen of success!"
Looking into the basket, Tishe' chooses an egg where the pale green of the grasses blends with a crimson sash of the Bloodpack.
Grymash Sunday April 8th, 2007 8:20:16 PM
The creature doesn't seem to be threatening. Of course, looks are usually deceiving in the Sargrass. "Whut kind eggs these be," asks Grymash, as he takes one for himself. He then lightly shakes it and holds it to his pointed ear. "Thays too big ta be blind sparrow eggs!" His eyes widen with a possible idea. "Are thays Battle Bird eggs? Likes da bird weez ate in da land wit all da trees?"
Murdock Monday April 9th, 2007 9:56:53 AM
The drow steps forward, and looks at the creature with inquiring eyes. "I have read about you in my research," the mage says. "I never thought to actually meet a creature such as yourself."
With that the drow picks out a dark colored egg, an appropriate match to the mage. looks up at the creature again, and simply says, "Thank you, Mr. Cottontail!"
Gilan and Ciaran Monday April 9th, 2007 1:56:47 PM
Gilan stops in his tracks and stares at the large bunny before them. "Dude, if you mean a seven foot tall bunny...than no I see nothing, nothing at all." With the talking bunny saying that this was for some celebration in Domi's honor he could do nothing but step forward and get an eggs as well. He picks out a dual colored one. The upper half is painted like the bluest sky, while the bottom part of the egg is actually in the greens of the grass...in fact it looks like the sky over the very grass of the Plains. "Eeerrr, thanks." He cannot find anything else to say as he looks back and forth from the bunny to the egg.
Ciaran has come to a complete stop as well. Sitting down upon the ground he cocks his head to the side and stares at the large rabbit. He would have normally chased down a rabbit of anykind, but this was different.
Flea Monday April 9th, 2007 9:36:33 PM
Flea hides behind Grymash, and peers around cautiously, watching what the others do. When the giant sized coney mentions Domi, Flea steps out from behind the half-orc, displaying her characteristic gap toothed grin. "Sure I'll take one," she answers, poking around in the basket, trying to find an egg with the Woldian glyph for the god of courage on it.
Hare today, gone tomorrow. (DM Jim) Monday April 9th, 2007 10:36:02 PM
The rabbit breaks into a large smile as you each take an egg. Though he does look to the wolf for a few minutes to make sure he is in no danger. "Yep, for the one that died and came back to life." He glances to Grymash with a confused look and then shakes his head. "If you mean that large bird with the droopy thing under it's chin...no. This is something far sweeter in nature and with a surprise." With that he starts towards the grass and without even bending it to move through, he is gone.
You hear his voice a couple of times raised in song to Domi and his return to the land of living gods. Then that too fades and you can hear nothing but the normal sounds of the Plains once again.
There is a slight path in the grass, from the direction that the large rabbit came from though. The grass does seem to be moving back into place and this path will soon be lost, but it is going in the direction that you need to travel.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday April 10th, 2007 8:13:35 AM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of April 2 - 6
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXX
Trellus XXXXX
Tishe XXXXX
Jake XOOXO
Gilan XXXXX
Grymash OXXOX
Flea OXOOX
Murdock OXOOX
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM Note - Trellus was subbed by Buzz. Jake is apparently out next week, I'll try jumping in. Jim, can you send me his sheet?
Murdock Tuesday April 10th, 2007 12:13:41 PM
Murdock, curious about the eggs and the giant bunny's comments to Grymash,decides to cast a detect magic on his egg.
The drow then ponders the results as he follows along the pre-made path that the bunny left.
Tishe' Tuesday April 10th, 2007 1:13:42 PM
Too trusting by half, the woman meets a giant rabbit in the middle of the open Sargrass Plains. Said rabbit claims he's offering gifts free of charge to celebrate Domi, and like a Jake to grasswine, she takes one. "Ah, well!", she says brightly, and cracks her knuckles against the egg to see what wonders are inside!
Trellus d20+12=27 Tuesday April 10th, 2007 4:21:41 PM
"Well, that was weird," the cleric offers up helpfully as the bunny hops off.
Seeing Murdock casting a Detect Magic spell on the egg [Spellcraft 27], Trellus awaits the results.
Should the egg prove to be mundane, he sticks in his pack - "for dinner" - and hurries along the nice trail the bunny provided.
Jake (sub MikeK) Tuesday April 10th, 2007 4:22:32 PM
Nobody has ever accused Jake of being cautious. The half-elf grabs an egg. Heck, he grabs two.
Flea d20+11=27 d20+9=13 Tuesday April 10th, 2007 9:27:32 PM
The rogue shakes her egg, afterwards brining it to her ear. (Listen=27). Bringing the egg back around in front of her face, she gives it an appraising stare (Appraise=13).
The rabbit has vanished, but there is a trail through the grass. "Hey!" she calls, "follow that hare!"
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday April 10th, 2007 10:24:37 PM
Gilan also brings his egg to his ear and shakes it, listening for something or anything inside of it. He will let Murdock discover what he can about the egg as far as magic is concerned.
He looks up in time to see the rabbit disappear in one direction from the direction that it had been coming in from. "So he came from that direction." He indicates the path that is still slightly open. "And went that way." He points to an area in the grass wall that is not even disturbed and shakes his head. "I am getting a headache."
Ciaran just whines and then looks to his brother for some indication of what just happened. First a giant meal on feet and now it was gone...how did it do that.
Eggxactly what you wanted. (DM Jim) Tuesday April 10th, 2007 11:39:45 PM
As you each look over the egg the first thing you notice is it's size. Each egg is six inches from the tip to the bottom and four inches wide at it's middle. Though some shake the egg you can only hear what might be the slightest noise from the middle but it is so hard to tell.
Murdock on the other hand takes a different approach and casts a spell to detect magic. To him the egg does not glow with magic but it appears that there is a small bit of it that is magic. Something seems to be inside the egg that would be magic.
Tishe' knocks on the egg and gets very little sound from it. If she had to guess the thing must be almost solid with only the tiniest of hollow area towards the middle of her egg.
Flea feels that her egg would be worth something to the right person and as she is staring at it she gets the idea that it might be more than it seems. Having gotten it close to her face earlier, as some of the others had, she can smell something appetizing. The smell brings a taste to her and she suddenly realizes that the egg is at least covered or something in chocolate.
As the eggs are being inspected though you notice that the path that the bunny used to get to you is still slightly open, leading to the northeast. The bunny itself took off towards the north and has left no trail in that direction. It is strange that a creature that large could have moved into the grass and left no trail at all leaving, but left one coming.
[If you break the egg...Highlight to display spoiler: {"The egg is indeed solid till you get to the very center of it and there is a small hollow spot. Inside this spot is a piece of parchment at least a half an inch wide and rolled up. Opening it allows you to read the words...your wish....then a pair of numbers below it. Roll a d15 twice for said numbers.}]
Trellus d20=20 d20=15 d20=5 Wednesday April 11th, 2007 10:12:21 AM
Trellus shrugs. "We got dudes on giant spiders, man eating crabs, dragon tears showing up in the middle of the monk's sanctuary...hey, why not a giant bunny rabbit that disappears into thin air?" he responds rhetorically.
Everyone seems to agree there is something magical inside the egg. The cleric grins. "In for a copper...." he recites.
Trellus breaks open the egg, revealing a rolled up piece of parchment. The blond man dutifully unrolls it, and reads it aloud.
"'your wish 15, 5'? Well, that's helpful."
[OOC - ain't got no d15. :) I rolled d20 till I got numbers 15 and under]
Jake (sub MikeK) Wednesday April 11th, 2007 11:40:39 AM
Still nursing painful recollections of the exploding gemstones in the Oglian lair, and harboring a deep mistrust of all things magical, Jake opts to wait and see if Trell blows himself up.
He holds his egg(s?) suspiciously.
[OOC - Did Jake succeed in scoring two eggs?]
[Jake scored two eggs, but only one will have a surprise inside. The other will be pure chocolate. :)]
Ammendment. (DM JimW) Wednesday April 11th, 2007 12:15:45 PM
Forgot about the dice roller. Was thinking of another game that you can imput your own numbers into. Please just roll a pair of d20s till you get 15 or lower.
Tishe' d20=6 d20=18 d20=4 Wednesday April 11th, 2007 6:03:43 PM
Scratching the surface, Tishe' is pleasantly surprised to find chocolate. "Wow! and it's not even liquid!"
She eats some and saves some in her PantsOPlenty, until she comes to the small paper inside, then ponders the meaning (rolled 6, 4)
Gilan and Ciaran d20=19 d20=17 d20=17 d20=14 d20=1 Wednesday April 11th, 2007 10:01:53 PM
Gilan watches as some of the others break open their own eggs and he shrugs and does the same with him. Looking to the small piece of parchment he slips a piece of the egg in his mouth to suck on. The rest of the egg goes into one of the pockets upon his pack for later. "Unusual really...it is not even melted or started to melt in this heat." He unrolls the parchment to read the words....your wish and the numbers....14 and 1. "Now what do you suppose this means." He holds the slip of parchment up in the air as he speaks.
Ciaran is still seated upon the ground and watching the group closely. He had not interest in the chocolate but could have went for a piece of rabbit. Oh well, he had his chance but lost it when the rabbit hopped off.
Paper wishes. (DM Jim) Thursday April 12th, 2007 12:19:18 AM
As some open their eggs, they look at the paper that is inside and curiosity sets in. As you look at the paper for a few more seconds each one starts to bend and twist in your fingers. They slowly change into a new shape, that of a circle that leaves the two ends of the paper sealed together as if they had never been apart. This leave you with a paper ring that slowly starts to become the color of the shell of the egg that they came out of, but it is the fact that they slowly are turning into grass...like that of the Plains that is the deepest mystery. Those that have opened their eggs and read the paper find themselves hold a ring made from the grass on the Plains.
[If you put on the ring, each of you hears a number of words in your head.]
[Trellus: Highlight to display spoiler: {"shillelagh and jump"}]
[Tishe': Highlight to display spoiler: {"mage armor and hide from undead"}]
[Gilan: Highlight to display spoiler: {"shield of faith+2 and cure light wounds"}]
Grymash d20=5 d20=18 d20=9 Thursday April 12th, 2007 12:56:16 AM
Grymash follows the actions of his packmates. He cracks the egg gently against his forehead and begins to peal away. He takes bites of the egg if edible looking before reaching the center.
"Hmmm, whut dis?!"
(rolled 5 and 9)
Tishe' Thursday April 12th, 2007 9:25:53 AM
Curiosity personified, Tishe's brown eyes are alight, as she eagerly slips the ring on her finger. "Oh!", she says, "it is speaking to me! Sounds like there are two spells stored in the ring. This could be really handy!"
Murdock d20=6 d20=12 Thursday April 12th, 2007 10:02:35 AM
Murdock takes a bite of the yummy to his tummy delicious chocolate. "Of all the surfacer treats, this is by far the best!" the Drow thinks to himself.
Inside the egg, the drow finds a small peice of paper and opens it up.
The cleric puts on the ring, and motions toward the parted Grass leading northeast. "After you, Gry!"
Jake d20=2 d20=17 d20=13 Thursday April 12th, 2007 2:26:04 PM
The half-elf quickly breaks through his two eggs. His shoulders slump momentarily when he finds only one has the piece of paper, but he quickly recovers. The second egg is solid chocolate, and that ain't a bad thing at all!
2 and 13
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday April 12th, 2007 8:49:54 PM
Gilan slips the ring onto one of his fingers and gives a little oh of surprise. He was surprised by the full power of the ring but he also gets the feeling that it might be limited.
He looks to the others. "Should we discuss what we have?" He does not really like surprises and maybe some of the powers will be useful in the near future.
Ciaran growls a little as he continues to sit and watch. He is getting bored and maybe just a little impatient as well.
Flea d20=19 d20=5 Thursday April 12th, 2007 11:14:30 PM
Flea closes her eyes and takes another sniff.
"Deeeelicious!" she sighs.
Taking her silver dagger, she cuts into the egg, breaking it into many small pieces. Tucking a piece into her cheek, she sighs, and repeats, "delicious."
Dice rolls, 19 and 5
Travels. (DM Jim) d20=8 Friday April 13th, 2007 12:22:12 AM
As the last of the eggs are broken open and the small strip of paper read, new rings are born on the Plains.
With all this done the group starts back onto the trail of a lost pack and a lost sister. The traveling for the past couple of hours has been ueventful and you feel that you are getting closer to your goal
The silence of the Plains is broken by a loud explosion that rocks the ground. Though noone needs to worry about falling, it was more than enough to feel. From inside the grass though you can see nothing and it did not sound like it was too close. In fact the explosion seemed to come from the north.
[If you put on the ring, each of you hears a number of words in your head.]
[Grymash:Highlight to display spoiler: {"jump and magic weapon"}] [Jake:Highlight to display spoiler: {"endure elements and sanctuary"}] [Murdock:Highlight to display spoiler: {"mage armor and remove fear"}] [Flea:Highlight to display spoiler: {"jump and magic stone"}]
Tishe' (AC 18 56/56) d20+8=17 d20+8=28 Friday April 13th, 2007 2:08:15 PM
The explosion brings Tishe's senses up to full alert (Listen:17, Spot: nat 20!), and she takes the time to tap herself with a wand (Speak with Animals), and to weave magical armor (Mage Armor) about herself before she is ready to continue.
The horned toad, Wart, keeps himself hidden in the satchel around Tishe's shoulder.
Active Spells Speak With Animals (30 minutes) Mage Armor (5 hours)
Trellus Friday April 13th, 2007 2:32:01 PM
Nodding in agreement with Gilan, Trellus reponds. "Mine says 'shillelagh' and 'jump'. I might use that jump pick sometime, but I don't know about the other one. What's everybody else got?"
The blond man listens to the descriptions of the remaining rings, trying to commit them to memory.
At the moment, the best gift of the bunny is his bunny trail. Trellus is very happy about the faster pace the pack is able to accomplish, and he pushes ahead eagerly.
The explosion brings him up short. It doesn't sound close, and its in the wrong direction. On the other hand, he's never heard anything like that before.
"Let's go take a look," he says, and motions for Gry to take the line northward.
Gilan and Ciaran Friday April 13th, 2007 7:13:49 PM
Gilan nods his head. "Mine was shield of faith and cure light wounds...though I think there are both one shot castings." He has been following the group through the grass, till the explosion. His hand goes for his scimitar but he does not pull it. "Your right, that was from a ways off...do we have the time to spare?" He is curious but also does not want to leave the other packs fate to dance around for long...it could be bad.
If the others move out towards the explosion he will follow. Ciaran is just happy to be on the move again and looks to each person for an idea of what just happened.
New route. (DM Jim) Saturday April 14th, 2007 12:28:25 AM
The explosion has pulled the pack up short and now they might have a new mystery. Will they go to check out the explosion that sounded off to the north or continue with the current mission.
It is nearing midday and some might be feeling the effects of hunger for something to eat. Chocolate only goes so far when the body needs real food.
Decisions need to be made it seems.
Tishe' Sunday April 15th, 2007 9:26:21 PM
"I've heard sounds like that in the city or in a blacksmith's shop, but never out here. Well, other than Murdock's fireball", she smiles.
"Whatever made that sound has to be a danger to the Sargrass."
Active Spells Speak With Animals (30 minutes) Mage Armor (5 hours)
Flea Sunday April 15th, 2007 10:36:36 PM
Flea places the ring in her pocket, making a mental note to ask Murdock or Tishe' to have a look at it later.
The explosion on the plains, jolts her out of her reverie.
Swallowing the last bit of the delicious treat, she asks the cleric, "which way? Do we check out the explosion or continue our mission to find your sister and her pack?"
Murdock AC:22 (AC:18 + 4 Mage Armor) 35/35 Hp Monday April 16th, 2007 10:31:31 AM
The drow startles at the sound of the explosion. Murdock was not expecting to hear such a thing, and hopes that the packs ship-board friends are not in trouble yet again.
As the others make their comments, Murdock grimaces, at Tishe's remark. The mage is not proud of his uselessness in the packs previous battle.
Figuring that they will be in battle soon, Murdock weaves a spell around himself, and feels as much as see's the tingle of the mage armor.
The drow is prepared for what is to come, but looks to Trellus for instructions.
Trellus Monday April 16th, 2007 11:35:02 AM
Trellus rubs his right hand along the back of his head. He's torn, and the growling in his stomach isn't helping matters along.
"Let's weave toward the sound," he says after a few moments. "If we don't come across anything by nightfall, we'll turn back east."
The blond man slings his pack to the ground, and pulls out some of the bland ration bread he carries in it. He gives the pack an apologetic look. "Fraid we're gonna have to eat on the move, dudes. Gry, take lead."
Trellus follows in after the half-orc as they move slowly northward.
Gilan and Ciaran Monday April 16th, 2007 5:14:13 PM
Gilan nods his head as he digs into his own pack. He pulls out a number of slices of dried prairie pig. "Hey Trell." He tosses a slice to his friend and then looks to the others. "Any other takers?" The stuff is slightly spicy and chewy, but full of a lot of proteins. He hands a smaller piece to Ciaran. He has also pulled out a slice of flat bread to eat as well.
Ciaran is use to eating while traveling now and takes the piece of offered meat with delight. He is chewing on it already as he waits for the group to start moving again.
Jake (sub MikeK) Monday April 16th, 2007 9:54:11 PM
"Ah guess ah will," Jake rambles as Gilan offers some pig jerky. Anything beats that bread Trell passes off as food.
The half-elf works one entire chocolate egg into the meal, too - hey, he's got another one - and washes it down with liberal portions of his "special" waterskin.
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Monday April 16th, 2007 9:55:07 PM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of April 9 - 13
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XXXXX
Trellus XXXXX
Tishe XXXXX
Jake XXXOX
Gilan XXXXX
Grymash OOXOX
Flea XOXOX
Murdock XOXOX
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM Note - seem to lose folks when nobody is fighting.
Grymash Monday April 16th, 2007 11:10:17 PM
(sorry for lack of posting)
Grymash certainly takes his position in the lead. No better place for a meat shield. He shoves what's left of his dried piggie jerky into his tusk-filled mouth and chomps it down with gusto. He'll grab a tasty grass creeper if he spies one crawling by while they trod along. Though taking special care to make sure it's not of the stink variety. All children of the Sargrass know the old saying about grass creepers. "Green with spots tastes the tops. Green and stripe smells overripe."
Eggplosions. (DM Jim) Monday April 16th, 2007 11:51:09 PM
The group takes off to the north and the sound of the expolosion. They decide to eat on the move so that they do not lose as much time.
The group has been moving for five hours to the north but have found nothing of interest. The explosion seemed to have been further off this direction but inside the tall grass you can see little but more grass.
Grymash does spot a bug about five inches long, one of the ones that are called melonbugs back at Rattledam for their fruity flavor.
[It is roughly 5pm on the Plains.]
Jake d20+9=17 Tuesday April 17th, 2007 2:15:41 AM
(Back from trip!) Jake guards the rear of the group as usual. Meaning it's his job to sweep the grass back into place and keep his ears peeled for anything behind. So far he's been trying his best. (Listen 17) "Ah think that explosion was notin'... 'sides, what explodes in the plains other'n a magic spell? So, even if it was something, was probably some magic guy casting a spell, then skidaddlin' before anyone could see what he was up to." Jake chews on a grass stalk pensively. "Ah say we just head back on track towards them Floral Fatales. With a name like that, they're probably all gals...and anytime ya take a pack of femmes you'll get trouble faster'n Flea can get through a lock..."
Trellus Tuesday April 17th, 2007 7:15:21 AM
Pushing through Grass is just no fun, even with Grymash knocking down the lead trail. After 5 hours of slogging through the thick stalks, with absolutely nothing else following up the earlier explosion, Trellus is more than happy to agree with Jake.
"Yeah, its time to cut this thread and head east," he replies. "Let's start setting up camp for the night." The cleric starts looking for the grasses he'll need for his bug-proof mat, trusting someone else will get dinner going.
Tishe' d20+8=16 d20+12=21 Tuesday April 17th, 2007 11:44:40 AM
"That must've been a sunbaked explosion to be heard from so far off." Tishe' has to agree with the others in heading back towards the Femme Fatales, yet not before there is some scouting done.
Weaving a spell about herself, Tishe' flys up a hundred feet and looks carefully around in every direction (Spot:16). Anything she sees will be faithfully reported to the group before she gets on with campside chores such as weaving the insect-proof mats for the pack (Weaving:21).
Gilan and Ciaran Tuesday April 17th, 2007 3:09:05 PM
Gilan wipes away a little sweat from his brow and nods his head. "Still wonder what it could have been...maybe on the way back we can figure it out." He does not want to abandon the other pack that seems to need their help. If they are as overdue as the Council said than it could be bad.
Ciaran seats himself upon the ground and watches the group as a whole. He is happy to be stopping as his feet are startgin to hurt and he is tired.
Gilan makes it a point to make sure that both of them get some water to drink and a little more to eat.
Camping. (DM Jim) Wednesday April 18th, 2007 12:11:44 AM
Having traveled well into the day and having found nothing yet, the group starts to set up a camp. It takes short work to cut the grass down in a ten foot area and then use that to make mats for the lot of you.
Tishe' slips above the canopy of the grass to have a look around while there is still light. As she slowly turns she is able to see more rolling grass spread out before her. She also sees a plume of smoke in the distance to the north of where they are camped.
It is nearing time to have supper and the group might still be hungry as they have been hiking through the hot grass for the past few hours. Camp is easily set and the group finds no worries during the night that they need to attend to. The next morning is bright with promise and split destinies.
[Tishe'|survival 12|Highlight to display spoiler: {{The plume of smoke is at least nine miles away from your current position, almost due north.}}]
Murdock Wednesday April 18th, 2007 10:46:02 AM
Murdock see's Tishe' fly up into the air. He had been thinking of doing that himself earlier in the day, but had decided against it.
He now takes out his rations, and a flask of water and partakes in his blande meal, before he states his meditations.
Tishe' d20+6=14 Wednesday April 18th, 2007 4:09:53 PM
Coming down from her scouting trip, Tishe' is able to tell some news to the pack (Survival:14) "There is a plume of black smoke rising north of us. It is two or three hours walking further north, I'm fairly sure."
"Of course, all the signs for the Femme Fatales is pointing East, so we'll have to not salve our curiosity in order to complete our mission." The words are clear, but Tishe' is obviously being eaten with curiosity over the black plume of smoke.
While weaving mats for the night, she continues to muse about the explosion. "It couldn't be the GrassShip. They were headed north west when they dropped us off and we pushed east. It couldn't be them."
Trellus Wednesday April 18th, 2007 4:59:03 PM
"Two or three hours," Trellus repeats, obviously torn. He rubs his hand furiously across the back of his head. Plumes of smoke just don't happen, and this one has been going on five hours already....
"Do you think its a Grass fire?" he asks. "And is it headed this way?" That would be totally sunbaked
If the answer to the question is 'No', Trellus turns to the group. "I think we need to find out what's weaving up there. And not in the morning, either."
He picks up some more jerky, takes a swig of water, and asks Gry to keep going north.
[The group is going to press on for the whole two or three hours? What about light as it get darker outside? Remember that the grass is over your heads, at least 15 feet high, and thus would let in little light after it starts to get dark.]
Flea Wednesday April 18th, 2007 8:18:49 PM
Flea hugs her cloak about her. Its magic keeps her comfortable, no matter what the temperature. "If we push through the night, I can cast some dancing lights to help us see by?" Flea volunteers. "They won't catch the grass on fire," she adds, " but they won't last too long either. Maybe a minute? Course I can still see okay in dim light, but not when it is totally dark out."
TIshe' Wednesday April 18th, 2007 9:51:05 PM
"No, it is just a rising plume like from a badly made camp fire.", responds Tishe'. "Figuring three miles per hour walking through the 'grass, yes, should be three hours. Or more in the dark." she adds as an afterthought.
Grymash d20+2=19 d20+5=14 d20+9=18 Thursday April 19th, 2007 12:08:31 AM
Grymash takes his spot in front as usual and continues on with his pack. He keeps a wide eye and keen pointed ear for trouble along the way.
(Spot 19, Listen 14, Survival 18)
Gilan and Ciaran Thursday April 19th, 2007 12:19:12 AM
Gilan stands slowly still munching on some of his cold rations. "We got a few hours light so lets use it." He falls into step with the rest of the pack as they continue to weave their way towards the smoke.
Ciaran is up as well wondering what is going on. Once the group starts moving he figures it is some kind of game or maybe they need to move.
A nasty bit a rubble. (DM Jim) Thursday April 19th, 2007 12:24:32 AM
The pack continues their trek through the grass and as the light slowly fades it becomes obvious that they will be needing some light to see by. Through a variety of ideas the pack has the light that they need and your course stays true even with nothing to guide you.
Finally Grymash breaks into an area where the grass and ground has been torn asunder. There is a large amount of rubble in the middle of the area and the ground crunches lightly under you boots. There are a number of small plumes of smoke and one larger one, from fires that must have burned out or been put out a long time ago.
With light further back with the group there is little that Grymash or others can see. Though there is a rather large opening in the grass that reveals the sky above, the rest of the surrounding grass does not allow enough light to see by. You can notice the small light of some still burning embers but they are not enough to be worried about.
Murdock Thursday April 19th, 2007 10:25:32 AM
The drow grumbles as he gets back up as their leader suggest moving forward. The mage is tired and worn out, he is ready for sleep. However, Murdock follows the pack toward the destruction in the grass.
The drow can see clearly around him (120' Darkvision), his violet eyes dancing like fire in the night. Since Murdock doesn't need light to see by, he describes the destruction to his friends.
After Murdock describes what he see's, he summons dancing light into the air, causing the area to be illuminated as if by 4 torches, 7 feet above the ground, in a 40 foot stationary arc ahead of the pack.
Spell Like Ability Active: Dancing Lights for 10 Rounds (1 Minute)
DM Jim, please provide a description of the area out to 120 feet for Murdock, as I can see perfectly well, baring some kind of magical darkness.
Darkvision users only. (DM Jim) Thursday April 19th, 2007 1:30:08 PM
Those with darkvision can make out an area of destruction some thirty feet across in all directions. The rubble area is made up of a lot of wood, some metal and a lot of other materials.
Besides the small embers that appear as small dots of hot areas in the area you see nothing else that glows even slightly to your vision.
It is hard to tell what this thing use to be but whatever it was...it is a pile of garbage now.
Trellus d20+12=18 Thursday April 19th, 2007 2:47:36 PM
Trellus tries to make out the composition of the debris by the light of his holy symbol (Continual Light is on it) and Murdock's lights. "What a mess," he comments as he wipes the sweat of the journey from his forehead.
"Gry, Jake - keep an eye on the Grass. Let's not have anything sneaking up on us in here. I'm gonna see if any of this junk was magical."
The cleric stands at the edge of the Grass, casts a spell and concentrates on the middle of the devastation. [Detect Magic - Spellcraft 18 if needed]
Tishe' d20+8=23 d20+4=20 Thursday April 19th, 2007 7:50:47 PM
Stumbling through thte grass as it gets dark and already weary from the day, it takes Tishe' a moment to realize they made it to the area of black smokey plumes.
Tishe' is curious, nothing more, as to the reason the fire was here in the first place. Perhaps some looking around can find a clue!
She casts her own Light spell on her Staff of Frost and walks around seeking any reason for the fire, openings in the ground, or other debris. (Spot: 23, Search: 20)
Below the line. (DM Jim) Friday April 20th, 2007 1:50:21 PM
The group has finally reached the area where the smoke was coming from. The debris is rather large and a lot of it burnt up.
Trellus finds that at one time this mess was indeed magical in nature. There are faint traces of magic still around the whole entire thing but most of it is broken and slowly fading.
Tishe' slowly goes around the huge pile of debris and ash. At one point she thinks that she notices something out of place. As she pulls closer to where she thought she spotted something, she finds an arm partially burnt and sticking out from inside of the rubble.
Murdock Friday April 20th, 2007 2:57:13 PM
As his innate magic fades, Murdock summons yet more dancing lights to illuminate the mess.
The mage walks around the piles of debris, scanning the wreckage for anything that might give a clue to what the debris once was or what could have happened.
Spell Like Ability Active: Dancing Lights for 10 Rounds (1 Minute)
Tishe' Friday April 20th, 2007 5:18:58 PM
Looking around the debris pile, Tishe' wonders out loud. "A building perhaps? Maybe a hut and a Druid Tree that someone wanted... OH!"
The plain-faced woman pulls no nearer to her discovery, but calls her pack over for a closer look. "It looks like there was at least one defender of the area", she announces as she points out the partially burnt arm sticking out of the rubble.
Flea d20+13=14 d20+11=15 d20+9=15 d20+14=17 Sunday April 22nd, 2007 11:24:42 PM
Flea scans the area illuminated by Murdock's dancing lights as best she can. When Tishe' calls out her find, the rogue turns her search from traps and treasure to a hunt for survivors. As she moves quietly about the destruction, she keeps alert for any sound.
Search=14 Spot=15 Listen=15 Move Silently=17
Grymash d20+2=7 d20+5=7 d20+9=23 Sunday April 22nd, 2007 11:44:30 PM
Grymash does his best to keep an eye on the surrounding grass. Though he finds making quick glances at the wreckage too irresistible. The slightest sound makes his eyes dart in the direction where he heard it. He sniffs the air. Tastes it too. Something's not right at all.
(Spot 7, Listen 7, Survival 23)
Trellus d20+12=15 Monday April 23rd, 2007 9:08:42 AM
At the discovery of an arm, the cleric leaps over to rubble and casts a stabilizing spell on the person [Cure Minor Wounds]. Maybe he'd get lucky, and the dude is still alive.
Either way, Trellus starts moving debris out of the way. "Jake, gimmee a hand," he says. "Gil, help Gry watching the Grass. We got enough light here to attract every Rapke for miles."
While tossing rocks and wood pieces, the blond human tries to figure out what this thing used to be. [Spellcraft 15]
Gilan and Ciaran Monday April 23rd, 2007 8:36:53 PM
Gilan nods his head as he moves back to help in watching the grass. He motions for Ciaran to join him as his nose is sharper than most. "Got ya covered." He cannot help but glance back every once in awhile, much like Gry is doing.
Ciaran on the other hand is patient enough to just wait and watch the grass. He is not wanting danger to catch his pack with this much light around.
[DaveT - Do you already have a copy of his CS or do you need one? Let me know and I will get one to you ASAP.]
Jacob--DaveT-Sub Monday April 23rd, 2007 9:51:01 PM
OOC-Yes, have his sheet, thanks. Waiting on PTB to decide if I can sub him or not.
Jake does as he is asked and helps to remove the debris on the body. Afterwords he is silent and helps watch the area for attack.
The grass thickens. (DM Jim) Tuesday April 24th, 2007 12:34:21 AM
Gilan, Grymash and Ciaran keep an eye upon the grass as the rest of the group go about checking out the rubble pile. So far they have seen no signs of any dangers coming their way.
Murdock circles the pile and ponders the thing as his lights spin near him. From the general items that he can see it would appear to have been some kind of structure. Though if it was a building is not evident.
Tishe' has the same wonderings that are starting to come to Murdock, but she finds a little something extra with the hand. She call attention to it, but does not move closer to investigate.
Flea had been looking for things of value or traps within the rubble but she finds nothing of the sort, traps wise. She does find a number of spoons and forks, some cups, what might have been some rope at one time and even a rather nice piece of canvas. But with the idea that their might be survivors she starts to look and listen for sounds or sights that will lead her in that direction.
Trellus is over to the part of the arm that can be seen quickly enough. He reaches down and touches the part of the burned flesh that is closest to him with intention of casting a healing spell. To his dismay the arm is cold as stone and already starting to feel slightly leathery. Still hoping he starts to dig and see if anyone else might be under here.
Jake joins the digging with Trellus and soon they have a nice area free of debris and the severally burned head of the person that the arm belongs to is found. A slight shift in the debris turns the head to the other side and you see the face of a man that you know. He was the captain upon the very grass ship that you had gotten a ride upon.
[Flea:Highlight to display spoiler: {{You have spotted what appear to be drag marks leading to the southeast into the grass.}}]
Posting Report (ADM MikeK) Tuesday April 24th, 2007 9:24:48 AM
Posting Report for Game 10 for the week of April 16 - 20
Name MTWTF
DM JimW XOXXX
Trellus XOXXX
Tishe XOXXX
Jake XOOOX
Gilan XOXOX
Grymash OOXOX
Flea OOXOX
Murdock OOXXX
[X = post, O = no post]
ADM Note - Posting still not very consistent. Let's see if we can do better next week!
Murdock Tuesday April 24th, 2007 9:58:58 AM
All Murdock can feel is an extreme sadness for the ship that bore them, and all the souls lost when she fell. The drow feels even worse because of the relief he feels for not being aboard that ship when it fell.
As the drow looks over at Tishe', the mage momentarily looses his composure, and a few tears fall. Murdock knows that because of this tragedy, her message home will not be delivered.
After that moment of grief, Murdock moves to assist Trellus and helps him to dig through the rubble.
Trellus d20+12=22 Tuesday April 24th, 2007 4:00:45 PM
The cleric pauses at the sight of the captain's face. "Light," he grates.
Questions roll through his mind. Was the captain in the wrong place at the wrong time, or did someone think the Bloodpack was still on that boat? And how do you rip up a druid wood boat anyway? Trellus ponders - could a Flamestrike have done this? [Spellcraft 22]
[ooc - reading ahead and assuming Flea breaks the news]
Flea's news about drag marks going in the direction the Femme Fatales were last seen gives the pack leader a really bad feeling.
"All lights out. Now." he orders, tucking his holy symbol back into his backpack. "There's some totally dangerous dudes around here somewhere, and we gotta stop advertising we're here."
Trellus looks around. "I think whoever did this took the survivors back to whereever Jenny and her group are," he says, more thinking out loud than anything else. "So, how about we put a cairn up over the good captain here, get a couple hundred yards into the Grass and bed down, and then in the morning get REALLY careful and see if we can find these sunblasted druids without them finding us first."
"Whaddya think?"
Jake d20+7=12 Tuesday April 24th, 2007 4:48:44 PM
After helping remove the rubble, Jake stands and listens to his surroundings. So thiswas the grass ship.
"Ah agree."
Jake then moves to help the others with thier departure. Daylight may shed new information on the encounter. For now their safety is important.
Listen 12
Tishe' Tuesday April 24th, 2007 9:52:40 PM
The brown-haired woman is startled that Trellus and Jake found the Captain of the Grassship. "But they were going another way!", she cries. Thoughts flicker across her face that are easy to see; sadness, disappointment, and loss.
Yet Trellus breaks her mood, and she immediately extinguishes her light and moves closer to Gilan and the protection of Cirian.
Flea Wednesday April 25th, 2007 5:40:54 PM
Flea shares her information about the drag marks with the rest of he pack. "Can anyone tell what was doing the dragging, and what was being dragged?"
Flea continues to scan the area, as best she can, with what light is available, wishing her ranger friend Anuk was there to read the signs left behind. With a sigh and a shrug of her small shoulders, she returns to the nucleus of the group. "We're going to be up to our armpits in piggie dumps with the beaters back home, if we don't find those girls!" The rogue reddens, "sorry Trellus'" she adds, "we'll find Jenny." Only, the gnome isn't feeling as confident as her words might sound.
Gilan and Ciaran d20+21=32 Wednesday April 25th, 2007 7:16:04 PM
Gilan is saddened as the news is passed around and he shakes his head. He looks around and then nods his head. "I can but try and make something of the tracks you found...Gry might also be helpful as he can see better than me in the dark." He looks around and shakes his head again as he tries to catch one of the group before all the lights are put out. "I will need a little more light over here and Gry might need it too." If he catches someone or someone wants to add light to the area for at least a little while he will have a look. If not he can do the light trick himself.
Ciaran leans into Tishe' as she comes over, feeling that she needs him a lot more right now than his brother. He licks and bumps her hand a couple of times in comfort.
[survival(plains) 32]
[Sorry guys. It looks like storms all this week. I will try to get out earlier posts to compensate.]
Read the tracks. (DM Jim) Wednesday April 25th, 2007 7:23:05 PM
The group breaks up the light and are soon gone to a safer spot to set up camp this night. This is not accomplished till the tracks have been looked over.
Gilan and Grymash(?) check over the tracks and come to the conclusion that it was a group of at least eight to ten people and a few animals. There are no signs of blood or anything so it is suspected that they might have been captives and not dead.
The group spends the uneventful night hunkered in the grass and pondering the things that could have destroyed the ship.
Trellus had found scorch marks upon some of the pieces of the hull, but that could have been from the storm. Some might have also noticed the claw marks that marr the ship as well. In fact some parts of it seem to have been shredded by something with claws or at least great strength.
Flea d20+9=24 d20+11=24 Wednesday April 25th, 2007 11:55:05 PM
Flea huddles on the woven grass mat that offers some degree of protection. Her magical cloak keeps her comfortable...not too warm...nor too cool. Flea takes whatever watch is assigned to her.
Spot=24 Listen=24
Paired up with a pack-mate, Flea will revisit the adventure the group had in Ice Vein, recounting how especially heroic the gnome magiker Bohdi Nackle of Zarnan City was, and wondering, in general what that group was up to, for surely, "they must still live, and be up to some grand adventure!"
In the moning she will point out the drag marks that are visible to all. "I guess its that-away?" she asks as she shoulders her pack.
Jake Thursday April 26th, 2007 12:35:47 PM
Jake takes his usual watch. When he is not on watch however he is definately disturbed. He wakes many times during the night. Hopefully the coming day would give him the solace he needed.
Trellus Thursday April 26th, 2007 3:42:23 PM
Trellus points to the claw marks on the boat. "Something big," he says. "And it got burnt too. Somebody really wanted this boat ripped." WHY is a question he just can't answer, a common enough occurrence that the cleric just internalizes the question.
In the morning, he gets his spells and gets with the group. Pulling out a rod, he casts two on himself, and then a third that encompasses Flea, Grymash, and Gilan. "Its called Status," he explains. "It lets me know if you're twisted up or not."
The cleric also has three Endure Elements for the first three volunteers.
The blond man nods at Flea's question. "Thataway. Let's all be seriously shuttlecocked dudes. Gilan, you can move best through the Grass, right? Can you range out front and give us warning if anything comes up? I'll keep track of you by my spell."
Spells Prepared (cast as level 10 due to Setanos' Vestment): d -- domain spell 0 - Create Water (x2), Detect Magic (x2), Guidance, Read Magic 1 -- Endure Elements (x3), Prot v. Evil, Remove Fear (x2), Enlarge Person (d) 2 -- Lesser Restoration (x2), Resist Energy(fire), Resist Energy(elec), Hold Person, Status*, Bulls Strength (d) 3 - Dispel Magic(x2), Prayer, Searing Light, Magic Vestment(d)**(pearl) 4 -- Air Walk, Freedom of Movement, Divine Power, Spell Immunity (d) 5 -- Greater Command, Flame Strike, Shield of Faith, Spell Resistance (d)
Tishe' Thursday April 26th, 2007 6:49:23 PM
Passes the night, and quite content to tell stories and recount tales of past adventures with Flea. She remembers the male gnome, and will reminisce about the severe, almost magical cold from the Ice Vien. She'll also talk about thier adventure with the dragons and Grand Maw, but will avoid any conversation about the dryad and fauns, not certain about the vague tuggings of her heart.
In the morning, she casts Endure Elements, extended (48 hours) on Jake to keep him from being boiled in his own armor. And then she is ready to follow the tracks.
"I can also feel Grymash through the Dragon's Tear", she reminds Trellus. "And can help him if the pattern requires."
Grymash d20+2=5 d20+5=20 d20+9=15 Thursday April 26th, 2007 7:41:54 PM "Thanks Tishe," says the half-orc with a smile. "Da healin' wills go both ways if needs be."
After his morning prayers and rituals, Grymash gets to inspecting tracks and whatever looks interesting. Too bad the sun was in his eyes.
(Spot 5, Listen 20, Survival(track) 15.)
Gilan [longstrider, endure elements] and Ciaran [longstrider, endure elements] d20+8=14 d20+3=7 d20+8=10 d20+21=37 d20+3=9 d20+3=16 d20+8=11 Thursday April 26th, 2007 9:32:38 PM
The night was nice and quiet, leaving him time to rest in comfort upon his grassmat. His brother was by his side the whole time and they both got a good amount of sleep. Gilan was up early, as usual, and going through his morning song to Mother and Father.
He smiles as he had shared stories with the others through the night. Stories of his home before he came to Rattledam. Of so many different things that he had experienced...giant libraries, manageries of different animals and helping out his parents in the morning at the shop they owned. Most know that he gave up that life for this one, though through his parents death..he was the sole owner..but gave it up to his other family.
Gilan nods his head and then looks to the path they will take. "How far ahead do you want me and do you want me to leave a trail to follow." He knows that his natural ability will allow him to leave no trail and he would be virtually impossible to follow. He takes the time to pass out a couple spells to help out.
Ciaran pulls up alongside his brother and refuses to leave his side. His own senses are attuned to the Wold around him and he plans to not fail the pack.
Search and destroy? (DM Jim) Friday April 27th, 2007 12:54:29 AM
The group is up early the next morning and soon ready to go. With a little breakfast in them and a plan of action they start to move out.
Gilan is out in the lead with his trusty brother Ciaran. As they search the ground for signs, they also keep an eye out for trouble. A trail is left in the grass to note where the two have traveled and they stay twenty feet ahead of the group.
The group has moved through the grass at least a mile when Gilan comes to a stop and lets the group catch up with him. He has noted an area of earth that seems to have seen reason movement, either through digging or something of that nature.
Murdock Friday April 27th, 2007 11:08:44 AM
Murdock follows along with the pack. The drow hopes that the disturbance in the earth that Gilan has found will generate some action. The process of endlessly slogging through the grasses is tiring and Murdock would like a distraction.
Tishe' d20+6=12 d20+6=14 Friday April 27th, 2007 1:49:05 PM
Her druidic pace allows Tishe' to effortlessly glide through the grasses of the Sargrass. She keeps a watch out for anything out of the ordinary, (Spot:12, Listen:14), but her constant curiosity in other things keeps her from being too vigilant.
Her mind keeps moving around with the information they have already seen. "I can't help but think that the disappearance of the Femme Fatales, the destruction of the Grasship and capture of at least one person, and the appearance of the new Rapke are all related.", she states while walking.
"I wonder if the fact that there was a girl on the ship and all the Femmes are ladies has something to do with thier disappearance?"
Jake d20+4=7 Friday April 27th, 2007 2:08:41 PM
"Thank you Tishe, the heat is nearly unbearable without your help. I will hold up the rearguard as usual."Jake then waits a few moments, and follows the others. Alwayshe keeps at least one person in sight.
At the stop of the new find, Jake does his best to spot anything unusual.[Spot 7]
Returning to the vanguard he leans on his sword. The others would need to lead, as usual.
Trellus Friday April 27th, 2007 2:58:14 PM
"Oh, I was thinking sixty to eighty feet," Trellus responds to Gilan. "Kind of out there so we can see them long before they know we're around."
As the move out, the cleric casts Endure Elements on Murdock and Grymash, which should take care of the whole pack.
The object of the mission is starting to have an effect on the man. His face is intent and focused. Its obvious he's working very hard at not thinking about what might be happening to his sister.
At the torn up earth, he waits for Gry or Flea or Gilan to inspect the area. They're better at searches and such. "Could it be Oglians?" he asks.
Gilan [longstrider, endure elements] and Ciaran [longstrider, endure elements] d20+19=28 d20+3=21 d20+21=26 Friday April 27th, 2007 8:14:27 PM
Gilan moves over to examine the ground and gently pushes aside the dirt a bit to have a better look. "I am not sure." He looks to the rest of the group and looks around.
Ciaran is seated by his brother's side and seems intent upon waiting to see what is found.
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