DM Jan Wednesday May 2nd, 2007 1:56:27 AM
"The small, dark one is correct," says the construct, answering Jus. "But 'affected' by magic. I do not understand."
The breeze coming in from the sea picks up a little as the diminutive Wentworth takes out what looks like a large pocket watch. Cloaks and robes ripple slightly in the wind; the metal golem stands perfectly still.
Suddenly - it goes dark! Not completely dark, but the sky changes. There are clouds overhead, of a thick, turgid grey colour, making it difficult for sunlight to get through, and so eyes have to adjust after being thrown into instant twilight.
The first breath taken catches at the back of the throat, a feeling similar to being in a small, overcrowded tavern containing too many pipe smokers. There is a warm, metallic smell in the air.
The second breath taken heralds a rather strange sensation, and it's different for everyone - the fading of magic. Weapons and armour cease their subtle thrums and vibrations of enhancement, magical auras break up and drift into the air like loose threads and are soon lost. There is no dying shriek from anything sentient, merely the feel of retreat, or of sleep.
For the clerics, it feels as though a presence, or a connection is gone.
Right now, Cori's Amarth is perhaps feeling a little weaker, but the reason why evades him. The connection with his companion is still strong. Conversation won't be possible, but he won't know that yet. But the connection, the bond established between any humanoid and animal is unaffected, anything he's learned through body language and training will remain.
The wind has dropped. The surrounding grasses appear to be wintering and dormant. More of the bare rock is exposed, and in the gloom it looks like bones, poking through the skin of the earth.
To the south, the towers of Dirt City can be seen, but they appear to be in darkness. There is no torchlight visible. The cobbled road looks a little overgrown.
Apart from that, the surrounding terrain appears to be the same, except for one strange exception - about 10 feet away, to the north, are two parallel lines of metal (about 3 ft apart from one another), that have been laid along the ground, supported by flat pieces of wood. These lines stretch on into both east and west horizons.
Welcoming committee? Nothing so far.
Onrad Wednesday May 2nd, 2007 11:05:48 AM
"That was fast. Someone try a cantrip or something. Let's see what we got here."
He looks expectantly at Jus.
Afterward, he quips, "Going to check our rears. I won't get out of sight."
Onrad trots in the direction away from the town about 100' or to the nearest small rise and takes another glance around.
Ve Mundr Wednesday May 2nd, 2007 6:17:21 PM
Ve takes a third deep and slow breath, exhaling long and soft through his nose. The situation has landed fully on the worse case scenerio. He looks at Nick and slowly shakes his head a few times, answering the unasked question. Ve looks to the odd infinitely long metal bars, "Perhaps a wagon road?" Then glancing towards Dirt City, "From here at least, she seems abandoned. I would suggest we start there. Create a base camp and there could still be supplies available even if the city is relatively unoccupied."
Looking to Onrad, "I can tell you my Haversack is non functional and my spells have been nullified. Though perhaps we can still recreate it."
Ve tries a message spell. "Valdor? Can you hear me now?"
Corialote and Amarth Wednesday May 2nd, 2007 9:46:08 PM
Cori can feel her magic still there, but it seems to be asleep. "The magic is still there...but it feels bound or asleep." She can still feel her connection to Amarth but something even about that feels different. Shaking her head she calls upon the easiest of her spells...one that should conjure four small bouncing lights. She is already starting to feel the fingers of fear clutching at her...then there is uncertainty. Her eyes are what reveals the inner turmoil that she is going through right now.
Amarth feels different as he sits atop his Mistress's shoulder. He does not know what but he feels weakened himself.
[dancing lights]
Mordrid Wednesday May 2nd, 2007 9:51:22 PM
Never being one to be overly sensitive towards nature (as far as rangers go), Modrid feels an overwhelming feeling of emptiness.
The sensation manifests itself as a deep groan, that the ranger tries to contain. He lifts his eyes to the sky, knowing too well that it was beyond odd to see skies such as these this time of year. And the smell; the odor of smithy or archanist, out here in the open wind. A truly troubling time was upon them.
He traces the metal path off to the east. It was something new indeed. Mordrid moves to it, kneeling over to more closely examine it, with tracking skills that are apparently out of time and place.
"We are too late I fear. It would take a thousand years, with every smithy in the wold to make such a thing." He points longingly down the path toward the east, where home lies; or once did.
"Valdor, we should attempt to communicate with Sturtevant." The ranger covers his eyes as he realizes that any deed could be catastrophic. WE would have to be careful how we dealt with the present, as we were the past.
Mordrid has grown far away from his times of skulking about. It had become tiresome with the found glory of heroism, yet at this moment his instincts were yelling to cloak himself, and his companions.
The ranger draws his hood, and calls upon old skills that enable him to melt undetected into the countryside.
Dahlia Wednesday May 2nd, 2007 10:51:11 PM
feeling the weightof her gear for the first time in many years, Dahlia sighs and moves to the middle of all the others at least until she knows a bit more about hat they will be facing.
Valdor Thursday May 3rd, 2007 12:02:22 AM
Valdor had braced himself for thw worst and it seems that is where they have landed. He was pretty much expecting this, so he's not in shock...merely surprised a bit. He says quietly,"We must not be seen yet. We have to scout and find out what's going on and what we are up against. We don't even know if there are people here in the future.
Contacting Sturdevant could be a problem as we are now many, many miles from Plateau City. He may be dead now, as may we for all we know. What I do know is that we must avoid a confrontation or battle if possible. We should get off this road and find a way to get close to town without being seen so we can observe and know what we face. Only then can we plan any actions. Dahlia, can you scout the opposite direction from Onrad?"
He turns to the halflings and asks,"Do you have any allies around here from your last visit? And are there people still around? And what are these things of metal and wood that go on forever it seems?"
While he's talking, he pulls out his travelling cloak and pulls it on to cover the armor he wears.
Jus Thursday May 3rd, 2007 12:38:49 AM
As everyone realizes that magic is not mundane, Jus watches the Golem amongst them. Jus' suspicious nature has the better of him. "Could the Golem be pulling the magic for itself to survive? There are enough identifiable arcane symbols to be suspicious. Is it affected in any way?" Jus wonders to himself.
He also openly eyes the halflings. Valdor talks as if they are friendly enough, but so our thiefs when they feel out their marks.
Even though he's trying to ignore the lack of magic, Jus is worried. Not casting doesn't bother him, but it's been quite a while since he's been without his magic gear and aids. A thought occurs to him: "Perhaps we should be careful casting spells. Since magic is quiescent, any attempt to bring it forth may be detected by those that have suppressed it."
Nick Thursday May 3rd, 2007 1:13:15 AM
Nick's throat becomes dry as Ve's nod confirms the worst. No Alemi. No Domi. What in all the Gods names could have happened? He looks around, taking in the gloomy landscape. Izen had never been the prettiest region on the peninsula, but now...
Trying to keep his voice level, and panic at bay, he looks up at the construct. "What happened here? What catastrophe befell the Wold, that the Gods would leave us?"
DM Jan Thursday May 3rd, 2007 2:05:16 AM
Atop the nearest small hill, and still in sight of the others, Onrad gets a better view of the land and the northern horizon. The wilds of Izen stretch out and undulate before him, the terrain similar to his immediate surroundings. However, on the horizen is a thin, glowing band of light. Campfires? Maybe, but they'd have to be big campfires.
Ve and Cori try out a few spells. They both know the commands, and the subtle movements of the fingers. Nothing. It's like whistling in the wind. They can tell immediately, and of course Valdor fails to hear the magical spoken word.
Dahlia discovers the company of both Wentworth and Tommy, as the two other halflings cluster around her, considering her, more than the others, a kindred spirit. They're both a mixture of fear and curiosity. "We saw those lines before" exclaims Wentworth, stretching his neck for a look but not wanting to venture too near. " But we didn't know what they were for. Tommy, what do you reckon?" His brother shrugs while rubbing his arms, as if he's cold. "I dunno, but I think we'd better take cover, just in case more of those things come." The halfling points toward the construct. "It's our only friend. Everything else just chased us." Tommy then takes a step toward Valdor. He points toward Onrad stood on the hill to the north. "If you carry on going that way - thats where we saw the slaves, and all those holes in the ground. There's bad things in the City, too. Might look like there's no one home, but there's golems and teams of slaves, collecting things. We reckoned they were scavenging metal."
The construct seems busy, appraising every direction. The lack of magic everywhere else only seems to highlight the power within the 'creature'. Felt, rather than seen or heard, like a low vibration. Nick's question appears to have it baffled. "I do not know," it says. "You all speak of a world of magic and gods, and yet all I find is imprisonment and slavery, and these shells, who's only aim is to keep on reproducing, stealing more of my kind in the process."
Stood closer to the metal lines, Mordrid is the first to hear it. The lines start to hum - quietly at first, like they have some kind of continuous voice. The sound becomes gradually louder, more high pitched, and the planks start to vibrate a little.
Nonam Thursday May 3rd, 2007 12:40:05 PM
Nonam considers trying to cast his own spells, but sees that Ve and Cori are unable to do so. He spends a few moments watching the golem to see if does anything or looks different at all upon arrival here.
After being quiet a moment, he leans upon his staff and looks at the group, "Magic is still here, so your gods are here too. Something is blocking the connection. We just have to figure out what that is and then stop it. I'd suggest we start out by going over and looking at those two lines, and we need to find out as much as possible about this Crow. We should probably also approach this as a recon mission and keep our presence here as secret as possible. I have a feeling that to fix this, we'll need to go forward in time and stop the problem before it starts, but to do that, we need to figure out what starts it and when."
Then Nonam blinks in suprise for a moment, and addresses the golem/elemental, "I apologize for my lack of manners. I've been treating you as a construct, but you are clearly a sentient being. Might I inquire as to your name? Also, any information that you could provide about how you came to be imprisoned or why you have been able to reassert control when your brethern have not could be useful. Information about your sensory abilities could also be most helpful. For instance, how far can you see and hear? Can you smell or have the sensation of touch and feeling?"
Ve Mundr d20+11=29 Thursday May 3rd, 2007 12:52:17 PM
Ve first tries to help his friend, "Father Nicholas, I do not think the Wold abandoned, I think it shifted or hidden. Perhaps much in the same manner the Cradle was hidden so long with the Fey and has only recently been awakened. Now the lands of Rest and the Wolds Blood have been pushed beyond our reach." he turns to regard the construct and the halflings.
Then wonders more to himself than any other, but in standard fashion, Ve's musings are aloud. "To what final purpose would you create a construct whose sole goal is recreate itself? The eventual extinction of all other life and a world complete unto its maker?" Ve breaks the train of thought as the metal bars begin to hum and a puzzled look crosses his face. "Mordrid? You do something or did that just start?"
"I am thinking an exit from the road a good idea. We need to create a base camp Valdor and we need to do is soon." Ve scans about for anything resembling a natural shelter. "I don't have the best knowledge of the area, what we need is a low lying area where we can set up and talk."
[spot 29]
Dahlia Thursday May 3rd, 2007 5:27:05 PM
Sure Valdor that is at least something I can still help with here. Onrad, which way do you want to go? Any preference? The little halfling moves over to the Duelist and awaits his thoughts.
Onrad Thursday May 3rd, 2007 8:08:43 PM
Onrad trots back to the group.
"No preference. We don't know enough to make a good decision yet. That's what we need. Knoledge. So I'd say some group scouting and finding some informants is the plan for the day. There are some rather large bonfires that way."
He points back in the direction he came from.
He looks to Valdor for a sec, wondering what his burden was like in situations like this and then goes to Nonam and Jus.
"You guys ok friends? I knew we'd be challenged again, but I had no idea it would be like this. If things goes badly, forgive me. However, once again, I expect all of us to rise to the occasion and succeed when it is near impossible.
"To be honest, I'm excited. I know that sounds brash, but...."
Nick Friday May 4th, 2007 12:54:35 AM
Nick's eyes dart between Nonam's and Ve's reassurances. Not gone, not abandoned, just blocked. Yes, he could deal with that.
The sound from the metal rails interrupts his thoughts.
"What is that?"
Jus Friday May 4th, 2007 7:02:00 AM
Jus hears the increasing noise and fears the worse. Have they set off a magical alarm -- no not magical, it must be mundane. Out of habit, Jus pulls his bow and gets ready for combat. With a grimace, he wonders how effective he'll be against anything from this foreign land.
As he waits for something to happen, Jus thinks about Nonam's question. Jus won't answer, at least not yet, but it is curious why Nonam would concern himself about Jus' "old friend".
Valdor Friday May 4th, 2007 11:51:45 AM
Valdor looks around at the companions and says,"I don't like being visible. We need to find cover and quickly. We don't know anything so we need to stay hidden until we know what we are dealing with."
He turns to the construct and asks,"Back in our time, you could feel the nearness of your metal's master...can you feel his direction now?"
DM Jan Friday May 4th, 2007 12:05:34 PM
While everyone tries to decide on the best course, the elemental attempts to answer Nonam's questions, but not before young Tommy answers one of the wizard's other musings. "I think we started it," he says glumly, "by taking Crow into the future." As for the elemental - "My name is - " there is a strange whining sound, metal grinding on metal, "The halflings cannot reproduce that sound and call me Config. I am imprisoned by some kind of magical spell imbued into this metal shell. The spell is activated, by me. I am its, and the construct's power source. It is my own energy that imprisons me." It hesitates for a moment before continuing. "I have control of this metal because we are both from the earth. The earth speaks to us both. Fire, water and air would not be able to accomplish this. I do not fully understand your sensory abilities. I do know that this metal shell is distressed because it cannot identify its master. It knows there are others of its kind approaching."
Taking a look around, with the exception of a few dips in the ground, Ve can see that the land is pretty bare. The only shelter as such, appears to be the distant Dirt City.
About the time Onrad returns to the others, the 'singing' sound reverberating through the metal lines is louder, and there is a rhythmic sound - the-rum, the-rum, the-rum, also getting louder. From the east - torchlight, traveling fast and it's getting closer by the second.
Nonam Friday May 4th, 2007 4:21:03 PM
Nonam crouches down and looks to Valdor, "Others of Config's kind approaching means let's get out of here." The wizard starts heading for Dirt City. "Unless another course of action presents itself quickly, I suggest we aim for the water and maybe a boat."
Corialote and Amarth Friday May 4th, 2007 7:22:49 PM
Cori would not normally be worried but without one of her normal weapons she feels ever so small now. It is true that if given time she might be able to figure a way out of most things...she doubts she will have that time.
She pulls the rapier that she is carrying and tests the feel till she is satisfied. Then she bends her will to finding a way to unlock her true might. "I am ready to move when the rest are." Still being able to feel the magic inside of her she is seeking a way to unlock it...maybe a backdoor to it that is not barred.
[Not sure if any rolls are needed or if so what ones might be useful. Will go with the DMs discretion on this.]
Valdor d20=18 Saturday May 5th, 2007 12:02:11 AM
Valdor, realizing the speed with which the torches are approaching, glances at them, then towards the city to gauge whether they can make it or not if they run. He says,"Time to move out. Halflings, I'll carry you. Config, keep up if you are able."
He snatches the halflings up under each arm and takes off running towards the city. He's really nervous about the approaching creatures. He wants little part of a fight or confrontation until he knows what they are up against. But, anything that can move that fast and if it's made of metal...
(Intelligence check to judge distance versus speed 18-modify as you see fit)
Jus Monday May 7th, 2007 4:40:28 AM
Jus has no problem heading to the city instead of fighting with dead weapons. He certainly doesn't want to join them. Doing the best he can with his non magical speed, Jus heads for the city.
Posting Report for Monday May 7th, 2007 6:49:50 AM
Game # 1 The Platinum Dragons For the week of April 30,2007
Nonam Monday May 7th, 2007 3:39:31 PM
As the group moves, Nonam elaborates on his rationale by pointing out that earth elementals in metal bodies are probably poor swimmers.
Ve Mundr Monday May 7th, 2007 8:57:26 PM
Ve agrees on heading to the city, after all he suggested it. "I think Dahlia should find a good spot to stay and observe whatever is coming up on us on those metal bars."
Ve does his best to hustle away from the area and towards what was Dirt City.
Nick Monday May 7th, 2007 11:07:35 PM
"You guys just have to run everywhere, don't you," mutters Nick, setting off after the others. The comment is in jest. He has no desire to be caught off guard by whatever is coming, either, and so he runs as fast as he can.
Valdor Monday May 7th, 2007 11:10:14 PM
Valdor tells Nonam,"Yes, but unfortunately, water elementals swim fine and we at least can see the earthen ones. Let's try the city first."
He isn't strained by carrying the little ones. At least his strength and endurance is real and not increased by magic. He thanks Domi that he's spent so much time in the gym every morning while most were still in bed or eating breakfast or memorizing spells.
DM Jan Monday May 7th, 2007 11:50:45 PM
And so, as the noise and torchlight approaches from the east, the group sets off south at a dash toward Dirt City. The halflings are light in Valdor's arms, and both appear to be enjoying the journey.
The metal construct, Config, stays where it is, however. Moments later, a line of linked carriages flow past. They are flat bedded and linked together, and each are carrying about 20 passengers, all of whom appear to be sat down with the exception of those on the front carriage. This front carriage is a hive of activity, where men appear to be alternately pulling and pushing, up and down, with some kind of lever that rocks back and forth. The wheels appear to run smoothly on the metal rails, giving the impression of gliding on air. The whole carriage train is running along at a fair clip, torch flames horizontal and flaring. There is no acknowledgement of Config stood alongside the track, and in moments, the train becomes a diminishing speck in the distance to the west.
When the carriages have gone, the construct turns and makes large strides to catch up with the group.
Dirt City looms. Shadow is beginning to get the upper hand as twilight descends. The nearest Tower looks slightly misshapen as the group approach, and appears to be in disrepair. In front of it is a large statue - a humanoid possibly, although it's head seems to have fallen off.
Buildings beyond the Tower are dark shapes in the growing gloom. One of them, slightly larger than the rest, appears to be host to a number of bats, although their flitting and their shape is unusual, and their substance is also questionable.
Cori's attempt to connect, to reach toward the power she is so perfectly able to manipulate, is left with the feeling of emptiness - physical emptiness, as opposed to an emotional sense of loss. Something fundamental appears to be missing. The other spellcasters will feel the same.
Mordrid Tuesday May 8th, 2007 3:43:52 PM
Mordrid stands up and becomes visible within the moon shadows. Standing next to the track, he watches as the carriages disappear into the west. "People... that's a good sign."
The ranger wishes he had never seen such a wonderous invention. Now when he returns to his own time, contingent upon surviving this, he will be haunted by its image; and the agony of locking away such ideas in his head.
The ranger races after the rest... towards the city.
Nonam Tuesday May 8th, 2007 5:39:21 PM
A bit irritate with not being able to use magic, Nonam looks at the halflings when the group slows down some, "I think it would have been easier if we had gone back in time and dropped the two of you into some dark hole instead of going forward in time to fix the things you broke."
Dahlia Tuesday May 8th, 2007 10:55:05 PM
Running as hard as she can, Dahlia has a hard time keeping up with the long legged folk but does her best and eventually catches up.
As she catches her breath and stares after the rolling machine, she looks around at the others. Hey has anyone tried anything that had stored magic in it like a wand or something?
Corialote and Amarth Tuesday May 8th, 2007 10:57:27 PM
Cori feels herself sinking deeper into a pit of despair. For all these years she has been defined by her ability to work the weave effortlessly and now she was without that. The others may not understand, at least those that do not know the weave as intimitely as she does. She does glance to Amarth but finds him to still to be unresponsive, in fact something is different with her friend...this bothers her even more.
Valdor d20=20 Tuesday May 8th, 2007 11:14:22 PM
When the carriage goes by, Valdor slows down and then even stops. He says,"I don't like this. One of the benefits to doing all of our adventuring is that we have means of travelling that others do not have. If everyone can travel thus, then what good is all of our magic. And why did we risk our lives for these things?"
He turns to Nonam and says,"Somehow it got semi-broken where it will not go back in time...only forward, except back to the time where they found us. And only to this time we have arrives in. We are unable to change anything past, unless we find this Crow and take him back to our time. Clear as mud, eh?"
He looks to his new love and can read her concern, no, her distress, written across her face. He leans in close to her and hugs her. He says,"Were my ability with the sword lost, or my strength, I would know how you feel. But know this my dear:we have never failed in our time together as a group and we will not fail now. You will find your magic again, I promise. I will help you search for the answers and we will fix this, or I will die trying."
Nick Wednesday May 9th, 2007 1:49:42 AM
Out of breath, Nick follows the trajectory of the strange wagon train for a while, then turns his attention to what lies ahead.
"No welcoming committee," he says, sounding relieved. "Unless there's something hiding in the gloom."
He ventures toward the statue, curious.
DM Jan Wednesday May 9th, 2007 2:01:50 AM
"We didn't do it on purpose," Tommy says as Nonam registers his displeasure.
The sound of the wagon train has gone now, leaving only the sound of distant waves meeting the shore at the far edge of the City. The City itself still seems eerily quiet, and dark.
As Nick approaches the statue, he can see that the head has bull's horns. In fact there's a carved plaque at the base of the statue. Part of it has crumbled away. It says "Bull. Defender of - " and there looks to be a date.
Amarth's natural instinct has his full attention on the flitting things outside the larger building. Food? No. Something that makes him want to fly away. He should warn his companion. But how?
The construct catches up with the others, about the same time as Dahlia. it stands, waiting.
Jus Wednesday May 9th, 2007 8:18:47 AM
It's hard to shake the image of the machine that flew by. Jus has seen halfling and dwarven creations before, but nothing so large and fast as that wagon. It appeared to require much work to maintain, though -- much more than needed with magic.
"A minotaur?" Jus says when they approach the statue. With a sideways glance at Valdor, Jus adds, "For some reason, I expected it to be our high and mighty Valdor."
Jus is still discomforted by the nearby golum (hopefully the adamantium weapons they got from the armory will still help with that). Jus keeps expecting the golum to begin attacking at any moment. "Perhaps my recent like is making me jumpy," Jus wonders to himself. "And now we have more unknown creatures to deal with.".
While examining these new oddities, Jus thinks about what could have caused so many changes and this absence of magic.
Out of curiosity, Jus tries a spell he hasn't used in many, many years back when his group went to Myth Drannor [see http://tinyurl.com/332svp]. Myth Drannor was the polar opposite of this place of barren magic, but the spell Jus was taught touched magic at its most primal level. Perhaps...
Jus attempts to cast Weave Mythal, hoping, without much true expectation of success, to use the spell to touch even the faintest traces of magic that may still exist. Even if the spell succeeds, Jus has no idea what will happen.
Ve Mundr Wednesday May 9th, 2007 11:45:29 AM
Ve watches with interst as the carriages hurtle by and upon spying the people, he pays more atention to them. Race, general dress and build and so forth and most especially if they appeared to be passangers or captives. Ve moves the to statue and blows upon the stone where the date seems to be, trying to get a better read of it. A small glance and grimmace is sent Jus's way upon his comment, but Ve dismisses it. More history then he cared to know most certainly.
Squinting into the gloom about Dirt City and more directly towards the shapes flitting about a building, Ve retrieves a hooded lantern and proceeds to fill and light it.
Nonam Wednesday May 9th, 2007 1:44:57 PM
Nonam watches Jus and says, "That's a good idea, but I've been thinking about the Woldsblood. Maybe something has interrupted the flow. Even if that is the problem, I don't see how we can do much to fix it."
Valdor Wednesday May 9th, 2007 2:11:54 PM
Valdor looks at Jus and asks,"Have I offended you in some way in the past? Your comments tell me I have, but I fail to remember it. If you have a problem with me then air it out. If not, then we have enough problems without your constant jabs at me."
Nick Wednesday May 9th, 2007 7:46:29 PM
Nick looks on as Ve Mundr attempts to uncover more of the date on the statue. "Wasn't there a minotaur cleric called Bull, here?"he asks the others. "I thought we met someone like that when we fought here a long while ago. Just before we rescued Parnoth?"
He shrugs, memory not being what it was.
DM Jan Thursday May 10th, 2007 1:55:42 AM
Ve only caught a glimpse of the passing carriage, but it was enough to tell him that the passengers were human, and dressed very plainly. Some appeared to have chains around their ankles.
A crust of dust, years in the gathering, crumbles away from the plaque at the base of the statue, revealing the date. Based on the date back at the castle, before travel, this date is 205 years into the future - and the statue looks old.
Jus has another attempt at activating a spell, using another method. Nothing. The casting of it felt right. But there was no power to bring it to life. Power meant Woldsblood. Did Nonam have the right idea?
The Protector of Domi's torch lights up the immediate area.
Straight ahead is the Tower. Middle right is a broad path that leads into the upper part of the City. Far right is the large building surrounded by the flitting 'things'. A large keystone above it's doorway is carved with a giant eye.
The ground on the approach to both the path and the Tower suggest foot traffic. There is none in the direction of the large building.
What next for the Dragons?
Jus Thursday May 10th, 2007 6:04:24 AM
Jus, surprised at Valdor's reaction to his comments, looks at the others with a bit of confusions and starts to say that nothing's wrong.
Then he stops.
Perhaps there is something that has been bothering him. The "old Jus" would've had no problem speaking out, laughing, and forgetting... even in a place like this. Maybe it'll happen again after he's been around these people for awhile. Besides, Jus only has suspicions about who was responsible for a particular deed, and he certainly will not ask direct questions about it. He will, however, have to be more careful to keep his unconscience from tainting his words.
Besides, as Valdor so succinctly put it, there are enough problems to deal with in the here and now.
"My apologies," Jus says with a slight bow towards Valdor. "It was not my intent to slight you with those words. I intended to reflect my believe that many statues have been and will one day be erected in your honor."
Perhaps that will be enough; being that it is also the truth should help. It's a little disappointing though, that even leaving for a short "vacation" won't let Jus relax and have fun anymore.
Something seems to have released in his mind. Jus' mind starts racing along many paths.
"You are likely right, Nonam," Jus admits. "It's been too long since I've seriously studied magic, but the absence of Woldsblood would be an obvious tie to what's happened here."
"Once, long ago, the Three of us where in a land full of Woldsblood. I remember the draw of it, the pull to touch a stream... even just one drop..." Jus' eyes drift as he remembers that time, that yearning. Although its been years, he still feels that desire when he thinks about it. But now there is no Woldsblood around. Maybe.
"Witches carry Woldsblood, don't they?" Jus walks over to the Golem and looks at it closely. "We know it can be contained and used for spells, possibly to control life and death."
"People are still born and die here, don't they?" Jus asks the halflings as he walks around the Golem, stopping once again at its front.
"Do you mind?" Jus asks, with his hand poised over where its heart would be. If the Golem doesn't seem to object, Jus slowly brings his hand closer and closer to the Golem, trying to feel anything drawing him. If nothing happens, Jus then touches the Golems chest.
Valdor Thursday May 10th, 2007 10:49:40 AM
Valdor responds to Jus,"My apologies. I misread what you were saying. Maybe we're all just too tense. I really never thought about any statues with me on it. Anyway,I think the unused tower is a good place to start. Plus, there's obviously a reason there are no footprints approaching it.
Mordrid, can you cover our tracks up to the building so noone wonders why someone went in it?"
He turns and walks as lightly as possible towards the unused tower. He holds his hand out to Dahlia, inviting her to check for traps. While they wait for her to do their thing, he says to Jus, Nonam, and Onrad,"I think you should know that Latheise is dead and before we could kill him, he killed Lady Solara. I know you all knew her, and even though she was a black dragon, she cared about Floating City and was a pretty good person."
Nonam Thursday May 10th, 2007 1:36:05 PM
Nonam sits and thinks about Woldsblood and Jus. He mutters to himself a good bit and seems on the verge of saying something a time or two, but he never says anything about it.
Dahlia d20+25=42 d20+25=40 d20+25=37 d20+25=47 d20+25=41 d20+25=37 d20+35=54 d20+35=46 d20+35=40 d20+35=39 d20+35=53 Thursday May 10th, 2007 11:30:22 PM
Making her way to the tower she periodically checks for things on the way and once there carefully inspects the entry and the surrounding area immediately infront of the entry. If she finds anything she will move everyone else back as she attempts to disarm it/them.
Search checks: DC 42,40,37,47,41,37 Disable checks: DC 54, 46, 40, 39, 53
Nick Friday May 11th, 2007 1:38:53 AM
Nick looks at Ve uneasily as the date on the statue becomes apparent. He stands, walks up to Valdor, and says quietly - "That statue's date is over 170 years ahead of where we're supposed to be, and it's covered in the grime of ages past. If that date is correct, we are not 30 years ahead, we're much, much more."
DM Jan Friday May 11th, 2007 2:15:20 AM Lathiese AND Solara. Both parents now dead. No wonder Keiran was having nightmares.
The construct makes no move to obstruct Jus as the elf approaches. The metallic shell feels slightly warm to the touch. There is indeed an aura of magic surrounding it. The polished, elegant metal head looks down. "Can you feel me? Embedded in this creature? Do you want my energy, too?" asks the imprisoned elemental. "Others have tried the union, I think. They did not survive. Better that you find this 'woldsblood'."
"What are those dark things?" Wentworth asks, pointing toward the building that Dahlia is carefully approaching. And in answer to that -
Dahlia can see nothing suspicious as she approaches the old building that has the huge eye carved above it's doorway. Right now, hers are the only footprints. Gargul's eye seems sightless as she steps closer, and its perfectly reasonable to assume there will be no magical traps, either. However, about five steps from the doorway, the shadows descend. All those small flitting things, previously wheeling like bats, now converge on the halfling en masse. They touch - drifting past her fingers and cheekbones and suddenly she knows. They are the dead. And although they seem harmless, and Dahlia suffers no pain, they are overwhelming, blocking out sight and hearing with their clamour for attention.
Loss, fear, anger, hopelessness, despair, these souls of the dead, having no way to reach the Isles of Rest, are crowded around this tomb, around Gargul's place of worship, for where else was there to go? People are born here, yes, and they die. Oh yes...
To the others, she looks to be under attack of some kind.
Amarth takes flight and starts squawking in alarm.
Ve Mundr Friday May 11th, 2007 9:01:56 AM
Ve returns Nick's look and his jaw tightens and his lips thin. Ve will move to stand with Nick as he talks to Valdor. Ve adds, "Not to sound petty, but I do not wish to set up base camp at a former temple to Gargul." Commotion from the location catches his attention and Ve is moving towards Dahlia as quickly as can.
Ve ignores the spirits and thier meaning for the time being and simply moves through scopping Dahilia up and using his body as a shield to exit the area.
Valdor d20+37=52 d20+32=50 d20+27=31 Friday May 11th, 2007 10:54:43 AM
Valdor replies to Ve,"Me either, but what better than a place noone enters? If we can find another place, then we will. But for now, at least noone should bother us while we search the town for clues on how the Woldsblood has been silenced."
When the shadows "attack" Dahlia, Valdor draws his sword and moves in to attack while Ve gets her away, forgetting that his weapon porbably will have no effect.
Onrad Friday May 11th, 2007 11:11:09 AM
Onrad tumbles forward to protect Ve's flank. He draws his rapier and backs up with them.
"What is that?"
Jerry Friday May 11th, 2007 12:47:34 PM
We're winding up in the Nook folks. So please go post and let everyone know your preferences for who we invite, in what order, and how.
Jus Friday May 11th, 2007 3:47:08 PM
Jus begins to draw his sword and go fight the creatures that are attacking Dahlia. Then he realizes that due to their sheer numbers and the thickness of their cover, Jus may hit Dahlia instead. Besides, like gnats on a hot summer day, it is unlikely a swing of the sword will disturb them much. A bow seems even less useful against so many that are so little.
Perhaps just our numbers may help drive them off. Jus gets closer, with the others, but stays a little behind. Instead of fighting, Jus draws his bow and keeps an eye out for someone approaching. If anyone is nearby, there's a good chance they'll notice the bats are no longer at the top of the tower.
Nonam Saturday May 12th, 2007 12:57:58 AM
Nonam hopes that the shadows have the capacity for communication and says, "We're here to help find a way to get you to the Lands of Rest, but we don't know what's keeping you from there. Do any of you know? If you can help us, we can help you find the place where you belong."
Posting Report for Monday May 14th, 2007 7:00:32 AM
Game # 1 The Platinum Dragons For the week of May 7,2007
Mordrid Monday May 14th, 2007 11:00:28 AM
As commanded, Mordrid atempts to cover any trace of their passing. It comes as a much more physical task than he is used to, without the aid of god in nature.
He stops short when a visual commotion comes all around Dahlia; yearning to aid her, but not really knowing how. He could only pray that they weren't feeding on her.
Onrad Monday May 14th, 2007 1:04:45 PM
Onrad continues to guard Ve's flank, not that he needs it.
He keeps wide eyes on the souls before him. Hoping they will respond to Nonam.
Ve Mundr Monday May 14th, 2007 3:54:00 PM
Ve, with Dahlia, moves away from the building 30' before depositting her and spinning in place to fully access any pursuit. The souls moving about the tower, things have taken on a far greater importance and far more dire consequences to failure. Nonma is trying to communicate, and perhaps he will succeed, Ve says a small prayer.
Dahlia Monday May 14th, 2007 5:04:14 PM
Startled at first by the sudden onset of the shades as they surround her, she starts to go for her weapons when she realizes they aren't attacking her. She is trying to gather her thoughts and try to communicate with them when Ve charges in and carries her off.
Nick Monday May 14th, 2007 6:37:02 PM
"Dahlia!" Nick exclaims, as the halfling almost disappears, surrounded as she is by these things. He gives a sigh of relief as Ve wades into the fray.
DM Jan Monday May 14th, 2007 7:17:43 PM
The small form of Wentworth is staring up at Valdor and Ve as they discuss the merits of entering the Gargul temple. "Gargul is scary," he offers, "but if there's no one inside, we'd be able to get Below in there without being detected. There's always access between Above and Below, even if there isn't supposed to be. Everyone has a back doo - oooooh!" He grabs the arm of his brother and stands and stares, as Ve, and then Valdor dash toward the doorway of the temple, quickly followed by Onrad.
Ve pulls Dahlia away from the cloud of dark, flitting things, and in doing so, he too, along with Valdor and Onrad, become briefly surrounded as the things swirl like large insects around them. It feels creepy and unnerving to be surrounded by the dead, despite their innocuous form. And their agitation and distress can certainly be felt. At the edge, Nonam, Mordrid, Nick, Cori and Jus also get a taste of it. Little wonder there is no foot traffic at this particular spot. Everyone finds their heads full of whispers, of longing, of despair, of hopelessness, and above all - why, why, why?
Nonam's attempts at communication appear to bear no fruit, although... his attention keeps being drawn beyond this picket line of the dead, toward the entrance of the temple.
Jus stays on watch, bow at the ready. Right now he can see no movement coming from the other, larger tower, or the wide alley that leads into the Above part of the City. However, it's beginning to get dark, and the shadows are deepening.
Mordrid is doing a fine job of covering the trail, or at least he was, until the skirmish involving getting Dahlia away from the floating dead souls.
Corialote and Amarth Monday May 14th, 2007 11:17:42 PM
Cori's hand drops to the hilt of her rapier but she does not pull it. She looks to poor Amarth and tries to get him to come back to her. His sense to things that are not natural are much higher than most and she fears for him even more now, than before. "I am not sure that Amarth will survive this." Her words are spoken more to herself than anyone else.
[Been fighting a nasty case of sinus cold, medication and maybe a migraine all rolled into one.]
((~~Jan~~ Sorry to hear that, Jim. I thought your comp had blown! ))
Valdor d20+18=31 Monday May 14th, 2007 11:35:51 PM
Seeing there is no danger from attack, only of standing still, Valdor tells the shades,"If you'll let us pass and then keep everything else away, we'll try to find a way to get you to the Lands of Rest. I'm going anyway, but you will help yourselves by staying here and being sentinels for us."
He sheathes his swords and walks toward the entry, understanding their distres, but thinking about his group's well being and his concern for Cori and Amarth overcoming any despair those souls might impart to him.
Jus Tuesday May 15th, 2007 12:49:00 AM
Jus keeps watching guard, but makes his way towards the Golem. Jus glances at the Golems eyes, or what seems to be them, looking for any sign of the life trapped inside. "It's quite strange knowing you are alive, trapped in there. Your words and the constructs actions appear to be two separate wills."
Jus stands beside the Golem, looking around and glancing up at the tower. Nodding towards the door, Jus asks, "If Valdor can't get through the door with all those souls flitting about, would you be willing to try?"
"Oh, one more thing," Jus says to the Golem, or, truly, to the elemental within. "What is this merge you talked about earlier?"
Ve Mundr Tuesday May 15th, 2007 2:31:16 PM
Ve visually goes over Dahlia, she seemd unhurt, he himself was not physically hurt and so he goes with the assumption his visual scan of her on her condition. "Access to Below is likely what we want Dahlia." Ve starts towards the tower and offers, "Any ideas on How to locate Crow? It's a much bigger Wold nowadays."
Nonam Tuesday May 15th, 2007 3:58:31 PM
Nonam follows Valdor toward the temple entrance. He tries to ignore the spirits as best he can and focus on the entrance itself.
As he goes, the wizard remarks to no one in particular, "You know, I rather enjoy this. It's more of an academic exercise than what we usually get. It's gotten me thinking a bit about the nature of magic."
Then Nonam shifts trains of thought and asks, "Config, do you have any experience with damage to the shell? If Valdor cracked your prison, do you think it would lose it's hold over you? For instance, and don't take this the wrong way, if he hacked at this shell with an admantium blade, he might cut through your cage enough that you could escape."
Onrad Tuesday May 15th, 2007 4:12:58 PM
Onrad rolls his eyes at Nonam's comment and takes the rear guard with Mordrid since Ve Mundr and Valdor have the front well in hand.
He nods at Mordrid and grins walking in backwards after the rest follow.
"Uh, Mordrid? Is this what being a Dragon is all about?"
Mordrid Tuesday May 15th, 2007 5:55:40 PM
Mordrid continues at the task of covering their tracks, when Onrad approaches the rear. He responds, "in essence... minus power and all the other stuff."
He jigs back at Onrad, after over-hearing Ve, "maybe you should tell them that Crow's home might be a good starting point."
Dahlia Tuesday May 15th, 2007 9:48:02 PM
"Well that was interesting." As Ve asks his questions she thinks for a moment. Well I am fairly sure I can find our way down. As for finding Crow, I say we ask Config. He said he could sense him."
"Hey Config, You mentioned before that you could snse the creator of your shell before. Do you sense him here and now and if so where?"
Nick Tuesday May 15th, 2007 11:07:49 PM
After giving a sigh of relief about Dahlia, Nick approaches the two halflings. "When you said we were to go ahead thirty years - were you sure?" He points. "That statue back there..."
Mordrid Tuesday May 15th, 2007 11:32:21 PM
"I don't think these two know anything," as the ranger thumbs back towards the daft haflings.
DM Jan Tuesday May 15th, 2007 11:49:50 PM
Wentworth and Tommy cast an uneasy glance back toward the decapitated statue as Nick asks his question. "Well, we assumed it was thirty years," says Wentworth. "It was a bit of a guess, maybe there's an exponential element in the equation. But we saw all this when we came before." "Will you speak common, please?" Tommy grumbles at his brother.
Amarth flies down and settles uneasily on Cori's shoulder as the group advance. His eye dart about, and his feathers are pulled tightly in around himself, so that he looks about half as big as usual.
"I see no obstacle that prevents us entering this building," Config answers Jus. " And the merge? Do you mean the union between Elemental and and a humanoid?" Dahlia's answer is in the form of a gesture, as it's arm and metallic fingers point back out into the wilds, back toward the rails, and to the north west. But what actually lies in that particular direction? Most of the Dragons should know. All these questions are fielded as the construct follows everyone toward the temple. Until Nonam suggests damaging its metal shell. It grinds to a halt and regards the wizard for a long movement. "You would be prepared to do this?" it asks. "Destruction of this metal shell would free me. Communication between us after this would be difficult, however."
As the group approach the temple, Ve's torch illuminates the entrance and to a lesser extent, some of it's interior. Inside there appear to be stone columns, what could well be an altar, with a figure slumped at the foot of it, clutching a book.
Nonam Wednesday May 16th, 2007 9:39:27 AM
"Config, I am able to speak the terran language of earth elementals. My knowledge of it is largely academic, but if you have the capacity to speak terran in your natural form, then I should be able to understand you. Even with a communication barrier, I wouldn't want you to be enslaved longer than you have to, and I appologize that I didn't think of this sooner. Plus having a free earth elemental with us could be of immense benefit. I assume that you would still wish to help us free the rest of your people. How much damage would we have to do to the shell?"
Onrad Wednesday May 16th, 2007 1:09:08 PM
Onrad nods at Mordrid watching the area casually.
He smiles at Nonam's wisdom and benevolence. He gets wistful.
::I guess we've grown up in spite of ourselves.::
Ve Mundr d20+11=17 d20+13=32 Wednesday May 16th, 2007 5:21:07 PM
Ve moves into the room and towards the figure, torch out and just above his eye level in his right hand. His hammer is stowed and his shield in his left hand. Ve strides to about 15' and then slows to smaller steps and slightly hunched, bringing his posture to the mans level, seeking out his eyes with his own. "I am Ve Mundr, preist of Domi and Protector of Wold's people." Ve sets the lantern down and slides onto his haunches. With his right hand he lifts the visor on his full helm to better see the figure and ascertain his condition. [Spot 17]
If alive but hurt, Ve calls Father Nicholas forward and begins triage. [Heal 32]
Corialote and Amarth Wednesday May 16th, 2007 10:17:26 PM
Cori gently caresses the feathers of her familiar with tender love. She was not liking this at all and the fact that she brought Amarth was starting to weight heavily upon her. So much so that she was not catching all the conversation around her. Though she does have the sense to follow the group as they move.
Valdor Thursday May 17th, 2007 12:35:59 AM
Valdor makes sure they close the door upon the group entering. He follows Ve up to the figure with the book. His hand is on his sword hilt, but he's really not concerned about the cleric's health. He knows he can fend for himself. He looks up at the ceiling and all around the room while Ve tries to figure out if the figure is dead or alive.
Nick Thursday May 17th, 2007 12:55:25 AM
Nick nods at Mordrid and has a hard time preventing himself from rolling his eyes. Alemi only knew 'when' they were, right now.
It feels odd walking into a Gargul temple. It was normal to feel a presence in any temple, but now...
Pushing his unease away, he helps Ve attend the fallen figure.
DM Jan Thursday May 17th, 2007 1:37:04 AM
Right inside the entrance of the temple is an open, plain set of double doors (which can be closed), and the vaulted room beyond reveals nothing in the way of embellishment. It is typical of a Gargul temple, where the very idea of ornamentation seems at odds with the fundamentals of life, death and their aftermath.
A plain stone carving of an eye looks down at everyone from the altar at the far end. There are a few benches at either side. To the right looks to be an open doorway to an anteroom. Shadows hide the remaining features of this place - shadows that look particularly deep beyond the altar.
As Ve's lantern light bathes the face of the fallen figure, it reveals a desiccated, hollow-cheeked visage. The man's body is curled slightly, as if, in life, it has fallen asleep. There is no obvious evidence of harm. The corpse seems intact. Fingers of bone, partially covered in skin are lovingly cradling what looks like a parchment journal.
The dead souls have not followed the group inside.
Config's heavier footsteps throw up low clouds of dust. "A significant amount of damage - the removal of the head and a limb or two," says the construct, answering Nonam's question. "It may try to defend itself. If I help, there is a danger I will wrest myself from the creature's magic of my own accord. This might cause a rent between planes. Which we must avoid." Despite the flat vocals, there appears to be an inflection of interest in the golem's voice, that wasn't there before.
Both halflings are cowering behind the wolf-cloaked ranger, his apparent derision nothing compared to how they feel about their current surroundings. "This place is creepy," says Tommy.
Jus Thursday May 17th, 2007 1:49:28 AM
Jus enters, if there is room left on the other side. He half expects the flitting souls to follow the group inside.
Noticing Onrad's smile, Jus has to say, with a smile of his own, "Not quite the flaming madman he used to be, is he?"
Nonam Thursday May 17th, 2007 12:27:15 PM
Without magic to occupy himself, Nonam speaks to everything and everyone at once. To Onrad and Jus, "I don't recall ever supporting slavery, and I'm still for dropping the halflings in a hole. I quite agree with Mordrid on their utility." To Config, "The head? Are you willing to risk that?" And with a gesture toward the parchment, "Is someone going to read that?" He walks over to take it, "I hope the corpse doesn't jump off the table. I hate when that happens."
Onrad Thursday May 17th, 2007 12:42:49 PM
Onrad solemnly nods at Nonam. "Yes, my friend. I know."
Onrad scampers towards the altar and the far end of the main room to check it out, looking for danger and failing that, things of interest.
"Someone check out that anteroom."
Dahlia d20+30=37 d20+30=35 d20+30=42 d20+30=42 Thursday May 17th, 2007 4:50:08 PM
"I've got the Ante room Onrad." Dahlia answers as she heads off that way to see what there is to see.
spot DCs 37,35,42,42
Nick Friday May 18th, 2007 12:26:46 AM
"I wonder what happened to him? I wonder who he was?" Nick muses aloud about the dead man. As a matter of habit, a prayer is on his lips before he realizes it may not be heard. He attempts to take a closer look at the man's garments. Was he a Gargulian priest?
DM Jan Friday May 18th, 2007 1:35:46 AM
the dead man is draped in rotting fabric. The remains of a robe, which suggests either a cleric or a wizard. If touched, the cloth crumbles like dried leaves.
As Dahlia takes a look inside the anteroom, she can make out another doorway to the left of her, and straight ahead, the beginnings of a stairwell leading down. The light from Ve's lantern only ventures so far.
As Onrad takes a look at the rear of the altar, the wall behind it seems to recede into blackness, and he feels a slight breeze blowing toward him.
One of the corpse's hands snaps off at the wrist and falls with a clatter as Nonam retrieves the parchment journal. Lantern light reveals solid, steady script on the final page -
Blessed Gargul, what has befallen us? We failed to stem the tide of Crow's madness, and were ill equipped to escape the web of evil, spun so deftly by the denizens of Mount Bone. How firmly it held us, and how far-reaching it was, until the entire Wold languished in the embrace of that terrible war. That both these horrors were born on Izen soil drives a poisoned dagger into my very soul. How did this land become so cursed? Cursed enough for Marteaus to unleash his own brand of madness.
Did we deserve this? Did the Wold? Did you deserve to be shunned in the aftermath? We tried to keep faith alive. We all did. But our people were deeply wounded, and renounced us all and enacted their revenge. Few of us managed to escape the burnings. Has this lack of faith been the cause your slumber? And what of magic? Why did it fail so soon after your silence?
I see you have left the way open. Ah, I am old, I am weary, and I need to rest. I will start the journey on the morrow. And we shall talk of faith. And I shall bow before you.
Onrad Friday May 18th, 2007 10:23:10 AM
Onrad, puzzled about the look of the wall behind the altar, decides to add some light to the situation.
He looks around for some sconces and torches. He'll pull torches out of his own supplies if needed and lay torches around on the floor if he can find no place to put them properly. He holds off on lighting them for a sec, thinking of a first step.
"Would someone with darkvision check out this back wall please?"
Satisfied that someone will come, he continues his preparations for lighting the temple. Once the back wall is checked out by someone with greater ability than he, he starts lighting torches, etc.
Ve Mundr d20+11=13 Friday May 18th, 2007 12:13:34 PM
Ve reads over Nonam's shoulder the parchment aloud. "I wonder if he started and made it this far, or if he never began. I think we should assume he began and the trail took him here. We will pick it up and continue for this opening mentioned." The fact that is stared in Izen does not sit well with Ve as his conclusion is Borden and the ill concieved ressurection that brought the orc back. That particular thought, however, Ve Mundr keeps to himself.
Ve glances over at Onrad, none of them were dwarves, there would be no darkvision, but this would occur to the man soon enough. No need to publically embarrass him by mentioning it.
"Father Nicholas? perhaps we can determine how long ago he passed." Assuming Nick has more skill than himself, Ve Aid's him. [Aid Another Heal 13 adds +2 to Father Nick's Heal Check]
Nonam Friday May 18th, 2007 12:29:21 PM
Nonam reads the message and says, "He was pretty flowery for a guy who was dying. I assume that he was speaking of the trail to the afterlife. Did he kill himself? Anyway, it won't hurt to look for a physical trail... So, where's Crow, what did Marteaus unleash, and what was it the people did? And what happened to the magic? And why are we trying to fix the future? Didn't they have some heroes of their own?"
Does Nonam's darkvision work? It's permanent, but he received it through magic.
Valdor Friday May 18th, 2007 2:21:01 PM
Valdor makes sure there are no windows around the temple where lights could be seen shining through. If there are windows, he'll point that out to Onrad before he lights very many torches.
After Nonam reads the material on the scroll, Valdor says,"Well, Crow is either living underground here, or possibly in Mount Bone, from the sounds of it. How bad will it be if Marteaus is still around and his followers still have access to spells, but none of the others are still around t help us. They would rule the Wold for sure. We should search below first, then, if we can't find him, we should head to Mount Bone.
But, first we should get this shell off of our friend here. However, we should move deeper into the temple before attempting it, as it's likely to make a lot of noise and e don't want to attract any unwanted attention to ourselves."
Taking a torch, he moves back towards the back of the room.
Nick d20+19=29 Friday May 18th, 2007 7:06:20 PM
Heal Check DC 29
Nick crouches alongside the body and examines it as best he can, while the others discuss the writings on the parchment. He looks at face, eyes, skin texture, hair, clothing, any obvious wounds, tears, nearby daggers or poison bottles. He's not an expert at examining the dead, but he does his best.
"There's only one thing Marteaus is good at, and that's disease," he adds to the conversation at one point, "maybe that's what happened to all the heroes."
Jus Saturday May 19th, 2007 6:36:37 AM
"Config," Jus asks, "would you survive being released? Unless Crow trapped all the elementals, wouldn't any of those left seek to free you?"
Jus nears the darkness behind the dead priest, trying to pick up the breeze Onrad felt, and its possible source. He awaits Dahlia's report, although heading farther into the temple isn't as tempting as entering the darkness that the priest seems to guard.
Jus glances around, surprised that he didn't notice any of those lost souls flitting in with them. When the door opened, he expected them all to pour in.
Dahlia d20+23=42 d20+37=47 d20+29=37 Saturday May 19th, 2007 3:22:18 PM
Finding the doorway and the stair, Dahlia makes a quick report back via her bluetooth.
Valdor, guys, I have found another door and a stairway down in here. I am now checking out the other doorway.
Search DC 42 Disable DC 47 Open Lock DC 37
Mordrid Saturday May 19th, 2007 5:29:11 PM
Stepping into the conversation, "It may be wise if Config stayed inside his shell for now. If released, he could be sent back to his plane, or worse he could be summoned to serve somewhere else, and our guide would be lost; not to mention it has made mention several times to the possibilty of catastrophic failure if two planes merge."
Corialote and Amarth Saturday May 19th, 2007 10:03:58 PM
Cori perks up and heads in the direction of Onrad. "My darkvision is naturally a part of my heritage so it seems to be fine." She will glance to the wall and beyond, reporting what she sees to the man that is standing there.
She had not been privy to the scroll as she had not read it and was not listening too well if it was read outloud.
Thinking back to something that she just said she wonders if her given abilities still work here. Without a thought she tries to use a simple spell that almost all drow can use...prestidigitation to clean up an area of the floor.
Posting Reports for Monday May 21st, 2007 6:01:08 AM
Game # 1 The Platinum Dragons For the week of May 14,2007
Name-----MTWTF DM Jan H-XXXXX Valdore--XOXXX Modrid---XXOOOS Fr.Nick--XXXX2 Dalia----XXOXOS VE Mont--XXXOX Coralots-XOXOOS Nonam----XXOXX Jus------XXOXOS Onrad----XXXXX
Adm Ceil
Onrad Monday May 21st, 2007 11:50:00 AM
Onrad nods seriously at those who are examining the mysterious far wall.
Then he hears Dahlia and trots over to assist her.
He glances at the body, sees all the dragons examining it and discussing it and thinks...
::plenty working on that. not my area of expertise. keep assisting where you can, onrad. keep moving and then you don't have to think about these circumstances too much. I don't think we know the half of what we're going to face here yet. you're talking to yourself again. I know.::
Ve Mundr Monday May 21st, 2007 4:22:26 PM
Ve agrees with Mordrid, "I recall Config mentioning the destruction of planes and everything as well. As much as I would like to 'free' him, doing so might free us all."
DM Jan Monday May 21st, 2007 10:35:13 PM
Torches in the sconces on the temple walls have rotted and fallen to shreds and splinters, so Onrad has to array a set of torches of his own, in order to give everyone more light.
In the meantime, Cori, Nonam and Jus approach the wall at the rear of the altar. Jus feels the dry breeze, carrying a faint scent of decay, and it comes from the direction of the wall, as though there were a gap in it, with a breeze from outside coming through. Nonam's darksight isn't as sharp as he'd like, suggesting the enhancement is dormant. Still, there's a sense of space ahead. Cori's natural vision is able to pick up an area in the centre of the wall that is vague - incoherent - there's a roughly circular portion of the wall that just isn't there. The boundry of that circle, roughly 8 feet in diameter, is ragged at the edges, where stone appears to have crumbled. A tunnel? With the exception of the breeze and total darkness, nothing ventures forth from it.
Valdor checks for windows. There are none, and the doors are now closed. Onrad lights his torches and goes to help Dahlia search the anteroom and beyond. The stairwell Dahlia intitally discovered in the anteroom appears to lead down to a cellar and/or the City 'Below'. To the left of this room, Dahlia and Onrad discover two smaller rooms, and going off the decrepit furniture contained within, it's probably a good estimate that these two were used for sleeping, food prep, maybe bathing. There are no exits from these particular rooms.
Back in the main hall, dried flesh crumbles against Nick's hands, and the entire skeleton of the corpse is now threatening to collapse into a pile of bones. A two-hundred year old lich would be in better shape than this. This man, whoever he was, has laid in death at the base of this alter for many years. None of his bones are broken, and there are no weapons in evidence, or poison bottles. He appears to have died peacefully, going off what's left of his facial expression.
Config's head switches between Ve, Valdor and Mordrid. The halflings are also hovering close by, figuring that in a spooky place such as this, then Valdor, Mordrid, Ve, Nick and the construct are very good company. "If I remain dormant, and do not try to give aid in this attempt to free me, then it is unlikely that a breach of planes will occur," it says with its usual lack of emotion. "Would your decision to free me now change as I tell you that while in control of this metal casing, I may able to decieve other constructs? This may be useful to you, or it may not. I want to be free of this. It seems a choice has to be made."
It now becomes obvious that part of the rear wall of the temple is missing. The flickering blaze from the torches gives everyone else a better view of their surroundings, not to mention a little heat - a boon in a darkening night that is growing cold.
And there, carved in stone, the giant eye on the altar looks down, reminding everyone just exactly what this place is.
Valdor d20+11=23 d20+11=13 d20+11=17 d20+11=15 d20+11=25 Tuesday May 22nd, 2007 12:00:19 AM
Valdor thinks for a minute and replies to Config,"I would like to see what happens upon your release, but you bring up a great point. We will leave you as you are, unless it hurts you to stay as such. It is quite possible that you will be able to aid us in our task better in your current state."
Valdor "feels" the eye as though its upon them and says,"Well, Gargul, if you still are able to hear us but you just can't respond, you are really going to owe us after this one when we succeed. If you could make some +5 long swords appear that will work in this time it would help. Or, just look around at your empty temple."
He checks around the bottom of the altar to see if it moves. Even if he can't see anything, he'll make an effort to push it in each direction, just in case it moves one way but not another.
Mordrid Tuesday May 22nd, 2007 1:03:43 AM
Ve agrees ; Config adds ; Valdor decides ; Mordrid adds a point on it...
"And empathizing with Config, I was not prepaired to enter this plane as a baby; nor am I so prepaired to leave this plane as an old man. Somehow our spirits are not so willing to leave one plane for the next."
Mordrid turns around to the casters in the group, "so remember that the next time you try summoning something."
The ranger can't help but notice the majority of the group is drawn towards the darkness at the front of the temple. This causes hair on his arms to rise. These are worthy people that are capable of sensing things beyond his senses.
He steps aside to get a better angle, to lay fire support for his venturing friends.
Dahlia Tuesday May 22nd, 2007 6:26:07 AM
Having checked out the rooms Ingrge informs the others.
"Ok All, we have the way below, you want Onrad and I to scout it out or are we all going together?"
Nonam Tuesday May 22nd, 2007 9:24:31 AM
Nonam looks at Mordrid, "I have no skill in conjuration magic. It is in opposition to the transmutation I specialize in. I've never summoned so much as a boot."
Then to the rest of the group, "Gods know, I'm not usually one to pronounce moral judgments, but leaving Config encased is wrong. We can let him out, and we should do so. Plus, wouldn't you like to know what happens to one of these bound elementals when you damage their casing. Suppose you have to fight one? Will you tickle it with feathers? You all brought those adamantium swords for a reason. I can only assume that you planned to fight these enslaved sentient beings that have seemingly been dubbed "constructs." Will you lop a limb or two off of the first one you engage in combat? That has a greater liklihood of merging planes than attempting to release Config now."
Onrad Tuesday May 22nd, 2007 10:38:32 AM
"Dahlia, my thought is that we do not want to get too spread out. What do you think?
Onrad begins to borrow torches from the others. "I think I'm getting a torch obsession." He starts lighting the side rooms for something to do and to help secure the stairs.
"I guess we just became the most competent basic guards in the Wold, Dahlia." Onrad deadpans the statement.
Onrad picks up on pieces of the conversation with the elemental.
"Valdor, assure our elemental friend that we will release him when the time is right. Give our word on that. And make sure he knows we do call him friend. It is a decision."
[Private note: Steve Hott, I sent you an email about our Consortium plans and results several days ago. Please check and respond. ;)]
Ve Mundr d20+13=29 d20+13=21 Tuesday May 22nd, 2007 1:15:16 PM
Ve leans back on his haunches at the Gargul Priest. "Probably before the fall of Dirt City then which makes the open gateway mentioned in the journal most irrelavent as it likely no longer exists." Ve stands and picks up the lantern and motions his head towards the hole in the back wall. "Shall we then?"
Unlikely a breech will occur Not the most resounding of confident statements in the mind of the cleric of Domi. Ve moves to the gaping hole in the wall and thrusts the lantern through near one side by the floor. It had to go somewhere. He wasn't nearly on edge as some of the others he felt. The abscence of magic and the precense of Domi was certainly keen on his soul, but the precepts and a life of living by those teachings kept him more calm than he might have imagined. This was a land devoid of magic both arcane and divine. Which actually made him feel more secure, WYSIWYG. A strange phrase he had once heard, but it seemed to apply here quite well.
Looking over to Nonam, "The earth elemental better serves the Wold within the construct and for the betterment of the Wold, he should remain there until that ceases to be true." Ve turns back to the whole with that said and steps through to the next area of the temple, assuming of course the lantern revealed a floor to step too.
As he moves the cleric begins talking out loud agin to no one, but himself "Need to find the scroll vaults or some more writings to corroborate whatwe just found. Our little jump just became enormous. We are not 30 years or even 300 years from where we were yesterday. We need to get this Crow and return to our time. Now Armies and wars scoured the entire Wold. Crow is not in that ramshackle of a house in Down Below and has not been for 300 years if the building still stands. I very much doubht it does. We need more current information and the historical record up to the fall would provide that. If IT even still exists seeing as the city fell hundreds of years ago. Winners tend to rewrite things but even that would be better than nothing."
The cleric moves about the new area witht the lantern hoping to light up something of interest in this regard. spot 29
Nick Tuesday May 22nd, 2007 11:36:02 PM
Nick stands up slowly. "It's almost as if he died in his sleep," he says. "No obvious signs of violence. He did write that he was weary..."
He trails off, blinking in the torchlight.
I see you have left the way open.
Just what in Alemi's name did that mean?
DM Jan Wednesday May 23rd, 2007 1:04:40 AM
Three paths appear to await the Dragons -
Below - Mount Bone - the yawning hole behind the altar. Which of these will yield answers? All of them? None? One? Maybe two?
The stone altar refuses to bow to Valdor's considerable strength. It sits there, stubborn and solid in this crumbling place, a testament to things long gone. Or does it merely wait? Resolute in it's faith that all is not yet lost?
Config lapses into silence, seemingly ambivalent about it's immediate future. And yet its inability to convey much in the way of emotion makes it difficult to tell just exactly what its true feelings are on the subject of its own freedom.
Taking his lantern, Ve Mundr steps into the mouth of the hole in the rear wall. What is he expecting to see? The logical answer would be the one he has already voiced - records - books, scrolls, historical scripts that might give more clues.
But what he sees before him defies that logic. For the tunnel extends ahead into the gloom, perfectly round, it's walls of the same crumbled rock. Everyone has seen the exterior of this building. It had a set of finite dimensions, and yet - the lantern's light suggests the tunnel ahead goes on beyond, into a darkness that is not the upper part of the City.
But where does it lead? It doesn't make any sense. Or does it?
Mordrid Wednesday May 23rd, 2007 1:07:08 AM
The ranger nods in agreement with Ve, regarding the immediate future of the construct. When Ve further expounds upon the groups current place in time, Mordrid points to the north.
"Mount Bone."
"Although it would appear there may be information straight ahead."
"I would think twice before allowing the construct to go beyond the gaping hole behind the alter."
The ranger knows too well the dimensions of the building. Two planes entering a third sounds alarming.
"Config... stay here for now."
Valdor Wednesday May 23rd, 2007 11:44:58 AM
Valdor nods at Mordrid's assessment and says,"I think it would be a good idea for him to stay with our two halfling friends here. If someone enters and you have to hide, then enter it. We'll face the consequences then...if there are any. However, let's examine this location thoroughly before we go to Mount Bone. If we are ineed several hundred years into the future, then how is Crow still alive? There is oviously still some magic here."
He turns his thoughts back to Config and asks,"Can you feel any pull toward the hole here? Can you feel Crow's presence at all? And lastly, have you seen any other elementals removed from their shells by force and, if so, what happened to them?"
Onrad Wednesday May 23rd, 2007 12:51:13 PM
Onrad shrugs at Mordrid showing his ambivilance about which location to choose.
He stays by the side chamber and watches the others, ready to help if needed.
::yawn::
Nonam Wednesday May 23rd, 2007 1:34:44 PM
Nonam scowls and waits for Valdor to decide what to do.
Ve Mundr Wednesday May 23rd, 2007 2:18:42 PM
Ve glances back to Mordrid, a smile in his eyes and lips, though the latter is disguised by the helm the Protector wears. He and the ranger had come a long way in understanding, really all of them. Such was the usual way, the cleric mentally noted, regarding heroes of long careers. Roads are often strewn with many boulders in the first few months. Ve turns his full attention back to the hole and with a silent prayer to Domi, Ve strides through and down the tunnel.
Jus Wednesday May 23rd, 2007 3:33:38 PM
Jus listens to everyone voice their thoughts and concerns. He leans towards going into this hole that shouldn't be, so is glad to see others start that way.
Dahlia Wednesday May 23rd, 2007 8:26:24 PM
Dahlia shrugs as Onrad mentions not getting to spread out and then thinks again.
"You know with our magic not working, you're probably correct. Of course that may be why Valdor hasn't responded to us, because the earings aren't working. well shall we head back and report to them then?"
Nick Thursday May 24th, 2007 1:33:36 AM
Nick approaches the two halflings. "Valdor's probably correct. We don't know what's down there, and if it's some kind of planer barrier, then we really need to be careful." He looks at Config. "Will you three be all right while we investigate?"
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