Nick Valentine (AC 36, HP 147 Shield of Law, Stoneskin from Cori) Monday August 20th, 2007 10:31:04 PM
Nick holds his position outside, using airwalk and staying close to the wall. He'll move when Mordrid's got to safety.
He can't see any spells going off upstairs, and the carpet has just gone inside, so he's thinking everyone has upstairs under control.
Mordrid Tuesday August 21st, 2007 12:44:37 AM
Deciding that enough is enough, Mordrid turns and jumps out the window; he acticates his Armor of the Celestial Battalion, and flies upward.
It is good to see Nick there waiting.
"Come on Nick. Let's join the others."
DM Jan Tuesday August 21st, 2007 1:23:40 AM
Onrad grapples the boy, pinning him very effectively. There's no resistance, due to the Hold. His eyes are still black, but they look dull, and flat, and his mouth is slack. Double checking, Jus finds that his Feeble spell discharged, right after the boy stopped talking, in fact.
(My bad if I interpreted that wrong, John.)
But, who is he?
Crow still looks paniced until the carpet arrives with someone who he recognizes. On seeing the two halflings he trembles and bursts into tears.
Both Tommy and Wentworth scramble down from the carpet and run over to the crazy old wizard. "We're here to rescue you and save the Wold!" states Wentworth. "And we brought the Platinum Dragons!" exclaims Tommy, jumping up and down with excitement until he sees the arrows embedded in the wizard's flesh. He gasps in horror.
Crow blinks as the helmed Protector speaks. "Panic?" he sobs, battling hard to regain some kind of composure, "can you really get me out of here?"
He sits up painfully, no longer shackled to the table. "I thought I recognized some of you, from a long time ago. A long time ago." "Ohh..... I haven't had control of the constructs in a long, long time, I'm afraid, " he answers Valdor. "Part of the magic. It gave them too much independance. But they kept me alive. Skin, transplants. Needed me, I suppose." He scratches his head. "They just kept on going, and going, building for no reason..... ouch, these hurt... But wait! We can't leave! The equipment! It needs to be dismantled!" He rolls his eyes, looks around, and then points at the trussed up kid. "Where are we going? Who is he?? How did he know I was here? He wanted my secrets!" Crow's manner suggests that the old man may have gone a little crazy, and he begins to ramble. "Talked to me like one of them..." laugh, "... Parnoth kidnappers at one time... so THEY claimed. Never believed it... powerful, I'll give them that..." sniffle. He stabs a finger toward the boy. "Well you're done in, now, aren't you! They brought heroes! With the machine!" Then his eyes shift back to the halflings. "You did come through the time machine, yes? Why didn't you come sooner? I waited..." he starts to cry again.
Something keeps on hammering at the door. Right now, the grease spell doesn't appear to be making any difference, although it might, if the door was breached. One particular hard blow tells Cori that the door won't last too long.
In fact, as she looks through the window, and sees Nick and Mordrid floating up to join the group, there is a loud CRACK, and a solid metal fist manages to punch through the heavy wood. Constructs appear to be crammed together at the top of the stairwell, with more behind, shoring up the line.
Onrad Tuesday August 21st, 2007 4:53:29 PM
"We need to get this boy out of here. Crow too."
He thinks a second.
"Valdor, I suggest now getting these two out of here with all the children. Then come back for the machines.
"Staying to fight at this moment might put these two at extreme risk. There's no reason to fight these constructs at this time."
----------
SHIELD OF LAW on group. (+4 deflection to AC, SR 25 on chaos spells, block possession.) Cloak of Greater Displacement 9 of 15 (not activated) Boots of Speed 4 of 10 (not activated) AC44 Currently with Shield of Law up. Potion of Spider Climb active
Ve Mundr AC 45 HP 196/224 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 9:44:39 PM
"No Onrad, we definately do not have all of the pieces taken from Crow. I have two and saw dozens, maybe hundreds in my spell. As for leaving, some of us should take the children and the halflings back for certain. I would not leave Crow unguarded, nor this 'boy'. Personally I do not think him possesssed, but a reincarnate. Possibly Korrig as Valdor suggests. Possibly not and some other evil escaped from Gargul's reach."
Ve is moving to assist Crow and pauses for a moment as the door cracks. Concentrating for a moment he lays a wall fo Force across the wall and door the constructs are trying to get through. [Spont cast Wall of Force for Firestorm]
"That should hold them well enough for us to be away." Ve's attention then turns back to Crow. "Equipment? What equipment and where is it kept?"
Spells in effect: Greater Magic Weapon Magic Vestment Armor Magic Vestment Shield Endure Elements Freedom of Movement 220 minutes Protection from Elements Fire 220 minutes Status 22 hours Shield of Law [Father Nick] Stoneskin [Cori]
Corialote [shapechange: ] and Amarth [HP: 171-171 - AC: 42] [shield of law, mass bear's endurance, true seeing] Tuesday August 21st, 2007 10:18:53 PM
With the arrival of the others she holds on her shapechange and then turns to regard Crow. "Ve is right...where is this equipment." Her eyes flash as she is not happy with the whole mess. They still had pieces of Crow all over the place and evil souls brought back to do more evil.
She tries to remember if there are any more levels to this place that she could tell. Maybe another window up further that they did not need to go to.
SPELLS 0th(4): acid splash(2), dancing lights(2) 1st(7): grease(2)*, floating disk(2), ray of enfeeblement(2), expeditious retreat 2nd(7): glitterdust(2), web(2), blur(2), mirror image 3rd(7): dispel magic(2), hold person(2)*, displacement, haste(2)* 4th(6): stoneskin(3)***, wall of fire(2), greater invisibility(2) 5th(3): hold monster, wall of force(3)* 6th(6): greater dispel magic, chain lightning(2), mass cat's grace, mass fox's cunning, true seeing* 7th(6): greater teleport, summon monster VII(2), extend mass bear's endurance*, reverse gravity, phase door 8th(4): summon monster VIII(2), polar ray(2)* 9th(4): summon monster IX, shapechange*, time stop(2) *used spell
[stoneskin(Nick and Ve): 150 points of damage or 5988 rounds]
[extend max bear's endurance(everyone): 468 rounds; +4 Con]
[wall of force: range 85', 17 rounds]
[haste(extended): 40 rounds, everyone withing 30' of Valdor up to 24 people]
[true seeing(extended): 473 rounds]
[stoneskin(Valdor): 150 points of damage or 5994 rounds]
[grease: 20 rounds, 10' area, Reflex DC 22]
[shapechange(Cori): 2398 rounds]
[hold person(boy): 22 rounds, SR 33, Will DC 23]
Mordrid [Shield of Law, Long Strider, Shield Other, Cats Grace] Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 12:29:42 AM
In regards to equipment, "I saw equipment in the levels down below... I assume to make constructs. We need to raise this place down to the foundation."
Mordrid casts "cats grace" as he draws his sword, advancing to the entance to this level; Ve's wall in front.
[All Defense AC 37]
"I advise we retreat to Dirt City, with all in tow... in this time period."
Valdor(AC41, HP 310, Shield of Law, Fire Resistance, bears endurance, Haste, Stoneskin, Cloak of Arachnid) d20+29=36 d8+37=38 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 1:28:32 PM
(OOC:Sorry gang, I just moved into a new home and have not had internet cause I have used my vacation for this move. I'm up and running at home now though.)
Valdor says,"Onrad, bring the boy. Ve, you and Cori still have the halflings to look after. The carpet can carry Crow. Mordrid, you and Jus make sure our way is clear up front. I'll handle these in the rear. We go to move the children, then someone can destroy this building and all the equipment. Crow, who is in control of these machines? Are they, themselves now in control? Is that what you are saying? They take you apart, then heal you, over and over?"
He gently picks Crow up and carries him like a child and sets him on the carpet. He turns and waits beside the door for the next fist to come through, and will promptly attempt to remove that fist from the wielder's arm.
(Power attack for one attack)
Nick Valentine (AC 36, HP 147 Shield of Law, Stoneskin from Cori) d20+19=33 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 2:13:52 PM
Once up in the room, Nick approaches Crow and shifts into healer mode. Crouching down on the carpet - "I can take out those arrows, it's going to hurt. But I can heal you right afterwards."
Providing there's no objection from the wizard, he'll work as fast as he can, bringing out his healers kit, borrowing a dagger and getting the old guy to bite on the handle while he pulls out the arrows, then hitting him with a Heal spell.
"Which way are we moving out?" he asks.
DM Jan Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 2:54:32 PM
As discussion takes place on what to do next, another massive punch, and the door cracks wide open, it's pieces, and the pile of constructs behind it, coming to a halt only inches from Valdor's, Jus's and Mordrid's faces, kept back by the Wall of Force. There is some stumbling back there at the top of the stairwell, as some of the constructs lose their footing on the slippery steps. Tommy and Wentworth are back, hiding behind Ve Mundr again.
Crow doesn't wince or cry out as the arrows are removed. He has dulled senses, or - he's used to a heck of a lot of pain. The heal spell seals the puncture wounds very effectively. "The equipment," he says, taking a long breath, "is on the floor below, and the floor below that."
Cori remembers that the third floor, at least, appeared to have some large, strange items, magically empowered, in some of the rooms, although it was only a quick glance. As for another floor. There was only one way to go, and that was down. No more upper floors.
Crow nods at Valdor. "Yes, they kept me alive by replacing what failed. And they took parts of my skin on their travels. It gives them peace, to be close to me, you see... it's in the magic, for them to need me." He looks down at his hands. "I gave them all my knowledge on anatomy, empowered them.... I wanted them to help me bring back my wife," he stifles a sob. "I had no idea they'd become such monsters. I am over three hundred years old! Look at my skin! How many children's lives has it taken to keep my skin so smooth?"
Mordrid's comment hardens his voice. "Yes! Destroy everything! Burn it all down! Once the magic disrupts and fails, this will all stop! Then you must kill me! I deserve to die, for what I've done!" He starts to cry once more. "I only wanted to get her back.... that's all I ever wanted...."
In contrast, Onrad will note the mysterious boy, bound securely, is placid, mute, and glassy-eyed.
Mordrid [Shield of Law, Long Strider, Shield Other, Cats Grace] Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 9:57:05 PM
"It looks like Ve's wall is going to hold."
Acknowledging Valdor's request, the ranger jogs back to the window. He leaps out, armor activated, and makes his way down to the group's next stop... the pen full of children.
Onrad Thursday August 23rd, 2007 12:33:21 AM
"So there are pieces everywhere of Crow. That doesn't help. Do we need to find every piece? How will we know when we have them all, if we do indeed need them all?"
Onrad picks up the boy like a sack of potatoes, and heads to the ledge, preparing to descend.
He looks down to see where the spiders are now.
"Hmm...I'd bet that the gods in the temple can guard these two while we return to mop up things here. I bet Marteaus could be a very good babysitter if he was properly motivated. What'cha think? Offer him 5 copper an hour?"
Valdor(AC41, HP 310, Shield of Law, Fire Resistance, bears endurance, Haste, Stoneskin, Cloak of Arachnid) Thursday August 23rd, 2007 2:13:37 AM
Valdor didn't see the Wall of Force, so he clangs his sword, then figures out what happened. He chuckles and says,"Onrad, five copper would be way overpaying him, I fear. Do you think a dragon can be reincarnated? Maybe that's Parnoth inside the boy. Who knows. Crow says we can destroy the machines by destroying the building, so that's our task now. We get the kids clear, then someone throws an earthquake on it, or something like that.
Once the machine's magic fails, I would bet that the pieces of Crow's skin won't hold the magic anymore, so they will be useless, except maybe to him. I doubt he'll care from the looks of him. Let's try that and see. We can always dig back up the machines if it doesn't work."
He's covering everyone's exit at the back, just in case the constructs somehow break through.
Jus AC 49, 150 HP (+10 with glove, +42 with bear's endurance), 110 Stoneskin, 50% Displacement Thursday August 23rd, 2007 2:50:41 PM
Jus recasts Displacement, then follows Mordrid out the window, heading downward.
As he passes windows, he reports back to those above the numbers of opponents he sees inside, as well as whatever he sees waiting outside.
And now that he's away from Crow, Jus speaks through the earpiece, "Could Crow be a construct, himself? I did not expect those arrows to stick into him, but my bow does have an affinity for hurting constructs."
Active Spells: SHIELD OF LAW on group. (+4 deflection to AC, SR 25 on chaos spells, block possession.) Stoneskin (110 hp) Displacement (11 rounds) Bear's Endurance (+4 Con) Glove (3 rounds) Spells Remaining: 6/6/7/6/7/3
Corialote [shapechange: harpy] and Amarth [HP: 171-171 - AC: 42] [shield of law, mass bear's endurance, true seeing] Thursday August 23rd, 2007 5:24:21 PM
Cori moves back over to the window, her form rippling as her spell does it's work. When she reaches the window she now wears the form of a harpy and she literally throws herself out the window. Her mind is racing over the spells that she has available and how best to use them in the destruction of this place.
Amarth has flown out the window already as he does not like to stay on his Mistress's shoulder when she is doing the flying. He wheels around outside and keeps a look-out for anything that the group should know about.
SPELLS 0th(4): acid splash(2), dancing lights(2) 1st(7): grease(2)*, floating disk(2), ray of enfeeblement(2), expeditious retreat 2nd(7): glitterdust(2), web(2), blur(2), mirror image 3rd(7): dispel magic(2), hold person(2)*, displacement, haste(2)* 4th(6): stoneskin(3)***, wall of fire(2), greater invisibility(2) 5th(3): hold monster, wall of force(3)* 6th(6): greater dispel magic, chain lightning(2), mass cat's grace, mass fox's cunning, true seeing* 7th(6): greater teleport, summon monster VII(2), extend mass bear's endurance*, reverse gravity, phase door 8th(4): summon monster VIII(2), polar ray(2)* 9th(4): summon monster IX, shapechange*, time stop(2) *used spell
[stoneskin(Nick and Ve): 150 points of damage or 5987 rounds]
[extend max bear's endurance(everyone): 467 rounds; +4 Con]
[wall of force: range 85', 16 rounds]
[haste(extended): 39 rounds, everyone withing 30' of Valdor up to 24 people]
[true seeing(extended): 472 rounds]
[stoneskin(Valdor): 150 points of damage or 5993 rounds]
[grease: 19 rounds, 10' area, Reflex DC 22]
[shapechange(Cori): 2397 rounds]
[hold person(boy): 21 rounds, SR 33, Will DC 23]
Onrad Thursday August 23rd, 2007 7:33:10 PM
"Cori? Ewww! Why did you pick that form?"
Onrad shivers at the sight.
Onrad nods at Valdor's decision.
"Some well placed Greater Dispels or Disingrate might help too. Heh, listen to us! Like we know anything about magic."
and does his best to work the boy to the ground by climbing down the wall. He will not endanger the boy, though. If he falls, he will position himself so that he hits the ground.
Nick Valentine (AC 36, HP 147 Shield of Law, Stoneskin from Cori) Thursday August 23rd, 2007 10:55:56 PM
Nick will help Crow to his feet. Hopefully the heal spell has put a spring the the wizard's step. "Let's get you to the carpet," he says. "Assuming there's room."
Jus's suggestion has him wondering. Part construct, at least? crow was certainly odd. he'd lived a lot longer than he had a right to.
DM Jan Friday August 24th, 2007 12:04:51 AM
Right now, the constructs have a singular purpose - to get to Crow - and that purpose appears to make them utterly ignorant of any other course of action. Again and again they struggle against the Wall of Force, giving the Platinums ample time to clear out.
Mordrid, Cori (in harpy form), Amarth and Jus are straight out of the window and into what's left of the night. Below them is what looks to be a minor firestorm at the entrance of the fortress, making the doorway impassable. Fire, whipped up into a column of heat, with the lone form of Config standing in front, up against nine other metal constructs.
Not too far away, two dozen small heads turn and look up toward the flying man, elf and harpy bearing down on them. Amarth is a mere speck beside them. The children crowd together in one corner of the pen. After all, what could this be, other than another form of death? Their eyes are flat, the inevitability of what is to come sucking away any pretense of emotion. They already know what lies in store for them.
Crow is a little shaky, but only to glad to climb onto the carpet as Nick, Valdor and Ve get ready to leave. Tommy and Wentworth climb up alongside. Both halflings are shaking, frightened out of their wits. This is a far cry from the Halfling Quarter in Dirt City.
Onrad has the boy on his shoulder. The lad is putting up no resistance. The duellist has a close up view of the boy's clothing now - a black robe, obviously stitched to fit a much taller person. Runes have been embroidered upon it in dark grey thread. It is fraying slightly and smells musty and old. It feels like there are two short lengths of cane, or rods tucked away inside, past the boy's shoulder - and something else, a large curved object on one of the pockets. Maybe a horn.
Mordrid Friday August 24th, 2007 12:00:29 PM
On his way down to the pen, Mordrid ponders Jus' puzzle, "The arrows stuck in his body. What did you expect an arrow to do? Am I missing something?"
Once the ranger lands, he secures the area around the pen. The children were so frightened, the grizzly man of the forest didn't know what else to do.
Ve Mundr AC 45 HP 196/224 Friday August 24th, 2007 2:24:54 PM
"They seem bent to get to Crow, Which means when we exit the Tower or where ever we take him, they will pursue in the most direct path possible." Ve moves to the Carpet, "We can't take Crow to Dirt City."
Ve orders the carpet exit and continue upwards over the tower. "I have no spells for the Tower, I used my Earthquake and except for entering personal combat with the constructs I have little there as well I'm afraid."
Spells in effect: Greater Magic Weapon Magic Vestment Armor Magic Vestment Shield Endure Elements Freedom of Movement 220 minutes Protection from Elements Fire 220 minutes Status 22 hours Shield of Law [Father Nick] Stoneskin [Cori]
Jus AC 49, 150 HP (+10 with glove, +42 with bear's endurance), 110 Stoneskin, 50% Displacement Sunday August 26th, 2007 2:43:28 AM
As Jus flies down to the kids, he explains his comment. "The arrows were blunt and padded, imbued with Cure Criticals and were not supposed to do harm or puncture. My bow has Construct Bane, which could have had an impact on the results. Then again, Crow's patchwork skin may have just been too tattered and worn to keep the arrows out."
I'm full of questions -- much like my old self, Jus thinks to himself. Through the earpiece, he asks, "What do we do with the 'Evil Souls' and their vessels?" Jus suspects he knows the unfortunate answer. "And do I remember correctly that the cube teleports only so many times a day. I can teleport 5 kids at a time to the temple, 15 with 3 trips, if needed. "
Jus has more questions, but stops talking as he lands just outside of the pen, on the other side away from the kids. "We're here to free you," Jus tells them calmly. "We can take you somewhere safe, away from this madness, if you are willing." He keeps himself away, trying to stay nonthreatening, hoping to allow them to stay calm and decide for themselves to trust the Dragons. Tentatively, he adds, pointing to the Constructs at the tower, "We don't have a lot of time before they notice us again."
Active Spells: SHIELD OF LAW on group. (+4 deflection to AC, SR 25 on chaos spells, block possession.) Stoneskin (110 hp) Displacement (10 rounds) Bear's Endurance (+4 Con) Glove (2 rounds) Spells Remaining: 6/6/7/6/7/3
Onrad Sunday August 26th, 2007 8:12:31 PM
"Jus, hold up a sec. There's some stuff here on the kid. His clothes are for an adult. There are some rods or short staves here too. And this hornlike thing. Can you check this?
"Valdor, I can't take him down because of the mess down there. Which way to go boss? Should we go ahead and take out these constructs?
"Can we put the kid here on the carpet with crow, so I'm freed up to fight?"
Valdor(AC41, HP 310, Shield of Law, Fire Resistance, bears endurance, Haste, Stoneskin, Cloak of Arachnid) Monday August 27th, 2007 1:05:05 AM
Valdor frowns at all the options they have to decide from. All of a sudden he smiles and says,"I think the machines are what gives the constructs their magic to locate and follow Crow. Onrad, remove his items and put him on the carpet. Ve, Jus, Mordrid, Nick, and the halflings go try to get the children a safe distance from here. Cori, Onrad, and I can make sure this tower comes down around their ears. Once you move off with Crow, we may find it a bit easier to move through the structure and destroy what needs to be destroyed without constructs all over us.
Jus, I think that those children haven't been used yet in that manner. They just need to be moved a little distance. Try to see if one is older and a leader of the others. That might help them trust you more. I'm going back in the fourth floor. And keep an eye on that boy we caught. Now that I think about, it may be Parnoth's soul. Who else could cast high level spells like that? Who knows. We won't figure it out until we get this place dismantled."
He starts to head down the outside wall using his cloak and heads for the windows to the fourth level.
Posting Report for Monday August 27th, 2007 6:40:52 AM
Game # 1 The Platinum Dragons For the week of August 20,2007
Nick Monday August 27th, 2007 4:13:29 PM
Nick nods at Valdor, and cast another airwalk. he'll head down to where he can see Jus and Mordrid below, near the children's enclosure.
DM Jan Monday August 27th, 2007 4:42:56 PM
The carpet heads out of the window, with Ve, Tommy, Wentworth and Crow on board, and shifts toward the other side of the tower, toward the close, forbidding slope of Mount Bone. Off to the east, a narrow strip of light is forcing its way above the horizon.
Immediately the constructs stop their assault on the doorway onto the fifth floor. They're turning around, retreating back down the steps. Nick begins his 'walk' back down to the ground. Valdor heads toward the fourth floor window and is able to see construct movement downward.
((I need to know what's being done with the boy. Does he go on the carpet? Onrad still got him? Anyone checking his stuff?)) ((Cori - on the carpet or with Onrad and Valdor still at the tower?))
On the ground, Mordrid sees a shift over by the tower entrance, too. The attacking constructs seem to have broken off and are heading around the back of the tower. Config and two fire elementals are now striding directly toward him.
At the pen, as soon as Jus speaks to the children, two of the small humans push their way to the front of their group. A boy, and a girl, the girl slightly taller. They both spread their arms, a gesture of protection toward the others. All are now looking toward Jus, all a bundle of rags and dirty faces. "Come close, I kill you," the girl snarls, completely human, utterly feral.
Onrad Monday August 27th, 2007 6:52:45 PM
Onrad pulls the items off the boy and hands them to Jus. He then hands the boy off to those on the flying carpet.
Then having done all he can do for the moment, he prepares to follow Valdor to destroy the machines.
"Let's do this Valdor."
----------
[Jan, if I did too much, no worries. Just deny a step.]
Ve Mundr AC 45 HP 196/224 Monday August 27th, 2007 9:21:39 PM
Ve Continues to push the carpet further up and away from the tower. Having the boy does not make him terribly happy, Wolf in sheeps clothing the boy was only held and well it was no boy. Ve keeps an eye on him, there was not much room on this with so many aboard. Ve leans in close, he was only held so he would still be able to hear. "I will not think twice if you try anything." and he leaves it at that.
Spells in effect: Greater Magic Weapon Magic Vestment Armor Magic Vestment Shield Endure Elements Freedom of Movement 220 minutes Protection from Elements Fire 220 minutes Status 22 hours Shield of Law [Father Nick] Stoneskin [Cori]
Corialote [shapechange: harpy] and Amarth [HP: 171-171 - AC: 42] [shield of law, mass bear's endurance, true seeing] Monday August 27th, 2007 10:11:28 PM
Cori, hovering in the air, in her harpy form watches the ground before her and the tower. Into her earpiece she calls for confirmation to her questions. "Are all the innocencents out of that tower yet and are they far enough from the tower to take it down?" She plans to make us of her spells to at least make a go at it.
Amarth continues to fly around, making a circuit of the tower and giving his Mistress the bird's eye view of the surrounding area and the tower itself.
SPELLS 0th(4): acid splash(2), dancing lights(2) 1st(7): grease(2)*, floating disk(2), ray of enfeeblement(2), expeditious retreat 2nd(7): glitterdust(2), web(2), blur(2), mirror image 3rd(7): dispel magic(2), hold person(2)*, displacement, haste(2)* 4th(6): stoneskin(3)***, wall of fire(2), greater invisibility(2) 5th(3): hold monster, wall of force(3)* 6th(6): greater dispel magic, chain lightning(2), mass cat's grace, mass fox's cunning, true seeing* 7th(6): greater teleport, summon monster VII(2), extend mass bear's endurance*, reverse gravity, phase door 8th(4): summon monster VIII(2), polar ray(2)* 9th(4): summon monster IX, shapechange*, time stop(2) *used spell
[stoneskin(Nick and Ve): 150 points of damage or 5986 rounds]
[extend max bear's endurance(everyone): 466 rounds; +4 Con]
[wall of force: range 85', 15 rounds]
[haste(extended): 38 rounds, everyone withing 30' of Valdor up to 24 people]
[true seeing(extended): 471 rounds]
[stoneskin(Valdor): 150 points of damage or 5992 rounds]
[grease: 18 rounds, 10' area, Reflex DC 22]
[shapechange(Cori): 2396 rounds]
[hold person(boy): 20 rounds, SR 33, Will DC 23]
Valdor(AC41, HP 310, Shield of Law, Fire Resistance, bears endurance, Haste, Stoneskin, Cloak of Arachnid) Tuesday August 28th, 2007 12:18:53 PM
Valdor nods to Onrad and smiles at Cori saying,"We will make sure this device or machine is disabled and destroyed, then bring down the building."
He enters the window and begins to search for the machines Crow talked about.
Onrad Tuesday August 28th, 2007 5:01:30 PM
Onrad follows at Valdor's heels watching their flanks and the rear as they proceed.
His visage shows grim determination. He bounces a bit as they go to keep loose.
Nick Tuesday August 28th, 2007 6:34:07 PM
Nick arrives at ground level and approaches the pen. "Are any of you sick? I can heal you" he asks the kids, as calmly as he is able. "We mean you no harm, but we need to get you away from the tower. Where you'll be safe."
He looks for a way to unlock the pen.
DM Jan Tuesday August 28th, 2007 7:02:08 PM
((OOC - thanks for helping me get my ducks in a row, guys. I was cross-eyed with abdominal pain yesterday. We think it was the green tea ice cream at the chinese restaurant, night before last. Hit us both like a freight train. That'll teach us to be adventurous.))
In the air:
Amarth wheels around the roof of the tower. North of the bird, and higher in the air, against the back drop of Bone mountain, is Ve Mundr's carpet. Directly below, construct appear to be stumbling out of the tower entrance and also heading north. Are they trying to get to Crow, who is on the carpet? it would appear so.
Aboard the carpet, Crow, Tommy and Wentworth are huddled together, across from the Protector, with the boy slumped and hog-tied in between. The boy's eyes look vacant. "Ever been inside that mountain?" Wentworth asks Ve.
In the Tower - 4th floor:
Constructs heading down the stairs pay Valdor no mind whatsoever, and by the time Onrad joins him, the Dragonstone has discovered four rooms, completely filled with tanks, vats, pipes, and other strange contraptions. Pipes loop and sink into the floor, suggesting there is more below. In one of the rooms, standing within a frame, completely motionless, is what appears to be a naked female human; her eyes are closed. She does not appear to breathe. And yes - she looks exactly the same as the others. Her arms have some clear pipes attached, and fluid of various colours seems to be rushing back and forth, in and out of the body. The metal surfaces of the tanks and bowls are covered in runes - carved on by a delicate hand. The runes are lit up. A standard magical glow. No sign of any prisoners, children.
Hovering outside, Cori is able to note two things: 1) the entire fortress is top heavy, each floor in some way, seems bigger than the last. 2) the fire elementals, while they were guarding the entrance, appear to have set fire to it.
Down on the ground:
Config and the fire elementals come to stand alongside Mordrid, facing the building. At the entrance, through a halo of flames, constructs are pouring out and heading, literally, for the hills. Crow, their whole raison d'etre, was out there somewhere.
Nick finds a heavy lock attached to the gate of the pen. Two short wizard's staffs, and what looks like the tip of a dragon claw (?) attached to a leather necklace, are on the ground nearby, awaiting further inspection.
The children aren't coming any closer. They are still unsure of who stands before them.
Ve Mundr AC 45 HP 196/224 Tuesday August 28th, 2007 9:47:51 PM
Mount Bone, Ve had never been, perhaps one of the reasons he was still alive. His Company had been sent long ago and not a single man survived the mission. He had been pulled at the at last minute to replace the main healer of the 32nd who had been KIA. Since the 15th had two other besides him, he was picked to move. Ve shakes the thought and answers with a simple, "No Wentworth, I have not."
"It would appear we are the target for the constructs. Luck is with us then." he says to switch the subject. "Nick, I will lead the constructs off. Get the children to safety."
Ve turns the carpet away from Mount Bone and maintaining his height, starts to put land between himself and the Tower. "Wentworth, Tommy. This carpet is very easy to command and the cube can fully protect you both and Crow..." the Protector begins in solenm tones to the pair of halflings. They would need to be prepared.
Spells in effect: Greater Magic Weapon Magic Vestment Armor Magic Vestment Shield Endure Elements Freedom of Movement 220 minutes Protection from Elements Fire 220 minutes Status 22 hours Shield of Law [Father Nick] Stoneskin [Cori]
Corialote [shapechange: harpy] and Amarth [HP: 171-171 - AC: 42] [shield of law, mass bear's endurance, true seeing] Tuesday August 28th, 2007 9:55:17 PM
Cori laughs as she listens to the ongoing stuff through the earpiece. Taking note of the tower she shakes her head, then speaks into the earpiece again. "You guys might want to get out of there soon...this place is on fire and the construction is shoddy...this tower is topheavy." Still through the earpiece she sighs and then gets a little upset. "It might be a good idea to let me know when everyone is clear...I would hate to crush anyone." This is followed by a bit of laughter as she clears her throat. Cycling through her spells she nods her head again and then starts a simple set of gestures and intones a new spell in draconic...leaving the very last unspoken.
Amarth is busy relaying all the information that he is getting to his Mistress and then moveing away from the tower. He wants to have a safe distance when his Mistress starts.
SPELLS 0th(4): acid splash(2), dancing lights(2) 1st(7): grease(2)*, floating disk(2), ray of enfeeblement(2), expeditious retreat 2nd(7): glitterdust(2), web(2), blur(2), mirror image 3rd(7): dispel magic(2), hold person(2)*, displacement, haste(2)* 4th(6): stoneskin(3)***, wall of fire(2), greater invisibility(2) 5th(3): hold monster, wall of force(3)* 6th(6): greater dispel magic, chain lightning(2), mass cat's grace, mass fox's cunning, true seeing* 7th(6): greater teleport, summon monster VII(2), extend mass bear's endurance*, reverse gravity, phase door 8th(4): summon monster VIII(2), polar ray(2)* 9th(4): summon monster IX, shapechange*, time stop(2) *used spell
[stoneskin(Nick and Ve): 150 points of damage or 5985 rounds]
[extend max bear's endurance(everyone): 465 rounds; +4 Con]
[wall of force: range 85', 14 rounds]
[haste(extended): 37 rounds, everyone withing 30' of Valdor up to 24 people]
[true seeing(extended): 470 rounds]
[stoneskin(Valdor): 150 points of damage or 5991 rounds]
[grease: 17 rounds, 10' area, Reflex DC 22]
[shapechange(Cori): 2395 rounds]
[hold person(boy): 19 rounds, SR 33, Will DC 23]
Valdor(AC41, HP 310, Shield of Law, Fire Resistance, bears endurance, Haste, Stoneskin, Cloak of Arachnid) Wednesday August 29th, 2007 12:12:40 PM
Valdor tells Onrad,"I would think that we have an explosion coming. That flesh golem obviously has something to do with what's happening. Let's start destroying stuff. I really don't want to get covered in goo so I'll upend the vats of stuff last."
He takes out the adamantine warhammer he brought and decides to attempt to destroy a machine that has runes on it.
(Jan, do I need to roll attacks and structural damage? I wish he still had his Maul of the Titans that Jerry made me sell off years ago:) )
Onrad d20+39=54 d20+34=42 d20+29=44 d20+24=36 d20+40=58 d20+39=55 d20+29=39 d20+40=49 3d6(6+5+2)+14=27 3d6(3+2+2)+14=21 3d6(6+5+4)+14=29 3d6(3+3+5)+14=25 3d6(5+2+5)+14=26 3d6(2+5+2)+14=23 3d6(2+3+1)+14=20 Wednesday August 29th, 2007 7:25:36 PM
Looking at the woman, "Is she alive? Construct? Somewhere in between? I can't just kill her until we know."
Then he nods, Valdor having made a decision. He knows and respects the need to have a leader in such situations.
Refusing to attack the girl directly, Onrad in an instant, draws his rapier and strikes out at the tubes and other things connected to her.
Attack #1 hits AC54 which is a possible crit. The crit try is AC55. Damage is
Attack #2 hits AC42
Attack #3 hits AC44 which is a possible crit. The crit try is AC39. Damage is 27 if there is no crit. Damage is 77hpd if it crits.
Attack #4 hits AC36. Damage is 21hps if it hits.
Onrad is careful to avoid getting hit with the liquids and other things in the tubes.
--------------
AC42 if Shield of Law is still up. Spider Climb potion active.
Nick d20+1=6 Wednesday August 29th, 2007 9:52:14 PM
Glancing back toward the tower, (earpiece) "Cori, wait a sec. I'm trying to get these children loose. There's a lock."
He looks at the enclosure. If he thinks the children are able to climb over it, he urges them to do so, and tells them to run away from the fortress. He'll use his rope if it will help. Otherwise it's down to brute force and ignorance on the lock.
STR roll 6 (ick)
If he gets chance afterwards, he'll cast STATUS on as many of them as he can.
(Earpiece) "Ve. Onrad took what looks like a dragon claw from that boy. I haven't examined it yet, but if it's what I think it is - be VERY careful with our prisoner. What's his alignment?"
DM Jan Wednesday August 29th, 2007 10:33:00 PM
((OOC - to save time, I'm going to assume that Nick gets help from Mordrid and Jus with the kiddies))
On the ground, with the help of rope, one by one, the children and haul themselves over the wall of the pen and start to run in a southerly direction, downhill, away from the fortress. There's quite a crowd of flesh and metal constructs, heading in the opposite direction, although some of them appear to be faltering.
In the air outside the fortress, Cori in harpy form hovers, her spell prepared. Amarth realizes it's time to move and flies some distance away from his companion.
Still in the fortress, there's a loud *CLANG* as Valdor's hammer gets to work. A dent. Another. And another. Part of the metal splits, right across one of the engraved runes. It's glow falters and fails, so does the glow of the next rune, then the next one. Each rune in turn starts to lose power, going down like a stack of dominoes. The glow begins to fail on the next piece of equipment, too. And the next.
Onrad's rapier slices neatly through some of the tubes attached to the female. There's a sudden stench of formaldehyde and something sweet. An orange fluid splatters to the floor and begins to pour from the slashed tubes. The female's head slumps.
Up in the air, away from the tower, on the carpet, Tommy and Wentworth are trying their best not to look down. Crow, in comparison, seems fairly relaxed. "This is like the story of the rat catcher, isn't it," he says to Ve Mundr after glancing down toward the ground and the distant specs that can only be the line of constructs trying to follow. "The one who can lure them to their deaths with his pipe. Only the townspeople don't pay him for his services so he takes their children. "Speaking of children, what are you going to do with him?" He nods toward the tied up boy. "You know it wouldn't bother me if you pitched him over the side. He did try to kill me."
Valdor Thursday August 30th, 2007 2:02:39 AM
Valdor says to Onrad,"Nice smell, eh? I think our work here is done my friend. Lets head down one more level just to make sure."
He checks the machines in the other rooms, just to be sure, then will head downstairs for the same attempt at disabling it.
Ve Mundr AC 45 HP 196/224 Thursday August 30th, 2007 5:02:23 PM
Ve looks down at Crow, "You do not talk." he states flatly and with complete authority.
Ve continues to bring the carpet towards the ground and away from the tower and the others, leveling off at about 50'.
(earpiece) "Dragon claw you say, Nicholas? Yes I will be careful. Just a moment and I will have more information" Ve Casts Detect Evil, and turns the spell against the 'boy'.
Spells in effect: Greater Magic Weapon Magic Vestment Armor Magic Vestment Shield Endure Elements Freedom of Movement 220 minutes Protection from Elements Fire 220 minutes Status 22 hours Shield of Law [Father Nick] Stoneskin [Cori] Detect Evil
Onrad Thursday August 30th, 2007 11:45:13 PM
"No, the woman is still here and hurting. I don't know whether she needs killing or saving."
Onrad pours a Cure light Wounds potion potion down the woman's throat to start closing wounds and continues to slice and dice at the tubes on her.
If he can get them all, he'll pick her up and carry her following Valdor. If not, he stays and continues to attack the tubes.
Valdor Friday August 31st, 2007 1:11:13 AM
Valdor replies to Onrad,"I think she's dead, my friend. Your compassion does you credit, but she wasn't breathing and looks just like those other replicas of Crow's wife. I am fairly certain she is a flesh golem. But check on her just in case. I believe you are right in that."
As there doesn't seem any immediate danger, other than his love's desire to roast the building further(he grins at that thought), he goes about his search down below on the next level.
Nick d20+12=20 d20+12=25 d20+13=17 Friday August 31st, 2007 12:50:56 PM
Assuming his STATUS spell is keeping tabs on where the children are running off to, Nick turns his attention to the items Onrad left.
He's talking while examining. Earpiece ( everyone to hear):
"Valdor, Mordrid. we have what might be a dragon claw here. Remember when we rescued Parnoth a while ago from this mountain? We left a piece of him behind..."
If he can't determine anything from the claw, he'll pass it to Mordrid. A ranger would surely know more about creature anatomy.
DM Jan Friday August 31st, 2007 1:29:47 PM
At some distance away from the Fortress, Ve's carpet levels off and holds. From here, there'll be a grand view of the fireworks.
That thin band of light on the horizon is starting to grow. The dawn light is now beginning to reveal the ruin of the surrounding land. Nothing green, endless pits and mine shafts; a land stripped of what little glory it had in the first place. Mount Bone, most of it still hiding in the folds of its own shadow, appears to be gloating over it all. Crow's fortress looks like an ugly little appendage at the base of it. Just to the south east, the fracture between planes glows like a firey wound. However, it does look smaller. A trick of the light?
After Ve Mundr's stern admonition, Crow has lapsed into a miserable silence. His head is slumped, as though he can hardly bear to look at the surroundings. Not so the halflings. "Look!" cries out Tommy. The distance between the carpet and the fortress is being covered by a marching column of constructs, eager to get to Crow. How many? A hundred? More? A formidable number, although... some appear to be falling, or just grinding to a halt and standing still. As for the boy, still slumped and glassy-eyed on the carpet - evil - not so much on an initial study, but there's something dampened, latent, something of immense power embedded in the child.
At the Fortress, Cori catches a glimpse of Onrad and Valdor moving to the third floor. The flesh construct had looked perfectly human, perfection honed after years and years of construction, and mile upon mile of skin and entrails.. More pipes, vats, metal cauldrens on this floor. Pans bubbling with foul smelling brews. But here too, the magic is failing, rune by rune, as though it is all connected, and just one breach is enough to disrupt it all. On the ground outside, stood beside Mordrid, Nick and Jus, Config abruptly pitches forward and falls on its face. Beneath it's metal shell, the dry, barren earth starts to shift.
Examination of the items reveals the following:
1 staff of power 1 staff of necromancy Both staffs give off a dark, brooding sensation that suggests intelligence, and a less than stellar alignment.
The 'claw'? Non magical. It is the sharp tip of a dragon claw, from a green dragon, threaded onto a knotted length of leather like a huge trophy, to be hung around one's neck.
Valdor Friday August 31st, 2007 2:11:14 PM
After banging a few more runes, seeing that their work is done, Valdor yells to Onrad,"Time to go my friend. It's done down here. I'm on my way out before Cori brings this building down on our heads." He dumps over a couple of the vats, holding his breath as he does, just for good measure.
He sprints down the stairs and makes a quick glance on each level to make sure there is nothing he's missed. His Fire resistance ring is still active, so he's not concerned with the fire downstairs.
Posting Report for Monday September 3rd, 2007 6:06:33 AM
Game # 1 The Platinum Dragons For the week of August 27, 2007
Ve Mundr AC 45 HP 196/224 d20+15=33 d20+17=36 d20+17=28 Monday September 3rd, 2007 12:35:40 PM
"The boy is evil, or rather a deep seeded evil is within him," Ve reports across the earpiece. Ve slows and lowers the carpet to the ground. Ve nods to Wentworth, "Yes something like that story. Except we lure them to their doom instead."
With the Constructs failing, he knows he has the distance to stop. About 3' off, Ve hops down and grabs the boy. Pulling him off and lying him on the ground. It is a long shot but Ve knows it is worth it. Touching the boys forehead and calling on Domi's power that was offered earlier, He casts Break Enchantment CL 33
Ve looks towards the constructs coming his way and then back to the boy and those in his charge. It should be over soon, but there was still plenty of time for things to go quickly wrong or get dangerous. Ve remains alert. [Spot 36 Listen 28]
Spells in effect: Greater Magic Weapon Magic Vestment Armor Magic Vestment Shield Endure Elements Freedom of Movement 220 minutes Protection from Elements Fire 220 minutes Status 22 hours Shield of Law [Father Nick] Stoneskin [Cori] Detect Evil
Valdor Monday September 3rd, 2007 3:35:00 PM
Valdor pipes in on the earpiece,"We pretty much have this machine destroyed. Hey Ve, if the constructs are still blindly following Crow, you could always lead them over a cliff or a really deep crater with your carpet safely under you. Just an idea. Whew, it stinks in here and is getting warm!"
Mordrid Monday September 3rd, 2007 6:53:41 PM
Mordrid looks at the ancient claw, "I don't know how common dettached green dragon claws are, but I bet that is the very claw that Parnoth lost in Mount Bone."
"If so... I gather he would be thrilled to see it returned. Even it has seen the decay of over three hundred years."
Mordrid moves to coach the children away from the tower, "this way! Come on! To safety."
Nick Tuesday September 4th, 2007 3:16:00 PM
Nick nods after receiving Ve's news.
Earpiece: "Ve, we rescued Parnoth a few years ago, from three necromancers who held him in this very mountain. It wasn't easy. Shirri had to chop one of the dragon's toes off in order to get him out - which is why he wears a gold prosthetic today. "This claw came out of the boy's pocket. It could well belong to Parnoth. Mordrid concurs. "Valdor, I think that boy is one of the necromancers. And going off what happened here, and the trouble that's been caused, I suspect we've only solved part of the problem. "At some point - when we get back home - one of the dragon groups is going to have to go into Mount Bone. We can't afford to let that power build. "Oh - and Config has just fallen over. The ground is moving...."
He backs off, while keeping his eyes on the ground.
DM Jan Tuesday September 4th, 2007 3:38:43 PM
((OOC - Both Jerry (Onrad) and Jim (Cori) are having connection problems, so we're a bit thin on the ground. I'm going to make a few assumptions to keep things moving))
Valdor overturns a vat containing a bile-like substance. It gives off a bitter, acidic scent as it splatters on the floor. As soon as he and Onrad are out of the window, Cori lets loose a few incendiary spells. Coupled with the fire at the entrance, things start to burn pretty quickly.
On the ground, about 50 ft from the entrance, alongside the fallen metal construct, the ground rises and coalesces into an earth elemental. "There," says Config, "I have been released." At it's shoulders, two whisps of flame hover.
The children are running full tilt away from the fortress with Mordrid right behind them. Some of them are screaming, some are laughing.
A short distance away to the west, Ve Mundr brings down the carpet. Crow, Tommy and Wentworth watch silently as he brings the tied up boy onto the ground. The boy mutters as the spell runs it's course, but it doesn't appear to change him in any way. Jus's feeblemind spell still holds sway. it's going to take a Heal, or somesuch, to bring him out of his stupor. As for the marching column of constructs - all of them are now standing still. Some of them have flaming lights dancing around them, others appear to be releasing tiny wind funnels, that drag up detritus from the ground, flinging it in the air.
There's an explosion, from deep within the fortress, enough to make the ground shake. A huge plume of flame escapes on of the upper windows. It's time to get away. Quickly.
Onrad Tuesday September 4th, 2007 4:56:34 PM
Onrad takes a last look at the beautiful woman...construct.
"So beautiful."
He then shakes his head and races out of the building before it falls upon his head.
He jumps from the building and uses tumbling to soften his fall.
"Ugh!"
Then he's on his feet and running away from the building.
---------
[will be posting from work for a few days. Bad modem...I think. NTS is supposed to hook me up with a new one if that is the problem.]
Valdor Tuesday September 4th, 2007 11:59:40 PM
Valdor hears all of the discussion from Nick, and it all makes sense. He approaches Config, as he's just exited the building. He says,"You have been an enormous help. We could not have done this without your help. I know it helps you and your kind be free again, but I do appreciate it and will remember you."
He bows low and runs to join up with the group again, looking around for other constructs and making sure that the danger from them is past. He says,"I hope this works. The Wold doesn't deserve to end up like this. All the beauty gone. When we get home, I'm going to find a place to just lounge around and enjoy the sand of a beach somewhere. Hopefully I'll have some company, though."
He glances at Cori and winks. He then says,"I think it's about time to go home my friends."
(OOC:Scott, I found all of my Magic cards if you still want them. My email at home is jacked up so email me at stevehott@herbeasley.com )
Ve Mundr AC 45 HP 196/224 Wednesday September 5th, 2007 10:37:22 AM
Ve looks at the boy and then back to Crow and the halflings. Ve unties the boy and scoops him back up and then moves to the carpet, "We are on our way, be there momentarily." Stepping onto the magic carpet he commands it to fly back towards the others.
Spells in effect: Greater Magic Weapon Magic Vestment Armor Magic Vestment Shield Endure Elements Freedom of Movement 220 minutes Protection from Elements Fire 220 minutes Status 22 hours Shield of Law [Father Nick] Stoneskin [Cori] Detect Evil
Nick Wednesday September 5th, 2007 3:45:05 PM
Nick picks up the two staffs and the dragon claw, and starts to run, following Mordrid. "Config, you scared me there, for a minute," he says.
He's easily overtaken by Valdor.
DM Jan Wednesday September 5th, 2007 8:46:48 PM
Down the slope, on past the railway tracks. Three groups are now able to watch the fireworks -
1)The new bouldersandearth form of Config acknowledges Valdor. "We will try and fix the tear in the fabric of the Wold," it says, in its usual matter-of-fact, no-frills manner. And off it goes, trailed by lots of firey wisps and tiny tornados, toward the ugly fire-rimmed hole to the south east of the fortress.
2) Directly south, the Platinum Dragons have now regrouped, along with Crow, Tommy, Wentworth, and the mysterious boy.
3) About 60 ft away, little ways to the south west, the two dozen children are huddled together, watching the Platinums warily.
What's left of the fortress goes up with a few spectacular bangs. During it's final death throes, a window frame and part of a roof, land twenty feet away from the group. They're afire, but the flames die down in seconds.
It is now dawn. There are no birds singing. No rabbits up from their warrens. Growing daylight is having a hard time getting through the thick clouds in the sky.
Onrad Wednesday September 5th, 2007 10:37:10 PM
Onrad finds himself restless and not knowing what to do with the lull in the action after the explosions.
"Uh, so what now?"
and
"Wow."
and
"That was intense."
Valdor Wednesday September 5th, 2007 11:32:16 PM
Valdor shrugs at Onrad's question and replies,"I guess we should see how many of these children have parents here at these mines. Then, however many are left, we should take them to Dirt City and turn them over to those stout hearts who showed an interest in adventuring and let them see them to their homes. It would be a good first adventure and a chance to bond without too much danger now that the constructs are destroyed."
He pauses and sighs before continuing,"And I guess then we have to decide what to do about the boy before we head home. But, I could use some sleep first."
Mordrid Thursday September 6th, 2007 1:54:09 PM
Mordrid stands dumb founded. It just occured to him, the odd duality of the group's last two adventures. One, the unbridled release of the power of nature; the second, the imprisonment of the elements. Strange.
Mordrid listens to Valdor's assessment of the children. Walking up to the group of children, "What would you like to do? Where would you like to go?" The ranger reaches in his pack and brings forth whatever food and water he can muster.
Bending over to bring his face closer, "Your wish is my command."
Ve Mundr Thursday September 6th, 2007 9:37:10 PM
Ve looks at the boy, "We should leave him with a good man and woman in Dirt City. to care for him the remainder of his days as he is now. Perhaps a life of simple rest will allow his soul to recognize his earlier follies. I see two other options to place a mark of justice upon him that he take no life or contribute to the taking of any life or cause harm to any he meet. Or we destroy him and return his soul to Gargul's care."
"We have what we came for" he gestures to Crow. "We take the refugees to Dirt City and then away to home to finsih this business."
Valdor Thursday September 6th, 2007 11:43:50 PM
Valdor, a little unnerved around children and a bit confused about where their parents might be, simply shrugs again and leaves himself out of this decision. When Ve mentions the bot, however, he says,"I wonder if we took him back to Gargul's temple, where the souls of the dead were, if somehow the soul possessing this lad's body would be taken away, back to where it should be. It's worth a try, and I couldn't kill a boy this age, no matter how evil. It just wouldn't be right."
Nick Friday September 7th, 2007 12:41:56 AM
Nick listens to Valdor and Ve's assessment about the boy. "I can't condone the killing of him, either. I suppose a lot depends on whether he's possessed, or a reincarnation. If he's reincarnated, and someone figures out how to heal him, then we're leaving these people with a psychopath they'll be ill equpped to deal with. Just something for us to consider."
He'll join Mordird and break out his own rations for the children.
DM Jan Friday September 7th, 2007 1:38:19 AM
As the group discusses the next step -
The children back off as Mordrid approaches, their eyes taking in the man, the weaponry, the cloak of a dead beast they have never seen. Like the others stood behind him, he is exotic, and frightening. However, misgivings can be overcome, and when presented with food and water - The ranger finds himself being jostled in the sudden mad rush to get at his rations and canteen of water. Father Valentine is treated to the same fate.
As for where they want to go, some of them point toward the yawning holes and pits that surround the now destroyed fortress. And there, at the edges of the pits, there is movement.
Drawn by the light, their captors and overseers incapacitated, they are free to rise. Their ancestors may have been farmers, Dirt City folk, sailors, soldiers, adventurers, tradesmen, but the descendants of such have led a vastly different life. Some of them look so pale that it is likely they have never been above ground. Ever. Both men and women are lean and sinewy. Musculature is sharply defined, evidence of the back breaking work that had to be performed under ground - digging, dragging, filling, tunneling, pounding, hauling. Only the strongest could survive that, and here they are - mostly human, with a few pointed ears and the occasional tusk scattered amongst their pale features. All are dressed in rags. Most are blinking sharply in the morning light. Others are looking toward the party in utter astonishment.
Ten rise from the pits, then ten more, and ten more. The number grows until a rough count would estimate around two hundred of them. One of the children appears to spot someone she recognises, and runs toward a tall, stern woman in the crowd.
The atmosphere is charged with wonder, expectancy, as they gaze upon the Dragons. Until one word brings it spiralling down into something darker. One of the men is pointing toward Ve Mundr's carpet. "Crow!" he howls. Eyes collectively narrow. Someone picks up a rock.
Valdor Friday September 7th, 2007 12:17:56 PM
Seeing these come out and their reaction, Valdor moves quickly to the front of the group, his mithril armor shining and snaps out both swords. He booms out,"Stay your hands! Their will be no stoning here today. He was not the one who did this to you! Those responsible just used his name and his body to futher their evil and made him look like the one who was behind all of this. We came here to kill him, but discovered the truth and have destroyed those who were responsible.
We have also destroyed the magic that sustained and created the constructs who have held you captive for so long. By the grace of the good gods, Alemi and Domi, we have come to you and they are back as well. Instead of filling your hearts with a desire for vengeance and killing, you should replace those feelings with appreciation that your ordeal is over. You should have learned by now that hatred is no answer.
We have come so that you may have freedom. We didn't come so that you could kill someone. I implore you to find your children and try to find a life for yourselves that doesn't involve hate, jealousy, bitterness. Find peace, comfort, happiness. I know you have been through so much pain, but that is gone now...and this man was not the one who caused it.
Find the Gods Alemi and Domi, for they are here. If you search for them in your hearts and actions, you will find them and they will help you and bless you. I am Valdor of the Platinum Dragons and you are now free to find your own way in the Wold."
He whispers into his earpiece,"Ve, put Crow inside that cube of force, just in case my sermon doesn't work."
Ve Mundr Friday September 7th, 2007 2:47:30 PM
Ve responds to Valdor "Way ahead of you." as he activates the cube, keeping out all non living matter around the halflings and crow. Ve orders the carpet to rise a foot or so, if need be, he could whisk them away. His Bracelet could then pull most of the Dragons out.
"Lovely speech sir, may I suggest next time performing it without the weapons in hand." Ve whispers into the earpiece. "I am concerend with what will happen to these folks. For a very ling time they have been hunted and forced to labor. Likely they have no means of feeding or truly caring for themselves. Establishing dependance is the first step in Dominance. But we can not stay here for the rest of our lives. Those in Dirt City will learn and slowly spread the word."
Spells in effect: Greater Magic Weapon Magic Vestment Armor Magic Vestment Shield Endure Elements Freedom of Movement 220 minutes Protection from Elements Fire 220 minutes Status 22 hours Shield of Law [Father Nick] Stoneskin [Cori]
Onrad Friday September 7th, 2007 3:42:01 PM
Onrad flips a gold piece at Valdor. With a straight face he says, "I repent sir."
Then he is off to help unite children and parents. He is very careful to see that both children and parents are recognizing each other. No funny business allowed.
Valdor Friday September 7th, 2007 6:23:43 PM
Valdor suppresses a laugh and replies where only the Plats can hear,"The weapons were to make an impression and to intimidate a bit. I didn't want anyone to get an idea they could throw rocks. And, being a cleric of Domi previously, I like to fight while I preach."
Jus AC 49, 150 HP (+10 with glove, +42 with bear's endurance), 110 Stoneskin, 50% Displacement Sunday September 9th, 2007 9:00:13 PM
Jus steps back and allows Valentine to take care of the kids. They obviously need healing, which isn't exactly Jus' strong point (as he remembers the arrows embedding in Crow).
Jus is heavily distracted when the boy's belongings are handed to him; he isn't even sure who gave them to him. He doesn't move, and seems barely aware things. It's nothing like a curse -- "Jus" is still there. But he's not paying attention to his surroundings. The kids leave and the tower is brought down. Still nothing but Jus' eyes move; flitting around, landing on nothing for but the briefest of moments.
The loud crash of the window and roof pulls him back to reality.
Parnoth, they said, Jus thinks, as the last few minutes of conversation begin registering with his brain. Regardless of which dragon the claw came from, it already stirred Jus' memories. Jus misses his friend, and practically his son. Being apart now by time as well as distance makes it that much harder. Jus can't imagine that he's dead in this world, no longer to be seen. Still, there is a chance that with the magic restored....
With a distant feeling of embarrasement or chagrin, Jus closes his eyes to ignore the others and "thinks" as strongly as he can. It's worked before, it may work again.
Keiran!!!
Active Spells: SHIELD OF LAW on group. (+4 deflection to AC, SR 25 on chaos spells, block possession.) Stoneskin (110 hp) Displacement (5 rounds ???) Bear's Endurance (+4 Con) Spells Remaining: 6/6/7/6/7/3
OOC: Sorry for my missed posting. I'm on a business trip to Boston and will not have continuous Wold access. I hope this post fits well. It was my (Jus') first thought when I read about the dragon's pendant.
Posting Report for Monday September 10th, 2007 5:55:51 AM
Game # 1 The Platinum Dragons For the week of Sept 3,2007
Names-----MTWTF DM Jan H--OXXOX Valdore---XXXX2 Mordrid---XOOXO * Fr.Nick---OXXXX Dalia-----OOOOO * VE Mont---XOXXX Coralot---OOOOO * Onrad-----OXXOX Jus-------OOOOO *
Adm Ceil - * Has missed 3 post or more.
Mordrid Monday September 10th, 2007 10:37:27 AM
Mordrid lends Valdor his support. Rocks in hand... swords in hand. It was fair.
"I like the idea of taking the boy two the temple at Dirt City. It is likely we can get him back to where he belongs."
[OOC: I'm having flash backs of Mad Max - could Mordrid have been the next Captain Walker? I will be in Reno until Thursday morning. So likely to miss more posts.]
Nick Monday September 10th, 2007 4:22:57 PM
Nick isn't surprised at the reaction of those risen from the pit, but he is surprised at their numbers. Who would have known there were so many down there?
Seeing Onrad stride off toward the mob does nothing to quell his already growing apprehension.
Alemi, let this not end in violence.
DM Jan Monday September 10th, 2007 5:15:47 PM
((OOC - well, we've had Steve moving house, John and Scott traveling, Jerry back at 'skool', Jim's online service kaput, I'm assuming Kent's mad busy in his other games, and yet we're still rolling. We're not doing so bad under the circumstances. Good work, everyone.))
For a long moment, aggression taints the air as both sides square up.
Then, one of the taller men pushes to the front. He has a wide jaw, uneven, fang-like teeth, and possesses shoulders the width of a barn door. He raises his hand. "Enough!" he growls at the others. "See! He wears the sign!" The raised hand lowers and points - straight toward Valdor's chest plate. The rock is dropped.
Both Valdor and Mordrid see hard eyes looking them over, for these people have no experience with the kind of adventurer's magic that both men can weild, no idea at all what danger the Dragons could represent. Cori and Jus's perception is perhaps is similar, although, having not made any aggressive moves as yet, are not subject to the same hard scrutiny.
"So!" booms the big spokesman, "we are free to roam because of you?" A wide grin breaks into his face. "Then if you are hungry we can offer shelter and food by way of thanks. But Crow now belongs to you. He is your responsibility. I am Kalder, I bid you welcome."
People are beginning to edge forward. Curiosity is taking over and the tension lessens to practically nothing. Onrad discovers that most of the children, particularly the younger ones, have gravitated toward the same woman, giving him the impression that perhaps the social orgainzation of this group is rather different to what he's used to. One of the girls shows the woman a piece of the rations she's been given.
Over by the carpet, Ve will note that while the two halflings are terrified, Crow seems accepting of the hostility toward him; resigned, maybe fatalistic, which does not bode well for the man's overall state of mind. The boy is still lying on the carpet, bundled up in his robe. Moisture drips from the corner of his mouth. Occasionally he sighs, or says something unintelligable. From what Ve can see of the crowd, there were no angry glares aimed in the boy's particular direction.
Jus's thoughts turn toward his distant companion. Dead? Like everyone else? A mental dip into the magical ether will tell him the worst, just as it would Cori, if she sought out a similar question, or indeed any of the magic users. Metaphorically, arcane magic was like a stormy sea in the mind - pulled and pushed by the tides, drawn into a frenzy by the winds. It's multitude of users and uses substituted for the moons and the winds, and it was rarely at ease, always churning. But now - nothing. Except for a mere ripple emanating from the group, it is a calm, untouched expanse. Never has anything felt so still. There is immense power out there, and none of it is being used. Where were the wizards, the sorcerors, the mighty purple worms, the dragons, the displacer beasts, and the beholders? Akin to loneliness, it is not a good feeling.
Valdor Tuesday September 11th, 2007 12:53:09 AM
Valdor's swords snap back into their sheaths at the man's words. Valdor nods an understanding to him and then replies,"He is indeed our problem. However, he is not evil and is a complete wreck emotionally. I doubt he will recover."
Valdor shrugs his shoulders and says,"We have come from another time...one long past...to retrieve him. He and the constructs will bother you no further, I assure you. Have you seen or heard of other places like this one? Are their other people around the countryside like you all? There used to be a huge city called Plateau City. Have you heard of it and do you know if it still stands?"
Valdor says to the group,"Before we go home, I would like to see what has become of our city and the area there. Any objections? If these were the only beings alive, Alemi, Domi, and the others would have shown up by now."
Onrad Tuesday September 11th, 2007 9:23:19 AM
Onrad introduces himself to the woman who seems to be "mom" to all these kids hoping to find out more.
"Greetings woman. I am Onrad. It is good to meet one that children respect so much."
Ve Mundr Tuesday September 11th, 2007 7:38:05 PM
Ve remains near the halflings and Crow. Nodding his agreement with Valdor. the mission was a success as far as he was concerned, the rest was now to the rest of them. In particular he felt his old friend Nicholas would be interested in being amognst the people and helping where he may. Given the offer of the Kilder, Ve was a bit hopeful they would be moving on though. This was not a people with much to spare, and certainly none of them were in need.
"we should thnk him for the offer and be away. Perhaps Father Nicholas could stay for some time to assist where he may. I will be able to keep him safe, even from Plateau City
Corialote Tuesday September 11th, 2007 9:33:30 PM
Cori slowly moves forward to stand near Valdor as she loops her arm through his. "Well...we do have a lot of pieces to pick up Dear Heart." She leans against him and lets her mind wander to find out if Amarth is ok. She does so hope that he was not caught in the explosion as she did truely love him.
She watches the people and then just resigns herself to leaning against Valdor. She can easily feel the void that has been left in the land and the amount of magical energy that could be harnessed. She might be able to do that herself but right now she feels no inclination to do so...the voice is silent for now at least.
[Just an FYI. My internet is still not a whole lot better. I have not gotten the disk to make the change over to my phone companies internet. My current provider is still bugged and I still have to fight to get on. Will try to get back into the swing of things.]
~~Jan~~ No worries, Jim. Good to see you. Post when you can.
Nick d20+19=27 Wednesday September 12th, 2007 1:24:14 AM
Nick stands unthreatening and smiling as the people approach. He is, however, watching them with a practiced eye, looking for signs of malnourishment, and physical cruelties that might have been inflicted, disease, etc etc.
Heal Check DC 27 (sheesh...)
DM Jan Wednesday September 12th, 2007 2:44:57 AM
As the fire dies down to embers around the fortress, the mine people start to mingle, openly staring at Cori's purple braid, Nick's white robes, Jus's narrow features, Mordrid's cloak, Ve Mundr's armour and weaponry, Valdor's sword and that massive 'V' on his chest.
And Onrad? "You're short for a man," the woman says to him with a rather alarming candour. "Although, if you were strong enough, they'd have let you live. All the children were given to me, while the others worked. You come from a place with no metal men? What do they do with children where you come from? One of the boy children milling around her points. "What's that? he asks, his gesture indicating Onrad's rapier.
Kalder looks puzzled for a moment, then whispers to another one of the men stood nearby. That man walks toward a low building where one of the Crow posters are pinned. Cori's crow Amarth flaps away, having been caught pecking at something there. The disgruntled bird lands on its companion's shoulder. The man rips the poster off the wall, turns it around, places it on the ground and starts to scribble on it with a sliver of charcoal taken from the back pocket of his ragged trousers. In the meantime - "There are other places such as this," Kalder says. "We know that much because they brought others in on the rail way in times gone by, and they had stories. And we've seen many, many of the metal men climb on that train and head to the east. To other mines, we thought. I don't think any of us has heard of a place called Plateau. But that - he points at the letter 'V' "That stands for hope. That message came, from a city somewhere, our ancestors say, before most of us were born. And this - " He hesitates as the man with the poster rejoins him and holds up his handiwork. "This is even older," says Kalder. "It's a message on part of a carved tablet someone brought in from somewhere. We have the piece hidden below. Some of us are sworn to defend it with our lives." On the rear of the poster, in dusty black lettering, are the following letters -
g o n C o n s o r t i
ENDURE !
"Now, we know what endure means. That's what we have been doing. Resistence killed many. But now we do what we're told, we eat the specified foods in the right order, we work, we give up half our children. In the belief that whoever wrote this knew there would be an end to it." He shrugs. "And yet none of us knows what gonconsort-eye means. Do you know?" There is a tag of skin hanging from the corner of the poster, which is starting to look rather like turkey jerky.
None of these people get to close to Ve Mundr's carpet, not wishing to go anywhere near the man who was the legend who brought so much misery. "When do we get to go home?" Tommy asks the Protector miserably.
Nick discovers that most of these people, beneath the dirt, appear to be in reasonable health. Their eyes are clear, no obvious lesions on the skin, they have teeth.
So, what next for the dragons? Stay awhile? A trip east? Or back home?
Valdor Wednesday September 12th, 2007 10:40:34 AM
Valdor smiles at Kalder and takes the charcoal and poster from the man. He writes the letters 'Dra' at the front and the letters 'um' at the end and says,"We are known as the Platinum Dragons, the lead group of the Dragon Consortium. Our main objective is to keep peace in the Wold and take care of problems that others cannot handle. We fight if we must, but only if we must."
He points to the pile of constructs that they destroyed upon arrival at the tower nd continues,"All of us have sworn to stand against evil and to protect those who cannot protect themselves...the good people of all races. To become a Consortium member, one has to be exceptional in battle and prove to us with their lives that they are the kinf of people that we need and that we can trust. I can't believe that the Consortium could have allowed this situation to get so out of hand like it is, but we came to fix it."
Valdor then holds his hand out while appraising the man before him and says finally,"We got off on the wrong foot earlier, I am Valdor of the Consortium, and it is good to meet you." Somewhere in the back of his mind, Valdor wonders at the man's size and the similarity in the name structure to his...
Onrad Wednesday September 12th, 2007 4:57:46 PM
"Welllll...
"The birthing mother and the male who fathers the child bind themselves together and raise their children together in a group. We call it a family. The children learn from both the father and the mother about life until they are grown. Then they leave to bind with another in love or pursue their own goals. It is pretty simple really."
"But as long as the children are loved and cared for, and it appears that they are, then all is fine. :)"
-----------
Onrad excuses himself and goes to Jus, the smartest man he knows. He calls Cori over too. And Ve. He talks softly.
"Hey, is this enough to change the timeline back or should we head east?
"See I'm worried. These people have a right to live and enjoy their newfound freedom. However, if we go back, then the timeline reverses and these people will never have been, right? Or am I confused. I'd hate to know that they wouldn't get to continue on.
Corialote and Amarth Wednesday September 12th, 2007 9:17:27 PM
Cori moves over to stand with Jus, Onrad and Ve as a discussion is started on this time. Looking to the others she reaches up to rub her temples. "We have had this arguemnent at the Star Mage Guild at least a hundred times. Now as to if we are done here...that is a different matter altogether. This is just a guess but if the magic that was binding the elementals was working through the small pieces of skin from Crow. Then our work here could be done as the machines were destroyed and the skin looks to be deteriorating." She continues to rub her temples as the next part was what causes the true headaches.
Glancing to Jus and Ve, though she does not know Ve's thoughts on this or Jus's for that matter. "This timeline depends upon a number of things. Is this an alternate reality and if it is it should continue on when we are gone, though it should have changed for the better. If this is part of our Wold's future, than these people will most likely live on but in different ways when we get back to our time and our time catches up to this period in the Wolds' history." She is giving herself a major headache and she expects that the others might have arguements to what she is talking about.
Amarth is chuckling upon his Mistress's shoulder as she drones on. Bringing his beak near her ear he whispers to her. "Brilliant, maybe you should write a thesis for the Guild on this." It is a joke but one he hopes his Mistress will get.
Mordrid Wednesday September 12th, 2007 11:12:40 PM
Mordrid is plagued by Valdor's keen interest on other matters of this time period.
"Valdor, my brother, with all due respect... It is a dangerous path that we tred here in the future. I would advise that we not tamper with it any longer. We should make our way home... if you truly feel this job is done. It matters not what the state of Plateau City currently is. It will all be undone."
The ranger's sense of time and nature is accutely aware of meddling.
Nick Thursday September 13th, 2007 5:23:04 PM
At some point, Nick wanders over to Ve Mundr. He says, quietly - "The boy's fate troubles me. I don't like the idea of leaving him here, and yet - what do we do with him when we get home, IF we take him with us? It seems to me that the Necromancers in Mount Bone will eventually become a serious problem if left unchecked, and this future incarnation will have all kinds of information that might help us. There are probably some who'd pull his arms off to get at that information if he doesn't talk, and we can't exactly condone that, either. What do you think we should do? Was it Mordrid that suggested we take him to the temple while we're still here? But what then?"
DM Jan Thursday September 13th, 2007 5:45:26 PM
Kalder shakes Valdor's hand. "I don't know what to say, or how to express our gratitude, other than to let you know that you have it, thrice over. I would definitely say that you've 'fixed it'. We have livestock and water down in the pits, and there are crop fields not too far distant to the south. The metal men were very thorough in making sure we were 'fully functional'," he says with a wry smile. Examining his features more closely, Valdor may well come to the conclusion that there is a touch of orc in his genes.
Close by, some of the others are examining the completed sentences and are trying to remember other things their ancesters might have told them. They are also looking on the Dragons with renewed awe. Some have gathered by the fallen constructs and are pulling them apart. One holds up a chest panel and holds it against himself with a grin. Some of his comrades slap him on the back and laugh.
"We did our best to do the same," the woman tells Onrad, and a tinge of sadness enters her voice. She shrugs. "Things will change for the better now, yes?"
There's no telling how things will develop in this community. All of them seem very erudite and intelligent, and physically well-built. They can obviously read, write, and they possess a good vocabulary. Somewhat of a contrast when compared to those who emerged from the ruins of Dirt City.
While certain aspects of this adventure are discussed by the group, the beleagered Izen slowly strives toward full daylight, or what passes for it under this cloudy sky. The land is damaged, but now the mining and smelting production has stopped, perhaps things will start to mend. As a backdrop, Mount Bone is the only naysayer, brooding as it always has, enveloped in its own miasma of doom.
As for the discussions themselves... who knows for sure? Maybe no one does. Most explanations so far seem valid.
Onrad Thursday September 13th, 2007 8:29:07 PM
Onrad, his eyes growing wet says, "I kinda wish I could stay. But that would probably mess things up. These people touch me. Very noble."
He turns and starts walking towards Dirt City. Then stops.
"OK, where's that stupid machine."
Ve Mundr Friday September 14th, 2007 12:49:29 PM
Ve listens to Cori with a thoughtful look. "Iagree it seems the work and original supositions of getting crow will end the immediate threat to the Wold is complete. the rift is gone, the elementals freed and the constructs neutralized. We have Crow and have every indication that the final step is to return to our own time and end the possible future threat he poses and place him upon final judgement. As to what happens here upon that?" Ve's head moves a bit side to side, "As you have said, we've had lengthy discussions and everything is suposition. My personal belief is one to the bent of parallel existance."
When Nick speaks about the boy, Ve moves off a short distance. "Father Nicholas my old friend. He is a reincarnated evil. One that escaped during this folly of Crows from Gargul Punishment. The easiest thing would be to return him to Gargul's keeping." Ve's eyes are serious as is his tone and Nicholas knows Ve would not dwell on the execution of this plan were he to carry it through. "But he is not an evil entity, merely a soul bent to the wrong path and I would prefer reconcilliation. The spell upon him is pernament unless Healed or similar powerful magic is applied. Something I do not think will be available to the peoples of this Wold for a very long time. With love and caring of other humans, he may change in the interim. One thing I believe is that we can not take him back. He is of this time, not ours. I believe my friend that he is turned to loving people here or Dirt City and here seems better and they will care for raise him and show him love. We take a precaution and place a Mark of Justice upon him as well and we pray."
Ve then adds to Mordrid's thought to the rest. "We should be going home right after the reincarnated soul in the boy is decided... I still see only two real options." Ve does not elaborate as this discussion is not one to have in front of the newly freeed peoples about them.
Onrad Friday September 14th, 2007 5:04:03 PM
"The machine that takes us back. It that with us?"
He looks around to see if anyone knows.
Ve Mundr Saturday September 15th, 2007 12:56:56 AM
Ve nods to Onrad, "Yes the halflings have it."
Jus Saturday September 15th, 2007 10:27:53 AM
Jus smiles as Onrad approaches and begins the discussion. Many times, Onrad has done the same; bringing up the very topic that is on Jus' mind.
"I too, have been considering this... line of time. My heart wants to stay and train those willing in magic, arms, and what it means to be a defender of the Wold."
Jus shifts, showing his discomfort. "I know there are others here better suited to do so, but it is a task that harmonizes with my heart."
In much quieter words, he finishes, "Still, I do not wish to throw my remaining years into the ether if this Wold will be 'never was here'."
Jus gives a weak grin and shrugs. His thoughts race madly towards a solution he doesn't see. And, once again, a melancholy mood sets in as he is once again reminded how life isn't always what you wish it would be.
Valdor Monday September 17th, 2007 1:46:53 AM
Valdor nods at Mordrid's words and replies,"You are right, my brother. I would just like to view our home in this time...to see if our castle still stands, or any of the city."
His brow furrows up and he says,"I'd like to think that by coming into the future to do something good and to help people, that we haven't completely destroyed their existance." He shakes his head, giving Mordrid one of those 'this is giving me a headache' looks. He has no idea of how this will change future events and people's lives, but he knows they had to do it.
Seeing that so many are intelligent, and hearing that they can obviously grow food, he says to Kalder,"My new friend, therer are other people who live in the city down these tracks. They are those who have escaped the rule of the constructs, but haven't fared as well as you and these have. They have little food and seem to be less schooled as you all have been. I would ask you to seek them out. We are going back there and will tell them of you as well. One last question I must ask. Where were the constructs assembled and where are the metals used?"
Posting Report for Monday September 17th, 2007 7:57:28 AM
Game # 1 The Platimum Dragons For the week of Sept 10,2007
Names-----MTWTF DM JanH---XOXXO Valdor----OXXOO Mordrid---XOXOO Fr.Nick---XOXXO Dalia-----OOOOO * BAD BAD! VE Mont---OXOOXS Coralot---OXXOO * BAD BAD! Onrad-----OXXXX Jus-------XOOOOS * BAD BAD!!
Adm. Ceil
DM Jan Monday September 17th, 2007 11:02:56 AM
((OOC - just got back from the track, I'll post this morning.))
Nick Monday September 17th, 2007 3:31:58 PM
Nick nods at his friend and colleague, declining to say much more about it at this point. 'Return to Gargul' of course meant a death sentence for the boy. And Ve was correct to be reticent when the others were out there, working hard, talking to and reassuring the surviving population. This problem would need subtlety.
DM Jan Monday September 17th, 2007 4:03:00 PM
Onrad and Ve's short conversation about the 'machine' has Wentworth suddenly patting all his pockets. "Oh, please don't tell me you've lost it!" implores his brother Tommy. A frantic few seconds later and Wentworth gives the thumbs up. "Don't scare me like that," grumbles Tommy.
The current situation holds quite an allure. There's a lot a good man or woman could do, here. Especially with the high level of skills held by this particular adventuring group - magic, martial arts, survival, politics, the ways of the gods, history, geography, commerce, debate, a myriad of professions and skills.
Right here is the beginning of a new way of life for all the survivors. Many paths can be taken, some better than others. And the young boy currently drooling on Ve Mundr's carpet is one example of what could happen if the wrong path is taken.
In this particular area, life WILL be hard, just as it always has been. Bad weather, stony ground, and Mount Bone, sentient and dreadful in the Dragons' time period, is already, quietly, slowly, brewing malevolence now that the Wold's magic has returned.
"We will make sure to seek these people out, and welcome them," Kalder tells Valdor. "It's a new world, isn't it. We shall need new ways." As for the constructs and the metal - "The metal for the constructs, and the ore from which it is extracted, is down in the pit. So are the componants and tools. we made the pieces, then they were brought up here to be built." Kalder points at the destroyed fortress.
Over to the east, a shaft of sunlight has broken through the clouds. It's a natural sight after a daytime storm, but to the eyes of these people - something wonderous, and they turn and stare.
Right now, for the Dragons, hard decisions have to be made. Crow has to be returned to the present. Something must be done about the boy. Is there time for a trip over to Plateau City? Theoretically, yes. So long as nothing happens to the group's primary objective.
Onrad Monday September 17th, 2007 5:12:44 PM
"OK, let's get the boy to Dirt City and see if the gods can help us with him there. Then, probably the less we know of this time, the less we will feel the pain of leaving here.
"If I can't stay, I need to leave.
"Can we set up the teleport to DC?"
Onrad motions for everyone to join in a circle and get the ring passed.
He grins sheepishly as his need to "get things moving" when they are not.
"I hate sitting still. I do."
Jus Monday September 17th, 2007 7:26:15 PM
Jus stands next to Onrad, amused by his incessant movement. "I bet they have a name for the bug in your pants -- the one that prevents you from staying still."
This, in turn, reminds him of Nonam and Gareth. It is a shame that the two of them couldn't make it on this trip. They would have loved it. Nonam especially. To be one of the only magic users in the land would have been intoxicating to him.
Corialote and Amarth Tuesday September 18th, 2007 12:16:44 AM
Cori moves over to stand now by the larger group of her fellow adventurers. She waits to see if the will check out anything else in this world or go back. Truely she is looking forward to the time that she can retire. This past few months have been aging to her, though she shows no outwards signs of it.
Turning to Valdor she shrugs. "Your decision...do we see to the boy and then go home...or do we see to the boy and then sightsee?" If it is the later at least she will be with her dear heart and they can hopefully take it easy.
Valdor Tuesday September 18th, 2007 2:13:14 AM
Valdor rubs his chin at all the thoughts as they are discussed. He laughs aloud at Onrad's assessment of himself, then says still chuckling,"And everyone always accused me of rushing through things without thinking them through. Next time I see Mycroft, I'll have to tell him I go in slow motion compared to old Onrad here!
Well, while I would like to see our old stomping grounds, I don't want what we see to affect how we feel about things and change what we do once we get back. We know what's right and we must take the boy to Dirt City. Now that magic is back, once someone gets strong enough in priestly magic to heal the boy, they won't know what's inside him and that evil soul that is probably one of Marteaus's necromancers, will be released into a world not ready to combat him.
Any wizard of great power could be a king here...or more, and I don't like the idea of leaving him in case someone heals him later. We should seek out guidance in Gargul's temple, much as it turns my stomach to say so. Or in Alemi's or Domi's, if Dirt has a temple to them. Of course, our clerics could rest up and memorize some kind of Commune spell or something similar and tomorrow cast it to ask questions.
Doesn't really matter for the moment...we need to get moving I guess."
Valdor turns back to Kalder and says,"It is a new world, and it's up to you and yours to make sure that you do things differently than those like Crow. Also, I would immediately start reforming that metal into materials to build houses, swords, armor and things like that. You should destroy any written designs of those things so noone can begin again what we have stopped. As I said before, seek Alemi and Domi, the greatest of the good Gods and ask their guidance. With faith, and I assure you that they exist, you will be amazed at what good you can do. Take care my friend and lead these people well."
Valdor hooks his arm in Cori's and heads back to the carpet.
Onrad Tuesday September 18th, 2007 4:48:35 PM
"Can we pass the ring now daddy?" Onrad gives Valdor his best bratty kid look.
Nick Tuesday September 18th, 2007 8:20:35 PM
Turning his attention to those who emerged from the pit, Nick whispers a prayer and watches as Valdor imparts advice on their leader.
Alemi take care of thes people. lift their spirits. Guide them true...
He then joins the others, ready for teleportation.
DM Jan Tuesday September 18th, 2007 8:27:38 PM
Teleportation back to Dirt City brings the Platinum Dragons back to the area they left, ie. right outside the Gargul Temple.
The immediate area looks slightly different in daylight. The air is more fresh due to a breeze blowing in from the sea. The top level of Dirt City looks dilapidated, overgrown and rundown, but decidedly more cheerful now there are no lost souls hanging about.
There's an elderly woman sweeping detritus and leaves from the temple doors, who will offer no comment, if the adventurers step inside.
Ve Mundr Wednesday September 19th, 2007 3:15:17 PM
Ve's face remains impassive to the fate of the boy. The final three, two really, possibilities were all that really mattered. Ve had made up his mind on this, but would carry ou either as the desicion was handed down.
Appearing at the Gragul temple, Ve scoops up the boy, steps off the carpet and moves past teh woman to the interior.
Corialote and Amarth Wednesday September 19th, 2007 5:14:18 PM
Cori keeps her arm laced in Valdor's, even during the teleportation. Once on the other side she take the time to act like she is having trouble standing, just so that she can be closer to him. Her smile and flashing eyes tell all though when she looks to her dear heart. "I have to agree with Onrad on a few things. We could make a very good life here and the good we could do..." She lets it hang as that would not be retirement and she has her heart set on doing something other than fighting. She shakes her head and laughs lightly. "No...Valdora will be needing us and we have a business to start, her and I." Still the day is too nice to waste and she does not relish the idea of entering the temple anytime soon.
Amarth seems amused from his position on his Mistress's shoulder, but wisely keeps his beak shut. He got away with the earlier comment and will not chance his luck again...so soon.
Valdor Wednesday September 19th, 2007 11:59:42 PM
Valdor takes great comfort in Cori's closeness and relaxes when they get back. He asks Nick and Ve,"Are there any temples to Domi or Alemi here and can either of you ask your God's questions relating to this boy's fate? I don't want the boy to die, but the soul who has stolen the body has to go. I wonder if the boy's real soul is in there somewhere? And would he have control if the evil soul is somehow removed from his body? We could use a rest anyway and then take care of him, then get back to our own time."
He listens to Cori, happy with her resolution. He never for once considered staying, but understands where her thoughts are. For if they stayed, taht means all the decades up to this point were still in place and the havoc wreaked upon their children, grandchildren...no, it must end this way.
Onrad Thursday September 20th, 2007 1:03:04 AM
As they arrive, he somehow ends up with his arm wrapped up in Valdor's.
"Eww."
Then he looks at Cori and Valdor's "intertwinings."
"When we get back, I'm getting the two of you a room and locking you in for a week!"
Then he follows the others into the temple.
Nick Thursday September 20th, 2007 1:39:53 AM
Nick thinks for a moment after Valdor's question. "Alemi didn't have a big presence here, from what I remember, although I'm sure there is a shrine, or what's left of one, somewhere in the interior. "Valdor, I'll be honest. If I have my thoughts straight about the boy, then our decisions regarding his future will fall solidly on Gargul's territory. "My own faith sees cruelty, when I look upon that boy. Cruelty draped about our shoulders, for leaving him in this feeble state for so long. Both faith and training bade me to heal the boy, and yet..."
He trails off. Yes, heal him, Nick. Unleash the monster. A monster that, despite all misgivings, is still just a boy.
DM Jan Thursday September 20th, 2007 1:55:17 AM
The old lady with the brush looks to have been busy inside the temple. The floor is clean, and there is no sign of the dead priest. The altar exhudes power and gloom, but this time, the rear wall is solid - the way into the Shadowlands is now as it should be - blocked - to all except those who have the power to open up the way.
A small creature sits atop the altar. Gargul's companion, Gimp, appears to have been waiting...
Ve Mundr Thursday September 20th, 2007 10:23:01 AM
Ve stops as Valdor speaks of the boy. "Valdor with all due respect I don't believe you are grasping the true aspect here. The boy is evil, the soul did not steal this body, it is not possession, it is reincarnation. The evil escaped and has been escaping Gargul for hundreds of years. Being reborn just as the righteous have always done. There is no other, he simply is as you and I are. He is of this time, and can not go back with us." Ve then turns and heads towards Gimp.
Valdor Thursday September 20th, 2007 11:27:06 AM
Upon hearing Onrad's statement, Valdor smiles and replies,"Works for me. But let's make it two weeks." He stops and then laughs aloud saying,"Can you imagine going two weeks without having to chase a dragon, time travel, wipe out an undead problem, find lost cities, stop an army, or smething else like that? I will be bored silly if I went two days without Sturdevant calling on us to go somewhere and do something."
He turns more somber at Ve's words and says,"I wouldn't advocate taking him back with us. I just feel we should try to make sure there's not a ten year old boy's soul trapped in this body somewhere before we let him be destroyed. And, I wouldn't consider leaving him in this state forever...that's worse than torture and wouldn't be fair to whoever had to take care of him. We take him to Gargul's temple, put him on the altar and pray to Gargul to take his soul peacefully to his realm. Whatever happens...happens."
Onrad Thursday September 20th, 2007 3:15:29 PM
Onrad moves forward, his hand on his sword in its hilt as he has little good feeling left in him for Gimp.
None in fact.
His flippant manner leaves him and he's all business once again. Intent and alert.
Mordrid Thursday September 20th, 2007 5:39:13 PM
"I don't agree with everyone's usage of the word 'die'. In and of itself, changing forms is not as bad as you think. Why then do we not dress in black and mourn as each Fall approaches?"
His attention is redirected toward Gimp. "I bet this little guy has the answer."
Corialote and Amarth Thursday September 20th, 2007 9:04:45 PM
Cori continues to keep her arm intwined with Valdors and nods her head when he laughs. She is glad to see him happy for awhile at least. She looks to Onrad and gives him a wink. "If you lock to the door, do not come back to try and open it...for it will be locked by more than meer steel." Her eyes twinkle but she would also relish the idea of being along with Valdor. As he goes into the ideas of going crazy with all that free-time she laughs a little more. "Oh, I think that I could find something to keep your mind busy. Besides, I could easily kidnap you if I needed to." She doubts that she would have to try very hard to do that but it would be possible.
As the thoughts and needs to turn to the child and the use of the word death. She once again becomes all business and she does glance to Mordrid as he speaks. "Yes, let us think of it more as a rebirth. This soul needs to go back were it belongs and maybe the soul that once inhabited this body can be reborn. If not into this body, than maybe another to a gentle woman and man." For such a long-lived race it is hard to observe death as a permanent thing. In fact she has felt on many occassions that she has been something else before she was Cori the drow...flying is one of those rare pleasures. Maybe she was once a bird or something else that was able to fly.
Nick Friday September 21st, 2007 11:27:24 AM
Nick approaches the altar and gives Gimp a solemn bow. "With respect, we seek an audience with Gargul," he begins. "We have brought a young boy, someone who exhudes evil, and believe him to be a reincarnation from the Lands of Unrest, who does not belong here, but we need guidance."
DM Jan Friday September 21st, 2007 12:02:03 PM
Gargul's companion shifts to the right hand edge of the altar. "Let me see him," the creature says.
Assuming the boy is placed on the altar, Gimp crouches over the feebleminded boy's prone form. The creature's eyes, like bright stones, then regard the party. "Gargul still roams the Isles of the Dead. There is much to put right there, such as the likes of this boy, if what you say proves correct. "In order to be sure about this one, I will need to look into his soul. You will see things. Things you may not like. Things about you and what could be. Are you ready?"
Is it everyone's imagination, or did the temple abruptly take on a more somber air? Do the walls feel to be closing in, shutting out the Wold and the joys of life it contains? That shiver down the spine, maybe it's just cold in here...
Valdor Saturday September 22nd, 2007 12:20:31 AM
Valdor hears Gimp, and gets that 'feeling'. He says aloud,"If what he says is true, those who fought against that pit monster must hold true to themselves now. This will not be real, my friends and we must remember who we are."
He nods to Gimp to proceed, still remembering diving in front of Gimp to take that sword thrown by Marteaus...
Ve Mundr Saturday September 22nd, 2007 10:30:32 PM
Ve steps forward and places the boy on the altar by Gimp. The cleric then just steps back a few paces, his war hammer slipping from its hanger and into his gauntleted hand.
Posting Report for Monday September 24th, 2007 7:10:53 AM
Game # 1 The Platinum Dragons For the week of Sept 17, 2007
Names-----MTWTF DM Jan H--XXOXX Valdor----XXXOOS Mordrid---OOOXO * Bad Boy! Fr.Nick---XXOXX Dalia-----OOOOO * Bad BoY! VE MONT---OOXXOS * Coralot---OXXXO Onrad-----XXXXO Jus-------XOOOO *
Adm CEil
Nick Monday September 24th, 2007 4:31:55 PM
Nick's eyes flit toward Valdor as he mentions that thing in the pit. Well, they'd stared death and all sorts in the face before.
He takes a breath and tries to remain calm.
DM Jan Monday September 24th, 2007 5:59:20 PM
After a few moments, there is an abrupt drop in temperature. Gimp becomes merely a shadow. Everyone else, with the exception of Cori, Jus and the boy, appear to fade in varying degrees.
Valdor, Nick, Mordrid, Ve and Onrad feel a sensation not unlike a cloak of gauze dropping around their shoulders. This cloak brings strange thoughts -
Nick - candlelight and the smell of wax; a dull pain; voices murmuring in prayer; a glimpse of Plateau City from a window; men, women, dressed in white, moving about the room.
Onrad - his niece's face, looming above, trying to smile, to reassure; a door opening and closing, bringing with it childrens voices, and the breath of autumn.
Ve - a cloudy sky and distant thunder; a gentle rocking, and the sound of a slow, tentative oar cutting through water; someone humming a tune; it hurts to breathe but the air feels moist.
Mordrid - the scent of moss and blood; wet leaves and cold ground beneath the hand and against the face; a bug's eye view of the trail ahead, and a voice, "Mordrid. Mordrid," growing fainter.
Valdor - the sound of steel, ringing on steel; a howling storm of pain, held back by a stubborn wall of anger; darkness and shifting forms; a cavern and the smell of sulpher; the sword, singing, ingniting the will; a dance, abruptly snatched away.
Jus's form stays whole and three dimensional, but it shifts, and now he is seated, crosslegged, his eyes are closed. His own perception is of somewhere else, somewhere cold. Far from here. A massive, still form, covered in black scales is curled around him. Concentration. He breathes, once every five minutes. His heart beats, once every five minutes. Not as slow as the dragon, not yet. Not yet.
Cori also retains substance, but her palor shifts to a sickly grey. Red welts cross her arms and torso. Her eyes burn with a fearsome, cold, rage. There is a wand in her hand. There is no sign of Amarth. Everyone can see an arm reaching out and pulling her toward the altar. It is the boy - the boy grown to a man. His face longer, thinner, he looks tired, ravaged with disease. The ruin of the Wold is written upon his face for all to see. This one is the killer of thousands. "I'm not going alone," he whispers. Cori's hand sweeps down, strikes him with the wand, but there is nothing left. She lets out a cry of rage and frustration. Steel flashes in the firelight as he pulls her close. She drops the wand and goes for his throat with her hands, and squeezes as he stabs her again and again. "I'm not going alone..."
And then it is gone, leaving behind a strong punch-in-the-gut disorientation.
Gimp and the boy are on the altar, as they were before. Cori and Jus are both as they were. "I can't kill him," says the creature, looking solemly at the group. "I cannot physically interfere. But he belongs with us. He should not have been reborn."
Close by, Crow is sobbing quietly, and Wentworth is staring into space, a look of horror on his face. His brother Tommy also looks to be in shock. He has pulled out his fruit paring knife and is advancing toward the altar with vacant eyes.
((OOC EDIT - something I might not have made clear. The vision is of the current past, but in your own time, it would be a vision of the future. Eeek. Hope that makes sense. It's kinda in between then and now.))
(OOC: SCOTT: This is as far as I've read so far. Jan, simply brilliant. You do not fail to amaze me.]
((OOC ~Jan~ Thank you :) ))
Corialote and Amarth Monday September 24th, 2007 7:52:09 PM
Cori swallows hard as she is still trapped within the nightmare. Though it is in her mind she can still feel the knife as it buries itself into her again and again. The feeling of death is heavy on her shoulders as well, but she cannot force herself to move...to run.
Finally, after aganizing minutes have passed she slumps to the floor. Her head is in her hands and she finds herself crying. The weight is still there and she feels that she has been called upon to do something vile.
Ve Mundr Monday September 24th, 2007 10:37:28 PM
Ve closes his eyes as the feeling fades. Not what he expected. One hand moves to wipe away the imagined rain from his face. He hadn't failed and that was solice. He looks down towards his feet and wiggles his toes inside his boots and then raises his gaze to Gimp and then the boy. His right hand clenches harder on his glowing warhammer and he states quite flatly without emotion that sends chills down his own spine to hear the words, "I can."
Nick Monday September 24th, 2007 11:04:23 PM
Nick gasps audibly. What was that? My own death?
Seeing Cori drop, he steps quickly to her side and examines her vital signs. He's hoping it's just a faint. He was darned near passing out himself. Gimp did warn them. "Cori," he says softly, cradling her head, devastated by her tears. Alemi help them all.
Glanncing up he spies Ve near the altar, and he looks then toward Gimp. "We will not be judged?" he asks, his tone perhaps a little more stern than it should be.
At this moment he hasn't noticed Tommy.
Valdor d20=14 Tuesday September 25th, 2007 1:13:40 AM
Valdor groans out loud as he has his vision, but he's completely unaware he's making any sound at all. He finally comes out of it and shakes his head. Never has he trusted magic...except where Cori is concerned. He hears Gimp and then Ve. He says much more quietly than most have ever heard,"Ve, my friend, you are a cleric of Domi. This you should not do. I may face judgement, as Father Nick has wisely voiced, but nothing like you will for killing a boy. I will take no joy from it, but I see now that it must be done. Do you agree?"
Onrad Tuesday September 25th, 2007 4:12:16 PM
Onrad, slow to come out of his vision, thinks about his family. What he would want done if this boy was his...
An untidy task. Needs doing. Not drawn out. Don't think. Do. Suffer later.
Fast as lighting, draws forth his rapier and 5 times stabs into the chest of the boy.
As he does do, he shouts in anguish, as if he can feel the pain. He falls to his knees, unable to breathe. Uncharacteristically, his rapier clanks loudly to the floor.
----- [Jan if you need to hits and all that, let me know. This seems like a roleplaying situation.]
Jus Tuesday September 25th, 2007 5:08:05 PM
Jus watches his vision, trying to stay distant, trying to picture it as a dream. It is too real, however, too much like what could be. As the visions fade, Jus realizes the longing in his heart for his friend.
He looks up and watches everyone else return from their own visions. As Valdor speaks, Jus gives a resigned nod. Several times now, Jus has been tempted to pull out a dagger and off the boy. But Jus kept quiet and let the others deal with this in their own way. It sounds like Valdor has finally decided.
Which makes Onrad's sudden actions all the more shocking....
DM Jan Tuesday September 25th, 2007 11:39:24 PM
What must be done...
It hangs there, heavy in the air. Responsibilty, consequence. The taking of a life.
The folded and refined steel of Onrad's blade slashes through that moment, and enters the boy's black heart five times; back and forth. Those stood close are spattered in blood - warm, bright red and oxygenated. In seconds, it's over. Over and done.
"This is now as it should be," says Gimp, looking down at the still form of the boy. "And you will not be judged. In fact there may well be a boon, although I cannot say for sure."
Tommy the halfling is stood staring at the altar. A thin line of crimson is painted across his face. He has dropped his paring knife. "I want to go home," he says miserably.
Corialote and Amarth Tuesday September 25th, 2007 11:57:10 PM
Cori looks up as Nick's voice fills her head and not that far from her. Her eyes are anguished and she cannot bare to move at this time. She looks to the boy upon the altar and then the sudden movements of Onrad.
With a shiver she realizes that she could not have done it. Things from her past that she has tried to hide from, to run from would have caught up with her. The blackness that she feels in the pit of her stomach and heart, is part of her past as well as the thing in the pit. "I...I could not...it would have killed me." That part of her that she holds so dear would have been lost in the instant she killed the boy.
Now she realizes that all along she has been wrong. She has been running from something that she can never escape. To confront her past, embrace her past and then move on with the life that she leads now...that is the answer. "I must accept my heritage...what I have witnessed and done..." She slowly stands up, though she allows Nick to help her and she leans on him...but not a lot. "I must stop running."
Looking to Valdor she knows that it is true. If they are to have a future, she must settle her past first. Maybe a trip home is in order...one long overdue.
Valdor Wednesday September 26th, 2007 1:06:32 AM
Valdor's sword appears in his hand as Onrad attacks. He almost...almost, parries the blows, not wanting anything bad to happen to his friend. Always has he been willing to take the wrath of a dragon, or even the Gods for his friends and his family, the Dragons, but he really doesn't want to stop Onrad. Even though it sickens him, it is right, he believes.
Seconds later, Gimp echoes his thoughts, and he sheathes his sword. He looks around the room, then to Cori as she seems so lost. He says gently,"Well, you have no reason to run anywhere, my love, for if anything is pursuing you, it must first pass me and I promise it will have to pass my dead body first. And I have accepted your heritage and don't care what has gone before, so you should as well. Of course," he adds with a smile,"you'll have to accept a person who is only part elf and part human. Whatever you must do, we'll do it together."
He looks at Ve and says,"I guess Onrad beat us to it, eh? He's just mad that I got past those spiders first. Let's go home."
Onrad Wednesday September 26th, 2007 12:53:05 PM
"If there is a boon, Gimp, it goes to Valdor. He's our leader. He made the decision. I carried it out.
"If there had been a consequence, I didn't want it sullying the name of our leader. The people back home need him. Need him to be strong forever. I still don't trust you. Never had. Never will. So I acted to prevent harm to others."
Onrad then stands, does a cursory wiping of his shirt, and walks away to be alone, trying to hold it all in for some later time.
Nick Wednesday September 26th, 2007 2:32:15 PM
Nick lets Cori go to Valdor, stands, brushes down his robe and takes stock, looking at the faces of his companions. It never got any easier. And when they thought they could shoulder the load, other, heavier burdens came along and were heaped on top of the ever growing pile. The strain showed on every man and woman here. Weary faces, haunted eyes. It wasn't just the fighting. It was the sheer, horrific scale of it all - thousands of lives held in the balance, heartbreaking decisions. Just the act of standing before the Gods was like standing in the face of a hurricane. He turns his attention to the halflings. Two little mischief-makers from Dirt City. They'd been exceptionally brave, but they had witnessed far too much. Their lives would be vastly different now, if not shattered beyond repair. Alemi bless and strengthen those caught in these terrible winds...
He crouches in front of Tommy. "It's all right, now," he says quietly. "Pick up your knife. It's time to go home."
Ve Mundr Wednesday September 26th, 2007 2:42:09 PM
Ve is angry and it shows. What also is very clear is he is not entirely sure why he is angry. Jaw clenched and eyes fixed upon Onrad but standing in such a way that Gimp is clearly within his peripheal vision. The Warhammer still glowing and still held tighlty. Ve breathes in and out in low slow purposeful breaths as his nostrils flare on each exhale. Valdor's tension breaking comment slides off without affect and the Protector doesn't even seem to acknowledge the man has spoken. It is the klink of Tommy's knife that causes his gaze to shift and his jaw line to slacken slightly.
Ve turns and moves to Crow, his left hand siezes him about the shoulder and half pulls half drags him into his wake as Ve exits the temple
Mordrid Thursday September 27th, 2007 1:09:30 AM
'Who have I failed?" the ranger squeezes as he takes his last breath. Mordrid's heart pounds with a maddening ache. Just don't close your eyes! If only by will alone.
And back again into more madness. Onrad is stabbing the child. In stasis, between seconds, he moans..."NO."
Actions like these were best left for 'lost souls.' Not Onrad. Not one so such. He would never wish the burden on one so much. Should have been left to the lost souls.
And if things couldn't get stanger; Ve just walked out with crow... and he didn't look happy.
LOG ON