Aftermath - DM Donna Thursday January 3rd, 2008 5:40:25 PM
Clu'eth straightens up from aiding Mr. Silent just as dozens of people stream into the area.
"It's okay." Barlon says loudly. "They're my people...they're here to take the prisoners in hand." The summoned Knives do precisely that. Barlon addresses himself to Vauhwyt, who apparently is the closest of the Dark Horse Guild members to him.
"We'll be taking the prisoners to a secured area elsewhere in the Arena for now. We need to conclude our business in private...then your guild may opt to speak to them if you wish."
After the prisoners have all been hauled out, and the wounded have been tended to, Clu'eth speaks.
"Now...I believe we were in the midst of nominating a Battle Leader..?" the cleric says. "The names put forth are Dietrich, Jeraldh, Mr. Silent and...Liam Kent." Clu'eth looks around. "Any other names? Anyone? No? Secret ballot for the vote, then?" One of the brown-robed attendants brought forth a big, empty fish bowl, a small stack of parchment paper and a set of six styluses (styli? stylusese?)
There are six writing instruments for everyone to take turns using to make their vote.
"Everyone present may vote." Clu'eth says, giving the House representatives a significant look. Obviously a few of them had been expecting that only the Houses could vote, but they begrudgingly agree to allow the Dark Horse Guild to do so.
Everyone is given instructions to go up to the table that houses the fish bowl, paper and pens, take some parchment, write one of the four nominated names on it and then fold up the paper and put it in the fish bowl. After voting, the person is supposed to step back to let the others cast their ballots as well.
"Any questions?" Clu'eth asks. If there are none, the voting begins.
Vauhwyt Thursday January 3rd, 2008 6:42:18 PM
"Just to clarify," Vauhwyt asks Clueth, "it's one vote for each house, one for the Temple, and one for us?" If that's the case, Vauhwyt will whisper with her friends in private to decide the Dark Horse Guild vote.
I think we should support Liam. He can bring other WLA forces to help us, including teleporting mages maybe and high level fighters. Dietrich is good, but how much experience has he had with large scale command? The other two choices are too partisan. What do you all think?
Vorelle Friday January 4th, 2008 2:12:44 AM
Vorelle listens carefully to Vauhwyt's analysis and nods. "D-D-Dietrich," she murmurs. "Or L-L-Liam. N-n-not those others."
Theodore & Macaw Friday January 4th, 2008 9:09:01 AM
Theodore whispers with the others, "I agree that Liam might be the best for the current situation, but in the long run, Jeraldh having support now will be a huge boost to his campaign for Prince. I think if he's elected battle leader, he'd be a shoe in for Prince."
He pauses for a moment to judge everyone's reactions. "I know the battle is what's most important, at the moment. But I believe we'll properly defend Dirt City regardless of who of those four are battle leader."
"Dietrich's no good," he continues. "Like Vauwhyt said, he hasn't enough experience or connections. Liam would do well, but should be able to supply those forces regardless of whether he's battle leader or not. Also, neither have a connection to the City, really. Dietrich's not from here and Liam's the head of a league that has branches in numerous cities but no specific ties to this one. Mr. Silent is out of the question, of course."
"Remember that we came here to support Jeraldh. This is the opportunity to do just that."
Vauhwyt Friday January 4th, 2008 2:06:56 PM
The liontaur looks at Berlon and Oni for their opinions.
Berlon Friday January 4th, 2008 2:45:54 PM
"I hate to sound like a broken record, but you're all clearly insane. The blood's not even dry yet, and...."
He shakes his head and then rubs it, as if he has a killer headache.
"You know, Young Theo, there's an old Gnomish proverb that goes something like... well, it doesn't really translate well. The main idea is 'You'll lose every argument versus a fool.' or something like that. If the rest of you want to stay hear and argue, that's up to you, if anyone needs me, I'll be in my lab."
He takes a few steps before turning and specifically addressing the assembled House representatives. "Oh my!" he exclaims with a dramatic slap of his forehead, "I've almost forgotten!" He speaks loudly and happily with a grand smile, a sure sign that something isn't quite right. "Consider this your informal invitation to The Feast of St. Hubbins! All of the Houses will be invited. A messenger will be sent with the formal invitations when the time comes. There will be punch and pie." He smiles broadly at the assembly, then leaves, returning to his lab.
"Good luck to whoever gets voted Grand Poobah or Vice President in Charge of Things or whatever it is," he offers over his shoulder as he goes.
Vauhwyt Friday January 4th, 2008 3:45:05 PM
"I just never understand that guy," she says. "Oni? What do you think?"
Clarifications - DM Donna Friday January 4th, 2008 6:41:18 PM
Clu'eth nods to the wemic.
"Yes, indeed." he says firmly. "Each group gets one vote...each House and your Guild. The Temple shall vote, too, but only to break a tie."
In response to Berlon's amazement, Barlon smirks.
"Boy," he says slyly, "That's a war brewin' out there--you think all them troops are gonna wait until we get all our little boo-boos bandaged an' kissed better before attacking the City? This vote's gotta get done quick, and even then, we gotta pray to all the god as'll listen so we just might have a snowball's chance in--hello...it's my turn to vote already?" Barlon goes up to the table, snags a piece of parchment and scribbles on it. Putting the stylus back, he folds the paper and drops it into the fish bowl, then steps back.
Oni Friday January 4th, 2008 7:27:04 PM
Looking at the liontaur, Oni says, "I am not from here. I have no idea one leader from another. Each of ther argumentsd sounds, well sound. But I do not wish to sway the vote in any direction out of ignorance. I will go with the consensus."
He itches the back of his neck again. The last few minutes, his hair had felt as though a spider was crawling amongst the strands. He was also beginning to feel something in ther pi of his stomach. Something was wrong, odd, but out of reach..
Vauhwyt Friday January 4th, 2008 8:37:21 PM
Vauhwyt chuckles. "Well, it seems that our "consensus" is that Vorelle and I think Liam is the best choice, and Theo likes Jeraldh. Shall we go with Liam, then?"
If no one objects, she will write the WLA officer's name on a slip of paper and hand in the Dark Horse Guild ballot.
Theodore & Macaw Saturday January 5th, 2008 11:19:29 AM
"Well, if that is the majority decision, then I will abide by it," Theodore says a little downhearted. "But tell me what benefit Liam brings as battle leader that Jeraldh doesn't. Would he not supply troops if he weren't battle leader? If not, he doesn't sound like a great guy. If he would, then he really doesn't serve a special purpose as battle leader."
He shrugs. "That's it. I think we're making a mistake."
Vauhwyt Saturday January 5th, 2008 1:09:51 PM
Vauhwyt has another point for Theo. "Keep in mind that Jeraldh is a Dart. Darts are grifters, con men, burglers. They run "Picklock College." What experience can Jeraldh have in organizing an army and running a warr?"
"Liam is a trained officer of an military organization. The WLA has military ranks and knowledge. Just on a competence basis, Liam is a better choice for general. Finally, Liam will not take the army after the war is done and use it to benefit himself. Any other citizen of Dirt City might."
Vorelle Sunday January 6th, 2008 1:19:15 AM
"W-we can still s-support J-Jeraldh for P-Prince," Vorelle says. "L-L-Liam d-doesn't want that j-job."
Theodore & Macaw Sunday January 6th, 2008 10:54:31 AM
"Jeraldh is a Key. But your other point is sound. I still think Jeraldh would get the job done, but I am outvoted. I will support your decision."
Vauhwyt Sunday January 6th, 2008 3:14:54 PM
"Oh yeah, a Key! That's what I meant! Sorry."
Vauhwyt writes Liam's name on a paper and puts it in with the other votes.
Berlon Sunday January 6th, 2008 10:47:00 PM
Once back at his lab, Berlon quickly starts making a list. "That stupid wand, and some scrolls..." he tapps quill to forehead to tray to make himself remember. Then he'll make a quick Catacombs run.
Posting Report for 12/31/07 Monday January 7th, 2008 2:21:50 PM
SMTWTFS
DM Donna OXXXXXO Berlon OOXOXXO Oni OOOXOXO Theodore OXXXOXX Vauwhyt XOXOX3X Vorelle OOOXOXO
ADM Shegger
Battle Leader Election Results - DM Donna Monday January 7th, 2008 6:55:54 PM
One after another the heads of the houses come forth and vote. Finally the last person has scribbled the final name on the parchment and dropped the folded scrap into the fishbowl. Clu'eth advances to the receptacle and begins to count the votes.
"One for the House of Keys." he reads from the first paper, then fishes out another. "One for the Woldian League of Adventurers. Another for Jeraldh...that's two for the House of Keys..." The cleric continues to remove pieces of parchment.
"One for the House of Wolves. Another for the Woldian League of Adventurers...and yet another for the House of Wolves." Clu'eth looks at the papers unfolded and frowns. there are two pieces of paper left. He reaches into the fishbowl.
"A third vote for the House of Keys." the cleric announces, then takes up the final paper, unfurliing the scrap and peering at the writing on it.
"A third vote for the Woldian League of Adventurers." he tells everyone and then frowns contemplatively. "That means there is a tie between Jeraldh, of the House of Keys and Liam Kent of the Woldian League of Adventurers." There is the faintest trace of a smile on his face.
"The Temple of Wardd must vote to break the tie." Clu'eth says, pausing long enough to elicit looks from the members of the houses. Finally, however, the cleric nods.
"The Battle Leader for the defense of Dirt City is...Liam Kent."
Oni Monday January 7th, 2008 7:21:50 PM
Ny now the sense of danger has crept into Oni's consciousness. Someone somewhere was in real trouble. It was someone he knew real well. But going over it , he could not put his finger on it.
Turning from the others, ignoring all those atound him, he closes his eyes and concentrates. Moments pass. The one word comes from his parted lips.
"Sho'va..."
Theodore & Macaw d20+3=10 Tuesday January 8th, 2008 9:06:29 AM
Theodore sighs at the results of the vote. Then he takes a quick peek at Jeraldh to see if he can't determine the man's reaction. (Sense Motive 10)
"If we have elected Liam, I suppose someone should go fetch him."
Vauhwyt Tuesday January 8th, 2008 10:18:34 AM
Vauhwyt volunteers to go fetch Liam. For one thing, she is herself a member of the WLA, and for another, especially aided by her magic, she is the fastest. This assemblage might want to interrogate the prisoners while she is off on her errand. We need info on who in the City is a traitor and will aid the invaders. If no one objects, she casts Expeditious Retreat and heads off at speed 70.
Vorelle Tuesday January 8th, 2008 1:13:48 PM
Vorelle turns worried eyes to Oni. "Wh-what about Sh-Sho'va?" she asks quietly.
Berlon Tuesday January 8th, 2008 1:41:57 PM
Once Berlon completes his transactions at the Catacombs, he'll return to his lab to cook up some Alchemical goodies. Perhaps in the morning, right now he needs a good nap...
Congratulations...But... - DM Donna Tuesday January 8th, 2008 6:24:10 PM
After making the announcement, there are at least three reactions that the Dark Horse Guild members can see:
Jeraldh is obviously a bit disappointed. So is Mr. Silent, but only enough to shrug one shoulder.
Barlon the dwarf and Vox Requin exchange glances and a nod.
Suddenly the representative from the House of Cloaks stiffens.
"We got trouble." the voice from the cloak says brusquely, turning to the party. "I just got some information that Liam needs to know...and since you're all offering to let him know of his newly-elected position, I'd like to come along with you for the announcement."
Clu'eth and the other House leaders look to the person in the cloak, but the cloaked one is saying nothing, only looking to the group to see whether or not the Cloaks rep will be joining the party to go see Liam Kent.
DM OOC: is there a description of Liam Kent either in the archives or that one of you generous players can provide? Thank you.
Vorelle d20+13=31 Wednesday January 9th, 2008 12:36:32 AM
Vorelle eyes the Cloak representative sharply, trying to look for anything unusual or out of place.
[Spot 31]
Vauhwyt Wednesday January 9th, 2008 12:43:58 AM
Vauhwyt hates being slowed down, but she tells the Cloak he can come with her.
She also casts Enlarge and invites him to ride.
"I don't do this except for friends and dire emergencies," she tells him, "so this had better be a dire emergency, or else you better be real friendly!"
She laughs to show she is halfway joking.
Oni Wednesday January 9th, 2008 4:48:57 AM
Oni looks to Vorelle, " I thought the bond had been seered. Since I had never done such a thing, I didnt know this wpould happen.
"Fear, feeling of fear." Oni looks around the room for a bit. "Captivity, yes that is the fear. Not fear of death, but being caged. Something must be hunting her."
Oni moves to Theo. "Theo, this could turn out better for Jeraldh in the long run. So many things to be in charge of, while the fight gfoes on. Get with Jeraldh and start working on saving the city. Sounds like Liam will 'fight for' the City.
Oni's body tensew, hi body shakes. Spinning he runs to the door. Calmness overtakes him. Panting he whispers hoarsly to Vorelle, "Danger...."
Theodore & Macaw Wednesday January 9th, 2008 9:05:49 AM
"I'll stay here, then," Theodore says to Mask and Vauhwyt. "I'd only slow you down."
He nods at Oni's words, but goes to Clu'eth rather than Jeraldh. "Do you suppose we should reconvene this meeting and begin discussions of the defense of the City? It would behoove us to get started and hammer through the hesitance of some of the Houses. Then when Liam arrives, we can get to the nitty gritty."
On top of the wizard's head, Macaw repeats Theodore's last words, "Nitty gritty! Nitty gritty! Nitty gritty!" The bird seems to appreciate the phrase.
Berlon Wednesday January 9th, 2008 1:01:34 PM
After a quick nap, the gnome messages Vauhwyt. "So which team won? Was the score close? But seriously, do you guys need anything while I'm running around?"
Conversations - DM Donna Wednesday January 9th, 2008 5:51:45 PM
Vorelle doesn't spot anything out of the ordinary.
Mask simply nods to Vauhwyt...the Cloaks rep either has no sense of humor or an uncanny ability to keep it well hidden.
Oni voices these feelings he seems to be getting.
Theodore and Macaw offer to remain.
Berlon feels refreshed.
"We must hurry and bring Liam Kent here." Mask insists. "In the fastest way possible...let us go. Now."
Any who leave to fetch Liam, please make Spot and Listen checks.
Any who remain, please make Diplomacy (or Intimidate) checks and state what it is that you want the Houses to start discussing with each other.
Vorelle d20+13=18 d20+13=31 Wednesday January 9th, 2008 10:48:50 PM
Vorelle decides to go with Vauhwyt and the others to find Liam.
[Spot 18, Listen 31]
Theodore & Macaw d20+1=3 Thursday January 10th, 2008 9:04:52 AM
"Could we discuss the resources that each House has available? How many fighting men? Any allies we can call to our aid? How many ships? Any special weapons or surprises we could use?"
Theodore tries to calm everyone down after the battle and bring them back to the table for discussion. (Diplomacy 3)
Oni Thursday January 10th, 2008 2:03:48 PM
Vauhwyt and Vorelle both go speeding off to get Liam. That leaves hismself and Theodore to keep the proceedings goin on.
"As Theodore mentions what special abilities do the Houses have to share. Also, since Jeraldh was voted 2nd for Battle leader, it should fall to him to be the leader in organizing the populace.
" I assume the WLA had heard the rumors as each of the Houses. Therefor it would be safe to assume they have been working on a plan already. If they are military people, they may just 'tell' others what needs to be done.
"So put away thoughts of trhe battle itself. How do we protect the City? Water? Food? Escape plan? What part does the City below have?
Jeraldh, what say you?"
Berlon Thursday January 10th, 2008 3:38:53 PM
"Hello? Anybody there?" Berlon begins to think he's out of the range of the spell. He slaps his forehead in stupidity...
He thinks for a bit, then decides on another quick nap.
Vauhwyt Thursday January 10th, 2008 3:45:41 PM
Vauhwyt, Vorelle and the Cloak rush off to fetch Liam.
If her travels bring her near Berlon's lab, she will chek in with him and urge him to return. "Your advice is worth suffering your annoyance, my friend," she tells him.
And Then... - DM Donna Thursday January 10th, 2008 5:38:31 PM
Theodore, Macaw and Oni remain with the rest of the Houses at the meeting site in an effort to direct the topic of conversation. Unfortunately, Theodore's grasp of Diplomacy doesn't have the desired effect, as none of the houses want to divulge their specific numbers and/or resources to each other. Clu'eth heaves a gusty sigh, aims an empathetic glance and a shrug at Theodore and Oni and then attempts to soothe ruffled feathers.
MEANWHILE, the other two Dark Horse Guild members accompany the Cloaks rep from the Arena meeting, stopping at Berlon's lab along the way. Berlon is now free to accompany the group if he wishes.
Vorelle keeps a sharp eye and ear out, but decides that the Cloak & Dark Horse Guild group isn't being followed.
AT THE WLA HQ: Vauhwyt opens the bright blue door and manages to squeeze herself into the front room. As she does so, her appearance startles the semi-reclining figure of a dapper, aristocratic human male from his relaxed position: leaning back in his office chair with his crossed feet on his desk. Scrambling to his feet, Liam brushes the imaginary wrinkles from his skirted blue velvet coat and peers closely at the Enlarged wemic.
"Ahhh...Vauhwyt..." the WLA official says with a puzzled smile, "...my how you've...grown since our last meeting..!"
Vorelle d20+13=33 d20+13=30 Friday January 11th, 2008 12:55:24 AM
Vorelle leaves the talking to the others and instead takes another look at the street, alert for any signs of danger.
[Spot 33, Listen 30]
Theodore & Macaw Friday January 11th, 2008 9:07:35 AM
Theodore sighs as the Houses remain tight-lipped.
"A lot of people are going to die," he says, softly. "I hate politics."
He moves over to Oni, seeing nothing else he can do until the others return with Liam. "How do you like the City, so far?" he asks the centaur with a mocking smile. "Good stuff, huh?"
"Nitty gritty! Nitty gritty!" Macaw announces.
Vauhwyt Friday January 11th, 2008 10:35:18 AM
As always, a little flustered by Liam, Vauhwyt quickly shrinks back to size, her tail swishing nervously.
"Um, Ser Kent, the heads of the Houses of Dirt City are asking to see you. They want you to be the battle leader to fend off the oncoming invasion. This Cloak has more information for you."
She steps to the side to let the Cloak enter.
Berlon Friday January 11th, 2008 12:45:04 PM
After rejoining the group, Berlon remains with Vorelle, keeping lookout. He seems to have quite a lot on his mind...
Which News First? - DM Donna Friday January 11th, 2008 2:15:20 PM
Theodore and Oni get to "enjoy" the intricacies of attempting to make diplomacy work amongst a network of paranoid, greedy back-stabbers. DM OOC: you can continue to try to persuade them to share information by rolling Diplomacy/Intimidation checks again.
MEANWHILE: the rest of the Dark Horse Guild is welcomed into the WLA office by the urbane and rather mellow Liam Kent. Neither Berlon nor Vorelle see or hear anything that leads them to think there are undesirables trying to spy on the proceedings.
As soon Vauhwyt changes back to her normal size and makes her announcement, however, the aristocratic human is clearly surprised. He turns to the Cloaks rep with the party.
"Mask..?" Kent prompts.
"Well," the cloaked figure explains, "There's good news, bad news and worse news. Which first?" One of Kent's eyebrows elevate.
"In that order, if you please." he replies.
"The good news is that all the Houses voted and you've been declared our Battle Leader." Mask says. "The bad news is that the invasion that you and my House have been suspecting was forthcoming...well, it's here, and doubtless due to attack the City in two, maybe three days--most likely less."
"And the worse news..?" Kent asks, looking like he's getting a headache.
"The worse news..." Mask responds, "...the worse news is that my House is pretty sure that the Crimson Skulls are going to be leading the sea attack...and that the head honcho himself is the strongest leader of the combined forces." Liam Kent snorts, one of his slender hands rubbing his forehead.
"Well, I must say," he quips, "You certainly have the news rankings spot-on, Mask...only you probably should have prefaced that with: 'I have bad news, worse news and even worse news'." The human Leaguer frowns thoughtfully, then nods.
"All right, then," Kent turns a stern eye to the Cloak, "Get in touch with the Red Wyrms, let them know what's about to happen to the City and ask them for their Rings of Communication...we're going to need them to coordinate everything. I'm going to the meeting site...?"
"We met at the Arena." Mask tells him.
"The Arena. Well, I'll be returning to the Arena with these promising adventurers and see if I can't pull some teeth...heh--I mean...get the other Houses to share information."
"I'll meet you there within the hour." Mask responds and then is out the door. Kent turns to the rest of the party.
"Let's go back to the Arena." he says with a faint smile. "I'd love to see how your friends are doing trying to get the Houses to be forthcoming even in the face of an invasion of Dirt City."
DM OOC: I'll be posting over the weekend to advance the story to the point where, on Monday, the Dark Horse Guild will be given its combat assignment. If you have Catacombs transactions pending, let me know. Oh--and, PLEASE--if any of you have any known information on the Crimson Skulls, please tell me. Thank you.
Oni d20=2 d20=3 Friday January 11th, 2008 7:39:18 PM
Oni senses Theodores presence next to him. He doesnt really hear what the wizard says, his own thoughts far away. He then does soemthing totally out of character. He reaches out and rests his free hand on Theo's shoulder.
"My friend. I wanted to come to the City to become a part of your group. Dreams had told me this to be so. Now I have emotions and feelings to run, to free myself of this life among the 'Noble' races. This is not me. I lack the skills needed to be amongst you.
"Even on my home island, politics, and the discussions of centaur licves interested me not. It is why I took to the seas. After my captivity, The open lands offered me the peace I sought. Even now, the pain and exasperation I feel with Sho'va so reminds me.
"So my new friend, I want to stay ands help the City, only for the sake of you my new friends, and the families you have. There may come a time I cannot fight behind the walls, I may need to take the fight out there. If that time comes, I hope you will understand, Theo, I do not leave the cause. A caged animal cannot fight as well as the free one."
He then looks at Theodore. Concern and seriousness marked upon his face. He shares a moment like this with the young wizard then moves to the tables once again and betgins harassing Jeraldh with questions, demands, and urging him to act.
Diplomacy 2 Intimidate 3
Theodore & Macaw d20+1=19 Friday January 11th, 2008 8:12:51 PM
Theodore is surprised by Oni's outpouring. He looks at the centaur. "The City isn't the best place for one more suited to the outdoors," he agrees. "Even I, who was raised here, sometimes feel stifled. And I wouldn't harbor any hard feelings should you need to leave. You've already showed your dedication to the City and your friends, and we all appreciate that, very much."
He goes with Oni back to the table and adds his own voice to the argument. "For the sake of the City, and its people, we should begin discussions. People's lives are at stake here. Your own. Do you really believe any of you will be able to hold out without cooperation between all of the Houses?" (Diplomacy 19)
Vauhwyt Saturday January 12th, 2008 9:45:53 AM
Vauhwyt smiles at Liam's obvious knowledge of the situation and at his competence in issuing orders already. "This is one decision that came out right," she thinks. She wants to say it, but does not want Liam to hear.
She leads the WLA officer and her friends back to the Arena. As she goes, she tells Liam all that the Dark Horse Guild knows, and asks him what the Crimson Skulls are. She tells him about the fairly weak attack on the Arena that the Dark Horse Guild repulsed. She does say that the Box of Sleep was an unexpected item.
ooc to DM: Highlight to display spoiler: {I am pretty sure that we've got nothing on the Crimson Skulls and Darid. I really think you can invent anything you like that!}
Now THIS is a War Council - DM Donna Sunday January 13th, 2008 1:54:48 PM
Oni, Theodore (and Macaw) continue to do their best to convince the different Houses to not be stingy now that they've all decided to elect a Battle Leader for the anticipated war. Although Theodore's newest attempt at pointing out the obvious has the Houses of Teeth and Wolves starting to cooperate, the other Houses are all sure that, if they simply have their people defend their specific territory then everything should be fine.
It is about at this point that Liam Kent and the rest of the Dark Horse Guild arrives. Immediately the Houses that had been insisting on the "to each their own" strategy begin repeating their points. The dark-haired WLAer rolls his eyes and mutters to Vauhwyt:
"My dear...take you and your fellow Guild members back to your headquarters. Eat. Sleep. If I haven't had to send someone to you to fetch you back to me, then meet me at the WLA office an hour after sunup. Thank you for everything." So saying, the man then strides into the gathering of the House representatives and gets their attention.
The Dark Horse Guild is now free to follow the directions of the Dirt City Battle Leader. If your PC has ANY updates to make to their CS, you must email a copy to me so that I receive it before 5pm Eastern time tomorrow...otherwise, I am using what came to me with the Dirt City documents.
Monday's post will place the group in a pre-combat situation. Please be sure that I have everything you want me to know about your PC before the actual combat begins.
Vorelle Sunday January 13th, 2008 7:40:29 PM
Oni's anxiety about Sho'Va has made Vorelle a little concerned for Champ. She doesn't wait for a second urging from Liam, but hurries back to the boat where her faithful dog awaits her.
Theodore & Macaw Monday January 14th, 2008 9:32:26 AM
Theodore is a little hesitant to leave. He wants to see things through. But he quickly decides that this is House business, and he's not the head of a House. Nor is he even part of a House.
He sighs and accompanies Vorelle back to their boat. "Come along, Macaw."
The bird grasps a patch of mousy hair and yanks, causing Theodore to gasp in pain, "Owww!"
The mage throws a hand up, trying to catch the feathered bully. Macaw is too quick, and hops into the air to perch upon a sill.
"You rotten bird!" Theodore shakes his fist at the raven before stomping off in a tizzy.
Vauhwyt Monday January 14th, 2008 10:42:01 AM
Vauhwyt laughs a little. She gets a real "thanks, kids! Now run along while the grown-ups talk" vibe from Liam. It would be annoying if she did not trust him to actually be a grown-up among the spoiled brats who lead Dirt City's houses.
But since he IS her ranking officer in the WLA, she simply nods, tells Kent that the Dark Horses will be at the ship, and takes off with her friends.
Outside, she asks, "So what do you guys think?"
Berlon Monday January 14th, 2008 10:47:26 AM
Berlon smiles politely but remains silent until the group leaves to return to the ship. Macaw's antics provoke advice. "Rope!" he offers, "I could hold it, and you could hit it with the rope..."
Oni Monday January 14th, 2008 3:52:34 PM
Oni moves slowly to the ship. He soon loses his companipons as they move much quicker. Often times he stands and watches the people as they run to and fro. At times it feels as he is outside his body looking in.
The feelings fronm Sho'va were now gone. Best sense was she got away. Being new at theis he did not really know. He did figure if she had met her end, at the least, the tether would have been broken.
Ther sense of imminent demise was now upon him. He had accepted the real possibiity of death many times. But now it weas different. He did not want to die in this accursed City. He smiles, well any city for that matter.
With the boat now in vies, but still a ways off, he leans on his halberd, just watching the sea.
Orders is Orders - DM Donna Monday January 14th, 2008 5:46:35 PM
It is not even dawn the next day when the Dark Horse Guild is visited by a familiar "unknown" figure: Mask, of the House of Cloaks.
"Hope you're all nice and rested." the cowled representative says without preamble. "Liam was finally able to get the Houses to get together and play nice. Now he'd like to talk to you. Ready? Let's go." Mask doesn't wait around for anyone to even have a jump-starter cup of coffee (or the Woldian equivalent)...he's off and assuming that you're all following.
He slinks along a route vaguely familiar to everyone except Vauhwyt. The wemic definitely knows where the group is going: back to WLA HQ.
Once inside the blue-doored building, the party is treated to witnessing an unshaven, slightly disheveled Liam Kent sitting at his desk with a huge metal tankard with a steaming, fragrant, doubtlessly-caffeine-loaded beverage that he has just gulped from.
"Ahhhh...the Dark Horse Guild!" he greets you, then gestures to the assortment of chairs, benches and oddly-shaped lounges. "Please, have a seat--IF you are inclined to sit--and relax a bit before I order you to your deaths for the sake of Dirt City!" The slender aristocrat grins and winks.
"Kidding, just kidding." he assures you. "I may be the Battle Leader for this war, but I really can't order you to your death...it's a strictly voluntary detail that, if Wardd smiles upon us, won't even need to be considered." After everyone who wishes to is seated (or otherwise kickin' back), the dark-haired man speaks:
"First of all, I have to explain why I didn't keep you for the Clash of Wills yesterday...and my pet name for it should give you a good idea of why I didn't want to afflict you with the agita that a roomful of stubborn, over-inflated egos was doubtless going to give you." Here he puts one hand on his own stomach and gives a burp. "Mask...did you get...ahhhhh, thank you." The Cloaks rep produces a small packet that he gives to Liam, who upends the container into his steaming tankard, stirs it with a swizzle stick and then gulps the drink again, making a face.
"Tastes horrible...but my stomach is a bit more settled now." Liam announces. His dark eyes suddenly focus on the party, the penetrating gaze assessing each and every one of you. When he speaks again, his tone is one of steely determination.
"Your group is going to spearhead a special maneuver. Yesterday, you were present when Mask forwarded the major discovery that his House had been able to make about the impending attack: namely, that the Crimson Skulls will be leading the attack. What you may not know, however, is that the Crimson Skulls are a nasty crew who used to be members of the House of Teeth. They are named for their ship, the Crimson Skull...and that ship's captain is Darid Skull, the ex-Leader of the House of Teeth." Liam pauses to let this information sink into the brains of those assembled.
"Skull has allied himself with the Swamp Army--specifically the lizardfolk that are a major part of this war. Skull, because he'd been with the House of Teeth until VERY recently, unfortunately has detailed information about Dirt City and its ability to defend itself. I have the sneaking suspicion that he is the major reason that these three diverse factions have managed to combine and decide to attack now--he knows the weakened state of the City now that the Prince is gods-know-where with that Infernal Book!" Liam draws in a hissing breath, clearly disturbed by the unspoken implications of all of the above, however he goes on:
"As Mask has hopefully told you, I managed to make all the Houses realize that we must hang together or we'll surely get strung up separately. I have been able to map out a two part defense: the attack that will be made upon the City by the land troops is the enemy's way of trying to get us to split our resources. I've organized some of the Houses to effectively lure the land troops into select parts of the City so that we can use funneling techniques and well-laid traps to whittle those forces down." Liam grimaces.
"However, the Cloaks have confirmed that the true danger will come from the sea attack--the Crimson Skulls will lead a marine offensive upon the docks of the City, since Darid Skull has been blasted clever enough to figure out that if he can get control of the docks, he very effectively hamstrings any easier way for us to either go for help from anyone else as well as hit where the majority of warehouses--and, thus, marketable goods and loot--are located." The Battle Leader reaches into his pocket.
"I've been able to get a decent defense of the docks organized by pooling the resources of all the Houses--we can probably keep the enemy at bay." he says. "However...we need to sneak up on the lead ship and assassinate their commander. I want the Dark Horse Guild to be the strike force that does so while the rest of us draw the attention and fire from the surrounding armada." Liam Kent looks at each of you as he continues to speak.
"Get to the Crimson Skull, find Darid Skull, and assassinate him. Sink their ship for a loss of morale, too, if you can. The attackers need to know they are attacking Dirt City here...City of Rogues! And that means that we fight dirty as rogues! Maybe, if we can defeat this group and send them packing quickly, the others will decide to lay off and return home. Then we can send clean ops to deal with their sub-leaders one at a time. A leaderless set of opponents is not an adversary, but an opportunity for plunder and deal making."
Posting Report for 1/7/08 Monday January 14th, 2008 7:42:51 PM
SMTWTFS
DM Donna OXXXXXO Berlon XOXXXXO Oni OXOXXXO Theodore XOXXX2O Vauhwyt XOXXX2X Vorelle XOX2OXO
ADM Shegger
Oni Tuesday January 15th, 2008 2:07:23 AM
Oni listens to the man and his story. It had been a very good idea to elect the man Battle Leader. Oni followed the mans logic, well until the very end.
5. Two Taurs, two humans and a gnome. This was the first strike team. Oni simply stares in disbeleief. The most dangerous comnmander of the whole invasion, and this man Liam is only end 5 people to stop him. Oni has lived long by acessing and using the patience Domi blessed him with at birth. Alas lifes struggles had taught him the importance of quick action. As his blood boils, he waits for the inevitabler reaction of the Liuontaur. Wait....
Vorelle and Champ d20+13=19 d20+13=15 Tuesday January 15th, 2008 3:18:40 AM
Reunited with Champ, Vorelle spends the evening making sure she has enough arrows. She has learned her lesson from the Guild's last adventure, and she now has two full (mundane) quivers with which to replenish her Quiver of Ehlonna when it runs low. She did not, alas, have the funds to replace her special silver and cold iron arrows, but she hopes she has enough ordinary arrows to see her through the battle.
The next morning, she brings Champ to the meeting, reluctant to be parted from her friend again when there is so much uncertainty about what will happen and when.
On the way to the meeting, she stays alert for signs of trouble, but has difficulty concentrating. [Spot 19, Listen 15]
At the meeting, she listens but does not speak. Champ, much less shy, sniffs Liam's hand with interest, but instinctively steers clear of Mask.
Theodore & Macaw Tuesday January 15th, 2008 9:13:13 AM
When Liam mentions that Darid Skull is leading the charge, a bit of crimson touches Theodore's face. His jaw muscles work as he grinds his teeth, "Traitor!"
"How much time do we have before the army reaches us? We should buy supplies," he says. Theodore looks first to Liam and then to Mask. "Or, if we don't have time, perhaps the Houses and Battle Leader might be kind enough to provide us with some supplies. Seeing as we're the lynch pin of this plan."
He looks back at Berlon and smiles. "Most importantly, we'll need lots of rope."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday January 15th, 2008 11:50:46 AM
At first, Vauhwyt's tail droops, and she, like Oni, is pessimistic about their chances. But then she has a few ideas.
"Excuse me, Sir Mask, is there any way you could get me a drop of blood or a lock of hair from Darid himself, best of all, or from one of the Crimson Skulls who belong to his group? And can you offer us a description of the ship, so we can pick it out among the invading fleet?"
She asks Theo if he could hide the group's boat, in its smallest form, under the illusion of a rock or something. She asks Liam and Cloak if there is any place in the harbor in which one could hide a small boat under such an illusion.
Or is that hopeless given the Skull's knowledge of the harbor?
And will the invasion arrive at night or in the day?
Vauhwyt mentions the possibility of her hiding in gargoyle form, under the cover of darkness, to give a little advance warning in the moments before the invasion arrives.
Or would it be better, rather than try to float up to the enemy in a boat, to swim up with water breathing spells, or to walk with water walk spells? Can Berlon cast enough Water Breathing to cover us all?
Will we have time to prepare a full set of spells? Could the Cloaks offer potions of Water Walking from their famous Cloakroom? How about Elixers of Sneaking?
Vauhwyt is starting to think of a plan!
Gettin' Ready - DM Donna Tuesday January 15th, 2008 6:44:38 PM
Vorelle and Champ's vigilance is a good thing...but there is nothing that raises suspicions for them today.
Theodore asks a very good question and Vauhwyt's musings prompt a smile from Liam.
"At the rate the Swamp Army is advancing," the Battle Leader tells the party, "I have no doubt that we have 24 hours...one day. By that time the entire armada that they'll have available will be able to sail up the Dirt City docks. So, about this time tomorrow...perhaps a little later...the enemy will attack." The dark-haired human grimaces thoughtfully.
"We have limited supplies available that we can assist you with." Liam tells the group. "Whatever you believe you'll need you may let me know and I'll try to get it to you. Mask has the specifics about Darid Skull and his crew and boat."
"Darid Skull is a skinny little halfling." the voice of the Cloaks rep is dry and flat. "About an inch over three feet tall, he's maybe thirty-five pounds soaking wet. Light complexion, dark brown eyes and hair. His specialty within the House of Teeth was traps of all kinds--both creating them and disabling them, too. Our observations seem to indicate that he got to thinking that he should have been Prince even before the Prince disappeared.
"Skull's right hand man is Staven. He's a half-orc and the physical opposite of Skull: about six and a half feet tall, easy, and three hundred pounds. He's rumored to have been a monk from some obscure monastery. Trust me when I say--you do NOT want this guy to get his hands on you...or feet, either.
"When Skull hooked up with the lizardfolk, there was a shaman that was immediately assigned to him. We think it's a female, but we haven't been able to confirm that. Whatever this shaman may be, male or female...the shaman is dedicated to Marteaus. Unfortunately, our contacts couldn't get much more than that about Skull's possible henchmen."
"Besides these henchmen," Liam says, "There is the crew of the Crimson Skull...halflings and humans, mostly. All of them are fringe elements from the House of Teeth--a few of them are also ex-members of that House. You can imagine what got them expelled. The ship itself is also of note--Mask has been able to find out that every time Darid Skull got his percentages from his own or his team's ops, he turned around and would spend money on that ship. When you get aboard, he's likely going to have it trapped like crazy. Otherwise, the ship is an ordinary light warship...he didn't go for ostentation on the outside of the vessel, as he uses it to sneak in and out of harbors and such when he is...or, rather, was...on his ops assignments."
Liam leans forward.
"Whatever your plan of action is, I can guarantee that you will be supported by our own defensive force. I personally think that you should find a way onto the ship before it gets to the docks and, at a minimum, assassinate Darid Skull. He's a skinny little guy, even for a halfling, but he's a very charming skinny little guy--he's considered the enemy's leader. You get him and we can demoralize the enemy into at least backing off, if not parleying for a truce."
Berlon Tuesday January 15th, 2008 7:09:29 PM
Berlon listens intently, to Liam, and waits until he is finished. "I'm sorry, you have us confused with someone else. Don't worry, though, a lot of that goes on around these parts." He smiles warmly.
"I am a cleric of Alemi. If you need an assassination, go find an assassin. If you need us to defend your city, we will happily do that. We are surely not the best people for your operation."
"I can not speak for the others, but my sole concern is preventing as many casualties as possible. I have no interest on going on your strike mission."
Oni Tuesday January 15th, 2008 9:21:48 PM
"My answer is NO as well. The odds are stacked in our enemies favor, and we are not trained, nor equipped to level the playing field. Dirt City is full of Cuthroats, I am sure there are better trained people for this mission."
Vorelle Tuesday January 15th, 2008 11:47:30 PM
Vorelle looks at the spellcasters. "P-perhaps there's a w-w-way to t-t-t-take him o-out of c-c-c-commission," she says softly. "O-o-ther than k-k-k-killing him."
Theodore & Macaw Wednesday January 16th, 2008 10:24:18 AM
"I could create an illusion on the ship," Theodore answers Vauhwyt. "And I could manage it over the ship in its largest form, if need be."
"I think 'assassinate' is a poor choice of words," Theodore explains to Liam. "Obviously, we are not assassins. But it is a battle, and your plan has merits. If you can keep us safe and clear the way for us to get to Darid's ship, then we have a chance."
"I think we could use some scrolls enscribed with the Dimension Door spell. That would be better to get between ships than having to board, leaving our ship vulnerable. A couple of scrolls enscribed with Fireball spell so we might sink the ship after taking care of Darid." He turns to his friends. "Anything else you guys think we might need?"
"We should also coat our ship with some sort of fire resistant resin, so we don't go up in smoke. And, of course, we'll need a crew."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday January 16th, 2008 11:40:52 AM
"Assassination! Warfarre! Call it what you will. The fact is, this Darid guy needs killing, and making him dead is the right thing to do!"
"Killing this guy means the invasion fails and we save our home! Killing this guy makes up for the evil he has inflicted on good folk. Killing this guy makes better the damage he has done, and prevents him from doing morre!"
"Since when have you guys been so squeemish? We have killed lots of things -- beasts and people -- because it was the right thing to do! I'm a trained killer! It's what I do best! I kill other creatures!"
Mookie pipes up, "Yeah, you're a regular mass murderer, Boss!"
"Well," adds Vauhwyt, "the thing that sets me off from a murderer is that I fight for the weak, for justice, and for the cause of Good. That means something."
A Little Solidarity Goes a Long Way - DM Donna Wednesday January 16th, 2008 7:51:59 PM
Liam Kent's dark eyes solemnly look over the group.
"I am not going to order you on this mission." he says firmly. "Because, as your cleric of Alemi truthfully points out--it IS an assassination. Your express purpose is to find and kill Darid Skull...only because it's usually a LOT easier to kill an insidiously evil, charismatic leader who can inspire his allies to do the most horrible acts imaginable and SMILE with serene delight about it...than it would be to try to capture him.
"However...IF you believe you can capture Skull, then by all means do, because we need him removed from being able to influence his allies." Liam stretches the aching muscles in his neck by rolling his head around with the soft crackling of vertebrae. "I, personally, happen to believe that the man is a danger while being alive at all--even as a prisoner, he can inspire his followers to do...things. Horrible, vile things...things that got him and his kind tossed out of the House of Teeth...you DO remember the credo of the House of Teeth, right? 'Your money is good for anything'? Darid Skull and those he got to join him take that motto very much to heart--or for what passes for a heart, anyhow." The WLA officer-cum-Dirt City Battle Leader nods.
"It's ultimately up to you, then. Dirt City IS going to be attacked in 24 hours. We might be able to survive this one, but I know we cannot survive a sustained, organized effort--especially if Darid Skull is allowed to retain his leadership role. Will you help us...or will you not?"
Vorelle Wednesday January 16th, 2008 10:57:49 PM
Watching Liam, Vorelle realizes that Darid Skull isn't the only charismatic leader around.
"I-I'll h-help," she says, giving Champ a reassuring pat.
Oni Thursday January 17th, 2008 2:23:29 AM
Oni is getting riled by the insolent nature of this man. He is questioning the loyalty of Oni and his friends. Oni steps with a foot of the man.
"First off the deed is indeed honorable. To chop the head off is indeed a good idea. But Sir, to send 5 people after the lead ship is not only a suicide mission, but also tells me you wish us removed from the fight. You suspect I am sure that we shall die in the effort. Even though Vauhwyt is a 'trained jukker', the others of us are not. Nopne of us have lived on a boat. The simple pitfalls of a ship, during war would be hazardous, let alone the 'traps';' of Mr Skull.
"Secondly you offer us no option, or help. And yet you gave the Houses your time in planning everything else out. Which also leads me to believe you have alterior motives.
"You sir are not telling us everything. You sir are trully not using us to the best of 'Our' abilities. The others may believe in your idea, as for me I do not."
Oni then awaits for whtever the others have to say, and to see if Liam had any comment.
Theodore & Macaw Thursday January 17th, 2008 9:12:19 AM
"Vauhwyt!" Theodore exclaims, his face going pale. "That's too much! You can't be so bloodthirsty as you make out. If we need to take out Darid, then we will. If we can take him prisoner instead, then we will. That's how it should be."
"Oni, calm down," Theodore says, feeling the group begin to come apart at the seams. "It's a battle and odds are long regardless of who we are whether we'll survive. If we don't do this, someone else will. If the City can protect us until we get to Darid's ship, then it's our ship against his. Those seem like pretty fair odds."
He shakes his head and rubs at his eyes with a shaking hand.
"I'm in, too, but what about the scrolls?" Theodore asks Liam. "And the crew and the fire retardant? Surely with all the vast resources of the City you can spare these few things."
Berlon Thursday January 17th, 2008 2:04:15 PM
Berlon says no more, letting the others do the talking. He then beings muttering to himself, but instead of his usual sarcastic comments that are audible to all, these seem to be intentionally quieted, and in Gnomish, too.
After a few minutes it becomes obvious that he is actually casting a spell, given his intricate arm movements. He holds his holy symbol high in the air, and it starts to shine with a deep purple glow. Quickly his arm moves in a wide circle, leaving behind a trace of purple light in an oval. Slowly the light starts to fill in from the border, until a solid purple disk floats vertically in the middle of the room.
"May Alemi's Grace protect the innocent."
And with that, he completes his Lesser Planar Ally spell.
He suddenly opens his eyes and smiles expectantly.
"I hope it has wings..." he beams proudly.
Vauhwyt Thursday January 17th, 2008 4:00:05 PM
"I disagree. We can do this! We snuck into the Prince's palace and kidnapped his number two man! And we were less powerful then! I bet we can do this too!"
"Oni, what's the alternative? Run away?"
Oni [2nd] Thursday January 17th, 2008 7:39:36 PM
Theo "Oni, calm down," Theodore says, feeling the group begin to come apart at the seams. "It's a battle and odds are long regardless of who we are whether we'll survive. If we don't do this, someone else will. If the City can protect us until we get to Darid's ship, then it's our ship against his. Those seem like pretty fair odds."
"In the plan Liam doesnt ay anything about the City helpin us, or giving us cover."
To Vauhwyt "Run away? No. But aomwthing wlaw would seem bewtter for us. We are not sailors. We aree not rogues. We are not acrobats. This mission is to eliminate the Darjk Horse Guild from Dirt City."
You Rang..? - DM Donna Thursday January 17th, 2008 8:57:22 PM
Liam's lips twist in a grimace.
"I cannot promise you what I do not have access to any longer." he addresses the subject of coming up with all kinds of magic items and such. "The armies have sufficiently cut the City off so that we can't go and get all manner of arcane items to help you out--I need to know exactly what you'll be needing and then I have to scrounge through the City's resources to see if we have it on hand. However, ANYTHING that you say you need and we DO have it--it's yours. Definitely. I'm not going to thrust fifty-year-old slings in your hands and chuck you into the bay, saying 'Go gittim!' Whatever you come up with and we happen to have the potions or whatever you need, you will have it..." Even as the Battle Leader points out the painfully obvious, there is a flutter of movement at the oval of purple light.
If one looks at the floating oval as a sort of doorway, then there is suddenly a very slender, fine-boned hand that clutches the "doorframe" from within the portal. It's hard to tell (as the purple-based light is giving off a weird glow to see by) but the hand looks to be a deeper sort of purple (a violet/blue, perhaps?)...as well as having...scales? No, wait...
The hand is joined by another hand on the opposit side of the purple-light doorway, and a musical sort of sound can be heard floating out from within:
If your PC understands Celestial, Highlight to display spoiler: { you hear a rather high-pitched, chirpy sort of voice say: "Ha, ha, Flick--I answered it fir-r-r-rst! YOU get to babysit the nest! Ha, ha!!!"}
Through the doorway comes a tall, slender humanoid figure that is very unusual, even given the makeup of your party: the slender being is a little more than six feet tall, and clearly resembles a humanoid bird. Bipedal and covered with light blue-hued feathers (in the purple light, the feathers take on the darker violet/blue look), the person's face is human-looking, although its angular features are dominated by huge, dark eyes. The person's arms are a bit longer than a human's--in fact, they resemble giant bird wings, with a slender hand at the mid-point of each wing. Instead of hair on its head, the bird-person has long feathers that are poking up like a dark blue mohawk.
The newcomer scrambles through the doorway and casts eagerly about, looking first to Vauhwyt, then shaking its head--then it steps over to Oni, but, upon seeing the drider-like quality of the centaur, blinks owlishly and backs away.
Slowly the bird-being turns, and equally slowly those huge dark eyes look down, down...down to where Berlon is. It blinks once and says something in its sing-song chirpy voice:
If your PC knows Celestial, Highlight to display spoiler: { "Holy Lem! You're...small!!!"}
Liam Kent bursts out laughing...a great, roaring laughter that lasts a good moment as the bird-person fidgets a bit nervously. Then Liam speaks to the newcomer:
If your PC understands Celestial, Highlight to display spoiler: { "Yes, my friend...the one who called you forth is not so tall as yourself...but if everyone in the room is to understand you, you'd best switch to Common."}
The bird-person blinks and then nods, turning his gaze back to Berlon.
"I'm Beekr." he introduces himself in Common, his voice having a quality in it that seems to smack of it being...very young. "I'm an avoral...you called and I came. What is it that you want from me?"
Theodore & Macaw d20+6=18 Friday January 18th, 2008 9:34:35 AM "I've been able to get a decent defense of the docks organized by pooling the resources of all the Houses--we can probably keep the enemy at bay." he says. "However...we need to sneak up on the lead ship and assassinate their commander. I want the Dark Horse Guild to be the strike force that does so while the rest of us draw the attention and fire from the surrounding armada." Liam Kent looks at each of you as he continues to speak.
"But he did say they would try to help us," Theodore replies to Oni.
"Well, we'll definitely need a crew," he says to Liam. "We can't fight an pilot our ship at the same time. Perhaps the same crew we had going into the swamp. They know how the ship works and would be familiar with it."
He then furrows his brow and shakes his head. "And I don't believe for a moment you can't supply us with a few simple scrolls. Regardless of whether our supplies have been cut off, that's only happened in the last couple of days. We should still be good on supplies. And if we're the crux of the defense plan, the other Houses should be more than willing to donate items to our assistance." He gives Mask a significant look.
Theodore's argument is forgotten when Berlon summons the Celestial creature. (Knowledge Planes check 18 to discern any knowledge regarding the Avoral)
"Oh boy!" he exclaims. "I've never seen anything like you, before!" He seems quite excited by the arrival.
Berlon Friday January 18th, 2008 11:39:26 AM
"Alemi's Grace truly shines upon us!" Berlon says happily.
"Hail, Friend Beekr!" the gnome exclaims. "As you can tell by our young mage's excitement, we are very happy to see you. I prayed to Alemi for someone to help us in our time of need, and my faith was truly rewarded."
He tries to get straight to the point. "Our city is going to be coming under attack. I ask not that you fight for us, or that you put yourself in any danger. The citizens of the city must sense something is wrong, and that there is impending danger. That fear is something we must help alleviate."
"All we ask of you is to be seen."
"Fly around the city. Let the citizens see you, so that they will know they are protected. Perhaps it will offer them some solace."
"Oh, er, also..." he adds, "additionally there will be a ship sailing towards us, and certainly none of us could hope to match your flying skills. We would also ask you, when that time comes, to serve as a distraction so that we might be able to engage the ship more carefully. Once again, we wouldn't think of putting you in any direct harm...."
He smiles at the Avoral.
"You would be doing a great service to the innocent people of the city. Perhaps as a token of our appreciation for your assistance we could give you something... nice..." he starts to choose his words carefully, "something nice for your, er, aerie?"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday January 18th, 2008 4:07:40 PM
Vauhwyt sees that it is time to get into the details.
"Here is my plan," she says.
The party takes the boat out in flatboat form to the outer edge of the harbor on the coast past which the invasion fleet will sail.
We'll use illusions to cover the boat and us with the image of rocks and seaweed or something else reasonable.
We keep alert for the invasion fleet. Maybe Berlon's angel can help with that. Mookie and Macaw too.
When the fleet approaches, I put Mookie in monkey form. He reads an illusion scroll and concentrates so that the boat remains hidden, but Theo and I are free to cast.
Mookie will stay with the boat and keep up the illusion until we make our escape.
With Mookie hiding the boat, we cast our initial spells. Buffs, expeditious retreat, message, reduce, etc. The usual. I cast a Darkness spell and put it in a light tight box for Vorelle to carry.
We also cast spells / read scrolls so all five of us invisible.
We also cast spells / read scrolls so all five of us are water walking.
I also must have a Water Breathe spell.
Berlon, Oni, and Theo all drink Elixers of Sneaking.
I drink an Elixer of Vision and read a Heroism scroll.
We walk invisibly to the ship. I climb up the side and let down a rope. We all go up.
I look for traps and direct us to avoid them, or I disarm them.
We get to Darid.
Theo casts Haste. I cancel the Reduce and cast Enlarge.
We grapple Darid and pin him. Theo casts Ray of Enfeeblement on Darid a couple times. Hopefully, the strength-sapping poison on my armor spikes will also weaken him.
He will probably be surrounded by his people. There will be a fight.
After I pin Darid, I move the grapple off the side of the boat and into the water. I sink like a stone. Darid, unable to activate anything, sinks with me and drowns.
Theo uses fireballs and such to sink the ship. Maybe Oni can use scrolls of Warp Wood and Wood Shape on the planks.
We escape. Vorelle uses the Darkness to help cover the water walkers. After Darid is dead, I walk and swim back to the boat and we meet there.
We establish a secondary rendez-vous point for us to meet in case things go belly up.
That's the plan!
Ideas? Suggestions? Ways to contribute or improve?
Mookie caws, "I don't want to stay behind on the boat, Boss!"
Vauhwyt asks the familiar, "What, you want to sneak into an enemy fleet, then dive into the deeps of the sea in a death-embrace with your sworn enemy?"
"I'll keep the boat safe for you, Boss!" caws Mookie.
==========
By the way, if he is wearing a ring of free action or such, Plan A won't work. Plan B is to beat the living tar out of him, okay?
==========
Resources we will need:
1) Our navigator, Tara of the Teeth, and a selection of the crew, picked by Tara from those quickly available:
2) A couple scrolls of Minor Image or similar, so we can hide the boat.
3) Up to five Scrolls of Invisibility.
4) Five scrolls of Water Walk and one of Water Breathe (or Berlon can cast?)
5) Lock of hair or drop of blood from a Crimson Skull. One of the ones we captured in the Arena should be fine. Or Darid's hair, best of all.
6) Very excellent description or picture of Darid's flagship and of Darid so we will know him.
7) Three Elixers of Sneaking.
8) Elixer of Vision or other search booster.
9) Strength-sapping poison for my armor spikes. Drow poison, Large Scorpion Poison, or Purple Worm poison would be ideal.
10) Scrolls of Ray of Enfeeblement.
11) Heroism scroll.
12) Warp Wood and Wood Shape scrolls.
Vauwhyt Friday January 18th, 2008 4:49:15 PM
She asks, "Will we have trouble climbing on board a moving ship? Will we need something to help us climb? A Water Elemental to slow the ship down?"
Vorelle Friday January 18th, 2008 5:16:12 PM
"M-M-M-Mookie can r-read?" Vorelle asks, a little disbelievingly.
"Wh-what if Theo h-h-hits one of us with this R-R-Ray thing?" she adds.
Oni Friday January 18th, 2008 5:30:23 PM
Oni actually looks at Vauhwyt in awe. Even the appearance of the blue haired creature dimms in Oni's view. Turning to Berlon,
"Master Gnome, you simmoned friend is a great idea. Very impressive.
Shaking his head to clear a bit of the propsed 'plan', Oni then asks Liam for his list of items. "A pair of wings for each of ius, would absolutely be nice. How about a magic lamp for each of us as well. That way with 3 wishes a piece we could all just wish Darid out of existence.
"Although Vauhwyt's plan may work, if you have those resources to impart to us, I am sure you have greater resources for better prepared assassins. If this plan were'nt so desperate it would be laughable.
"The short time I have been with this group they have questioned every thing we have done, except now. I find it odd."
Making a List - DM Donna Friday January 18th, 2008 6:32:47 PM
Once Vauhwyt begins reeling off the details of a plan, Liam produces a piece of parchment and, grabbing up a nearby stylus, begins scribbling furiously. After the wemic is done, Liam eyes the list, frowning at one and another of the items.
"I can't guarantee that we'll have everything you're asking for," he says, then beckons to Mask, who comes forward and takes the list from the Battle Leader, "But we'll do what we can. Mask here will have all the things we can get for you within a half-hour...so I guess we'll see about whether you can follow this particular plan in just a short time."
DM OOC: I sent some information to Theo's player that I shall wait to see whether Theo uses or not before posting Beekr's response to Berlon.
Mookie Friday January 18th, 2008 7:47:45 PM
"Sure I can read!" caws Mookie, indignantly. "What, do I look like some kind of illiterate beast with paws and fangs?"
"Oh, sorry, Boss."
[OOC: Mookie shares all of Vauhwyt's ranks, and Vauhwyt has spent two ranks on literacy.]
Theodore & Macaw Saturday January 19th, 2008 12:48:34 PM
Theodore grins foolishly at Beekr for a moment before tearing his attention away to hear what the others are saying.
"That's a lot of steps in your plan, Vauhwyt," Theodore comments. "Generally, the more steps in a plan, the easier it is to mess it up. Plus, I'm not okay with drowning the man. If you can lay hands on him, just take him prisoner. I won't make a man helpless so we can kill him."
"But," he quickly says. "If we're on the ship and trying to get to him and we have no other option than to take him out, so be it."
"I think the first part of your plan has merit. We use stealth to get aboard Darid's ship rather than force. However, we would need to dispense with the Water Walk spell since it would be too difficult to return to our ship with Darid in that manner. I think we could sail our ship up to theirs under the illusion of one of their own vessels, or simply use Dimension Door to get back and forth between the two ships."
He begins to pace, hands behind his back as he continues on. "Then it's a matter of getting to Darid, invisible, if possible, or disguised as part of the crew if not. Grab a hold of him and use a Dimension Door spell to get out quick, or I could use diverting magic and illusions to help us back to the boat."
He stops walking and looks up. "What do you think?"
Vauhwyt Saturday January 19th, 2008 2:14:48 PM
"Okay sounds good. Water Walk to get to the ship, Dim door to get off."
"I still want water breathing. I can't swim!"
Let's Make A Deal - DM Donna Sunday January 20th, 2008 2:37:27 PM
Liam double checks the list that he made before allowing Mask to disappear with it. He states, once again, that the Cloaks rep will be back as soon as possible, hopefully with everything that was asked for.
Meanwhile:
As Berlon describes the situation for Dirt City, the avoral's crest feathers alternate from laying in a half-relaxed position through to standing very stiffly at attention. Beekr focuses quite completely on what the gnome is saying, his head tilting and large eyes blinking.
"Fly over the city just so people can see me...?" Beekr echoes, his tone smacking of eagerness. "Give them hope just by being there..? Ooooooo..." Then Berlon's mention of a token of appreciation makes the avoral blink again.
"Oh. Appreciation. Right. Forgot about that." he mutters more to himself than out loud, then his face scrunches up a bit as though he's trying to concentrate. Then his face clears and he shakes himself all over, fluffing up his feathers in order to appear bigger, drawing himself up to his fullest height (six feet.)
"Know, o sup...suppli...uhhh...supplicant! Yeah, right--" Beekr begins in a stentorian voice but the effect gets ruined when he stumbles over the word "supplicant." He clears his throat and tries again:
"Know, o supplicant, that Beekr of Aerie Swiftwing has heeded your call. I gladly consent to the services which you have stated for the token of one thousand gold pieces to be donated to the temple of Alemi..." Suddenly the avoral peers quite closely at the cleric and his "official" tone of voice is replaced by the younger tone from before: "...and I'm hungry. Got anything to eat?"
Vorelle and Champ Monday January 21st, 2008 12:16:52 AM
"Of c-course you can come," Vorelle tells Champ, ruffling his fur affectionately. "I d-don't want to get separated from you ag-gain."
Theodore & Macaw Monday January 21st, 2008 9:00:19 AM
Theodore smiles at Beekr's attempt at statesmanship. "Food? I don't have any on me, except rations. I think he deserves an honest meal."
"Nitty gritty, nitty gritty!" crow Macaw.
Posting Report for 1/14/08 Monday January 21st, 2008 2:34:28 PM
SMTWTFS
DM Donna XXXXXXO Berlon OXXOXXO Oni OX2O2XO Theodore OXXXXXX Vauhwyt OXXXX3X Vorelle XO2XOXO
ADM Shegger
Berlon Monday January 21st, 2008 3:55:40 PM
Berlon raises an eyebrow listening to the Avoral and murmurs slightly. He smiles broadly at Beekr at exclaims "Of course! Where is our hospitality? Let us show our guest a wonderful feast!"
He claps Beekr on the back.
"So, Friend Beekr," he asks carefully, "are there many more like you back home?" He grins wildly.
DM Kent - Blackbird Lake - Monday January 21st, 2008 4:23:14 PM
As Vaught, Vorelle and Berlon sit down to eat later their vision blurs momentarily and then in front of them they see a patch of swirling mists. looking into the mists they see something approaching: two flames side by side - eyes, blazing eyes in a mask-like, hollow face. The face seems to see you; it draws nearer, and speaks:
"Are you the ones? Are you the ones? Long indeed the swords sleep, and I wait, and evil grows stronger."
Though the voive is a whisper, the echoes of the face's speech roll through the mist. It fixes you with those eyes of leaping flame, and asks again, oddly pleading,
"Are you the ones?"
As the flames and face fade into the mist, things clear a bit and you see a large clear lake and then suddenly the view is covered by a flock of what looks like blackbirds and then everything goes black.
Vauhwyt Monday January 21st, 2008 4:46:10 PM
Momentarily distracted by the odd vision, Vauhwyt shakes her head.
"No time for making games, Doctor Boss," says Mookie.
"Right, right," the fuzzy liontaur says. "Now where is that Cloak?"
A Meal & A Mystery - DM Donna Monday January 21st, 2008 7:53:28 PM
Beekr seems a bit anxious when Berlon asks his question.
"Yes, there are," the avoral says, adding a bit defensively: "But I answered first...and I agreed to your terms...so you can't just go get someone else." Upon hearing this Liam lets out a sound akin to a bark (of laughter, perhaps?) that is quickly followed by a cough or three.
"You asked about food, Beekr of Aerie Swiftwing," the WLA officer says graciously, "I am happy to provide for you the sustenance one of your...stature may require. In fact, allow me to lead all of you to the house of Widow Wintershoot. She's a halfling with quite a talent for feeding just about anybody who sits at her table."
As long as everyone is agreeable, Liam leads the party--and Beekr--to a humble abode wherein lives a silver-maned elderly halfling female with the brightest blue eyes you've ever seen: Widow Wintershoot. Those intense cobalt eyes size everyone up as the party enters the rather spacious dining room and she gives you an emphatic nod.
"There's wash basins and hand towels on that buffet over there." she points to the end of the long, rather oval-shaped room as she speaks in a no-nonsense voice. "Wash your hands and face and put the towels at the end of the buffet when you're done. I'll be back with your meal in a moment." So saying, the tiny widow marches out of the room. Liam Kent is quick to go over to the long, low piece of furniture with three wash basins arranged on it.
"You'd best do as bid." the jovial aristocrat informs the group. "Widow Wintershoot is the type of lady whom you mind when she gives orders." After hastily washing his face and hands, Liam deposits the towel he used at the end of the buffet and steps aside to allow the others in the group to do the same.
Beeker approaches a basin and, dipping his hands into the water, brings them up so that he flicks the liquid from his hands onto the feathers that cover his face. He then vigorously shakes his head, spraying the water off himself and onto Liam on one side and Vauhwyt on the other. The avoral then uses a towel to wipe his hands, following Liam's lead and depositing it on the end of the buffet before going to stand on the far side of the now damp-again Battle Leader.
"Do we sit or perch?" Beekr asks Liam a bit nervously.
"Neither, yet, friend Beekr." Liam assures him easily. "It is customary for gentlemen to wait until ladies arrange themselves as they will before sitting...or perching."
DM OOC: I'll be moving the scene on in another five or six hours.
Vauhwyt Monday January 21st, 2008 10:09:01 PM
After washing up, Vauhwyt smells the food and grins. "Oh, don't stand on my account," says Vauhwyt, who "sits" on the floor at the table in the manner of wemics.
Vorelle Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 2:00:42 AM
Vorelle leaves Champ outside when the group reaches the Widow's. It seems the best thing to do.
She washes quickly, then sits quietly at the table. Her hood is up, and she is doing her best to be invisible. Her curiosity is getting the better of her, however, and she keeps sneaking glances at the astonsishing Beekr.
Theodore & Macaw Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 9:04:33 AM
"Oh, I haven't had a chance to study my magic, today," Theodore says as the others file out. "I'll have to pass on lunch. I'll be back at the ship if anyone needs me."
He sighs as he watches the others troop out. His stomach makes a plaintive noise. "Quiet, you! No time for that, now."
As the young mage starts down the street in the direction of their boat, Macaw flaps off after the others in search of lunch.
"Macaw!" Theodore calls out. The bird ignores him and Theodore harumphs before continuing on towards the boat and his studies.
Macaw quickly catches up with the others and lands on Beekr's left shoulder. "Worms?" he asks, cocking his head at the avoral. "Worms?"
Wining & Dining - DM Donna Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 2:45:54 PM OOC: so much for the "in five or six hours" deadline.
Beekr is surprised but obviously pleased when Macaw returns and even perches on the avoral's shoulder.
"Whoa...updraft!" he exclaims in the manner that reminds one of an adolescent being extremely impressed with events. "Worms? That would be most excellent!" Liam's mouth twitches but any comment he may wish to make is diverted when the door to the dining room opens and into the chamber rumbles a dining cart laden with covered dishes--seemingly all by itself. However, the cart wheels to a stop and Widow Wintershoot (who had been hidden from sight behind it) steps out from behind the cart. She takes out a stepstool from the bottom shelf and puts it down, using it to elevate herself to reach the dishes on the top shelf of the cart.
"Now, then..." the elderly halfling says in a warm, rather maternal voice, "...let's see if I've gaged people correctly." She picks up a terracotta dish and hands it to Vauhwyt. "Please, dear, give this to our avian guest." Then the widow has other covered dishes for each of the people at the table. After everybody has a dish, Widow Wintershoot nods. Liam Kent removes the cover from his dish, smiling as he recognizes rarot truffles, a delicacy from his native country.
Uncovering the dishes, each person at the table also discovers a nice plate of appetizers that appeal to their specific race and/or culture (have fun describing what's on your PC's plate if you wish). Beekr is delighted to find that his dish is chock full of fat, juicy grubs.
"Ooooo! Fresh!" the avoral notes, practically drooling at the bugs wriggling around in the deep-dish container. He reaches down to pluck some of the grubs up, but the sound of Liam Kent clearing his throat makes Beekr pause. "Oh...'scuse me." The avoral looks at his place setting, spies an empty, palm-sized bowl and takes it, dipping it into the dish of grubs. He then puts the smaller dish of wiggly insects next to his, chirping something that only a bird would understand.
Macaw & Mookie, Highlight to display spoiler: {"Sorry about that, friend, my mother would have my pin feathers if she knew I'd forgotten my manners so badly!" Clearly this is directed at Macaw (because I don't know whether Mookie is someplace visible...if Mookie is out and about, Beeker would snag another small dish and fill it for Mookie as well.)}
Having settled the food for the smaller bird(s?), Beekr then looks to Liam, who nods.
Everyone begins eating their appetizers.
"Thank you, Widow Wintershoot." Liam says to the accomplished halfling chef, who bows her head, hops down off her step stool, tucks it in the bottom of the cart and then exits, pushing the big old thing in front of her.
"While we're waiting for Mask to come back with whatever he can procure from that list," the Battle Leader says conversationally, "There IS one more thing that I want to make sure your group gets..." The dark-haired aristocrat fishes into a pocket of his embroidered vest and comes up with an item that he holds aloft:
A ring, pewter in tone, that looks to be a signet ring. The design on the flattened top is that of a stylized dragon in profile, with a large cabouchon ruby for an eye.
"Who will be the one to hold onto this...?" Liam asks.
DM OOC: if I can REMEMBER to do so, I will continue this post later today. grrrr.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 4:00:55 PM
Mookie pokes his head out of Vauhwyt's belt pouch. "Do I smell food!"
He hops out and looks longingly at Macaw's bowl, cocking his head to one side. He is clearly pleased when the angel offers to share.
Vauhwyt is happy with her Dirt City stew. "This is my homeland, and this is my favorite food! Thanks!"
When she sees the ring, she asks, "What is it, Liam?"
Berlon Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 4:34:32 PM
"No, Friend Beekr!" Berlon reassures the Avoral, "not instead of, but in addition to! Why..."
He turns his attention to his plate. "Mung beans? Where did you get mung beans?? Why..."
He turns his attention again, this time to Liam, waiting to find out what the bauble is. Without averting his gaze, he adds to no one in particular, "Did anyone else see that thing with the eyes? I'd hate to be the only one hallucinating..."
Oni Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 8:11:38 PM
Not being in favor of the plan, Oni ducked out with Theo and goes back toward the shuip. While Theo goes aboard, Oni stays on the dock. He paces constantly and watches the goings on.
Vorelle Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 10:15:16 PM
More curious than she cares to admit, Vorelle lifts the cover off her dish.
"C-c-circles!" she cries when she sees the plate.
It is indeed "onion circles"; onions that have been sliced and their layers separated into hollow circles. The ring-shaped circles have then been dipped in seasoned batter and deep-fried.
It is a culinary feat Vorelle has never managed to muster, and her mother is even more hopeless in the kitchen. Vorelle's fondest memories of "circles" are from the kitchen of Mrs. Lhubb from down the street.
Careful of the hot oil, she samples one of Widow Wintershoot's circles. It makes a very satisfying crunch as she bites into it. "Mmm," she says as the warm oil and hot sweet onion mingle in her mouth. Every bit as good as Mrs. Lhubb's. Possibly better.
A Ring, Of All Things! - DM Donna Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 12:21:13 AM
"It isn't magic--the widow's culinary knack, I mean," Liam Kent says to those with him at Widow Wintershoot's, "However, it can be rather disturbing...if not for the comfort factor." He smiles and then wiggles the ring in his fingers, giving a nod to Berlon.
"No, you're not hallucinating." the aristocrat says, then goes on to answer Vauhwyt's question. "It's a Ring of Communication. The members of the retired group of adventurers, now called the Red Wyrms, were kind enough to donate this to our anti-Invasion effort." He holds the ring out once more. "Your group will need to be able to stay in touch with myself and the other Houses during battle, and this is how you can do it. Now...which one of you gets this?"
Theodore & Macaw Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 9:07:56 AM
"I'll be on the ship, Oni," Theodore says to the Centaur. "I have to go through my books for about an hour. If you still haven't eaten by then, maybe we could get lunch, together."
The skinny mage hops, scampers, and scrambles to get up the side of the boat and onto the deck, at one point dangling pathetically from a rope, slowly turning about in a circle. He finally manages, though, and quickly finds his two spellbooks and sits down for a now quite routine study session.
Back at the Widow's house, Macaw pecks furiously at his grubs, emitting occasional sounds of pleasure. Finding a particularly fat grub, he waddles over to Vorelle's place at the table and presents her with (what he deems) the delectable morsel.
"Grubs? Grubs!" he loudly declares to the shy ranger, dropping the wriggling white bug near her plate.
Vauhwyt Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 10:27:40 AM
Vauhwyt sits a little shocked at how Macaw mocks Vorelle's grubber background so rudely.
She whispers to Mookie, "You do anything like that to Vorelle, and I'll rip your head off, you hear me?"
Vorelle Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 12:15:16 PM
When Liam reveals the ring, Vorelle looks at it but makes no move to take it. In a group of people with poor-to-average communication skills, she is hands-down the worst. Whoever gets the ring, it won't be her.
When Macaw places the grub on her plate, she regards it calmly. She has eaten its like in the wild, though with little enjoyment. She plucks it up with nimble fingers.
"N-not j-just n-n-now, th-thanks," she tells the bird. "P-perhaps our g-g-g-guest would l-like it."
Oni Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 4:29:17 PM
"Sounds good Theo."
Oni continues his vilgilance on the docks. he feeling of his once commpanion is gone again, so he figures she must have escaped.
Berlon Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 5:45:35 PM
Berlon laughs heartily at Vorelle's comment and smiles at her. "Yes! That is a wonderful idea! Friend Beekr! Would you like to have this bauble?"
Vauhwyt Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 7:28:04 PM
The liontaur laughs. "I think she meant to give the vermin to the angel, not the ring. But it is not a bad idea. How does it work anyway?"
"And where is that Mask! Surely it's been 30 minutes."
Dirt City Home Shopping Network - DM Donna Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 9:04:20 PM
Oni and Theodore encounter nothing out of the ordinary on the docks of Dirt City.
Berlon, Vorelle and Vauhwyt are presented with a Ring of Communication by Liam Kent. Beekr looks on with mild interest.
"Well...there's only this one Ring for your group." Liam says. "Unless you're going to have young Beekr here with you, I would say that one of your party should have it, in case we need to inform you of a particular turn in battle or change of tactics." Just then the door to the dining room opens up and Mask comes in, carrying a small sack in one hand...and what looks to be a thin dough wrapped around some sliced meats and leafy vegetables in the other. Mask is chewing on a bite from the food.
"Oh, sorry..." he says, swallowing and closing the door behind him, "...getting that list passed around and then getting the stuff on it took me a little longer than we originally anticipated."
"You had time for lunch, though." Liam points out with a faint smile and a nod at the handful of food the Cloaks rep has. Mask chuckles.
"Yeah...the widow handed this to me on my way back in--it's a pita pocket. Haven't had one of these since I was a kid!" Mask places the small sack on the table and explains the contents that Liam removes and arranges on the table for all to see.
"The crew for your ship is all set," Mask says, "Everyone you asked for was immediately assigned to you. None of the prisoners taken at the Arena were Crimson Skulls. Darid's quarters at the Teeth's area of the city yielded some hair...nobody can say for sure if it's Darid's..." Here the member of the Cloaks nudges an oblong, hinged case about the size of a halfling hand. "...although it IS a dark brown, which is Darid's hair color."
There are four waterproof scroll cases on the table--Mask explains that one contains 2 scrolls of Minor Image and another has 2 scrolls of Ray of Enfeeblement. The other two scroll cases contain one scroll each: Heroism and Wood Shape.
"None of the Houses seemed to be able to find any Invisibility, Water Walk or Water Breathe in any forms--scrolls, rings, potions...not even finials!" Mask snorts. Liam frowns.
"Hoarding in case the city falls, you think?" the aristocrat asks rhetorically. The Cloaks rep remains silent, but it's clear that neither the Battle Leader nor Mask are happy with the break in cooperation.
"These bottles are doses of Gaseous Form." Mask explains the five corked bottles that contain a milky liquid within them. "It seems that the brewers and apothecaries are fresh out of Elixirs of Sneaking or Vision. And that lovely little item..." The Cloaks representative nods to the sixth container--a flask with an evil-looking-scorpion painted on it, "...is the Large Scorpion poison."
"What's this?" Liam picks up the final item, a plain wooden stick with a single band of silver at one end.
"It's a means to detect traps." Mask says. "You point the banded end at an area and say 'Foofnikkar'...then if there are any traps in the area, the trapped parts glow bright yellow."
Vorelle Thursday January 24th, 2008 12:29:44 AM
Listening intently, Vorelle snags another crunchy onion circle. She can't contribute much to spellcasting, or even say "Foofnikkar" in under a minute, but at least she can pay attention and understand what's going to happen.
Berlon Thursday January 24th, 2008 8:09:55 AM
Berlon sighs in resignation. "Fine, fine, give me the ring. I doubt it would fit Vauhwyt, and I certainly wouldn't wish it upon Vorelle, and where did Young Theo scamper off to?" He takes the ring from Liam.
He frown slightly as the items are explained. He perks up slightly and volunteers to take the Heroism scroll, and since most everyone can detect traps anyway, he takes the wand as well, most likely just for the chance to say "Foofnikkar".
Theodore & Macaw Thursday January 24th, 2008 9:12:50 AM
Theodore continues his study, mesmerized by the arcane words upon the pages. Silently, he mouths the incantations just up to the point where the action words would be inserted.
Back at the Widow's home, Macaw waddles over to Beekr's plate, singing, "Grubs, grubs, grubs! Grubs, grubs, grubs!" and deposits the wriggling bug in front of the Avoral.
The raven then hops back to Vorelle's place and steals a circle from the ranger. Should Vorelle try to snatch it back, Macaw attempts to scurry away. Otherwise, he walks off with his prize like it was his to begin with.
With Theodore somewhere else, it seems Macaw needs someone else to irritate.
Just Desserts - DM Donna Thursday January 24th, 2008 7:40:41 PM
Beekr looks rather bemusedly at Macaw, apparently not at all irritated by the bird's antics. Before anything can occur, the door to the dining room opens again and the serving cart rolls in. Widow Wintershoot collects up the appetizer dishes and sets out more covered platters that are the main course.
The avoral lifts the cover from his dish and looks positively delighted at the plate of giant escargot on a bed of greens. Liam Kent's plate has some kind of poached seafood that smells delicious. Mask refuses a dish, though, thanking the elderly halfling and insisting that his pita pocket is just fine. After she leaves, the member of the House of Cloaks speaks up.
"The assigned Navigator for your crew--Tara? Well, she's from the House of Teeth. She'll know the Crimson Skull on sight and can give you a personal description of the halfling himself."
Liam Kent gives most of his attention to the meal at hand, but is definitely willing to listen to anything else that the Dark Horse Guild may want to ask or inform him about.
Vauhwyt Friday January 25th, 2008 12:01:02 AM
The liontaur goes over needed changes now that the resources available for the plan are known.
The party takes the boat out in flatboat form to the outer edge of the harbor on the coast past which the invasion fleet will sail. -- CHECK
We'll use illusions to cover the boat and us with the image of rocks and seaweed or something else reasonable. -- CHECK
We keep alert for the invasion fleet. Maybe Berlon's angel can help with that. Mookie and Macaw too. -- CHECK
When the fleet approaches, I put Mookie in monkey form. He reads an illusion scroll and concentrates so that the boat remains hidden, but Theo and I are free to cast. -- CHECK
Mookie will stay with the boat and keep up the illusion until we make our escape. -- CHECK
With Mookie hiding the boat, we cast our initial spells. Buffs, expeditious retreat, message, reduce, etc. The usual. I cast a Darkness spell and put it in a light tight box for Vorelle to carry. -- CHECK
We also cast spells / read scrolls so all five of us invisible.
BZZTT! No invisible and no water walk for us all for free. But what if Berlon casts Water Walk on me, if the other four of us are in gaseous form carried by me, And I sneak over to the ship, then cast the wood shape to make a hole, then the four go in the hole, then Vauhwyt drinks the potion and enters through the hole ... we;; then we are getting somewhere.
I still must have a Water Breathe spell.
I drink an Elixer of Vision and read a Heroism scroll.
I sneak up to the ship, with you all in gaseous form along for the ride. We all enter the ship through a small hole.
I look for traps and direct us to avoid them, or I disarm them.
We get to Darid and we go from there. What do you say, friends?
Oni Friday January 25th, 2008 1:39:07 AM
Still pacin the dock.
Theodore & Macaw Friday January 25th, 2008 9:24:19 AM
OOC - DM, please let me know when an hour is up.
Theodore continues to study from his books.
Meanwhile, Macaw retreats with his circle to an empty part of the table and begins to rip and shake the fried onion. He gobbles down large pieces at a time, thoroughly enjoying the food.
Berlon Friday January 25th, 2008 12:14:59 PM
"So much planning!" Berlon says, not looking up from eating. "I thought we were killers! Let's just storm the ship, force the poison down his throat and watch him die gruesomely and painfully before our eyes."
Vorelle Friday January 25th, 2008 1:48:43 PM
Vorelle listens to the plan, frowning unhappily. She's never been in "gaseous form" before, but it doesn't sound pleasant. And she doesn't like boats.
Then Macaw snitches an onion circle from her plate, and she sighs. There's no way she can eat the whole plate of circles by herself, and anyway food from somebody else's plate always tastes better. Then again, it sets a bad precedent.
"Th-that's not p-p-polite," she tells the rambunctious raven.
When the main dish arrives, she lifts the cover to find lean roast beef, accompanied by roasted vegetables. She takes an appreciative sniff and picks up her knife and fork.
Vauhwyt Friday January 25th, 2008 1:51:54 PM
The liontaur thinks it over and says, "We can do it!"
"Berlon, are you in? We need you, old friend!"
"I wonder if Oni will show."
That's the Plan! - DM Donna Friday January 25th, 2008 5:17:51 PM
Liam Kent frowns as he contemplates the need for a Water Breathing spell or potion.
"I'll see what I can do about that personally." he says. "However, I can't say with 100% certainty that I can get hold of that for you. Try to come up with a 'Plan B' on the likelihood that I may not procure that for you."
The rest of the meal goes rather pleasantly. After removing the dinner dishes, Widow Wintershoot exchanges them for covered dishes for the dessert course. Beekr is delighted with an assortment of succulent-looking grape-like fruit, only they are a yellow-orange. Liam uncovers a flaming Baked Alaska.
An hour has passed for Theo and Oni.
DM OOC: I will be posting over the weekend.
Vorelle Saturday January 26th, 2008 4:41:38 AM
Vorelle isn't sure she understands all of the magic involved. "H-how do I c-carry a b-box when I'm g-gaseous?" she asks.
When dessert arrives, she is still working on her roast beef, so she sets the covered dish aside.
Theodore & Macaw Saturday January 26th, 2008 11:57:51 AM
Theodore reverently closes his books and stashes them back in his haversack. He stands and arches his back with an "Ooph!"
One hand still on his back, he peers over the boat's railing to find Oni.
"Hey, you want to get some lunch? There's a nice tavern Above, if you want to chance it. I think it's called the Blue Eel, or somesuch."
Macaw raises his head once to look at Vorelle. Then he turns his tail feathers to her and continues his meal.
Oni Saturday January 26th, 2008 1:19:47 PM
Oni nods his head in the affirmative ans waves Theodore to come on.
Last Minute Prep Saturday January 26th, 2008 10:52:00 PM
After everyone is finished with dessert, Liam once again vows to try to at least dig up that Water Breathing that Vauhwyt has her heart set on, but reiterates the wisdom of coming up with a Plan B in case he can't turn up something to help with that.
"Meanwhile, you should rest and prepare." he bids the Dark Horse Guild. "On the morrow, the Crimson Skulls and their allies are sure to attack." So saying, the Battle Leader nods and leaves Widow Wintershoot's.
Vauhwyt Sunday January 27th, 2008 8:59:00 AM
"Oh, Plan B is Berlon casts it on all of us. You can do that, right, Berlon? You can cast Water Walk too, right?"
Berlon Sunday January 27th, 2008 12:58:00 PM
"I'll take care of it," Berlon mutters. "Before we leave I'll return to my lab and churn out some scrolls...."
Theodore & Macaw Sunday January 27th, 2008 1:49:00 PM
Theodore nods at Oni, "I'll be right down, then."
Using the rope, he swings first one and then the other leg over the rail. He seems to be doing well enough getting down, though it's very slow going. Then he loses his grip and drops the remaing three feet to plop heavily on his bottom.
"Aww, man!" he says, disgusted with himself. He picks himself up off the dock, rubbing his posterior. "All right, let's go then. Just keep your wits about you when we get up top."
Theodore leads the way to the tavern.
Back at the Widow's, Macaw looks up from his meal. "Caw! Caw! Theo go boom! Theo go boom! Caw, caw, caw!"
The raven leaves his unfinished meal and flaps away in search of his master.
Vorelle Sunday January 27th, 2008 11:58:28 PM
Comfortably full of onion circles and roast beef, Vorelle shows little interest in her covered dessert dish. Curiosity finally gets the better of her, however, and eventually she lifts the cover. She sighs when she sees the buttery shortbread rounds. There is no way she could eat one right now--but they are so good! After a moment, she tucks one into her bag for later.
She listens to the rest of the plan, and nods her understanding. She agrees that resting tonight would be a good thing--but she has serious doubts that she'll be able to sleep tonight.
Impending doom can do that to a person....
Vauhwyt Monday January 28th, 2008 6:19:52 AM
The liontaur carefully stows away the gear and such that the Cloak brought.
Then Vauhwyt sees and hears Macaw. "Theo's in trouble!" she yelps. She stuffs a sweet roll in her mouth and mumbles around her dessert, "Cub om! We hab to hep him!"
She races after the bird, swallowing and saying, "Lead us to him, Macaw!"
Over her shoulder, she calls to Liam, "We'll send word before we set out to sea!"
As she goes, she thinks about what to cast as the group goes to help Theo. Reduce? Enlarge? She would have to wait and see what they faced.
Posting Report for 1/21/08 Monday January 28th, 2008 12:26:22 PM
SMTWTFS
DM Donna XXX2XXX Berlon OXXXXXO Oni OOXXOXX Theodore OXXXXXX Vauhwyt O2X2O2O Vorelle OX2XXXX
ADM Shegger
Dirt City Pub Crawling - DM Donna Monday January 28th, 2008 7:01:14 PM
Oni and Theodore make their way to the Blue Eel, where there is a table with space enough for both of them.
"What'll it be, gents..?" the tavern maid asks in an almost bored voice. After getting their order, the maid skips off to fetch their meal. Looking around the tavern, the two Dark Horse Guild members suddenly find their table surrounded.
"Hey...where's everyone else..?" a familiar voice asks the young spellcaster, and Theo looks up to see the crew that had worked with his party before--the person who had asked the question was Tara, from the House of Teeth, who had acted as navigator.
MEANWHILE...the rest of the group leaves the Widow Wintershoot's place, with at least Beekr thanking the aged halfling hostess for her fine food. Mookie is able to keep tabs on Macaw, who unerringly leads the way to a familiar tavern: the Blue Eel.
Anyone from the party entering the establishment and was present the last time the assorted crew was working with the Dark Horse Guild will recognize that selfsame crew surrounding a table inside the tavern.
Oni Tuesday January 29th, 2008 5:30:20 AM
Oni is concerned as his friedn falls from the rope. When he jumps right back up, Oni decides his pride was hurt more than his body. The young man catches up easily with the Drowtaur.
"Theo, you should buy a staff. The staff would make you concentrate more on moving around. After time it would help with your coordination. That is why I carry this halberd. It is large, and I need to plan my way around obstacles. This happens at all times. After several years of carrying such a weapon, my mind helps my body make adjustments.
"It would take time, but I know it would help you in the long run."
At hte Bar..
"Ahh Tara, men. Eat ands drink for tommorow we die!! Ya, you have all heard that before. The others will be along shortly I imagine. Plans to set sail soon methinks."
Oni orders roasted meat, potatoes, and vegetables. This may be his last tavern meal, so he wanted to enjoy it.
Theodore & Macaw Tuesday January 29th, 2008 9:20:54 AM
"I actually already have a staff," Theodore sheepishly responds to Oni. "I don't know what it is. Master Geoffrey tells me that my mind is always two steps ahead of my body. So, I'm thinking I'm somewhere else and my feet are thinking they're right where they are. You can understand the resulting conflict, I'm sure."
At the tavern, Theodore orders the same thing that Oni does. "That sounds good." He smiles at the centaur.
"I think they're meeting with Liam Kent over lunch," Theodore responds to Tara. "I'm sure we'll meet up in a little bit. Until then, why don't you all sit and have a meal with us."
The wizard furrows his brow and turns his head towards tavern door with an expectant look. Sure enough, the next time the door opens, Macaw flaps in to land on top of his master's head.
"Welcome back."
Vorelle Tuesday January 29th, 2008 12:48:49 PM
Vorelle moves cautiously into the Blue Eel, aware of the place's reputation--and remembering the first time the group was here. She lets out a little sigh of relief when she sees Theo and Oni, and moves unobtrusively to join them.
In contrast to her best friend, Vauhwyt is not unobstrusive. It does not even occur to her that she should unobstrude.
"Theo! Are you okay? Your bird said you were hurt! We came right away!"
Berlon Tuesday January 29th, 2008 1:06:29 PM
"Tsk, Vauhwyt, we're really not going to start listening to the birds *now*, are we?"
He looks over the ring he got from Liam. "How does this thing work?" he asks to no one in particular. He holds it up to his mouth. "Hello? Is this thing on?"
Theodore & Macaw (2nd Post) Tuesday January 29th, 2008 3:49:12 PM
Theodore blinks, surprised by Vauhwyt's obvious concern. "I'm fine."
He looks at Macaw. "He must have felt me fall of the boat...again."
Slowly, a smile spreads across the wizard's face as he looks at the raven. "Aww, were you worried about me? Yes you were! Yes you were! You're a good little birdie, aren't you?" He fluffs the bird's feathers and tickles him, playfully.
"Ack!" Macaw snips Theodore's finger and stalks off to the other side of the table. He plops down, his back toward his master.
Theodore looks at his friend's back, sucking on his finger. "Or maybe not."
Tara Talks - DM Donna Tuesday January 29th, 2008 4:31:16 PM
The wily navigator grins at Oni's invitation, waving to the rest of the crew as she grabs a nearby chair and turns it around so that it faces her. She straddles the seat to sit on the chair, crossing her arms and resting them across the top of the back.
"Thanks, don't mind if I do." Tara says, then nods to the barmaid. "I'll have what he's having." The others decline to eat although everyone orders a drink.
"Sooooo...you're the fools that are gonna go kick the butt of the Crimson Skulls, eh?" Tara teases with a twinkle in her eye. The crew with her chuckle, snort and burp...well, one of the dwarves burps, anywhow. The human female rolls her eyes then smiles a greeting when the rest of the party shows up.
"Nice to be working with you again." Tara says as the Dark Horse Guild reunites. After the barmaid has come bearing trays of food and drink and then has left again the navigator becomes a bit more sober in her tone of conversation:
Darid Skull is one of the skinniest halflings you could ever hope to lay eyes on--the halfling race, for the most part, often remind the other races of human children, usually with rounded cherubic faces and large, limpid eyes. ("The better for the buggers t'get away with anythin' from larceny to murder!" jokes the dwarf who had belched, elicting guffaws from his crewmates.)
Darid, however, "looks an evil little scarecrow"--according to Tara, who says she had the misfortune to have to navigate for him on one of his smuggling runs a year or so ago. According to her recollection of the ex-member of the House of Teeth, Darid not only looks mean and nasty, but certainly acts that way, too.
"He's a whiz at disarming and laying traps." she tells the party. "You can be sure that his ship will be booby-trapped--especially any parts that are personal to him.
"As long as you got the means for the ship to sneak up on the Crimson Skull," Tara says firmly, "...I'll know it when I see it and can get our ship as close to Darid's as you'd like."
Theodore & Macaw Wednesday January 30th, 2008 9:28:00 AM
Theodore eats his meal as he listens to Tara. "Does he have any character flaws we can exploit? Like hubris? Or some kind of fear?"
He saws off a piece of meat. "This is good stuff."
"Did Liam come through with any of the materials we requested?" Theodore asks Vauhwyt.
Macaw decides the table's getting a little too crowded and returns to his usual perch; Theodore's head.
Berlon Wednesday January 30th, 2008 2:23:13 PM
"Don't take that from him, Young Theo!" Berlon offers encouragingly. "Re-engage the battle of wits! If you don't, it will be no time before Mookie is making wisecracks about your parentage!" He points at Macaw encouragingly.
"But you are quite right, Theo," he adds more seriously, "we have to think of all of our possible resources. Aren't the lizardmen supposed to be mobilizing, too? How much treasure do you think a large settlement has, suddenly mostly unprotected. I wonder if the Skulls could be talked into a less violent change of targets. Something to think about, no?"
He smiles and points again at Macaw.
Vauhwyt Wednesday January 30th, 2008 5:30:48 PM
Vauhwyt explains tot he crew and Tara what their part will be:
"We'll sneak out of the bay to a position near shore past which the invading fleet will sail. We'll cover the ship with an illusion. When the Crimson Skull nears, we'll leave the boat at anchor and sneak onto the ship. When we are done, we'll rendez-vous back at the ship."
"What about me, Boss! Tell them my part!" Mookie caws.
"Oh, yeah. Mookie will bravely stay behind with you folks to maintain the illusion."
Vorelle Wednesday January 30th, 2008 5:34:27 PM
Vorelle is still very full, so the food at the Blue Eel does not appeal to her. An ale on her very full stomach doesn't sound like a good idea, either.
She orders wine and sips it, finding it both thin and sour. She makes a face, and turns her attention to the conversation.
More Questions Answered - DM Donna Wednesday January 30th, 2008 6:19:34 PM
Theodore's question about character flaws elicits a snort from Tara and mutterings from the rest of the crew.
"Hubris?" she echoes. "You wanna know about hubris? Darid Skull was basically kicked out of the House of Teeth for two very good reasons: the first one was that he had been testing the efficacy of his more deadly traps on living animals. But the straw that broke the dromedary's back was the fact that Darid bad-mouthed the entire House because he wasn't sensing the 'overwhelming' support he felt he was entitled to get in the nomination for becoming the City's next Prince." Again the other crew members mutter and frown.
"Berlon has a very logical idea." the navigator says with a nod. "Only with the way that Darid has been pouting about not having been unanimously voted in as the Prince of Thieves already, I doubt you're going to get him to change his mind about attacking Dirt City...because inflicting pain and humiliation on the people he feels he ought to be ultimately ruling over is a much bigger high than snagging swag from a bunch of scaly swamp heathens."
When Vauhwyt explains the basic plan to Tara, the human female nods, looking impressed.
"Sayyyy...that ought to work." Tara agrees. "Just make darn sure that you keep your eyes peeled for traps--Darid was fond of extremely painful and humiliating traps."
Vauhwyt Wednesday January 30th, 2008 7:05:38 PM
The liontaur asks Tara if Darid has magical ability, or makes magical traps. Or just mechanical ones?
Oni Wednesday January 30th, 2008 10:55:22 PM
Oni eats and eats, and eats somemore
Theodore & Macaw Thursday January 31st, 2008 9:15:44 AM
"Did we get the supplies we needed?" Theodore asks Vauhwyt, again, a little miffed she didn't respond to his first query.
Macaw seems upset about Berlon's plea to Theodore to continue the battle against his feathered friend. "Shu'up, Berloser!" he crows.
Theodore's bottom jaw drops wide. "Macaw, that's not proper, at all!"
He tries to swat at the vituperative bird, but Macaw sees it coming and flaps off to a safe rafter.
"I'm sorry, Berlon. He's just like that."
Vorelle Thursday January 31st, 2008 12:35:39 PM
"W-w-we got s-s-some of them," Vorelle replies to Theo. She has doubts about relying so heavily on magic, but she keeps them to herself.
LOG ON