DM Jamie Monday February 4th, 2008 2:26:02 AM Picci - I appologize for getting in this post without yours. If you want to put a few actions in your post go ahead. I just wanted to get this in while I had the chance.
The clouds close in on the group. You can hear the sharp crack of lightning now as the storm slowly makes its way down the road behind you. Almost as if it were pushing you home. No matter, though, judging by your location you should be able to make it home within the hour and that will put you in safety before the comming storm.
Bendis as you walk down the road with James you get some information from him. He has not been doing this for very long and he does not remember alot from before he began the mercenary life. The cleric, Jandis, was the head of the group and it was he who had the information. The others were told nothing of the mission except they were to at least get the girl if not all the group. He has never heard of the Ebon Fold.
Julien and Gigi remaining back with the bodies you find several things that may be of use. You find a short sword and a mace. Along with 3 vials of assorted liquids. You also find a bag of gold and a wand of some sort.
Rosario you begin to slow and eventually stop after a while. After that hard of a run you bend over for a minute with your hands on your legs just to catch your breath. Soon Bethias and Zita catch up to you. That is when it hits you all, as you breath in the air you can make out the smell of smoke. Scanning the horizon you can see great billows of smoke rising up into the air ahead of you. As you squint and look you can see flame rising up from the place you once called home.
I want to keep the action moving fast and hard. I will be posting around 2 - 3 am local each day. I am looking forward to seeing you guys in action :)
Bendis Monday February 4th, 2008 2:34:36 PM
Bendis is a little disappointed that his newfound friend seems to know so little, but decides to look on the bright side. At least they are all still alive, and free of whoever it is that seems so determined to see them captured or dead.
The portly dwarf chats on, doing his best to eke out any other pertinent information from his new-found friend, but stops short as he sees a plume of smoke rising from the horizon. If that is coming from where he thinks it is...
"Oh, that can't be good" he mutters to himself, fear clenching in his gut. "That can't be good at all." He speeds up, trying to catch up with Rosario, Betheas and Zita up ahead. His earlier confidence melts away, and he is uddenly profoundly aware that he is walking along a deserted road with a would-be murderer at his side. He speeds up some more.
Rosario Monday February 4th, 2008 4:59:42 PM
Rosario comes up with a snap, his eyes squinting to the smoke. No. Rosario's legs start carryin him forward again. No. Picking up speed, he transitions form a walk to a light jog. No. About to move into a full sprint again, something in his mind shifts him down. Too far, simply could not run that far, but his legs still carry him at a brisk jog. [Hustle to home x3 speed]
Picci AC17; 10/10hp d20+3=16 Monday February 4th, 2008 8:23:26 PM
Helping Julien with searching the bodies, Picci searches her own recollection about Ga'al and his heartseeded followers. (OOC: DM needs to let us know what Picci may be able to relate to her family with a Knowledge [religion] check of 16.)
Once they catch up to the point of seeing the smoke and flames on the horizon, the petite girl's face blanches at the implications of the scene.
"Oh...oh no..." her voice is a dazed whisper and then Picci, too, is hurrying towards home.
DM Jamie - Picci Highlight to display spoiler: { you know the basic history. You don't know particulars about clerical related things, but you know the history about Ga'als rise to power after the fourth cataclysm} let me know what you think or if you were trying to know something more
Zita[HP: 11/11 - AC: 19 w/dodge] Monday February 4th, 2008 9:28:15 PM
Zita catches up with Rosario and is about to lay a hand upon his shoulder when she first smells the smoke. With a pit of fear and dread growing in her stomache she looks in the direction of the smoke. "Home......." She can only get out that one word as she feels her legs start to go rubbery.
With Rosario starting to move again she can only follow along, cold fear gnawing at her.
Julien Tuesday February 5th, 2008 1:52:37 AM
"Party treasure," he grins at Gigi and Picci. "Come on, let's catch up with the others." He throws the cash pouch at Picci with a wink. "Ladies can count, right?" He doesn't want to sully his magician's hands with the weapons, but if Gigi will take the sword and mace, he'll take the wand and the vials, just till they get to a point where they can figure it all out. Then its time to catch up with the others. He slows down as he comes up behind Bendis and one of the guys who tried to kill them. Bendis obviously had the man in some kind of thrall, but just to be on the safe side, no harm in staying close. The smell in the air has him frowning. "What's burning?"
DM Jamie Tuesday February 5th, 2008 3:33:50 AM
You are about 300 yards from home now, but the sight does not instill feelings of warmth in your heart. The scene is best described as grim. Some flames still lick up the sides of the once proud house. It looks as if the majority of the burning occurred through the night and early morning. The outer wall remains in ruins. The corner spires, which once instilled pride as the rose up into the air, now look like the large smoking pipe of some long forgotten giant. The smell in the air is one of smoke and something more subtle lying underneath. It is the smell of burning flesh.
You begin to move through the outer lying grove surrounding the property. Rosario is out in the lead, but not by much as the rest makes their way up behind him. The afternoon light shines down through the leaves making different patterns of light on the ground. If it were different circumstances they might be delightful to look at. The silence in the wood would be slightly unnerving if you weren't running with eyes on the place you once called home.
About 40 feet in front of Rosario 4 dwarves drop from the tree branches into your path. They each carry a greatsword and kite shield. Displayed on their chests with great pride is a Ga'al heartseed. They smile at you all as they await your approach.
DM Jamie - Picci Highlight to display spoiler: { you know the basic history. You don't know particulars about clerical related things, but you know the history about Ga'als rise to power after the fourth cataclysm} let me know what you think or if you were trying to know something more
Bendis 7 HP AC 12 d20-1=12 d20+7=19 Tuesday February 5th, 2008 4:04:26 AM
Bendis gazes around in horror. The Montdidier's beautiful home lies in ruins! Try as he might he can see no sign of survivors, and his heart goes out to Zita and Rosario. The sickly smell of roasting flesh fills him with dread at what they might find if they search too closely.
Then the four dwarves drop down in front of them. After that eerie stillness the sudden movement almost undwarves him.
"You muh-monsters" he whispers, as realisation dawns. "You monsters! You're dwarves! How could you do this?"
Desperately resisting the urge to turn and flee he opens his spell book once more and, blinking back tears of impotent fury he begins a slow, sonorous chant. With his free hand he digs into his pouch and tosses a pinch of rose petals into the air, then points at a spot between the dwarves.
(OOC: Sleep, cast to catch as many within a 10' burst as possible. Will DC 15, 4HD of creatures effected. If the dwarves resist, Spellcraft 19 to determine if it was a Will save or more than 4 HD that prevented the spell from working.)
His spell cast he stumbles back (5' step), tugging frantically at the crossbow strapped to his back. With trembling fingers he slots a bolt home and raises the unfamiliar weapon to his shoulder, trying desperately to hold it steady.
"James!" he cries. "Puh-Please, you have to help me! They want to kill us all! Please, help!"
(OOC: If required, Cha check of 12.)
Rosario AC 17 HP 13 d20+5=6 Tuesday February 5th, 2008 11:39:30 AM
Rosario draws his sword and spits towards the dwarves. "Filthy bastard sons of goblins." the youth lunges, his training nearly forgotten and his weapon careens well out of control. Not remotely close to endengering the enemy. [PA1 Hit AC 6 oh very nice]
GigiAC17(15): HP 13/13, d20+4=23 d20+4=23 4d6(6+2+5+4)+2=19 Tuesday February 5th, 2008 5:49:51 PM
Having helped Julian secure the new weapons and such, Gigi and sword in hand, joins the rest to hurry up and catch up with the others just in time to see the smouldering ruins and the dwarves drop out of the trees.
Seeing the dwarves infront of him, Gigi screams and charges in sword ready to smite the dwarves down. Charge Attack; AC 23 crit threat, AC 23, threat confirmed, 19 points damage
Picci AC17; 10/10hp Tuesday February 5th, 2008 6:52:43 PM
(OOC to the DM: no, Picci was trying to recall if there was anything specific about Ga'al that may apply to this particular attack ("Oh, my gods! Ga'al is after the family heirloom--the Cushion of Whoopee!"...something like that.)
DM Jamie - No worries. No you don't know of any reason why the followers of Ga'al would be after your family.
Picci gasps.
"I think Ga'al really, really wants to control the House." she says, gulping and shivering at how beatific the dwarves appear to be, as they are obviously convinced that they are doing the completely right thing. Thinking quickly, the young cleric-in-training draws on the powers of Good within the Wold and casts Protection from Evil--on Zita.
Zita[HP: 11/11 - AC: 19 w/dodge] d20+5=13 d8=4 Tuesday February 5th, 2008 8:51:33 PM
Zita skids to a halt after seeing the dwarves drop from the tree. Her mind is still racing from what she is seeing and what she is smelling. Her thoughts are on her mother, grandmother and the rest of her family...but her body remembers.
Instinct has been a good thing for her lately and she is not even sure when she did it. The bow in her hand comes up and she fires off an arrow at the dwarf furthest from the ones her family are attacking.
[hit: 13 and damage: 4]
Julien HP 7 AC 13 d4=1 Tuesday February 5th, 2008 11:21:42 PM
If Julien can get in range, he'll get in beside Rosario and blast his friends dwarven adversary with BURNING HANDS.
1Pt DAMAGE!!! sigh
Then he'll duck behind the line. No point in really sticking his neck out when he wasn't as well protected as the others.
Betheas d20=15 d20=16 d20=20 d20=4 d20=13 d20=10 d10+3=5 d10+3=7 d10+3=9 d10+3=12 d10+3=6 d10+3=12 Tuesday February 5th, 2008 11:21:54 PM
Arriving on the scene, breathes deep and heavy; seeing his comrads rightfully flustered, "Hold tight my friends, keep your wits and fight like you were taught."
With that said, the elf takes a position next to Zita (the obvious target); and he holds tight with his galive at the ready to ward off an attack.
[Any of the dwarves that approach within 5' feet of Zita receive an attack of opportunity.]
[AOO: Hits AC 19 for 5 hp] [AOO: Hits AC 20 for 7 hp] [AOO: Hits AC 24 for 9 hp possible crit AC 8 for 12 hp] [AOO: Hits AC 17 for 6 hp]
Obviously each attack of opportuntiy would be on a seperate dwarf.
The glaive wielding elf uses his held attack on the first approaching dwarf.
[Attack 1 : hits AC 14 for 12 hp]
Betheas tries to move with Zita, as she is apparently beside herself.
DM Jamie d20=16 d20=4 d20=13 d20=19 d4=4 d20+3=20 d20+3=21 d20+3=12 d8+1=9 d8+1=7 d8+1=9 d20+3=21 d20+3=19 d10=10 Wednesday February 6th, 2008 4:37:09 AM
The party unintentionally breaks into two smaller groups. Rosario, Gigi, and Julien in striking distance with the dwarves, holding the line. About 10 feet behind them is Bendis and James. And then about another 10 feet behind them is Zita and her self declared protectors, Picci and Betheas.
The four dwarves fan out in a line along the road, sword and shield in hand. As you close on them you can see they are in fact two sets of twins. Rosario is the first to close with them. He swings wildly and misses, leaving himself open for a possible counterattack. Dwarf #1 gets in one attack on Rosario as he swing wide. His blade bites deep into his side. You can feel a rib or two crack as the blade cuts. Then there is a warm sensation running down your side. 10 Hp
Gigi closes quickly and connects with a vicious attack. The smell of the dwarf entrails fills your nostrils as his intestines fall to the ground through the new hole in his abdomen. He cries out in pain as he falls to the ground, further throwing blood into the air.
Julien moves to Rosarios side and tries to cover his opening with a burning hands. He is able to get the spell off, but through some luck the dwarf is able to shake off most of the damage. He remains standing with some singed hair, but no other apparent injuries.
Bendis is able to get off his sleep spell with little difficulty. It seems as if the Dwarves have a good resistance to the effects of the spell as they proceed to fight with the party. All, that is, except for dwarf number 3 who falls to the ground in an apparent deep slumber. James moves forward in order to engage the dwarves and falls to the ground almost instantly. Several arrows protrude from his now bloodied torso. Looking up into the tree reveals 2 more dwarves.
Zita is able to get a clear shot at dwarf #4 on the far right of the road and soon enough there is a single arrow protruding from his left thigh. He smiles at her as he reaches down and breaks the shaft off and throws it to the side. Picci completes the ritual and feels the welcoming release of power as she places the protection from evil on Zita. Betheas takes up a defensive stance against any possible attacks against Zita. He notices the dwarf that Zita shot eyeing her.
Dwarf # 4 closes with Zita in his sights. As he nears he falls within Betheas' threat zone. The AoO hits cleanly, but causes minimal dmage. The follow-up attack, however, goes in deep. There is a quick shudder and a series of succesive tremors from the dwarf as he slides back off the blade.
You have 3 active known enemies remaining. 2 are in the trees roughly equal to where Bendis and James are. The third is engaged with Rosario. You have one sleeping on the ground as well.
Bendis 7 HP AC 12, AC 16 with cover d20+2=18 d8=4 Wednesday February 6th, 2008 8:41:11 AM
Bendis can barely keep up with the battle, events are moving so swiftly. He is not sure if it is terror, rage or pure instinct that has taken over. Still, he feels a momentary pang of satisfaction as he see one dwarf fall to his magic. It is cut short as another opens up a dreadful wound in Rosario's side. This is serious; they could be killed here. Fear takes over.
Then James is hit by arrows from the trees, and tumbles to the dust bleeding. Bendis, shocked at the death of this enemy turned temporary friend, cries out to his companions.
"Look out! There are tuh-two more hiding in the branches! They have bows!"
He takes unsteady aim with his crossbow (oh how he wishes now that he had spent more time practicing!) and forcing himself to open his eyes he fires up at one of the two bow-wielders. More by luck than judgement his aim is true (OOC: AC 18 for 4HP).
With his shot fired he ducks around the trunk of the tree out of sight of the bowmen. With shaking hands he reloads his crossbow (OOC: move to cover or total cover, your call o DM!).
Rosario AC 17 HP 3-13 d20+5=20 d10+8=14 Wednesday February 6th, 2008 9:34:39 AM
The dwarven blade cuts deep and Rosario can feel the metal, like a burning match roll through him. His left leg buckles a bit, but really not much else seems to happen. The young man plants his feet and comes back around with his own blade. This time, under far better control. [PA 1 Hit AC 20 Dmg 14]
GigiAC17: HP 13/13, d8+1=8 Wednesday February 6th, 2008 6:11:06 PM
Seeing his friend get struck deeply and his opponent go down, Gigi steps up behind Rosario and casts a spell sending healing energy into Rosarios body. Cure Light Wounds - 8 points returned
Zita[HP: 11/11 - AC: 19 w/dodge] d20+5=18 d8=8 Wednesday February 6th, 2008 6:25:45 PM
Allowing her breathing to become steadier she watches the approaching dwarf with little concern. She was fully aware that Betheas is right at her side and has her covered. "Thanks Betheas." With that she puts another arrow to her bow and lets it go at the dwarf to the right in the tree.
[hit: 18 and damage: 8]
Picci AC17; 10/10hp Wednesday February 6th, 2008 6:29:50 PM "Rosario!" Picci screams when she sees what she very well knows (thanks to her training as a healer) is an extremely serious wound. In her shock and upset, the petite girl drops her mace. Her agitation is abated somewhat when Gigi casts a very effective Cure spell on the ducal protector. Picci blinks, fumbling with her sling and bullets as she belatedly realizes that she should be helping to fight off these living Ga'alian automatons rather than being squeamish over what was happening to her childhood friend.
Betheas d20=8 d10+3=9 d20=3 d10+3=10 Wednesday February 6th, 2008 8:40:45 PM
After Zita makes her shot, Betheas moves directly in front of her (offering her cover). The elf shows his teeth in a primal offering to the tree bound archers, and spits on the ground. He braces himself to dodge the unwounded archer's following shots (dodge AC 19).
He also prepares himself to accept the next attack from the melee dwarves.
[AOO: hits AC 12 for 9 hp damage]
He then follows with his held attack.
[Attack 1: hits AC 7 for 10 hp of damage]
Julien HP 7 AC 13 Thursday February 7th, 2008 1:02:00 AM
Staying behind Gigi and Rosario, and hearing Bendis's warning, Julien casts SPECTRAL HAND.
What the heck was wrong with these Ga'al people??
~edited for spelling, sheesh my typing~
DM Jamie Thursday February 7th, 2008 9:34:08 AM Rosario is able to repay the damage to the dwarf as he twists his blade deep into the dwarf. The dwarf slumps to the ground with a wet thud.
Bendis and Zita have no problem hitting the dwarf to the right in the trees. He falls from his perch, hitting a few branches on the way down. A sickening crack comes from him as he hits the ground.
The third dwarf prepares to fire his bow again when his eyes get wide. His hand flies to his chest. His mouth opens, but there is no sound as he falls to the ground.
Before you have time to react you all see a group running towards you. You all ready yourselves for this next attack. Soon, however, you begin to run towards them as you recognize it to be some of the field workers and a few of the house help.
"No time to talk out here." Says one of the foremen from the fields. "We must get you to safety."
The group forms a circle of sorts around you as the lead you back towards the house. They lead you in through a side door to the house and take you into one of the sitting rooms. Inside you find the young man who announced Grandma back at the begining of the module. He has about 20 other men around him in the room.
He looks you all over and says, "We are the only ones left."
Bendis d20+7=23 d20+2=10 Thursday February 7th, 2008 10:50:12 AM
Bendis' relief as the last opponent falls does not last long. He almost turns and runs when he sees a new crowd racing towards them. He lets out a long, shuddering sigh when he recognizes them. A part of him wonders idly what killed the final dwarf; he saw no shot or spell being fired (Spellcraft 23). But he has more pressing concerns; he follows the others, scanning the surrounding area for more enemy faces (Spot 10).
The portly dwarf is sweating hard by the time they reach the house. The adrenaline is wearing off, and he is beginning to feel nauseous. It consequently takes him a few moments to register what was just said.
"The- the only ones? Buh-buh-but... what about..."
His voice tails off as he looks across at Zita, his heart breaking for her.
Picci Thursday February 7th, 2008 11:11:22 AM
Blinking at the unusual sight of the heartseeded attackers simply collapsing, Picci is able to snatch up her mace when the Montdidier servants arrive...however, when the courier makes his dire announcement, the petite girl can but echo the unfinished question on the lips of Bendis:
"But...but what about Nonna? And Mama Montdidier..?"
Betheas Thursday February 7th, 2008 1:51:06 PM
Incapable of waiting to learn the out-come of the matrons' fates, he searches the faces of the townfolk for clues. Why were they not forth-coming?
The elf is angry that the New Elennian military could allow another nation to do something like this. He removes his tunic of the guard and tosses it in a burning pile.
[Presumably Betheas checked the bodies of the Ga'alian dwarves before coming back to the house with the locals.]
Zita[HP: 11/11 - AC: 19 w/dodge] Thursday February 7th, 2008 9:18:36 PM
Zita watches as the last enemy falls and the adrenaline starts to fade from her body. She feels herself begin to shiver as if it is cold outside. The approaching group gives her pause and she starts to try to steel herself for more killing.
Familiar faces put her at ease as the draw near, but she has a heavy lump in her throat. She is quiet as the group forms up around them and takes them to a safe place.
The news that is given drives a final nail in the coffin of her heart and she finds that her knees are too weak to stand anymore. Slumping to the floor she cannot believe any of it. "Tell us what happened...my Mother and Nonna?" She pulls her cloak closer about herself as the cold that seeps into her body worsens.
Julien HP 7 AC 13 Friday February 8th, 2008 2:25:00 AM
Julien takes in the scene of the fallen dwarves. It didn't make any sense, absolutely no sense whatsoever. Although he realizes he is somewhat distracted, as the glowing hand he just cast hovers in front of him, pulling at his life force, making his shoulders drop with the draining effect. But there are others coming, more of them? Well, he wasn't going down without a fight. Time to put the hand to some good use. But no, wait....
He's slightly disoriented as they are led back to the house, while he gathers the hand back in and absorbs its energy. In different circumstances, that would have been rather cool, but now he has to stand and listen as they discover Zita and Rosario's family are no more. He can't even begin to imagine.....
"So, where's safe?" he asks, his voice thick with emotion.
Rosario Friday February 8th, 2008 12:24:08 PM
Rosario is feeling under the weather apologies.
GigiAC17: HP 13/13, Saturday February 9th, 2008 9:17:24 AM
Gigi suspicious about why one of their foes would simply fall out of the tree, Gigi heads over and prods him with his booted toe.
Betheas Saturday February 9th, 2008 11:27:27 AM
In response to Julien, the elf points toward the lift going to the next plateau.
Zita[HP: 11/11 - AC: 19 w/dodge] Sunday February 10th, 2008 12:32:49 AM
Zita continues to sit and wait for the answers to her questions. She is fearing the worst and praying for the best. Maybe her Nonna and mother are still alive, just captured. Not a pleasant thought but at least they could be rescued.
She shakes a little as the fact that she may soon be in charge takes a firm hold. Till this moment, she has still been figureing that she had time.
DM Jamie Monday February 11th, 2008 7:12:54 PM
Sorry for all the confusion everyone. If there is no other DM post by the time I get back from work 2200 local then I will make a post. Jerry is sick and I was never supposed to run for this long. Again, sorry for the confusion.
0500 update - Sorry guys got called into work short notice. This si the first chance I have had to use a computer and I am sure I will be here until about 1500. Been here since last night.
Rosario AC 17 HP 11-13 Tuesday February 12th, 2008 9:59:36 AM
Rosario thanks Gigi and gives his sister a big hug as the short fight ends. "I'm all right Dooghie."
At the House, Rosario takes a knee next to his now sitting sister and puts an arm around her protectively. His eyes remain on the young man speaking though in truth he is not listening so much, but saying a small prayer to Pantheon that his brothers and father died well with weapons in hand and in glory. Justice would be done.
Where to go next was a good question, but "I don't think we can decide until we get some more information. First we need to determine our assets." He looks to the small group, "What is left? Did the house get cleared out, the safes the coffers the papers?"
Rosario is looking to find out about what possessions they have, money, other fixed or portable assets as well as arms and armorments. Horses, out buildings the whole works.
Picci Tuesday February 12th, 2008 6:47:43 PM
The petite cleric can only blink her dark eyes in shock and horror...where's Nonna? And the Duchess..? Or is poor Zita the Duchess now--or, in these more enlightened times--was Zita the Duke now? Did it matter? Why did the followers of Ga'al pick this moment to attack?
"Who trampled my poor rhododendrons...?" Picci bemoans out loud as she struggles to comprehend what has happened to the only home she's known all her life.
Substitute DM Kathy [OOC] Tuesday February 12th, 2008 11:23:56 PM
Hello all. DM Jamie has real-world issues, and DM Jerry is still under the weather. I was asked to "hold the Fort" (so to speak) until one of your regular DMs returns.
Please understand that I was asked to do this less than 24 hours ago, and I got my first look at the module about an hour ago. I have not been reading the board, so I'm a little sketchy with backstory.
I therefore ask for your patience and understanding if I sometimes screw up the details. I am happy to go back and correct mistakes if they are pointed out to me. I prefer it if they are pointed out politely. :)
If you have questions or concerns, I am reachable at kice6[at]comcast[dot]net.
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