DM Cayzle - Just outside the darkmantle cave Tuesday October 6th, 2009 7:26:27 AM
You stow the enemy gear and bring the kids over. A couple -- the youngest -- the burst into tears when they see the dead men on the floor. One girls runs over to the dead man and kicks the body.
The four of you go first. Behind, the rest of your party shepherd the kids forward and carry the unconscious enemy along, at Ender's suggestion.
At last you are at the cave of the darkmantles -- the last challenge between yourselves and the outer world. You discuss how to get past the enemy. You do think that any of the magical beasts that are in the radius of the thunderstone will be daunted ... at least if they fail their saves. But what if some stay outside the blast?
Jet ponders going first to draw the attacks. But is that a good way to get killed?
If only Keela's magic could save them. Alexi suggests a Web spell. But how? The darkmantle's cave stands before you.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Tuesday October 6th, 2009 3:14:34 PM
"Perhaps if keela could blanket one wall with her web, to keep them from exiting their little holes, I won't have to deal with near as many of them."
Jet looks around, "Do we have any oil left? Maybe we can can light up some walls with a couple of lit flasks to help deter them?"
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:5/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Tuesday October 6th, 2009 6:59:27 PM
Alexi, still covered in blood and not up to a fight in the dark, surveys the cavern beform them. How to get across without attacting creatures that are attracted by sound? How to keep the children quiet enough to get across? How to keep Myself quiet enough?
A thought occurs to him. A dim thought. A cunning plan.
"Keela, I've seen you use a spell to clean yourself with and straighten your hair. Do you still have that spell? I've seen wizards move small objects around and such."
Alexi hands Keela the coin with the Light spell (OOC: duration should be 40min so I'm thinking it should still be active).
"Can you cast your spell to make this coin tinkel and bounce a little ways ahead of you? They'll cast their darkness spell on it and attack it. You move it out of the way just as the darkness hits. The'll land on the floor and then they'll be harmless. How far ahead can you move the coin? Once several have fallen, we can move forward a little ways, the coin always in front, and stop while we attract more. Move, stop, move, stop."
"Or, can you create sounds of bells ringing?"
"Or," he adds pensive, "we can gather up pebbles and rocks, and with the kidds help, toss handfulls of them out in front of us."
"Any other suggestions?"
Keela Wednesday October 7th, 2009 12:33:03 AM
"If you can point out where on the cave wall the Web should go," Keela says, "I can put it there. I'm not very good at seeing those kinds of things, myself."
"The Prestidigitation spell can't move objects," Keela continues. "You want Mage Hand for that, and I don't have it prepared today. I could send--I don't know--brightly colored phantom butterflies flying in there. But if these creatures detect their prey by some other means--scent, for example, or heat--such an illusion would have no effect on them."
DM Cayzle - Still just outside the darkmantle cave Wednesday October 7th, 2009 7:25:47 AM
[OOC: Keela, I tend to be forgiving in interpreting a Prestidigitation spell's use. The spell says you can slowly lift a pound. I think you probably *could* use it to move a single coin as you walk forward. The larger problem, I think, is the spell's very short range ... a mere 10 feet. That would expose Keela to attack, surely.]
The party continues to debate strategy. The youngest child starts to cry. It is hard to imagine how to get the kids across without rousing the darkmantles. And yet somehow they got in here in the first place.
[OOC: Friends, it is up to you. I just need your actual orders.]
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday October 7th, 2009 2:56:26 PM
ooc: Post to come tonight.
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Wednesday October 7th, 2009 4:19:56 PM
"Maybe we can throw the thunderstone and coin together, then keela can web them when the darkmantles attack... then we have them all and we can rush through the cave" Ender suggests
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday October 7th, 2009 6:22:38 PM
"Hmm...There is one thing I am sure of. We are alive. I intend for as many of us as possible to stay that way and time rot in a hole."
Jet crouches down on one knee to acentuate the fact and he thinks for a bit.
"Keela, I think we only have one chance at this, so ready your web spell. I will throw a sunrod toward the left side of the cavern, hopefully revealing to you the wall long enough to web it.
I will toss my buckler into the middle of the room, to hopefully attract the rest of them.
Ender, you take the Thunderstone and throw it at my buckler, a round after it goes dark.
Alexi, tie a rope to yourself and get a bearing on the exit at the otherside. I want you to cross straight away after the Thunderstone goes off. Keela will hold the other end here and the children will be able to follow the rope to get out of here.
Ender and myself will go into the darkness and seek out to kill as many as the Darkmatles as we can find, if we can find any.
Now, that is one plan, anyone have an idea, lets have it. I want us all to remian on this side though. I have no idea where those barrels came from or the men, so there must be a secret passage oe opening we missed. I want to find what is left here and deal with it. Then, we will again figure out some way to exit. There must be another way into this place, we just haven't found it yet."
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:5/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Wednesday October 7th, 2009 10:30:54 PM
"Barrels!" Alexi exclaimed quietly. "Of course, barrels! What are empty barrels good for? Rolling, that's what. Let's get those barrels in here, put rocks in them, and roll them across the floor to one side of this cavern while we run with the children, as quiet as we can, on the other side of the cavern and to the exit."
"We save the Thunderstone and the Web spell in case one plops down on or near us."
OOC: If Alexi's idea doesn't fly, then we execute Jet's.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday October 7th, 2009 11:37:45 PM
Jet raises an eyebrow at the idea of Alexis.
"Someone go back and look in those barrels to see what they contain. Maybe we can actually roll the children across to the other side, if the creatures don't attack it.
Also, lets question the children again, now that they have calmed down. Maybe there is something they have seen that they forgot to tell us before?"
ooc: Jet has a pretty good Survival skill if necessary. I would like to see if they left some kind of trail, hauling around the barrels, maybe from a secret door or something.
Keela Wednesday October 7th, 2009 11:53:25 PM
Keela moves to help comfort the children.
"I like the idea of using the barrels for a distraction," she says. "If we move quickly, we might be able to avoid the creatures altogether."
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Thursday October 8th, 2009 6:28:31 AM
"The barrels" Ender exclaims as he slaps his forehead "Of course!" I will go and see whats inside them!
DM Cayzle - Roll out the barrels! Thursday October 8th, 2009 7:29:43 AM Alexi remembers the barrels that the enemy used for cover.
Ender's quick trip back reveals that the barrels are heavy with supplies. One barrel is filled with pickles, and the others with a kind of hardtack marked with the letters F and E. They are heavy but could be rolled.
The party seems to be coming up with a plan to overwhelm the darkmantles with distractions, both magical and mundane.
Jet meanwhile talks with the kids. They tell you that they had to wear smelly cloaks and crawl on the floor when they came here.
Jet searches around, and with help from the kids, finds a small hidden side chamber with about 30 cloaks on a rack. The cloaks reek from the garlic bulbs stitched into them.
Keela is optimistic about getting out now.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Thursday October 8th, 2009 10:21:54 AM
Jet starts to pass out garlic bud filled cloaks. "This is making more sense now!"
"The same way out you guys came in then, you shall leave my little friends!" Jet explains to the Ahote children.
If there are enough cloaks, the ones escorting the children out can use one also.
How many children are there again please?
DM Cayzle - Extra Thursday October 8th, 2009 10:41:10 AM
Turns out there are 17 kids, toddlers up to preadolescents.
DM Cayzle - Extra Thursday October 8th, 2009 4:58:14 PM
I'm about to embark on a five-day family reunion, AND my laptop is in the shop, so I may miss posts on Fri, Mon, and Tues. If I'm lucky someone else in my family will bring a computer! I hope to post the Fri AM dm post before I leave in the AM.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Thursday October 8th, 2009 7:31:19 PM
OOC: Have fun.
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:5/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Thursday October 8th, 2009 10:18:51 PM
With the information on the barrels, Alexi ponders, "We can dump the contents of a barrel and put pebbles and rocks in it. One good roll across the center should do for many of them. Remember, once they are on the ground, they can't reach your head and are rather harmless. We'll dump the contents of a second barrel. I'll put the barrel over my head and walk in front of the group. Walking won't be easy and I won't be able to see where I'm going, but I'll just hug the cave wall until all goes dark, then I'll kneel quickly so I'll be completely inside the barrel when one plops on me. If I could drill holes in a barrel to see by that would be nice. Keela, do you have a spell that could create two eyeholes in a barrel?"
Alexi figures that, with the barrel over his head and making noise as he walks in front, any remaining creatures will drop on him but land on the barrel and try to constrict the barrel. He would then crouch down so that he is completely inside the barrel and wait until the creature gives up trying to strangle a wooden barrel and scuttle off. Progressing to the exit that way will keep the area clear of the creatures and the children safe. Adding the bonus of the cloaks, they have a good chance of getting out alive after all.
Alexi would choose the pickle barrel, as it seems these things don't like strong smells and would stick around much less time once landing on the barrel.
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:5/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Thursday October 8th, 2009 10:23:28 PM
OOC: I was thinking of the Prestidigitaion spell to make something to drill holes with but I see that won't work, any tool would be too fragile to use against a hardened barrel. So scrap that idea. :(
DM Cayzle - And through you go! Friday October 9th, 2009 6:28:01 AM
Jet gets everyone dressed in the smelly cloaks. Alexi rolls a noisy barrel or two across the floor of the cavern. Then he stumbles carefully across the cavern himself, using a barrel to give himself total cover. Frm the flutterings he hears, there may be Darkmantles about, but they do not stop him.
Meanwhile, Jet leads the kids and everyone across the cavern floor, crawling under the cloaks. With Alexi to provide covering noise and a target, the group passes without being attacked.
And then, soon enough, you are all in daylight again. At last!
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:5/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Friday October 9th, 2009 9:10:22 PM
Alexi takes a huge lungful of air, for various reasons, once outside. "I may not eat a pickle for a while," he announces.
But other things are on his mind as well, other than fresh air. "The horses, we must see to the horses and make sure they are allright." At that he checks on the horses. They had been hobbled near the entrance but in a small side canyon.
OOC: at one time the Ahote were with us, at least until the battle with the Gnolls. But after that there's no mention of them so we assumed they stayed back a ways. DM can decide whether they followed until the cave entrance or we need to hunt them down.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Sunday October 11th, 2009 12:55:53 PM
Jet makes sure Honaw and the horses are alright.
"Let us see everyone out of the canyons, then we can come back and finish searching the place, while the children are seen back to the village by the others."
Jet is determined to make sure that no innocents are never harmed again by this magical beast, those that took the vision, had seen.
"It's odd, we saw a bunch of fire in our vision, but we dealt with a creature of the cold. There is much more to do it seems."
Keela Sunday October 11th, 2009 11:00:12 PM
Keela helps the children climbing down the steep steps to where the horses wait. If the horses look to be unhurt, she helps three or four of the children to climb up on Daisy. The gentle farm horse can easily bear their weight.
Ender [AC 18, HP 26/26] Monday October 12th, 2009 4:31:09 AM
Ender helps Keela with the children
DM Cayzle - Back to the Ahote Monday October 12th, 2009 8:46:50 AM
There's no problem getting to the horses and then getting back.
If you roll a spot check to beat DC15, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You do note that someone has gone through your gear to take a peek. Nothing was greatly disturbed or taken.}
You start back on the way to bring the kids home. No way everyone can ride, but the littlest ones can do so.
THe DM, on vacation, on a borrowed laptop, must admit to not being able to do all the research he should have. How far is the Ahote camp from here? More than a day's ride? Anyway, when you are about five hours walk from the Ahote camp, you see a dust cloud up ahead. At least 20 riders on horseback are on the way to you. Call it 1000 feet, or maybe a minute away.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) d20+4=10 ; Monday October 12th, 2009 1:20:00 PM
Jet sees nothing new, but hopes the dust coming up across the horizon aren't the gnoll tribe looking for revenge.
Pulling the children off of Bantom for a short time, Jet puts on his warrior face as he mounts and closes his visor. "Alexi, if you don't do as I ask now, we will have a scuffle when this is done. Get these children back to safety and watch to see if I fall or not. I am going to see who it is. If they are friendly Ahote, I will return with them, if they are not, I will be dead and you are in charge."
He raises his visor and grins at the warrior, "Isn't that what you always wanted? Wish me luck."
He closes his visor and pulls his great sword, to go out and meet those that approch.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Monday October 12th, 2009 1:22:16 PM
On second thought, I don't think gnolls can ride horses, but who knows, it could be these two reinforcements.
Keela Monday October 12th, 2009 3:12:49 PM
"Jet, are you sure that's wise?" Keela asks, but he is already gone.
She concentrates on helping the children on the arduous journey, hoping Jet will be all right.
[OOC to Cayzle: the journey is several days, and there is some interesting terrain that may prove difficult for our party.]
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:5/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) d20+1=5 ; Monday October 12th, 2009 10:32:46 PM
OOC: there was a maze, but with the ranger's help, we should be able to retrace our path unless there's been rain. It took a couple of days from the entrance of the badlands to the entrance to the cave. If we stopped over night at least once before we meet these riders, Alexi will have healed up some, plus Jet and Keela would have their spells back. Let us know.
Hope you are having fun on your vacation.
IC: Alexi does not argue with Jet's decision. It seems the most logical one for the circumstances. Alexi leads the children, with the others help to a side passage and asks Beren to hide their tracks.
"Ender, see if you can follow Jet, staying hidden, and return as quick as you can with any news."
Spot DC15, d20+1=5 pffft! :p
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Tuesday October 13th, 2009 4:30:38 AM
OOC: Where is Honaw the scout? We left him outside with the horses.
We were also going to go back and search the cave complex more throughly. I think there are some things we missed, like checking all of the huts as well as the various side passages.
DM Cayzle - Apologies Wednesday October 14th, 2009 8:01:23 AM
I'm sorry my vacation has interrupted our game. I will post later today, and I hope to be back on schedule tomorrow. My bad.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Wednesday October 14th, 2009 9:38:46 AM Bad DM, BAD!
Oops, was that my out loud typing? :)
Alexi (AC: 17, HP:5/34) Lobo (AC: 19, HP:37/37) Wednesday October 14th, 2009 9:46:56 PM
OOC: totally understandable. And on that note, I'll be on vacation from Oct. 24 thru Nov 2 in the mountains of New Mexico. I'll not have internet up there in the wilderness. So I'll post on the L&B for a sub during that time.
DM Cayzle - Apologies Again Thursday October 15th, 2009 7:40:53 AM
Ugh, if you can belive it ... got a call at work, that my wife fell in a parking lot, and the EMTs were coming. I raced home in the middle of the day, and spent the rest of yesterday on child and wife care. Sorry. Bad string of luck. I'll post later today.
Really sorry.
Jet Stormway (AC:20(enlarged)/22 HP:19/36 ; Bantom AC:19 HP:42/42) Thursday October 15th, 2009 10:48:01 AM
Family first!
LOG ON